Father's Day shopping and joyful news

After doing some schooling this morning, we headed off to get gifts for Albert and my dad. We ran into our friend and neighbor, Denise and were so happy to hear her good news. Brittany is engaged!! I hadn't seen them in awhile so I had to find out the details. FYI, Brittany is an amazing young woman who loves the Lord. She is a missionary having traveled to many places worldwide proclaiming the Gospel. She met her fiance at the Honor Academy http://www.honoracademy.com/ while she attended there being trained for missions. He is now on staff with them and Brittany will be joining him in Lindale, TX, after the wedding. Praise the Lord for their courtship and faithfulness to Him and each other. They are to wed before Christmas. Brittany's brother, Marcus, will be attending the Honor Academy in August. Denise said something that I want to share. She said she wished everyone she knew experienced a Christ centered life and the blessedness of His goodness. Amen.
We got an Aussie Walk A Bout portable grill for Albert from Home Depot. Then we headed to the Army Surplus Store in Spring for a special gift. We also got Grandaddy a gift as well.

Book of the Month

Our church has the men reading "What Did you Expect?" by Paul Tripp. It is a marriage book that prepares the unwed for the realities of marriage and convicts the rest of us. I am not sure I will finish this book. Too much responsibility! No really, it is great showing how grace given by Christ is what we desperately need to love our spouse as ourselves.

ENT update

Ethan went to Dr. Newland's office today for follow up after having his ear tube removed. He passed the hearing test with flying colors. The doctor said both ears were perfect. Praise the Lord.

money well spent

Ethan has been saving his money for quite some time. He had asked Santa for a game gun at Christmas and since he didn't get one, he's been saving up. Just to let you know, Ethan is a very practical person. He is also a law abiding citizen. He reminds me constantly to use my signal. Anyway, I matter-of-factly told him that even if he did purchase the gun from Gander Mountain, we had no big game trips planned and the State of TX will not issue him a license to use it at age 7. Well, that did it. No more talk of moose hunting in Alaska. Now forward to yesterday. He, on a trip to Home Depot with his dad and brother, found his next purchase. He decided to spend his hard earned and saved money on a grinder. He plans to make guns out of our fallen trees and sell them. He was very happy to explain to me how it worked in detail. He has to be patient with me because he knows I am girl.

more harvesting

The red potatoes continue to be mined and boy are they yummy! I didn't realize the difference in cooking them though. It takes twice as long to bake them. I guess because they are so fresh. Also we either got our first zucchini or cucumber!! The bugs are getting the broccoli though. The children are really heartbroken over that.

project time

Our calendar has been marked for the Memorial holiday to be a work day. We are getting the master bath in order. The Lord has really been convicting us of not taking care of it and completing our home. We do not want to get in the way of His plans for us by continuing in our disobedience! We are thankful for all the rest we have received and realize now we must get back to work. Please pray for safety and our time to be used wisely in the next two days. Please don't feel sorry for us because we make a bunch of BBQ to chow down on.

crabbin'

On our Galveston trip we did some crabbin' and were able to bring home 3 of the tasty critters. We had to freeze them because we didn't have time to cook them up. So last night we got a chance to have a crab broil. They tasted delicious. Next time we go to the beach, I am bringing charcoal and my big crab pot.

Saturday clean up

Back to life and clean up. I finished cleaning the inside of the truck and now it needs a bath. The children got the bathrooms cleaned and upstairs vacuumed. I need to check their tub and then start cooking for tomorrow. We have a fellowship meal every Sunday and are asked to make enough food for us and another family. I also need to weed the flowerbeds and the garden. Albert is working today.

Friday fellowship

After cleaning up everything from the beach trip, we went over to the Vaughn's. The Mazyn's were there as well. Time in the pool was enjoyed while the adults discussed all the Lord is teaching us. Albert joined us after work and enjoyed visiting with Stuart. We shared Mexican food and good conversation. It was another day of rest from the Lord.

