Saturday, September 19, 2009

Joy Challenge - Day 21 - Laughter

It was a perfect day to wander down country roads, swim in the river, eat out on the picnic table, ride bikes with little granddaughters and just be with family and friends. The sun was shining, and there was a cooling breeze.


We arrived thursday morning and drove to the little cabins nestled among the huge oak trees.



We walked down to the river after lunch. We have not recovered from the drought yet, so the water was not as high as it usually is.







It was just right for little girls who love to swim.



They had fun watching Daddy swing out on the rope and dive into the water. It was even more fun watching Mommy try to get up her nerve to give it a try. We sat in our lawn chairs on the other side of the river, cameras poised waiting to capture the big moment on film. However, she decided discretion was the better part of valor ......



We ended the day with a rousing game of badminton. There were actually four of us on a side. We are not exactly professional caliber players and laughed so hard we could hardly stand upright.

There was joy all around us - in the beauty of creation and the time spent together. The best part, for me, was the laughter. What joy to laugh until the tears rolled down my cheeks - when not too long ago they had been tears of sorrow.

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou has loosed my sackcloth and girded
me with gladness;
That my soul may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to Thee forever."

Blessings,
Linda
Psalm 30:11,12