Weekly column by Kaelyn Pfenning
I’d never been to the Biltmore before last week.
A friend from church invited me to attend a concert with her, so I got off work a bit early last Thursday.
She picked me up a little after 4:30 p.m.
We hit some traffic on the way to Asheville; therefore, we got dinner to go and ate in the car when we parked.
Teachers are planning for the new school year, less than two weeks away now.
With my mom and college roommate in the classroom as well as others I know, I have a soft spot for good teachers.
I considered the profession as I enjoyed school.
I love the beach.
Walking on the sand, feeling the wind and playing in the waves are my favorite parts of any beach trip.
This past week, Brad and I enjoyed our vacation to Cocoa Beach, Florida.
On the way down, we ate breakfast with one of Brad’s cousins and her family.
Change is inevitable, yet we can choose how to respond.
With the development of so many beautiful acres covered with trees, it is sad to see the land dug up to put in buildings.
Yet each unit represents a potential neighbor or job.
Brad and I celebrated his birthday this past weekend.
Actually, we’ve been celebrating all month, but we had special plans with family and friends over the weekend.
Thursday, we visited my parents.
We ate dinner together and played a game; then, Brad opened his present to find two new tape measures.
Brad and I spent time with both our families last Wednesday.
To celebrate the Fourth of July, Brad and I drove down to Lake Hartwell for the morning.
My parents and sister’s family met us there.
We inflated some tubes, swam in the water and ate our picnic lunches before heading home.
In America, we are blessed to be free in so many ways.
We are free to work where we choose, to live in relative peace, to go to church, to publish nearly anything and to produce a variety of goods and services.
These freedoms should never be taken for granted.
Immigration is a tricky subject.
Some who enter illegally are allowed to stay without consequence while others who enter legally are prevented from returning after visiting their home country.
Neither situation is appropriate.
Since getting married, my appreciation for the role of fatherhood has grown.
Watching Brad step into leadership has broadened my perspective and deepened my gratitude for the male role in the home.
I am thankful for the hard work Brad does each day to provide for us.
A few weeks ago, I planted a little garden with green beans and cucumbers.
Then, the rains came for a couple of weeks straight, and we traveled last weekend.
This past Friday, I had a chance to catch up on weeding.
