love letter

I have been learning so much about the love of God lately. We have been talking about in first grade as we are at the death and resurrection of Jesus in our Bible survey. I am reading to them from the Jesus Storybook Bible...my favorite Bible story book. I also have been listening to Tim Keller every morning on my way to school. The sermons are the perfect length for the drive up. I have been listening to the series on the Attributes of God...awesome! It breathes life into my soul every morning, gets me out of the pit and puts my mind on the cross. Yesterday, he talked about the love of God and his text was Hosea. This is such a heart wrenching but truthful story of God's pursuit of us. I was undone by the picture of God's never-giving up love for me. Then I was reminded of some of the simple love letters God sends to me all the time that I get so used to and don't give him the glory for them. On Sunday, I was at Longwood Gardens with the boys. We were only going to be there for about an hour and a half...walk through the tulips, and the children's garden and go to the treehouses. However, there was kite flying going on in the big green field at the entrance (which I have always wanted to run through). Usually people aren't on that field. Sunday it was filled with families, strollers, little kids running around and lots of people flying homemade kites. Of course, my boys wanted to make a kite and fly it, but I was sure there was a fee involved so I said "no, we can't". As we were leaving, Jacob said, "PLEEEEEEEEASE, can we just ask if we have to pay?" So I said yes (because wouldn't that be bad if it WAS free and I didn't let them have the fun of flying a kite on the big green field at Longwood?? yes...I would have felt horrible) So we went over to the tent and asked. Yes there WAS a fee but it was such a popular event that now they were handing out free store bought kites. The boys got one with Iron Man on it! So we called Dad (who was supposedly grading papers in the car) because he LOVES to fly kites. He is the expert and we got it all the way up as far as the string would go and had a blast! It was so fun. Yesterday, I thought, "Thank you God for showing your love to us on Sunday. It was such a special time together and HE made that happen!" What a wonderful gift and act of His love toward us...His children!

It's the birthday month

The birthday boy a "few" years ago!

Beautiful Calhoun women!!

Meredith's display of affection toward Mary Ellen at Mere's birthday a few years ago!


My family has a lot of birthdays this month...that is my extended family. Meredith, my niece, is one of them and she always celebrated the whole month. It was always the birthday month! Yesterday was her birthday and she was born the day after her dad's (my brother) birthday. What a wonderful gift she is to him and to so many of us. Her smile has lit up my day many times. As most of you know she lived with us for a total of about 2 1/2 years when we lived in PA. So she got to know us...the good, the bad, and the ugly. We also got to know her pretty well. Meredith is not only my niece but a special friend. I love you, Mere. Happy Birthday!

Pray for Kate!

This is actually of picture from when David and I went on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. Kate is getting ready to go to Mexico this Saturday! Pray for her and the rest of the students that they will have a great trip, for safety, good health, and that they would be a blessing to those they meet. This is a missions/service trip through our school. The juniors and seniors go on the trip. I am so excited for her to get to see and experience another culture outside the USA. Pray for humility, graciousness, and kindness to be shown to all they come in contact with. Pray for teachable spirits and that God would use this experience in their lives to draw their hearts closer to His own. Thanks for praying for Kate!

college road trip

This is from our college road trip in March. Kate is with her friend Jess Foggy. They have been friends since 7th grade. I am good friends with her mom. So the four of us had a great time together. We have A LOT of fun together! We visited Messiah and Patrick Henry. Kate really likes Messiah and had a good chat about the school with our friend Herb Brown. His daughter went there. The Browns are our friends in VA. who we love!

fun night

I know it has been awhile since I wrote. I haven't had the desire, motivation,inspiration, or whatever it takes to write anything. I went out with some friends from school the other night to celebrate my friend, Barbara's, birthday. She is the first grade teacher and as Jacob said last night, "She is the best teacher in the world! She rocks!" To know Barbara is to love her...what a great lady. When she walks into the room, the fun begins. She will light it up with her laughter and humor...she is good at making us laugh! Laughter is good medicine and I got a good dose with my friends Tuesday night.