Day 6 of our Bake!-Cation (Out of the Kitchen)

It rained overnight and is raining this morning. It’s supposed to clear for a few hours and then start again this evening. If it does clear up, we’re definitely going for another walk. 

As we strolled into class last night, our instructor greeted us with, “I’ve heard about y’all!” Apparently, these two Texas ladies taking every class under the sun have left quite the impression—though I’m still on the fence about whether it’s a compliment or a cautionary tale! We have no class today but will be back in the classroom for the next three days.

Looks like the weather’s perfect for a stroll, so we’re hitting the road again! Thank goodness, because Jo Anne is redefining the whole lazy lounge lizard vibe. Seriously, it was nearly 11:00 before she finally ditched her PJs!

We strolled through a charming little 1.25-mile loop, and it was absolutely delightful!

Amur honeysuckle

Jo Anne’s favorite thing - tree tunnels 

Huron River

We opted to use the gracious gift from our hostess for lunch and went to La Marsa. 

We had the lamb kabobs, and that lamb was melt-in-your-mouth tender and packed with flavor! And the rice was on point!

Post-lunch, we kicked back at the BnB for a movie, then ventured out again for a quick hike. 

Van Curler Preserve is a 90-acre natural area. This 2-mile loop winds through the property, offering views of forests, wetlands, and even a grove of Norway spruce.

Someone’s always taking a photo of the back of me 🙄

Lesser periwinkle

We wandered through fields where native plants grow, and the township is actively restoring a 6.5-acre field back to its original prairie ecosystem.

Food for Thought

I couldn't possibly look at the names of God without including Jehovah Raah. Imagine a shepherd who knows each sheep like the back of his hand. He understands their quirks, their needs, and even their fears. He’s there to heal their wounds, feed them, and guide them through any landscape, ready to put himself on the line to keep them safe from harm. It’s a bond built on trust and constant care. In all of my long-distance hiking, I've been up close and personal with hundreds of sheep. I can't begin to imagine keeping up with all of them. Of course, today they are tagged and painted for easy identification and location, but that wasn't the case in biblical days. 

Luke 15:4-7 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing."

As you go through life, think about the times where you might feel a bit lost—maybe you’ve wandered off the beaten path, are feeling exhausted, or just need a little protection. I can relate to all of those things, both literally and spiritually. The amazing thing about Jehovah Raah is that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own; you just need to follow the One who knows the way, to listen for His voice, and to let go of that resistance. John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." That's all we have to do. Sounds easy doesn't it? So why can it be so hard?

There are countless scriptures I could include here but don't have space or time. However, this is one we are all familiar with that could not be left out. Psalm 23:1-6 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

And I will end with this one: John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." He doesn't just call Himself the Shepherd. He calls Himself the Good Shepherd.

When Jesus declared, "I am the good shepherd," everyone in the crowd immediately understood the significance of a shepherd. After all, some of Israel’s most revered leaders—think Abraham, Moses, and David—were shepherds before they took on their roles as leaders. Even God is referred to as Israel's shepherd throughout the Psalms.

But Jesus didn’t just say, "I am the shepherd." He emphasized, "I am the good shepherd." The Greek word for "good," kos, goes beyond just being morally right; it encompasses being noble, wholesome, and beautifully complete in every aspect of goodness. And right after this profound statement, He set up a contrast that was revolutionary.

The hired hand, the one who looks after the sheep for a paycheck, sees danger (wolf) approaching and bolts because the sheep aren’t his. He has no real investment in their fate. Traditionally, in the Old Testament sacrificial system, sheep were sacrificed for the sins of their shepherds. That was the norm for thousands of years—the animal giving its life for the human. But Jesus flipped the script entirely. This time, it was the shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep. That was a game changer—something that had never happened before in all of history, and will never happen again. How amazing is that? The Shepherd became the sacrifice for all mankind, and He cares about His sheep. He knows your voice. And the good shepherd does not leave what is His.

He’ll move mountains to find you and bring you back home, which should fill you with joy and rejoicing!