Summer camping season has begun on the Hill! I love this time of year. There are four campers up there now. They'll stay until Fall. That is about the limit, but sometimes another one will show up for weekend stays. We have a campfire every Friday - Sunday night. My sister in law was here unexpectedly yesterday, so we even had one last evening. Most everyone shows up on Friday. Nieces, nephews and their friends will often stop in just for a "lead fest"...target shooting, LOTS of it. This Saturday we'll stay up there and watch the fireworks from "downtown" in the comfort of our plastic adirondack chairs, toes warming by the fire.
Our old dog, Ranger, went through many such summers. He was a malamut/wolf who died at over 15 years of age. Ranger tolerated other dogs well, but especially liked being with people. He would stand around in the circle of conversation, like an old man who's there just to enjoy the stories, not necessarily to say much. Wherever people were gathered, Ranger would be there. At end of Fall, as the last camper pulled away, Ranger would go find a shady spot to lay. For a long time he would grieve the passing of another Summer with friends. His headstone reads, "Ranger ~ 1991- 2006 ~ 'Good Dog' " --and that is just what he was.
Ruger loves this time of year too, as there is the potential of six or more dogs present. Ruger thinks that he is a "dog-person", rather than an actual dog. I think we should stop calling him "Good boy" and remind him once in a while that he IS a canine. He lives to play with dogs. Though, when there are none around, a little child will do. He is a Lab. You Lab-owners understand.
So, Summer is here and it's hard to believe that this is Fourth of July weekend! When we were living in the South, people thought of this as the beginning of Summer. I view Memorial Day as the beginning. Once the 4th hits in our state, Summer is almost half over! We are praying for beautiful weekends; rain a couple days per week, then only after 10 p.m. To our eyes that would be perfect weather. The Lord has reason for sending the rain when He does. I praise God that "He maketh HIS sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth the rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matt. 5:45) Our Creator is the one who sustains us. He sustains those who believe in Him and those who do not. As I come in contact with those who choose to live their own way, I pray that I will show forth the proper praise to the God who loves them as much as He does me. He sent His Son to die for them also, most of them just do not know that yet.
I hope that this Summer brings wonderful opportunities to you all. As we make contacts during this season, may we be praising the Lord by the way we live and speak.
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