GALVESTON

     This was the first vacation for the boys ever, not including trips to Arkansas to see Papa and Nanna, or Christmas time get-togethers.
     I have lived in Texas for so many years put together, and have been on numerous beach vacations, both in Texas and Florida, but I have never been to Galveston.  We wanted to take a quick 2-3 day trip to the beach, and thought it would be a good place to go.  We are also saving up to take the whole big fat family on a beach vacation next summer, and we wanted to see if Galveston would be a nice place to take everyone.
     I will say here that we had an adventure :).  Galveston was not quite what we expected, but the boys didn't know the difference, and we are now looking at Port Aransas or South Padre for next summer, so I'm very glad we went and tried it out.  The water and sand were pretty dirty, and there weren't really any big, nice places to stay, or much of anything extra to do for a longer vacation, so it's not a good fit for next time.  But the four of us being together and doing something for the first time was so much fun!
     I was so surprised and happy to see how much Bennett and Jasper LOVED the ocean.  I have always loved it.  There is something about the beauty and power of it that reminds me so clearly and simply of the majesty and perfection of God, as well as His love.  When I look out over the ocean, I think about how He has made such beautiful things for us to look at and enjoy.  I think of how much pleasure He gets from making us feel this way, from using His creation to draw us closer to Him.  Call me the crazy, emotional woman, but I cry almost every time I sink my feet in the sand and look out over the waves, watching them ebb and flow all the way to the horizon.
     Bennett loved exploring and looking for "treasures" like shells and little crabs.  He loved chasing the seagulls, building sandcastles with his dad and then destroying them.  Jasper LOVED swimming in the ocean itself with his ring.  He could have stayed in the waves, bobbing up and down for hours.  He also  enjoyed walking up and down the beach, feeling the sand between his toes.  Getting dirty and sandy doesn't phase him like it does his mama and his brother :).
     Here are a few pictures of our quick little trip:

P.S. Scroll down for two more posts I added today!

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING

     God has done amazing things this summer with our family, and with the girls in particular.  From the moment they come to this campus and live in our home, they are immersed by spiritual concepts, thoughts, history, scripture, etc.  For all but one of the kids we have had so far, this is a brand new experience.  Some of them come with a sketchy background in the church and a sporadic knowledge of the truth; they have no roots or foundation.  This is what we are trying to provide by taking them to church, having daily scripture time at the dinner table, devotionals at our weekly Family Meeting, service projects, getting them their own bibles, signing them up for camps and retreats, and making sure they are involved and immersed in the youth group at church with various activities.
     I have to pause here to say that our church's youth program is mind-blowing.  The things they offer and the way they support and help our teens is unbelievable.  It was that way when I grew up there, and it is so wonderful to watch our girls experiencing the same blessings of godly, loving adults who are there to mentor and teach and grow followers of Christ.
     This summer our four newest girls went on a middle school youth group camp.  K has history and faith in the Lord because of a woman who invited her into her home several years ago.  She has been an example and has been a peer teacher to our other girls.  When the other three came back from camp, they all said they were ready to give their lives to Jesus.  They acknowledged what God has done for them, they began volunteering to pray, they have written out testimonies, prayers, and desires for a clean slate and a new life in Christ, praise God!
     Michael and I were floored when they came back and had chosen this new path.  A few weeks ago, P was baptized, and A was baptized last week.  M is getting baptized at the end of this month.  They are learning that although life has been so difficult and heart-breaking, so disappointing and unfair, our God is just, and loving, and He has a plan.  They are seeing His fingerprints all over their lives, and for the first time, they have hope for a future.  Beautiful.
     The girls were also able to go to a camp through ACU that was paid for in full by one of our wonderful donors.  They went to New Mexico where they did a wilderness trek of sorts, learning to be still before the Lord and spend time with Him every day.  This was a wonderful faith-building trip as well.  Once I get pictures developed and downloaded of that trip, I'll do another post.
     When I think about where these precious girls have come from, and the hope and future they all have now, in every aspect, my heart sings.  God is so good.  He did not have to let us see the fruit of what we are doing here.  He has brought these girls here because He loves them so much, and He wants good things for them.  I am so thankful to be a small sliver of a part of His magnificent plan for their lives.

