:D

This past week the whole Hostetter clan (minus only two cousins) spent a glorious week at the bay together. We boated, tubed, fished, or read (I read an average of one book per day), and my uncles and aunts reminisced over their childhood, entertaining us cousins with hilarious stories until the wee hours. In short, it was one of the best weeks of the summer.

Myself, second cousin Clara, first cousin Emily, and Uncle Dave preparing for a ride.

Everyone had a blast on the boat!

Dad with his little girls and grandnieces.

Mommom and Mom in the huge kitchen.

This dock was always populated with fishermen, sunbathers, or the uncles and aunts talking.

Tubing! It was the most fun ever....

I can do anything!

Yesterday was one of those days. You know, when everything could be totally awful, but turns out awesomely instead.

Our church met at this lovely retreat center called Black Rock and each one of us shared something about ourselves as missionaries. During "my turn" I did a worship dance. Yep. And I survived! Better yet, folks came up to me afterwards, thanking me for going out on the limb and blessing them. I am so amazed that God could use me...... He is so amazing and we are so undeserving.

The afternoon was wonderful..... Reading on the swings under shady trees, holding new babies, checking out the trails, and finding landmarks that remained familiar after a three-year hiatus. Since the last time I was there they installed this sweet pool where we whiled away the hot afternoon hours swimming or reading by the pool side. In the evening Deb and I hung out with some other girls from church, getting to know them better and feeding our souls.

Who deserves such a perfect day?

A Bit of Bliss

Tonight we had supper with my dad's cousin Dale and his wonderful wife Dorthea. They work an enormous and very beautiful dairy farm here in PA, but they have an amazing world view, reflected in the fact that each of their five children have traveled extensively over the globe to further God's kingdom.



Playing with their four little kittens in the big ole barn, being observed by suspicious heifers (teenage cows!), and feeding a bottle to a ravenous calf under the shade of a grape vine fills me with the joy and peace evident in God's beautiful creation.