Life Keeps moving

I often feel like life is continually a winding road on which I just want to speed through. Maybe it is the proclivity of a few of our family to get motion sick. I think it is most likely my desire to get where I feel like I need to be where the pain does not show itself so often. As I turn forty years old next wee, I am struck by the fact that I am still learning the lessons of my pride and lack of patience. God has truly shown his patience with me a I struggle with these the simplest of lessons. This road seems like it will never end and my longing to jump over the guard rail and wander through the trees looking for a short cut continues to leave me in the ditch.

Contentment is the very thing I desire, but the thing which I do not allow myself to possess. Is the abundant life that Jesus promised this simple fact? "to be content in all things"

I get so caught up in the business of each days chores, conversations and schedule that I fail to enjoy the journey. Last week as I was teaching Davis about sin, I decided to talk with him about was I sin daily. One of the confessions I made to him was how I often turn down his request to be read to or shoot baskets because fo my laziness or lack of rest. I told him that even though I was tired that this was just an excuse and therefore a sin. God tells me to love my children, spend time with them and train them. I asked his forgiveness. He forgave. So simple-

Yet, 10 hours later when we were in the midst of the night time routine, Naomi asking for more books from Mom, Davis brushing teeth and getting jammied that Hannah asked if Dad would read to her. I said, "not tonight it's late, we need to get to bed" and the all-time best, "Dad is tired". Then came the tender voice of Davis, "Dad".
"What, Davis", I replied.
"Dad, you know"
"What", I said sheepishly already seeing where ethis was headed.(straight to the ditch again)
"Dad, you said this morning"
I interrupted quickly, "Thanks, Davis, you're a good son", "Will you forgive me?"
"Yes, Dad", my gentle son replied.

Davis is growing up and teaching me so many things. I often find him watching me speed down the road. He is trying to slow me down.
Jesus is placing road signs on my drive through life to help me enjoy the journey.

Can I find a way to notice?

Our Babysitter is gone....

Well the date finally came and Lindsay and Neal are married. The kids had a wonderful time at the wedding. Naomi was a beautiful flower girl, Davis the lead bell ringer and Hannah made the mitten party gifts that were handed out at the reception.

We all enjoyed the wedding. It was the most God honoring wedding I have ever attended. To watch the families pray over the bride and groom and worship as they sang was a blessing. Christe and I desire for God to provide for our children and their spouses in the same way.

Life is fast paced right now. Hannah is doing well in school, but the school's discipline situation is increasing growing worse. We hope to move her to a different situation soon. She will have to improve her reading comprehension to be able to succeed in a new school.

Davis is a sports fanatic. He is playing Upward basketball on the Roundball Razorbacks and loves it. He really seems to be skilled.

Naomi is her usual princess self. She often addresses Christe as Your Majesty. She loves to play with horses and pretends oftent o be a puppy.

Christe and I are well. We struggle to stay connected in our relationship with all that is going on. I am humbled at how God continues to break us so that we depend on him.

Will you pray with us for our children? for Hannah's school, for Davis to continue to grow in his gentle character and for Mimi to want to choose obedience.

Will you pray for Christe and I that we will serve each other in our communication and actions?

The Kids enjoying the Jinci temple in Taiyuan