Tuesday night

Hey Babe!

Amazing to hear from you! So grateful to the Lord for the technology to know you are great. I can hear your excitement and so grateful you are in the Lord's will.

We have had great day. Bible study was a great wrap up of our study. Trusting in the Hope of our Lord. Of course, Christ is our Hope. We we have that anchor for our souls, our minds and hearts are filled with peace. It has sure been true of me while you have been gone.

H and I snuggled and watched a movie during nap time after i picked some more squash and made another casserole. If I am a bit yellow when you come home, its not my liver, its my wonderful squash!! After school, Tara kept the kids for an hour while Ronda and I went and swam in the pond. We swam the to one end, turned swam to the other end, swam to the dock, got out, ran up the hill, ran back down and jumped back in, and did it again. We did it 3 times and it took us about 45 minutes. Beautiful day in the pond, we swam with one duck and again saw no other animals- wa-hoo! I got back to Tara's and she wanted to go to the store to get a few more things for dinner, I didn't let her, I brought over some squash, potatoes, peas, and fruit and we had a feast-- half of her meal and half of mine. Mike ate like you- his second plate was as big as his first! We came home and put our sweeties to bed. I'm about ready too! but I will stay awake a while and pray for you...

I love you,

Hurry home to us when your work is done,

k

Tuesday morning

Hey Honey!

So great to hear from you. So grateful you had a great day. We are hoping today will be amazing. Really hoping for miraculous results in these people's lives and that they would stand for Jesus in such a dark place. I was praying for you yesterday in the Psalms to look to the Lord for your strength. He is the Rock who holds strong.

We had a good night last night. H played a good ball game. Got some great hits. He ran right out to the pitcher's spot every time and was so anxious to get the ball. He was playing Jacks team, so I sat with Susanne and Pam, L enjoyed sitting with Thomas. Christy took Ek to hear last Monday dance class of the year. It looks like next year her classes will be earlier in the day on Monday- that will be better. H was missing you last night, but I tried to love him well. We keep praying for you! I got them to bed as early as I could- they were tired. Tara came over to see the pictures I had received from McGinnis and I talked to Christy for a while about how we are praying for you.

I am really looking forward to Bible study today. It is our last one before summer. I tell you it has definately made an impact on me. You know it is all about recognizing lies that we tell ourselves and replacing it with truth. What a valuable thing to spend time in. I have realizied how often I tell myself I am overwhelmed and forget that God has chosen me to bear fruit, that he has a plan for my life and his main heart for me is to love. I also this last week have had to combat anxiety with the reminder that God loves me and is working good in my life. It is amazing how God's work can transform our minds, hearts and lives. So grateful for my Tuesday group-- I sure am going to miss them this summer.

Love you! Can't wait to hear about the transformed lives there. Praying for your day!

Love you, k

Monday afternoon

Hey babe!

Thinking of you so much!! So grateful you are serving God with your life and your talents and your time. He is worthy. Think of all he has done. We have such hope!!! I think our greatest gift is love. I do love you. So grateful for His love. Trusting in it!!

We had a great morning. Got Ek and H off. L to your parents and went to the swim party. The kids had a blast and were so good. Robbie, Jaden's mom, Surrelle and I got in to swim with them a bit. Jaden's mom and I were saying how much Paul- Jaden's dad and you would have so much fun swimming with them too. But not sad, just happy to know you love us and peaceful to know you are where you need to be. They had a great lunch of pizza, Chick nuggets, fruit, chips and tons of desserts. Ben Butler said he wanted to swim there all summer- the food was great!! Tina and I laughed and laughed. Ek is swimming great, getting her confidence all the time, she is really working on blowing her bubbles underwater, she's going to be a great swimmer! L was asleep when I got home and H was watching your dad in the garden. H is supposed to have ball tonight but I think it is suppposed to rain- we've had bad luck in the rain dept. with ball!!

Well I'm off to spend a bit of time in the word while its quiet.

Oh our wet suits came!! Really good black box with a man in his suit coming out of the water- looks very serious. Mine is super tight- maybe too tight, we'll see. Fun though!! Oh and some pics from McGinnis came- they are amazing! We are so blessed!!

Love you! Keep doing what your doing! Praying!

I put your update this morning on FB, Shann, Channon Collier, Christy Kendrick, Megan Shirley, Beth White, Lee Garner and Heather Evans all commented. You have a lot of faithful praying for you!

Love you!

k

Monday morning

Morning Honey!!

Soo soooo sooooo great to hear from you. We are trusting God's hand and care of all of us. His hand of protection, and provision and, and love is so great. He can be trusted. I am reminding my soul to be still in his love. We had a great night of rest. The kids quieted down very quickly. I had a hard time falling asleep without you here but am so grateful you are being obedient to follow God's will. We will know more of him through this. I got up this morning and rode the trainer hard for about 30 minutes. L greeted me while I was in the shower and Ek was protesting her awakening under our covers. H got up soon after. We got dressed quickly and I got them a biscuit at McD's and ran by Kroger to get H a camera to take to school for his day. Be sure not to forget to take pics with your camera!!! They were happy about their day. I am taking L to meet your parents in a minute and off to Ek's swim party. Full day!!

Tara just called to check on me. Dana and Ronda checked on me yesterday. Inkie made sure to tell me to call if we needed them. Mindy and I texted a few times last night too, she was at the luau, she seemed peaceful.

Love you babe! Trusting God for all of us!

hugs and kisses, miss you, k

Sunday night

Hey Babe!

Kids "in bed" (as I type I hear "mommy- L is in my room. mama- L is in my bed." sigh.

