The County Fair by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Growing up...I loved a day at the fair,
Could hardly wait to get there !!
To 13 County Fairs we would go
Competing for prizes in each garden show
Vegetables...a plate of five
...For perfection we would strive.
Big tomatoes, juicy and red...
And cabbage...one perfect head.
Carrots, orange and straight,
For judging results, we could hardly wait.
Onions...red, yellow and white
And the county's largest pumpkin...What a sight !!
Small zucchini...tender and green
Plates filled with every kind of lima and bean.
Vegetables arranged in a basket display
A work of art...when Mom had her way !!
Ribbons awarded in red, white and blue
Grand champion trophies and prizes money too.
Hard work, good friends and competition
The County Fair, filled with anticipation.
When the veggie show was done...
It was time for me to have some fun...
Carnival rides, games and saltwater taffy
Everything to make a child happy
Excitement and noise of a carnival midway
Thrills and rides and games to play
Bells and buzzers, horns and lights
Little ones thrilled with sounds and sights.
Music pouring from a Merry-Go- Round
Laughter filled the skies with happy sound
The smell of cotton candy in the air
What wonderous delights at the County Fair !
Bumper cars and Tilt-O-Whirl
Thrills for each boy and girl.
The Ferris Wheel jolts to a sudden stop
And you find yourself...stuck on top !
Venders selling their wears
Toys, ballons and Teddy bears.
Harness racing...horses strong and fast
Trotting hard so they won't be last.
Wooly sheep, continually bleeting,
Clean, fat pigs ...curled up sleeping
Holstien cows mooing low,
All cleaned up for tomorrow's show
Families enjoying the day together
Making memories to last forever.
Thanking God, when day was done
For blessings, joys and simple fun.

On The Road Again by Tana LeMay

My favorite season is spring-summer-fall. Anything except winter. If I must pick one favorite of all, it would be summer. Most of my memories center on that season, like a song that takes you back to a particular moment in time.

What I most look forward to each summer is our vacation. Those of you who know me know of my love of travel. Going to new places is so much fun. We rarely fly; always drive. Most people groan and ask why. Yes, it takes longer, but you get to see so much on the way. You drive through little towns with strange names; come upon festivals in full swing; eat at restaurants you never knew existed. And, there’s all that scenery. Yes, some stretches of road are flat and boring, but there are always areas that are hilly and pretty. I’ve probably been to more than half of the states in this great country, but there is still a lot I want to see.

Growing up, we always took a trip to somewhere each summer. Colorado, Florida, Gettysburg, Boston, Lake of the Ozarks, Wisconsin, South Carolina….. I have a lot of memories from those trips. Curtis and I try to take our family somewhere each summer, hoping they’ll store up their own special memories.

Recently, my ABF class was talking about a trip some of them took to the Smoky Mountains. We went there 3 or 4 times. It too is an area with a lot to see and do. Dad was always fascinated with the bears. He liked to pull over and feed them. One time a bear practically crawled onto our car. Not on Dad’s side, but the passenger side. He handed my stepmother a piece of bread and told her to roll down the window and give it to the bear. “Are you crazy?, she asked. On that same trip, driving up to Clingman’s Dome, traffic came to a stop on the highway. People were getting out of their cars because a mother bear and 2 cubs were sitting alongside the road. Dad, Bridgett and I walked up for a closer look. A crowd had encircled the 3 bears. One child got too close and the mama bear took a swipe at him, fortunately not touching him. People screamed and took off running. Bridgett and I were at the front of the pack and made it back to our car in no time. Unfortunately Dad didn’t know we took off. He turned around and we were gone. He was not happy with us when he got back to the car as he had been looking for us, thinking we had rolled down the hill or were grabbed by the bears. We still talk about that trip.

If you have time, grab your family, pack up the car and hit the road for a few days. There’s a lot to see in this great land God has blessed us with. Make your own summer vacation memories.

