Two Years Later...

So the itch to write has struck again, and here I am!  It's funny how seasons of life allow more free space in my mind to think more creatively but the desire to document those thoughts comes and goes.  Here lately, my mind has been a vortex of thoughts from things I've read, listened to, or sought out.  A few weeks ago in Sunday School, we were listening to RC Sproul and an overview of the Psalms which piqued my interest so much since Stephen and I were just a few days out from traveling to Nashville for the Getty 'Sing' Conference;  this particular conference was to be based on the Psalms.  Fast forward a few weeks and we are now on the backend of attending that conference and it was so rich, so intense and so inspiring!  I was challenged and encouraged by how the Psalms were penned by men inspired by the Holy Spirit conveying the realm of human emotion. I  so often don't know how to navigate my own emotions and can allow my flesh to map out my actions and thoughts simply by relying on how I feel towards or about something.  I can quickly leave the Truths of the God I love to follow the deceitfully wicked and selfish ways of my heart.  After spending time in the Psalms and worshiping the God who created me, formed my crazy emotions with great purpose, and the seasons to which these things take shape, my heart sang praises to Him who knew I'd need such a guide map as I begin to understand the importance of every single human emotion.

Psalm Chapter One has been where my heart and mind has fixated for several weeks now (actually prior to the conference).  And it has given me a lens through which I have viewed almost everything lately especially the place my emotions should be grounded.

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.  He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does he prospers.  The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away.  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."

Cade's Cove on family vacation is a peaceful reminder of Psalm 1.

The beauty of this chapter to me is the picture it creates in my mind of the Lord's provision through His creation.  I learn and understand most things best when I can "see" a picture of it.  I grew up going to the lake with my mom and dad on the weekends and I would sit at the front of the boat observing the scenery on banks.  One thing I remember so vividly is the trees that grew on the banks.  We are all very well aware of the growth water can produce for things that have need for roots to grow deep.  After years of the waves from boats, weather, and various changes of the land the water would wash away the dirt and land to which these roots would grow so deep into and the roots would be revealed.  The roots would be so deeply embedded and intertwined into the land with such thickness.  The picture in my mind is so vivid!

When I think on the enriching Truths in Psalm chapter one, this picture is the first thing I think of.  After years and years of being planted by the water, the strength of the tree is deep due to the nourishment its gets from an unending source of water; it is still affected by weathering around it but it still absorbs from the supply that strengthens the roots and yields its fruit in its season and prospers throughout the years.  

When we are meditating on the Law of the Lord day and night, our perspectives filter out the things that cause us to stand in the counsel of the wicked.  Our hearts and minds can fixate on the things that are honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute as Philippians 4 commands us to do.  How gracious of the Lord to keep our minds on Him and His ways.  As if that is not enough, He gives us His creation!  He gives us glimpses of Himself and if our hearts are fixated on Him, we are drawn to worship Him when we walk outside and see a gorgeous sunset, or a reminder of His promises through the display of a rainbow, or when we look into the face of people created in His image that display His goodness, mercy and grace!

Right above my house He reminded me of his faithfulness.

When you read in Psalm chapter one that blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked but meditates on the Law of the Lord, and that man will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, he will yield fruit in season and his leaf will not wither and in whatever he does he prospers, the desire for deeply rooted understanding and wisdom increase.  Does it make you want to sit and soak in His endless supply of righteousness as He equips you little by little, year by year, and thought by thought to yield and prosper? 

I hope and pray that if you find yourself reading this today, that your heart will be stirred to spend time absorbing the nutrients of God's Word.  I pray that it will take deep root in your life and yield a beautiful fruit in due season.  I pray that you prosper in His ways and in His Laws, because they are truly life-giving!

Ending a day at the beach He captivated me with his handiwork!

The skies truly declare the glories of God!

A Night Worth Remembering!

A Night Worth Remembering!


It's been a super long time since I have blogged, but THIS was a good reason to start up again!!!

Last Tuesday night (Aug. 30^th) was a night I hope to always have the ability to remember as I watched the Lord work miraculously.  My husband called me at 5:30 to see if I could quickly get the girls ready to go see the movie ‘The Insanity of God’ at 7:00.  I kicked into high gear to get them all ready, fed and Leah dropped off at my in-laws in order to make it on time to the movie.  We ended up jumping through all types of hurdles to make it to the movie, and by the time we got there, I just wanted to turn around and go home.  Nevertheless we proceeded and got seated. 

