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A letter from Kate

Dear Readers,

Summer is my least favorite season of the year. I truly enjoy all the flowers and plants in bloom and fresh fruits and vegetables at their peak, but I don't enjoy being hot and miserable.

When I was a child, I loved summer. It meant that we were out of school, and we had nothing to do but go to the swimming pool and play with our dolls. My sister and I loved going to the pool, and we spent almost every summer afternoon there, swimming and inventing games to play. Our friends were usually there, too, and we had great fun playing with them.

Our city pool had two diving boards, but I don't remember ever being brave enough to jump off them. We usually had enough fun diving for pennies and having tea parties underwater. These days, I think it would be great to be able to spend every afternoon at the pool. Maybe if I was able to spend every day at the pool, I'd like summer more now.

Here in Kansas, this summer had an unusually hot and humid start. With temperatures in the 90s and high humidity during the first week of June, I especially missed the cooler temperatures of spring.

There are a few good things about summer now - going to garage sales and picnics, or having a fresh tomato from the garden - but I still say I'd rather have a cool, crisp autumn day or a delicate winter snowfall  anytime.

Love,
Kate Marchbanks

Together with God

Isn't it great to get good news? A baby in the family, a wedding, a graduation or a promotion at work are just a few announcements that come to mind. The best thing about receiving good news is being able to share it with your friends.

The best news I received was my son coming home from school with a star for the day. He had been having trouble with staying in his seat and paying attention. After long talks with him, and talks with his teacher, we were pleasantly surprised the day he came home with his first star at achieving his goal. We hung it on the refrigerator, and as the days passed, we added several more.

Father, thank You for giving us the ability to share our successes with others and revel in theirs. May we share many days of good news in the growth of our friendships and dreams of our loved ones. Help us achieve our goals so that we may have many stars on our refrigerator doors. Amen.

- D. Susan Rutz

Mother had a scare while at the rodeo

When my son, Alex, was 7 or 8 years old, we attended all the local rodeos. He participated in the mutton-busting competitions that took place before the rodeos. He enjoyed riding the sheep.

One day, he came out of the chute, riding a big ram that soon threw him off. As Alex lay on the ground so still and quiet, my heart stood still as I watched from up in the grandstand.