at home

We're home from vacation, and it was wonderful! Very relaxing, very beautiful. In fact, I've had a few moments to go through my pictures, and they just don't do it justice. We praise God for many days of safe travel. Sadly, I am leaving today to head up to Minnesota for my Grandma Ring's funeral. She left us suddenly, but peacefully. We, too, have peace knowing that for her it is only the beginning of an eternity with her Savior in Heaven. She will be dearly missed by all those who loved her, but we rejoice in her life and the many years we had with her!

We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8

The Big Three-Oh

Okay, technically, I wasn't quite there. We celebrated just a little bit early since we'll doing our cooking over a campfire on my actual birthday. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed being pampered by my boys who made a yummy cake just for me. The two little boys insisted that we needed party horns at a party, and I think they are correct. Wisely, my loving husband spelled out my age in candles instead of just setting the whole top of the cake on fire with the appropriate number of candles. Thanks, boys, for a fun party!

Fun Summer Visit

Grandma & Grandpa came to visit last week. So you can see why we've been so busy. We had fun doing all sorts of things from our first Diamondbacks game to desert target practice. They even braved the triple-digit heat to do a little t-ball practice of their own. When it got too hot in the front yard, we just moved it back to the pool.

Tender Hearts

This past week was Vacation Bible School, and we are still recovering. We all had lots of fun- the boys as campers at Camp Creation- me as a teacher for the 3-5 year old class. I'm living proof that you can survive a week of 12 very active 3-5 year olds, IF you have two fantastic helpers. Braden and I enjoyed being in the same class and he was my star pupil. *wink* Unfortunately, we didn't get any video of our closing ceremony to show you what we were up to all week long. But Sunday night they sang a little song that we wanted to share. Just in case you don't catch all the words, I've posted them below.


Take me now Lord Jesus, take me.
I would give my heart to Thee.
Thy devoted servant, make me,
Only Thine to be.

Savior while my heart is tender
I would give thee every part.
All my talents I surrender.
I am Thine, Lord, here's my heart.

Use me now Lord Jesus, use me
As I tell of Calvary.
May Thy spirit move within me,
Bringing souls to Thee.

Savior while my heart is tender
I would give Thee every part.
All my talents I surrender.
I am Thine, Lord, here's my heart.