God has made everything fitting in its time, but has also placed eternity in (our) hearts… – Ecclesiastes 3:11

It is so good to be here in Midland, guests in the home of our son Andrew and his lovely wife Alicia, along with their rambunctious almost five year old, Mr. T.

Rebekah and I needed a little down time, so we relaxed while the kids enjoyed quality “aunt and uncle” time. Andrew demonstrated exactly why he is doing such an effective job as a 5th-grade teacher; he is completely at ease with the children, engages with them beautifully and is an all around wonderful uncle.

The children wrote in their journals (you can see David concentrating hard in the gallery below), Rebekah and I turned our attention to catching up on laundry and other details, and we took an afternoon stroll together to enjoy Midland’s town center.

I have featured The Tridge and the riverfront park before, but it is always worth another look. This time it was David and Beks who got to enjoy the unique bridge and the park for the first time. They were suitably impressed.

On this “relax and recover” day, watching our son Andrew with our grandchildren made our hearts full. Then it was pizza at one of the sidewalk cafés, where we enjoyed the positive and inviting ambience of Midland’s downtown.

Just a good quiet day, restorative and full with the energy and enthusiasm and verve of children.

I pray that those who care about this world will pay more attention to what is possible – what becomes possible – when we love life and also love one another.

Peace, and more peace – in every way – DEREK