Over the weekend...

We had a busy, but great weekend.  We started the weekend with a NetGroup BBQ with one of the adults' groups...on this past Friday night.  The group did a great job of inviting new people and making everyone feel welcome.  We had a yummy dinner of BBQ chicken, cole slaw, homemade flour tortillas, chips and cheese, dessert.  Everything was so good.  And they even sent the leftovers home for us on Saturday.

We played pictionary with Bible miracles.  It was so funny and everyone had a great time.  Oh, and this little darling?  Her name is ROBYN, just like me.  She even spells it correctly.  And if you offer to take her to her mommy, she will let you carry her.  We had a blast enjoying this little girl.  Her parents have been coming to the church for a couple months now.

Then, Saturday, I don't know..we were just busy around the house.  Wini has been going through all her stuff and eliminating as she has to leave with just two suitcases.  I feel for her, because I remember not too long ago, having to get rid of most of my things.  It is an emotional process.  She sent me her ticket on Saturday and when I saw it, it choked me up...the reality that she will soon be gone.  We are throwing her a big party on Tuesday night, right before she leaves, so Tori has been helping me to get things ready.  It sounds like a lot of people are planning to come.  Tori and I will have a very long day on Tuesday because, here, when you throw a party, everything is from scratch.  I actually will buy some food today and the rest at market tomorrow.  But I am happy to send her off knowing she was loved.

Sunday was a mad rush as we now have THREE vanloads of people to pick up on Sunday morning, getting things set up, not enough chairs, so sending someone to our house to get the plastic chairs...and we had a full house again...121 people came to watch Courageous.  It is a movie with a powerful message.  I even got to hold little Tristan, so Terrance could enjoy the end of the movie.  He fell asleep in my arms and that was the sweetest thing in the world for me.  I love babies, and let me tell you, we have never pastored a church with so many babies.  We had around 10 who were under six months old yesterday...it is crazy.  But I can always hold a baby anytime I want:)

After church, we went to lunch at a missionary family that comes to our church.  They do Water Missions International, installing water purification systems for villages.  It was so wonderful and relaxing as the rain has brought on cooler temps.  We ate outside on the beautiful porch looking over the river.  Erika made a new little friend, who lives next door to the family.  I just had to take some pictures of this amazing house they are renting.  I am sure you will enjoy my family's poses...

This is a precious couple that just blessed us so much yesterday

Their eldest, Chase, who is an amazing helper in our children's church...

Little Aden is their next door neighbor and Erika had a blast with him.  The boy in red is their youngest, Logan...a precious boy.

It was so fun eating outside...we didnt even mind the mosquitoes...

Our view...see the river?

The bedroom Erika played in...loved the tapestries over each bed...

Our last Sunday with Wini:(  At least it was a special day...

Wini's really sleeping...Jesse just covered his face...the view from upstairs...

Wow, that looked comfy...

she woke up...

Happy Father's Day, fake sleeper:)

This was the coolest bathroom I've ever seen, but dont know if I would like all these windows!!!  Lee's taking a bath!!!

So, it was a great weekend.  We have another busy week ahead of us.  Hoping to get our homeschool stuff today.  It is waiting for us.  This week, we will move Tori into her own room. She is excited, Erika is not.  So we are going to try to make Erika having her own room special too.  Setting up her room just the way she wants.

Have an awesome day!)

Happy Father's Day, Dad:)

Tomorrow we will do something very NON-traditional at LifeNet.  We are going to watch the movie Courageous during our Sunday morning service.  Why?  Because there are dads that will come to church tomorrow and this movie presents an amazing sermon of being a godly father.

We will lavish our love on Lee tomorrow, because he is an amazing, godly father.  The girls have been working on "secret" stuff all week and I will make his favorite dessert.  

what a fun daddy you are:)

always dancing with your girls at weddings:)

and being a nut 24/7...my kids have the best dad!!!

So, now I want to thank my Dad for being who he is in my life now and who he was when I was growing up.  I have the marriage and family life because of the example I grew up with.  I always looked for someone just like my daddy to marry...someone funny, someone secure, someone who was devoted to Jesus, someone who loves his children.

