We, that is, my wife Madge and I have had the priviledge of having two of our granddaughters with us for over a week now.  They came home with us on June 30, and they are still in our house.  Only difference now is their Dad and Mom is with us.  Caitlyn and Rachelle, daughters of Paul and Charity (our daughter Charity) were going to be pretty busy getting things done, and came to our house on Wednesday the fourth.

We have had quite the gathering with our kids, and grand kids.  Like I have mentioned in an earlier post, they decided last year to make their mother’s birthdate an annual gathering of all the siblings and at our house.  It is fun, sometimes a little confusing, and mind boggling, sometimes a mess, and sometimes frustrating.  It is just that Dad [me] can be somewhat selfish about his space; and that can be especially so when we are in a small house.  We are hoping to have a larger house sometime soon.  We are praying for a larger house, which we can afford soon. 

It would make things so much better if we had more than one bathroom, but that is not happening right now.

We do have fun.  I love my kids and grandkids.  We have had a cookout, with barbecue hamburgers, brats, weiners, and man was that really good stuff.  For some reason we all like to eat.  For a birthday gift to their Mom they gave her a new digital camera.  I guess that is the correct term to use.

One of the greatest blessings of this weekend was having all our kids here together.  They had all planned on attending church with us on Sunday morning, but our youngest son and his wife went home early Sunday morning due to sickness.  James and his wife just felt like they needed to be home for Amber to begin feeling better, and we all understand that.  We just missed them being with us.   Madge and I did not even know they were gone until we got up on Sunday morning. 

Our oldest son, Timothy and his wife Sarah along with their two were in another church.  He was preaching at a church to fill the pulpit for the pastor there.  He also had people from another church there to hear him preach.  They might be interested in calling him as their pastor.  Pray for God’s will and leading.

I had a thought last night of next years family gathering being a campout.  I don’t know what the women will think though.  Madge, in particular, does not enjoy camping that much.  I may mention it and see what happens.

God bless all, and have a great July.

Tim A.