Thursday, July 9, 2009

Summer Fun!

New Haircut!

Shade (Blu's brother) and Caity

Paw and Caedmon in the pool playing "washing machine"

Blu and Cambree hanging out in the pool

The look on Cason's face is hilarious!


Our nephew Brenden (Cloud and Samantha's son)

The kids are finding lots of new "toys" as we pack up the house!

Our niece Andie Lyn (Shade and Caity's daughter)

The kids (not sure why they're naked??) doing pilates with me!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

All These Things...

Well, Blu resigned from his job as youth pastor this past Sunday. I guess that it was Step One in our move to Zambia. My stomach was in knots all week long as the day approached. Of course, part of it was the fact that we have been here 3 1/2 years and LOVE our church family and will miss them greatly. This is home to us. But there was something else, and I brought it up to Blu Saturday night as we lay in bed. I said, "There's no turning back after tomorrow...this is it." It hit me that we could talk about moving to Zambia all we want, but the process was going to start the next day, and it felt like there was no turning back. No changing our minds--the uprooting would begin the next day. Blu asked how I was feeling and I told him I was sad. Not for us, but for our kids....what they'll be missing. He assured me as always that our kids will have more opportunities than children that live in America and have a "normal" life. I sighed, thinking that he didn't really get my point, and went to sleep.

The next morning was a normal day of worship. You know how between songs when the music minister starts talking and you sometimes tune out? Well, the man leading music suddenly quoted Matthew 6:33. Since I have been in high school, I have quoted that as my favorite verse. Not sure why, just always one that I have liked. When Jimmy read "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." It's like I heard God say in my heart, "You are seeking my kingdom, and I will add "these things" to your life more than you can ever imagine." Now, I don't know what "these things" are, but I know that they far exceed Little League baseball, dance class, and even time with extended family. Jimmy then sang an old song, "I'd Rather Have Jesus." It was surreal to sit there and hear a scripture I had heard for years and hear a song I knew by heart but to hear them speak to ME about our move. Peace just completely fell onto me at that moment.

Blu then came home and we both shared together how that verse and song spoke to us both. God is so good. Little League baseball? Pshh...I'd rather have Jesus.