August, here and gone!

The month has flown by in a blur! In fact most of it is but a memory! Working on school, enjoying the weather, time with each other and looking for another ministry.

Today is August 31, Russ' 38th birthday.

He has received a Mandrin Orange tree (he wanted it!) a pair of jeans and a gift from the kids that he has yet to receive!

Here is a look at what the girls did on their trip and the birthday boy! Enjoy!

Their trip begins!

Heading towards Atlanta,Georgia

Space Center Huntsville, AL

The Birthday Boy!

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July and all that comes with it!

Photos from the 4th of July at a friends home. We stood in the drizzle and waited for the show! While we waited, our friends gave the kids sparklers to play with! The evening before we went to Navy Lake with Cindy, Clif and Kyle to watch the show! Unfortunately,I don't have photos to share!

Russ and I

Karley and Kaitlyn

Benjamin and I dualing with sparklers Samuel having a blast!Daniel couldn't get enough, as soon as one went out, he went for another!

Last week, July 12-16, Benjamin, Samuel and Daniel attended SonRock Kids Camp VBS program at New Hope.

{image from Group publishing}

They had a blast! They brought home crafts each night, learned three Japanese words from the Missionaries who are serving in Japan {visit Nick and Rachel Parsons with Mustard Seed Global Fellowship, at http://msgf.com/}; they learned several new songs, a few of them are stuck in my head now! But so are the memories, we send out a BIG thank you to all of the people who help with VBS every year!

As the summer is beginning to wind down, we are beginning to get ready for the next school year, praying for answers to prayer concerns and waiting patiently for God to show us the next step in our ministry. I know that our having to WAIT is driving some crazy, but we take joy as the book of James says that we face trials of many kinds, because we know that the testing of our faith develops perseverance and perseverance must finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. {adapted from James 1:2 NIV}

We continue to ask for your prayers for God's leading and direction. Please do not fret for us, but in everything by prayer and petition make your requests known to God!

~Blessings to all~

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June Already!?!

Okay, its not supposed to be June not yet! Well, I must admit I am happy it is June, it just came faster that I was expecting. We've been sort of busy.

Herb Festivals, workshops, planting herb gardens, school work, repacking boxes in one of the storage sheds, making new recipes, learning how to sight a gun and visiting different areas!

At the end of May we had a trip to visit NCIS on the naval base in Millington. Yes, a real NCIS office, and no it's not as fancy as the one on TV but the Special Agent we met was very nice and answered all of my questions. The kids got tongue tied when we visited and didn't ask many questions. The did enjoy the interrogation room with the hidden camera.

But before we went to NCIS we went to visit the firing range! Okay its not the type of firing range you typically think of, this is one that they use to requalify people on the 45 and the M-16 rifle and a shot gun. First you have to hit a target with three shots and then you get to shot in a scenario. Again, I have photos, that need to be uploaded. Benjamin went first with the M-16 which is heavier than you think,

then Samuel and Daniel shot the 45, with Daddy's help;

isn't he look cute trying to sight the weapon?

the girls were next, they too shot with the 45.

Then it was Daddy's turn. Now, Russ was a Marksman when he was in the Army Reserves, which is good for a MP. But since it had been years and several surgeries on his right hand since he has shot a M-16 he wasn't sure if he could. Well, we found out his right index finger isn't quite long enough anymore but he can shoot with his left and he is still an expert shot! Oooh and can I say he looked pretty good with that weapon! (I just love it when a man, is a man!) Anyway, the kids had a great time and we have been invited back to the base for some more practice time on the range!

Kaitlyn, Karley and Benjamin learning how to sight with the pellet gun!

Daniel helping with picking Blueberries!

We have also picked Blueberries for the first time with Cindy! Samuel and Daniel helped and I think for every one that went into the bowl one went into the mouth. But we had a lot of fun! And boy are the Blueberries delicious!

Collierville, TN

Our trip to Indiana has been postponed, and we aren't sure for how long. So, in the meantime we may be heading over to Little Rock for a much needed visit with our friends!

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Saturday Mornings

For about the past three months we have been heading to Lowes (as if we don't go there enough as it is) for their I Built It! workshops. This is a time for younger children and their parents/guardians to spend time together, with the children building something. The boys love it and we use it as school lesson as well (but don't tell the kids!)

