Picture Proverbs

 We have implemented a new resource this semester, and we are all loving it!!
While on deputation, we had a great  meeting at Park Meadows Baptist Church where SM Davis was pastoring at the time.  He gave us many wonderful DVDs.  One of them is the set of "Picture Proverbs."
During our Christmas break I came across the set again and decided that we could incorporate watching it in our morning routine before Bible class

 The kids are loving it!! And I am, too!  We watch the chapter of Proverbs according to the day of the month.  They love the pictures and sounds effects as they hear the Proverbs being read.  I love the correlation between Bible Stories and the Proverbs as the pictures are displayed.  It just makes the Bible come together and makes Proverbs so practical!

I found a link where it is still available at SM Davis's website, Solve Family Problems .

So thankful for this wonderful resource!  I love ways to get as much Bible in my children as possible!  And this is a great one!

A Shower for the New Couple

 We surely have the best church family!  They are so kind and thoughtful and giving!  When Josh and Tabitha came back from their honeymoon, the people of VSIBC wanted to give them a Pantry Shower.  It's the perfect thing for a new couple.  Everyone brought staples to stock their kitchen.  They received things such as  cleaning supplies and laundry detergent, spices, canned goods, boxed food, paper products...you name it!  What a blessing!

 Of course, we also had some yummy eats, and plenty of fellowship!  So thankful for my church family!

"Becoming a Man!"

In these past few weeks, I've noticed a lot of maturing in my Silas.  He's just sort of grown up a bit as he's become the oldest brother living at home.

 When I told him he really needed to get out and clean up Jenna's (his goat's) pin, he was excited.

  He went out after school and began raking, and taking wheel barrows full to the back yard.  Even though it's wintertime, it's gotten quite warm in North Central Florida.  As I watched him work for a bit, I praised him on how hard he is working.  He looked at me and said, "Mom, I'm becoming a man!"  And I thought, "Yes.  You sure are."  Time is flying too quickly again!

As I Ponder

 I am so excited about my focus word for this year, "Ponder."  I am excited because I know God is going to do many things in my heart!  It's thrilling to see this thought jump out on the pages in my devotions.

I came up with a way to keep these thoughts visible.  I want to remember them throughout the day!
I bought this $5 canvas panel at Walmart.  It's not mounted on a wooden frame like most canvas.  I put up a clip on my wall so that I can take down the canvas to write on it, then pin it back up when I'm done.  I've been writing verses and thoughts that I have during my devotions.

I'm loving what the Lord is giving me!  Thank you, Lord, for working on my heart!

My Grandma's China Cabinet

 When we came off the foreign mission field and started our medical furlough, our church let us live in their mission's house.  It was huge!  It was bright and open!  And....it was empty.  I remember wondering how we would be able to just have the basics since all of our belongings were still overseas.  It still amazes me thinking how God provided for every need.  every. single. one.

He even gave me the desires of my heart, and let me make this temporary home a haven for our family as I sought medical care.  I remember my Dad calling and asking if I would like to use my Grandma's China Cabinet.  Hearing of something that was my Grandma's and knowing I could enjoy it for the time we were there, I said "Yes!"

I knew I didn't have any china to fill that cabinet, let alone dishes for everyday for the kitchen.  The next day, a dear lady from church called and said, "I have a set of china I don't need anymore.  Would your like them?"  Oh Wow!  Yes! I felt like it was the Lord calling and saying, "Kami, I love you.  I'm with you.  Get ready to be blessed!!"

 So, the missions house filled up with beautiful things offered to me by God's willing people.  My temporary home that was completely bare, was one of the most comfortable and inviting homes I had ever been in.  I knew it was from the Lord.

Well, if you've been reading my blog, you know that we stayed in the mission's house for a year.  It was there I was diagnosed with Lyme and began treatments.  It was there that we realized our dream of living on the foreign mission field had come to a close and God had a bigger plan.  As we realized He called us into church planting, my Dad told me I could keep Grandma's cabinet.  I love it!

It took up a beautiful spot in our new home in North Central Florida.

Then, last month, I got the itch to change it up a bit.  The cabinet is still beautiful, but the orange-y wood was starting to wear on me just a bit.  I did some research and consulted with my crafty sister, and decided to chalk paint the cabinet using this recipe for Plaster of Paris DIY chalk paint.  Then, I ordered some cabinet handles from Amazon. (They were quite large and had to be ordered.)

 I LOVE how it turned out!  It still says, "Grandma" but yet, has a little Kami-ness in it as well! ;o)
And I found some cutesy china at our local thrift store for $5 that is ME for sure!

