June 7 at Yesterdog

Sunday afternoon:  I drove over to Jesse's to say "Hi" to he and Kaity this afternoon. We had a nice time chatting about the last few days. Jesse and I watched a video about the biggest tornado ever in the USA that occurred back in 2013 in El Reno. It is always fascinating to me (and apparently to Jesse) to watch the development of a super huge storm like this--and this particular one was quite deadly, coming about one week after another devastating tornado outbreak in the same area! People were pretty shell-shocked.

Kaity asked if Jesse would take her to Yesterdog for a hotdog before she returned to Diana at 6:00. Since I have lived in Grand Rapids since 1971 and have never yet been to Yesterdog, I invited myself along! Actually, the restaurant is celebrating their FIFTIETH year this year--so it wasn't here before 1976. 

We ordered are hotdogs and took them to our booth to enjoy them. We met the new owner, who strolled by to ask us how we were liking the food, etc. Jesse and he had a nice chat about the restaurant remaining vintage. The gentleman was surprised I had lived in Grand Rapids for 55 years and had never visited.

As we were driving to Yesterdog, Jesse described it very accurately. It was very entertaining to see all of the "50's" posters, advertisements, equipment, etc.

A bunch of "famous" people have visited here!

I like the whole "feel" of the place.

Evidently graffiti is not discouraged ...

The nicest thing about being here ... is Jesse and Kaity-Girl. How nice to spend a little extra time sharing a meal together.

Cool place. I will return!

June 7 JEPHTHAH

Sunday:  Emma came again this morning and sat with me in church. Neither of us was quite sure what we thought of the teaching today. Calvary is doing a summer series on "Abundant Living". The pastors are selecting lesser known biblical people about which to do brief character studies. This week's person was JEPHTHAH (Judges 10 - 12). I had just finished reading through the book of Judges about 10 days ago, and so I was re-familiarized with this man, and once again strongly disliked him. Pastor Jim didn't paint a pretty picture of him either--although Jephthah IS mentioned in the faith hall of fame (Hebrews 11). 

Emma's biggest objection--which colored her entire "take" on the whole sermon--was pastor's choice to use a rap group as an example of someone who changed their minds about words they had spoken (part of a song), apologized to the person/group they offended, and then took down their song right off the internet. I don't know squat about rap groups, so I did not debate Emma's statement that most (if not all) rap groups are rooted in pretty evil stuff: violence, racism, hatred, etc. Emma was sad that pastor would put them "out there" as a good example of using wisdom to take back your words. 

Jephthah SHOULD have taken back the vow he spoke to God once his only child (a daughter) came running out of his house after he was victorious in battle. Jephthah told God he would SACRIFICE (as a burnt offering) the first thing that came out of his house when he arrived home. What a rash and stupid thing to do! Did he think a goat was going to run out? Scripture says his daughter ran out of the house, dancing and playing the tambourine, to welcome her father home. As the story went on, he "allowed" his daughter to go with her friends somewhere secluded for two months to mourn the fact that she would die a virgin. Yikes. 

Since nothing else is said in this story, one has to conclude that Jephthah did indeed sacrifice his only child as a burnt offering--something the LORD had strongly forbidden His people to do ... repeatedly! Pastor Jim emphasized this as well. He did not lift Jephthah up as a good example, but as someone who had started strong and ended up a disaster. Sigh. 

Emma said she was going to go home and study more about this. Good for her--that's exactly what we are supposed to do! There is a lot to be said for Emma about this--first, she doesn't just "bow" to whatever is taught. That's a good quality to have. In Acts 17:10-12, Paul and Silas had gone to Berea to teach in the synagogue and it says: "They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth." I'm glad Emma has the same attitude! I think anyone who is serious about following God's Truth should do the same. God's Word is always the final authority.

June 6 Deer Tracks, Part Two

Saturday (continued):  Since we were all out of carrots with which to feed the animals, we purchased another cup. I was thinking Aidan would want to go and find the little goats and feed them, but when I asked him where we should go next--he said he really wanted to go back to the little pigs!

SO ... we revisited the pigs with fresh carrots!

They gobbled them up just like they hadn't eaten in a year!

I snapped this picture of the description of these guys because I had forgotten what they were called. These are Kunekune (pronounced "Cooney-cooney") pigs from New Zealand (originally at least). They are very friendly little animals and like to be around people. They are super cute, aren't they?