If you haven’t heard of or seen this movie, I don’t in anyway want to spoil it for you, so you may want to turn back now instead of reading any further.  This movie is a documentary of the life of a missionary couple Nik and Ruth Ripkien and the Persecuted Church.  Much of the movie was the Nik and Ruth explaining their lives on the mission field, but it was also reenactments of the stories of some of their life and the lives of some of the persecuted believers they interviewed.  At one point during the movie, they give the details of how they lost their oldest son while serving the people of Kenya.  During this part of the movie, Ruth begins describing her feelings of viewing through a smaller lens a glimpse of what God the Father may have experienced, as God the Son was crucified on the cross.  As she is sharing her feelings of this sad day in their lives she also clearly laid out the gospel…Hannah, who was sitting in my lap reaches over and begins rubbing Madie’s back.  As we look, Madie had her head in her face buried in her lap sobbing.  It caught us a bit off guard, Stephen and I looked at her and I asked her what was wrong (I seriously thought she was hurt or sick).  In between sobs, she whispered, “I’m just so sorry for my sin…” 

We were both floored and didn’t really know how to speak to her about what she said since we were in the middle of the movie theatre so we just squeezed her hands and continued watching the movie.  When we got home (somewhere after 10:30) she was sitting in her room waiting for Stephen and I to come tuck her in after putting the other two to bed.  She began to ask all sorts of questions about why people were being killed in the movie just because they loved Jesus.  She told us she wanted to trust Jesus but she was afraid, she didn’t want people to kill her for doing so.  She asked us if she could pretend not to love Jesus and “trick” those people if they ever came to her house but really still love him.  We shared the scripture from Matt 10:33 that says, “if you deny me before men, I will deny you before my Father in Heaven.”  We shared the scripture with her Matt 10:28 that tells us not to fear those who can kill the body but not the soul, but to fear Him who is able to destroy both.  It was very obvious that she was well aware of the choice she might face one day if she chose to follow Christ. 

We both shared a bit of the beauty of following The One who gave His perfect sinless life on our behalf so that we could be made right with The Holy God.  We could tell she was super tired, so we prayed with her and kissed her good night.  We could see what felt like a visible work of the Holy Sprit going on and our little girl was counting the cost of what trusting Christ might mean for her one day.  We went to bed praying for her. 

About 2:30 a.m. I woke up to Madie whispering my name. 

“Mom…mom…mom…”   “What is it?” I asked her.  “Mom, I trust Jesus with my life AND my body…”

The rest of the conversation is a blur because she woke me out of a dead sleep.  I woke up the next morning wondering if that had really happened.  So when she came into the kitchen I asked her, “what did you say to me last night when you came in and woke me?”  “I told you, I wasn’t afraid to trust Jesus with my life and my body and when I woke up this morning I said, GOOD MORNING GOD!” 

I can’t begin to explain to you where our hearts and emotions went from there as we rejoiced at what the Lord was doing in our eight year old’s heart.  It was an obvious work of the Lord that no man could do.  We watched the fruit of this work blossom as the next few days unfolded.  We have continued watching how sensitive her heart has been as we have disciplined or corrected her.

Madie has been asking questions over the last year of her life about what it means to follow Christ.  We have watched over the last several months and weeks how she has truly seen the ugliness of sin and the beauty of forgivness.  We have witnessed her count the cost and continued to step forward in wiliness to follow Jesus. 

I sit here with a grateful heart and tears as I type this.  There are no words I can type right now to convey this monumental step in her life and all it will entail for her in this crazy world of uncertainty.  I can even find myself fearing what’s to come if I don’t keep my heart in check!  Her Creator loves her more than we ever could and His plans for her life are good and perfect.  He is trustworthy and her life was created to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever…

…and that my friends, she is going to do!  Praise be to His Great and Mighty Name!

Living the Oily Life!!!

I'm sure if you are on Facebook, you have heard me declare my love for Young Living Essential Oils more times than you can count; but there is just something remarkable about the way these oils work and I can't help but share my love of them with anyone willing to listen who they might possibly help.  I am not anti-medicine, but I am always down to try something all-natural that works!  I have written several blogs about the ways I have found them to be helpful and so many of you have identified with a certain circumstance and asked for more information that has lead to your oil success stories as well.  When blogging I like to share the things that are near and dear to my heart and my family is the nearest and dearest to my heart and so I enjoy sharing the things that help keep them well, and functioning as they should be.  I am thankful to the Lord for His natural provisions!

