Summer break is in full swing, and we are working hard at making the most of it!
Emma’s life goal, at the moment, is to go swimming every single day of the summer! She also has been learning to bake a few things, feeds and waters the chickens, enjoys going to the library, and comes with me to the Farmer’s Market some.
Travis tinkers with his dirt bike, mows grass for the neighbors, takes care of the chickens, and usually works two to three days a week. Wyatt typically works about five days a week, and he probably comes home the most tired. He’s been working with construction demolition and clean up, and he’s been working hard. He’s trying to save money for his first car, college, etc, so he’s been trying to save a lot of his money. Chandler has kept busy with lots of odd jobs for various people in the area. He’s become quite the handy man in a lot of ways as he does pressure washing, lawn care, painting, or whatever else needs doing. Garett continues to work for the gutter company, and Roger has been crazy busy at work. Typically the spring fire season is done by mid to end of May, but it has been so hot and dry here, that he’s been working about 14 days straight. He then has the mandatory reset days and right back at it. We did have a little rain yesterday and the humidity is increasing, so perhaps he will be back on a normal schedule soon.
We’ve enjoyed several trips to the beach, which often happens after church on Sunday. Chandler has had several of his school friends over on occasion this summer, and I am often reminded of how quickly our children are changing right before our eyes. Chandler originally had a date for boot camp in August, but due to some additional testing that he has taken, his date has been moved up to mid- July! I am suddenly feeling all the feelings of this “boy becoming a man”. He’s getting ready to leave home, and whenever he does come home again, it’ll never be quite the same. He is both excited and nervous, and I am feeling much the same way! I am so very proud of his decision to enter the military, but also part of me is just sad that this day came so quickly. Suddenly a month of the time we thought we had left is just gone, and we are down to just a few weeks! We have plans for a trip to the mountains as family in July for one last adventure, and then it’s off to boot camp for Chandler. Please, please pray that he will find good friendships, stay close to Jesus, do his very best, lead by example, and that God will be glorified in and through Chandler.
This week both Garett and Chandler are gone on a missions trip to the Dominican Republic. This is the same mission group that Garett went with last month, and this month it worked out that both Garett and Chandler could go. They left on Saturday evening with the plan to arrive in the D.R. On Sunday afternoon. However, the first flight on Saturday was delayed. They made it to the hotel later than planned on Saturday, but were at the airport ready to go for the next flight on Sunday morning. Then that flight was delayed significantly, so they missed the connecting flight to the D.R. The only option was to stay overnight in Miami, and try for the next flight on Monday! Finally…the team made it to the Dominican on Monday afternoon! Typically a missions trip always has a few stand-out memories, and this one is shaping up to be a memorable trip. We are thankful that the boys had the opportunity to go, and we are praying that God will work in and through them this week.
Mission Trip Adventures
Beach Time
Pond Adventures!
Lots of Corn!
We’ve been busy this summer, and I am enjoying the break from school, lesson plans, and the schedules. Please pray for wisdom for Roger and I as we work through some challenges with schooling, adult children, church, life, parenting, etc.! I am so thankful that God is faithful! We serve an amazing, holy God. I love this song by Chris Tomlin:
I’m getting old, y’all! The days fly by faster and faster! I thought that I had already written one post in the month of June, but that was already back at the end of the month of May!
Garett came home from the missions trip to the Dominican Republic on Tuesday evening, June 2nd. Jen and Garett arrived home about 1:00am, and Garett left for the youth missions trip to Chicago at 8:45am on Wednesday! He was tired, but he was tired in a good way. Garett spoke highly of the missions trip to the Dominican Republic and how much he enjoyed the trip. He helped on a medical missions trip, but he didn’t do the medical aspects. He did crowd management, moving heavy stuff, running errands, playing with kids, and whatever else needed doing. He took over 600 pictures from his time in the D.R., and it was really neat to see the trip through his eyes. Garett is not great a public speaking, but he can see the world in pictures. I know I’m biased, but I do think he’s pretty good at taking pictures. They saw over 800 people in the medical clinics as well as several people came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, which really is the most important thing. I am thankful that God provided this last minute opportunity, and that Garett was able to go on this trip. On the Chicago missions trip, Garett was able to help with a community car wash, preparing for Vacation Bible School, handing out drinks and snacks at the train station, and attending the special Sunday service at the church there. Garett said his favorite part of the Chicago missions trip was probably the opportunity to interact with the people at the church service during “International Sunday”. Again, we are thankful that he had the opportunity to go, and now it’s back to reality for Garett!
