Visiting the 'Rents (as Jacob would say)

We spent the weekend visiting my parents. It was cold, wet and we even saw snow, but it was also warm, cozy and fun to spend some time with them alone. This past weekend was the weekend they close the New River Gorge Bridge and have basejumpers and all kinds of festival stuff. Well, like I said it was cold and wet and my father has a cold so we opted to travel all the way to Wheeling and spend the day shopping inside. Cabela's has a huge store in Wheeling and hubby, Jacob and daddy were in hog heaven. Jacob found a hat that he just had to have. (He said for hunting purposes, but it never left his head the rest of the weekend!) I think his head gets cold now that he has relatively little hair thanks to MCJROTC. This child looks so much like me it's almost scarry.

I can't thank God enough for such wonderful parents. Their examples in following Christ and raising children are priceless and I am truly blessed to still have them with me.

Like everyone else I've also started a facebook page. Not sure I'll keep this blog going because keeping up two things is more than I need right now. If you have facebook look for me there -- search for Kim in King, NC.

Catching My Breath

Time flies whether you are having fun or not. Fall has arrived, the leaves are falling, the pool is closed, the house still isn't sold and hubby is still on the road. No matter what, God is faithful. I can see ways he is working in our lives and in the lives of friends and loved ones.


Our sweet friends, the McK's and their daughter, have just returned from China with their beautiful baby boy. This journey has been two years in the making and I can see how God has richly blessed them. Our other friends, the H's, have two teenagers of their own and this past weekend agreed to take two more teenagers in need of a home into theirs. I am in awe of their selfless sacrifice and commitment to teens in our area, and I see God's hand upon their home and hearts. There are others close to us who are opening their doors to children in need, but their stories are too personal to appear here, but they are on our lips in prayer for strength, wisdom and protection.


On the home front God is working. Jacob is immersed in high school and doing really well. He is thriving in MCJROTC. Back again is the boy we remember along with a new grown up attitude. Thank you Jesus for answered prayer!


Zachary and Candace are facing a health issue for her. We know that God is working in their lives as well and we pray for his healing hands upon her body. We trust that God will provide medical solutions soon and that he will give both of them strength and wisdom to endure this time in their lives.

We decided to host the Youth Prayer Breakfast this school year. (It doesn't look like the house is selling anytime soon, so we might as well use it!) This morning was our first and we had a ton of teens. I am beginning to see teens in a different light. They are such wild, untamed creatures on one hand, but on the other -- they are so delightful and entertaining. Thank you Jesus for this precious opportunity to open our doors and home to these young people.

Happy 1st Anniversary

It is hardly comprehendable that today marks one year since Zach and Candi got married. They've accomplished alot in a year -- both have great jobs, they bought their first home a few months ago, and welcomed a new addition -- a pooch named Roxie. We're very proud of them and hope they have many, many more anniversaries!

Happenings!

Jacob started high school this week and boy did I get caught by surprise. It was just like kindergarten all over again. He's a freshman now and he's growing up. I cried all the way home -- just like kindergarten. Then he came home yesterday and he went from this . . .

to this . . .

WOW!

Father God, no matter what my children do or don't do, I pray they do in your will.

Life in the fast lane . . .

Sometimes, I get tired of living in the fast lane. Sometimes, I want to pull over. Sometimes, I want to bail (to use one of Jacob's new words)! and Sometimes, I just need a few days to chill.

We recently took a few days to lay on the beach, lay around the pool, lay around the campsite and just chill. It was great and certainly gave us some time to recharge our batteries. We took hubby's mother with us. She was in need of a break after losing her mother and we took Jacob's cousin with us so he would have some teen companionship. It gave us time to make some decisions and plans for our future.

Hubby is actively looking for a job that will allow him to be home with us instead of on the road. Jacob is starting high school in a couple of weeks back in the public system and in a new district. In this economy things are tight, but God is faithful! Thank goodness for my Savior -- without him my life would be a complete mess. The house is still on the market albeit in a new realtor's hands -- and we're waiting patiently on God to reveal his plans for our lives.

So, life in the fast lane or broke down on the side of road? Doesn't really matter as long as you know the master mechanic.

As for me and my house . . .

This verse is a favorite of ours. When we built this house and before we actually spent one night in it we had our pastor and some friends come and bless each and every room in this house. It was a very moving experience to hear our friends pray over every room and our lives. This verse appears in almost every room of our home somewhere. "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord."


Serving our Lord is our goal -- it's doesn't always happen, sometimes it's not easy, but the verse if a constant reminder to us that this house, this home, our lives belong to him.


It has been a chaotic summer. Who am I kidding? It has been a chaotic four years. So many things have happened (and not happened) and our lives have been turned upside down, inside out and every which way you can think, but God is faithful.

Even in death God has been faithful. Last week we saw that first hand as hubby's grandmother passed away. None of us were prepared to lose her so soon and she will be greatly missed in our family.

Lord Jesus thank you for allowing us the opportunity to have such a godly woman in our lives. Give us the strength and courage to always serve you.

and life goes on . . .

I'm reminded today that no matter what comes our way whether good news, bad news, adversity, sickness, even death . . . life goes on.

We're still riding the roller coaster of parenthood, we're still traveling all over the United States, we're still hoping and praying for the house to sell and now we're learning to deal with eventually losing a loved one.

My hubby's beloved grandmother who lives with his mother has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer which has spread to her liver. The doctors have said six months. Six months to finish a life. I can't imagine what hearing those words does to a person. I do know that she is a true woman of faith and an inspiration to all of us.

But, life goes on. Each and every day the sun comes up and a new day begins and each and every day God is there to comfort, to give us strength, to lead and guide us. Praise God because without his hand in mine some days would be unbearable.