Here are some recent discoveries...there are tons more, this is all I had time to remember :)...

Neck pain for the hubby- My husband did something to his neck (who knows what because he's always busy doing a number of things that could cause him injury) and it got to the point where he was barely able to turn his head and even get comfortable in the bed at night trying to go to sleep.  He would wake terribly stiff and in lots of pain.  I mixed up Peppermint, Panaway and Valor into some Coconut Oil and massaged his neck and within minutes he began getting some of his mobility back.  I also used the Deep Relief Roll-On when he was in a hurry and didn't have time for the other.  He decided to keep that in his pocket for his dailies.  His neck pain is not completely resolved yet, but the oils are doing what Aleve has not been able to, so for that, I'll call it a win!

UTI for me- I have struggled with these wretched irritations for several years and they like to surprise me on busy days (who am I kidding, with three little girls EVERYDAY is busy), but this one didn't stand a chance...I have been using Purification (I'm talking almost instant relief from the discomfort) several times a day, Melaleuca and Thieves.  I applied each of these to my abdomen several times a day.  I also used Lemon for a good detoxing.  I have never had relief so fast...
-Ok, I need to share here that the oils did not cure the UTI for me, I felt relief from the pain temporarily and thought I might be over it, but I did end up having to take an antibiotic for it.  I will always always reach for my oils first, but I will never never be anti-doctor or anti-meds.  They all have their place and I am oh so thankful for the role they are playing in helping me get well!

Congestion for Leah- With the weather patterns of lower Alabama, my children honestly don't stand a chance between Allergies, Sinuses and Colds.  Thankfully Essential Oils assist with this too.  She sounded very raspy, congested and like she had respiratory stuff going on.  I applied RC (diluted in Coconut Oil) and rubbed on her back and chest...no more signs of congestion 30 minutes later (that's when I finally slowed down long enough to take note, it could've been sooner).  

Stopping the Blood- Several of my girls have gotten lots of boo boos lately, and Lavender is the best on hand remedy.  Hannah has done too many things to name lately causing lots of scrapes, cuts, or other you name its...she has begun to ask for the "purple medicine" all on her own now.  It has stopped cuts from bleeding, helped diminish bruising and pain and has put things on the mend quicker...and for a momma of three clumsy littles (one in particular) I'll keep it close by!

Thieves for a splinter- Thieves for oh so many reasons has always been a favorite for me, however I found a new use for it this week when Madie got a splinter in her toe.  I looked up recommended oil remedies and Thieves was the recommended.  Her splinter was DEEP and I couldn't tell which end it entered her foot from, so I put some Thieves on and gave it a couple seconds and what do you know but the end of the splinter appeared to be sticking out of her toe...now, I wish I could say it removed it and we went on our merry way, but we still had to do some digging in order to get it out of her foot, but the Theives was very helpful in clearing the way out.

Allergy Trio- (Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint) This beautiful regimen has helped us so many times, but recently I have been diffusing it in Hannah's room on the nights when she has been outside playing most of the day.  I still use her Eczema cream and Thieves to the bottom of her feet, but I have found if I can keep her Allergies under control, I can keep her Eczema at bay...MONUMENTAL discovery!!!

Sleeping Peacefully- Hannah is also my restless one, so on the nights I can't seem to get her to settle down and go to sleep I have been diffusing Idaho Balsam Fir, Cedarwood, and Lavender (also referred to as liquid ambien) and it has helped like nothing else has been able to!!!

Bug repellent- I ordered a new oil not too long ago called Lemongrass for several reasons, but I had read where it was helpful in keeping the bugs away (several people use it and a few others to mix together to make bug spray) and so one night the bugs (mosquitos, gnats, and other pesky pests) kept swarming around me and the girls while we were outside (it was getting dark) and so I just thought I'd give it a try to see how well it worked.  I put some on each of the girls clothes but not on mine just to see.  The girls were no longer swatting and I was still swatting...I WILL be giving this some further tests, and ordering the rest of the oils to make the bug spray with (so I don't have to put harsh chemicals on my eczema child).  I will report the results of that later on...

