Friends

This Memorial Day weekend we met up with some of our best friends. You know the kind of friends I am talking about. The kind that feel like you haven't missed a beat even if you haven't talked in weeks. The kind of friends that you can just REALLY be you around. We were so blessed to meet the Schneider's and the Billberry's while we were serving on staff at Martin's Mill.


Luke and Kathryn served on staff as the youth minister and we had the awesome privilege of standing their wedding. Todd and Jan joined our church not long after we arrived and we friends almost instantly. These friends have held our hand during some of the most difficult times in our life. Jan and Kathryn were always willing to listen and just offer me a hug when we lost baby Konner. We will forever be thankful for our sweet friends. What a blessing!!



Here are some pictures of our day on the boat with friends!

Jan with her boys...Kaiden and Kyle

Todd and Kyle tubing

Me and Nathan on a Jet Ski....fun!!

Karter's first time on the boat

One tired baby!

Me and Kaden tubing

Three Best Friends

Kaiden S., Kaden L., and Kyle

Three REALLY strong little boys!!

How to trap a three year old!

If you have ever met our oldest son, Kaden, then you know that he is one NON-STOP ball of energy. Recently his non-stop energy has progressed into non-stop talking. This weekend I found myself saying "okay Kaden, let's practice being quiet for just 2 minutes". Don't worry it didn't work.

There are times, however, when I am so delighted by the things that he has to say. Just this last week as we were practicing John 3:16 he had us cracking up. I would say "For God", and he would continue on with the rest of the verse. When he came to the end I said "John" to which he replied..."Deere"...not exactly the answer I was looking for.:) Later that day I was quizzing him about some bible facts...who built the ark, who climbed in the tree to see Jesus, who was in the whale and so on. I finally asked if he knew what Jesus' mommy's name was. He said "no", so I told him that her name was Mary. Without even batting an eye he said " oh yeah, Mary hadded a little lamb"! I love his precious little heart and feel so blessed to be his mom!

This weekend Kaden's energy got the best of him when he decided to climb into the basketball net! He trapped himself!

Our sweet Karter after his first dunk in the backyard kiddie pool today!

Life

In hearing the news last week about my stepmoms cancer returning there is a question I have been pondering all week. What is life? I mean what are we really pursuing that makes everything so rushed all the time? Is it really that important? Life for so many people are the things we come home to. Our vehicles, boats, furniture, t.v's, computers and all the other toys we have. I mean we passionately pursue all the things that can be bought with money. There is also the pursuit of acceptance. We want to be accepted at work, church, and among friends. We also pursue acknowledgement. We all in our own ways want to be patted on the back every once in a while. Therefore we work endlessly for others approval. We pursue success. No one wants to be a failure. This so many times drives us to a sacrifice everything to be successful mindset. All these pursuits and not one brings true happiness.

So whats life all about?

Life to me is not what you come home to, but who you come home to. I will be the first to tell you that my wife and I don't always see eye to eye. (Aren't you surprised) However despite my shortcomings, I know she loves me and despite her hiccups, I love her more than anybody on this earth. My two boys are without a doubt the engine that drives our vehicle. They are a joy that only God can provide. Life is something to be lived not done. It is to be enjoyed, not endured. I told my wife a couple of weeks ago that I was ready to have fun again. What fun you ask? The kind that says it's ok to have a water fight in the kitchen. One that says its alright to stay up late to play a game of monopoly. The kind that says if we ruin a good pair of clothes playing in the mud, no big deal. The kind of fun that says stopping at the playground is much more important than rushing home to check email or watch t.v. A kind that says a trip to Mc Donalds or the ice cream shop is more valuable than a million books or phone calls that have to be made. A kind of fun that says we can get in the car and drive for hours only to end up where we started. A fun that makes you laugh until you cry. A fun that makes time pass by and hard times seem bearable. That is what life is to me. A wife saying I love you and am proud of you. A son saying your my best friend. A baby staring at you until he laughs. The smell of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches out on the boat with your family. The sound of jungle book blaring in your car. The sound of your spouses alarm clock waking you up, just to remember you get to sleep next to your life long partner. This my friends is what I believe Jesus meant when He said "I have come to give you life abundantly" I don't know about you, but I choose life. I have come to the realization lately that when my job is over and done, when I am a retired pastor, all the churches I will serve will have replaced me. I will have become a distant memory in their life. I can promise one thing my wife will be the one on the porch in a rocking chair next to me. My kids will be the ones calling daily to check on dad. Again if I never gain all that I pursue, I will already have more than I could ever ask for.

Until Next Time,

Nathan

Just Me...

This Sunday I came face to face with a major problem in my life. I have become consumed with who "I should be". I often wonder how can I be "super mom". or the wife that has the house clean, dinner on the table, fresh makeup, and passion waiting for my husband to walk through the door in the evenings. How can I be the teacher that is fun, yet inspiring, all while preparing each of my students to pass the beloved TAKS test. Or better yet, how can be the pastor's wife, quiet and yet well spoken, leader of women's ministry, children's helper, choir singer, and just all around supportive to my husband's calling. But most of all I spend a lot of time thinking about how I can be what I think a Godly women should be...early riser for quiet times, bible study queen, prayer warrior, and the list goes on!

Sunday I realized that I have spent so much time thinking and even praying about who "I think" I should be that I haven't stopped to just praise Him, to seek Him, to know Him and just to love Him.

This is a heavy burden...always thinking about who I should be and how I am not measuring up. I am ready for freedom! I am ready to... just be me.

You would think after carrying this burden for so long that I would gladly be willing to give it up. However, I am finding it challenging. It has been a part of me for so long that I almost don't know what to think about or pray about without it.

So I am asking for your prayers in this endeavor as I to learn how to seek His kingdom first...and not just because I think it is what I should do, but because it is what I want to do.



On a much lighter note...I am pleased to announce Karter's latest milestone! Karter is now 6 1/2 months old and he is sitting up! I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. Kaden will be 4 in 3 weeks! Here are a few of their latest pictures.

My big boy!

Can't wait for the real thing!!

T- Ball Time!

Nonnie, Pawpaw, and Karter enjoying T-ball

Kaden will thank me for this later!

Nice Outfit!