Summer 2026

WHAT A SUMMER IT HAS BEEN!!!!

On June 13th, Josh, Michelle and Saylor came from Tennessee to bring Saylor to us for VBS.  That evening, I fixed my usual roast dinner for them as well as Rachel's family.  We enjoyed some time at the school playground after dinner.  Sunday morning, Josh and Michelle headed home and Saylor went to church with us.💗

VBS Week (15th-18th)
We met Rachel and Jonathan halfway Sunday evening to get the Copeland, Eisley, Gideon and Saylor to spend the week with us and go to VBS with Saylor.  Lots of game playing during the week!

Pictures each morning of Days 1, 2, 3, 4

Day 3 - Picture day in their VBS Shirts.  Copeland was a leader, so his shirt was a different color.

Day 1 in the afternoon - we went to Laurel Park, had a picnic and played on the playground.  We were disappointed that the splash pad wasn't open (which was the case all summer due to the water curtailment). Once I got them home, I did let them play in the sprinkler to cool off!

Day 2 afternoon - trip to the Pet Store downtown, that they always enjoy

First night: Papa had them line up so he could give them the 6 House Rules for the week: 

1. You will have NO fun!

2. You will have broccoli (with no butter or cheese) every morning for breakfast!

3. You will have skunk burgers on toast every night for dinner!

4. No candy, no sugar!

5. You are going to a waterpark: in the front yard and he will spray them with cold water!

6. Remember #1.😂

And no, they didn't believe a word of it, but it did make them giggle!💖

VBS was collecting cereal for the ministry center, so Jeff took them to Kroger to each pick out a box.  After finding out later that day that Kipling thought the cereal was for his breakfast, I made a quick trip the next morning to get him a box, to eat for breakfast, so he wouldn't be sad!💙

Day 3 afternoon - we spent almost 5 hours at the new Conway Community Center.  So fun!  But yes, we had some exhausted grandchildren that night, along with their DeDe!

Miscellaneous pictures I took off the VBS Facebook page.

The program was Thursday night.  Jonathan and Rachel came back to Conway to attend...and then took all 6 of the children home with them!

The plan was for us to keep Saylor thru the weekend and Josh and Michelle would come get her and spend Father's Day with us.  However, this picture shows Jeff on his last "halfway good" day....which in reality wasn't a good day.  So J&M spent the weekend at Rachel's instead of coming here. From this day on, Jeff was in constant pain whenever he got out of bed!!

FATHERS DAY June 21st

Josh and Michelle celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary on June 25th.

July 4th was America's 250th Birthday.  I know our country is FAR from perfect, but I love America and so thankful I was born and raised here!  (Yes an AI created photo):

Jeff missed church June 28th and sadly hasn't been able to be back yet (as of 8/9).  He sure misses it (as do I, although I did go a couple of weeks without him).  But when it became necessary for me to be at his side 24/7 to get him out of bed, go to the bathroom, shower him, feed him, etc., I wasn't able to go.  This will be the longest period of time (other than during COVID) that we have missed going to church in our married life (and for me, all of my life).  He's so ready to be back, to teach his class, to worship in person again.  We are very grateful that we have been able to watch the livestream each week.

Rachel and Jonathan celebrated their 14th anniversary on July 6

Andy and Carman celebrated their 21st anniversary on July 9

July became a very, very difficult season for Jeff (and for me).  It has been the worse for Jeff (in his almost 73 years of life) to the point that all of July, he was in bed 98% of the time. I will devote a separate post detailing that journey so will only touch on it briefly here.

Jeff had sent our Pastor a text on Sunday July 12, asking for "the elders" to come pray over him (James 5:14-15).  He expected 3 or 4 men to come.  We were overwhelmed when 17 or 18 Staff, Deacons and Leaders showed up (their cars filled Country Club Road).  What a blessing and those prayers (along with so many others) changed everything!💙🙏💙

The following day, Andy flew in from Texas and was with us July 13-19.  Huge blessing!  Rachel picked him up at the airport and brought him to Conway.

Andy requested I take very few pictures, so this is the only one I have of him working.  Jeff had a long "to do" list for him and he accomplished much of what his Dad asked.  Jeff sitting outside with him, below, was only a very temporary thing, much to his disappointment.  He so wanted to be with Andy, to visit, to see the work, etc.  Sadly, he just couldn't.   

Thankfully, Andy was here to help me get Jeff (on his 73rd birthday), first to see our regular doctor, Rhonda Dixon in the morning and then for the first visit with Dr. Walters, the Spine Surgeon in the afternoon.