 I love the shabby look of the distressed furniture.  That was a fun project!  I'm already looking for the next one!

Ponder

2017.  We have barely arrived into the New Year.  Already things are in full swing.  Goals have been set and new beginnings happening.  It's exciting!  As 2016 came to a close and I began looking at 2017, I knew I wanted to focus on a special word for this year. It was a word that jumped off the page and made me really consider my heart.  A word that I knew if I could grasp a hold of,  my walk with Christ would be closer, my spirit would be sweeter, and things would come into better focus.

The word?'

 Ponder

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19

I've been thinking a lot lately about what I think about.  What am I pondering?  What am I mulling over in my head?  What I think about and ponder, truly is a choice.  I can choose to ponder about the goodness of the Lord.  I can choose to think about the best things.  Why waste time thinking the worst?  Or even thinking about the worst that could happen. 

 Our minds truly are a battleground, and I'm afraid it's too easy to give the devil the victory in this department.  It's a place where we women can keep private and no one realizes what is going on inside our pretty little heads.  Yet, what we think about has such an impact on our lives every single moment.  Our thoughts influence us in our actions towards our family.  Our thoughts contribute to the way we handle interruptions and trials.  Our thoughts even have a control over our expressions and countenance, and we don't even realize it!

So, this year, I will focus on what I am pondering in my heart.  I'm so excited what the Lord has already given me and plan to be sharing soon!

Wedding Day

Many have asked for pictures and an update on the wedding of our Joshua to Tabitha.  We had the most amazing photographer (which happens to also be a sweet friend, and her son a groomsmen.)  We let her concentrate on photos, while we concentrated on being the parents of the groom.  So, that means we don't have any photos to share yet.  But, when they come available, I'll be sure to share a link. :o)

Bliss- great joy, perfect happiness

Bliss.  That's what we experienced.  At first, it was a day of trying to make sure our 8 year old had a wonderful birthday.  Which he did.  Then, it was a day of hurrying to get our girls to the church, the rest of us ready, then to get the groom to the church.  Needless to say, he questioned the tradition of not seeing his bride until she walked down the aisle.  It was killing him.  He didn't like the wait. :o)  But, we took many photos, greeted family and friends as they arrived, then waited until 7pm.

Finally the time came to start.  All the grandparents were gathered in the back waiting to be seated.  After them, it was me.  The Groom's Mother.  I was so thankful that Josh asked to be the one to escort me down the aisle.  It was a walk of pride with my son.  I was so thankful.  But, when we got to the end, he gave me a hug.  I whispered out, "I'm so proud of you, and I love you so much."  Then, the tears flowed.  Why did it feel like a good bye?  I guess in some ways it was.  I was saying goodbye to my little son.  And he was walking in to a new phase.  A new journey and adventure.  He was going to become a husband.  And in some ways I was saying goodbye to my little boy.

But, then.  Then, shortly after, the bride walked into the back of the lobby.  You could see her and her Dad through the glass doors as the music was playing. She was the picture of beauty.  She was smiling and laughing and had the look of pure joy.  I glanced up at my Josh that was standing beside the preacher.  He had a look of joy as well, except mixed with some tears.  He was so happy.

And I realized that even though I was saying goodbye to my boy.  I was saying hello to my Josh, that was still very much my son, but, yet, a more complete him.  He was preparing to say 'I do' and commit his life to the one God had made for him.  It was a moment of bliss.  Indescribable.  Yet, bliss.

Silas's Day

 My Silas had a wonderful birthday!  He woke up and went with his Daddy to pick out donuts for everyone.  He was so sweet and thoughtful in his choices.  He knew Callie likes sprinkles and Josh Boston Creme. :o)

He was so excited and grateful for each of his gifts.  This kid is becoming such a fan of westerns, just like my older 3.  I have no idea why!  But, they love it!

 Then, it was off to Chik Fil A for lunch, then to the park for cupcakes.  It was a little more rushed than our normal birthdays, because it was also wedding day, but my boy loved his day!

 Since it was quite busy, we decided my boy needed a second birthday this year.  So, Monday we celebrated again! :o)

Happy 8th Birthday Silas Boone!

 Friday morning, which also happens to be wedding day, was also my sweet Silas's 8th birthday!

 It's amazing to see how much he's grown and changed from his last birthday to this one.

 My Silas is turning out to love the same things as his older brother and Daddy.  He loves football!  For a 7 year old, he sure does know a lot about the sport!  He's enjoying watching games and learning the rules.  But, his favorite is when we all play family flag football together.

 He is definitely my sensitive child and is always concerned about the needs of others.  His favorite day is Sunday and he loves to ride the church van and see which of his friends are able to make it to church.

He still loves his "date time" with his Momma, which I love.  He just talks and talks and enjoys one on one time.  He also has started reading bunches.  His favorites are biographies.  He just finished Daniel Boone and now he's started on Davey Crockett. He still has an amazing imagination.  I love to watch him play!

So thankful for this sweet boy.  Happy Birthday Silas!

The Rehearsal Dinner

 As "Parents of the Groom" it was our responsibility to host the rehearsal dinner.  We wanted to focus to be on fun.  I think we succeeded.  Everyone had a great time!

 Josh and Tabitha were so happy.  I loved the joy on their faces!

 We played a fun "He/She" game.  We asked questions like, "Who drinks the most coffee?"  and "Who has more clothes in their closet?"  Everyone answered by holding up a mustache for Josh and lips for Tabitha.  Then, after everyone else voted, the bride and groom voted.  Their answers didn't usually match.  It was quite funny!

 Then, we put on a skit reinacting how Josh and Tabitha met.  We might have embellished a little. maybe. :o)

 The kiddie table had fun.  We gave them coloring sheets of Josh and Tabitha.  They made them look quite cute!

So thankful for all the friends and family God has given us.  Looking at all the precious faces, I realized again how blessed we really are!

Tomorrow is the Day!

 Tomorrow is the day where this sweet boy of mine will be married!  We are so excited and blessed! We love you Joshua and Tabitha!!

So, Mom, what did you feel?

 As I've mentioned before, there have been many emotions this week as we prepare for the wedding of our Joshua.

It's caused me to think back to my wedding day.  all the excitement.  all the nervousness. all the joy.

 I often think of my wedding day from mine or Patrick's point of view.  Two people madly in love and can't wait to spend the rest of their lives together.  But, this week, I've thought more about someone else on that day.  I've thought about my Mom.
  It's sad to say,  but I guess I've never really thought about how she felt.  She was right there with me, planning every last detail. and making sure everything from dresses to decorations to food were exactly what I wanted.  But, how did she feel?  I think I now know.

She felt pride.  Pride as she saw her baby girl walk down the aisle.  I'm sure she thought, "That's my child.  I raised her.  She's a product of many years of labor, tears and joy.  I'm so proud of her."

She felt sadness.  Sadness as she couldn't help but think of the precious moments that are now just memories.  She remembered the heart to heart talks and the joy of being her child's confidant.  She remembered being the one who hears "Look at me, Mom!" and wished she could just once more really watch as another feat is accomplished.  She remembered being the one who comforts when hearts are broken and had  her shoulder cried on.  And she had sadness as she realized it's time to hand over the care of her precious treasure to someone else.

She felt joy.   Joy that somehow seemed to trump the sadness.  It's unexplainable joy as she saw her baby's happiness and watched as she dreamed of the future. Joy as she saw that the one she is handing over the care of her baby to, is the one God has picked.  And is the perfect match for her child.

I think I know now, Mom.  So many feelings and emotions.  Mom, you're the best!

New Year, New Theme

We enjoyed our "Let's Go Fishing" theme at VSIBC for 2016.  We focused on reaching souls for Christ.
We were so excited about this next year's theme, "Faith is the Victory."  So much is happening at VSIBC, but I think that is for another post.  But, the theme we chose goes perfectly for the days ahead at Victory Springs!

Patrick will be preaching on faith a lot throughout 2017.  His opening message for the year was a challenging sermon about the faith of Abraham. Where will my faith take me in 2017?

We chose to use a travel theme in our decorations with lots of road maps, world maps, globes, suitcases and tickets.  We even took wooden letters and covered them in road map paper.  That was fun!

"and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4b"
So excited to have more faith in 2017!

How much can my heart take?

 In the midst of all the packing, planning and preparing (and maybe a few tears) my Micah had an announcement to make...

 ...He said his baby blanket doesn't "fit him" anymore and that we should give it to another baby.
 sniff sniff.
Only he and one other of my children have had a blanket that they were attached to.  He would sleep with it every night.  It's so soft and cuddly.
 So, it kind of broke my heart to hear my baby is growing up.  I talked him into letting me keep it with all my other baby momentos and memories.

Thankfully, when it was time to put it up in the closet, he took it back and said, "Maybe it would be better to just keep it folded on my bed for now."
I like that idea.