Memorial of a Dear Sweet Friend

n Wednesday I came to find out that a friend passed away unexpectedly.  It was so unexpected and sudden.  She was a truly amazing person.  It was impossible to know my friend Joy without seeing the shine of God in her life.  Joy was the kind of friend that made special handmade cards and took the time to send snail mail.  She had a gift of making those around her feel special and loved.  She was never too busy to reach out. I can remember her at my baby shower for my youngest son.  I remember working with her at Thornwell where we met.   I can vividly remember her holding my baby as we chatted and  watched the other children play on the playground. Children were at ease with her.  She had such a heart for children.  She had an amazing faith.  She truly lived her life out for God in the short twenty-six years of her life.  She made more impact in those few short years than most of us could ever hope to make.    She was fearless in her mission to reach out to children in third world countries.  It was on her last missions trip to Asia that she developed an aneurysm  that she would not recover from.  My heart goes out to her family as I cannot imagine the hurt that comes with losing a family member so unexpectedly.  I hope and pray they have peace in knowing that they will one day see her again in God's kingdom. I hope there is comfort and joy in knowing how happy she is to be with Jesus.  I know He has his reasons for allowing these things to happen.  This side of heaven we may never comprehend the reasons.  She was an amazing person that made such an impact, truly living out spreading the gospel. If you asked her what her life's verse was she'd quickly tell you James 1:27.  She went to places that would terrify many of us. Living in rugged places far beyond the modern comforts that we Americans often take for granted.  It was in those places that she shined the brightest.  Her gift was definitely missions.  She was living out her dream as she served abroad. She touched hearts in both her life and death.  It's made me realize yet again not to sweat the small stuff.  Take the time to tell your loved ones how much you care.  Life is fragile, make it count.  I believe Joy did. 

A Very Big Day!

It was a very big day for our family.  Austin recently made the decision that he wanted to be baptized.  Our pastor talked and prayed with him to make sure he fully understood the decision he was making. Today on the 4th of July our church had a big BBQ followed by baptisms, games and fireworks.  Austin was tugging at heartstrings as he told of why he wanted to be baptized. Before the baptism took place our pastor briefly spoke with everyone getting baptized telling them this moment would be an opportunity to share Jesus with people there that don't know Him. I didn't realize how my nine year old son say some profound things.

Listening to him speak to the crowd about how he watched his father make the decision to follow Christ and be baptized and how he was wanting to follow in his father's footsteps. He spoke of wanting God in his life.

Knowing that Eric is shining Jesus in his life in a very real way that even our sons can see vividly is so priceless.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

The way that Austin comprehends things that I never even realize are just taking place in the day to day routine of life. He gets the big picture. He is soaking in all the details, never missing a beat.  I'm so blessed that he has both an earthly and heavenly father and that his earthly father is pointing him in the direction of his heavenly father.  I think God has big plans for Austin's life and greater things are yet to come!!  Today has been a joyous one of celebration!   

Wes Makes His Piano Debute!

Beach Trip

So I've fallen out of the blogosphere for a bit.  Sometimes you just have to do that.  Other things needed more priority....but that is a another blog post in itself.  So, for now, I'll share some pictures of our first ever camping trip with the boys!  Yes, you heard right, the city folks went camping and lived to tell about it.  The low point of the trip was having seagulls poop in the hot dog dinner that Eric was grilling up for us. Oh and in the process they pooped on him as well.  So needless to say the city folks moved to plan B and opted for pizza at a nearby pizzeria.  Being that our first night there the winds were at 20-25 mph, dinner really did work out for the best.  We did manage to cook other meals during our camping trip without bird droppings.  But,  I made a definite note to self that a canopy of some sort is highly beneficial for future camping trips!!! We even had a squirrel adopt us for a couple days.

He came running anytime he heard food bags rattling.  Eric even fixed him a bowl of cereal our last morning there.  And the squirrel, Sparkey, as we nicknamed him.....climbed up on the picnic table to eat some! All in all the trip was a success.  Couldn't have asked for better weather.  The boys didn't want to go home and are secretly plotting together on how to get us back out there again.  Austin was even brainstorming up ways to raise money so that he can buy another camping trip asap! He is determined!! Going to sleep to sound of ocean waves is highly addictive.....I'm secretly plotting our next camping trip in my mind too..... :)