Until then, here are some recent pictures that show the precious faces I aim to take care of...I mean who wouldn't?!?

Hannah Kate turns FOUR!

I just realized (blame on the mom of three card) that I forgot to blog about Hannah's 4th birthday! So sorry sweet girl! Let me fix that right now!!!!

Hannah turned FOUR years old January 21st (ok! I told you I forgot, stop shaking your head now) and it was a day she had been anticipating for MONTHS, and do you know what one of her very first comments was..."now when will I turn 5????"  Why do kids do that?!?

So we had her party the weekend before she turned four since Stephen and I were headed out on a Mission trip the next weekend.  I don't particularly care for themed birthday parties (actually I loathe them) but sweet little Hannah wanted a Princess Sofia Birthday...and well...you only turn four once, so Princess Sofia it was.

She invited a few of her friends and we partied hard!!! Cake, Ice Cream, PB&J, and S'mores (poor girl will never have a swim party).  The day was fabulous and she had a great time!  I know one day a birthday party with cake and ice cream will be a thing of the past, but I WILL relish in the years where that is the only way they think you celebrate!

Sweet sweet Hannah Kate! Life with you is such a treat; your desire to love big, care endlessly and nurture to the depths is such a blessing.  You are an absolute treasure to our family and Daddy and I pray the Lord will grasp hold of your heart at the earliest possible age and you will devote yourself to serving Him the rest of your days!  I know this year will seem like a blink, but in this year I pray that you grow, learn, and succeed at all HE has in store for you!  We love you!!!

Oil Discoveries

We are still loving our oils and trying new things each day with them.  I am so very grateful for the peace of mind and natural healing they provide.  I love trying new things with them and helping others find comfort and uses for using them.  I am doing an oils class this month on Facebook and will be posting an event reminder for it in the next week of so.  If you are interested in attending just keep watching Facebook for updates.  I am super motivated to teach people who are interested about the every day uses, weekly uses, ailment uses, cleaning uses, etc.  There is so much goodness in these oils and they have changed the way our family functions, so if I can bless someone else with the awareness, option, and education of these wonderful oils, I'm happy to!

Uses since my last oil post...

Colds:

-Oregano, Thieves, Lemon, Frankincense, Melaleuca A. in a capsules and take twice a day.  I used this remedy on EVERY adult in our house (which for a few more weeks is four adults) and wiped out every cold and trace of flu possibility that any of us carried over the December weeks and part of January.  

-Warm Apple Juice with 2-3 drops of Thieves helped immune systems and sore throats

Croup with Fever:

-Peppermint on Spine and bottom of feet for Fever for Croup: Oregano and Thieves diluted with coconut oil and rubbed on spine and bottom of feet to help immune system and the fighting off of the infection, RC and purification rubbed on chest and back to help break up nasty cough and RC, Purification, and Thieves difffused.  2-3 days later, no doctor visits, and no antibiotics or steroids and a happy and well Madie Brooke.

Heartburn:

Two drops applied directly to stomach and 10 minutes later my husband (who has been on perscription meds for this issue for 6 years) heartburn free in disbelief and slept through the night with no more heartburn.

Nausea:

Terrible turbulence on flight home from mission trip due to excessively high winds and sniffing Peppermint kept me from using the air sick bag...THANKFUL...a few others weren't so fortunate...

sniffing peppermint also benefitted my dad who kept getting sick from his pain meds due to his knee replacement surgery.

Headache:

Peppermint to the temples, across the forehead, and down the back of my neck got rid of my headache and helped me keep going for the day...

Ear Infection:
Purification and Lavender applied directly to the front of the ear and right behind it took the pain away almost instantly and the infection in less than 12 hours.  He'll remain nameless...but I've made an oiler out of him :)

Hip/Joint Pain:
She'll also remain nameless, but after days of limping around, she asked if I had an oil for that :)...10-20 minutes after application of PanAway, Valor, and Peppermint and no more limping.

Neck pain due to bulging disc:
This month was a bit tougher to solve since in addition to my neck bulge, I did something else straining my neck which causes significantly more pain than normal.  I used Idaho Balsim Fir which was a newby in addition to the PanAway and Valor that I usually use for this issue.  I can honestly say that it did not take away all of the pain but lessened it and made it more tolerable.  I did this for several days and then had a friend do some deep tissue and applied the oils several times after, and now have relief.

