SWEET SUMMER HAS ARRIVED

Don't take this wrong, but once the In-Depth Bible Seminar, ISM, Inc. board meeting, and Equipping Conference were over, I felt that I had expended far too much energy and that I needed a summer break. Much like the university system. Summer is for re-creation.


ISM, Inc. board of directors met at Bethany Lutheran Church, Overland Park, KS. While at the church, we led the Wednesday chapel service for the day school children. Karol and Marcia (Austin, TX) share stories of children's ministries. Our board comes from far and wide: l to r:  Karol, Marcia (Round Rock, TX), Lee (Phoenix, AZ), Sherrie (Chicago, IL), Liz (Manhattan, KS), Linda (Apache Junction, AZ), Bill (Coralville, IA), Trisha (Hutto, TX), Carl, and Rob (Manhattan, KS).

The board of directors meeting was followed immediately by the Equipping Conference; a conference where we invite site directors and volunteers to come together for enrichment and encouragement as together we work to enthuse one another for outreach among our international student friends and families.

 After the sessions, Karl Lenser from Conway, AR, taught us how to play "Nertz." Lois Winter, wife of the Bible study presenter, called the game "Solitaire on Steroids." It produced a lot of fun tension and many laughs.

The conference proved to be great with a wonderful keynote speaker, Gretchen Jameson who spoke about branding (in the church we do not market). She had any wonderful ideas for us to take home. The sectionals proved to be helpful, and the meals were topnotch.

Once home, I noticed how much had grown and how beautiful our yard had become. Nathan was a huge blessing in that he mowed our whole lawn. What a marvelous treat.

 These iris remind me of Sibrerian iris (slthough they are blue). I'm not sure of the name of these, but I do know that they thrive at the waters edge of our pond. By the way, we've had one meal of fish from our pond this spring.

On a personal note, I've been hauling mulch to fill in the path down by the pond, weeding my garden, and planting more peppers where there holes from the radishes that are now eaten (lots were wormy this year). We've had our first cauliflower and broccoli, and last night we had the first of our swiss chard. Today I headed over to Iola once again to pick the asparagas - got a nice bunch for freezing. So if you come by this winter, ask for asparagas - it's good!

 

We now have about five different kinds of iris.

Honeysuckle on a trellis