LABOR DAY WEEKEND!

LABOR DAY WEEKEND was a fun-packed time.

Friday night started it off with all three of the Wiseman girls getting to stay over. As the pictures show they know how to have a good time together. Usually the girls have a tag-a-long in our little Matthew. Tim being the oldest in a housefull of girls get to play bigshot. With the Leib's coming on over and the church getting together for a Monday evening picnic, Tuesday brought some tired parents and children. All were disappointed it had to come to an end but all as well were glad for the opportunity to get together once again.

CHURCH PICNIC!

Labor Day! Monday evening different ones came together for a church gathering at the park. With probably around 35 people there much activity was going on - basketballs flying, arms unused to much activty getting sore from playing catch, and kids buzzing in and out on scooters. Johnny Altic soon went to work cooking up some great hamburgers. I made sure to grab the tongs just in time for the snap of the picture. I sure hated to be caught with my hands in my pockets. Just like always, everyone brought more than their share and food was abundant. Afterwards we trudged towards the sand volleyball courts with our stomachs full but soon afterwards were flying around about doing our best to win the game. I would say that we had the better team but it was hard to prove being we ended up with the losing score. I went home muttering how much I hated losing. A great time was had by all. Hope we won't wait so long to do it again!

Leib's Are Here!

Sunday brought a pleasant surprise as the Leib's came over from California. As they were dividing their time between both of their families as well as wanting to see different ones from here of their former home church, we were very pleased that they were able to come by a couple of times. Sunday dinner at Susie's brought back old memories. The kids were all able to spend the night, joined by the Wiseman children the next day, all having a grand time. So good to have them over for the weekend.

"PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH"

A couple of years ago I was working on the Sunday school water cooler getting it ready for the summer. Close to noon I had to make a run for supplies to the local Home Depot store. Arriving back home, I immediately climbed back up on the roof wanting to get a couple of coats of sealer on the bottom of the pan before lunch.

Shortly, little Matthew, who was only 3 at the time, came out of the door. “Dad, you want a sandwich?”

“Sure,” I told him, still expecting to be a little while before I came down and went inside.

In a few minutes he came back out all smiles and bouncing down the sidewalk. “Dad. I’ve got your sandwich. It’s peanut butter and jelly.”

Now that got my curiosity up because Tammy has made me a lot of sandwiches for my lunch, but never a peanut butter and jelly. I had to take a look. He had laid it on the picnic table for me. Sure enough, it was made of a regular slice and a heel. The peanut butter was not too smooth and the jelly was oozing out on all sides. The picnic table was not too clean and our windy day was drying the bread out fast. He stood proud and smiling, ready to go back in and make himself one now.

Now, I was no more ready to stop mid-work than anything. BUT – when my 3 year old made me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, the brush went into the gasoline, the cover went on the sealer, and I went into the house. It was “TIME FOR LUNCH.”

If ever the enemy whispers questioning God’s love for us, my mind immediately thinks of how very much I love my own. The Scripture then always comes to mind “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him.” With ammunition like that to combat the enemy, Satan has to take his flight and I am left to rejoice in the love of God.

"BEST BUDS"

As this blog is entitled FamilyTime we want everyone to have opportunity to have part in posting. Our youngest, Matthew, obviously is not at an age to do much writing just yet but that does not mean that he hasn't found a way to communicate with friends. With the help of his sisters, emails are sent back and forth between him and his "best bud" Trae very often. The following was one that we enjoyed and they allowed us to post. In this case Trae is writing Matthew. Enjoy !

“Match I don't think you got what I was saying so nvm I wish you you where out here alot can you send me back to its really weird becuz I send you a lot of emails and you never send me back I ment this girl at BBS and as soon as she saw me she went and asked me my name and stuff and she stold me she had a crush on me and now she asked me out witch boys are post to assk girls out but she already asked me out and I said no and than she told my sister marissa and than I told her I would think about it well it sounds kinda weird don't you think? And I don't really kno what to say so you can tell me what to say and maybe I might agree cuz you have really good answers!!! Well im changing the subject ok so are your sisters getting anoying? I bet they are I need to tell you something really really bad I cant tell you in the emal tho cuz your sisters can read it so when I see you ill tell you its really inportant so what are you up to? And what are you doing? I miss you lots and lots here is a pic it me pating duck!! He is such a good dog!! Well that's it for now so bye cya dude Miss you so much Trae”

Aren't kids a lot of fun?!!!

UNCONCEALABLE JOY

A man got on the cars very much amused about something. His face was fairly covered with smiles of the deepest order. As he came aboard he tried his best to straighten his countenance, but the facial lineaments would not be regulated. The hand was applied in a rubbing and smoothing out movement all in vain. One set of mirthful wrinkles would only disappear to give way to another. The party did his best to look grave as he encountered the cold, speculative eyes and icy demeanor of the passengers. He pulled his beard and attempted a severe and thoughtful expression, but the failure was complete and absolute. He next sank back in his seat, turned up his coat collar, and pulled his hat down over his eyes, but even then we could see his shoulders shaking and felt that the smiles had arisen to the hat bands.

Evidently it was a good thing he had; there could be no question of that, and now to the point and conclusion of the matter; in less than five minutes everybody in the car was in a smile or broad grin. The mans spirit had permeated and metamorphosed the crowd. He had conquered without a word.

Of course I had to make an application, and said: O, that we all had an experience so bright and glad and overflowing that everybody could see it before we had a chance to tell them, that people would be made to hunger, thirst and fairly pine for the blessing just from what they would behold in us.

To do that, however, we must have a smile that ascends to the hat bands, and a joy that no cold critical audience can dampen, much less take away. We have seen a few of the hat-band order; and a remarkable thing about them was that they had not gone into sidetracks. Their joy sprung from a clean heart and a constantly indwelling Christ. They would not allow themselves to be switched off on solitary features of the gospel, or on visions, or third experiences, but stayed on the main line. Hence instead of becoming scolders, fretters, sourly orthodox, etc., they kept sweet and bubbling over with joy. Lord, increase the smiling, level-headed tribe.

Living Illustrations By B. Carradine