Family Times: Dates, Biking and Hiking

Nate and I enjoyed a lovely date one evening, just the 2 of us!

 We got tickets to a local music festival, which was excellent!  These musicians pictured are married from Romania.  Mom, I thought you would especially like the passion this guy plays the fiddle with.  Very entertaining!

 This was the best cello quartet I have ever heard.  I was so soothed by the music, it felt almost like I had received a full massage--relaxing!  Perfect ending.

 The boys love to bike, so these are an answer to prayer.  It is funny how the Lord answered our prayers.  The one Elijah is riding here we saw for $5 at a yard sale!  Then we prayed for another one.  We saw a bunch of bikes in someone's back yard, and when we stopped to see the possibilities for borrowing one, it turned out the lady went to our church!  Then we found 2 helmets for sale at the goodwill (E is not shown wearing his!).  Hours of fun.  Thank you, Lord, for answering prayers!

CLICK TO SEE MORE FAM PICS, INCLUDING A HIKE IN THE PA GRAND CANYON

 I thought the symphonic orchestra was such a beautiful picture of God and the Church.  God (the Father?) is the conductor and he chooses the music (composer? creator?).  The written music itself is like the Word Jesus.  And the music itself we hear all at once (but do not see) is the Spirit.  Not seen, but the unified result.  The people (and instruments) are the instruments playing for God and through Him.

It's beautiful how all the violin bows go at the same time and how there's unity.  No one decides on their own the tempo or music to be played!  They willingly wait their rests and play on the conductor's command and tempo, following altogether the written music.  Sometimes one instrument featured, and other times another.  Some melody, and some support--all in TUNE.

Lord, make us your symphony and may we play on your tempo in tune making beautiful music for Your glory!

 Malachi looks so cute when he looks through his "binoculars" for the Grand Canyon (Pennsylvania version).  (He gets this from watching Dora the explorer).

 Nate is the strong father, carrying 2 with his strength.  I love you, Nate!

 The boys and I love to find walking sticks.  Elijah was thrilled to show me all the things he knew, like roots in a tree or following signs with arrows.

 I would love to see this place in Autumn!  Alas, we are leaving on Monday, so maybe in 4 years we can come in October.  There is a bike trail down there where it used to be train tracks.  Next time I'd like to try that!

Fun moments together!  Thank you, Lord, for family times together.  Thank you also for Your peaceful creation--so refreshing!