Butterfly love...

I am learning about having faith in Christ. I always thought that meant that we had faith that He was real and performed miracles, and while I do believe that is true, I am coming to learn that there is much, much more.

Having faith in Christ also means believing in what He did for me...believing that He loves me...and that is way harder to believe. "And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us."

He asks us to believe and then to love...because as we come to believe in the fullness of Christ's love for us it will be His love that is offered to those around us.

His love; the kind that wants the very best for others; the kind that cheers others on as they soar and challenges them when they don't. The kind that can love freely and without fear because it flows out as a result of knowing that we are fully loved ourselves. The butterfly kind of love...that watches in awe and wonder at the rebirth of the caterpillar...not trying to capture it, but joyful when it lights on our finger...

I watched with that kind of awe today as this butterfly put on an incredible display for me...

Table Bluff, late summer...

This trail has evolved into one of my favorites, for a variety of reasons, one of which is the many different faces it wears throughout the year.

I love late summer when the grasses are over my head (insert short joke here...)



The meadow blooms are rich...



And my favorite climbing rock is always here...



PLUS the peace allows for deep thought and prayer...a winner all around!

Treasures nearby...

I've taken rides on the Military Ridge bike trail lots of times in the past, but the other day when I was riding I noticed a path off the trail that I hadn't noticed before. So I pulled my bike into the brush and explored a bit. The old trail led back to a great sand pit! Complete with a pond at the bottom and this great hill to climb! What a treasure...right down the road...makes me wonder what else is out there...

The pictures don't do it justice, especially the climb out...I guess you'll just have to come over and experience it for yourself!

Devil's Lake Backward

I feel so blessed to have Wendy and Erin as a part of the team that cares for Ben these days. Their help has allowed me to get to my favorite hiking place more often than ever, to have time to think and pray and exercise, and that my work at home and school is better as a result.

Something else that has enriched my life is a friend whose perspective is different than mine. Rosie has been a great friend for many years and her perspective has always challenged mine. She and Andrew came for a wonderful, (but too short!) visit a few weeks ago and we went to Devil's lake. I've always hiked the lake from west to east (mostly because I enter on the west side and can't wait to get to the east side to start hiking!) but since we dropped Andrew and the girls off on the other side to go swimming, we just naturally started up that side. As if I needed a testimony of the value of Rosie's additional perspective in my life, the hike in this direction treated us to these amazing views of the lake...views I had never seen...because I had never turned around! Ah, the many values of friendship...

Date night!

While Kristin graciously sat with Ben, Frank and I set off to use a long overdue gift a friend gave us for an area supper club (yes, they still make them, and they are still great!)

We had a wonderful dinner and then took a ride to check out a few sites that were off the beaten track. We were directed to Roxbury by our local fellow diners, so we explored the Dorf Haus, and across the street, an historic, beautiful old church.



Then, just to balance off that experience, we went off for the challenge of a pool match. There is much speculation about the win-loss record of the match, but I think when the truth comes out, we ended up even. All in all, a great night!

Ice Age Trail

I think that one of the most underrated trail systems in Wisconsin is the Ice Age. Today, I had the privilege of walking a portion of this incredible trail and saw a hidden lake, giant frogs, and remarkable vistas. Plus I had some quality time with God...what could be better?

Late night troll hunt

Kristin, Ben, Colton, Chris and I went out on a scary, but successful troll hunt last night. These slippery devils tried to hide in the dark from us, but we caught a few...





We celebrated our success afterward by playing songs on our straws...oh, the excitement!

Kristin and Colton

Follow these images as Kristin and Colton decide on which movie to see...












makes you wonder which one they settled on, doesn't it?

Wisconsin State Fair

Kristin and I have gone to the state fair every year since she was born, and this year was no different. Kristin's good friend Courtney joined us this year and added an extra layer of fun!

The fair always offers so many fun things to do...here are just a few things we did today:

looked at the animals and dreamed of being farmers




earned a prize at the DNR booth by completing a junior ranger passport




sampled the famous cream puffs







rode the rides





then went home, hot, happy and tired...

The Johnsons were here!

Rosie and Andrew truly made our summer by driving up from John and Julie's house to spend a few days with us this week. We celebrated being together by:

playing mini golf





hiking

getting to know Kristin's friends



eating

watching movies (and impersonating new characters)



practicing our spontaneous poses



and laughing





We feel blessed to have such truly wonderful friends in our lives!

It's Berry Season!

Kristin, her friend Colton and I went to our favorite berry place and found a treasure! The weather has been perfect for berries and we picked (and tasted) the bounty. Back at home we made some yummy jam...what a great day!!