PICTURE PARADE

Lots and LOTS of pictures.  Ready.  Set.  GO!

K's 14th Birthday Party

My parents came over to celebrate with us, as well as a few kids from other cottages who are K's age.  We went out to eat at a restaurant K picked, then came back home for cake and ice cream.  

Later that night I took all of the girls to see "Brave" in the movie theater.  Our K is such a beautiful girl with an old spirit.  She wants things to be fair and right, and she is constantly convicted to help others.  We are so proud of her, and so thankful to have her!

Painting the countertops:

 This was a multi-step project that spanned the course of three days.  I ordered two kits online because I did the kitchen and the laundry room counters, and our kitchen counter space is ginormous.  Not sure why I didn't take a "finished product" picture, so I'll have to post one some time in the future.  I LOVE the way it all turned out.  So much better than the pinkish laminate before.  The sealant is holding up great, and they look beautiful.  It was a LOT of work, but I think it would be much more manageable in a regular-sized kitchen and laundry room.

The Garden:

Michael and J (one of our high schoolers) created a garden this summer, and we have gotten tomatoes, green bell peppers, and jalapenos from it so far.  We are still waiting for watermelon and a few other things I can't remember now.  It has been a labor of love for both of them, tilling up the ground, preparing the soil, planting, pulling weeds, watering, etc.  This is another project I need to get a full picture of, because their work is impressive!

M, A, K

 Since this picture was taken, we have added our sixth girl, P.  In a couple of weeks we will have three high schoolers (M is going into the 9th grade), and three middle schoolers (all in 8th grade).  We are working a lot on group dynamics, how to problem solve, conflict resolution, etc.  It has been a crazy, busy summer with everyone at home!

Jasper's Bible Dedication:

 Michael started this amazing tradition with all of our kids.  He reads their personal bible in three months (yes, that's a LOT of reading!) and makes notes in the bible as he goes.  When he finishes, at our soonest Family Meeting, he presents the bible to that child, and we all pray over him or her.  He started with the youngest first (Jasper), and is moving through the ranks.  This is a picture of Jasper with his bible, and several of the girls with him after we prayed blessings over him.  I have been amazed by all of the spiritual leading Michael has done in our home here.  His example and his ideas keep us all learning and growing in wonderful ways spiritually.  We are all so blessed to be led by a man with such vision, a man who follows the promptings of the Spirit.

Movie Night

Silly Boys :)

Summertime Snack:  Fish Cupcakes :)

Just Dance!

M's Hair Day

There are two wonderful women who come out every eight weeks to do M and a girl's hair who lives at another cottage.  Miss Kim and Miss Pat come on Friday night for 2-3 hours to take down the girls' braids and treat their hair.  Then they come back bright and early at 9:00am on Saturday and braid their hair for 5-6 hours.  It's an awesome, all day process, and they do it just to serve and share their gifts, completely for free.  We are blessed by so many people out here!  

Bennett's Bible Dedication

Chick-Fil-A Day

 Back in July, Chick-Fil-A had a day to dress up like a cow and get a free combo meal.  We sure did bring the whole family, we sure did get a lot of stares, and we sure did get an insane amount of free food!  The night before, we all picked out our clothes, I got out fabric, scissors and safety pins, and we transformed ourselves.  On our way to Chick-Fil-A the next day, we stopped by the office where a lot of the staff is located, and toured around.  Several of the girls claimed it was the most embarrassing thing they have ever been through, but they didn't hesitate to gobble up all of that food, and then post the pictures all over their facebook pages, so I'm pretty sure they managed to survive the humiliation :).

COMING UP

I think this is going to be the way of the blog for a long while:  a lot of silence and then a whole lotta updates all at once.  Here's what I have coming your way:

1. A big, fat picture update.  This has been a long time coming.
2. A big, fat update on the girls and their spiritual lives.  God has done AMAZING things this summer!!!
3. Mini-vacation to Galveston.
4. Update on the boys - what they're up to, into, etc.
5. Update on the mama.  Being honest and up front about where I'm at, where we are at, how being a mom of eight and living here is going, etc.
6. Revelations.
7. Our 9th Anniversary.
8. School Days.