Back in Tecumseh

Bill and I spent the last week in Manistee, Michigan. It was warmer than usual this summer, although there was a refreshing breeze blowing off of the lake at night. One can hear the pines brushing against each other just outside the window. It was sad to be cleaning out the cottage, but rather fun to find many treasures. Bill found a box that held his christening clothes. He was baptized in the Lutheran Church as a baby, and then later baptized again as a true believer in Jesus Christ. He found his mother's high school senior picture that was taken in 1923, and his grandparents immigration papers from Prussia. They had been processed through Ellis Island. His mother's first Bible was bi-lingual, German and English.

The neighbors on each side of the cottage (for 25 years), Roy and Marlene Walters and Dan and Mary Lou Ursum, came over and helped us set up the yard sale. Dan loves history and puzzles, so he helped me match cups and saucers from a box for at least an hour. For two days we had antique dealers come and buy many of the items. In a better economy we could have made more money. Most of the furniture is still in the cottage, so if it doesn't sell quickly, the kids plan to go back often. Just before we left, Marlene and Roy gave Bill the most beautiful gift! When we replaced all of the windows a few years ago, Marlene kept one of the old ones. She and Roy sanded and painted it white. Then, they placed mirrors in each of the four panes. When Bill saw it, he had to leave the room. He was so overcome with emotion. His Dad had made that window over 60 years ago and he had found replacement latches in one of the sheds.

Kelli drove up from Grand Rapids twice that week and brought Hannah and Caleb. Caleb reached his goal this summer. He beat his Papa Bill in tennis. He has also made the Varsity tennis team this year in spite of only being a 9th grader.

On the way home, we drove to Chicago to see Keri, Kevin and their 3 little ones. Sofia and Selah were excited to see us! Isaiah was so thrilled to see his Gramma come back that he gave her the sweetest smile! He's two months old now. On Monday night, Keri grilled barbeque chicken pizza for us, and then we all walked to the lake which is just a few yards from their condo. As we watched Bill play with the kids in the water, Keri remembered when Bill taught her to swim as a little girl. On Tuesday, we took a tour of their church, (gorgeous) and then had lunch at Mitch's Chicago Deli. We had brots and onion rings. Mmmm, lots of delicious calories!

While at Keri's, we learned about the tragic accident which took the life of the cheerleading coach at CBU, and injured several track team members. I also learned about the couple from Tecumseh who was murdered. It's been a hard summer. I'm so glad that this life is not all there is! It's true that one is not ready to live until one is ready to die and feel at peace about what comes next. I don't have to wonder, "What if the Bible IS true?"

We drove from Chicago to Springfield, Missouri yesterday. I was excited to realize that I could remember how to get to Noel's house coming from the east. I actually turned on I-65 and was able to get on the James River. There is a lot of construction and I was fascinated by the Kansas Expressway interchange. It's exactly like the British round-about with stop lights. Again, we always love visiting with Noel and Janice. After ordering pizza, Noel called Galen and David and told them that we would be using his web-cam for a group visit. We teased a lot about the Greenwalts being in charge where ever we go. David also said that Mom had given him Dad's wallet and he was overwhelmed by its contents. He found Dad's driver's license from Germany, his original social security card and several other things.

Janice had to go to work at the Job Center, but we went to breakfast with Noel and Mark at Ziggy's Cafe on the corner of National and Republic. When in Springfield, go there! You can get a huge breakfast for $2.99. The cafe was filled with senior citizens! After breakfast, we headed for home. The house is fine. I picked 8 more tomatoes and can see 15 more on my topsy turvy. Mom and her friend, Shirley, did a great job of watering for me. Bill is out mowing the lawn as I write. It was 102 degrees today, but it is suppose to rain and turn cooler on Monday. School started in Tecumseh yesterday. Maybe that means fall is just around the corner.