so many things...

I have a hundred different thoughts that I would like to write about. Some of them I think, "oh dear, better not write about that or some might think I am completely whacky."
I am so excited about Kate's race tomorrow. Actually, I am way more excited than she is! This is it for her, unless by some act of God she decides to run in college. She could do it, but she doesn't think she wants to...which is fine (as Diana would say). This is the league championships and she has a good chance of placing 1st or 2nd. She doesn't think she has a chance at first. Mary Ellen is going to take pictures. We will post those on FB.
Next topic, am I just a paranoid parent or will I ever get used to my daughter driving on these crazy highways by herself! I breathe a sigh of relief when i see her pull in the driveway. You should hear me preach to myself! I am so glad they changed the laws in DE so Mary Ellen has to wait an extra year!
Next....I love those seniors at our school. I got to sub in one of their classes today and they are just the best!!! They totally crack me up! I want to have them all over to my house and just be a fly on the wall and watch them interact with each other.
Next....I love food. I love cooking it, baking it, serving it to my family....it loves me back....nuff said. I think it has become an idol in my life....pretty sure about that.
I just started reading Tim Keller's book Counterfeit Gods....It's awesome.
David preached the best sermon EVER on Sunday. He had me in tears because I saw so much of what God has been doing in his heart over the past couple years as we have been in the "wilderness". I love him so much and God has been working on both of us....He promises to do that and to work in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. The gospel just becomes more and more real to us as we struggle through this life.

sad.....but feasting

I was just reading through my summer blogs and now I am sad that I haven't taken the time to do more blogging the past couple months. Oh well....I'm back.
I have been contemplating (while eating my warm apple crisp) about feasting on Jesus. What does that look like practically in my life. My pastor preached on it a few weeks ago and we had a good conversation about it the next day. While he was preaching, I kept thinking of the song that Chris Rice sings called "Come to Jesus". I posted it on my FB that day or the next. Piper talks about how we fill ourselves with the white bread of the world so we aren't hungry when our Father spreads a wonderful feast before us of wonderful, tasty, satisfying food. Jesus wants us to come to the table with nothing but hungry hearts and souls ready to filled by Him. He says to come to him, you who have no money. Come and buy and eat. Sometimes I try to bring things to Him...my good works, performance. So many times my sinful heart wants to be filled with other things (which may not be bad things), but they will never satisfy me. . I find out because I get frustrated, fearful, controlling, prideful, etc....the list goes on and on. Then I come running back to Him and he is always there....ahhhhhh yes once again I find His love to all that I need and want! Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to thy cross I cling!

a couple months

I knew if I started a facebook my blogging would stop...and it did. David signed me up on FB and since then I just haven't felt like blogging. It's just easier to write a sentence or two on facebook.
Tonight was a beautiful fall night. David and I went for a run which hasn't happened in awhile! The sunset was absolutely glorious and the trees are just as breathtaking!
We are coming to the close of our fall sports. Mary Ellen was playing volleyball. The boys were playing fall baseball with our Little League and Kate was doing cross country. I was helping coach cross country. This is our last week! I am so happy because my schedule has been brutal...another reason why I don't write much. I am pretty much brain dead by the end of each day. I am a little bit sad about cross country being over because this is Kate's senior year and it will be different without having her on the team....my star runner! When she first started, I beat her all the time. Now she beats me all the time! She is waaaaaaaaaaaay ahead of me! It was a really good sport for her. We have league championships this week and I am pretty sure she will do well, Lord willing.
I am working at the school. I'm usually there all day even though I only work in the afternoons because I have to go up with the kids. David leaves the house around 5 am to go to work with one car and then we leave around 7. Kate drives now, but even if she drove everybody up I wouldn't have a way up there. David and Kate both work at Chick Fil A. It has been a great place for both of them. Kate looooves her job which has been wonderful for a first time job experience. The owner is a really great guy and Chick Fil A is a great company. We always have Sundays off and we treasure that day now more than ever! The end of the day is coming and I have to get ready for my week! That's it for now!

get ready

We are getting all geared up for a new school year. The first day is tomorrow. Backpacks are all packed, lunches made, uniforms cleaned and ironed. We have a short week because we are going to SC. David's high school is celebrating it's 40th anniversary and his sister is turning 40 as well!
We are so excited to be a part of all the festivities. I don't feel like writing a lot so that's it for now...I need to go enjoy my last evening before school starts.

the Browns

Bunker and I are relaxing on the deck after canoeing on the lake.


Aren't they cute?! I love this couple! We were on our way to the lake to go canoeing and kayaking.

David and Herb chatting after breakfast Sat. morning on the screened in porch.

I love, love, love this fireplace. It is double sided. This side faces the kitchen and eating area and the other side faces the living room.
We had so much fun this past weekend. The Brown's home is like a little haven for us. We start relaxing as soon as enter into the neighborhood. It's therapeutic. We have known the Brown's for about nine years. We love Herb and Susan and there daughters. We have shared our ups and downs in life and walked along side each other. I pray I am half the blessing to them as they are to us! Our weekend was all we hoped it would be and more! It came at a perfect time. Thank you to all who helped with our kids, the Hesses, Taylors and Foggy's. You were a huge blessing to us as well.

my funny kids and other randomness

Kate thinks she is a big, fat, white whale! hah!
I can't wait to get her senior pics from Nick to prove her wrong! I think she is beautiful and I know I am right about that one!
It is the beginning of cross country season and so being out of shape is really beginning to be noticed and discussed a lot around here. I think we all could use some butt whuppin'! We are going to have to crack the whip and start working out more!
The boys started fall baseball this week and Mary Ellen started volleyball. I'm so glad for the opportunities they all have been given to participate in these activities. It has been so good for them. Kate has this quote on her wall that I love about cross country that says, "Our sport is your sports' punishment." good one, huh? Maybe Meredith could make her bumper sticker with that on it...hmmm could be a Christmas present.
I got to come home to today to a nice clean house and dinner! I feel so blessed and so rich! God has blessed me beyond anything I could imagine with a wonderful family and His bountiful grace and mercy which is new every morning!
Jacob helped me clean the fridge yesterday. I hate that job and I don't think I had done it in over a year. So it was pretty gross. Then today all the Stover boys worked while Kate and I were out gallivanting around the country.
I am actually looking forward to school starting now and fall! I am always ready for the change of seasons and I LOVE fall. I love pumpkins, leaves changing, cooler weather, Aunt Melinda's pumpkin pie, football and all things fall! It's coming...............after at least one more trip to the beach!

new job

David just got a new job at Chick Fil A. It is a great company to work for and it is closed on Sundays. So he can still help do church planting with our church. It isn't as much pay as he originally thought. He will have to work a lot of hours in order for this to work. But he was doing that with teaching and then bringing the job home! It seems like a great company and great people to work for. We know some of the people already and Katelyn has been working there all summer.
It has been a great experience for her as well. On to the next adventure...I wonder where this will take us in our journey.