Back to the Basics

**Continue to keep Susannah and her parents in your prayers. They are prepared for travel in the next 24 hours - God is so good. Their site is linked below:) **
______________________________________________________

"The proper perspective creates within us a spirit of reaching outside of ourselves with joy and enthusiasm. ~ Luci Swindoll

This weekend, Daddybug had plans to help one of my former youth leaders and his son. Our friend's son, a Marine, just re-upped for three more years. He will be relocated the beginning of 2009 and his home needs to be sale-ready. They road-tripped to his current location and stayed for the weekend, working into the wee hours. I am so thrilled God presented him with this opportunity.

In the meantime, I was busy considering. Considering how busy we have been in this new school year. It felt like time for some downtime. I convinced my parents to join the girls and I for a day trip to Amish country. It was wonderful. We have been many times before but somehow, this weekend, it was rich in the joy of a child.

We took a buggy ride and the girls were invited to sit with the driver, Caleb. He and his father run this particular buggy business, his father was Amish as a child, and he left to pursue his own dreams. Caleb said they live very much like the Amish except with a big screen TV and cell phones:) He said the values are still there and the expectations are unwaivering.

I noticed that instead of Mc*Cain and Ob*ama signs, the lawns were littered with signs of hope, scripture and love. I noticed that kids were outside working their produce stands but stepped away to play ball, ride their bikes and chase one another, things we rarely see in our busy little towns. I noticed the manner in which the young people addressed their elders, whether they knew them or not. I noticed the peace. I noticed the pace, steady and hard, not frenetic or panicky. I noticed the people. They smiled and virtually everyone we encountered commented or touched Emily's red curls and asked her about her sister.

More importantly, my children noticed. It is important to know how others live, to see people in their element and discover those things you can bring back to your own life. Perspective cannot be gained living within the boxes we create for ourselves. Perspective must be gained by taking time to enjoy one another, to teach one another, to observe together. I returned from our day renewed, recharged and really thankful.


Waiting for their Buggy Ride


On the buggy - not the easiest angle to get their smiling faces!


Caleb


Emily begged for a pony ride


So, Hannah did as well:)


Milking the "cow"


How you do dat Em?


See, I do it too! I millded de cowwwww!


Set 'em up...


ROLLL......


YESS! Emily LOVED the corn bowling!


Hannah had a different strategy in mind...




That's our Hannah!