Checking it all out

We went for a short hike and had hot dogs and smores for dinner. Oh did I mention it rained. J Woo-hoo. I got to sit and read (that was nice—reading a book on your purpose as a mom) it talks about being intentional in our home ministry.

Scenery to Camp

Here is what the view was on the way to our campsite...We are near Antonito further up on the way to Platoro. Our cozy abode. Thank you again Nana and Paw Paw. It is great. Having a potty for a potty training 2 year old is WONDERFUL!!! We got to the campsite and we are short walk to the Canejos (spelling) River. The camp has a playground (thank you Lord) with swings. We set up camp (Kyra and I worked on setting up the trailer). Rody and David chopped wood.

Bring on the Mountains

Here are some progressive pics from plateaus in New Mexico, to larger hills in Colorado to the mountains.

More Traveling Pics

Sleeping Beauty...can you feel the love here??

Colorado Trip

Well after a VERY busy week with VBS, planning for our trip, packing and trying to get all my work done, we headed out. Here is the NM sunset. Wow—I just love when God shows off! J The colors, the creativity! God is so good. I am really looking forward to the cool weather and down time. I truly desire time to unwind and relax. This has been a very busy summer. I desire quiet to seek the Lord, to hear Him speak and see where He is leading our family. The kids did GREAT in the car.

“Foamator”

I got this idea out of a family magazine. You cut the end off a water bottle and then put a towel over the end and secure with a rubber band. Then you put the towel in dish soap and blow. I thought the 4 year olds at VBS would love this, but they couldn’t blow hard enough. My kids LOVED it.

Vacation Bible School

We had an incredible week at VBS. Angela and I taught the 4 year old class—they were a blast. They really were an incredible group of kids. Outback Express (Australia) was the theme and a train was a big part of that. So I took David’s train tracks and trains and it was a HUGE hit. The kids did so good..no fussing over the trains (which I had anticipated). Katie decided she wanted to be a part of our class and stayed with us. She did GREAT!! She sat quietly and was quiet determined to “assist” the kids who were not minding by letting them know exactly what they were supposed to be doing.

We had a great turn out....lots of neighborhood kids (which is what we prayed for) and 9 decisions to trust Christ. Here is Katie and Braley (in the red) and holding 'Gabbin" (Gavin).

Funny Moment #1

We are driving into the sun and Katie says "Somone turn the lights off". One day I hope she understands the power of the one who spoke and created light and separated it from darkness.

Let the Vacation Begin...

VBS- Check and complete. Planning, backing, grocery shopping--check and complete. Work--well working on completing that as we drive. Relaxation, family time, cooling off, scenery, quiet time (sort of)--coming..soon...very soon!!
I went to see if the movie RV had any good one liners to put on here (which I cannot help but think of that movie and the Griswald's) as we head out...here was the quote.
"It becomes about the journey, not just the destination." -- Jeff Daniels. Amen! I will keep you updated on the journey...

The Truth Hurts

Sometimes truth comes in very simple but plain ways. Clicked on K-Love to listen while working and this was the verse of the day.
Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. Proverbs 18:13 NLT
Wow! Gotta love Proverbs--it has so much to say about our mouths, tongues and the foolishness they can produce. This one hurt b/c I have been guilty of this. Forming an opinion before hearing both sides or all the facts and then end up looking like a fool. Lord please keep your hand over my mouth unless my words glorify you!!

The Journey Continues

Well today was a little different. As I mentioned we are on a journey as we prepare to plant a church. Today was the first time (with the exception of mission trips or vactions) that Rody did not step into the pulpit in 9 years. And the first time in a couple of years we have gone to church as a family (in Grady he always came back across to help me get kids dressed and walked the kids to Sunday School). It was weird and wonderful all at the same time. We are anticipating where God will lead this thing and as I used the illustration of the roller coaster in an earlier post. We are strapped in and trusting the Lord. He is good. He is faithful!

