Our Family Circus

We put our feet inside of our home on Thursday.   With our travels, I have posted very little.   Know that we are here and I will post photos of our home soon....it is a mess now, so I will spare you the mess. First stop was KY for family pictures and family time with my extended family.   They are sweet, encouraging, fun loving people in my life.   We grew up two houses down from my aunt and uncle so they were a rich part of our childhood....and so the love continues. After KY we went to TN to visit with Nana T. and Pops and family.   We were late in leaving one location so we arrived late in the next.   Having to use 2 vehicles, there were times we pulled over because I was too tired to continue.   We were fed, hugged, and prayed over and off again. Next stop, Georgia!   Grandmother and Grandad met us in Georgia and like every other stop before, we unloaded possessions that we wanted to share along with a few things that we wanted stored. ...

After a week of heavy packing and visiting, we finally pulled out at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday.   We have never moved across town so it all has to be started and finished in the same day.   I looked at My Dear at one point and just said, "I am finished."    There is NO way we could have made it without the help of those stopping in, showing up, sending pizza, picking up kiddos to give them a break, donating totes, encouragement, prayer, dinners....so much. When we finally pulled out, I was too tired to be emotional until I saw this in the yard of our friends.    Thank you Danielle and Hannah!   (Thank you Phoebe for allowing the use of the strollers.)   Thankful for 10 years of a wonderful place for children to be children and for the love poured out on us.   Thankful for the opportunities in ministry and for those we were blessed to partner with.   We have learned and have grown much.   God is GOOD! I especially like that the ...

This picture was taken a few weeks ago....to give you an idea what meal time looks like at our home...that is IF we are home! Celebrating our last local Customer Appreciation day with cheap pizza.

When our children's minister, Doug came to our church about 3 years ago.   He wanted to be Miss B's friend, but like everyone else who had tried, she wasn't haven' that!    But Mr. Doug has been at this Kids Ministry thing for awhile and had a trick up his sleeve.   Each time we popped into the office he would offer Miss B. some fruit snacks.   Over a period of time, he stopped and then it was Miss B. looking for Mr. Doug to get the snacks.    He no longer needs fruit snacks to get Miss B. to talk with him or to convince her to come to class but they still have their fruit snacks and occasionally if we stop in and Mr. Doug will share some fruit snacks. With our relocating, Miss B is going to need to make new friends.   So one Sunday, Mr. Doug found her after church and the two of them take off to his office hand-in-hand.   Miss B. returns with this box and instructions to give them to her new friends.  ...

I have been overwhelmed with possessions lately.   I want to shout out a word of warning to the world not to allow your possessions to own you.   As there was a need in our community or with friends, I enjoy collecting items from our home to give to others.   It is easy to give and I was glad to be able to do it.   I know that I have been entrusted with those things and if I am\ not using them, I am to give them to someone who would use them.  When our children abuse possessions or do not care for them, I was convicted that those things were given to us by God and we are to manage them in a way that honors Him.   We have been entrusted with this stuff. Our children are probably the first thought in my mind when I think of "entrusting."   God has entrusted us with these people.   They are children now but will someday be adults.   They will be spouses, parents, employees, voting citizens, and disciples of Christ or at least I pray they will...

Tonight I was told I had a visitor, this cutie came to our house (letting his parents know that he wanted to come to the door himself.)   He handed us an envelope of coins and bills that he had earned by selling baked goods and lemonade to assist with our move.  How precious is he!!      Thank you Jace (and his mama and daddy) and the continued support and encouragement you give.   You bless us!  Love you guys.

Last week I caught myself matching up our possessions to those who would receive them.   I wiped off Carolyn's table after a meal.   I vacuumed the back of Tracee's van wondering if it would be the last time.     I folded the laundry that I pulled out of Josh's dryer.   I wiped down the walls and thought of the new fingerprints that would be added to them by other children that would call this house home.   You know, I think I am even more careful and respectful of those things because to me, they belong to someone else and they are simply allowing me to use it. I pray for those families.   I thought of the little fork holes at the end of the table from our Billy and wondered if a little someone might soon sit in that same spot and rock his mama and daddy's world too.   God please bless them with children when they are ready.   I prayed on the person who would pull their clothes out of the dryer.   Would there be a wife to add her clot...