After a good night's sleep, we woke up on Sunday morning to greet the lake. One of my favorite things about a cabin on the lake is that first look at the lake in the morning. Sometimes still and calm, sometimes rough and choppy, but always beautiful.

Tom went out for an early morning bike ride around the Mi-Gi-Zi trail. Since the church service here starts at 11:00, he was able to get out and get home in time for breakfast and then church. The service at the Evangelical Free Church of Bemidji was unique and inspiring, as they had a group of men from Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge sing and give testimonies about how they had found a new life in Christ after drug addiction.

In the afternoon we were able to reconnect with my cousins Paul (& family) and Deb (& family) who will also be here during these two weeks with us. The kids love spending time with their cousins and also the friends they've made here over the years. Each year our traditions become more ingrained, and friendships grow deeper.

Before our late dinner of tortellini, Tom & I hit the Mi-Gi-Zi trail. It was a gorgeous evening for the 17-mile ride (bringing Tom's total for the day to 34 miles). We love the tall pines and wild flowers along this paved trail. This evening, we were treated to a deer sighting as well. He stood right on our trail, and only ran a few feet away when he saw us coming. We stopped and looked at each other for about 30 seconds, before he decided to head into the woods.

Our first full day at the lake was pretty picture perfect. Life is good.