A TIME TO LAUGH

To everything there is a season....a time to weep and a time to laugh.  Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4

Recently one of Paul's cousins from France visited our family in Georgia. Obviously we took this opportunity to travel to Rick and Rebecca's to meet him and see the rest of the family. Our son Roger even flew in from California so it was wonderful to have all the family together. While there we did a lot of laughing, eating and playing.

Our daughter Christiane has taken on a new sport which is stand-up paddle boarding.  Since Rick and Rebecca's home is on a lakefront, it is convenient for doing water sports. So Christiane found an excuse to bring her paddle board to the lake which turned out to be a big hit. Our grandsons, Darien and Logan love to play King on The Paddle Board which requires great balance. All got involved in the game except Rebecca, Gail, and Paul.

             Stand-up Paddle Board with Christiane, Darien and Logan

                                   "No Paddle Board for Us"

While the French cousin was in Georgia he also had the opportunity to spend a day at Six Flags, tour Rick's lab, took time to tour Rick and Rebecca's lawn with its many unusual flowers and trees, as well as their apiary, saw the sites of Atlanta, and ate at Mary Mac's Tea Room. He seemed to really enjoy seeing the sites and being with his American family.

                           Rick, Rebecca, Darien and Logan

After his stay, both he and Christiane left for France where Christiane spent a week with Jean Pierre and Bernadette Patonnier, Paul's cousins. We also left for Michigan and brought Roger with us. He was able to spend a few days with us before returning to California. During his stay here he wanted to spend time with his Uncle Bob and Aunt Jill as well as cousin Rob and family. One evening Bob and Jill came over for dinner and we had a great time chatting around the table. Another time we met with Rob, Carrie and family to play miniature golf and treat ourselves to some ice cream. It was great for Roger to be able to connect with some of his Michigan family.

                              Roger, Paul and the Breckel Bunch

I think it is obvious from what we have written that a lot of our recent activities have centered around family. How good it is to spend time with family to build and create those special memories. We encourage everyone reading this to take time to enjoy family.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny

Marlatt's Day Lilies

Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,                  Ecclesiastes 9:10a  NIV

Looking for a spot to do plein air painting, Gail happened to be at the Farmers' Market and came across Jerry and Lisa Marlatt. They live at Ogden Station and have acres of day lilies that they have developed into a wonderful business. Both of them are retired and are enjoying this experience. A person gets a real sense of their excitement that they have for what they are doing. Both Jerry and Lisa have had their challenges with physical issues but they have overcome them. They are relishing and delighting in working with these special flowers and meeting the people who either want to purchase the day lilies or groups of people who come to admire the multitude of the many varieties.

                         Jerry and Lisa Marlatt preparing day lilies.

                                  Lisa with the help of her grandson.


Speaking of varieties, Jerry has a hand in developing an original variety of day lily which he created through the hybrid process. In fact, when Gail was plein air painting among the flowers, a gentleman came to purchase some of the flowers that Jerry had developed that were named after this gentleman's wife. It's most interesting to walk the paths between the flowers and note the wide variety of names given to the various kinds of day lilies. When talking to Jerry and Lisa you sense a real passion for what they are doing.

                                   Lisa in the field of day lilies.

We find it so refreshing to see this couple who are both retired and who have come through physical challenges continuing to live very productive lives. Jerry and Lisa are fine examples of living out Ecclesiastes 9:10 and enjoying every minute of it. We believe God wants all of us to be as productive as possible with the life He has given us here on earth.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny