Monday, August 27, 2012

If My People...

I promised in an earlier post that I would share more on a 40-day prayer initiative for our nation that we are embarking on this fall...here goes :).

It's hard to read the Old Testament and watch the current state of our country and not be somewhat alarmed.  The parallels between the blatant disregard for God in OT Israel and today's America are obvious and heartbreaking.  We are so so grateful for the peace that comes with knowing the Lord personally and the comfort of a future hope, but we also feel burdened for our nation and the hearts of many who are so hardened (or even just flippant) towards God and His Word.

Sometimes, it seems like there isn't much that we can do individually.  This summer, we have been talking and praying through how to make a difference.  We know that our biggest areas of influence and responsibility are through our families, ministries, voting and prayer.  This fall, we are praying for discernment to make the right choices when we vote, praying that those in office and coming into office will seek His wisdom and follow His ways and mostly, that the hearts of the American people will turn back to God.  We are praying for revival!

In all of this, we discussed putting together a list of scripture and inviting others to pray fervently with us as the elections approach...using that timeline to focus prayer efforts on our country.  Wouldn't you know, someone already did put together that list and plan :)...with a FB page and phone app to go with it?  So, check it out and let us know if you and your family plan to join in: www.ifmypeople2012.org.  We start the official 40 days on September 28th!

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chron 7:14

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

July Randoms

Ice cream truck treats


Greer's "tea party" for some friends


Fun playtime at Chandler's house :)



Making notes and cards for our Swazi friends...


Sah-ree game time


Puddle jumpin'



"I'll read her a story!"


Precious time with our Westwood friends...



Nice :)


Best seat in the house!


Playdoh with Dada




Dairy Queen date with the Links on the way to Dad's!









First time using his Daddy's Day present :)



So, lots of summer list fun and family time!  Loved it and ready now for August and the start of school and routine.  Here we go! :)

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Weekend with Dad

It's been too long since we've all been together with my dad...and never at his house on the coast.  So my sweet brother, Britt, planned a weekend to all go there and surprise him...partly to just visit and to also celebrate his 60th birthday a little early.

We (all 14 of us!) crashed his office on Friday afternoon.  He was sweet and emotional and so cute. :)


Meeting baby Brock for the first time...


All four here :)


Rosie helped us make sure he was in town and didn't have other plans...as well as helped with arrangements etc.  So great to be all together in one place!


That evening, we enjoyed a yummy low country boil and spent time shooting pool, playing, visiting and going out on the boat.























The scenery is just gorgeous there, but even better that Saturday morning was the sunrise visit with Dad and then a walk with him and Lindsey afterwards.  It's so rare and precious to have that much uninterrupted time together and I am so grateful!



While Gehrig slept in :), our girls enjoyed some good family time with Megan and Margaret...



He woke up finally :) and immediately jumped into water gun playing with Nathan :)


Papa and Rosie cooked some good downhome breakfast for everybody in the Pouloses' condo...


More visitin'...




After breakfast, we played kickball.  It was my favorite part of the weekend!  Such a great time of all being together and having fun.  Love :)






Impressive form ;)


Loving Dada's hat...


...and taking self-portraits :)


All that exercise sent us to cool off with some good pool time :)









That evening, the weather got super stormy and we visited/ate dinner in the Pouloses condo.  Garner and B were super cute coloring together while the big kids played and had fun...




We finished up the weekend with some relaxed visiting on Sunday...down at the dock for a group pic!


Papa and the grands checked the crab traps...there were tons in there!



Buddies :)


The boys played darts, Garner got some good "pup-pee!" time and Greer loved working a puzzle with Marg, Rosie & Meg :)




Sweet baby Brock time, some last minute fishing (Gehr caught a sting ray!) and a great afternoon visit with Papa and Rosie while Garner napped wrapped up the weekend.




We are so thankful for all the work that Britt did to put it all together.  It's not easy to work around so many schedules and make arrangements for everyone.  We love you!

And Papa, we love you too :).  Hope we get to see you again soon!!