Elena 
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1. Our trip north was short but sweet. We left Thursday night, stayed in a little down called Dundee, Michigan, and then continued on up to a town on Lake Michigan. Dundee has a Cabela Store in it, and earlier this summer, we made a stop.
If you don’t know, Cabela is a hunting and fishing store and sells all kinds of supplies and clothing for outdoor activities. It also has a huge aquarium – at least this one in Dundee does. There is also a display of large stuffed wild animals. The kids are sitting in front of that display here –
It’s always an educational stop, and also quite handy since we are usually needing stakes for our tent, or flashlights, rope or something for camping.
In Dundee, the fighting bear sculpture is a landmark!
2. On the way home from our trip, we stopped by the town where Mr. Pete’s mother and father, and now sister is buried. Her new stone is in, and I think it’s perfect.
Seeing her with her parents gave us all a sense of closure.
3. When I went to shoot the picture above, I noticed that the auto focus on my camera wasn’t working. I changed some settings, but nope, it just quit working.
I’ve been using a Pentax K2000 since 2009, right after my mother died. I bought my first one off of eBay and paid $600 for it. When that one quit turning on (even with new batteries and cleaned sensors) I went on eBay again and found another K2000 for around $250.
When we got home, I got an estimate on a repair for my camera and it was $166. A quick look on eBay found the exact camera, lightly used for $158! So I bought my third Pentax K2000 on Tuesday night, and got it yesterday.
One of the repair places I called told me that since the Pentax K2000 is eight years old, and cameras are so much better now, that I should probably just upgrade. I probably will, but maybe I’ll get my other two cameras repaired and let the girls learn to use them.
I’m really happy with the pictures my K2000 takes!
4. Cardiac nurse and part time correspondent, Gaye Clark wrote a piece for The Gospel Coalition entitled, “When God Sends your White Daughter, a Black Husband.” It’s a piece about expectations, acceptance and growth, and about how she got over the idealized notion of what her future son-in-law would look like, and came to accept the son-in-law in reality as a fellow Christian and devout follower of Jesus Christ. It’s a very honest piece about her journey of love.
So of course, she was crucified for it on social media and asked The Gospel Coalition to take it down.
Here’s the thing – everyone is at some point in their spiritual journey. This woman wrote about where she was and how she grew and developed. It was instructional and inspirational. But when the culture allows folks who open themselves up like that to be rhetorically flogged, you can be sure that future such articles will not be forthcoming.
Finally – someone stood up for her – here.
5. One of my favorite bloggers and homeschoolers, Sprittibee, was recently diagnosed with cancer. She will be undergoing some kind of treatment in the near future, but in the meantime she could really use prayers.
In the meantime, check out her awesome blog and photography.
6. Took Miss C. to the library this week and noticed how much she enjoyed playing with the dishes and pots and pans in the play area. So, being the grandma that I am, I decided she needed her own set at my house! She pours tea like a pro and sets a nice table don’t you think?
7. First race of the year for Rosie last night. It was an unofficial race, but she did pretty well – 16:55 for the two mile, which is what she will be racing most of her official middle school season – not in 90 degree temperature either!
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