Our Newport grands have each taken turns staying at Gram and Pop’s house. The older two visited last year (2024) at different times, while the third and youngest of the three (7 years old) came for several days at the end of last month leading into April (2025). Without a doubt our motto is to make Gram and Pop’s house the coolest and most fun “over the river and through the woods” excursion a grand can know!

But I must confess, as a result, I lapsed from my fast!

While I mostly taste-tested, in the end, more passed my lips than should have been allowed. There were amazing homemade corn dogs with mac and cheese, and baked peanut butter cookies with chocolate kisses, and for breakfast, scrambled eggs and sour dough waffles which the young man gobbled down, happily, with a “Thank you, Gram!” To further the enjoyment, we invited our oldest grandson who lives nearby to sleep over as well and while passing Cook Out after loading him aboard, somehow ice cream found its way into our hands! The following day, needing to change up the plans, Chick-fil-a became our destination, along with a local park to ride the zipline. Before heading home, we made a quick dash to the local Dollar Tree for bubble guns. The bubble wars were a hit! Of course, the Stick Boy Bread Company was over and above; we find it our duty to familiarize any guest with the yummy treats. And finally, on the last day, for the drive back to his “neck-of-the-woods,” Starbucks brought a giant smile!        

But some of the most priceless moments occurred as we spent time in God’s Word. Feed my sheep! What an opportunity for shepherding the hearts of little lambs! Our devotionals centered on being a witness and sharing the gospel with others. There is no greater joy than seeing healthy sheep find pasture!

“The connection between caring for people as sheep and nourishing them with God’s word is plainly visible in the story of the feeding of the five thousand: ‘While Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things,’ (Matthew 14:14). Like the Divine Shepherd in the Old Testament, Jesus cared for a hungry crowd by giving them physical food, and he reached out to a greater hunger with God’s lifegiving words. In fact, Jesus turned every crisis into a teaching moment.” While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks, Dr. Timothy S. Laniak (pp. 61-62)

“The world’s only source of life and hope is God’s Word.” -Dr. Laniek

Do you love me? Feed my Sheep! –John 21: 17