Amazing Grace

Bryn has the ability to evoke just about every emotion out of me on a daily basis. She can be so tender and affectionate and say the sweetest things one moment. And then she can also be defiant and sassy and rude the next. God has already used her in big ways to humble me and cause me to see my need for Him in a new way. I am weak and it is so tempting to ride every wave of emotion with her. It is pretty normal for me to feel tears of anger and tears of love for her throughout the day. Life is not dull around Bryn. She is a passionate little girl with a lot of personality and God is using her in my life to see the beauty of the Gospel and my desperate need for it!

For awhile now, when we tuck Bryn into bed she requests we sing "Amazing Grace." It has become her favorite bedtime song. I confess there have been nights that I've put her to bed exasperated and even sang the song with much frustration. But most nights this time of singing causes me to STOP and think on the gospel and how amazing His grace really is, that He saved a wretch like me! I once was lost and now I'm found, was blind but now I see! I think it is from God that He would give me Bryn and all the challenges and emotions she can bring in a day for me and then at the end of each day He would have us sing about his Amazing Grace. What a gift!

Work Weekend

Since we returned home we've been pretty motivated to get jobs done around the house. Last weekend the big project was cleaning the carpets. This weekend we tackled the garage. We pulled everything out, cleaned, purged and reorganized. About a year ago we bought 3 blinds to go on the 3 windows in the garage and somehow we just hung one set and the other 2 have been sitting in the boxes waiting to be hung. So we got those hung as well. Ahhh, how I love closure and projects complete! Jeremy was a machine getting these projects done. I'm thankful for him! Carson is Jeremy's shadow and right-hand man:)

Project complete!

Happy 4th of July

We arrived home safely on Saturday, July 3rd and it is so nice to be home!!!! We also enjoyed being back at Crosspoint and seeing our church family. It's hard to be away from our church for 6 weeks. We are eager to reconnect with everyone we missed.

We are so thankful to Ken and Durema Berry for inviting us to spend the 4th of July with them and their kids. We went up to a community called The Reserve and went swimming and then had a picnic dinner on the lawn and watched a great fireworks show after dark. It was a great way to spend the Fourth and we are thankful for that time with the Berry family.

Ken & Jeremy at the pool

picnic dinner on the lawn

the view was amazing from the lawn

we got some sparklers for the kids to do, Lydia was so funny...she was pretty intrigued!

the girls had a great time playing together

Lydia and I watching the fireworks

Carson watching the fireworks

the girls watching the fireworks

Last week in MB

We had a great 6 weeks in Myrtle Beach on Summer LINK. One of my highlights during the summer is getting time with the other staff girls. Each week we have a staff women's' lunch and I also get time with each of them one on one. I really enjoyed getting to know them better and am so thankful that all 3 of these girls will be in Clemson this Fall!

Krystal, me, Savannah & Tara at our last staff women's lunch.

We tried to soak up the sun, beach and pool our last week there. I'm thankful for the time our kids get around the water these 6 weeks. They all came a long way from their first dip in the pool.

We went on a family date to Sonic and then walked the strip and boardwalk....just to say we did it;) I have to say, it was quite an adjustment going from Hilton Head Island (the last 2 summers) to Myrtle Beach.

Last Thursday night was the mid-summer banquet where the staff are recognized and honored and we share a meal and have a dance at the end. It was a fun night!

I'm so proud of Jeremy as I watch him lead Summer LINK. It's always a joy doing Summer LINK as a family because I get to see him "at work" more and watch how God uses him. I'm so proud of him! I love sitting under his leadership and seeing what happens because he is a man of faith and vision. Jeremy had the vision of Summer LINK a few years ago and it's amazing to see the impact it has had to so many people as it has come to fruition the last 3 years.

The staff girls

Our staff team

Family Beach Pics

Womens Night on the Beach

Last Thursday night we met for our women's time and then headed to the beach for some fun games. I let Bryn & Lydia join us since Jeremy and Carson were with the men. I had fun being the photographer and laughing!

Chubby Bunny

Clarke & Grammy Visit

This past Friday my mom and sister and her 3 kids came down for a 3 night visit. I'm so thankful they made the long trip from Virginia to come see us. We loved having them and we savor the times we get together. Here is Carson eagerly watching for them to pull up....

Ainsley & Bryn slept in the same bed and did pretty good! Here is a before and after picture...

The sleeping arrangements were like a big puzzle. We put all 3 boys to sleep in different beds and then moved them around before the adults went to sleep. Jeremy is carrying Ethan (asleep) to the couch.