Retreat weekend

Here are just a few pictures of our weekend at a summer camp.  Gospel for Asia books this camp for all the staff and their families every other year or so.  We've been here now 3 times in the past 6 years.  This is the lodge that we stayed in. 

 There was plenty to do in the 48 hours that we were there that it all seems a little blurry to me. Let's see if I can list all that the weekend consisted of.  Swimming, soccer, basketball, volleyball, blobbing, ropes course, archery, bb gun shooting, bon-fires, and talent shows.  Oh, and let's not forget meeting at the dining hall 3 times a day for meals!

I wish I had taken better pictures of the weekend.  It was a little hard toting Micah around with a camera at the same time.  Just bare with me on these photos.

Julia and I spent a good deal of our morning watching the ropes course.  Both Olivia and AJ participated in this.  It is so entertaining to watch others try and muster up the nerve to do something difficult.  I like to watch instead of trying it myself!

Waiting in line to climb the pole.  The funny things they are sporting are harnesses that will keep them from killing themselves in case they fall.

Olivia getting all ready to "safely" climb the pole to the right of her.  I'm not sure how high it is but my guess is about 30 feet.  Once they get to the top they have to stand up on top of the pole (not holding onto anything) and then jump for a trapeze type bar just out of reach!  

Olivia made it to the top and actually balanced well enough to stand up and then jump!  She missed the bar but I was so proud that she did it!  I had video taped it and planned on posting the video of the whole thing but . . . I goofed.  I pushed the wrong button on the recorder and didn't get any of it!  I know, I'm still kicking myself!

I didn't even get any pictures of her climbing it because I couldn't do both at the same time (video and shoot snapshots) so I focused on video taping and got nothing!

Believe me, she did awesome!

This is AJ getting all ready.  You had to be 10 years old to even attempt this.  AJ is 11.

He climbed the pole to the very top but didn't want to stand up once he got up there.  He was too afraid he would fall.  Maybe next time.  I didn't get him on video either!

He climbed the rock wall next.  This was a 60 foot wall with no incline.  It was straight up.  He didn't make it to the top but we watched others do it.  What a great experience!

Oh, I forgot on my list of things to do, the pinata!  Every time we have a GFA retreat, some of the guys make a pinata for the children.  They make it extra durable so that many kids can get a chance to "wack" it without it breaking until most everyone has had a try.  They line up youngest to oldest and this year they gave them all someone else's bag to fill up.  What a great idea!  That way everyone got similar amounts of candy.

This is the penguin before he got too beat up. His feet had already fallen off.

"Julia, the slugger"

By the time AJ got his chance, the penguin was looking rather frayed!

My birthday fell on this weekend and it was so nice to have Olivia knock on my door early in the morning to wish me a happy birthday.  She had brought a gift to the retreat and was waiting to give it to me.  It was this blue top I'm wearing in this picture.  I'm sorry, I do not have a better shot of it.  She made it for me and I love it!

Fun with Micah

Friends 

It was a really nice weekend.  Reece cried when we got home because he wanted to go back.  Rich shared with the kids about how heaven will be so much fun that we will not want to go back home after we get there.  We cannot even begin to imagine what it will be like but I'm sure we will feel similar feelings of wanting to stay forever.  It won't be because of all the fun activities but instead, simply because Jesus is there we will not want to leave. 

I had some time alone while there and it was so beautiful.  There is nothing better that I can think of than peace and quiet outside with the only noise being the birds and the rustling of the trees in the wind. I'm so glad God gives us little tastes of heaven here on earth in anticipation of the real thing!  What is your taste of heaven?

Kristin

Family Birthdays

May 23rd was Olivia's 14th birthday.  We love our family birthday parties when it's just us.  Food is a big deal on birthdays and we always let our children pick what they want on their special day (within reason, of course).  This year, Olivia didn't want a cake (not even an ice cream cake!) but instead chose fruit dipped in chocolate.  I called around in hopes of borrowing a fondue pot but no luck so instead borrowed a mini crock-pot perfect for dipping.  We had art class at our house on her birthday and then pulled out these goodies to share.  It was a nice way to wrap up art class.

Too many hands in the chocolate at once!

Yum!

Sisters stuffing their faces!  Oh, I forgot to mention how the day began.  Rich has started a tradition on birthdays.  He always takes the special one out for breakfast with just him.  Sometimes birthdays fall on weekdays and so he will wake them up early to take them out before he goes into work.  Of course, they all love it when Dad treats them special.  The rest of us run around and decorate the house while they are away.  So Rich took Olivia out to a new place he has never been to before called The Original Pancake House.  They said it was fabulous with homemade syrups, real whip cream and "to die for" pancakes! I can't wait for my birthday!

In the evening, we picked up dinner and had a picnic at the local nature preserve.  This is a park with lots of walking trails.  The weather was perfect and we went for a long walk at dusk. 