Eczema:
This issue was the whole reason I got into these oils in the first place, and since the end of the summer we have been able to manage Hannah's eczema without anymore serious outbreaks.  I bought the Lavender Lotion last month with hopes of being able to use it in addition to our daily remedy and it has been working beautifully.  She likes it, and it also helps her settle down at night at bed (which is more of an issue than I can even explain), so I'd call that a WIN!

Sleepy Baby:
Leah has also been waking up periodically throughout the nights looking for her paci and blanket, and just unsettled, so I have been diffusing plain ole Lavender in her room at bedtime and she has been sleeping beautifully.  Thankful. Just Thankful.

Coughs:
Breathe again roll on applied to the chest and back of the cougher (different guilty parties)

Germs:
Thieves hand sanitizer in my purse and ready to apply AT ALL TIMES...especially going through airports and after Wal-Mart runs

Stress:
Stress Away applied to my wrists before leading my family through the airports and finding our destinations without any issues.  Seriously can not explain the awesomeness of this...I am usually an anxious worrier and can work up some serious tension in my neck.  Tension free...thank you Stress Away!

Can't Explain the beauty of these oils!  They have kept us out of the germ infested doctor's offices and well through the holidays.  We are forever grateful to the Lord for His marvelous natural remedies He provided through HIS creation!!!

Brownsville Texas in a Nutshell

Words can not adequately express the humbling experience and privilege it was to travel to Brownsville Texas this last week to go and be a small part of the work the Lord is doing through two of his devoted servants.  A team of seven of us from our church (Logos Baptist Church) got to come alongside Mr. Jack and Mrs. Iva Dean Henderson and assist their efforts in ministering to the Pastors and their wives who serve so faithfully in Mexico.  These men and women serve on the front lines of the battle and give of their lives to impart the Gospel to a dark land filled with oppression and what often seems to be hopeless circumstances.

We arrived and immediately began setting up and preparing for the Pastor's Retreat that we were there to serve for.  We made large grocery runs, prepped rooms, set up a room to look like a restaurant, dug holes for sewage, finished getting the chapel in working order, and various other things.  We had knew we were in for a blessing just being a part, but really had no idea just a big of a blessing.

We cooked Breakfast for them and served it to their rooms each morning, Lunch after some wonderful classes they attended under the teaching of Mr. Jack Mrs. Iva Dean and some local missionaries who have partnered with the Henderson's on many occasions, and Dinner which was always accompanied by some romantic music played live by a sweet sweet man whose name was Mrs. Joe, and often times my precious Stephen as well.

The mission that Mr. Jack and Mrs. Iva Dean have for these Pastor/Wife Retreats is to pour into the lives and marriages of these who serve daily in an area that they often are never on the receiving end of refreshment and relief.  They gave the ladies some money when they arrived to spend on something nice for themselves, we furnished their rooms with different little gifts and candy each day, and we tried to create an environment for them that helped them do nothing but focus on one another and Christ who brought them together and sustains them.

The last day of the retreat will be etched in my mind and heart forever! It was the day of the Vow Renewal Ceremony where they were to refresh their commitment to one another in front of those of us who committed to pray for them and hold them accountable to their vows before a Holy God.  The ladies came out in their veils with their bouquets and each couple took their turn renewing their vows they made to one another.  One couple had been married thirty two years, and the other thirty seven.  Their gittyness and their excitement was so precious and the blessing to witness this event was even more precious!  They each exchanged rings (a sweet part of the week we also got to be a part of and accompany them as they picked these out), fed each other cake and bubbly (sprite), and signed commitments alongside the couple who signed as witnesses that had been married for almost sixty one years!

After the Vow ceremony it was about time for everyone to begin packing up their cars and heading back home (over the Mexican border about 25-30 miles) and back into the battle; but before they left, Stephen, April and I sang a few songs.  The husband (sparing their names just to keep them safe from any harm) of the couple who'd been married the longest began trying to sing with us, so Stephen began playing some familiar hymns and oh what a joy it was to be a part of what I fully expect Heaven to sound like one day...Amazing Grace, At Calvary, Man of Sorrows, How Great Thou Art, At the Cross, all being sung in Spanish and English.  What a beautiful sound it was an unforgettable moment in my life, all I could do was smile and weep as I kept thinking of the different languages, people and nations that will proclaim His majesty and sing His praises together one day, "when we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be, when we all see Jesus we'll sing and shout the victory."  So even though I may never see these precious people again here on earth, I look with excitement to the day we will be reunited in Heaven and will need to interpreter to exchange praises to our Lord and God as praise Him together.

