Thursday, May 29, 2008

Catching Up

Well its been a long time since I've done this. Life has been so busy. Brooke has graduated high school, Beth, Brianna & Nathan came and helped take of Bryce while we went to Boston, with Lauren keeping him till Beth got there. Becky and John came in for a week during graduation. We had family pictures made (what a blessing). All that and more - it was a wonderful but very busy time. Shelley, my neice, her husband Kevin, and their 9 month old son, Weston, came in yesterday to mom and dad's, but were gone by noon today. Got to see them a little and all is well. Kevin, a pharmacist, looked at mom and dad's medications and encouraged them to take them when they are supposed to. We're looking for Brooke a car, but with little success at the moment. She is going to pay cash - praise the Lord! She also needs a job. There is also a young man, Kirk Wise, from Georgia that she is spending time with as he visits OK this week with his folks. Seems like a nice young man - pre-med student - used to go to CHA a long time ago. He took Brooke out the other night on a double with Britt and Lauren and they had a good time - ending up at our house to watch a movie. Today is Lauren's birthday - she is a sweetie! That's all for now - God bless one and all!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

To Boston and Back

What an exciting trip it was to go to Boston with Brooke and Mala from May 5 - 13. Mala took a seperate flight to Boston, but once there we traveled to Plymouth and began 8 days of Brooke's senior trip. This trip is so good because the seniors finally get to go to many of the places they ahve studied about and have heard of the hand of God moving in the history of America.

Our whale watch was the best I had ever been on. Whales in groups of 2 and 3 were everywhere. I know I counted over 12 different whales during the trip. And it was calm and relatively warm for a whale watch.

One thing that really struck me this year was a comment made by one of the ladies at the Mayflower II this year when she was asked about what amazed her about the pilgrims. I have known this lady for a long time, but did not know if she knew the Lord. Her answer was that what amazed her about the pilgrims is that none of them went back to England whengiven the opportunity after that first horrible winter. She said they felt called of God to be in America and therefore not even the extreme hardships they faced would cause them to want to return home. Wow! She's exactly right. The strength God gives us when we know we are in His will enables us to withstand in the most severe of trials.

Boston was awesome. The pastor of Park Street Church spoke on the Christian's invovlement in the world and even politics. He said that as Christians we were to speak bodly about anything that would exalt the truth in our society. I love that church. The Pops were amazing as was David Copperfield. his show was really not anything like what I thought it might be and thankfully so.

But the trip is not about the pilgrims, the patriots, or the performances. It is about seeing the faithfulness of God in the life of our country, and our lives individually. It is about recognizing that because God gave us liberty in this land, we have the responsibility whatever we do and wherever we are to share the gospel with those God brings into our path.

The only bad thing about the trip was that we had to leave Bryce at home. Lauren and Beth took care of him, but I really miss him when I am gone. I see him growing up and know that the Lord has something special for him. Though so many things seem a struggle for him, I know the Lord will use him and his tender heart in a great way.

Once home it was great. Bryce, Britt, Lauren, Beth, Brianna, and baby Nate met us at the airport. It was so good to see all of them. Brianna and Nate had grown so much since last I saw them. Brianna has bright eyes and a smile that will bring joy to your heart. Baby Nate is a growing and going young man. Nothing is safe if it is within his reach. But he seems so happy and contented. Beth and Nathan are doing a great job with their kids.

I am so looking forward to next week. Becky and John will be in from PA, Brooke will graduate from high school (hallelujah) and Brianna will turn 3. It will be a great week filled with God's blessings and faithfulness. I am blessed!