late spring break

With all that went on with my Uncle, we had to fore go spring break this year. However, the Lord blessed us with a rest and the children and I were able to go with Albert to Galveston while he attended a two day class there.
The morning before his class they got to fish. It reminded us of our beach life in HI. We dropped him off at 8:00am and began exploring. We found the Galveston Island State Park and toured it. It had been really beat up because of Ike. We found a cove with a covered picnic area. Christian had brought the net and he and his siblings spent the morning chasing blue crabs. We called Granny and Granddaddy and asked them about the crabbin' rules. They caught quite a few and had a blast. Although hot, the shade of the awning provided relief. We had a picnic there and then headed off for more exploration. We checked out the beach and decided to head there after picking up Dad. Mosquitoes were quite vicious there. They attacked in swarms. We have battle scars to prove it! After picking Albert up, we made our way back to the beach and enjoyed swimming late into the evening. We then attempted some night fishing near 39th Street but the tide coming in thwarted our efforts.
Thursday we got another early start and did some more fishing. Then had to check out of La Quinta and made our way to the beach at 39th Street so Daddy could walk to meet us after his class. Our friends, the Holder's, were able to join us for the day. We were joined by Albert at noon. We had a dilemma that day however. The previous day as we were leaving the state park, I saw a sign stating that the water would be shut off the following day. Well, I was quite upset considering we had invited guests! I called the visitor's center and was informed that the only other water available beach was Stewart's. With the holiday weekend approaching, I didn't want to fight the crowds there. So Thursday morning I prayed and Albert was instrumental in the solution. He told some of his classmates of our dilemma and the VP of Galveston College was so gracious. She allowed us to use the fitness center to shower in. Problem solved. It was two blocks from the beach where we had set up beach camp. The police chief even gave Albert a ride to us after class. Albert was able to meet many of the key officials of Galveston and was impressed by their servant attitudes and care for the people they serve. He learned a lot from them and the Lord gave him insight into proper civil government as God's authority in the affairs of man. Our time there was restful and a blessing. We returned home renewed and strengthened.

Cypress Top

Field trip time again, today we headed with the Heaney's to Cypress, TX, to a Harris County park that was donated by the Juergen's family. It was originally a railroad stop that included a general store, home that accommodated boarders, gristmill, blacksmith, stables, and dance hall. The general store closed down in 2003 and was left as it was.
After touring each building guided by a ole time resident, we ended the afternoon with a picnic lunch at the pavilion and a time of fellowship.

Tim Ramos

On Sunday, Albert met a young man who was visiting our church. He is a youth minister and sound engineer. He has toured with bands like Salvador, Jaci Velasquez, and Shane and Shane. He had heard Dr. Baucham and wanted to visit our church. He has an amazing testimony of being adopted. He serves the Lord as George Mueller did on faith. Here's his website: www.timramos.org.

Honey

One of our stops today was to the Shiflet home. We picked up the honey we ordered in bulk from them. We look forward to trying the local batch and highly recommend it for allergies. Thanks again, Gina.

Park time and Krogering

This morning, before the heat, we met Stephanie, Brooke and Zachary at the Windale Park in The Woodlands. After eating a snack and playing chase, we headed to Kroger for some shopping. Ethan and Kara shared a small buggy and Christian pushed the adult size. He told me I didn't have to do a thing now except lead the way. I was reminded this morning of the Great Commission and how I am making disciples-Christian, Ethan and Kara. They watch me and follow after me. As in the grocery store, they are learning to navigate life. Do they see Christ speaking, fellowshipping, teaching, walking, and showing them the way to fulfill the will of the Father? I pray that my priorities would indicate so and the awareness of them convict.

red potatoes

I cooked up the red potatoes from the garden and they are delicious. The recipe is butter, lemon juice, garlic, Parmesan cheese and salt. Bake 350 for 30 mins. covered and additional 30 minutes uncovered. I tossed in the micro squash and the two green beans we grew.
I also baked cookies that have oatmeal, chocolate chips, bananas and pecans in them. You can find it at www.recipezaar.com and search for #170036. Tasty cookies. The recipe calls for walnuts but I'm a pecan lover myself so I added them instead. We are going to share with church family tomorrow.

Great news of great joy!

Angela called and shared their exciting news with us. They are pregnant!! 6 weeks. We are so thankful to the Lord for hearing their prayer for another child.

floor cleaning tip

I have been in spring cleaning mode today. I even scrubbed the grout in the laundry room bath. My tip is Tilex Mold and Mildew cleaner. Just spray it on the grout, let it sit for 10 minutes and scrub with grout brush. If you plan ahead (unlike me today), you can seal it with a grout sealer. It makes even white grout appear Elmer's glue colored.

Uncle John's farewell and birthday party

We celebrated Uncle's birthday (June 8) and his farewell with his favorite cake- German chocolate. We gave the cake some thought and figured the coconut flakes look like sauerkraut so that maybe why it is called "German". I guess I could have done an internet search...
He got off early this morning and we are waiting to hear from Myla that all is well.

Child training

I haven't planned to include infant care in our child training since we do not currently have babies around our house, but Kara and Ethan are well suited for the task. In their hands on approach, they realized it is just easier and more economical to feed Baby Alive naked and as she sits on the toilet. Why didn't I think of that when I had newborns!!!