One of our favorite things to do as a family is hike.  We love the outdoors too. I really wouldn't call this hiking because of the paved trails but it's a little hard to hike anyway with a stroller.

I really like this picture of Olivia.  If you click on it, you'll get to see her close up.  She is 14!  I can't believe it.  The reality of it hit when the night before her birthday we decided to watch some home videos of her first year of life.  Wow, talk about going back down memory lane!  

We've all changed so much in the last 14 years, not just Olivia.  Looking at her as a newborn and wondering what kind of person she would grow up to be is really eye opening.  I wonder if the next 14 years will pass as quickly as the first?  Will I look back on the next 14 years in wonder?  My guess is yes. When she is 28, I will look back on this picture with just as much astonishment!

I couldn't resist putting in a few pictures of our newest member, Micah James.  He is doing some funny things with his tongue these days.  He is starting to mimic us and we him.  He likes to stick his tongue in and out and then watch us do the same.  It's a new game we play.  Pretty cute!

He loves to swing!  This is him on the playground at the park.

I have no idea what kind of child he will be in 14 years.  Olivia has likes and dislikes but I didn't know what they would be when she was little.  Would she have curly or straight hair?  Would she be stubborn or easy-going?  You really have no idea when they are little what their personalities will be like.  

I think I'll enjoy Micah the way he is right now and get to know him better as God decides to show me his character. But I can't help but wonder. . .

This is another great shot.  Olivia is like a second mommy to Micah.  He reaches for her when she comes into the room and she loves it. I wonder what their relationship will be like as he grows up?

All hot and sweaty.  It was a very warm night.

Baths are in store when we get home!

We walked up to this tower that overlooks our area.  The sky was really cool and I was glad we just happened to do this at sunset.

This is what it looked like from the top. We decided to head back before it got too dark.

Ok, a friend of mine introduced us to lemon ices and they have become a favorite.  Especially on a hot night in Texas!  I'm drinking one right now, in fact.  We make them in the blender and they are the consistancy of an icy but lemon flavored.  If you want the recipe let me know.

AJ and Julia bought Olivia these sunglasses for her birthday.  She was pretty happy to be drinking a lemon ice with her new shades on!

Happy Birthday, Olivia!

A Dear Friend

I titled this post, A Dear Friend, because that's what Heather is to me.  Heather and I go way back.  We met at high school in a typing class.  We have been friends ever since even though our lives took different paths.  Actually I shouldn't say that, spiritually God lead us down the same paths but the timing was just different and the events that has us where we are today are different.  We both married Christian men, have devoted our lives to raising children who stand for Christ, decided to home school and are serving the Lord in various ways.  We love to talk about parenting methods, theology, good food, and old times.  

Our lives look different because my husband and I moved to Texas to join Gospel for Asia (a missions organization) and Heather's husband just recently died unexpectedly. Did I just say "died"?  Yes, Eric went to heaven to be with his Saviour a year and a half ago.  They had just adopted 2 children from Liberia the year prior to his passing and had celebrated 20 years of marriage. It is really a wonderful story even though it sounds so sad. 

 So we are experiencing different events in our lives but still have so much to talk about. Heather is by far, one of my dearest friends. 

I was so excited about Heather driving out here from California to visit me, I could hardly stand it!  Her children are wonderful and we always enjoy seeing this family.

One of the first things we did was visit Gospel for Asia where Rich works.  Heather and her family have been supporters of ours and the ministry for years.  Whenever we go to California to visit our families, we have had the privilege of staying with the Davis's.  She always manages to pull some friends together for us to share with about GFA and her oldest son organized a bike-a-thon at their church to raise money to donate towards needs in India.

I love this picture of Heather and her two oldest girls.  Becca on the left is 20 years old and is an incredible helper to Heather.  She loves to cook and sew.  Both Becca and her mom have an eye for color and design.  Becca is thinking of starting her own sewing business designing clothes and I think she will be fabulous at it.  She also wants to learn to cut hair.  

Mallory (right) is 15 and she and I talked a lot this visit.  I feel like I got to know her a bit better than I did.  She has an interest in missions and other countries.  She is thinking of being a midwife and helping moms in other countries deliver their babies!  She is also interested in homeopathic medicine. I'm so excited to see where God leads her.

I just had to post this picture because it came out so good.  AJ is so good looking (a mom's opinion!) and he has always been known for his smile.

Lobby of Gospel for Asia.

Joel and Rich took us on a short tour.  This is Heather's children (minus her oldest son).

Ok, oldest to youngest. This is Rebecca (she goes by Becca).  Her brother, Nathan (18), couldn't come on this part of the trip but he will be meeting up with them later.  They are traveling for 7 weeks seeing different places along the east coast!

