This summer we’ve had the privilege of seeing all our kids and grand children at some point. This is our third-born, Jonathan, who was kayaking out on our lake with his oldest daughter in the rain one morning. I just sat and smiled as I watched them from the window. There was no thunder or lightning, so it probably wasn’t very dangerous, but it was cold and windy. It reminded me of watching Jonathan and his brother Michael sitting in the pouring rain once at a Disney “Movie Under the Stars” night. We’d gone as a family to the Fort Wilderness campfire and to watch a Disney film on an outdoor screen—along with a big crowd of happy campers—but when it started to rain, almost everybody left to find cover back at their campsites, and the few stragglers who remained were huddling under the roof of the concession stand. As I watched Mike and Jon, sitting totally exposed, rain streaming off their hats, one of the other huddlers commented, “Look at those crazy kids!” Yep. I was lookin’!
I’m thankful for my crazy kids who do things that most people wouldn’t dream of doing. Jon (Dr. Armstrong) just started a new program at Moody Bible Institute last January called the Center for Global Theological Education, “CGTE” (referred to as “C-GATE”), with the mission of developing quality, college-level, Christian theological education in virtual reality classroom settings for anybody who wants it—worldwide—free of charge. Sound impossible? If I didn’t know Jonathan, I’d say “yes,” but knowing Jon, I just smile. And pray. If God be for it, who can stand against it?
“And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)
By the way, CGTE is already offering freeing virtual reality classes in a variety of biblical and theological topics. If your church would be interested in hosting one of these seminars, you may write Jonathan at jonathan.armstrong@moody.edu.
(P.S.—If you have extra time and would like to be a part of Jon’s ministry, please contact Jonathan. He’s hoping that CGTE will be one of the world’s most satisfying places for Christians to volunteer, and—of course—much of the work can be done remotely! If you want to check out what’s going on already, here’s the link to his website: https://aqueductproject.org/.)
When we were in India last fall, we traveled with a very diverse group of people 
and ate a lot of really exotic food…pretty much morning, noon, and night.
And, even in between times too…like this lovely tropical punch, which was part of a very refreshing welcome when we arrived at the Jaypee Palace in Agra.
However, much as we enjoyed the food, there were definitely times when we’d daydream a little about what we missed from home! Several of the couples were Hispanic, and we learned from Marcy and Hugo that what they missed the most on the trip was what they
When our family or friends come to Michigan, there are a few places I always recommend, but in Grand Rapids my favorite place to visit is—without a doubt— 
Meijer Garden. 
So, for those of you who may be looking for something very special to do in Michigan this summer, consider visiting Meijer Garden. 
Why? 
#1. The flowers are always spectacular! 
No need to travel to Holland to see tulips, 
or to Giverny near Paris to find a wistful arbor of wisteria. 
#2. The Japanese Gardens are stunning.
Meticulously designed and artful in every detail. 
Restful and serene. 
Filled with quiet spots to chat or sit and be creative! 
And, if you want a little taste of cherry blossoms in the spring,
#3. Lena Meijer’s Tropical Conservatory is like a breath of warm air. 
Even when it’s snowy outside, 
there’s a world of warmth and beauty within. 
#4. Butterflies bloom during the barrenness of late winter
so you don’t have to go to Central America for a taste of the tropics! 
#5. The Sculpture Park has become an international destination! 
With more than 200 sculptures in their permanent collection, 
you no longer have to go to Europe to see the work of famous sculptors! 
#6. The Lena Meijer Children’s Garden is a total delight! 
Kids can get soaked…but you don’t have to!
Or, they can have tea parties 
while you rest in the shade and enjoy catching up with each other.
You don’t have to go to the Caribbean to take your kids sailing, 
and if the boat capsizes, it’s no big deal!
Also, no need to go to Africa to let your kids feel like big time explorers!
Alan and I have been going to Mackinac Island together for over 50 years now, 
and I try to take him up every year for his birthday. 