Summer Fun

With half the summer over and half left to go...I sit back and say "what have we gotten done?" Not near what I would have hope to accomplished (productively or educationally) but it has been a summer of transition and so it is what it is. But we have had a blast ... hey isn't that what summer is for. We can clean garages, work extra school projects and organize the house when it is cold and yucky outside. :-) When the sun is shining and it is warm (boy is that an understatement) I want to play. So we have swam, gone bowling, had play dates, gone to the lake and so on and so forth...

Katie was a serious bowler and I love this one of the kids as they wait for the buckets of water to dump on them.

Look At Me!!!

While spending time at Nana's this last week, Ms. Can't Be Left Behind, worked hard to figure out the bike riding thing so she could join in the fun!! Here she is riding her bike!!

Belated Birthday Wishes

8 years ago and one month...3 hospitals, a helicopter and jet ride and we brought home our precious firstborn daughter. Wow how time flies. Speaking of time flying I am a month late on this post (sorry Kyra). Kyra is such an incredible daugther and sister. She has a very important place and role in our family. Kyra's love for life and enjoying every second God gives her is contagious to her younger siblings. This year Kyra put her trust in Jesus as her Savior and was baptized at Easter. She has such a heart for the lost and for missionaries. I cannot wait to see how the Lord uses her. Kyra's favorite things include anything that has water -- swimming, tubing, you name it. She also loves to play "animals" be it puppy or vet. She is very creative and loves to make things as well. She is such a joy and a blessing to us. She had a very "spread" out birthday since her birthday fell during children's camp. So we just keep partying.

Things that make you go Hmmm?

You remember that song or jingle--whatever it was. Things that make you go hmmm. Well I am having one of those days. At 4:33 this morning (yes I looked at the clock) I was awoke by this bright light. I thought okay maybe I imagined that. Then I heard (several minutes later) a loud clap of thunder. Okay we are having a thunderstorm--thank you Jesus. But that was it. Just one clap of thunder. So now I'm awake and thinking "Okay Lord, why did you want to wake me up. So I asked if there was someone I needed to pray for?"
So then in my quiet time I came across a couple of passages that made me go hmmmm. I need to think on that more. In discussing Israel in Psalm 78 :36-37 "Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with them..." Ooowww. Do I do this? Talk about a heart check. v41 "Yea they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel." Wow--you know I guess I always rationalized that in my disobedience that God could always find another to complete the task..AND HE CAN AND DOES...but I miss out on the blessing. Then this one. In reference to the plagues v49" He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath and indignation and trouble, by sending evil angels among them." Things that make you go hmmmm...

Branding in June

Told you I was way behind in posting. In June we got to go to the ranch to brand. As usual, the kids and everyone was so excited. We would get to see Granny & Granddad, Bob, Kacey & the boys and Steve and Sandy. Despite 100+ weather we had a GREAT time. And God was kind enough to supply a wind that blew the dirt away and kept it pleasant. I was worried about the trip when we started. We got an hour and a half out to Big Spring and stopped to get dinner when I realized Katie didn' t have her shoes...so I went to get an extra pair out of her bag. Her bag--where was her bag?? In the kitchen at the house, right where I had taken it before I got distracted. So a trip to Wal-Mart later for EVERYTHING--clothes, shoes, night gown, socks, diapers -- you name it. :-) Senior moment for mommy.

Once there we played, worked and just had a great time. How do you cool off at the ranch you ask? You jump in Granny's pool--they quickly found that big plastic syringes (no needles) worked great as water guns and to fill water balloons. Oh the memories they are making!!

More Fun on the Ranch

I love pictures of the kids on the horses. It is kind of like the line drawing on the door facing as you see how much they have grown each time you see them on a horse. David has become quite the rider going with the crew to gather pastures before branding. He loves it. Last time his boots kept falling off, but not this time. They got saddles for Christmas that make the ride MUCH easier. I was really curious what David was going to do if he actually caught one of these calves.

