Summer Vacation in Wisconsin

We've had a busy and fun-filled July spent visiting my family in northern Wisconsin. The kids are pictured here with my grandparents who live close by my parents. It was so good to see everybody. Apart from the delicious meal Grandma provided for our group and several small visits hanging out on their deck, Zanna spent an afternoon of special attention with her great grandparents. And Will had the privilege of an overnighter, talking model airplanes with his great grandpa.
Other highlights of the trip included a visit to a nearby children's museum where Will found this ridiculous costume and walked around with it on most of the afternoon.

The ladies (me, Mom and Zanna) hit flea markets galore all over the area in search of hidden treasure. On a Friday night you'd likely find our group at a restaurant that served us fish fry and sweet whiskey old-fashioned drinks (with a maraschino cherry or two). We cruised the lakes on Mom and Dad's boat where the kids both practiced their navigation skills on the open water. Lord help us..... Zanna has a tendency to look behind her as she's driving (looking for a reaction to her speeding up) instead of what's ahead of her. The kids and I hung out at the beach in Minoqua one afternoon. Will rode on the back of Dad's Harley for many hours (with his mother's prayers drowned out by the noise). The men (Dad, Wayne and Will) could also be found at the shooting range, testing out guns to see how well they could hit their target. (hello - we're in the USA!) More prayers! Will and his Oma did a duet at their church on Sunday. They played "In Christ Alone" with Will on the violin and Oma on the organ/piano. We were concerned that one look over the balcony revealing a much larger congregation than to what we're used to at ours might cause some stage fright. No worries needed, it was a beautiful moment shared between grandson and Oma, glorifying God with song! (sigh of relief!!)
Wayne attended summer quarter at Seminary in Mequon, WI the first week we were there. He took two classes, both of which he enjoyed and found helpful to his ministry.

At the end of our stay, my Mom and I attended the Women's Ministry Conference at the Sem. I hadn't been back since Wayne's graduation. It was fun to see it all again, including our crappy old apartment in Harbour Pointe in an area of town I very quickly drove through, fearing for my safety (we're not in Ottawa anymore!). I met my sister-in-law Steph at the convention and it was fun to catch up and briefly see her girls and Wayne's brother Jeff. The conference was wonderful in content, inspired by being on the very grounds where all our synod's pastors through the years have been so carefully trained in the Word of God. We attendees to the convention had the privilege to worship with and be taught by two professors and the president of the Seminary along with many godly women who shared their wisdom and encouragement with us. Wonderful and uplifting!

Mom is on the Women's Ministry committee and had meeting afterwards. While she did that, I met up with a dear friend from Grafton, did some shopping and eating at the mall one afternoon and browsed the aisles of Northwestern Publishing House by myself (this is big!) It was lovely!!

It was good to be "home", be spoiled by Mom's good food and hospitality, enjoy the beauty of the northwoods of Wisconsin and miss home. Sometimes you have to leave it to miss it.