Dad, I have so many great memories of growing up.  Playing in the snow, sledding, going camping, playing games, swimming, so many fun vacations.  I remember you always being very involved in my life, while working hard and supporting our family.  I never knew having to go without because you always were a good provider.  You were at every thing special in my life like awards ceremonies, band concerts, you name it.  You walked me down the aisle on my wedding day and held me strongly on your arm as it was my most nervous day ever.

I know as a little child, I was challenging at times, full of energy, doing crazy stuff.  But you always loved me. You never withheld your love because of my actions.  Thank you.  Thank you for setting an example of unconditional love and patience.

Now, as a papa, you are amazing as well.  My children love to play games with you.  They love to learn from you.  You have so many things you pour into them.  I am sad that we are farther away now, but the time we have together is that much more precious.

I look forward to seeing you and hugging you in a few weeks.

I love you Dad!!!  Happy Father's Day...

you patiently taught Erika Chicken Foot...truly her favorite game now...

everybody always wants to sit with Papa

you have been a good, loving husband to my mama....one of the best gifts you could give me as a daughter...

what a joy to have you and Mom along on our trip to Israel a few years back

and you and Mom were there with me every tear I cried and  every prayer I prayed in the adoption process...I cannot tell you what a support you were and are with this little girl

and there you are, supporting me with a smile in the background, as my dream came true

Wow, that last picture teared me up.  Dad, I pray that on Father's Day this year, that you know what a heritage you leave.  You have 10 amazing grandchildren and one on the way...What a blessing for this new little niece of mine to get a Papa like you...And thank you for the amazing father you have been to me.

145 people in a room made for 75

Wow, today was super crazy and sweaty again!!!  Even though we rent a building with AC...

We had a packed out house today.  Three of the Life School of Ministry team taught the children...37 of them to be exact, while the adults stayed upstairs and listened to Pastor Sam.  It was an amazing morning full of ministry.  I was so blessed as the people I love here were ministered to by the people I love in Katy.

Then we rushed to clean up the building and send the team off to the airport.  It was hard to say goodbye, but I am thankful we will see them all again soon.

Life Advance touched so many people so deeply.  I am going to try to work on a DVD for Life Church to see all the testimonies of what God did.

Here are just a few pictures of the past few days, and I am sure more will pop up on Facebook as the team lands and unloads.  I cannot wait to see them.

Yes, my crazy husband let me baby hold this thing!!

Even with several kids missing Thursday night due to graduation, we still had a full house, and the team broke into small groups and really ministered.

So fun setting up for the Life Advance with the ladies...they all made it so pretty.

Simple, but nice, I thought...and we can save the decorations for next time...

Then we went to check on the rest of the team as they put in new swings.  A testimony from this morning:

This morning a lady who comes to church semi-often came in and said, "I've been away, but I'm back...and wanted to tell you...my girls hate to go to the park and all the swings are broken or missing... We went this weekend and they were like, Mom, LifeNet put swings in and so now we can enjoy the park again." And that is why we do what we do...

Casey, I love the bling:)

LIFE ADVANCE: Dinner

Happy 5th Anniversary to one of the sweetest couples I know...we were at their wedding 5 years ago and it is one that I will never forget.

This is for Sara's mama...look at those precious toes and fingers...

Remember that baby shower in January?  Well, this is precious Eden...I love her:)

We had FOUR nursing babies at the Life Advance...this is the baby table, where we guard that they didnt fall off, but could stretch out a little...

Yes, and I love these babies...

This is our family after church before the team left, yes, Im probably a little teared up...it was a sweet time for us...

Julia...thank you for loving me daughter like you did...you are very special.

Yes, every picture of Erika...Lisa is holding her...major bonding this week for sure...

Rianie took this...HALF of our room this morning...we were packed!!!

Watch out:  Jesus has big plans for this girl...Freshly graduated and open to the Lord...she is a blessing in our lives...

Love these pictures...Bobby came all the way to be a big brother to Tori...such a precious young man...

Too cool guys, for sure

And we will end on this note...another cute pic of Eden...

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