This year the timing worked out to go last weekend, and the lilacs were just beginning to blossom out, so I’m sure it will be spectacular for this year’s 
Lilac Festival, which begins today and lasts through Sunday, June 17th.
Every day there are over a dozen events planned, and the whole festival 
culminates in a Grand Parade down Main Street on June 17th…
The weather is predicted to be in the upper 60°s and sunnyish every day, 
so if you can afford the time and money and live within driving distance, 
it might make a marvelous place to visit this week or to celebrate Father’s Day! 
M-185, the 8.2-mile highway circling Mackinac Island, 
Is (I think?) the only highway in America that doesn’t allow cars, 
although the quiet road is punctuated with the clippity-clop
Most years Alan and I walk around the island and bike around too, although over the years we’ve had to make a few compensations to offset the effects of aging. 
When we were young, we couldn’t afford to stay on the island
so we’d just head over for a day, walking in the morning
By our fifties, we could afford to stay overnight and eat at restaurants,
This year (68th birthday), we noticed that after our 10+ miles of hiking 
around the island, enjoying lunch, 
walking around town, shopping, and meandering through the gardens 
at the Grand Hotel, we were too bushed to take a bike ride on the same day!
Even worse, there is only one restroom, which is halfway around the island, so if you’ve got an aging bladder, don’t drink a lot of coffee or tea before heading out!
Give your body a little time to digest and equilibrate before your hike,
Over the years, we’ve stayed at a number of different hotels. 
Many people have a favorite and always go back to the same place, 
but we love trying new places so often try some particularly good “special.” 
This year we stayed at the Harbour View Inn. 
The landscaping, room, and ambience were lovely! 
The continental breakfast was…adequate. 
However, unless we’re staying at the Grand, we do have a favorite lunch spot. 
We almost always have fish at the Village Inn, and the food is always excellent! 
Have I piqued your interest? 
It’s never too late to embark on a new adventure!
If you’re looking for a highly rated (IMDb 8.8) but watchable movie (PG-13) dealing with the problem of orphans in the world today, try Where Love Found Me. 
It’s gut-wrenching tale about a photo journalist, Hudson, 
who tracks behind a policeman in the Philippines. 
Although Hudson starts out intent on making a name for himself, he ends up risking his life to protect a little band of orphans, 
and in the process, exposes the problems of human trafficking. 
Although Where Love Found Me was inspired by true events, it didn’t end with the usual postscript explaining what happened “afterward,” so I contacted David Bolt, the director and producer, who graciously filled in a few of the details. 
The movie is true-to-life based on a compilation of stories, but it’s more historical fiction than a true docudrama. 
David’s parents adopted from China after he was grown, and he was so inspired by their courage and joy that he wanted to start an orphanage in China. However, David was eventually redirected to a camp ministry that has worked really well.
David started Bright Hope (
Where Love Found Me came out in 2016, but David told me it was more than seven years in the making! His hope is that people will be inspired by the movie. 
According to Google, there over 150+ million orphans in the world today. If you’ve got the heart and energy to take in a child, consider adopting an orphan! 
If you don’t know where to start, think about watching Where Love Found Me, and if that melts your heart (as it did mine), contact 
What a worthwhile investment in sharing God’s love!
“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy” (Psalm 82:3).
I’ve read that Oahu’s Diamond Head is the world’s most climbed and photographed extinct volcano. 
This iconic landmark of Hawaiian splendor lures over a million tourists to climb up its verdant crown each year, and although we’ve been to Hawaii many times 
(mostly for conferences, babies and graduations), we never had the leisure to climb Diamond Head until this last trip. 
The forecast was for rain, but our mantra is “prepare for the worst and hope for the best” when it comes to weather. Frankly, I can’t remember any time we’ve been disappointed for forging ahead (particularly since most of the time it’s a do-now-or-forever-miss-your-chance sort of situation), so we went anyway. We were rewarded with a cool morning trek and only misty rain from time to time. 
