Myrtle Beach, Here We Come!

Tomorrow we are heading to Myrtle Beach for the week! I am so excited to get away. Our last big trip of the summer. We are looking forward to playing on the beach, floating all day in the lazy river, going putt putting every night, visiting the Disney store (Emma gets to pick out something since she slept in her bed all night for 7 days straight) Eating out and eating in and doing whatever we want to do. This will be Izzie's second time to myrtle beach. Last year I was extremely prego with her! Here are some memories from last year. We hope this year is even better!

Making Princess Sand Castles
Getting ready to head out to a good meal....

One of our many evenings of Putt Putt.

Always making time for a picture!

A world in need.

We just found out some really exciting news that some friends of ours are going to be adopting a little boy from Haiti. I call them friends but I I've only hung out with either one of them a few times. But they are people that just simply get life. And when you run across those people, you always connect and feel more a part of their community than you actually physically are. Maybe because it's that we know we are all on the same mission. Do you know those kind of people? I am finding more and more how hard it is to come across those kinds of people. It's a sad but very true reality.



If you know me at all you know I have a heart for adoption. Although we do not have any adopted children and are not yet in the process of an adoption, it is something that is very dear to our hearts. Something that I know our family will journey to at some point in our future. But as I think more about it, I think it becomes more of a mission of seeing people in need and knowing we can do something about it. I get so frustrated with people who just don't get that. People who are oblivious to the fact that we in America are among the wealthiest people in the world and have more resources available to us than anyone. So why is it that we are obsessed with having more stuff. Why are we in the rat race to buy a bigger house that is not that needed, bigger faster cars, have things that this society makes you feel you have to have to be of value or importance? If people could only get a glimpse of a world reality. But all of that to say, the Iveys are a family who get that world reality and the way they live their life demonstrates that. It always encourages me to get a glimpse into their life from time to time and know that there are people out there who get it.



You know, you don't have to adopt a child to play a difference in someone life who has needs. If you have money, by all means please find ways to give it to others in abundance. When you run across a need why not try and go out of your way to meet that need? So now I am rambling.. I am sorry.



I want to leave you today with a picture. These are the children at the rescue center that sleep on a blanket on a concrete floor. I suppose one of those children is Dowensky. He is the little boy who is being pursued by adoption from the Ivey family. When you think about it, pray for their family and Dowensky that things will go smoothly in the process of them finding each other and becoming a family. You can keep up with their journey at this site they have created for him. You can also see some financial needs they have and if you feel led you can give to the cause. And if you don't feel lead to give to their cause then find someone else's cause and jump on board there!

Pictures of Emma from Camp this Summer

We just got some pictures of Emma from the summer when she went to kids camp with Dave. Thought I would share since my creative juice for blogging about anything right now seems to be lacking... Enjoy the picts. The SL staff painted Emma's face each day.

This is Grant. Emma was in love with him and told me he was her boyfriend!

This is Ramsey the Ram. He made an appearance at Late night each night. Emma's biggest highlight of camp was that she was able to get on stage and dance with Ramsey.

First Day of K4

Today Was Emma's first day of K4. She was so excited this morning.

Emma with her Tinkerbell Backpack that is almost as big as she is!

Emma and me!

Emma and her friend Sam getting ready to leave for school

Emma met her friend Mary Chandler who is in her class. They have not seen each other all summer. They were shy!

Izzie wanted to say goodbye too!

Dave is not pictured since he is in Birmingham. We were sad he missed seeing Emma off!

Ending the Summer

We have had a busy week this week. Our family has jumped off the summer schedule and right into a busy fall schedule. Why is life so busy at times?

Emma had a meet your teacher yesterday. She is attending the 4K program at Anderson Mill Church in Spartanburg. I was really impressed with her teacher. She's very organized and detailed and I love it. Emma can't wait to start school. She starts Monday. She'll go M-F from 9-12.

Izzie had a Dr.s appt yesterday to check up on her tubes. They are in and working. Izzie has grown so much these past 2 weeks. You can't take your eyes off of her. She is pulling up on everything. I imagine she'll be walking in the next month or so. She turns 1 in 8wks... Where did this first year go?

