June Happenings--Late Posting!

Since our VBS theme this year is New York City, Liz told us to dress up like someone from NYC on Wednesday night.

Nathan chose to be an Italian pizza salesman. He also had the voice to go with it. Mama Mia!

The pizza man

I dressed up like Paige Tillman. My good friend Robbie dressed up like...well I don't really know..but she looked so cute and sassy!

Karis dressed up like a rock star, and MM was Sharpay Evans from High School Musical. Later in the night, MM said that Karis had changed to Gabriella from HSM. They are so cute and joined at the hip most of the time! :) Not sure about mm's pose--She looks too old.

Brian and Clay look like they are having too much fun! B had a mustache as well to match Nathan.

And here's the pizza boy decked out in his apron now. Pizza anyone?

Mari Morgan lost her second tooth at the Lemond's pool!

Father's Day!

Our baby cousin--Jennings--isn't she precious?

My sweet Daddy and me

A New Adventure

Today, we are going to take a family trip to Whole Foods in Memphis. We are going to start a gluten-free diet today. We realize this will mean a higher grocery bill, but feel it is worth it. Nathan is very high-functioning and has some difficulty with focus and concentration. We feel this will benefit the whole family, though. I am also going to limit sugar intake and dyes in food. Did you know that food dyes like red 40, blue, and yellow are made from petroleum? How can this be good for your body? This will definitely be the hardest part, but it can be done. Hopefully this will mean a healthier lifestyle for the whole family, as well as better behavior. :) Wish me luck!!!

El Olam

El Olam--The God who has no beginning and no end. The God whose love endures forever.

This has taught me that I am not supposed to live as though this world is my home. Life here on this earth is so short compared to eternity.

"Teach us to number our days aright,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:4

Had to post!!

I woke up this morning in a moooood!! Feeling sorry for myself is a huge battle I face on a daily basis. I have been having some side effects to my new meds that I do not like! I was complaining to Brian before we got out of bed. He went to the donut shop for us, and I sat down to enjoy my donut and cup of coffee. Then, I opened up my QT book, Praying the names of God, which I have been sharing with you. This is what I read:

Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am he,I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth;

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29-29

Whether you are young or old, take some time to thank God for the things in your body that ARE working well. Ask God to glorify himself by making you an example of a person who is tangibly strengthened by the everlasting God, who gives strength to the weary and power to the weak.

El Olam--Eternal God

Needless to say--I was spanked this morning! Hallelujah!

Moving On!

On June 19, The Fields' announced that they would be leaving Riverbend to help launch Christlife Church in Johnson City, TN. Of course, we are saddened by this news, but know that God will use them mightily there as he has here. To David, I have been blessed by your genuine and awesome worship. You are so talented! You have been such a wonderful supporter of Brian and Riverbend's vision. Thank you! To Christine, I cannot begin to tell you how much I will miss our conversations. You are such an encourager, and I have grown to appreciate you as a partner in the ministry, but more than that, a very dear friend. Thank you! To Anna, it has been a joy to see you grow in the Lord at Riverbend. You have set a wonderful example for Mari Morgan ,and she adores you. Most of all, I will miss your sweet smile and your hugs! To little David, I have seen you grow into such a little gentleman. I appreciate your loyal friendship to Nathan. He really likes hanging out with you. To the whole clan, we dedicate this post to you. May you continue to show others the love of Christ! Please know we will miss you greatly, but know it's all about the kingdom! We love you! Below are just a few pictures of some memories we have shared...enjoy!!

From the present to the past...

Kidney Stone

Finally passed this sucker last night!

Closet clean out

Since the beginning of the summer I have been cleaning out and reorganizing closets. I am not very good at this, but a friend gave me some pointers to help me out. Our bedroom closet was my biggest undertaking!! I did not take pictures before I cleaned it out because it was very embarrassing. Brian and I share one tiny closet, which is so not cool. I took EVERYTHING out of the closet. I then sorted all clothes, shoes, and other JUNK into "want" and "throw out". I feel much better now that it is done, and you can even see the floor! :)

My shoe "keep" pile

Brian's sorting pile

Here is how it turned out--best I could do!

El Shadday (El-Shai-day)

I have shared with you that I am doing a daily reading by Ann Spangler called Praying the Names of God. Today, I just completed the study of El Shadday--God Almighty. When you pray to Him in this name we invoke the name of the one to whom nothing is impossible. Genesis 17:1-2 are the key verses. Below are some statements that spoke to me:

* El Shadday is also translated "God the Mountain One"--like the mountains themselves God is seen strong and unchanging!

*Nothing can keep our God from carrying out His plans and pouring out his blessings on our lives!

Proverbs 18:10--"The name of the Lord is a strong tower:

the righteous run in to it and are safe."

Health Update

I am doing pretty well on my seizure medication-making me kinda tired, but I'm always tired! On top of all of this, I had my first kidney stone Tuesday night and Wednesday. I was chaperoning our church kid's camp, and woke up Tuesday night with bad lower back pain on my left side. Wednesday morning I was in a lot of pain, so we went to the doctor. He did a CT scan which showed the 4mm stone almost dropping into my bladder. It is not hurting now, but I don't think I have passed it. If it is in your bladder, there is no pain. My right side and back are hurting today. I pray it is not the start of another stone. The CT scan showed that I have numerous stones in my left kidney, and a few in my right kidney. It will be less cokes and coffee, and more water with lemons from now on for me. :)

Vacation to Sarasota,FL

We are so thankful for special friends who love us enough to give us this trip to Florida,let us use their car and stay in their condo. Thank you. We are so grateful! I believe this was the most relaxing trip that I have ever been on. I don't know if it is because I didn't have to change diapers and chase babies around, or if it was because I was so worn out from teaching! For whatever the reason, it was so nice not to have a schedule and get lots of rest. We were able to catch up from the business of life and admire God's creation. We are so blessed!

Day 1

Waiting at the airport to fly to Atlanta, then Sarasota

After the plane ride, we were all hungry. We went to CiCi's pizza for supper. We never let the kids play the video games there, but it was vacation....

When we first got to the condo, Nathan and MM wanted to check out the pool of course.

I love this flower. We cannot grow them in Mississippi. :(

We had been up since 4:30. Guess who fell asleep on the way home from dinner???

Day 2 and 3

This was our first day at Siesta Keys beach. At the present time, this beach is ranked the #1 beach in the world. It was beautiful. It was a pretty turquoise color, and the sand was unbelievable. It was like baby powder, hardly gritty at all. The most wonderful thing about this beach is that it did not break Nathan out. For some reason, every beach we go to makes Nathan's legs break out and burn so much that he cannot swim in the water. It is really sad because he loves it so much. Siesta Keys; however, did not bother him. He said, "Mom, I agree with those people. This is the best beach in the world." It was a joy to see him enjoying himself!

Sand in the mouth!