When L was up, we put our suits and sunscreen on and jetted to the pool. Quite the crowd there, actually. Abby was the lifeguard- horray for that. Will and Laine were there with a sitter. Susanne and Melanie got there about 30 minutes later, they guys were still playing golf. Several others came and went that we enjoyed talking to. So, I am signing in and look up to see Ek and H already in the pool. Didn't quite take them any time at all to get back to it. They were both swimming under the water and jumping in within minutes. Within 20 minutes, Ek jumped off the diving board, got to the surface with her face in and swam to the ladder taking several breaths along the way. Wowie-wow-wow. I really don't think they regressed at all since last summer- this summer at the pool is going to be a blast!!! They were oozing smiles and happiness. Ek didn't even complain to not have any of her friends there and I don't think a smile left H's face. L wasn't quite so quick, she kept very close to me but was playing on the steps without touching me by the time we left. She wore a jacket the whole time and didn't mind it a bit. I don't mind her fear, she'll warm up. John, how did I swim when Ek was 3 and H was 1????? I guess I didn't swim much that summer. Oh, Ek did take swimming lessons in Fl before we left but still- I don't remember swimming much. That was probably a good thing. We got some ice cream from Miss Cathy, she was so happy! We stayed about 2 hours then headed home for baths and dinner. They are quite worn out, if L would stay out of their rooms, they would probably go to sleep!

I am quite peaceful. Trusting God loves us and has great plans for us. The kids and I were thinking maybe Huddle House Thursday morning for breakfast when you get home? We're going to celebrate your return! We are so proud of you. The kids are very peaceful. We are doing great. We love you and we miss you,

k

Sunday afternoon

Hey babe, I know I already talked to you, but wanted to tell you again about the morning--

How amazing that H walked into our room dressed in a collard shirt, khaki shorts and his church sandals this morning. I heard him up but assumed he would make his way in when he was ready- boy was he ready! He said he wanted to surprise me- he did. Ek quickly popped up and got dressed and wanted to do something to make me proud as well so she fixed everyone their breakfast cereal. Then the 3 of them went off to play hungry hungry hippos. Our morning was so peaceful. We were ready for church way ahead of time and were so excited to get your phone call on the way. Then to arrive and walk in with the Gays- wow it was as if someone had been praying for me!!! We should ask for prayer more often on a Sunday morning!!! The worship really blessed my heart this morning. We sang several songs about how God's love endures forever. I needed the reminder that no matter what my circumstance, no matter what my day, God's love remains the same. Ritchie reminded us that so many of us are living in the OT way of life-- life based on law, sacrifice and no relationship with God. He encouraged us that we need to move into a NT way of life-- provided by Jesus and lead by the Spirit. And that was just his promo for his Discipleship class! His sermon was about enduring suffering. He said suffering reveals how little we know about God. That suffering works in us a new trust of God that reminds us that He is for us not matter what. hmmmm that sounds like the worship too. Love that. We can trust him John, no matter what this week looks like, no matter what life is like when you return and for the rest of our lives. We live with great hope and purpose. I was then off to the nursery, L was her normal clingy self but one time she said- I want daddy to come get me. I told her you were off to Haiti to take care of eyes. She said 'daddy got on a plane. with pastor Gregg. with mr. Jason. daddy gonna take care of eyes?' She has confidence in you honey. She knows you're doing what you are supposed to be doing and that you will be back. We came home and made a quick bite of lunch. It may discourage you to know I have since made mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, squash casserole, peas and grilled chicken. I am hoping that is enough cooking until you come home. My hope is that we can play hard and go to be early. They were in bed last night at 7:30. Ek and H have played great today- they played little people for a long time, helped me shell peas and pulled one another around on a blanket for awhile. I am going to go get ready to take them to the pool and maybe dinner with the Hoskins- if not we have plenty of food here!! Oh another song we sang was about fighting for love as one-- I'm taking care here so you can love there! Lord, make it all count for your glory!! Love you. Love you. Love you. Be careful.

Oh and I did talk to your mom. She was so glad to know you were safe in Miami. They are coming tomorrow so I can go to Ek's class swim party. I think your dad wants to do some work in the garden as well.

Ok, now. Love you. Love you. Love you. Be careful.

K

Saturday night

John is off to Haiti, here is the update from us...

Saturday night--

Hey Honey,

I was remembering that the last time you were in Haiti you had internet access, so here's to hoping you do this time when you get there. When you left, L was a bit confused and sad. She didn't let me put her down for like an hour- didn't eat a bite of her supper. 'Where's Daddy going?' she asked. I told her you were going to take care of eyes for people who needed him. But we sat in the grass and prayed for you as soon as you were out of sight. We went in and fixed hamburgers and chips and pineapple and jello- quite a feast. We were off to the bathtub. Ek and H both helped clean up a bit. L wanted me to hold her in her towel, so we sat with her all snuggled up in her towel and read a few books. I took the kids to bed at like 7:30- I knew they were so tired. They went to bed very peacefully and I reminded them as I walked down the steps to pray for you. Ek said she would pray for you Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (at school prayer requests I suppose). I am now tucked into our bed to do a bit of resting.

I am so proud of you John-- that you are leading our family by obeying the Lord. What an amazing example you are giving to all of us. I also think about how beautifully you are using the talents the Lord has given you. Amazing.

Love you, love you, love you.

Wish we could have snuggled a bit today, but I sure enjoyed being with you this morning. The bike ride was really great too. Couldn't have ever done that without you!!

Be careful.

Keep me posted.

Did I tell you I loved you?

I do.

I love you.

k