Friday, July 18, 2008

What an easy life we lead! Many times it seems like I ought to look for the edge of a hanging plate or calendar because it is all too Norman Rockwellish and I wonder if I just live out my life within a painting. I suppose that is the feeling of living under the great umbrella of God's grace.

For example, the fourth of July found us attending Hague, a local town's centennial with a young yodeling cowgirl, dancing grandmas clogging, and a craft show with only three vendors. We left Hague and came back to Herreid in time for the town potluck. Afterwards we joined a planned pick-up game of softball. Nobody struck out; you just kept swinging until the ball went somewhere. Most everybody threw slowy. Perfect game for the novices like me, although a bit frustrating for the sports-intense like Caleb. Then there was a water balloon toss, followed by a show of fireworks, highlighted by a history of our national anthem. We loved it!

Caleb has already gone to our Victory Center Bible Camp and is slated to leave on a missions trip to Nashville tomorrow. Including our Great Train Trip, he'll be gone for a month since he's staying down south with relatives in between events. We'll have to see how his Mama does, but nobody's worried about Caleb being homesick.

Due to scheduling, Sarah is also planning on going to camp by Ft. Pierre for this year. Actually, her camp starts on Monday and goes through Friday, so if you want to write her:

Sarah Swann, Victory Center Bible Camp, % General Delivery, Ft. Pierre, SD 57532

Strange address but apparently it gets there.

Our final adoption inquiry came back negative so we have taken off our names from the prospective adoptive list. It wasn't as hard as I would have expected since God has been obviously changing our hearts and preparing our minds about the whole thing..

Sorry nothing too funny this time. I've been working on a Ladies' Retreat for our camp in September and since organization is way down on my list of enjoyable things, my brain has been working in much different patterns, nearly normal you might even say. Exciting though, we will celebrate a rehearsal dinner for the marriage of the Lamb and his bride, the church! What a neat way to fall in love with Jesus in a whole new way!

Oh, in case you did your calendar math correctly, yes, Steven and I will be alone next week with both kids at various places. He asked me out for a date of camping overnight! Let the marshmallows roast!

Blessings in the name of Jesus,

Marcia for the Swann's