Mallory (15)

Paige (14 this month) is only 13 months younger than her sister Mallory.  She is blond and blue eyed just like her Dad.  Mallory and Paige were so close in age they should have been like twins but their coloring is nothing alike.

For those wondering what Olivia looks like with contacts, here she is!  She and Paige are one day apart!  They have been kindred spirits their whole lives!

Olivia and Paige got no sleep while they were visiting.  Too much to talk and laugh about!

Here are the boys.  AJ, Reece and Joe (9) built forts and had gun fights.  My boys could not get enough of Joe.  Reece wanted them to stay for a year (he told me).  

This is Joe and Gabbie. I hope I'm spelling her name right?  Gabbie is 3 and aren't their smiles wonderful!

Gabbie performing for the camera.  She loves putting on a show and being the center of attention.  Not in an annoying way but she is actually quite funny.

We'll just say, she is not shy at all!  Our family really loved getting to know her better too.

My only regret is that I wish they could have stayed longer but I know we will be visiting California again sometime soon.  We will see them again.  

Love you guys!

Kristin

Making Memories in Idaho

Before I begin telling you about my trip, I want to say Happy Mother's Day to my Mom.  This is a picture that was recently taken when we went to visit my parents in Idaho.  My Mom and I share the same birthday and have enjoyed every birthday because of it.  I have never wished that I could have my own birthday separate from her but instead have always thought it was a special gift to be born on her birthday!  Happy Mother's Day, Mom and Happy Birthday early!

Jigsaw puzzles are a big part of our family.  My Dad has taken up a real interest in them since he retired and I grew up visiting my Aunt and Uncle in South Pasadena who always had a card table up with a thousand little puzzle pieces just waiting for our attention.  It's becoming a tradition to see if we can complete a puzzle before our visit ends.  

AJ picked this one and it was 1,000 pieces!  I thought, "he'll never be able to do this" but he surprised us all and met the challenge!  I'm starting to realize how much he likes a challenge of any kind.  AJ and my Dad did another one when we first got there but I chose to post this one because it represents much of the beauty in Idaho.  We were surrounded by mountains and most had a little snow still at the top.

This is a moose that AJ is sitting on.  These are all over the small town of Coeur d' Alene and they are placed around to signify an important place to see.  You could ideally follow the moose and see all there is to see in this little town.  This one was at the base of a hiking trail called Tubbs Hill.  There is a 2 mile trail through trees and wildflowers that follows the perimeter of the lake.  It was a beautiful hike!

I had decided to book my ticket to see my parents when my eye problem wasn't quite healed.  By faith I felt I should step out and believe that by the time I would be flying to see them, my eye would be healed enough to make the trip.  God answered and I'm so grateful that I made the trip.  We have never all gone to see my family because of the cost of airfare.  This was my second time to visit them since they moved to Idaho, 4 years ago.  The first time I took Olivia with me so this time AJ got to go.  

He was such a joy to have along!  I really needed him in the airport to help me cart Micah around and all his baby stuff.  Then when we got there he was game for about anything!  This hike was one of his favorites.

We hadn't planned on going the entire 2 miles around this trail but we got a little lost so after we found our way back on the main trail we decided we had better stay on it.  AJ bounded along with all the energy of an excited puppy while Dad and I plugged along stopping frequently to catch our breath with the excuse to take in the beauty!

Here is that excited puppy stopping just long enough to pose for a picture. There were some really great rock formations and AJ felt he needed to climb the top of them all!

My brother flew up from Portland.  It was so nice to all be together again.  My brother is still single so he was able to request a few days off work and join us.  AJ thought Uncle Steve was really cool.

It was perfect hiking weather!  

Another great treat was that my niece, Mandy, made the 3 hr. drive to see my brother and I.  It had been 9 years since I had seen her at her wedding and I had never met her two adorable children.  We figured out that I was 7 years old when my half-sister had a baby girl.  So I became an Aunt to her when I was just a girl.  I remember getting a lot of attention over that. 

I'm amazed that she is a mature woman now and mother!  She is beautiful and lots of fun.  I remember her as a little girl just like her daughter.  It's really mind boggling how people grow up and change.

This is Mandy and my brother at the park.  We were joking about this picture wanting to title it "The Denim Duo".

My brother is an Uncle again.  This was his first time to meet Micah.

It's fun for me to see my brother with children especially babies.

This is my Mom with Micah and AJ.  She was very willing to watch Micah despite her health issues while the rest of us ran around town.

Micah was all over their house, crawling in and out of everything.  Every time we thought he was trapped (like inside the base of this bar stool) he would maneuver his way out.

On our last night there, my Dad took AJ to a restaurant/hotel on the lake for a dessert.  AJ really wanted to see this place since his older sister had bragged about eating there a few years earlier.  We ordered the largest dessert possible and shared it.

This expression is for Olivia!  Check it out, a 16 inch banana split!

