Category: family

Lulu Book

My sis-in-law, Kelly, wrote & illustrated a book for us, in honor of Lulu.

She wrote a beautiful story…

 “The Story of Lulu”

 

 

“Daddy loved kissing Lulu’s chubby cheeks”

“Mommy loved Lulu’s little hiccups” 

 “Dylan loved everything about Lulu” 

 “Owen loved when Lulu would smile at him”

 

 “Simon loved to hold Lulu”

 “Boo loved kissing & hugging Lulu”

 

 

 

 

Friday Praise & Prayers

Boo at the fair.

 

Don’t they resemble “Chips”? All they need are the aviator shades & uniforms.

 

Dylan had a blast with the animals.

 

So, my praise is…

We made it through the fair!

We ate elephant ears for breakfast & breadstix for lunch, rode lots of rides, pet animals of all sorts & even played a couple of games (those carnies get us every time).

My prayer today is for my friend, Jo. Her sister, Amy,  was recently diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimer’s. Just this week she was put in Hospice & given a week or two to live. Please lift them in prayer along with me.

I am also praying for this coming school year; for the students, teachers (praying especially for you, Terri), administration & parents.

Have a blessed weekend!

Happy Anniversary

14 years ago these 2 kids decided to become 1

(look how she has to keep him from sticking out his tongue)

they danced to “A Whole New World”

(and look there are bubbles)

they “ate” cake

(yea, they shoved it)

it was such a fun day

What great memories I have with you and what great memories are still to come.

I love you always, babe.

August 4

“Hold My hand, and walk joyously with Me through this day.

Together we will savor the pleasures…

 

and endure the difficulties it brings.

Be on the lookout for everything I have prepared for you: stunning scenery…

 bracing winds of adventure, cozy nooks for resting when you are weary…

 and much more. I am your Guide as well as your constant Companion.

 I know every step of the journey ahead of you, all the way to heaven.

You don’t have to choose between staying close to Me and staying on course. Since I am the way, staying close to Me is staying on course. As you focus your thoughts on Me, I will guide you carefully along today’s journey.

 Don’t worry about what is around the next bend. Just concentrate on enjoying My Presence and staying in step with Me.” — Sarah Young “Jesus Calling”

P.S. You can tell my brain is on vaca, too. My devotionals are so good this week, it is just easier to post them (hopefully to encourage you, like they are me) than try to write something new myself. And it is always fun to add relaxing pics…

 Like my friend Melissa said, we are here to make memories.

Beach & Blessings

“Bring Me the Sacrifice of your time; a most precious commodity.”

 “In this action-addicted world, few of My children take time to sit quietly in My Presence.”

“But for those who do, blessings flow like streams of living water.”

 “I, the one from whom all blessings flow, am also blessed by our time together. This is a deep mystery; do not try to fathom it.”

 

 “Instead, glorify Me by delighting in Me. Enjoy Me now and forever.” – Sarah Young “Jesus Calling”

Friday Praise & Prayers

This weekend D, O & I head up to Camp Wild. This will be D & my 4th year & O’s 1st year. It is an amazing week of praise, prayers & fun. And weather-wise, it sounds like it will be filled with sun (and lots of it) this year. 130 kids will be packing their sleeping bags & flashlights and heading to camp this year. It is a place where the Holy Spirit is present & the kids are covered in prayer & can learn what a deeper relationship with Jesus is all about.

My prayer today is for everyone going, from the parents bringing the kids to camp, the campers, the AMAZING counselors, the lead team (my role this year), or to the Wesley staff. Would you please join me in prayer for all these people who help make this week happen for a group of kids who are our next world-changers.

I also want to say thank you to all the spouses & families that stay home & keep things going while we are serving – you are just as much a part of Camp Wild as us! (Thank you, babe, for supporting me in this ministry that is so very dear to my heart this season in my life & to our kiddos that stay at home while mommy goes away for a few days to serve. I can’t wait for you all to experience this wonderful place – I luv you!)

This year we will have a special time to honor one of our veteran counselors who moved home to heaven earlier this year. Chuck, camp will be so different without you here, but oh the joy you are experiencing in heaven, I can only imagine! 

Isn’t this pic fun? This is our 1st year of camp…this little guy is now 10…10! What good memories we are making. Another prayer request I am asking for is just for my mind to continue to stay steadfast on Christ. This summer I’ve had A LOT of thoughts of last summer, with my pregnant belly & what our busy family of 7 would be like in the fall. Now, this summer, as I think of & pack for camp, my mind instantly goes back to me being pregnant a year ago & what that was like. It brings tears, to think that this year I don’t have a baby at home for daddy to take care of while I’m gone.

It will be a great week with God whispering to me daily, but my heart is still heavy.

My praise this week is a praise in advance for what God will do while we are at camp, because I believe He ALWAYS does great things.

What are you praying for these days?

What are you praising God for?

Good Things

I am always amazed as I read the kids devotion to them (which unfortunately I don’t always do a regular basis) and how often more times than not, it is such a fitting devotion for me, too.

This morning it was entitled “Good Things” & it talked about how just like parents, we give our children things that they NEED, even if it is not things that they WANT, our heavenly Father does the same for us. We can (& should) pray & ask God for our needs & our wants.

 He is teaching me to trust Him even if our needs & wants are not the same. We prayed for 62 days that we would be able to keep Lulu here with us, we prayed that she would be the miracle baby that would teach her medical care-givers about Jesus.

And although I didn’t get what I “wanted”, I DO believe that His plan was (& still is) greater than mine & that the “needs” of my life will be fulfilled by Him.

Matthew 7:11 says “Surely your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask Him”, so continue to ask Him.

We were given a very good gift indeed. He could have chosen any other family to give Lulu to, but we are blessed to call ourselves her daddy, her mama, her brothers, her sister &  her family.