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“These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” [Jesus]

Luke 18:16-17 (The Message)

Jon and Jen’s Children

Tuesday, February 23

 Jon (Bob and Doris’ youngest son) and Jen live about two miles away.

Over the weekend I asked her to choose a three-hour time period on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday when she would like me to come to the house and spend time with their children – giving her the freedom to go somewhere or do whatever she wanted. She chose Tuesday – late morning.

 Alisha and Andre (hidden) don’t know me very well, but the sight of my computer games won them over quickly. They never noticed that their mom was gone for an hour.

 This old Fisher Price preschool CD is one of my favorites for young children because they play it with the touch of a key, instead of having to use a mouse. I’ve had it since our oldest grandchildren were small.

 Andre putting four blue fish in the net. Each time he touched a key, one blue fish jumped into the net – counting: “One blue fish, two blue fish, three blue fish, four blue fish” – teaching numbers and colors.  

 Older children can use the mouse, choosing the correct color and number of fish. This is only one of many cute learning games on the CD.

 Andre was so pleased that he could play the games.

 They loved watching a few Bob the Builder videos.

 Andre had just been born when were in Minnesota two years ago, and Alisha was too small to remember us, so it was great to spend time with them.

 Oh, look who just woke up. Dietrich was in bed most of the time I was there. He is one year old.

 When I left to go back to Bob and Doris’ house, it was naptime for Alisha and Andre. They went to bed while I was talking to Jen.

She told us later, that Alisha was not happy when she woke up and discovered the lady with the computer was no longer there.

Jon’s family came to the house on Wednesday evening for small group fellowship, and Alisha and Andre came right to me asking if I had my computer.  After prayer and sharing time, they played a few games on the computer while the others enjoyed refreshments.

 ~~~

Tomorrow night: Miscellaneous Photos at Bob and Doris’ House

~~~

Jon and Jen’s Children

Tuesday, February 23

 Jon (Bob and Doris’ youngest son) and Jen live about two miles away.

Over the weekend I asked her to choose a three-hour time period on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday when she would like me to come to the house and spend time with their children – giving her the freedom to go somewhere or do whatever she wanted. She chose Tuesday – late morning.

 Alisha and Andre (hidden) don’t know me very well, but the sight of my computer games won them over quickly. They never noticed that their mom was gone for an hour.

 This old Fisher Price preschool CD is one of my favorites for young children because they play it with the touch of a key, instead of having to use a mouse. I’ve had it since our oldest grandchildren were small.

 Andre putting four blue fish in the net. Each time he touched a key, one blue fish jumped into the net – counting: “One blue fish, two blue fish, three blue fish, four blue fish” – teaching numbers and colors.  

 Older children can use the mouse, choosing the correct color and number of fish. This is only one of many cute learning games on the CD.

 Andre was so pleased that he could play the games.

 They loved watching a few Bob the Builder videos.

 Andre had just been born when were in Minnesota two years ago, and Alisha was too small to remember us, so it was great to spend time with them.

 Oh, look who just woke up. Dietrich was in bed most of the time I was there. He is one year old.

 When I left to go back to Bob and Doris’ house, it was naptime for Alisha and Andre. They went to bed while I was talking to Jen.

She told us later, that Alisha was not happy when she woke up and discovered the lady with the computer was no longer there.

Jon’s family came to the house on Wednesday evening for small group fellowship, and Alisha and Andre came right to me asking if I had my computer.  After prayer and sharing time, they played a few games on the computer while the others enjoyed refreshments.

 ~~~

Tomorrow night: Miscellaneous Photos at Bob and Doris’ House

~~~

What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations. Oh, look—the deep, wide sea, brimming with fish past counting.

Psalm 104:24 (The Message)

What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations. Oh, look—the deep, wide sea, brimming with fish past counting.

Psalm 104:24 (The Message)

Ice Fishing in Minnesota

February 22 & 23

~~~

Photos by Cerwin

~~~

After arriving at Becker’s Resort Office, Bob and Cerwin got their bait (fathead minnows) and directions to their fishing shanty.

 Cerwin captured a great picture of an ice shanty in the sunrise as they traveled across the lake.

 They were told to take the main “road” on Lake Winnibigoshish for four miles, then turn right and travel another half mile. 

 The ice was twenty-five inches thick.

 Bob entering the shanty

Cerwin

 There were eight fishing holes in the shanty, which could have held three or four fishermen comfortably. Notice the bait bucket in the foreground.

  N

 The propane heater kept them warm.

 A fishing hole

 You will notice that ice fishing rods are much shorter than regular rods.

 Baiting a hook

 Bob was pleased to catch a whitefish. He said it was the first time he ever caught one.

 The guys each caught a northern pike – none real large. Bob also caught a walleye (not pictured).

 They caught lots of yellow perch. They brought twenty-eight home each day, and thought they threw that many back.

 After supper on Monday Bob asked Japheth if he was interested in helping fillet their catch for a meal of perch. That sounded good to him, so he and a few of the children came over.

 Bob made the initial cuts with an electric knife.

 Japheth did the final trimming, and Cerwin rinsed them in water.

The reward was two meals of delicious perch. Japheth took some home, and Doris froze the rest.

~~~

Tomorrow night: Spending Time With Jon and Jen’s Children

~~~

Ice Fishing in Minnesota

February 22 & 23

~~~

Photos by Cerwin

~~~

After arriving at Becker’s Resort Office, Bob and Cerwin got their bait (fathead minnows) and directions to their fishing shanty.

