Words

Just a thought this morning.... "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer."

We recited this verse every morning at the Christian school I attended for 4th and 5th grades. Mrs. Little was our teacher....around 12 children in a small school in Montana with many different grades. What a task she had!

I understand why this might be the verse she chose for us to memorize and recite. I hope that my words today and my thoughts and meditations are pleasing to our Lord who is my strength and Redeemer.

Making Memories in Hawaii

Just returned from Hawaii and enjoyed sweet time with Jason and Sunnie, Stella and Judah. What a gift that was for me and it brought back many special memories of the 3 years we lived in Hawaii. We made more precious memories during this past week. We stayed at

Bellows Air Station, traveled to the north shore, enjoyed famous shaved ice, went to New Hope Church, had fun "beaching" with Judah and Stella, visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation, snorkeled and saw the amazing fish at Hanauma Bay and so much more.

A true highlight was being able to spend time with Jen and Steve McDonald, both at the beach and in their beautiful home. We saw Gabriel hard at work right when we arrived on the island. Anna and Grace entertained our little ones with all kinds of fun activities and getting to enjoy Anna perform her Irish dances (Grace joined in on one of them) and hear Grace play the piano was such a treat. May God bless them all and keep Matt safe and well as he is away at college! Thank you for your zest for life and for your joy, McDonald family!

When we lived in Hawaii we had so many family adventures! Jeremy was an 8th grader when we first arrived and he learned to drive in Hawaii when he was 15 years old! Is that not incredible that we allowed him to drive on the island when he was 15? He was an excellent driver (as far as I know). He spent a lot of time with his daddy driving before we let him take off on his own. But he did drive on the island and I was always so thankful to the Lord when he arrived home safely. Having children really helps to develop your prayer life and your trust in the Lord that He loves them even more than we do.

Tiffany was in kindergarten, Jen a 4th grader and Jason in sixth grade when we first arrived on the island. It's amazing how you can be living life with your own children and how we can remember things differently....and not just your children. Sometimes I would be telling a story and Lonnie would get that funny look on his face and say, "Hmmmm, that's not exactly how it went," or "That's not quite how I remember it" and always with that cute grin on his face.

It must be perspective. I would love to have our children pick a day, a vacation, a family outing and write down things they experienced in their lives on that occasion and then compare it to what I "thought" was happening at the very same time. I think it might be interesting. Well, but then again, it might be hard for me to remember! Just kidding! I'd do my best. Just wish Lonnie were here to help me remember.

Jason and Sunnie, Stella and Judah, thank you for the precious memories we made this past week. Excellent company, sunrises on the beach, precious talks and conversations, rides in the car to places all over the island with Hawaiian music playing, Jason's body boarding at Sandy's, surfing at Kaneohe, Waimea, his incredible surfing time with Aaron, watching the big waves at Pipeline,

delicious food including L&L Hawaiian BBQ, Jason's BBQ with Sunnie's yummy cooking, sweet children enjoying the sand and the water and also learning about rolling the car window "up" and "down," little pretty princess Stella and sleepy little "honey bunny" Judah at the PCC show, pancakes and so much more! I miss you all already! Thanks for the memories! Help me to remember!

One thing we will always remember is the love we have for one another!

All of us! We are blessed!

My Words Cannot Express....

The steadfast love of the Lord never changes, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22, 23

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is my strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' Isaiah 41:13

Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Thanking God that He is Emmanuel, God with us, and for "His Word" today because I don't even know what to say today.

Logan asked his daddy earlier today, "Did you know that God can lift up trees? Did you know God can lift up a building?"

Jeremy said, "Logan, did you know that God can move mountains?"

Logan replied with this precious question, "Daddy, did you know that God can lift you up?"

Well said, sweet young man!

October Celebrations

Happy Birthday to Crystal! We celebrate your life. What a treat to be able to be with you on your birthday this year! You are so delightful and precious! And your little one is growing and going to be here soon to join his big brothers. What fun we will have with the Barker boys!

Congratulations on your anniversary, Jason and Sunnie! What an amazing couple you are! You bless me so much! I am so excited about your new little baby that is on the way. Stella and Judah are going to have so much fun with this little Barker!

And speaking of new life, I was skyping with Jen the other day. Zoe was showing me a little blanket that I had made her. I asked her to show me her little baby. She walked over to her mommy and patted her tummy. I exclaimed, "Jen, are you going to have a baby?" Jen laughed and told me yes, but she and Benji were going to wait to tell me together. Well, Zoe beat them to it. The funny thing is the next day and every day after when I asked Zoe where her baby was, she would walk over and get one of her baby dolls. Just that very first time, she went to her mommy and patted her tummy. So sweet!

Tiffany and Zachery, we rejoice in your very precious pursuit as well and know the Lord is leading you in this as well. He knows all about your little ones and is guiding you.

The family is growing! Thank you, Lord, for your loving kindness and faithfulness!

Jennifer, Zoe, and Benji (illustrated by Jennifer Horning)