Moving On

Her joy is contagious!!!

Briley and her friend!

Even Batman reads the BIBLE!!

Jackson as a Vet-

Well, as usual it has been full of fun and chaos around here! I am actually off today (by myself, for myself) and thought I would drop in on my own blog and give some updates! Life is full of bumps, hills, and curves-

We will start with today and work back :-) Today I took off to go to court with one of my good friends. Who actually did not become one of my good friends until about 10 months ago. We were church members and coworkers - but not good friends. We have kids the same age, we have a lot of the same interests but our lives were moving in different directions. She made a mistake, God immediately humbled my heart and we became friends- not acquaintances but really good friends- As much as I was able to watch God work a mighty healing in her life, I was able to see God work just as big of healing in mine. It's amazing how we lose empathy, become hardened, and beleive that no-one can be as good as us- God has such a way of humbling that. Not that I have been in that place in a long time, but when you are not there it is amazing to look out and see who is there- Today ended part of her journey and started a new one- one that will last just a little over a year. And like I said almost a year ago- If I never go back to Ocala it will not be soon enough, - and I have been several times in fact- and now, it seems as if I will be making even more trips there. That is such a painful place for me- one of lost hope and bad memories- but God is continuing to send me there. I don't get it! It may be one of total surrender- He tells me where to go- I don't make those decisions- but oh how I wanted a break on that one. But today, I learned it isn't so- I will be making that drive- I will be making that drive to minister and support a friend. And that makes me think- I am so thankful for each of my friends- even the ones I don't speak to as often as I would like. I am thankful for the Cross- that all that is bad is removed, healed, and restored. It was so present this morning- in what could have been a breaking news story- there was no media present,- in what could have been a circus, was just a somber parting- not forever- just a few short months. God's grace was ever so present.

Trust comes in all kinds of packages- It's amazing when you just blindly trust the benefits of that- That He is there to carry all that baggage, and allows you to focus on you! I am so thankful for that.

We are just about in the middle of football season! I have actually started practices for basketball cheer leading and I am most excited at that. While the majority of Jap's offers come from football I am trusting that we will see quite a bit of basketball interest when his season starts in November. I am amazed at how far my squad of girls have come. I am excited about our summer and next year too! It's great when you can look and see past tomorrow.

Macey and Briley are crazy busy with dance. They dance every weekend this month. It amazes me when I watch them what grace and beauty they show. Macey has the best legs! It always makes me sigh when I look at her extend! She is so much taller than me :-)

Briley is having a good time too! She is the most flexible kid I know!! She is loving 4th grade! It is hard to believe she only has one more year with me!

Jackson is having a great year in Pre-K 4!! I can't wait to bring him to school with me next year. He is so funny- his personality is like a smash of the 3 older kids- and he has the best belly laugh ever!! He is so personable and friendly! He loves his dogs, and playing outside! He is excited about our upcoming vacation and can't wait to go to Sea World and Disney. It's funny what he sort of remembers from our last time there.

Fall officially started last Friday, only someone has not informed Mother Nature! It is still in the high 90's around here! We are getting lots of rain, which is nice, but oh how I would love some days in the low 80's! I am ready for the holidays though! I am ready for some cool weather and some college basketball :-)

Derek and I are busy all the time! It's quite fun, and we are thankful for the experiences we are given!

They are blessed who work for peace, for they will be called God's children.

Matthew 5:9