Back At The Ranch

Yesterday we spent Thanksgiving with about 30 family members at my Uncle Gary & Aunt Brenda's place. This is where our family in Arizona spends Thanksgiving and Easter every year. I felt so good to be back with everyone. We had such a great time. It was cool because Aunt Brenda gave each of us a chance to say what we were thankful for. I think it is so important to speak our gratitude and give God the thanks He deserves in our lives. Yesterday was a very good day to do that. The weather was gorgeous with big clouds all around and just enough coolness in the air to keep the heat away. The time with family was priceless.

Uncle Gary's place is a wonderland for kids. So I took some pictures of the kids riding horses, chasing the cows, getting dirty and having a great time. This is the stuff childhood memories are made of. Sorry I haven't blogged in so long- been a little busy. I'm attaching lots of pictures to try to make up for my lack of posts lately.

Bry is studying Native Americans in school right now and loves anything to do with Indian culture and history. He also recently found out that we have Indian ancestors, so knowing he is part Indian has added to his infatuation.


The kids loved playing in the cattle shoot.


This is my sweet little neice, Kenzie.
I got to take some great pics of her yesterday too.


Surprisingly, Elle wasn't at all afraid of the horses.
She happily rode this one all by herself!


Delainey LOVES living close to Kenzie again.
They are 2 years apart but DJ thinks she's a
teenager half the time so she keeps up pretty well.


Climbing on the cattle shoot...


More climbing...


Elle pretending to be a cow.


This is my nephew Dylan.
Isn't he handsome? Such a fine young man.


Uncle Gary graciously gives every kid a ride.
Here is riding with his grandson, Brendan.


Elle, the cow, playing.


Bry, the Indian, riding.


Little Miss Independent


...on a mission!


DJ about to be swallowed by a horse.
(this child has no fear)


Everybody loves Raymond and what's not to love?


Uncle Gary and Elle, one more go round.


Elle finally settled in with Daddy after hours
of independent climbing and stomping.


Coleman chasing the cows.


Delainey was the horse hog. She didn't want to let
anyone else ride, but the other kids didn't stand for that.


The cows wanted their picture taken.
See how they all pushed to get to the camera?


Brendan, "Pee-wee", winking


Bry stirring up the cows.


Pucker up Dylan.




SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

Quick Trip Recap

Well, tomorrow marks one week since we arrived back to "the Grand Canyon State". I can't honestly say we're settled at all but that will happen in time. Right now this feels a lot like a visit. We're having a good time.

Our trip was seriously better than I could have hoped. Thank you for your prayers as we traveled. The kids were great and the road was easy. Our kids would get the truckers to honk at us by pulling down the imaginary horn as we drove by them. The kids would see a truck coming up ahead and would say, "Get your horns out!" Then, as we traveled through Winslow, my thoughts were on the song by the Eagles..."Standin' on a corner in Winslow Arizona, such a fine sight to see...". Finally, we got up to 7,000 feet at the Grand Canyon and relaxed with some good friends for the night. I've heard it said that the Grand Canyon has heard "WOW" in every language. I've seen that canyon many, many times and I still was wowed.

More updates and pictures to come. Please continue to pray that our house in SC would sell soon. We're glad to be home but miss our dear friends in Charleston too. Love you all!

Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.


I'm pretty sure God approves this message!

I got this in e-mail form and liked it so much I wanted to put it on my blog today. I'm so thankful that even though we can't put our hope in our nation, our government or a new president, we CAN always put our hope in God. He is Ancient of Days, the Alpha and Omega and He knows our every need.

We Made It!

Last night at exactly 6:03, we pulled into town with the view of "A" Mountain directly in front of us. We were in Ajo. We were home. My nephew, who was born when I was 15, turns 16 this week. We arrived just in time for his 16th birthday party and drove straight there. I was so glad to be back for this hallmark.

My brother and his wife, Kenda were only 17 and 18 when Brandon was born. "Unexpected" would be a good word to describe this pregnancy. I remember my childish first reaction of disappointment and even a hint of anger. But I also remember being at the hospital the night he was born. When I first laid my eyes on that perfect little boy, it was love at first sight. Love changes everything, doesn't it? I truly could swear I heard angels sing when I looked at him. How could our family be so blessed by something we initially feared? Grace, that's it. Grace has marked our family greater than any other thing.

So last night was monumental for our 2 families. Kenda's younger sister, who I grew up and graduated with, was also there. We were there together the night Brandon was born. We shared that life-changing event together and last night we got to celebrate Brandon's life together once again. I am so unspeakably proud of my brother and Kenda because of the amazing job they have done raising Bradon and now Dylan and Kenzie also. I think about how young they were and all the hurdles they've overcome. I'm also proud of both sets of parents for sticking by their teenagers, encouraging them, supporting them and building them up. I'm so thankful I got to see the beautiful fruit of years of commitment and God's grace.

