SOTO '09

This past week we went to family camp at the Shepherd of the Ozarks (SOTO). We had a blast! Time to slow down...relax...and worship our sweet King through song...His word...sweet friends and His beautiful creation that surrounded us!

In the midst of always being on the go there was also time to sit and reflect. One night Trevor Joy encouraged us to share our stories with one another in small group settings. I always get nervous at the thought of sharing my testimony...sweaty, heart pounding anxiety...type of nervous. That night I felt the Lord begin to chisel away at the nervousness....what was behind it? I was reminded of a quote from "Hearts and Minds" by Kenneth Boa and John Alan Turner: "When we are insecure in our identity as children of God, we waste time and energy trying to manage other people's impressions of us." Yuck! I think part of the reason why I have always been uncomfortable with my story was because it indeed was just that, my story! I wanted a different one. So, I wrote down my full story and slowly have begun to embrace it. It revealed a story of being lost and bullied and years of seeking approval from everyone and everything that was around me....everything except the Lord. BUT GOD.... I was amazed at that part of the story...it was nothing that I was seeking at the time and although I've read that a million times and even encouraged others that it is nothing you can "will for yourself," I have never really applied that to my life. So as my story was unfolding before my eyes it was as if I was seeing it for the first time. Praise God that He works all things together for His good...marriage, motherhood, miscarriages, friendships and family camp!

He is so very good.

Here are some of the highlights from our week:

1. Asking Landen if he was having fun at camp and his response..."Almost!" (That was his new word for the week)

2. Canoe trip...such a sweet reminder that His streams of mercy never cease!

3. Mafia!

4. Holding hands with my husband

5. Milkshake the pony, Casper and his carriage & the firetruck rides

6. Ice cream soda shop/pharmacy....is the heirloom pimento cheese supposed to be warm and runny? Yummy Milkshakes....not the pony!

7. Landen chasing Lily and asking "Lily wake up?" most mornings

8. Sweet songs to our King...and the reminder that God is reconciling all things to Himself...and somehow my little life plays a part in His big story!

9. Fireworks...root beer floats....face paint.....and walking back to our cabin in the dark because Landen was terrified of the fireworks

10. Playing in the creek...skipping rocks (almost taking off Isaac's head with my subpar aim)....watching Isaac & Landen go down the lazy river in a tube!

Oh...and being encouraged by the SOTO staff to check our spouses for ticks....funny & awkward at the same time!!

Isaac & Landen at our cabin

Lily & Landen waiting patiently to hold the kitty

Casper and the carriage

Landen in the music store

Pillow fight with Mr. Trevor

Landen and Milkshake

The canoe trip!

The Buffalo River....we did it!!

Cheese!

Our Beginnings...

Well...the title is a little misleading, I suppose. Our beginnings actually began our junior year in highschool. Yes, that's right...I followed my parents' footsteps and married my highschool sweetheart! However....our beginning as husband & wife began in May 2005.

In our short four years of marriage....I have learned so much about myself. It has been quite the refining process and I cannot imagine where I would be without the sweet grace of Jesus! Who knew marriage could reveal so much about a person? A challenging, but beautiful process....sanctification.

Here are a few pictures from our wedding day....

Isaac...I love you and am grateful for this journey I get to share with you! Thanks for loving me...despite me!! :)

Mini Rockstar

Sorry for the delay...life has been a bit busy and the blog took the backseat. However, here I am...for today anyways! :)

Many of you are aware that Isaac & I recently sufferred a miscarriage. We are so very blessed to have each of you in our lives that have prayed and served us well over the past few weeks. Thank you for your friendship and for loving us, even in the pit. The process of grief has been difficult to endure, but I have hope. Hope that the Lord will comfort and heal and this is all for our good and His glory, even though it stings. Here are some lyrics to a beautiful song by Christy Nockels, titled "Glory Baby."

Sweet little baby, it's hard to understand it

'Cause we're hurting, we are hurting

But there is healing, and we know we're stronger people

Through the growing, and in knowing

All things work together for our good

And God works His purposes

Just like He said He would

I can't imagine heaven's lullabies

And what they must sound like

But I will rest in knowing

Heaven is your home

And it's all you'll ever know

So sweet.

And here's my mini rockstar!! I will forewarn you...the lighting is terrible, but I promise it is my son!! After I realized my flash was off, I attempted to get him to do it again, apparently he doesn't perform on command.

Looking on with admiration at Bono...Aunt Andi will be so proud!

Practicing....