Overcome

Do you ever have those times you are just overcome by something? Your breath is taken away. For those who follow this blog know I have a weakness for sunrises/sunsets. I always tell my kids "Look what God painted just for you--be amazed, stand in awe of Him". Here are 3 different ones from the last month. The red one was a red dawn, one is a sunset in San Angelo and the third a sunset on our way to Roswell.

Speaking of being overcome--as I was reading this morning about Peter (reviewing the VBS bible stories to teach next week), how he was overcome when he was in the boat and saw Jesus on the shore. It seems Peter was always jumping out of the boat to get to Jesus. That is how I want to be. When I see my Jesus I in total abandon jump out of the boat to get to Him as fast as I can...

Obedience and the Reward

Good Morning!! I promised in my post yesterday (if you are willing) I will take you on this journey as we seek and follow the Lord. You are sure to see the good, the bad and the ugly. I was reading a friend of a friend's blog yesterday. She is in Iraq on a mission trip. This was her post and it so applied to us..I had to steal it. Sorry Jen. I will give you royalties since it is so good.

It is both terrifying and wonderful to be where God has called you to go. I have learned this a few times in my life already. The best years of my life have been the hardest. The hardest decisions to make have produced the greatest rewards. The things I (and my husband and I) have chosen to do that have raised the most eyebrows are the things that have changed our lives. Amen and Amen.

As I was reading in Deuteronomy this morning...Moses is reminding the Israelites of their past and God's faithfulness and preparing them for obedience to enter the promise land. Again...since I am just copying other people's words this morning..let me continue. This is from "Your Daily Walk" Obedience brings victory and blessing, while disobedience results only in defeat and judgement. For about a year now, God has been working on two things in my life. 1) Obedience -- okay He has been working on this one since I got saved. But this time He has tied it to 2) His faithfulness. If I truly believe He is who He says He is and can do what He says He will do (Beth Moore) then I will obey Him in what He has called me to do.

My devotional went on to say this...Preaching at its finest involves godly persuasion. When you listen to a preacher, you will often hear him make three painfully pointed statements: 1) God says to do this_____ 2) You are doing this ___________ 3) Therefore, you need to change _________ now. That's why preaching makes you uncomfortable! It shows you from God's Word where you are wrong and tries to persuade you to change your attitudes or actions to conform with God's commands. Moses' first sermon to Israel is a masterpiece of godly persuasion. He points out Israel should obey God b/c of her past experience of God's deliverance, provision & judgment; b/c of her present experience of God's sufficiency in supplying her needs and in fighting her battles; and b/c of her future promises of blessing or cursing...all hinging on her proper response to God's pointed commands. It then challenged me to think of based on my life what things in my past, present and future should be proof that God should be obeyed.....
That is a just a little to chew on today. Whew!!!

Fathers

Walk a Little Slower Daddy
"Walk a Little slower, Daddy." said a little child so small.I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall.
Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they're hard to see;So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.
Someday when I'm all grown up, You're what I want to be.Then I will have a little child who'll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you!!
- Author Unknown

Rody often gets frustrated that we look at a date on a calendar and send a card or gift. So today I join his thinking (that and I'm way behind on my blogging). Fathers are one of our greatest gifts and blessings. I praise you Lord that you are often referred to as "Our Father". You are loving, merciful, are found when we seek you, are forgiving, you are our redeemer, our sustainer, provider, protecter (just to name a few). You are all the things a father should be!! Rody- You will never know the blessing it is to watch you with our children. I love to watch you love on them, play with them, challenge them and LEAD them spiritually. Our children have a man who loves the Lord with all of his heart and a man of integrity to follow. Thank you for leading. To my daddy and my father-in-law. Rody and I are so thankful for you and the families we had to grow up in. Your strength and hard work are a heritage you have passed down. We are so glad our children have men like you to call "Paw Paw & Granddad".

