Nature's Reminder

"...pray without ceasing,..."
1 Thes. 5:17

Safari Time!

Over the weekend we decided to get away and visit life in other lands...


or not. I just found it very strange to see camels in the middle of the United States that weren't part of a circus or zoo. Kind of cool to see in the middle of nowhere. If you look at the photos, you will be reminded of just how truly strange camels look. And if you take an even longer look, you might even be reminded that God is so awesome He even gave us interesting animals to look at. His creations are wonderful!
As our new life continues, we continue to thank God for all the kids' return to school and the smoothness of it all. I still watch the clock and smile when my family is all together again but my fingernails are completely in tact and I haven't hidden my head under a blanket so there's something to be said for letting God see a person through. Dirk is settling in to his work and keeping busy with the extras of ministry. And I am still putting away a box here and there. The SUPER EXCITING news is that we have visitors coming this weekend!!!!!!! We will head for Cole's football game and then spend the weekend enjoying the gift of family and friends! YAY!!!!!
So, back to the camels, I hope you enjoy this day and appreciate the strange things that sometimes God blesses us with.

He's Gone

After days of constant prayer, he left this morning. Ugh, the pain a mother goes through to appear that she is completely confident in her child's ability to stand up against the rottenness of the world and face life on a football field. Yes, I know he is 17, but he is and always will be my baby that began his earthly life inside of me. His dad and I were up early after a sleepless night of 'checking on him'. Funny, how every time we looked in on him, he was oblivious to our concerns and was sleeping peacefully. (Just another reminder that God was acting on our prayers.) So this morning, after we prayed with him and told him how proud of him we were, Dirk took him to his first two-a-day football practice. After pulling up to the field, with not much more than a "See ya later, Dad.", he was gone. Released into God's perfectly capable hands and very much out of ours. So, Dirk came back home, sunglasses firmly in place to cover eyes that shed more tears than they had in years, to comfort me, who is holding her breath and praying unceasingly until 12:00 today when he will come home again... at least until tomorrow and all the tomorrow's ahead where he will walk boldly into the life God has called him to as a very special man of God. Is it strange to miss him already?

I sent this letter to a friend this morning and then decided to blog it. I know it may seem quite strange but when you've been a homeschool mom for ten years, regardless of whether we were living in the jungle, the city or the country, we've always been together. I am so thankful that God transcends boundries and football practices.

***UPDATE***
Practice is over and he loved it! Thank You, God!

The Only Thing I'm Sure Of...

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8

Too Much Water

It was so sad to see all the water that is flooding some areas of the US. We drove through an area that had obvious signs of flooding and it definitely served to increase our awareness that we need to pray and ask for God's blessing through these times.

Life Light Concert!!!!

We had a hugely great time at the concert last night! Our little rocker chick disappeared as soon as she and her group got through the doors. They made it to the very front and remained there for the whole night. The music was so awesome and fun to listen to. Bailey got to go on stage and play the guitar and both girls were given picks throughout the concert by different bands. On a dare, Ally touched the shoe of Rough Draft's guitar player. :) (A bit of her Aunt Lisa in her, for sure.) The bouncer, who happens to be our pastor, either didn't see her or knew the band was safe. lol. The boys were a little more reserved but got into it by the end. A great time was had by all and everyone is dragging today.

Kenosis Effect

The Kenosis Effect Community Church Service was today. It was so awesome to see God bringing so many people together to worship Him! What a way to bring God to the forefront of this great ministry! Check out their website at kenosiseffect.com for tons of information!

The Concert!

A group of us went to the Pillar CD Release party and had a really good time. It's been too long since Cole got to go to a concert so the worship leader from the church we go to took the boys and the girls loaded into our van and away we went. This was Will and Ally's first concert. Will enjoyed it but Ally really enjoyed it and is now allowing her Wavorly poster to be up on the wall next to Hannah Montana. I kept telling myself that I'm too old to enjoy it, but it really was a great time and my neck is only a little sore from the head-banging. ;) Kenosis Effect '08 here we come!

YAY, God!

Just in case you noticed in Will's photo below that he's wearing a basketball jersey it's because God totally answered the boys' prayers! Cole LOVES sports (Will just enjoys them). They had a huge desire to play basketball but it didn't seem to be happening. Then one day a friend called and said she mentioned Cole and Will's names for a team that was being put together for a tournament in March. It is so great to see God answering their prayers. Not only are they playing in the tournament but have a couple of games scheduled as well! I truly believe it's all about God!!!

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.. Ps. 37:4