Vacation/Staycation Part Two

 The week of our Vacation/Staycation brought much playtime!  We played many games together.  Silas has been loving his Football game.  He sets up all the pieces and has a good football match!

 My girls and I have been enjoying a bunch of Settlers of Catan.  I have a new stragedy I've been trying out.  I've got to figure out something to help me win!!  I haven't been so successful so far!!

We recently had some limerock delivered.  Before it could be spread the kiddos loved bringing out their trucks to make roads through the dirt.  Lots of sandy dirt = lots of bathtime!

We also put together a huge puzzle.  This has been a huge relaxing treat for my preacher man.  He needed an activity to just do and not think.  Ha!  This worked perfectly.  I think we need to put one of these together more often!

We've also all enjoyed a little quiet time to ourselves.  I've been reading "It's a Wonderful Life" by Terrie Chappell.  So much good stuff in this book! (I'll do a review soon!)

What a great time on our week to relax.  There's more to come!

Staycation/Vacation Part One

Have you ever heard the saying, "If you don't come apart, you'll come apart!"  And Jesus said in Mark 6:31 "Come ye yourselves apart...and rest a while."  

It was nearing the end of summer.  We had hoped to get away for a little family vacation, but the funds just weren't there.  Then, a few weeks ago, it became evident that we needed a little break!  We all have been working hard for the past 16 months to get this wonderful church up and running, but we needed a little rest.  Patrick and I talked about it and worked out to squeak out one night at a hotel with a nice dinner out.  The rest of the week we would relax, be creative, and just be.  Be together!  ahhh, sounds so wonderful!!

We planned our night out at the end of the week.  So, the girls and I began brainstorming for what to do for our "Staycation."  We came up with fun things and made so many great memories to forever cherish!

One thing we had been wanting to do as a family is to go tubing in the springs.  The girls and I enjoyed tubing down the Ichetucknee at the beginning of summer.  We picked the perfect time and it was wonderful!  But, as summer wore on and we saw the lines to get in to the park, we knew we'd need to wait until school was back in for our family trip.  So, we found the perfect time to go tubing! The weather was hot, the water was cool, and we all floated and swam down the river.  It was so wonderful!

Then, we went to the splashpark in Alachua.  

 My little guy has turned into the cautious one and always wants to watch for a bit before he plays.

 Silas and Callie ran right in and enjoyed the cool water on a hot day.

 One of their favorites was to have the bucket of water splash on their head!

 And then, they talked me into trying it out.  Waiting for the cold water to douse you is a little scary!

 We played, got wet, had snacks, giggled and enjoyed one another so much!

Love is in the Air!

 Pictures are being taken, plans being made, lots of shopping!  Isn't preparing for a wedding so much fun!?!

So, last week I experienced shopping for the groom.  Josh and I headed to the mall to find the perfect suit coat for the wedding.  I sure do love any time I get to spend with my boy...wait...I should probably start calling him a man.  Respect is a quality Joshua has done so well showing me.  We looked around, he tried things on, asked me my opinion, checked on if I needed a rest, enjoyed a coffee together....What a blessing my boy is to me!  Then, he found some great things for the wedding!  yay!

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I am enjoying each moment of this season of life.  Before I know it, my boy will be a husband to sweet Tabitha.  Time flies.  Enjoy each special time!

Soon, to be 3 Mrs. Gimenez's.  Wow!

Back to School Sunday

 It has been a joy to have an impact on the community here in High Springs!  What special people God has called us to!  We decided to plan a Back to School Sunday and the members gave abundantly!!

 To top it off, the boy in the backseat accepted Christ as his Savior!  What a blessing!  It is great to see the seed being planted by several.  We all shared in the joy!

My kiddos love riding the church van.  We're praying for a bus!  And kids to fill it up!!

VBS 2016

I am quite behind in my posting.   Yikes!  Bear with me, I'm hoping to catch up this week.  There's a lot happening in the Gimenez Home!

