July 3rd and 4th

We got to go out to Duck to spend the 3rd (saturday) with the Pattersons and Co.  It was such a fantastic day!  Luke learned to use a boogie board and everything!

On the 4th we tailgated with our seminary friends and watched the NC State Fairgrounds fireworks from nearby.  The Thurman's brought cornhole for us to play while we waited for it to get dark.  Thankfully niether Krista nor Amber went into labor that night!  (Krista just had her son this past week...10 lbs, 10 oz!)

We had such a great time!

TEXAS

We got to go to Texas for the first week of June because Luke was asked to speak at Frontier Camp's homeschool teen week.  

We got to spend about a day and a half in Nacogdoches with my parents...which was so nice.  I really enjoyed getting a chance to spend time with them, however short it was.

While at camp we wakeboarded...I'm still working on my camera skills, and Luke's working on his flipping skills.

I'm not so good...so there.

We also helped out around camp (this way Holly)

Saw old friends...the Super special Camp crowd of too many ppl to list...and...

Sandi, Denise, the Sanders, Mom, and Christopher all made special trips out to camp to see us.

and made some new ones (DARRELL!)

Talked to Jesus...

and got baptised by my hubby!

We played and snuggled with the sweetest of all Hendersons

And forgot to take pictures when the beautiful Green ladies came to see us in the airport. :(  Although our hour and a half went quickly, we LOVED getting to see/spend time with Jenny and the girls.

Also Rebekah and Chris came to see us in DFW.

Over all, it was an incredible trip.  Much needed.  Our God is so good and gracious to have allowed us to come home, in addition to providing a way to get us there.  PRAISE HIM!!

P.S.

We think that the teenagers that Luke was speaking to actually enjoyed hearing his apologetics topics.  They seemed to comprehend and enjoy his messages.  It was very encouraging to see.  I'm so proud of him!!

May 30 is the best day ever!! (always)

Luke took us to "The Grove" a Bed and Breakfast in Marion, SC

(side view...our windows are the 2nd floor right corner)

Our room was amazing...yes that's a window seat on the right edge of the pic

see?

ginormous jacusi tub

the rear garden

Pretty barn

The front of the house

I spoke to Denise while we were at Myrtle Beach

(he's jealous)

The water was so clear!

1st kiss of our 2nd year...

Yea for homemade icecream topped w/ Heath bar crumbles on the porch!!

Happy Anniversary Baby!!!!

Blessings Galore

Can I just say WOW!? The Lord has blessed us tremendously!  We are surrounded by so many Godly friends there is no possible way it was an accident.  Each time we get to spend more time with them I am amazed at the goodness and love of our God.  
We have been able to help out some of our friends a few times over the last few weeks by taking them dinner and giving them extra "hands" for the night.  They have been such an encouragement to us with their sweet spirits and intense love for the Lord.  Basicly their situation is this: they have a 2 or 3 yr old and a 5 yr old. Within a few weeks of their 3rd child's birth they took on 2 other children (a tough set of their family events) So now they're a family of 7.  5 kids, 4 in diapers...yet they are the ones encouraging us when we spend time together.  I know this is not very discriptive, but to be safe, legaly, I kinda have to be.  The point is, we have come to love them dearly in our short time here, and they have been huge blessings by allowing us to help them out. 
Also, Luke is super cute when he's playing with the girls and holding the boys!

wowey wow

Denise's birthday was last week.  I was left out of all the festivities, but I got to talk to her for a bit the other day which was great!
I have skipped so many things first this picture of my birthday present from Liz and Matt

Liz make them...and they're beautiful!!

this was Luke's birthday icecream cake!

This one's for Sandi...Luke made "Sandi's Beef-a-licious Brisket" it was so fantastic that we had to take a picture for her. ;)

We were so excited to find this that we drove way into Raleigh for lunch...also, look at the pretty clouds!

also, spring is soooooooooooo pretty...this is on the way home from work

and this is my housing, LOVE it!

We had a pic-nicwith a bunch of our friends and evie is the cutest thing around, so i had to put this pic up. 

Also, since we aren't creative and we can get stuck in a dating "rut" we stole the Irwin's A-Z idea, our A date was Alice in Wonderland + Applebees.  And it turns out that "Avril" had a great song at the end of it.

Coming soon....."B"each day!!

News Bulletin

THIS JUST IN:

Luke's favorite veggie (of the 4 that he eats) has now changed from broccoli to Denise's asparagus!!!
(Thought you would like this D.)

reflections

I typed this up at work last Thursday...sorry it took so long to get it up here.

I have discovered through a bad day at work that I am a control freak. I am the person in the office who accidentally causes conflict. While venting to Luke (and the bunch's) at supper last night I was lovingly guided to the realization that I think I'm better than everyone else. Ouch….not fun to realize that. When I think something should be common sense I feel the need to let everyone else know, even when it doesn't matter one way or the other.

In this instance my newly trained team was being told (by a non-authority) not to work till our report updated (9:30-10am) even though we have a list from the previous day to work from for that 1.5 - 2 hour time period. So I felt the "need" to clarify (through our trainer) that we didn't have to waste that time. Why? The volume of my work didn't change if they worked or sat. (P.S. I love that it's broken down that way) I have jokingly passed my sin off as "OCD" or as other ppl's fault for years. Thank you Lord for my Godly sweet husband and friends, that you lead me to repentance through them. Please keep this fresh in my mind, so I can trust you and not rely on myself.
On another note:
Two of my dearest friends had birthdays this past week (the 14th and 15th), and I was too far away to have birthday dinner with them. :( this is the first time since 2006 that I missed rebekah's, and though anna has been away for awhile, I still missed her tons due to the reminder. Homesickness isn't fun. I don't feel out of place here anymore, but it's still not home.