So today, as I reflect back on all the Lord did this past week in the lives of the pastor's and wives who attended the retreat, those of us who were privileged to be a part (and gain wisdom for our marriages as well), I bring back with me a passionate desire to pray for my brothers and sisters who stand on the front lines of battle taking the Gospel to the desperate and lost of Mexico, a reignited passion and desire to love, serve, and devote myself to my own precious husband, the bonds of friendship with the team I was so honored and humbled to serve with, and hunger to do this again as soon as opportunity presents itself.  The days are short, and the time of freely being able to proclaim the Gospel is quickly approaching its final days.  I don't want to look back (like I already do) and see the time I wasted living life unintentionally and hoarding the message of hope so selfishly as though I have time to spare.  The time is now!

A few photo snips from our trip:

 The view before landing

Our ride home...no joke.  That Mr. Jack, he's quite the character with lots of personality :)

 This used to be a donkey barn until Mr. Jack envisioned a new purpose for it.  Now it is a fully functioning kitchen, dining room to seat several, a bathroom, and a room with four bunks and a shower.  When that man has a vision...hold on to your hat.

The Pavilion where the vow renewals took place, right outside the donkey barn

 Stone Walk...their "Pet"

 Mr. Jack's "toy box" to the right and the little archway to the left was the entrance to their sweet little nest.

 Their place had such character that was so very fitting

 Yes...we were in Texas

 The entire property was fenced in and gated

Love this bunch of ladies...we laughed till we cried all week!

 Two cultures came together and made music...such fun!

 Tid bits of what we did all week...

 This was one of the rooms we set up for one of the couples

 Prepping the first morning for Breakfast "in bed"

 This lady and her hubby can make a mean cup of joe...coffee.

 Lots of love went into each meal...

 and lots of help too...

 Class with Mrs. Iva Dean and Mrs. Esther who was the interpreter

 Love these sweet ladies!

 The women weren't the only ones in the kitchen!

 If you know who was on our team, I bet you can guess who was responsible for breakfast on this particular morning :)

 The Brides

 The happy couples

 sweet moments

 this couple stole my heart from day one!

 Sunday School at Mr. Jack and Mrs. Iva Dean's church

 "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart." Ps 119:2

"Pastor" as Mr. Jack called him...we all know him as "Jeff" preached a fantastic sermon from Hebrews 12 and challenged us to ask the Lord to reveal to us sins that may be keeping us from running the race unhindered by sin.

 Our last day, Mr. Jack and Mrs. Iva Dean took us across the border to Mexico...a very sobering and humbling part of the trip for sure.

 My love in front of the the Rio Grande river, part of the border that separates the US from Mexico

 This came to represent something very sad to me...

 Pictures of the border

The humbling reality of the blessing I have of being on this side of the border brought much thankfulness and humility to my heart.  The people who live on the other side of this fence live in a frightening place where their lives are daily at risk...and the need for the Gospel on the other side of this fence is great!  One of the very reasons Mr. Jack and Mrs. Iva Dean do what they do!  Pray for the people of Mexico.  Pray for the Henderson's as they minister faithfully and tirelessly.

Now a few light hearted moments from our trip...

 To try and explain this picture...nope, can't do it...

 I think you made your point...

 Yup, that one belongs to me folks...

 The faithful leaders of our trip

 He's mine.

 Oh the stories we could tell from this trip...

 He made a friend...

He thinks I'm special...

 Check out our photo bomber!

 Close encounter...with a plastic gator

 This trip made our marriage all the more sweeter!

 hmmm...

 This is what awesome looks like!

 hmmm...

 well...

nothing like a $2 boot shine...their boots came out better than new!

 Nothing quite like observing Texas sunsets at the close of a magnificent trip!

 "Watching the Rock" Mr. Jack after sharing a story of a business owner's failures and successes gave us these rocks as reminders of how we protect, manage, and care for our marriages and challenged us to do those very things. 

May the Lord be honored and glorified by the work we did in Texas and may he continue to use us as tools for His Kingdom work!  Praise be to His name!