Aidan had such a good time interacting with them.

He wasn't one bit afraid of them, but he followed instructions very well about not hand feeding them. He wasn't afraid to pet them, and they enjoyed it when he did.

I think it would be wonderful if all kids could live on farms for at least part of their lives. Animals are so good for children.

This is the rather large slide in the pig enclosure ...

From the pig enclosure, you can view the back of the budgie pavilion.

There is a rather nice tractor (John Deere) for kiddos to pretend to drive.

Aidan and I did a few duck races which Aidan won every single time!

The kangaroos were all napping when we went by their place. I wish they had been up and hopping around like they were when I was here two weeks ago with Brendan. They are very fun to watch when they are awake. But still ... it was nice to see them up close, even if they were all tuckered out.

We went to see the prairie dogs next. They are such cute little animals.

Aidan was pretty happy to go into the tunnels and get a really close look at them.

Isn't this such a great place? I love it here.

I asked Aidan if he wanted to walk over and visit the bears or the guinea pigs, but it was about 12:30 by this time and Aidan was hungry. That was fine with me. You can see a lot and do a lot in two hours at Deer Tracks. Since they put a band on your arm, you are free to come and go all throughout the day; but I knew we would not return on Saturday.

We drove over to the Culver's in Rockford and enjoyed a very nice meal together. Aidan got our table ready while I ordered our food. We enjoyed eating together and just hanging out.

I love this picture of you, Aidan. You are growing up so fast. You have such a grown-up way about you--a rather commanding, logical, responsible outlook on life, kind of like a mini-adult. 

I sure loved having you over at my house this weekend, Aidan. I am thankful for you, dear grandson. 

June 6 Deer Tracks, Part One

Saturday:  I checked the weather before Aidan and I left this morning and the forecast is down to 0% chance of rain after 11am this morning and all throughout the afternoon. Thank you, Lord!

We arrived at Deer Tracks Junction at about 10:20 (due to closed roads and misunderstood detours on my part), purchased our tickets, a cup of carrots (for the goats, pigs, etc.), and three seed sticks for the Budgies. 

Aidan wanted to begin with the PIGS so that's where we went first. Aidan has quite a collection of PIG stuffed animals, many of which he brought to the sleepover last night. I love to watch him with these little guys. He is so amused with them and so kind to them.

They had signage stating NOT to feed the pigs by hand but rather to drop the carrots on the ground and let them retrieve the food that way. Evidently, these little guys mistake fingers for food ...

Aidan was very careful as he walked and dropped carrots for them.

We had a whole group around us for a long time--these little piglets were hungry!

Aidan said the little black one was his favorite.

Just behind the pig enclosure is where the llamas are kept. Aidan wasn't interested in feeding the llamas. Perhaps he has seen one-too-many videos of spitting llamas ...

Aidan was very content to stay right here with the pigs. He fed them every single carrot!

The EMU are right next to the pigs. At the end of the last season here at the park, the EMU were quite large. But these little ones are only a few months old. The bigger EMUs were located in an enclosure next to this one. These "babies" were quite aggressive when I held out a carrot. I was glad I was quick in my release or their beak would have pinched me quite hard! They are very cute, though, aren't they?

Quite endearing, I would say!

Since we were all out of carrots, we moved on to the Budgie house. I had a feeling that Aidan would NOT be relaxed in here with all of these birds--and I was right. He very soon gave me his seed sticks and got himself to a shady section where no people were feeding the birds and just watched for a little bit. I asked him to take a few pictures first, so he did.

I finally handed off the two cups and remaining seed to a few children whose seeds had run out, and then Aidan and I left the Budgies and went on to explore elsewhere.

This wheel tube is very cool--all the kiddos like messing around with it. Since it had rained so hard overnight, it was a little damp inside--see the little puddles? Aidan did a pretty good hamster imitation for awhile and got the tube moving.

We remembered to bring a hand flashlight as well as the headband flashlight for exploring tunnels. Ten years ago (!!) I also went into the tunnels and crawled around with the kids ... and even climbed to the very tippy top! I can no longer do that (sadly). Aidan had a blast, though, crawling around from structure to structure, in and out of tunnels.

I love heights! I so regret my painful knees because it really puts the damper on climbing, stairs, squatting, etc. But I really have nothing to complain about when I consider at other folk's health struggles.

I'll post some more pictures in a bit ...