Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

Jonathan & Joscelyn invited our family & several other families over to celebrate.

Most of our closest friends were there, which made it even more fun.

These boys were super happy to be back together again.  They were at camp together for four days this week & had missed each other over the past two days!

We all had a great time just sitting around eating & talking.

The big kids played on the trampoline & had nerf wars.

The little kids enjoyed the water table until they were so wet, they started getting cold.

After it got dark, we all went outside to light up some fireworks,

Everyone was super excited to see the fireworks!

Ethan even made a few "fireworks" of his own with a glow stick.

Dustin, being the pyromaniac he is, was the firework guy all night.

He even let all the kids have a turn with the safer ones.

Ethan loved waving his sparkler all around.  It was his favorite part of the night.

Thank you to the Hawards for hosting such a fun night!
Thank you to all the men & women who fought & continue to fight for our freedom.
Happy 4th of July!

Youth Camp Day Four!

Youth Camp Day Four!

Our little man is home!

We couldn't wait to get our hands on him!!!

We are so thankful Josiah is home from youth camp.  We are even more thankful that he says it was better than last year.  He loved hanging out with his friends, staying up late, playing all day, eating junk food, but most importantly, he said he really had a neat experience with Jesus.  That's what it's all about.  We are so thankful he has a safe place to go & grow closer to God with his friends.  His friends seemed emotional about being home.  One even said he was so encouraged by his Christian friends at camp that he didn't want to leave them.  God is good!

Youth Camp Day Three!

Youth Camp Day Three!

Paddle Boating!

Josiah & Luke got to get on stage & be a part of the Bible lesson!

(Josiah is in the red shirt)

Luke & Josiah walked past the drink machine & noticed their Dad's names on bottles of Coke directly beside each other in the cooler.  How funny!

Service was awesome!

After service these yahoos had a blast at the indoor block party.

Here is Josiah enjoying the bouncy house fun!  I know he has to be sad that this is the last night of camp, but I've heard he's had an amazing week!

Youth Camp Day Two!

Youth Camp Day Two!

Gaga Ball & Bible Study Pods!

Bubble Soccer!  Fun!

Hayride!

God's presence!  Powerful!

Youth Camp Day One!

It's that time of summer again.  Our little man is headed off to youth camp for his 2nd year!

Josiah & these kiddos were quite excited this morning when we dropped them off at church.

This is Josiah's 2nd year going with his best friends from church, Aaron, Luke & Jude!  He is going to miss his very best friend, Ethan, though.  Ethan is going to miss him, too!

We prayed over all of the children & then sent them on the bus to camp.  Bye, buddy!

When Josiah arrived at camp, he was put in Boys Cabin 7.

This is a picture of their counselors & cabin mates!

Josiah was so excited to be bunking with his best friends from church.

I am so thankful for friends at camp & social media.  I would never have any pictures if it weren't for them.  It helps a mom's heart to see her baby at camp.

I heard that the evening service was wonderful.  Jonathan sent us a text of Josiah worshiping.  Absolutely amazing!  We are so proud of our little man.

Apparently, he had a great day & made it through Youth Camp Day One!

Focus on What's Right!

Dustin preached in Cultivate today at church.  As always, he did an amazing job, but today's message really stuck with me.  Let me tell you a little about it.

Dustin spoke from Philippians 4:4-8

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things."

Dustin then challenged us with the following, "It's right to focus on what's right."  He encouraged us to make a "right list" to count our blessings.  Even when we think nothing is going right, we still have breath in our lungs.  God is good!  Let's focus on His goodness!