So far the boys have built a rain gauge, a birdhouse, a hang-glider toy, a planter box (for Mother's Day!) and yesterday was a "Ready to Go Kit". When they complete the project they receive a certificate of completion and a badge that shows which project they did.

Russ has been able to help with all but one of the workshops, the one he missed was because he was actually working that morning (though he did come over to see what the kids were building!)

With each workshop the kids get a project bag with a set of instructions and a pamphlet that tells something about the item they are building. The first day we went they were given an apron, eye protection and a hammer (though the hammer had to be returned). Then the fun began.

Daniel who is only 4 loves doing these workshops and any and every time we are at Lowes whether shopping or dropping Russ off at work, he wants to go see if they are having a workshops. And he was very disappointed when he learned that our trip to Indiana in June would cause him to miss a workshop. We assured him that all would be fine if we missed one class.

Below are some photos from our last workshop and of their projects and certificates. This is a great activity to do with the kids, so if you know of anyone who is looking for something hands on to do with their kids, this is it.

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Memphis Drag Races

Cindy was given tickets to see the Drag Races in Memphis/Millington area with the option to go to the pit. {The tickets were free all over town, but you had to pay to park your car}

Seeing how it was another warm day/evening we all packed up after having our weekly Pizza Night. The boys were excited, Clif had shown them what Drag Racing was with a YouTube video (thank you internet!) And after a lesson on how to wear protective ear wear {those cars are LOUD!} we headed out. We were suprised at the turn out. I was expecting more, but as the night went on, the more people showed up.

(these were taken in multi-burst so you see the progress of the red car)

After a wonderful opening service the races began. Honestly, we were all new at this so we weren't very sure how it all worked, but it was neat to see them go THAT fast. Then came the "funny cars" {small thin cars}, then the motorcycles. But I think the best thing was seeing the car painted as a '57 Chevy smoke the pants off another car!

Because the boys were getting ansy sitting for so long we headed to the pit to see some of the cars. WOW! The paint jobs on some of them were absolutely beautiful, even if they were skulls and crazy faces. One of the cars we saw was painted like a police car, called The Interceptor, which if you know about police cars is the type of engine they put into police cars. This one however had a jet engine...it went a tad faster than any the police may drive.

The kids loved seeing one of the bikes, it was "Boy Wonder"'s bike and it had a beautiful painting of "Robin" on it. {think Batman and Robin}

We were able to see the trailers that haul the cars and the equipment they need, which is a lot.

I felt like I was walking in the pit of the movie "CARS" by Disney. (I know, I know, wrong type of cars) but honestly have you ever seen the tires that Drag Racers use? They are huge and bald! Who'da thunk?!?

At the end of the evening when it was all said and done, we had a great evening!

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Enjoying Warm May Days

Spring days are wonderful and here in Tennessee they are warm. Yesterday we enjoyed the weather and headed for a few parks in our area.

Kaitlyn and Karley

(if you look closely the boys are in the background)

Benjamin


Daniel
looney toons gang (that's what Russ thought the photo looked like)

Then we came home to help Cindy celebrate her birthday! Taco Salad and Fresh Stawberry shortcake! Yum!

The only thing we were missing was Russ, he had to work late that night. :(

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Surrender

(image from kwerfeldein "contact" on flickr)

I have struggled so much with the word "Surrender" this year.

Giving up that which I most desire. For me that is a home of my own. And to be honest, it can even be a rental, just as long as I can call it home. This I have been called to surrender. I need to give this over to God.

I know that His word is true and that I can believe Him. "I know the plans I have for you." Jeremiah 29:11. This includes where I live and what my future holds.

Why do I struggle with this? Because I want a say in the matter. But if I want to be a Christ- follower, then I need to be completely surrendered to HIM. That includes, every and all aspects of my life. including my dreams and desires. If I don't then I will be miserable trying to attain that which may not really truly fulfill my need. Christ alone has that position. It is Christ alone who should have complete say in my life. If I am completely surrendered to HIS will and obedient to what He has called me to then "He will give me the desires of my heart" which happen to be, to follow Christ and serve Him in full time ministry.

Over the past several weeks, I have had to literally lay myself before the Lord and surrender, all of it. Sometimes, I have to do this multiple times in a day. And as I speak to my beloved family and friends, this seems to be a season of surrender for many.

Father that I may walk the path you have lead me down, and trust that as I walk this path, You will guide me; help me when I stumbled and forgive me when I fail.

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