I have been busy getting a shower ready for my sister that happens tomorrow. My sister is expecting her first baby in 7 weeks. She looks wonderful. They are having a little girl, Caitlyn. But lately my biggest challenge is figuring out what to make or not to make for dinner each night. I have decided that I totally hate cooking. That is kind of a problem because I'm the only one that cooks. My poor husband will come home at night and I tell him that I forgot to make dinner. So we have been getting take out a lot lately. Maybe because it's been so hot here that I have just not cared. Who knows.

Dave is busy busy busy. Did I mention he was busy. God continues to keep opening doors for Wayfarer. We are very thankful and blessed and very excited about this new year for Wayfarer. Oh yeah, Dave's fantasy football league is starting up so that is always a good time for him.

The last thing that I am very excited about is that we have one more vacation planned. Next Saturday we are heading to Myrtle Beach for the week. We went last year and had a good time and we are heading back again. Emma just loves it there. The place that we stay has a lazy river and pools and the beach and we play putt putt every night. So we are really excited that we have that in our back pocket. Can't believe it went under the radar so far. And then after that our summer will truly be over.

So there you go, a quick update. No creativity behind this blog. Just the normal.

Being Challenged

For the past month I have not been at church. One week we were out of town, then Emma's sick followed by Izzie and even this past Sunday I had the whole throat virus thing. So it has been a little jaunt of skipped Sundays for me. The sad thing is that I don't think anyone has even noticed I've been absent. All that to say, I have gotton on line this past month and kind of had church sitting in front of my computer. A church called NewSpring which is a church that is growing my leaps and bounds in Anderson has had their Sunday services available on podcast and video. I've really enjoyed the current series they are in and am learning a lot about why in the middle of no where - literally, a church is thriving and running about 8000-11000 people each Sunday. The pastor there is a guy named Perry Noble and he is an excellent communicator but the thing I am enjoying most about him is that he is an activator who has passion and vision and has a real heart for his community. For instance he was reading the paper last week and there was an article about how some of the food pantry's in Anderson County were running bare. So in one week Perry mentioned it to the church and told them to come next week with food and that they were going to have trucks waiting. And this is what happened......

We completely filled up 4 organization’s food pantry’s…Salvation Army, Soup Kitchen, Haven of Rest, and Anderson Interfaith Ministries.

We filled a storage room at the Salvation Army waist high with food.

When we got to the Soup Kitchen, their pantry was completely bare, and when we left an hour later, it was overflowing.

We unloaded 1 – 7’x 24’ moving truck and 3 - 6’x12’ trailers and Paul Marshall’s pick up truck that were all completely full of food.

It took 11 guys 5 hours to unload everything.

2 trailers were so full that we could not move them last night and the base of the trailer jack of one of them was buried in the asphalt (b/c of the weight of the food in the trailer.).

It is amazing the difference a church can make in a community when people will work together and give generously toward a common vision and purpose.

Why can't more churches be doing these kinds of things? Isn't that what the church is for? Anyway I am so glad that I happened upon their website. I've really enjoyed listening in this month and in some ways feel like I have been on the journey with them. Again, all from my own computer. So as much as I hated missing my own church I have really enjoyed the vision at NewSpring.

The verdict....

Thonsalitis... (not sure how you spell that) For the 3rd time about 8 weeks. This one if viral so I am going to have to ride it out. But I am feeling much better today.

And just a quick update on the croc vision I had....
After sharing with some of my girlfriends about what God has been teaching me lately and sharing about random things I think I am supposed to be doing.... they strongly encouraged me to go at it and be sure I followed through. I love my friends. And funny thing is that I have a few more random contacts from them that just proved I need to start moving and stop sitting on this stuff.

So I've sent a few emails and have started to flesh out what I think I've heard. It will take me some time but at least the ball is getting in the position to roll.

Again, if you are just catching up with me, I am wanting to gather crocs for people in Haiti. The details of how are still coming together. I'll let you know when I know more!

