Doug leaves this morning to help Caleb on a project while I stay to read, write, and enter into the silence of a cloudy, chilly day by the lake.
In addition to making a place for themselves to live, Caleb and Janel are raising goats and rabbits and chickens. Their big dogs keep away predators like bears and bobcats.
We are happy to discover that Timothy Jackson, a childhood friend of Chris and Evan from our years in Guatemala, lives near where we’re staying. His son likes feeding peanuts to the goats.
About noon, I join the others on the homestead. As we gather and share stories, our hearts are encouraged because, even in the midst of suffering and obstacles, each one is determined to make a positive difference in the world.
Tim and his son have to leave, but with ample time for long conversations, Caleb’s mom (Jill) and I get to know each other face to face and it is pure gift.
Janel offers to show Jill and me her Mermaid Hideout, where she can get away from the craziness of camp life and ground herself in silence and natural beauty.
Mermaid Hideout is still in progress. . . . 
Moss covered sentinels 
The indomitable Janel 
Such spaces give birth to creativity . . . 
. . . and feed the imagination.
Spontaneously we invite John & Jill, Caleb & Janel to our vacation rental for a simple spaghetti dinner. Since each contributes what they can, hosting is a breeze.
After dinner we hurry down to the lake, chasing the sunset,
Then we climb back up for a dessert of vanilla ice cream and ripe Washington peaches. Yum! We share stories of community theatre and tales of Evan and Cody (our sons who died within a few months of each other).
I find courage to regale them with a song in Evan’s honor and they receive it so enthusiastically that I’m convinced they enjoy it.
Doug helps me with cleanup and soon there’s hardly a sign that we had guests at all. Fleeting and intense moments God gives us. I want to treasure each one while it lasts.
Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not only for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.
Philippians 2: 3&4
Inundated with Love 