Chandler had really wanted to go to the D.R. Also, but we said no to that. Why? Well, Chandler has been trying to get his drivers license, and we finally got him an appointment for a road test. However, it was the week of the trip to the D.R. Appointments with the DMV are very hard to come by right now in NC, and we’ve had this appointment booked since March 1st! The appointment was also almost 2 hours away from our house, and Roger and I decided that Chandler really shouldn’t miss this appointment! Chandler and I got up early on Monday, June 1, to head out to the appointment. I’d never been to Williamston, NC, and there really isn’t much there. His appointment was at 9:45am, and when we arrived there was one lady working in the DMV office. There were probably about 20 people in line, and she looked up and said, “Do you have an appointment? I’m not taking any walk-ins.” Thankfully, we had an appointment! Several people in line said that they had been in line before the DMV opened that morning. The lady was finally able to do Chandler’s appointment about 10:15am, and she had to close up and lock the office before she could take Chandler on his road test! Chandler was literally gone less than 10 minutes, and he came back into the DMV. The lady announced that Chandler had passed, and I let out a sigh of relief! Chandler left the DMV office with his new license in hand, and told me, “Mom, that DMV lady had so much on her mind that I probably could’ve run a red light and still passed!” I felt badly for her as the office was full of people needing to renew licenses, paperwork, real IDs, etc. However, I am really thankful that Chandler now has his drivers license. Thank the Lord!
Also this month, everyone has been busy working at a variety of jobs. We watched two dogs for our friends earlier this month. Garett is back to working for the Gutter company for the summer, and then we are praying about what his next steps should be in the fall. Chandler has been working for a little farm stand, and he has shucked a lot of corn this summer! Wyatt, Travis and I have been working at the farmer’s market in Raleigh. Emma has come a couple of times to the farmers market, and she has both enjoyed the days and come home tired! We are thankful for work for everyone, and we are trying to plan some special activities as a family this summer. The older the kids get and the busier with jobs and everything else, the harder it is to protect our family time and do things together. Everyone is growing up so quickly, and some times I just want to hit the “pause” button and soak up the memories a bit more.
I also played in a softball game this past month, which is something I haven’t done in a good long while. The boys play on the church team, which is co-ed, and they need two girls to play in each game. A few weeks ago, I showed up at the game with Emma, and Roger said that they needed another player. I didn’t have any shoes, so I wore Travis’s soccer cleats (which were too big). I haven’t played in YEARS. The boys told me that I did “Ok on hitting the ball and getting on base. But Mom, you really need to work on throwing the ball better!” Haha! Well, I helped them out, and I would do it again. It was fun, and while I wouldn’t want to commit to playing in every game, I was happy to help out.
We left on Sunday afternoon (6/22) to take seven boys to Teen Extreme Camp at Pensacola Christian College. A friend of ours, Mr. Kennedy, offered to let us borrow his Excursion vehicle to take the kids to camp, and the Hardison’s also drove their vehicle. Emma and Jace (Hardison’s youngest son) are too young for camp, so they get to hang out with the moms and Aunt Jen this week. Stephen is the sponsor at camp, and I’m sure that the boys are enjoying making memories at camp. We came to Teen Extreme two years ago, and it was a wonderful experience for the boys. Garett didn’t go to camp this year as he is busy working, and he also bought a car this past week. He is quickly realizing that life is expensive! We arrived at Teen Extreme on Monday afternoon, and dropped off all the boys except Jace at camp. Then we found our AirBnb for the week. Some good friends of ours, the Falde family, has a few Airbnb’s down in this area, so we try to stay there when we come to the area. Jen flew in from South Dakota on Monday evening, and we’ve been enjoying some time at the beach, checking out a few thrift stores and coffee shops, and soaking up the sunshine. I’m praying that God will do a mighty work in the lives of the boys at camp, and we are so thankful that this option of camp is available to them.
In the beginning of the month, Roger and I also went on a double date to go golfing with our friends, the Hardison’s. Tamela and I have never officially golfed on a golf course, so we had no idea what we were doing. Thankfully, Stephen and Roger had a lot of patience with us, and we made it through nine holes of golf. It was actually a lot of fun, and I’m glad we did it. I did enjoy golfing, and Emma has been practicing also, so I guess we will need to make golfing a family outing.
Earlier this month, we also took a short day trip to Conway, SC, to visit with Roger’s uncle and aunt. While it was a short trip, we were able to fellowship over lunch together, enjoy some time together, and I think both Roger and I left feeling encouraged and revitalized.
These past couple of days have been good days for Emma and I. It’s good to be able to spend some one-on-one time with her, and I am thankful for the opportunities. Time continues to go by faster and faster, and it’s overwhelming sometimes to keep up with everything. But I was recently reminded that we are all given the same number of hours in a day, and God expects us to work, but rest is actually a part of God’s plan too. Sometimes it’s easier to stay busy than to stop and pause. I’m thankful for these past few days to just stop and pause. Soak up some time and memories with Emma, and spend time with Jen and Tamela also. It’s been a good few days, but we are also ready to go home!
I’ve been reminded of this song the past few days. It’s a favorite of mine. I’m thankful that the Lord does hold me fast. I am His child, and He loves me.