Although I wouldn’t recommend trying to climb in a thunderstorm, I was pleased to note that there are sturdy guard rails along most of the difficult parts, and the paved path is as artfully rugged as any mountain trail, forcing you to watch your step or sprain your ankle at all times while still providing quite a manageable, fairly skid-proof walking surface. 
I saw a few strollers hiding in the bushes awaiting the return of their owners, and very few small children. Two of our sons carried their kids up on their backs about six years ago, but that’s not a particularly easy way to do it either, since my cell phone recorded our ascent as 36 flights of stairs, 82 of which are steep and narrow. 
Furthermore, there weren’t too many grey-haired folks among the crowds, and those who were, were pretty trim. 
Finally: When you climb up through the last tunnel and see a sign that looks like this, go left! 
Both routes take you to the top, but the trail to the right is extremely steep and narrow, so you slow down anybody coming up behind you who thinks they need to be running. Those steep stairs are much easier to handle on your descent! 
The trail to the left is open and ever upward but lovely, with areas where you can rest and enjoy the panoramic views (or Facetime with you son, as we did with ours!) 
The entire trail is crowded, particularly at the top, but the views make up for the traffic jams! 
To the south and west you overlook the lush crater and dazzle of Honolulu, 
and to the east and north you’re met with soothing vistas of the Pacific Ocean’s turquoise waters and the Diamond Head Lighthouse far below. 
There are several methods for tourists to get to the base of the mountain besides walking: Taxi, rental car, trolley, or bus. For $5.50, you can get a day pass for the entire island’s public bus system, which is an amazing deal! 
There is a bus stop right at the base of Diamond Head Monument, and it’s a bit of a climb up to the toll booth (just $1 per person), but just past this entrance there are restrooms, drinking fountains, and options for refreshments. The wind was so strong that my wide-brimmed hat kept taking flight, so Alan bought me a baseball cap (which I will always cherish!) 
There are no restroom facilities at the top, so take advantage of what they provide at this way station, and think about saving your water for drinking on your descent! 
We also stopped for some passion fruit juice and a rainbow shaved ice upon our return, which revived us until we could make our way to the South Side Grill 
for an amazing (and cheap!) 
lunch of Ono fish’n’chips. (We also took advantage of our day bus pass by ending at the Leonard Street Bakery’s for some of their famous malasadas for dessert.) 
All in all, it was a perfect day with only unexpected sight: A blue stop sign. Truly!
I have never seen a blue stop sign in my entire life…not even in Disney World. 
Have you? However, after the surprise of seeing a bright blue stop sign, it occurred to me that it really doesn’t matter what color a sign is. It was the normal size and shape, and bore the same message: STOP. I had to think twice about whether or not it was real, but it was at a juncture where it would be totally appropriate to stop. 
Moral of my meditation? We can be taken off guard by a warning that doesn’t fit our normal expectations, but that doesn’t mean it’s not real. Red or blue, “Stop” means “Stop!” If I (or you) have come face to face with a surprising warning, let’s not disregard it just because there’s something different about it (maybe an unusual source or given by someone whom we don’t automatically believe). If we should stop, let’s stop. On Diamond Head or our own back yard!
(This is the beginning of the “Global Map”of visitors to Summer Setting; the complete list of nations is at the end of this post.)
Today marks the eighth anniversary of Summer Setting, and I’ve been thinking about how much I enjoy photo journalism. Actually, I love it with a passion. It’s “work” so satisfying that I look forward to it. It’s therapeutic; it energizes me; it makes me feel happy! Reminds me of my son Michael, who got totally splattered with fresh concrete once while helping build a house down in Mexico. Instead of expressing dismay (which was my reaction), he just grinned: “I never knew this mission trip was going to be so much fun!” What can I say? When you feel really passionate about what you’re doing, what’s a little mud on your face?
