Have you ever had a fried, sugary plantain? I hate to admit it, but here in Quito, Phil and I can’t stop eating them. All the food here is good, but the plantains seem to be our downfall. Muy bueno!
Remnants of the stickers children enjoyed receiving from Jennifer and Phil.
Well, we made it to Ecuador.
We were stuck in Miami a little longer than we had hoped because–get this–a volcano erupted 90 miles south of Quito, and the ash still lingered in the air. Apparently, that makes air travel difficult. A little different from the states, huh?
Theresa, Phil and Jennifer with Bolivia and 14-year-old Jimmy in the kitchen of their adobe home. Jimmy is one of the children sponsored through Compassion.
I just spent the weekend with almost 7000 Jewelers at the annual Premier Designs Rally held in Fort Worth. I was their guest speaker Friday afternoon, and I can’t tell you how much I loved it. I wore my PD Jewelry proudly on stage (thx Dana), and told this enthusiastic group that my cane had almost as much bling as some of them were wearing. If you gotta carry it, why not decorate it.
Just some of the Jewelers I loved meeting at PD Rally
In a moment I’ll tell you how to get a free copy of my Missing Pieces Bible study. But first…
I just love James and Betty Robison.
Every time I am with them on their Life Today television program, I am moved. They lift me up with their personal words of encouragement. They challenge me to give more of myself with their appeals to build water wells. They draw me toward helping hurting people with their sincere love for people…”call if you need a friend.”
I have waited all summer for the cicadas to start doing their thing! Well, they’re noisy little critters tonight. It is my favorite sound of summer in the Ozarks. I wish I could capture their songs and post it right here. But cicadas may annoy you.
I mentioned something on Facebook about the start of cicada season, and folks from all around told me so much about them! I had no idea that mentioning the cicada would create such interest. I personally had insomnia because I stayed up that night learning all about them. For example, did you know that the cicada can live 17 years? Have you ever heard that once you hear the cicada, it will be 100 days until the first frost? Well, neither did I! Cicadas also live all over the world and are mentioned in the Bible. I have some very, very smart Facebook friends.
Question: Do you have a favorite sound of summer? Let us know what it is here.
My main man Phil and I couldn’t resist the gourmet Blueberry Thunder Muffins at Persimmon Hill Berry Farm in Lampe, MO. Delicious. Ever been there?
The drive down to Lampe winds through the Ozarks countryside, along the highway connecting Branson, Missouri and Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It was such a beautiful summer day for a short getaway! Such a fun experience. We picked berries, then enjoyed the FRUITS of our labor with a taste test.
And don’t even get me started on the muffins. All I will say is, if you haven’t had the fortune of tasting a Persimmon Hill jam, jelly, sauce, spread, or baked item, I HIGHLY recommend it. We’ll be doing it again soon.
Question: Where do you go for a short getaway? Tell us about it here.
