Summer Reflections

This has been a whirlwind of a summer. It's been full of vacations, and while we're home, working hard and fast to get ready to leave again. We have made so many good memories as a family this summer......

We spent 6 days in TN with Leon's family at a big house close to Pigeon Forge. What a wonderful time we had catching up on each other's lives, relaxing, eating good food, tubing, white-water rafting, driving through a scenic state park, and taking in a show at Dixie Stampede. The days flew by!

Jamison celebrated his 12th birthday on July 2nd. He wanted to go bowling and eat at Texas Roadhouse.

Jamie chose shrimp for his birthday meal with black raspberry pie for dessert.

Here's a little bird he found one day, and it perched right on his shoulder.

And then we had our corn day.....(the dog was a real attraction distraction.)

We took off one evening to have a picnic back at our cabin.

 And another evening back at the cabin....

A camping trip with friends....

And a few other special pictures from the summer....

The boys have put in a lot of hours with their Dad this summer (even if I don't have pictures to prove it). I have thanked God for our farm countless times this summer. It really is a great place to raise a family!

The summer days are ticking down and we'll soon be back in school. This has been one of the best summers ever but it's also had some of our most difficult moments. Through all of it, God has been very close. Our lives can be ever so full of pain, but God gently leads us and He has given us so much peace. We can trust Him, no matter what.

I'm reading the book Storm by Jim Cymbala right now and it has encouraged me so much! He says, "Are we content to live without the reality of the presence of God, or will we seek Him for the spiritual renewal that will bring grace beyond our wildest dreams and much glory to God?" I'm all in.....I want that Presence in my life every day! God can do things in our lives beyond our wildest imaginations when we give Him the keys to our hearts......and relinquish our control. Have your way, Jesus.