Happy Autumn everyone!
It’s been a long summer.
It’s been a season of ups and downs.
A short summary of our summer…
A new campground opened about 2 miles north of our home. Although it was good to see their business thrive, it really made it difficult for us to go online because of the added traffic. So I was forced to take an extended blogging break through the summer…I actually found this to be beneficial as I was able to focus more on spending time with the family and focusing on Jeff and the dogs and our home. I will likely take a blogging/ internet break next summer as well…this time intentionally.
Early in the summer our oldest granddaughter was mauled by a dog. She is alright, but has had to undergo surgery to repair the damage to her lip. I am not as worried about the physical scarring
as that will fade with time as I am about the psychological scars that may not heal as quickly, if ever. You see, she was attacked by a large black dog. The owners of the dog were not responsible enough to take proper care of the animal as far as shots, training, and general care are concerned…They abused and neglected him, and as a result he hurt a child and lost his life for it. This was not the first animal abused by these people.
As many of you know, we have two big black dogs…This whole ordeal may very well affect our granddaughter from now on whenever she visits us. We want her to be able to feel safe and have fun here. Although she knows our dogs are good, and would never hurt her, It may take some time for her to feel safe around any dog again.
Speaking of dogs, Sasha has really slowed down a lot lately. She is over ten years old, and although it is expected, it is hard to see. She cannot handle long walks/hikes any longer. The last few times we were really concerned when we had to slow down in order for her to keep up with us
and we are not that fast ourselves! And then we’ve had to lift her into the van afterwards. Just last year she would run ahead and double back on the trail. We are not in the habit of feeding her from the table, yet she is really gaining weight
probably due to her decreased activity. She sees the vet in a couple months.
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| Sasha after a walk. |
Our township will be in the news soon.
There is a very controversial natural gas washing facility coming in. There is only one other such facility in our part of the state, and since it is a new thing there is much concern and fear regarding the chemicals used in the procedure.
There are already some
letters to the editor about this in the local newspaper, and ‘
9and10 News’ (our local station) is calling.
I have gone to a couple meetings with my husband who is a planning commissioner for the township. I am very relieved that I am no longer the zoning administrator since this whole thing is quickly becoming a hot mess…and one which the local municipality has little to no say over since it’s regulation is superseded by the state government. Even our governor is involved in the proposal. But the residents have easy access to the local government body, therefore it is inevitable that all the anger and frustration will be unleashed upon them and not the people whom have any actual authority over the thing.
This, coupled with some very disturbing news involving one of our neighbors, actually prompted us to consider selling and moving. We even went as far as setting an appointment with a realtor to list the house. This was a dark time for us.
We cancelled the appointment with the realtor, but not until after going through a season of discontent and fear over the unknown.
We have come to the conclusion that unless the Lord makes it very clear that we are to move our residence, we are placed where we are for a reason, and will remain here.
This happened to us over fifteen years ago when there was a fear over my husband’s employment at the time. We pulled stakes and ran. We moved and both got jobs. After six months when our house did not sell, and our home and family life was a total mess, we came back home where a better job was awaiting my husband (his current job) and began the long process of healing our family. Unfortunately some things that were lost were never recovered and our family really took a hit. We learned our lesson…Never ever make a big decision based on the what ifs in life! Trust God and have faith NOT FEAR!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
We did get some good news this summer too…
Our daughter Samantha is engaged, She and her fiancé Casey make a good couple. He treats her well, and she is very happy, and we are delighted!
So this new autumn season is bringing about all of the usual changes as the leaves have begun to brighten their hues and most of the migrating birds have flown away. It is bringing about a change in me also. This time of year is a good reminder of just how beautiful life can be, as well as how fleeting life is.
I have unpacked and washed the throw blankets and warmer clothing. I have packed away the summer things. We are stocking up on canned goods, and the supper menu is full of more home-cooked meals now. We have filled the propane tank, and are anticipating a time of taking refuge under His wings while the storms of the next season pass over us. We are secure in the knowledge that He will shelter us from them all.
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| A gift from daughter Sarah |
And I can say that I am truly content with all the blessings that the Lord has given.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
~Blessings & Love~
& always remember, we are...
Never Forsaken
The Office
A lake by where he parks his office
A curious little fellow.
The sign says that the weight of it was 7100 lbs.! 