Summertime...and the Reading is Easy by Susan Shull

When I am stressed, watch-out if I am anywhere books are sold. I will look and look and buy several. I might also stop at the library and go straight to the new book shelves-the ones you have to pay 25 cents a week to read- grabbing at least two. I do all of this knowing I don’t have the time to read these little treasures. It doesn’t matter. I become an obsessed woman searching for a feeling-a feeling of escape, a feeling of comfort, a feeling of SUMMERTIME. Knowing I have good books stacked up waiting to be read makes me feel more peaceful. Am I weird or do other people feel the same way?
During my 90 day weekend, I enjoy opening the latest offerings of my favorite authors and becoming totally immersed in the characters and settings being described. I forget all about my worries and completely relax.
I know in our world we have many distractions and ways to be passively and actively entertained. I’m sure many of the students in whom I have tried to foster a love of reading during the school year will not pick up a single book during June, July, and August. Some will even brag about it. These comments make me really, really, really sad. When I hear adults say similar things, it makes me sick. Reading is a skill that needs to be practiced and parents who never read probably don’t realize it. What kind of reader will their children turn out to be?
I’m not upset that the kids might not read the latest Newbury or Caldecott winners or even that they might not read and enjoy a classic book for their age group. I am upset that if they do not practice reading, these children, who will soon become adults responsible for spreading the truth of God’s love, may not learn to read and comprehend and think well enough to love reading their Bible. We live in scary times when many people are obsessed with being “spiritual”. Satan is working overtime trying to take the place of God in our lives. If we don’t want to be deceived by the crazy, false philosophies being presented all around us, we and our children must know what God’s word says. We can’t depend on what the preacher on TV says, what our own preachers say (sorry Mark and Andy!) or even what our parents tell us. Each of us has to dig into the Bible and learn for ourselves what God teaches in his love letter to us.

II Timothy 2:15 says…
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

If we are going to “correctly handle the word of truth,” we are going to have to study it for ourselves. The first settlers of our country wanted their children to get an education so that they could study the scriptures. Perhaps not many in education today would claim that as a primary goal, but many Christian educators do. As Christian parents, I hope that is your goal too. Please don’t let another day go by without encouraging your kids to pick up a book and get engrossed in the pages. Set a good example for them by modeling the importance of reading, reading not only secular material, but most importantly your Bible. If they see you read, they are more likely to value books.Don’t just encourage your child to be a good athlete. Encourage him to be a good reader

God's Amazing Creativity by Theresa Zuber

God’s creativity continually amazes me. It was apparent to me once again as I gazed across the bottom ground after dark and saw a multitude of lightning bugs flashing. God’s glitter on a beautiful summer evening for us to share with our two-year-old granddaughter.

Glittering lightning bugs on a summer night.
Rainbows of flowers in yards and along country roads.
The sing-song of a variety of birds on a early morning.
Who but God could direct this choir and arrange the harmonies?!
Shape-shifting mounds of fluffy cotton in the sky
That change from a baby to a rabbit.
Wind that can gently carress you and
Wind that chases you as you run for cover.
Spindly-legged colts that stand shortly after birth.
Butterflies with stained-glass wings doing a ballet
As the float from one bloom to another.
Trees bloom, fruit forms, And God turns garden seed into edible blessings.
In the summer, green is greener and blue is bluer.
What a WONDER You are, oh God!

Mission: Assimilation (Week 4) by Theresa Zuber

Hebrews 3:13 says we are to “… encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.” Jesus’ life was spent spurring others on to be better, to be more, to become all God designed them to be. Look at his encounters with Zacchaeus, Matthew the tax collector, the woman caught in adultery, and Peter, just to name a few.

Having Christian friends and the support of a church family is vital as we grow in our walk with God. Not only is it an encouragement when times are hard or perhaps disheartening, but it also gives us accountability when straying from the straight and narrow.

Following Jesus’ example, we must commit to regular church attendance. 16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. (Luke 4:14) “as was his custom” Jesus went to church regularly and so should we. We can’t stay connected with people we don’t spend time with. Also, we need to participate in worshipping together, communion and hearing the Word preached/taught.

Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” You see, even in the first century “42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 While driving, taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds can allow you to drift into the oncoming traffic. We need this encouragement to stay on course.

But this isn’t just a Sunday commitment. Remember the words of Joshua 24:14-15 14 "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” I try to remember to place emphasis on THIS day, since daily I have to choose.

Whom will I serve today? Myself? Money or work? My hobbies? Sports? TV shows? The internet? (I don’t know about you, but this hits close to home for me!) Or today, will I choose to serve the Most High God? Will I choose to serve His people in His name?

3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

I want to encourage YOU today to stay committed to God, to His people - your Christian brothers and sisters, to completing the race. “24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24) I pray that these scriptures will fill your heart with a desire to be steadfast for the entire race. When you become discouraged or tired and want to step back – remember to choose daily to serve the only true God – Jehovah!

Mission: Assimilation (Week 3) by Theresa Zuber

Now that we’ve (hopefully) gotten into the habit of focusing on some “power” verses that can help us in our day to day struggles, we are going to focus this week on prayer. Again, using Jesus as our example, the book of Luke 5:16 tells us “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Don’t think of “lonely” as a sad place. Think of it as a quiet retreat where there are no other distractions; a place that would allow someone to “Be still, and know that I am God;” (Psalm 46:10a)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says we are to “16 Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” Wow. Pray continually? The King James Version says “Pray without ceasing.” Another version, the NIRV says it this way, “Never stop praying.” How are we to pray continually? We have to work, right? And shower, cook, pay bills, do laundry. But while doing all these things we can be in a constant state of communication with God! Talk to him about what’s bugging you at work. Pray for your children while you’re sorting their socks. Ask for help with your finances as you balance your checkbook. God wants to be a part of EVERYTHING!

Just be certain that your prayers are genuine and not just meaningless babble. 5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:5-8 (Don’t panic… I know it’s a long passage. If it’s too much just memorize verse 7 or the one that speaks to you.)

God isn’t concerned with our format or our fancy words. God is concerned with our hearts, our intentions, and our sincerity. “16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

There are many, many verses that guide us as we try to follow the scriptural instructions on prayer. This week as you study these verses, begin to “pray continually” not just at meal times or when a crisis arises. "6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Are you curious what Jesus’ prayers would have been like? Take a little time to read his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane in John 17. He prays for himself, his disciples and then for all believers. If you believe in Jesus Christ, that’s you and me! Continue to refresh yourself on the previous weeks’ verses. If God’s word is truly going to be a lamp to our feet and light to our path then we have to make sure we pick up the lamp and hold it out to shine the way - every day. Pray for one another this week and take some time to be still and know that He is God.

Grow Up by Julie Short

When I was a child I acted like a child, unfortunately I still find myself at 49 acting like a child at times. I want to grow in my spiritual walk with God so, I need to put away childish ways. (I Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I put childish ways behind me.)

I still can laugh and enjoy life, I just need to stop having tantrums and fits. A 49 year old having a 3 year old's tantrum, isn’t pretty and it doesn’t glorify God. I have spent a lot of time crossing my arms, sticking out my lower lip, crying and stomping my feet yelling, "I can’t , it’s too hard" or "I don’t want to do what I know is right."

My job is to observe children and their environments. I often think that if the adult just saw how they were interacting with the child (through the use of a video camera) no words would be needed they would simply stop.

I often act childish when I’m out in public with my husband. Well, by public I am referring to taking a walk and complaining the entire time about this or that. Then I remember “you may be the only bible someone reads” Ouch! Will they see a 49 year old proclaiming to be a Christian and acting like a spoiled 3 year old, or will they see a woman who is walking in love, full of self control and gentleness?

I praise God and thank Him for being a merciful God, but that does not mean I need to continue in my sin. (I John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin…) It means I need to make a strong, determined effort wrapped in constant prayer to be a vessel that God can use to show His love. Anything good in me comes from God. In my weakness I am a mess. When I stop acting like a child, God can do amazing things through me.