MARYLAND:
We had an uneventful drive to Texas and the Lord protected us from a very close call when we were almost sandwiched between an SUV and an 18-wheeler! Thank you Care Group for praying specifically for our safety! Thank you for your purposeful care for us as we were preparing to leave. Your visiting our home the night before, bringing financial blessings, picking Jer up at 4:15 am so we could get on the road quicker in the afternoon, loaning us your car topper, friends tracking our trip and calling us along the way, calling us during Care Group meeting, etc. etc. We are so blessed by your care and we feel the Lord’s care through you all! We love you!!
TEXAS:
We’ve had a wonderful time visting our family and friends so far here in Texas. Our first stop was in Texarkana visiting JeJe and meeting our soon to be new family members, Paw and Uncle Thomas. The Lord has blessed JeJe with a man to love and lead her and a new son to love her, as well. We are so thankful to Him for His provision of Kirby and Thomas. C.J. went right to Paw and it was a true joy to see Justin curled up on the couch next to him. Thomas was a big hit…he entertained the kids, played hide-n-go seek, gave multiple piggy back rides, and always had a lapful.
The kids also enjoyed playing with their cousins, Kellie, Annie and Tom-Tom. They came Friday night and stayed with us at JeJe’s until Sunday. Papa Wayne came Friday night and then on Sunday again and stayed all day going to church with us in the morning and evening. Nana and Pop came on Saturday and spent the day and Uncle John came on Sunday for church and to get Kellie, Annie and Tom-Tom. The weather was rainy and freezing so we were confined to the indoors, but JeJe’s house survived, I think!
Next, we headed to Nana and Pop’s and stayed for 3 days, 2 nights. The kids again enjoyed time with their cousins, did some school, watched some Olympics, ate some yummy confetti cake that a sweet neighbor had brought over for our visit, played endlessly with Nana’s random assortment of toys…they seem to never get bored at Nana’s! Before we left Papa Wayne came to visit and had some good wrestling time with the kiddos. He told us that he would be going to Minnesota soon, so we don’t know when we’ll see him again. BUT, we were so glad that he was in Texas when we were this time…we weren’t expecting to see him, so it was an added blessing on our trip!
Next we were onto JuJu’s to visit with dear friends Tamra, Kathryn and Julie. The kids enjoyed time OUTSIDE, finally, riding all kinds of ride-on toys. We had a special time of fellowship and yummy food. After the kids were in bed Julie and I enjoyed the Olympics and some very meaningful conversation concerning Trusting God in our God-given responsibilities (instead our own ability to do everything “right”! It was such an encouragement to me as we considered together what this looks like in daily life.
During this time Jer was out with his old friends from Middle school. They had a meaningful time of fellowship as well.
Next we were on our way to the Knapp’s for lunch and fellowship. We were so glad to see their WHOLE family reunited and together (for over a year now!) God is truly faithful and we praise Him for the work He’s doing in them. We had a wonderful time with them.
Now we are spending time with Papa Dean and Granny Sue. We are enjoying pizza, Papa Dean cooked his famous breakfast burritos and Granny Sue is making us her yummy Sausage soup for lunch. They are enjoying getting to know their new grandbaby and Papa’s getting his fill of wet willies from the kids! The kids watched “Swiss Family Robinson” with Papa this morning and playing with all the cars on the car rug. C.J. is enjoying getting into everything, eating our Perfect Food capsules, climbing in and out of the rocking chair, touching Taz, their miniature doberman pinscher, etc.
Well, that’s where we are right now…hope that’s not too much detail, but I am also using this as a journal to remember our trip.
Love you all,
Mindy