Archive for July 2016

This summer has been non-stop.

Places to go and people to see.

When we got back from Camp Nathanael...Jason was off to Washington DC and the big kids were off to camp with our church.

But with our house on the market...Tyler thought it was important to mow the grass for his dad...or else it would be a jungle by the time he got home!!

Then it was off to Covenant Camp for Tyler and Amy and about two hundred other elementary kids.

They learned about the covenants God has made with His people and His faithfulness to uphold them.

They spent the week making new friends...spending time at the lake...playing fun games...and having a great time!

As soon as they got back, we loaded up in the car AGAIN to head up to Virginia to see Poppy!

Jason's dad, Phil, has been working for FEMA in West Virginia. So we met up halfway for a day of hiking...games...and pizza!

Everything is fun when Poppy is with us!

Even though the humidity was killer and the temperature was pretty high...

Poppy had us laughing and having fun the whole afternoon!

From Virginia, we headed on to Tennessee to see Daddy who was speaking at Summit.

We had a fun time with Dad and all of the students...and hanging out at Bryan College for the week,

While we were there, we decided to head into Chattanooga and take in the sites!

The Chattanooga Choo-Choo.

It was a HOT day...and we spent most of the day walking...

...and walking...and walking around the city.

Thankfully, we found a splash park...

and even though they were the only ones that didn't have swim suits...the water was just too inviting to resist!!

Afterwards we just HAD to try Chattanooga's best ice cream...

Clumpies!

Huge hit!!

While in TN, we also celebrated Jackson's seventh birthday!

It was not his first choice. He wanted to be home - celebrating with friends.

But little did he know that Dad had already told all of the Summit students.

So that day at lunch...Jackson was met with presents...singing and well wishers to make his birthday extra special!

Before we left, we were able to hear Daddy teach...

and then pray over his time ministering to the students.

And then...it was FINALLY time to be back home...

hanging out and being silly...

having friends over on hot summer days...and having lemonade stands.

It was fun travelling...but we were sure glad to be home!

Jackson Phillip...

you manage to be rough and tumble...tough and strong...all the while staying sweet and sensitive.

You love to play football...in any part of the house...during any time of the day...alone or with others.

You also love to ask questions. Wanting to know about when you were a baby...when Daddy and I were growing up...what our favorite thing to eat, read, play, etc.

You love to make people laugh with your jokes...and you are always ready with a hug just when it is most needed!!!

You are a fun big brother...and a fun little brother.

You are often sought out by your siblings to play games...tell stories...explore the backyard...and just hang out.

Jackson...we are so thankful for the gift you are.

Thankful for your smile...your infectious laughter...your willingness to serve others...and your heart for Jesus.

We pray that as you continue to grow, that God will fashion you into a young man that honors Him.

Loves His Word.

And loves His people.

Jackson...Happy Seventh Birthday, big guy!

Stay tough.

Stay strong in the Lord.

Stay sweet.

Stay ours.

We love you.

It has become a tradition for our family...just as it was for me during high school...to make Camp Nathanael a destination during the summer.

Last year, the older two and I went for a week.

But this summer ALL of our family went.

Jason was the speaker for the week...and he had a blast sharing with the middle school campers.

Amy's good friend, Sophie, came with us...

and she made even more friends during the week - particularly Abbie...who happened to be the daughter of my friend Tony! We served together at camp back in the day!