Sick

Sickness has plagued our home for the past two weeks and tomorrow it's my turn to go to the Dr. Emma and Izzie just got over strep. Izzie broke out in a rash for a week and now I've got a bad sore throat for the 3rd time in about 6-8 weeks. I made a fleeting comment to my husband as he was heading with Emma to church this morning... "I think I might have mono" OK, so I have never had mono and the only reason I said that was because for the past three nights in the evenings I've been so tired feeling like I'm getting "flu sick" and then I head to bed only to wake up in the morning and feel better. Just very odd to me.

So my dear husband proceeds to tell all of our friends that I think I have Mono. I wanted to kill him!!!! Well #1 I was making a comment and no, I do not think it's truly mono. It's one of those things you tell your husband when he is acting like you are really not that sick.... and #2 If one more person asks how I am feeling I may go postal!

So, yes I am heading to the Dr tomorrow because when you have visual white things on your throat something is going on that needs to be taken care of.

Receiving Grace

Last night Dave and I got into a heated discussion about some things concerning challenges and issues we are facing as a married couple and as a family. Good conversations but it ended in a lot of frustration. Dave who was going to go for a run at 10:30 at night instead harshly closed or bedroom door and went to bed while I stayed up and watched a bit more TV. I finally decided to head to bed myself. I figured I would do the usual when we are in outs with each other... Go to bed and try not to touch him or if he touches me scoot as far away as possible. But as I got in bed I heard him huff and I was going to make a comment and decided not to. Instead I find him rolling me over and he started to rub my back. I asked.. "what are you doing?" He said, "rubbing your back" and I huffed back "why?, did God tell you to rub my back or something?" and he said, "actually yes he did and I've been laying here trying to figure out how I don't have to do it." I laughed, he laughed and I had one of the best back rubs yet.

I certainly did not deserve a back rub from him. I said some pretty harsh and frustrating things. But I am glad the spirit nudged him to show grace to me. As I laid there I had this huge awakening of being shown grace. Pretty spiritual. I'm sure you have had those moments too.
I love my husband. Through the thick and thin he's one of the most amazing people that I have ever crossed paths with. I just got to be lucky enough to actually marry him!

Fabulous Time

We had a fabulous time on our getaway. We went to Hilton Head for a 3 night 4 day trip together. In some ways it feels like we have been gone for a week but in other ways it's hard to believe we are already home. Dave and I had some much needed one on one time together. Walking the beach, being that couple in the pool that you want to throw up when you look at them because they are all over each other (no one knew who we were :), playing shuffle board, shopping, sleeping in late, eating way too much.

The great thing about this trip was that we never went wrong on our meals. I had one of the best meals of my life at a place called Red Fish. I had surf and turf and the flavoring on the Lobster was indescribable. We also ate at CQ's. A fabulous place right in harbor town. They had wonderful food and I found a great cocktail called the purple haze. I love tarty drinks and this one had a very enjoyable tarty flavor and was very good. And the last night... we went to one of the best all you can eat seafood buffets at the Westin. And I came in a close second for eating the most Alaskan King Crab legs for the evening.

We could never have done any of this if it was not for my parents. Each year they continue to take our children and watch them while we have much needed time together. Not an easy thing to do when you are older and have 2 kids under 4 on your hands. The morning I left, Emma told me she could not wait for me to leave so that Nana and Papa could come. My mom watches the kids everyday but they always make sure that there is a separation from Nana who watches them to Nana and Papa who are the grandparents that do what grandparents do. Each day Emma woke up and had something to open. I was about to kill my mom when I found out all the stuff she bought while I was gone... It's not like my kids need anything. Let's see... Emma got the Pocahontas movie, Jasmine and Aladdin barbie dolls, an Ariel doll that swims in the pool with you. Mom also took Emma shopping for her back to school clothes and got her an Ariel Backpack that is almost the size of Emma herself.

On the bad side of things... Emma came down with strep on Thursday so was sick for 2 days and Izzie got it yesterday. A great welcome home gift!

But it is good to be home. I really missed the kids and am definatley refreshed to start the fall schedule!

Off to Vacation

Just finished my last bag of packing. Dave and I are heading off together for some much needed R&R without the kids. Can hardly wait. Feels like Christmas Eve. We are even leaving the computer behind. So I'll post again next week!

