Wonderful Water

I love thunder and lightning, puddles, and rainbows. I love the smell of rain, and the beauty of the thunderheads as they overtake the entire sky. The last few years have brought an abundance of rain to the Nebraska Panhandle, but this summer is different. This year, our last significant rain was more than two months ago. Since the beginning of June, we've seen some promising clouds, heard a little rumbling thunder, and experienced some devastating hail, but we've only felt a few sprinkles. Just this week, I saw these unwelcome words in print: severe drought. Ugh!

So, this summer, we've had to celebrate the wonders of water in other ways, and in other places. 

Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone. Zechariah 10:1

We set up our pool early this year, before Memorial Day. Pool accessories have been hard to find this summer, so we've made do with a patched, disintegrating, solar pool cover, and a makeshift sock filter, which, surprisingly, works better that our regular, disposable paper filters. Regardless, there's nothing better than a refreshing swim on a blistering, hot day--and we've had more than our fair share of scorching heat this year. 

Even four-year-old Lydia can swim well without her floaties, but she has to wear them anyway, until a responsible adult joins her in the pool.

Swimming is wonderful, but I had to go to Fairbury to get my rain fix. The beginning of August, Levi and I went with Meagan and Andy's family to see Mom and Dad. We had been planning an extended family vacation to California, but that was nixed because of Covid. All of the kids are good travelers this summer, but the next Stobel baby, due in early January, probably won't be able to travel so far for at least a couple of years, so this summer was the best time for a long trip.

It rained much of the time we were there, but we didn't mind a bit. We inhaled the delightful fragrance of the rain. I took an umbrella when I walked in the rain. And, we went outside whenever the rain let up, so the kids could play and explore.

The rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater. Isaiah 55:10

Everyone likes to watch the rain from the shelter of the screened-in porch.

The first time the rain let up, the sun even peeked out for a while, so I walked with Meagan and the kids, over to a nearby pond.

On the way, we spotted some huge mushrooms.

The kids were excited to see the frogs I had told them about. (Tobin and Evelyn take their backpacks everywhere, so they can write about their adventures in their journals, and carry back any treasures they happen to find.)

Frogs of every size lined the edge of the pond, jumping in and swimming away when we got too close. The kids liked to see if they could spot them in the water after they jumped in.

Later that same day, after the next rain squall subsided, we walked all over the acreage. Our shoes were soaked, but I discovered that mine dried out very quickly in front of the fan. Meagan lamented that the kids hadn't brought enough socks.

Joker and Trigger always come to the fence, hoping for a handout, but content with a few gentle pats.

Ari isn't the first to drive this backward "tractor."

My grandkids are the second generation to ride this horse.

I took a walk in the pasture at sunset, by myself, except for the horses. I had to detour from my preferred route because the spring-fed stream was too wide, and too soggy, to cross.

The next morning, when it was still raining, Levi brought the toy box up from the basement.

I guess Levi is never too old to play dressup with his nieces and nephews.

While it rained, the kids spent some time coloring and drawing.

Lydia read part of her favorite story to Great Grandma.

The rain let up enough so we could head to the City Park after supper. The playground there has always been a favorite, first for my kids, and now for the grandkids. Meagan says that every park should have a tandem swing like this one.

When I was growing up in Fairbury, my family kept our horses in a pasture that bordered Crystal Springs. I also have great memories of Girl Scout Camps there. Some things have changed over the years, but Crystal Springs is still a wonderful place to explore.

This covered bridge is new since I lived in Fairbury.

The kids had to check out this shallow spring closely. They found one large fish, and some snails.

The slide is no longer slick, so the kids could stop easily before "splash-down."

Lydia thought about trying a teeter totter, but she decided against it for obvious reasons.

The kids took turns driving the "oxen" that pulled the covered wagon.

Levi and Tobin spent a long time building elaborate sand castles in a wet sand pile.

Our trip to Fairbury was rather short, so we wouldn't wear out our welcome. On our long drive home, we stopped for lunch at Harmon Park, in Kearney. We had been familiar with the large playground at one end--that's where Levi broke his arm a couple of years ago--but we had never explored the other end of the park, which has some beautiful ponds and even a lighthouse. 

The whole Stobel family likes to look for pond creatures.

Ari took his turn at holding a cicada on the end of a stick.

Soon after we returned from Fairbury, Levi went off for one more session at Camp Rock, 40 miles southeast of Gering, where he volunteered as a Junior Counselor this summer. Andy started back to school, to get ready for the new school year. Then, for the first time this summer, Meagan and I took the kids camping at Lake Minatare. While we were there, Andy's parents, Stan and Deb, brought out their boat so the kids could experience tubing for the first time. The water was low, and only one boat ramp was usable, but the kids had a great time.

Lydia rode in the tube with Deb the first time, but she was brave enough to go by herself later.

Ari napped on my lap while the other kids tried out the tube.

Deb skis well. Ari was full of comments and questions: "The motor is on." "Where is she going?" "Why?" 

After he woke up, Ari moved to Meagan's lap to watch the tubers. He was feeling too timid to try it himself this time. (Ignore the glare--this photo was taken through the boat's windshield.)

Ari's favorite part of the boat ride was when Grandpa Stan let him drive the boat.

Parts of Nebraska have had an abundance of rain this year, but other areas, like the Panhandle, need rain desperately. Will you join me in praying that God will send the rain?

Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this. Jeremiah 14:22