 Cerwin captured a great picture of an ice shanty in the sunrise as they traveled across the lake.

 They were told to take the main “road” on Lake Winnibigoshish for four miles, then turn right and travel another half mile. 

 The ice was twenty-five inches thick.

 Bob entering the shanty

Cerwin

 There were eight fishing holes in the shanty, which could have held three or four fishermen comfortably. Notice the bait bucket in the foreground.

  N

 The propane heater kept them warm.

 A fishing hole

 You will notice that ice fishing rods are much shorter than regular rods.

 Baiting a hook

 Bob was pleased to catch a whitefish. He said it was the first time he ever caught one.

 The guys each caught a northern pike – none real large. Bob also caught a walleye (not pictured).

 They caught lots of yellow perch. They brought twenty-eight home each day, and thought they threw that many back.

 After supper on Monday Bob asked Japheth if he was interested in helping fillet their catch for a meal of perch. That sounded good to him, so he and a few of the children came over.

 Bob made the initial cuts with an electric knife.

 Japheth did the final trimming, and Cerwin rinsed them in water.

The reward was two meals of delicious perch. Japheth took some home, and Doris froze the rest.

~~~

Tomorrow night: Spending Time With Jon and Jen’s Children

~~~

Always do the right thing. Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with. Worship with people whose hearts are pure.

2 Timothy 2:22 (Contemporary English Version)

Walking to Japheth & Aimee’s House

February 22-26

~~~

We made this trip many times during our week – especially Monday through Friday. After the groom’s parents went home on Monday morning, we slept in Bob and Doris’ guest room in the basement of Japheth and Aimee’s house.

This guest room arrangement happened when Bob and Doris and Japheth and Aimee exchanged houses several years ago.

~~~

This is the view of the walkway (through the arch) from Bob and Doris’ porch.

 This is the view of Japheth and Aimee’s house if I went by the driveway.

 The children’s swing set lies dormant during winter.

 Their picnic table also awaits warm weather.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings I invited Japheth and Aimee’s six oldest children to our bedroom to watch a video and play school-style learning games on my laptop. This gave Aimee a break, and the children some new learning challenges. Aimee kept baby Violet with her.

We watched Seventh Brother the first two mornings – which they are enjoying in the above photo. It’s a great story about kindness and friendship.

Left to right: Japheth Jr (back), Lynne, Jaden, Jeremiah, Wayne, and Loraine.

It turned out to be a great way to entertain six children of various ages. When we played school games, they took turns choosing the game and playing it.

After arriving home, I received thank you notes from Aimee and the children. Japheth and Aimee are committed to raising godly, grateful, and helpful children.

 After our morning “school session” I was often accompanied by someone on the walk back to Bob and Doris’ house. On this day it was Lynne.

 She wasn’t real pleased that I stopped her to take a picture – she was anxious to see grandma.

The dogs were my constant companions, no matter which direction I was going. They loved when I threw a stick for them to retrieve.

 We spent most of our time – and all meals – with Bob and Doris, then at night we walked back to our cozy bedroom in the basement.

 This is a well-lit path, with lights that can be switched on at the beginning of the path, and off when exiting the other end – no matter which direction you are walking.

Seeing this picture reminds me of the crunching/squeaking sound our boots made on the frozen snow, as it was usually close to zero degrees during our late evening walks.

~~~

Tomorrow night: Cerwin and Bob’s Ice Fishing Experience

~~~

Walking to Japheth & Aimee’s House

February 22-26

~~~

We made this trip many times during our week – especially Monday through Friday. After the groom’s parents went home on Monday morning, we slept in Bob and Doris’ guest room in the basement of Japheth and Aimee’s house.

This guest room arrangement happened when Bob and Doris and Japheth and Aimee exchanged houses several years ago.

~~~

This is the view of the walkway (through the arch) from Bob and Doris’ porch.

 This is the view of Japheth and Aimee’s house if I went by the driveway.

 The children’s swing set lies dormant during winter.

 Their picnic table also awaits warm weather.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings I invited Japheth and Aimee’s six oldest children to our bedroom to watch a video and play school-style learning games on my laptop. This gave Aimee a break, and the children some new learning challenges. Aimee kept baby Violet with her.

We watched Seventh Brother the first two mornings – which they are enjoying in the above photo. It’s a great story about kindness and friendship.

Left to right: Japheth Jr (back), Lynne, Jaden, Jeremiah, Wayne, and Loraine.

It turned out to be a great way to entertain six children of various ages. When we played school games, they took turns choosing the game and playing it.

After arriving home, I received thank you notes from Aimee and the children. Japheth and Aimee are committed to raising godly, grateful, and helpful children.

 After our morning “school session” I was often accompanied by someone on the walk back to Bob and Doris’ house. On this day it was Lynne.

 She wasn’t real pleased that I stopped her to take a picture – she was anxious to see grandma.

The dogs were my constant companions, no matter which direction I was going. They loved when I threw a stick for them to retrieve.

 We spent most of our time – and all meals – with Bob and Doris, then at night we walked back to our cozy bedroom in the basement.

 This is a well-lit path, with lights that can be switched on at the beginning of the path, and off when exiting the other end – no matter which direction you are walking.

Seeing this picture reminds me of the crunching/squeaking sound our boots made on the frozen snow, as it was usually close to zero degrees during our late evening walks.

~~~

Tomorrow night: Cerwin and Bob’s Ice Fishing Experience

~~~