Staff fun and prep

Since we arrived in Hilton Head we have been spending time as a staff team to get to know each other and to plan and prepare for the students to come tomorrow! It's been fun getting to know the other staff and getting time with Gray & Brandy Gainor (our good friends who are living in Bluffton planting Crosspoint Bluffton Church). We've also enjoyed working with the staff team. We believe the Lord has great things in store for us and His glory this summer. Here are a few pictures of our week so far.

Carson & Bryn eating lunch on our balcony

This is the view from our balcony

The staff and the Gainor family went to a yummy mexican restaurant together

Liz & Brandy....she is one of my good friends from college....and we spent a year together in Slovakia. It's so fun to be connected again together through Crosspoint Church and get this time together while we are in Hilton Head.

Sarala (the Gainor's daughter who is 3 as well) & Carson

Baby Sam (the Gainor's third baby who was born in February) such a sweetie!

After dinner we all went to play some putt-putt....Ronnie was the champion!

Hilton Head or bust!

For a portion of the summer we will be living on Hilton Head Island leading the first Summer LINK with a group of college students and about 7 staff. The purpose behind this vision is to come alongside the church plant in Bluffton as they prepare to launch this new church. We want to help reach the community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The students participating in Summer LINK will have full time jobs during the week and then participate in activities in the evening including outreach, bible study, discipleship, and weekly meetings. Jeremy is our fearless leader and I'll assist him as I can. He will be shepherding the staff men and I'll be shepherding the staff women. We would appreciate your prayers this summer as we are here. Also pray for the remainder of my pregnancy, especially that this baby girl hangs in there until we get back home:)

Jeremy & Bryn on the beach

Carson enjoying the beach, trying not to get his shorts wet...yeah right:)

My sleepy baby girl on our way to Hilton Head

Bryn & Carson at the pool

More pics from the lake

In my parents new lake cottage each of us kids (my sister, brother, and I) were asked to furnish and decorate one room that would be for our family when we are there. I went a little crazy with my decorating because I wanted to do something that I would never do at home but something I liked. So here is our room at the lake so far....bright and cheerful huh!?

Going for a family jet ski ride

Jeremy & Bryn after a jet ski ride...hence Jeremy's wild hairdo

Bryn and Grammy

Jeremy, Carson & GG fishing on the dock

Carson blowing bubbles on the deck

Bryn riding the pony in the boy's (cowboy style) room after bath time

Carson pretending he is a builder in the bulldozer...what a dream for him!

It was a great week at the lake, thank you mom and dad!

Fun at the lake

GG (my Grandpa) and Bryn on the dock...they are quite bonded:)

Jeremy with his 18 lb. catfish....caught the first night of fishing after 10 minutes of his pole being in the water....what a way to start the fishing week! We will enjoy a fish fry on Friday!

GG reading a bedtime story to Owen, Carson & Ethan

3 little indians....notice how Carson's is on backwards...he tries to keep up with his cousins

Owen catching a fish....his new favorite activity

Carson thinking he is big stuff holding the fishing pole

Bryn's first jet ski ride:)

A tip to help kids stay awake in the car....

MILKSHAKES!!!!!!

On our way to the lake (from visiting our new nephew) we decided to have lunch and milkshakes in the car to keep the kids awake. It worked real good!

Meeting Baby Emet

We stopped to meet our new little nephew, Emet, on our way up to the lake. He is a sweetie! Here are some pictures from our visit with Jon (Jeremy's brother), Leigh, Ava, and Emet.

Jeremy holding baby Emet

Ava & Bryn and their matching outfits:)

Liz & Emet

Emet....looking very serious

cousins - Emet, Ava, Bryn & Carson

Adventures in Hiking

Last Sunday we decided to go on a little hike as a family to enjoy the outdoors. I don't think we knew what we were getting into when we started out. It was a hike we had never done before but the sign said it was only 45 minutes. Jeremy probably had the hardest work-out pushing Bryn in the stroller. Carson was having his own little adventure the whole time (what I would give for his energy!). Bryn was on a roller coaster the whole time...she's a tough cookie. And I was doing good just to keep up!

We are just starting out at this point

Carson had a blast...and he found a perfect hiking stick for me to use...and it was really helpful!

I think I would want out of there if I were her too:) Daddy was a crazy driver!

Hold on Bryn!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there! What a blessing it is to be called "mom." I am so thankful to my own mom in how she has loved me and served me for 30 years!!!! I have big shoes to fill. Thank you mom for just being you! I'm also thankful to my mother-in-law, Scarlet, for mothering my husband and helping to shape him into the man he is today.

This verse has come to my mind several times today already, maybe it will encourage you as well:

"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary."
Galatians 6:9

A fun lunch surpirse

This Friday for lunch I was surprised by this sweet group of ladies for a time of fellowship and celebration of our baby. It was so special to have that time with these precious women. I just love them. Thank you Cayce for doing this....you have out done yourself again! And it was such a treat to have my good friend, Susan, and her daughter, Bella, join us. I feel blessed beyond words! What a joy it is to share the joys of life with such wonderful friends.

Emet David Chasteen

We have a new nephew! Jeremy's brother, Jon, and his wife, Leigh, had their second baby last Sunday, May 4th. He weighed in at 8 pounds 2 ounces and was 21 inches long. We can't wait to meet him! We are so thankful for God's gift to them in this precious little boy!

Edisto

The kids and I finally made it to Edisto Island to meet up with Jeremy last Sunday for the college leadership retreat. We really enjoyed our time there. We are so thankful to Tara and her family for allowing our staff and students to stay in their beach home and for Mrs. Kneece taking such good care of us! I really enjoyed getting time with my family and also getting to know the students better, many of which will be with us in Hilton Head this summer. It was fun to hear them dream about the college ministry at Crosspoint and do some planning for the fall. The kids had a great time too. Carson loves the college students and all the attention he gets:) Here are a few pictures of our time on the beach.

Bryn enjoyed her beach experience

Carson loved playing the waves

Bryn and I at the beach

Jeremy showing Carson how to fly a kite

Baby Walker

Last Sunday, April 27th, one of my dearest friends, Sage, had her second baby boy, Walker. He is just precious! We were so happy to be able to stop in to visit them on Saturday to meet their new addition. What was originally supposed to be a quick lunch and visit (and then back on the road to meet Jeremy in Edisto) turned out to be an overnight stay. On my way to their house I hit something on the interstate that busted the gas tank underneath the van. So as we got ready to leave we looked and saw gas dripping pretty heavily from under the van. Sage's husband, Wes, helped us tremendously by patching up the cut so that we could drive on to Edisto the next morning. I am humbled and blessed beyond words at their hospitality and how they served my family during a crisis! We enjoyed our spontaneously extended visit with the Andrews family. We love you all so much!

Sage & baby Walker

Walker and I

Carson & Wyatt (new big brother!)

Carson holding baby Walker (he asked to hold him!)