Our Pastor's wife, Toya, brought this balloon to Jeff.  WE HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED WITH MANY MEALS, GIFTS, FLOWERS, VISITS AND PRAYERS DURING THIS TIME!!  Thank you, thank you, dear friends and family!  We have felt very loved!💕

So, so thankful for Dr. Walters, who immediately diagnosed the problem and had a plan! That was the best birthday gift Jeff could ever get.  I'll document all of that in the other post.  A surgery date was set for July 28th!!

Andy left on Friday to meet his wife and children in the Benton (AR) area for Carman's grandma's 90th birthday celebration.  They did come back to Conway on Sunday to see Papa.  We hadn't seen the kids since Christmas, so it was a joy, as always.  Rachel and I had planned to have a "cousin" week in AR in July.  Sadly, that didn't happen.  So after visiting with us a while, they went to LR and at least got to spend the afternoon, swimming and playing with some of their cousins before returning back to TX on Monday.  Thank you, Andy, for your tremendous help during that week!!💙

Rachel and her children came over on the 23rd to help me get Jeff to the hospital for his "Pre-Admission."  The picture below was eating CFA before going to the hospital.  I'll talk more about all of that in the other post.

After a difficult time at the hospital with several hiccups, Rachel took her children back to Little Rock and packed a bag and came back to Conway.  She stayed with us and was a huge help up to the day of surgery.  Thank you, Rachel Ann!!💖 Her family came Sunday afternoon, the 26th, for dinner and to spend time with her (and us).  Thank you so much, Jonathan, for caring for the kids, so Rachel could do that!!

These boys sure missed their Momma!

When you don't have a dining room table, the floor will have to do!

The birthday balloon needed to be discarded, so the kids "popped" it.

Picture before they returned to Little Rock💗

SUCCESSFUL SURGERY on July 28th (will be detailed in the other post)

Jeff spent 4 nights in ICU, one night on the regular floor and then 9 nights in Rehab.  A total of 14 days after surgery.  The medical care was amazing at all locations!!  So thankful for each one.

While Jeff was in rehab (and visitors are asked to wait until 4 to visit), I was blessed on August 5th to go the Skylark Cafe with some of our Senior Adults.  It's one of my favorite restaurants and the food/desserts are delicious!

Tuesday, Aug 11 - Jeff is Home!

(and in desperate need of a haircut and a shave!)

Always love to see pictures posted of my grandchildren serving in their church!  Laine at The Mount, Keller, TX in July

Going back to School!  Seemed like a very short summer!
Tennessee Swart granddaughter
Saylor was the first to return - 3rd Grade at Donelson Christian Academy, Lebanon, TN

Joined Momma in Court one day (saying the Pledge of Allegiance)

McCrary Little Rock grandchildren:

Copeland and Eisley at Pinnacle View Middle School Open House

 Copeland, 8th Grade and Eisley, 6th Grade

Gideon (4th) and Kipling (2nd) at Fulbright Elementary

Rachel, as the Art Teacher at Fulbright to Grades PreK to 5th

Copeland is almost as tall as his Momma!! 

Texas Swart Grandchildren
All 4 are homeschooled by Mom (M-T) in conjunction with  
Classical Communications (they attend Coop each Friday in Southlake)
Carman teaches at CC each Friday as well

Laine (10th) 

Ellie (8th) 

Shep (5th) 

Mack (3rd)

August 16th - we were both able to return to church.  I went the week prior as Jeff was still in rehab, but this was the first time in 6 weeks for Jeff!! (AI generated background)  
It was wonderful to be back.  Our Antioch church family (as well as many, many friends) have prayed many prayers for us and have loved and blessed us greatly during this trial!!💗

On August 19, 2019, we moved to Conway, Arkansas following ten years of a blessed ministry at First Baptist Church, Galena, KS.  These 7 years have sure gone by quickly! (pictures of our last Sunday 8/18/2019)

Jonathan's birthday is August 20th.  Happy Birthday!

I thought I had completed this post on August 20th, however, another setback with Jeffs health that I will detail in the back surgery post.  So I'm publishing this post while sitting in the hospital with Jeff.

 Very great blessing on August 24th -- RAIN AND COOLER TEMPS.  Thank you, thank you, Lord!!

Almost 3" of rain!!

AND THAT'S A WRAP ON A DIFFICULT, CRAZY, HOT, HOT SUMMER!! 

Come on Fall 🍂 and a wonderful winter forecast of lots of snow!!

❄️❄️