Ride of a Lifetime

First, let me apologize for the blogging hiatus...after reading this hopefully it will explain why. Things have been a little hectic. This is a long post..but read on.

It has been a LONG time since I have been on a roller coaster but today I am going to use that example. When preparing to ride a roller coaster there is often the long line that you stand in 100 degree heat in all the while anticipating the thrill of the ride. Sometimes the anticipation is as much fun as the ride. I don't know about you, but once I commited to laying down my life and following Jesus...it is much the same as a roller coaster ride. Much like the line...we stand waiting in anticipation of our journey with Him. Keeping our eyes on Him, being able to watch the thrill of the ride others are enjoying, visiting with those in line around us, joy as we prepare to strap in...Then it is your turn. You sit down the bar closes over your lap. No turning back now!! Have we counted the cost? It will be costly you know! Your stomach will drop, you will scream at your heart races...there will be high and lows, unexpected turns and the occassional loop-de-loop!! But while strapped in .. you are in His hands. He is guiding, directing and definitely IN CONTROL.

Today we start a new part of our journey and this exhilirating ride with Christ. Yesterday was Rody's last Sunday at Hillcrest Baptist Church. He resigned as pastor. This was not a rash decision. We are not upset, mad, bitter, frustrated...we feel as we have searched scripture and sought the Lord, He is leading us in a different direction. We are desiring to plant a church. Where? Not sure...not planning on leaving unless God says so. Remember the roller coaster--He is in control. We will follow the tracks He has laid. There are a lot of questions now that we are on our face before the Lord seeking Him for answers.

We are at the anticipation of how incredible and exciting this part of the journey following Christ will be. That unseen turn and drop from the highest point--yes they are a little scary, but fun nonetheless. Please pray for us. Pray for God's wisdom--not the world's. Pray for clarity of vision and purpose. Pray for Hillcrest as they seek a pastor (we pray God will continue to bless them). And I promise to blog more often...so follow us on this journey. I know there will be highs, lows and everything in between!!!

Thrilling

As I turned on K-LOVE this morning this was the verse....
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. Psalm 92:4 NLT
Amen and Amen!!! Lord, you are a thrill. You are a blast!! I do sing for joy!! You are my Lord, my Savior, the Redeemer and Lover of my soul. Lord I love you because of who you are not only what you do.
Are you thrilled by Jesus today? If not, hop on, take the ride, start the journey...it is THRILLING~

Funny Kids

Do any of you remember the show that was all about the funny things kids say...well here are a few more.
Katie the other was not obeying at the table and I told her to sit down or I would bust her tail. She gets this really serious look and says "Mommy--I don't have a tail". Well that was the end of that one.
David and I were talking today and Katie is not feeling great. He said mommy how do you know she doesn't feel well--did you read the mometer? Yes baby, the mometer tells us mommies a whole lot!!
I LOVE these kids. They make me laugh!!

Camp Birthday Cakes

This year both Kyra and David celebrated their birthdays at camp. Ms. Paula is so kind to my kids that she decorates them cakes and everyone sings to them. They ate this up and loved it. Thank you Ms. Paula for the awesome cakes (and Kim & Brian who helped out)

The reason you haven't seen a post on Kyra's birthday is we still haven't had it--she wants to go to the lake and the boat has been in the shop.

Camp 2009

Every year the crew at Hillcrest Baptist Church loads up buses, vans, trailers, pick ups and heads to the Lazy H Ranch in Mason, TX. This year was extremely special for our family as we took David and my 2 nephews. We fill the days and nights with 2 bible studies (morning and afternoon), rec, swimming, crafts, free time = climbing trees, getting owies and lots of giggling. We eat more than is physically possible and have evening worship times. There is the annual water balloon fight (always an adult- I mean kid- favorite), climb to the top of the hill to see the cross and swimming--did I mention swimming. We had a great time--especially since there didn't seem to be as many scorpions this year. We also had the opportunity to see little Aaron trust Jesus as his Lord and Savior.