Well, so much for my pretty scene at the pond! Tom and I heard the *crack crack….craaaaack…..* and then, enormous branches came crashing down, smashing the little maple I was so looking forward to watching blaze with autumnal colors. Other branches around the property have come down, too. Free firewood?
It’s starting to feel more like home and less like camping, even as I figure out ways to expand my countertop space to do some canning. Some folks feel sorry for us. I guess my expectations of what a real home is made of aren’t as high. I put higher value into things like honoring the Lord, loving one another, and gratitude for faucets that give clean, hot water. You could practice honor, love, and gratitude in a yurt (and people do!). Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
I continue to enjoy the interesting landscaping, and take so much pleasure in it! It helps offset the disappointment of not having a food garden this year. Here are the flowers blooming at the tips of the branches of another tree. A whole tree with tropical looking flowers!
We continue to work on the house, especially the bedrooms upstairs. It’s goes slowly; we still have to upkeep our old home on the market, and we can only work as time and funds are available (just like anyone else!). How do you like our outdoor shop? Pleasant summer sunshine and breeze…hard to beat!
The good news in everything, always, is that the Lord has not forgotten nor forsaken us 
Give an ear to the update and if He so leads, we continue to appreciate and are humbled by your prayers on our behalf.
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view from our backyard
To listen to Pastor Houston’s broadcast that Tom hosted, click here: Walking With Your Sons on the Journey to Manhood.
