Beach Week 2020

BOLIVAR PENINSULA

In July, after much prayer, self-quarantining, and plans for extra sanitizing while on vacation, most of our extended family spent a week together at a beach house on Bolivar Peninsula.  We are in our fourth week back from those wonderful days and I am grateful to report that all have stayed well upon returning home.

 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,

 the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3

FAMILY

Debbie, Larry
David, Ryen, Sawyer, Mary
Daniel, Della

 Abby and Scott
Mary (7),  Daniel (5)

Melinda and Brad

 Chad and Lori,  David (9)
Ryen (7),  Sawyer (5),  Della (3)

 Robin, Kirk, Adam, Jordan, Kim(Jordan's mom, lifelong friend)
Eli (9),  Josiah (7)

Sarah, Charles (3), Amy, Kevin, James (1), Micki, Mark

 

BEACH TIME

 

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

 James celebrated his 1st birthday!

 David celebrated his 10th birthday a few weeks early.

DECK TIME

LOST TOOTH

 In the 32 years of "Beach Week," we think Ryen is the first one 

to lose a tooth.  She came prepared with her Tooth Fairy pillow.

YARD ACTIVITIES

  

Every night, after dinner, the kids played softball or soccer.

Cheering squad, when not playing

Upstairs cheering squad

INSIDE HAPPENINGS

Each night, after the kids were in bed, the adults played games.

Mom made this hat, years ago and without the flags and lettering, 

to wear  with an outfit she made.  Since none of us wanted it to 

wear, Sarah made the modern version.  We played a German game

and the person who came in last place had to wear the hat the 

next evening during that particular game.

 Our niece, Sarah, changed out the pictures on the 

"Guess Who" game to be photos of each of the 14 4th 

generation cousins along with other beach scenes or items.

 Robin taught Amy how to make scrubbies!

We will not hide from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78:4

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:5

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

Psalm 133:1

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126:3

Seeing and Seizing the Mission

During these days of chaos, rioting, uncertainty, and pandemic, it is refreshing to see people who choose to do the right thing, without fanfare or expecting anything in return.

Antonio Gwynn Jr. is a recent high school graduate from Buffalo, New York.  He has grown up participating in community services and mission opportunities with his church.  While watching the nightly news, he was distraught to see the damage that looters and protestors had made of a major intersection in his hometown.  He knew this section of road, at Bailey Avenue, would be a heavily traveled area the next morning.  Without calling friends, forming a committee, or broadcasting his intents, Gwynn gathered up tools, a broom, and bags and headed to the trashed area.  By streetlight, he started cleaning up the debris at 2:00 a.m. and worked for 10 straight hours. 

When the cleaning crew arrived early the next morning, they discovered that Antonio Gwynn Jr. had already cleared away and picked up most of the trash.  Word soon spread about what Antonio had done.  WKBW-TV interviewed him and aired the human-interest story.  Matt Block just happened to see the report.  He had a red 2004 Mustang that he decided to give to Gwynn.  Matt explained, “I couldn’t come to grips with selling it and this was a good way for me to get rid of it and know someone that gets it is going to appreciate it.”

Receiving the car had an extra measure of meaning to Antonio.  Gwynn’s mother, who died in 2018, had also driven a red Mustang.  A local insurance agent called to say he would like to cover the car insurance for a year.

Antonio had planned to attend a trade school in the fall, in hopes of saving up money to attend college.  Because of his good deed, he has now been offered a full scholarship to Madaille College.  When he found out the news, “I literally stopped, pulled over, and started crying.”  Even though he expected nothing in return for his efforts, people have appreciated and rewarded Antonio for his efforts.

May we, too, be willing to see and seize opportunities of service when they arise, as we put our faith in action.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.

James 1:22