It was Glorious. One week and it was over. Family fun, building memories and deepening relationships. All 14 of us. Three generations. One big beach house to do everything together and have alone time. We all took turns praying and sharing. One of the younger kids shared a great story of God working in his life. I made sure to let the grandkids know that this kind of vacation with all of us together might not happen very often and maybe never again. I asked them to remember this vacation so they could take their own kids and parents on a similar vacation someday.“It will be expensive but worth it.” They all nodded in agreement. “Make it happen, OK?” again nods. “When you are grandparents take your kids and grandkids!” More nods…??? (click to enlarge and for slide to slide)
I’m not sure how much weight “grandpa authority” carries and for how long. I suspect close to nothing by the time I am gone. Our week together is filed under memories at this point. Much of what is so precious in my life has a short shelf life but it’s invaluable to me. Family importance seems to be passing on to our next two generations: our family as well as God’s family. I pray our family (limited edition that it is) reflects God’s family (eternal edition).
It’s 2000 years of obvious that Jesus’ authority is really big. His last words have never diminished with time nor will they into eternity.., And Jesus came and spoke to them saying “all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo. I am with you always. even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Three of us stayed a bit longer on the beach. I’m not in a hurry to return to the Minnesota tundra. I’m watching some big powerful waves come in and contemplating that “all authority” thing Jesus talked about. I cannot even imagine being there when Jesus said “peace, be still” and it was. I’m just glad to have “future family ties”. Oh, and speaking of our eternal family status…are you in? I’d really like to see you there…totally worth it you know!
Gary
Gods Ways are...Different 
Making precious memories!
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Yes they are Joy
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Oh wow, Gary, all choked up here with big tears. You hit a home run, maybe two or three and then some. This is perfect. I just said to Todd, “I hope we can schedule a family beach house vacation and all be together sometime soon…”
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Totally worth it Deb. Our other daughters family is spread out..high school to grad school. Our sons family younger…took some planning and everyone said yes. We all drove and bought food. Spent Christmas and into the new year together. It helps to really like each other…many families are not quite as blessed that way otherwise it would have been good to all have their own beach houses.
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Yeah, they don’t have Gary as Papa. ❤️ The good news is that your reputation and influence ripples out far and wide like one of those stones you skip across the ocean waves. (Todd’s good at that.)
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LOL…I’m not a good rock skipper. My wife and kids make me look good in other areas…I remind myself of the old Peter Sellers movie “Being There” often
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Oh I loved that movie! I need to watch it again!
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So good that you were able to come together as a family – and by the sea! We did it once, just before Covid but rented a large house in village in the middle of the country. The weather wasn’t good but it was good to be together as a family with all of our kids and grandkids. The blessing of God through family is precious indeed Gary.
If we ever get to do it again (we are now up to 21 in total) it would have to be a beach house!
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21 is a good Size David. Our beach house could sleep 20 comfortably. Big is good as people like to spread out a bit. And yes, it’s family that comes together…the rest is fluff…weather, location, what to do and so on…saying that, it’s good to have lots of options.
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Gary, What you shared is very profound. I especially liked this part: “Much of what is so precious in my life has a short shelf life but it’s invaluable to me. Family importance seems to be passing on to our next two generations: our family as well as God’s family. I pray our family (limited edition that it is) reflects God’s family (eternal edition).
A limited edition is so true. I will share a link to this one on my Facebook page. Thanks for sharing.
Rejoicing!
Wayne
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Those thoughts are so encouraging to me Wayne. I have sadly watched whole families drift away from God’s family over the years while trying to rescue their own family. So backwards to reality is our natural bent.
Share away…it’s a good discussion starter
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Gary, I’m in tears! As amazing the memories and pictures, your words…filled with love, truth, and wisdom! Hallelujah for the hibernation on the beach with God at the CENTER of it all! To see Tania there gave me tears too! Oh how I love the Fultz family! Thank you for sharing the love of Christ and family with all of us! God bless you all!❤️🙏
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Ah, so grateful here Karla. To spend time together and walk away with a basket full of pictures and memories is quite a blessing
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Amen! 🙏🙏♥️
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LOVE the cavorting on the beach! 😁 Your pictures remind me of our own family reunions: yes, we share a big house, and we like each other.
I happen to be in MN right now (it’s snowier than good ol’ SoDak), visiting with my son and his wife. They just had a baby – our FIRST grandbaby! I’m cherishing the miracles.
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Ah, so good your family does that as well. Enjoy the snow. we will be back in 10 days or so. I don’t think the Minnesota snow blows around as much as the Dakotas…we are in the Northwoods, so it just piles up and gets deep. Welcome to grandmotherhood Kathy. enjoy.
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Looks like fun was had by all!
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Oh the depths of fun Jon… yes, had by all!
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Beautiful pictures and prose
that evoke precious memories of the joy of family ties that bless me. Thank you Gary.
“Much of what is so precious in my life has a short shelf life but it’s invaluable to me™ … Amen!
The good news is the eternal “shelf life” of our “future family ties” together with Him that await all of His … looking forward to sharing them with you brother ☺️
Keep Looking Up ^… His Best is Yet to Come!
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Definitely looking forward to when the best has come Fred. This will redefine brotherhood as we know it. and. looking forward to the huge upgrade on shelf life.
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Makes me feel good just reading and looking at those memories, Gary. Thanks for sharing.
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Glad I’m able to share G,W, that is a blessing all it’s own.
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I love the family photos! I am glad you had this wonderful beach week together. You captured some great photos of the waves…awesome! (The beach is one of my favorite places and I can tell it was a blessing for your family!!!)
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Thanks Linda. Waves and sea pictures are quite a learning curve for me…as are the interplay with the sun, colors, sands, birds, people and water. Yes, a huge blessing. I see why you like those beaches
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This may become a family tradition for all of you…beach week! I see lots of happy faces!!!
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“Beach week” I like the sound of that. We have a very adventurous and creative family. They also like each other a lot. We will see where this leads.
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So glad you had this time together. ❤
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It was really good Anna. The time together is the key ingredient but framing it in a beach house seemed to put us all in the same context for the week. Usually we just get together at some bodies place…it seems that when anyone is on their “home turf” they never really disengage to fully be with everyone…a bolt like going on a date night and one person brings their work phone for “a couple calls”
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That doesn’t look like Minnesota. Was it Florida? That looks like you all had a great time. And I see you even got in some fishing. Family time is very precious, and even more so if you all get along with each other. Happy new year!!
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ya, a ways away from Minnesota Duane. Gulf Shores Alabama. Our attempt at being snowbirds for a few weeks. Going home to ice fish in a couple days. We will try to bring some of the warmth home with us. Looks like MN could use some warmth.
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As always you have beautiful pictures and use them in such a way as to glorify our Father. You all are in my prayers and I realized the other day I hadn’t seen any posts from you for awhile. So, I looked you up. Are you still posting? And our family enjoyed a wonderful family vacation several years ago with children and grandchildren. The memory still makes me smile.
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Thanks Donna. I have not posted for quite a while. I don’t think I have a good enough excuse. I seem to have too many urgent things happening in life and some of the important (to me) things have been quite delayed…Family vacations are at the top of importance!
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