We were so blessed to have the Youth Group from our sending church, Winkler Road Baptist Church, to come for the week and put on VBS!  Our church is still young that we don't quite have enough workers to put on a full blown VBS, so it was a blessing to have a group to come and put all their energy into it. It was a great week!

 It was a blessing to have the teens in our home each day for a meal.  We love to have our house filled with the laughter and joy of teenagers!

 The teenagers went visiting and canvasing, inviting kids to VBS and then did some work at the church, too.  It's always a blessing to clean and soak the nursery toys!  That makes Mommas happy!!

 We had a great turnout for each night of VBS.  We had visitors, and then we would have visitors invite visitors!  We praise the Lord for the contacts made in our community!

 Lots of fun games were played.  My kiddos loved it! This game made me nervous!  But, my Silas loved it!!

 I love the joy on my Callie's face!

 Thank you WRBC for all of your hard work!  Thank you Brother Joe and Mrs. Sarah for all the planning and praying that you did.  You all are a blessing!!

A Joyous Day!

For those of you that know my Josh, know that about 2 years ago, he met a very special young lady. As a Momma, it has been a joy to watch them talk, learn more about each other, enter a courtship, and wait for God's perfect timing.

 My Josh has been praying for the right time to ask Tabitha Fisher to be his wife.  Oh my! Did I just type that?  My little boy?  Yes, I sure did.  He's grown into a fine young man, and Patrick and I are so proud of him!

So, Josh came to us a few weeks ago and said that he believes it's time to ask.  How exciting!  He worked up the nerve to call Tabitha's Dad.  Josh has a great relationship with the whole  Fisher family, but it is funny that once it's time for the guy to ask the Dad....it gets nerve wracking!

As Josh stepped outside to make the phone call, Patrick and I got down on our knees and prayed.  We prayed for God's will, timing and direction.  Josh came back in a bit later.  He was smiling with his cute dimpley smile and said, "He said I can ask her!"  He was so excited.  We were too!

So, my boy came up with a completely romantic idea.  He worked on it night and day. (seriously) He told us he wanted the Fishers to be there, as well as Patrick and I, Beth and Brenna.  It was so honoring that he wanted us all to share this very special day.

We were given our orders to arrive early to Tabitha's church (the place they met and will be married) He wanted us to set up 5 tables.  The first four tables had memorabilia from each stage in their relationship...getting to know each other, writing long distance, courtship...

 The last table was to have one red rose on top.
 We followed our instructions and referred to the pictures he saved on our phone to make sure it was all prepared exact.  :o)

 It was hot, and we were quite sweaty, but we got everything done in time.  Then, we got a text saying they were on their way.  We went to our spot in the distance so we could watch.  We were so excited and nervous!

 Brenna took the pictures, so she was the one on the lookout.  I know they had arrived when she said, "Awwww, they look so cute!" Josh had Tabitha wait at a certain spot while he turned on the music.

 Then, he took her hand (A sight we had never seen)  and led her to each table.  It was so sweet.

 As they made their way to the final table, tears began to form.  I kept thinking, there truly is no greater joy than to see your children walk in truth.  I knew my Josh was excited and nervous and sooo happy.  This Momma's heart was so happy for him.

 She said yes!

 As they stood and held hands and looked into each others eyes, and laughed....we all patiently waited! :o)  It was an honor to be there.  I later asked Josh, what were you saying?  He said, "I just kept telling her that I loved her."  The two of them had been waiting until engagement to say those precious words....I have a feeling they will be making up for lost time!  We are thankful for the stand of purity the two of them have taken in this relationship as they seek to honor the Lord.

 So, who is Tabitha Fisher?  She is the young lady we have been praying for, even before she was born.  She is the one that God made for my son, Joshua.  We are so thankful!  Tabitha is a very sweet girl that loves the Lord and desires to serve Him with her life.  She has a heart for souls, loves children (just like my Josh!), and loves my Josh!  From the very beginning Josh told us, "There is just something different about this girl."  And it's true.  If you meet Tabitha, you will see God's love radiating from her life.  What a blessing to have her join hearts with our Joshua!  Truly a match made in heaven!
God is so good!!