The blue roofs in the background are little "boatports", a word I made up as a spin off of "carports".  Boat owners rents these along the lake to park their boats.

Grandpa and Grandson

Thank you all for praying for my trip!  I really felt the Lord answer your prayers.  I was very anxious about the flight home since I realized on the flight there how crazy it is to fly with a baby in the first place!  We had to take two flights to get there and had a 2 hr. layover in between in Seattle.  It makes for a very long day!  To my amazement though, on the trip home, Micah did awesome!  He didn't sleep much but was content and happy on the 4 hour flight from Seattle to Texas!  Thank you!  It was truly a miracle.

Music

I'm so excited that a friend showed me how to add music to my blog!  I don't listen to music as much as I'd like only because I don't have time to really enjoy it with 5 children in the house.  Sometimes it just adds to the chaos that I'm trying to manage!  But then there are other times when music makes all the difference.  I have a friend whose blog I visit almost daily and she has some really good Christian music on her playlist that really blesses me and helps me to understand what she is experiencing.  Sometimes I just pull up her blog and let the music run.

You can view my playlist in the sidebar and click on any of the songs to change what you are listening to.  Can you tell that my Christian music education is very limited and so far I've only featured two artists?  I'll print the words below to "First Song That I Sing" by Sara Groves because I think they are worth commenting on.

In the morning when I rise

Help me to prioritize

All the thoughts that fill my day

Before my schedule 

Tells me that my day is full

Before I'm off and on my way

I want to praise you

I NEED to praise you

Let the first song that I sing

Be praises to my God and King!

Before my curtains part

Before my day is starting

Before I make up the bed

Before the snooze alarm

Reminds me that it's morning

Before the dreams have left my head

I want to praise You

I need to praise You

Let the first song that I sing

Be praises to my God and King

Before my feet hit the floor, I'll praise you Lord, I'll praise you Lord

Before I fill my cup, I'll lift you up, I'll lift you up

Before I start my day, I'll sing Your praise, I'll sing Your praise Before I start my car, before I get too far . . . 

This is one way to renew your mind. Start the day with praise! May God transform me on the inside for it is only when this happens that I will be able to minister to others. In the presence of God is where we find fullness of joy.  I need that joy.  I want His joy. Sometimes God seems to be just waiting for me to take that initial step, to take action, to show my desire to bask in His presence. 

It's too easy to get too busy to even think about our Savior.  So many times I find myself going to bed at the end of a crazy day and my mind has not been renewed.  The Holy Spirit will not fill me if up if I act like I don't need Him.  

Oh, may I take the time to acknowledge my Lord and give Him the praise he deserves!

Romans 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

God's Interruptions

The Lord is so good.  I just have to say it.  I am overwhelmed today with how many blessings are bestowed upon me daily. God seems to give me just what I need, when I need it most.  Some days I don't even recognize his goodness. Like today, most of my family is gone and I got to spend the day with just Micah and Reece.  This is a rare occasion for sure!  Right now, Micah is sleeping and Reece is playing in the backyard with the neighbor boy.  Quiet moments at my house where there is time to relax are almost non-existent except for when it's time for bed. How many times do little blessings fall on me without me realizing it? I'm sorry, God, for not recognizing your goodness and taking the time to acknowledge you in all things.

Everything that happens during our day is ordained by God.  A spontaneous visit from a friend, a phone call from someone unexpected, a baby waking up early from a nap, bad weather that changes our plans, the list could go on and on.  Are we so caught up with our itinerary that we cannot see the beauty in these interruptions? 

I guess it's easier to see the hand of God when things go better than expected.  Like for me today.  I had no idea that Julia was going to spend the day at a quilting class at church until last night when a friend offered to pick her up.  I didn't realize that Micah would take a third nap (he never does this anymore) and that I would have time to get supper ready ahead of time.  I didn't count on the neighbor boy coming over looking for Reece to see if he could play.  So here I am, praising God for time to just ponder His goodness.

It's much harder to appreciate God's intervention in our lives when those unexpected events appear to us to be interruptions.  Last night I went to a monthly Ladies Meeting that GFA puts on once a month.  One of the gems I brought home with me was that God wants to train our character.  How does He do this? He puts pressure on different areas to challenge us.  He wants to show us our lack in Christlikeness so that we will willingly cooperate with the Holy Spirit.  

Knowing and becoming are not the same.  We know how we ought to be.  We are to become what we know.  God is after our "becoming" so that we can walk worthy of our calling!  Maybe you have heard all this before (I know I have) but God is meeting me where I'm at right now so it seems profound! He has been putting pressure of me lately in many areas but I haven't seen it as a blessing.  My perspective needs to change.  I will not see Biblical results if I have the wrong mindset.  

God met me last night and I am so grateful for His intervention.  His input in my life is my ultimate desire.  Nothing can compare with Christ's guidance especially when you know you need it!