Bible School, Crawling, Student Life Camp, At home with Nana

Just an update on the girls summer since I have been behind on my pictures.

Izzie finally learned to crawl. Yeah! She is everywhere. Yikes! She also go tubes in her ears today. It was easy and simple and she did great.

Emma went to 2 vacation Bible Schools this summer and loved them. She was so excited each night to go.

Emma went to SL camp for the first time this summer with her dad. She loved it. This is what she looked like when she came home.

Nana had fun with the kids too this summer. Here they are having a pirate play day!

Izzie had her fun too. Millie Reichley came to visit us one evening. The girls are 4 weeks a part and I am sure will be very good friends as they grow up.

Sisters! What a bunch of fun!

We now have AAA

Well this summer has ended with a bang!

Dave was heading home this morning from AL and got a flat tire on I-20. I think that is my worst nightmare. Especially when you have children in the car.

He's on the side of the road and calling me asking me what to do! I'm 4 hrs away... What am I supposed to do? I am envisioning a car driving by and hitting him. Leaving Emma there all alone to fend for herself. That is of course if Dave could change a tire. Yes my husband is good at many many things. Changing tires and light bulbs are not among those things. So you can imagine my panic when I received this news. I love him dearly but someone failed him in life. Either it was his drivers ed teacher or his father :) Ha!

It was probably a good thing I was 4 hrs away since we would have probably ended up in a level 10 fight over his lack of knowing what to do. So....
A call to the police to come and help - discouraging... a no show
A call to join AAA. Costly... 89.00 to join and get help
A call from Dave to tell me he finally figured it out - Priceless
Finding a place to replace our tire - annoying
Dropping another 180.00 for a new tire and peace of mind - necessary
A mom at home, glad everyone is safe and ok - relieved
Still a long trip ahead of Dave through Atlanta traffic - tiring

So that was our day. We are now members of AAA and have blown a good chunk of our vacation money but my husband has finally learned how to change a tire. He did loose his bracelet at camp this week that I just bought him for his birthday and the back of his cell phone is lost (still trying to figure that one out. But I am still thankful. The summer has ended as far as his travel. He had a blast with Emma at camp and I can't wait till they both walk through the door.

It's just a lunch

I just listened to Dave finish his last night of camp for the summer. Student Life had been broadcasting it the past three nights. So every night I have come to the computer to listen and be a part of the ministry we are doing. I would not be honest with myself if I said that I am not at a place of surrender. Do you ever have moments where you know that there is something more to be a part of but what? He talks on this night about how Jesus used one boys lunch to feed thousands. Jesus could have fed them on his own but he chose to let his disciples be a part of his work. I sit here and feel like I have these people before me that I am to feed and now I am just looking to go and find the food. I guess I have been looking for some time now. I just have this constant urging in my heart and soul to be a part of something that only God can do through me. Dave goes to tell stories of people young and old who see needs in our world and they go and meet them. I just get stuck on wondering what need am I supposed to meet. Sometimes I just want it to fall in my lap. Like a child who comes across our path to foster or adopt, a missions trip that comes my way. I can feed the hungry and I can give to organizations who are making a difference but I still don't know what I am supposed to do. Do you think I ever will? Do you just have to do many things and see if they work? Part of Dave and My mission is to do what he is doing. To awaken people to brokenness and the healer that can bring beauty out of it. I feel like I say that all the time. But it's just normal for us. Common sense. We live and breath it everyday. That is why we do Wayfarer. Why we write material, why Dave leaves his home and our family and goes to big and small places to keep sharing that passion and vision to people. It's why we choose to live in the bible belt... as much as I hate living in the bible belt. People here just need to wake up to reality and to what God wants to do in this world and get away from their rules and regulations. So you see, sometimes I sit here at my computer and feel like I am not doing anything to play my role. In reality I am but there always seems that urging to do more. So I am at a point of surrender and am pleading with God to bring his plan across my path.

We are among the most educated and wealthy people of this world. To those who much have been given, much is required. I beg that the lord would use our hands and feet and do God sized things in the world. The world needs us. People need us. Why can't our communities and families look a little more like Acts. Why can't I stop thinking about all the things I need to do and just do them.