We kept our promise. We visited Tom and Belinda. They are quite the family! Currently, they have 27 horses at the ranch. The boys are great playmates and Belinda is a great teacher (Tom is too)!
This is "Pumkin." She is 2 years old and ready to begin training!
Who needs horses to have fun! They boys just love playing in the dirt. By the way, they had several "babies" on the ranch. And the stud was quite intimidating!
A thought from Nick...
In the past several years God has placed before me opportunities to rejoice in suffering. Though I am thankful for it, it has not been an easy road. When I take my eyes off my Savior & instead look upon my storms & trials I put myself in a place God never intended His child to be in. Doubt, fear & hopelessness can creep in & try to steal the joy God desires for me. I begin to question if God is listening; if He is really hearing my prayers & my cries for deliverance & healing. Today I received an email from Ken Sande's Peace Maker Ministry that helped me firm up my focus, reinforce my faith & remember in whom I place my trust. I hope you also are encouraged by this:
"Therefore we do not lose heart." 2 Cor. 4:16
Trusting God proved to be the pattern in Paul's life. Even when the Lord did not immediately relieve his sufferings, Paul continued to view everything that happened to him as God's sovereign will (2 Cor. 4:17-18). This doesn't mean that Paul never had doubts or that he never asked God to relieve his suffering (2 Cor. 12:7-8). But when the Lord's response did not match Paul's request, he was willing to believe that God had something better in mind (vv. 9-10).
Think of the last time the Lord's response did not match your request.
What does trusting God look like? Ken reminds us that it doesn't mean wearing a painted on smile when troubles come and practicing the art of denial when doubts arise. Those verses in 2 Cor. 12 show the apostle Paul "pleading" for God to take the thorn in his flesh away. So, then what does trusting God look like? "But when the Lord's response did not match Paul's request, he was"--what's that next word? That's right--"willing."
Trusting looks like a willingness to believe in God's goodness toward us in the middle of pleadings and tears and sufferings and doubts and questions. Trusting is choosing to believe that God desires the best for us, his children. That's not always easy, but as Paul would attest, it's always worth it!"
Shine!
A thought from Rhon...
I was recently reading from the passage in Luke 18:1-8 where Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow. The woman kept coming to a wicked judge to be given justice. She did not stop even though the judge had no desire to uphold righteousness. And yet, because of her persistence, he gave her the justice she desired. God uses this in contrast to Himself. He says that we “ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Because God will “give justice to his elect.” Verse 8 says, “I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
I was freshly convicted by the last sentence in these verses. I suspect that some of us pray not expecting God to answer, but more than that, I think many of us just plainly don’t pray. I often find myself working out my solutions in my own self-sufficiency. After all, I’ve held it together in the past, right? I think for me, I still don’t “get grace” (to put it in a friend’s words). Grace says, “bring it to the Father,” “rest in His answer,” and “trust Him.” “Stop working out life apart from Him.” A renewed prayer for me – “Lord, create faith in me so that it may be found there when you return.”
Some Photos:
A trip to Blankets Creek. We had so much fun our children begged to go back again. Even Anthony managed the bridges and obstacles. Daniel did some trick riding, including riding along the top of a log, and crossing over a "sea-saw."
Anyone do the "Cow Appreciation Day" at Chick-fil-A? We got free lunch for dressing as cows, and yes, Mom did it too!
Nick got home that night and insisted on getting into the gear again, so we ate dinner there for free also. I don't want to go back for a while!
A picture with our "missionary niece." Jes and Steve recently returned from a year+ commitment in the Philippines. They really put their heart and soul into serving there and we're proud.
Daniel, Nicholas and Dad got to be a part of the Parade on July 4th with the Cub Scouts, Pack 999. They handed out freeze ices to the watching crowd.
(notice our little "scub scout" in the background, also taking part in the parade! Actually he's just eating!)
Jo helping . . . . . . . . the "scub scout" . . . . . Caught ya! Todd and Sara
Our June included a fun trip to Pigeon Forge, TN to see Rhon's family. We get together with the cousins once every other year and this is a highlight for our summer. God has been gracious to give us such a loving extended family. We always feel right at home. The neat thing is that there are many cousins that live within two hours of our home- something we never knew until we moved to the South. Tom and Belinda, we're comin' to play with the horses!
Our Newest "Tee" Photo . . . . . . . Uncle Cecil & Aunt Hazel
Cousins in the Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Big Splash!
The girls having dinner at the Shingle Creek Resort
The guys also took the children to a wonderful place called Rock Springs at Kelly Park. They has a great time floating down the stream created by the springs - the springs emit 26 thousand gallons per minute & the water temperature stays a steady 72 degrees - very refreshing & very clean. All had a great time while the moms were away!
Ryan & some of the kids fishing.
