Our Thursday started out wonderfully! Traffic to the Iowa State Fair was almost nonexistent at 6:45 a.m. There were no long lines waiting to turn into the Fair. Parking was a breeze, except for the price ($20)! My how that has changed in the years we have been going. We have always parked in a lawn on the south side of the Fair because it was close to the Sheep Barn where many of our Fair hours have been spent.
We made it all the way to the Sheep Barn before the rain began. Leaving our rain gear and umbrellas in the car (big mistake), we waited in the sheep barn with one granddaughter, while anticipating the arrival of some of our Arkansas family. John was constantly greeted by sheep folks from days past. When everyone arrived we planned the day around the things we needed to see and do and eat.
Mini donuts were the start of the day. We hit a mini donut stand early on and waited and waited for donuts that were never realized. The inexperienced crew was evidently not well trained and could not make the donuts. Finally John got his money back and we decided to try a different stand. By this time the heavens had opened up and delivered a very heavy rain storm. We took shelter under one umbrella and concession tents over an eating area.
When the rain finally let up, we hurried up a sidewalk to the "Varied Industries" building. We hit the Iowa State University booth first, and two of us got rain ponchos. Mini donuts were found and enjoyed. Then we checked out the amazing quilts and knitting projects on display on the second floor. Such talented Iowans! We moved on to the State Fair booth on Grand Ave., then up the hill a little ways to get refreshing phosphates in the old time soda shop. We walked through the baby animals barn, stopped for a couple of corn dogs, then a ride in Ye Old Mill.
By noon the sun was out and it was hot! We had lemonades, water, sodas to stay hydrated. And to fill the empty bellies there were fried cheese curds, pickle wraps, lamb burgers, and cups of corn at the Corn Stand. We found all the Stewart bricks in front of the Sheep Barn. Each grandchild that showed sheep has a brick with their name and there is a now out-dated brick that says, "Stewart Club Lambs, Marshalltown."
We enjoyed all the memories that were made today and came home blessed and tired.
"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations." (Psalm 67:1-2 NIV).
Thank You, God, for making all things gracious and blessed. Thank You for the rain and the sunshine and I pray for safety for our family as they return to Arkansas. God, You are so good. Amen.
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