A Month of Love

Have you ever had an absolutely perfect period of time?  One in which you show love and feel loved and experience others showing love?  Well, that is what our last month has been like - a month of LOVE.

At the Minnesota place, the dock was pulled and there were a couple of days where Mike and I just went fishing and enjoyed "our" lake.

As we loaded things in the motorhome, the giant woodpecker showed his head and enjoyed the last of the suet.

The colors of fall have always been my favorite.

We spent a week in the Mankato area and each day was greeted with family or friends, good food and many hugs.  Sandra and Leo hosted a Sunday brunch.  Mike says they make the best bloody marys he has ever had and I had to have seconds of the crème brulee french toast (Mike had thirds) - fabulous friends and food!

We spent an evening with Terry and Janet and family.  If you ever get an opportunity to enjoy a pizza from Pieology, go for it.  They are the Subway of pizza and very good.  After we enjoyed ice cream even though the temperature was rather chilly.  Great Grand Aiden had pink eye was wasn't feeling great but he perked up at ice cream and I managed to get some good hugs!  After we went to Kaci's house and she entertained us with song and dance and spontaneous theater - I even got to play a part...  My camera, unfortunately, was still in the motorhome - no pictures but great memories.  Thanks Kaci for sharing some of your "stuff" with us!  Keep couponing!

Another day we met my brother Rich and Anita for dinner.  It was only a couple of hours but lots of good conversation about a wide variety of topics and lots of hugs and love.

Another evening we went to Ashley and Jonah's house in Pemberton and enjoyed dinner together with Brian and Tammy's family.    Grandpa Brian is so good with his little ones.  Sometimes I look and him and remember the teenager he was when I first met him.  Proud of you Brian!

Grandpa and Joey were watching as Ledger took his first steps that night.

Joey is a beautiful little girl (and she just won Best Baby Costume in Pemberton).

Not easy to get Grandpa and two under one all looking at me at one time!

Love it when Ledger cruises with the family!

Brian and Lyric enjoyed playing with me and Opa.

A beautiful family!

We parked our motorhome by Doug and Lael's shed for several nights and then moved to the park in St. Peter.  Beautiful fall colors and reflections.

 

 

 

One evening many of our friends navigated the construction around Louise and Mel's home to enjoy delicious potluck food and beverages.  The ladies talked about everything happening in the area and in their lives and the men did what men do... sorry, don't know cuz I was in a different room.  Louise has a perfect house for hosting dinner parties.  She had three tables set up in three different areas.  It was funny and I really should have gotten some pictures cuz the guys were at one, ladies at one and one was segregated.  Anyway, the selection of food was huge and the evening delightful.  Thanks Louise for making it a good birthday celebration.

A beautiful background for our golfing partners.  Thanks Lael and Doug for everything.  Hope you saved the scorecard Lael - that was some mighty fine golfing!

We joined the group that gets together on Thursday evening for dinner and Sharon made sour cream raisin pie without even knowing it was one of my favorites.  Thanks Lady!  It was fun to celebrate with Tom who shares my special day.  Of course, the conversation was lively.  Another thanks to Sharon for sending a whole box of home grown Minnesota apples with us - YUM.

One of the best parts of the week was realizing the extent of support our work in Mexico has from our church members in Cleveland.  In the spring when we returned to the Minnesota, we talked about our experiences last winter and how we really would like to be able to give children more athletic supplies during the Christmas Outreach.  Oh goodness, did people answer.  We received school supplies and trucks and dollies and bats and balls and gloves and helmets and scooters and push toys and riding toys and blankets and hats and fabric and books and beads and toiletries and  ... I am sure I am forgetting something.  The response was amazing and in addition to all the wonderful "stuff" we received a considerable number of monetary donations.  And it was a joy finding room for all of it in the motorhome and car.  Mike and I decided that if God provided the stuff, he would provide the space to haul it.

We repackaged and shrunk bags and began stowing away.

There is a special little fellow who is going to be very happy with this very cool science kit that was donated.

When we were plum outa room, we took things out of bags and stuffed them in wherever they fit.  When we arrived at Pilot Knob, it was a challenge to get at the water filters...

It only took us three and a half days to drive down here.  We started days early and didn't waste any time.  We were on a mission to get here, get settled and get to Mexico.

Today we went to Algodones.  And with us came some of the donated items.  This little "Flyer" was a hit the minute it came in the door.

One of the new girls really liked your donated chair, Amariah.

The scooters were pressed into service immediately and all but the very youngest had to try it out.

The oldest fellow had to show the younger how to ride the "caballo" and I had to learn a new word.

There was so many smiles and so much love and so many hugs that we came home exhausted.  I don't wanna get sappy but my heart is very full tonight; I am so fortunate to be able to live the life I do.

This is the youngest member of the "family" and she wasn't real sure she liked us... I don't think she remembers us from last year - have to give her some time.

The books were a huge hit - someone went to a lot of trouble to pick books that were rich in pictures and textures.

It was a super fabulous wonderful day and a purely delightful month.  Mucho Gracias to all those who donated so much; we are blessed to be able to deliver.  Stay tuned for more news from Mexico and don't forget to check out www.papasmissions.blogspot.com   I will have something on there every week or so starting soon.  THANK YOU!