Catching Up…

Well the weekend is over…and it was full. Melissa (my sister), Rem, Rilyn and Landon came for a visit. They arrived at 4 am on Thursday morning. It was nice having them…and to my brother Courtney…you should know Rilyn was not scared of me!

We celebrated Molly’s birthday on July 3. The kids and I really had a good time planning for this one. As the kids get older, surprising mom becomes more of a family event.

Last Saturday (June 27), we went and bought Molly a bike. Molly let someone borrow her bike and while the bike was in their possession it was stolen.

So, for about 4 years Molly has been without a bike. Why a bike? Bikes are a huge deal at Camp Fitch (which is about 5 weeks away). Molly and I will ride more bikes that one week than we do the other 51 weeks of the year.

Anyway…we bought the bike and the kids actually kept it a secret! Molly was totally surprised and it was a nice to see her caught off gaurd.

On the fourth of July we went to Patrick Henry’s former place of residence. It was some beautiful country…although I confess…I was not that interested….just tired I guess. Molly however was in her element. She was giving us the history on the way there. Molly is a history buff and Kylie is following right on her heals.

One of my favorite lines is… “He who does not know his history is destined to repeat it” but I don’t know my history like I want to. Anyway…that is a goal for when I am finished with school.

Here are some pictures from the weekend…enjoy:

Oh…the kids are raising a rabbit. Last Monday, I noticed this baby rabbit in Maggie’s mouth (our dog). Maggie loves eating moles and rabbits, but we usually don’t see her catch them, but this was different. Perhaps I should have let nature take its course, but providence was on the rabbit’s side. The kids are doing a pretty good job and Kaitlyn is a “rabbit whisperer.”

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My Two Front Teeth

Karon has been missing his two front teeth for several months now.

But…it seems as though they have come in now.

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Happy 9th Birthday Kaitlyn

Well Kaitlyn’s big day in the “birthday spotlight” is coming to an end. I thought I would share some pictures.

Leave it to Grandma Kia to bring silly costumes…but very appropriate for Kaitlyn (who happens to be our drama queen). One of our senior adult neighbors came to the door, and we answered the door like this. I am not sure they will come come back (oops).

I noticed that last year the Evans family was here to wish Kaitlyn a happy birthday. I thought I would post to a picture to she how Kaitlyn has grown (below is Kaitlyn on her 8th birthday).

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Games and more Games

Last night I laid in bed thinking about leaving for Ethiopia in 27 days. For me, it was once again time to revisit the whole issue of “surrender.” As I thought about Molly, Kylie, Kaitlyn and Karson, I thought I better do what I can to hang with them as much as I can. Sometimes meetings and prior obligations keep me from going to every game (just so you know…whoever schedules games does not have the gift of adminstration…you never know what is going on). For those of us who are planners, this does not “jive” real well with our plans. Anyway, I ducked out of a prior committment and went to the ball field.

For me, I always get “sweeter” as I get ready to go…yes, I confess there is something deeply purifying about leaving (for me anyway).

I did not get any good pictures of Kylie during her game, but Karson had serveral hits and one good play where he fielded the ball and threw it to first to get the player out.

I think the below picture is a good one for “Sports Illustrated.”

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Random Happenings

This weekend I have been “all by my lonesome.” [Okay, everybody go..ahhhhhhhh (thanks)]. What I really should say is that my family (Molly, Kylie, Kaitlyn and Karson) went to Atlanta this weekend to spend some time with my family (mom/Charlie, brothers, sisters, spouses, and cousins). 

Believe it our not some of my siblings have had children that I have not even met in person (yet). It is sad to think that I have not taken the time to get away. When we were in Ethiopia (Nov/Dec 2008 ) one sister had a baby and my other sister brought her baby to our home for Thanksgiving, but Molly and I were gone–so we were unable to meet little Landon.  

Molly was feeling the need to go see the new “chaps,” and I was feeling that I probably should not leave since my spring schedule already has me gone some:

1. January  30 – February 1, 2009: Men’s Conference; Woodstock, GA(totally looking forward to this…great fellowship).
2. March 7-12, 2009: Bible Conference; Gleason, TN (totally looking forward to hanging with Mitch Verdell/family and good ole buddy Chris Norris)
3. May 23 – June 6, 2009: Ethiopia (what a joy to be involved in taking the Gospel to areas where God opens the door – got my itinerary today).
4. When I return, it is off to the beach to hang with my family. This is what Molly is calling – “Jason, we are going to schedule you time with your family.” It will be good to get away after a busy Spring. From what I understand Molly’s parents have kindly hooked us up with a home on the beach in a fairly secluded island resort off the coast of South Carolina. I have seen some pictures and it does appear to be real “uptown.”

All that to say….I miss my family and I am ready to see them all; I enjoy where God has me (while my family has been away the body of Christ has been my family in many ways…I have not missed a meal nor fellowship (I think I have actually been busier); and I look forward to the oppurtunities to minister in various areas, and I also look forward to “hanging” with the family. This schedule off course falls under the hand of a sovereign God, so Lord willling I will follow the above schedule.

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What our children learned…

In my last post “Ethiopia: Till We Meet Again,” I briefly touched on surrendering our children to the Lord. As our departure neared, I began to realize that our children also had to surrender their parents!

I was not a perfect child, and my children are not perfect – but they are growing up with an understanding that mom and dad are attempting to live what they believe. We all can go on and on about our children (and, at times, we probably should), but I want to personally and publicly thank Kylie, Kaitlyn and Karson for also learning what it means to surrender their parents to the Lord.

All of our children were aware (at different levels) of the journey ahead of us, and I wish you could have witnessed their courage. The week before we left for Ethiopia our house was filled with a spirit of gentleness, love (verbally and non-verbally), and random acts of service. The night before we left our kids wanted “movie” time with mom and dad, and we willingly granted their request.

You see, surrender is not just something adults learn – children can learn it as well. Molly and I have a goal of a family mission trip, and I am sure if that trip ever happens we will once again learn a new level of surrender – and we will do it again – together.

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Happy Birthday Kylie!

Kylie came home from school and she began opening a few of her gifts. In her wisdom, she has saved some for later tonight. The above picture shows her sitting in her new “game” chair (gift from mom and dad) and new Georgia shirt from her grandpa and grandpa McCoy.

The picture below has her opening her docking station (for her ipod), while wearing her new sweater. Tonight Aunt Sandy is coming over for Kylie’s birthday dinner, which will be fajita’s, cake and ice cream!

Happy 11th Birthday Kylie!

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Random Happenings

Hey folks! Thanks for checking out our blog. Molly and I leave for Ethiopia Saturday (Nov 22). We will return (Lord willing) on Dec 10. There are many exciting minisry oppurtunities, and I am excited about trecking to the Guji tribe. Please keep us in your prayers.

I wanted to get a couple of picture off before we leave. Kaitlyn wanted me to post her new sporty look! She has wanted her hair cut short for sometime now.

How about Molly? This is a glimpse at her Ethiopian look.

Remember us in your prayers……………

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Jared Got One!

Well, hunting season is here and my brother is visiting from Georgia. For those of you who may be wondering, Jared also comes to help with VBS (Vacation Bible School). The kids love having him here. They cannot wait until he gets back from hunting.

This year, I am unable to go-far to much going on (we leave for Ethiopia in less then two weeks).

Jared is texting me during the day to update the “hunting happenings.”

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What a Beautiful Day!

Molly is at work, and I just got home from serving in a funeral and found….the kids have been having fun with Aunt Sandy!

By the way the cat is doing better……………………….can’t you tell?

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