Thanksgiving

I received a phone call from my Dad on Thanksgiving morning.  It did seem a bit odd as I was still in my pjs.  Usually Thanksgiving calls come after dinner.  As best he could, he let me know that my Grandma died earlier that morning.  It wasn't a shock as she was 94, but news like that is never easy to receive. I was in the front room of our home as I talked with my dad and when we got off the phone I sat down on her piano bench that is now in our home. At that moment,  I became overwhelmed with thankfulness…. thankfulness for her.  Tears flooded me as I sat amazed at my God who gave me such a gift.   She was my gift from heaven.  Things happen in this world that are so hard, and is so confusing – like death, disease.  We just don’t understand.  Yet if I am able to look close enough, in time I will see God’s hand loving me and providing for in the midst of that desperate time – maybe not at that moment…maybe not for years.  That was what Grandma was for me. 

As a little girl who lost her mommy, she stepped in the gap that was left and she loved me so well. When we moved to Georgia,  I was 7, but that didn't stop her... she pursued me by calling weekly.  My parents did a great job keeping us connected, too, making sure my sister and I went for a visit at least once ever year or two.  

I wish I could describe how she made me feel, but words fail me.  Of course, I couldn't verbalize this then, but as an adult, I have seen how God used her to love me when I needed to be loved.

For me, the fact that she past away on thanksgiving is really special.  I will forever remember on Thanksgiving how much of a special gift she was to me from God himself.  Sometime He shows us his love in human hands.  For me, it was her hands. 

Always Present - In Good Times and In Struggle

Well, fall has certainly arrived. It was 35 degrees this morning. This is by far one of my favorite seasons. The fall foliage is breath taking and the weather is perfect - highs in the mid 60s to 70s. I love North Carolina.

The time change is another welcomed change. I know most people don't enjoy the early nights, but I really like it. With the sun going down and the boys coming back inside from their play earlier, our evenings seem to run more smoothly. Dinner is on the table sooner and our evenings together seem longer - less distracted. Ahhh...another reason I love the fall.

Schooling has gone well so far this year. It definitely started with some bumps as I made changes to our curriculum - for me that is a big step. I don't like change, especially when I am comfortable. During the summer, I sensed the Lord prompting me to consider changing to Tapestry of Grace. I loved Sonlight, and the authors make it so easy for homeschooling moms. But the closer we got to starting the new school year, the more I leaned towards TOG. After much struggle (and fear), I dove in. TOG is a history based curriculum and although it took much getting use to, it has been great for our family. We are all learning the same things in history - from 1890 to the present. Right now we are deep in the Great Depression. I am amazed at how much I am learning as well as my children. I love learning history and I am learning just as much as they are (if not more!)

God has absolutely amazed me as I have watched Payton mature. He is really growing up - not just physically, but as a young man....in his attitude, in his character, in relationships with others. God has used our school and our family dynamics (being part of a big family, having siblings close in age, chores, our ministry with Campus Outreach, etc) in his life, but He has also used sports (believe it or not). Rupert and I looked long and hard for a tackle football league that would not overwhelm him in his first year. We found one that we felt very strongly about - except one BIG thing - it was in Wake Forest (40 miles away). After attending a few of the conditioning workshops and with lots of prayer, we decided the sacrifice it would take in getting him to the practices and games (3 times a week) would be worth what he would gain. What an amazing fall! Yes, he gained skills in the game of football, but more than that, what he gained in character was far worth the hour commute one way during rush hour to his practices. The coaches, who love the Lord and football, worked him hard and challenged him to the core. They demanded his best. At the beginning of the season, he wanted to quit - it was too hard. Rupert and I struggled with whether or not we should let him quit. Where was the line between loving him and hurting him? Should we make him finish what he committed to or is this too much for him? In the end, we made him push through. And in a few weeks time, he was a different player. He was loving it. Even the coaches noticed. I read a few months ago that in raising children, the number one priority for a parent is to develop character. Knowledge should always be second....because "no amount of knowledge can make up for deficiencies in character." As a homeschooling mom, I so easily forget this principle and get caught up with "what they are learning." I am so thankful that God loves our children deeper than we ever could and He is developing and teaching them more than we ever will. This is why I titled this blog "Always Present" because whether I see His hand or His work in our lives, He is there. I have good days and bad ones and during the bad ones, I sometimes look around and wonder where He is. But if the Bible is true, He IS there. And in times like this when I pull away, I can see Him so much clearer."

What is the best thing about staying in a hotel???

THE POOL!

On June 12th, we loaded up and headed to Orlando, Fl. to visit Campus Outreach Raleigh's summer project for 10 days. (The car ride itself is another story all in itself....whew). Although we go down each year to love and minister to our staff and students there, our kids think we go down to have FUN. As Rupert spends most of his time in meetings or speaking, the kids and I get to play. There is just nothing like having the pool right outside our door at our disposal whenever we want...and its free. My kids love swimming more than almost anything else!

On Friday, we got away from the project for some family time. We went to Aquatica, Sea World's water park. It was really fun and the kids have not stopped talking about it.

