Some of What We've Been Up To...

 

Grace and Luka went with their youth group on a serve project to the bayou of Louisiana.
They were there to help with Hurricane Ida clean up.  Grace and Luka loved being in a new place, new culture, meeting new people, seeing new things...experiencing new things.  They worked hard and the community there was appreciative.  Some people bought them treats, a small shop let them buy anything half off, and a swap tour gave the group a free air boat tour.  They saw alligators almost everyday!  Thankfully, they all stayed safe and Luka didn't do anything he'd regret :).  Best of all the youth group grew very close.  They are almost inseparable now.  The unity that comes from serving together, seeking the Lord together and having fun together.  What a gift for our kids to be a part of that here.  Grace says she finally found somewhere in Michigan she fits in and belongs.   

We also traveled for spring break - minus 2 kids.
We went down to spend a few days with our FIC friends Howard and Aileen in South Carolina.
We stopped in W. Virginia on the way and enjoyed God's beautiful creation.

Howard and Aileen's Southern hospitality!

We also had the privilege of getting to know H&A's daughters and grandkids.
They grew up in Kenya so we naturally connect :)

Angel Oak!!!

A few days on Folly Beach!

We took a boat ride to Morris Lighthouse

Our personally tour guides in Charleston (Howard grew up near by).

Vacations are fun and tiring!

On our way home Lydia was able to spend a day with Abbie (fellow TCK) at Bob Jones!

Celebrating Josh's Birthday!

Egypt Day at School

Luka is on the praise team at school and learning the bass guitar.

Grace's Prom - Gorgeous!

Grace and her friends has supper at our house before prom,
so I got to make our house fancy for them!

50's Diner - a Youth Group fund raiser

So fun!  What a cute bunch!

Life walk as a family

Our dear neighbor Mary took our family bowling and for supper.
Ever since Makai asked every day if we can go "bowlin".
We are so thankful for Mary!

The girls and I were in a fashion show for a local second hand store.

Actually, Makai was in it too.

He LOVED it!

My mom turned 70! 
So we had a surprised party to celebrate with her.

Luka did track this Spring.  He got 1st place in shot put, 2nd in the 200 and 400!

Lydia, Grace and I went to a banquet together

Our Spring was cold so we moved right to summer the middle of May.

Too cute!

Easter Dances

I had the honor to dance with my girls on Good Friday.  Lydia is the gifted choreographer of the dance to King of Kings by Hillsong.  All for His glory!

Emalai had the opportunity to worship the Risen Lord in a stick dance on Easter.  She is such a natural up there praising God!  So thankful we can worship God with the gift of dance. (Emalai's dance is at about the 40min. mark in the service.)

Message on Suffering

I want to share this message on suffering from Pastor Gomes whose month old son died two weeks ago.  Each one of us suffers in different ways, but God can use it in similar ways.  I was encouraged by this message because God spoke to me the same way He spoke to Pastor Gomes.  I feel affirmed because I heard God in our suffering and have grown to know God more intimiately.    

If God is Good and Just, Why do we Suffer?

1) I don't know.  God doesn't owe us an answer.  He wants us to trust Him.  I don't know but I know God.  We don't have all the answers but we don't need all the answers, we have a good God.  He is enough.

2) Suffering is one of the best ways to mature our faith.  Job 42:5 I have heard of You, but now I have seen You.  I know and experience God through hard times.  From information about God, to intimate relationship with God.  If I avoid suffering, I will miss the transformation.

3)  Hope.  God will make all things right.  Suffering will end.  God is renewing, restoring, and rewarding all things.  Jesus took all our suffering upon Him.  He is a personal Savior, God with us.  We don't understand because we only have a little piece of the puzzle but God has the whole puzzle figured out and put together.  He is not out of control, He is fixing the world one person at a time.

I think I would add one more, we have an enemy who hates us and wants to kill, steal and destroy.  The result of sin is suffering.  It is not God's will was never that there was sin, suffering, sickness, pain and death.  It is because the enemy lies and the fall.  That is why God came to save us from sin!  And that is why He is coming again for the final victory!  Thank you God.

https://vimeo.com/groups/201612/videos/697990092

Makai 2nd Birthday, Trip to the Ozarks, Wrestling and a little Winter too

 

Makai turned 2 on February 16!
He is so full of life, expressive, funny, busy, fast, a character and cute.  He loves to play sports, sing, read books, get into things and play with his siblings. He loves people, he prays and talks a lot.  We love him so much!  He really is a miracle and precious gift from God!  Thank you God for choosing us to be his family and Makai to be our son!

Makai looked at his birthday cake all day waiting to celebrate.
Since two of his siblings had just had their birthdays, he's been singing happy birthday every day and has us light a candle so he can blow it out.  He was ready for his birthday!

Still enjoying the beauty and fun of winter in Michigan

Sledding country style at Uncle Marks

Luka looked forward to wrestling all year!  He loves it and had great improvement this year.  I think he only lost one match and even won against a guy no one thought he had a chance of beating.  We are proud of him.  He works hard and has a good attitude.

For the kid's winter break from school, we headed to the Ozarks.
Lydia and Grace wanted to check out College of the Ozarks in Branson, Missouri.  We stopped at the arch in St. Louis on the way down.

Mississippi River

In Branson

We had a great time exploring an area new to us. 
The Ozark Mountains are beautiful, the weather was prefect, and our family had fun.

After church Sunday we headed for the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas.
It was beautiful and our favorite day for sure!  God's creation and creativity are awesome!

We had a great day at College of the Ozarks.  It is a great college.  You work at the college to pay for your tuition.  They have a farm, fire dept., hotel and restaurant, mill, school...so you can work in an area of interest. The girls have nothing bad to say about the college but don't necessarily know yet whether it is the place for them either.  Thankfully God knows the place and time for them! 

Took a break on the way home at Abraham Lincoln's tomb. 
History class for the day!

Thankful for my wonderful family!!!

Sanctity of Life Testimony

 I want to share our Sunday morning service with you.  It was very meaningful because of a beautiful testimony a friend from Life International made.  A testimony of God's redeeming love!  She courageously and graciously gave her post abordive testimony because God is glorified through it.  Josh also gave a powerful prayer and message on forgiveness.  I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit's work through His servants.  I know I was totally moved and blessed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2r8G9pBBaA&t=681s