Brandon truly is a fine young man. I am very proud of that kid. None of us knew that he would be given his first car last night. Bobby and Kenda miraculously kept it a secret from all of us. So when my brother pulled up in the coolest car I've ever seen a 16 year old get, we all were shocked! I wish I had the moment video-taped but it's permanently stored on my brain's hard drive. It went like this:
Kenda had all of us walk out to the road. Brandon kept saying, "No way. If my parents got me a car..." So Bobby pulls up in this tricked out black Cavelier that was way better than Brandon's wildest dreams. Bobby turns the music on and opens the doors. The doors open straight up- like a Lambourghini! So cool! It also has a really great "system", which apparently is a priority for a 16 year old. It was a great moment. Kenda was crying those parental pride tears and we all said, "WOW". I wouldn't have missed that for the world!

I feel like this whole leap of faith back to AZ, that makes ZERO sense to many of the people in our lives was confirmed last night. We are exactly where we're supposed to be- even when, no ESPECIALLY when it makes no sense to the rest of the world.

We made it, we're home.

On The Road Again

We've traveled over 1,600 miles in the last 3 days and so far the trip has really been great. The kids are all doing better than I hoped. Our plan is to arrive at the Grand Canyon tomorrow late afternoon to join some friends for trick or treating festivities. Then on to Ajo on Saturday. Yay!

It was pretty cool because we prayed before we left and asked God to watch over us, protect us and go before us. Shortly after that, a HUGE falling star shot across the sky along the side of our van. It was the lowest falling star I've ever seen and it was flying the same direction we were driving, parallel to us. Caleb and I were amazed because it was like God was showing that He was indeed going before us. I felt like that shooting star was just for us.

After our first night of travel, we stayed in Alabama at a decent Holiday Inn Express. Last night's spot wasn't so nice. We couldn't find anything in a tiny town in Oklahoma except a Super 8 motel, decorated with leftovers from 1982 and inconveniently located near a noisy railroad track. If I weren't so exhausted, I don't think I would have slept a wink. Tonight we're staying at a really nice Hilton in a sweet part of Albuquerque. I cracked up because when we pulled up, Bryant said, "I think millionaires stay here!" After last night's experience, I can understand why he'd think that.

We have only encountered 1 small stretch of construction and very little traffic. We're thankful for safe travels and good times together. We passed through the hometown of Carrie Underwood and Garth Brooks. We passed a dinosaur museum, countless rolling hills, lots of cows and even a field of elk. Great family times. Good laughs, dancing, singing and some sleeping here and there. Thanks for all your prayers and for checking in on us.

Holding On Tight

DJ was telling me about all the people and things she was going to miss about SC. Then we started talking about all the things we were excited about in AZ. She mentioned she was excited to live by Marla so she could see her horses and other animals. This is where the conversation went from there...

Me: Maybe Marla can teach you how to ride horses. She knows how to ride English style and even shows horses.

DJ: No, I already know how to ride horses. (in that 4 year old "I already know, Mom" way)

Me: Oh, you do, hu?

DJ: Yes, you just always hold on tight.

Well, I guess she has a point. If you don't really know what you're doing, you can always just hold on tight for the ride and act like you do.

Opened, Closed, Answered... Part 3

There's one final thing I've been reminded of while reflecting on our season here in SC. We prayed specifically for neighbors with children for our kids, particularly Bry, to befriend. I don't usually pray so specifically but felt a huge longing for this when we moved. So I handed it over to God, according to His will. Then we arrived to our new neighborhood to find there weren't any kids near our house for Bry to play with at all. Bummer! Oh well, it wasn't meant to be, right?

Then, in February life changed for our household. A wonderful family moved in directly across the street from our backyard. God is so strategic! Their house is set up slightly higher so both me and their mom can watch them play in our backyard from our kitchen windows. It couldn't be a better arrangement! This delightful family is more than we could have asked for, truly. Our kids probably play about 4+ hours on most days. To top it off, they are really great kids who I'm happy to be a part of my kids' daily life.

I have watched Bry & Claire (both 8) develop a deep and meaningful friendship through pretend games full of imagination. They have sat happily on the trampoline sharing stories and forgetting the rest of the world around them as they get caught up in their hours of creative thinking. I've gotten to watch Bry and Bennett (12)wrestle and run in the yard, shooting & swording, getting muddy and sometimes wet. Abby (5) and Delainey (4) are usually just happy to be somewhere in the mix of all the action, both independent but enjoying the company of the others. Sometimes Elle (2)gets to go out and join them. She runs and tries to sort of skip with excitement to get be outside with the big kids. Abby is usually only a step or two behind Elle and watches her with great care. Claire also delights in Elle but not as much as she delights in Bry (she's like a blinking cartoon character with the long eye lashes, "CRUSH" written all over her unsuspecting face and hearts practically dancing around her head). Bennett, although older than the rest, treats each of the younger kids with such respect and goodness. He is a great example for all of them.

I share all of these details to show that God didn't just give us a family with kids for neighbors, He gave us the BEST family we could have asked for as neighbors. Their ages and personalities have meshed perfectly with our children. They have been such a blessing to our family. Saying good-bye will not be easy for our kids and I know our children will never forget them. They have plans to be penpals and keep in touch, thankfully.

How richly God gave us that desire of our heart! He gave more than we hoped for with these neighbors. I am overwhelmed at how God hears us when we pray. He loves and cares for us. I am motivated to pray more, to trust Him more, to love Him more. He truly is the Opener of doors, the Closer of doors and the One who answers when we call out to Him.

"What is man, that you take thought of him
And the son of man, that you care for him?"
Psalm 8:4