If you don't know, the Summer Orlando Project is a 9 week summer camp we offer the area students we have been working all year. Some of them became Christians this past year, while others are still investigating. They work full time jobs at Disney World or Sea World and then in their off time we offer a variety of meetings to help them grow in their relationship with Christ. For example, we have bible study training, life management training, and discipleship groups to name a few. Of course we leave a bit of time for group dates and down time (but not much :) ). This year, there are 168 students from the Raleigh region as well as the Charleston region. Our staff are doing an amazing job of leading the project and shepherding the students. I love for our kids to be around such young, hungry, and energetic students. As a wife and mom who stays at home schooling our kids, it is easy for me to loose the vision of what Rupert does day in and day out. I am separated from the lives that are changing. I don't see first hand how God is drawing UNC, NC State and Duke students to himself. I'm not involved in the inner lives of these students like I once was. Of course this is my choice to be with my kids, being involved in their lives, but i am removed nonetheless. So each year when we go down to the project, I get to see all that God is doing and I am reminded why we do what we do and I wouldn't want to do anything else!

Spring Happenings

Field Day

Our kids had a great time being with the other kids from our homeschooling group at field day.  We enjoyed a picnic lunch and then they competed in many events like the 50 yard dash, tug of war, sack race, and three legged race (shown here).  Afterwards, the kids got in the car and said field day was the best thing we did together all year.  I am so thankful for the great group of kids that is part of our 

CHEAGD group.  

Field Trips

We are so fortunate to have great museums all around the Raleigh/Durham area.  On this particular day, we went to

 Marbles Museum in the downtown area of Raleigh.  Here Blake and Jordan get a taste of hockey on their miniature hockey rink.

Our Musical Side

Just typing that makes me laugh.  If you know me or Rupert very well, you know that we would never describe ourselves as musical.  But we have been honored to receive my Grandma's piano a year and a half ago after she had to move out of her home.  We shipped it all the way from Campbell, Ca.  So we began piano.  One day I heard someone practicing piano (without prompting I might add - very rare!).  I looked in the school room and I found batman practicing his piano.  It was music to my ears.  They may not act like they love piano, but I think deep down they feel proud of their accomplishment. 

Celebrating With John and Shellie

We just returned from the Clemson, SC area where Rupert's parents live.  Part of the reason for our visit was to celebrate the grand opening of John and Shellie's Chick Fil A store in Gaffney, SC.  It was such an exciting time as we witnessed the finale of their hard work over the past 3 1/2  years.  We are so proud of them.  

This is Rupert at the Dedication Dinner the night before Chick Fil A's grand opening.  John asked Rupert to say a few words and then dedicate Chick Fil A of Gaffney to the Lord through prayer.  

 

A Birthday for Payton

Payton turned nine a few weeks ago. That is a very sobering thought for me. We have reached the half way mark. Wow...my little boy! Tears immediately come to my eyes as I think about the world that he will go out into. Will he be ready? Will we have trained him in such a way that he will be ready to enter into the life God has for him. Will we be ready to let him go? I know God is graciously leading all of us to that point in our children's lives. The moment they enter the world, we begin a process of getting them ready to leave. God loves Payton more than I ever could. He will lead him and protect him - that is what I will hold on to. God is trustworthy and I can release to Him the most valuable possessions I have - each member of my family.

For his birthday, Payton wanted to spend an afternoon with his friends so we piled into the van and headed to Monkey Joe's. God has been so good to give us buddies that we hang out with on a consistent basis.

For the past year and a half, Payton has mentioned on and off that he would like to experience getting a pie thrown in his face. It was one of those things that I would smile at not thinking he was serious. It would come up at different holidays. When his 8th birthday came around he mentioned it again. But again, I thought he was being silly. When this year's birthday edged closer and we began dreaming of things to do for his birthday, the pie in the face came up again. I couldn't believe it. This time we were going to make it happen:

Winter happenings....

Our January starts out with a birthday party each year. Blake turned 5 January 7th. I can't believe my youngest boy is 5!! It seems like just yesterday we were potty training. Blake was so proud to have all the attention on him that day. As the 3rd child, he usually has to fight for his place. His sweet smile in these pictures says it all.

Madison loves her best friend Avery. They play everyday together.

Jannuary was fun for all of us as we got to play in the snow. Two years ago when we told the kids we were moving from Charleston to North Carolina, they were so upset. The only reason they were ok about moving in the end was I told them it would snow. They had never seen snow so they were willing to move for that reason. Well, we got about 4 inches on this Tuesday. They had so much fun.

Now that February has begun, our days seem much warmer. This past week we went to the Museum of Life and Sciences here in Durham on a field trip. Not only did we enjoy our friends, we watched as the insects were fed and witnessed the release of the butterflies.

Sometimes life and all the demands of raising a family overwhelms me, but when I stop and look at the precious gift from God that our children are to us, I am humbled and so grateful. Lord, always keep these precious faces before me, reminding me that YOU are enough and YOU are full of love and grace for each one of us.