Movin on up

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." Ephesians 3:20 
This scripture continues to run through my mind throughout this process. There have certainly been times that have been difficult however even in the midst of them God continues to draw us close and provide a peace that surpasses all understanding. There will be trials ahead BUT God is worthy of all our praise therefore we praise Him. I continue to journal but yet can't adequately record all the ways in which the Lord continues to bless us and provide affirmation of the call to be in Harrisburg PA. We have been encouraged, loved and prayed for by Faith Baptist and many others.

Here are a few pics of the past week. 

This is Logan's last day in his Sunday school class at Faith. All the kids & teachers made their last day meaningful and special as they encouraged them in our move to PA. The kids have had many teachers over the years who have poured into them truth and loved them in ways that we may never know. Teachers thank you, thank you, thank you.

We had many get togethers with groups of folks over the past couple months and we certainly appreciated each gathering.  We are so thankful for the time to say our "see ya laters" and to treasure our relationships with our friends.  

Breanna hugged many kids that she has cared for in VBS, babysitting and just being available.

This was one of the last nights at our temporary home. We ended up sitting all together and had conversations about our move and what was ahead in the days to come. The Lord continues to draw us closer together as a family as we plunge into the "unseen/unknown" for the gospel.  

Many boxes have been packed for 8 months, this is the day before the move.

Maddy and I stopped by to see our family friend Ms. Susan. This was a difficult goodbye. Maddy has helped at her horse farm until Ms. Susan was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. Maddy has faithfully prayed for Ms. Susan every night before she goes to bed. Ms. Susan had called me earlier in the day to share the first good report that she received since her diagnosis. Cancer has spread throughout her body however the spot in her brain had shrunk and was not currently active. We celebrated and praised God for the good report. So we had tears of joy the day we said our "see ya laters"

Maddy and Logan wrote many notes to friends for the past couple months. It appeared to be very helpful for them to work through emotions and the transition.

We had many help pack up the truck, in fact the truck was loaded in about 30 minutes!

I do wish I had taken more pictures of the team that helped us pack up or at least a group picture.  It's all a blur but I'm thankful for each one of you who helped and also the ladies who cleaned after we left the house.

Again what can I say? Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us Ephesians 3:20   This is the Willows, our friends and members at Faith. They own the house that we called home for a couple months after we sold our home. This home was certainly more than we could have even known to pray for. Even in the short time of living at the Willow's home we shared some special memories together as a family. The kids enjoyed exploring in the country. Thank you Dave and Janet for opening your home to us, we certainly pray that this home will sell quickly.

After the truck was packed many folks met us at church for pizza and to say "see ya laters" It was a special time as many were neighbors that have connected to some of our faith family now. The hugs and goodbyes were difficult and hard however we are so thankful for the continued connection that we have with them.

Here is "grammy sue" to us that is...if you see her around town you can call her Sue.  Maddy spent a lot of time with her and her grand kids. Sue's home state is PA and has family in H'burg so she will be traveling through on occasion.

Ms. Sue brought the kids PA coloring books for the trip and hugged on Maddy several times before she left.

The group prayed together

Here we are ready to roll out Saturday morning. Bethany came along with us and has stayed the week with us in PA.

We had some folks gather around to pray for us and the team going to help us unpack. Sweet memories that I will never forget despite my belly that was full of butterflies!

We stopped for a potty break and was able to see Nana and Papa, (Debbie and Tom). Debbie prepared care bags for the team full of snacks, homemade cookies and activities for the kids.

checking out whats in the goody bag!

The kids had a good time traveling. I had only one kid in the van with me on most of the trip. Each vehicle had a walkie talkie & lots of laughs along the way. We couldn't think of any better transition to share our experience with friends.

Taking our Exit!

I just couldn't think of any better way to arrive at our new home and to have folks waiting for us on our front porch! Larry a pastor and his family waited with Pizza's in hand and water for the moving crew. This was my first time along with the kids seeing the house. We took a quick peek before starting to unload the truck.

Sandy, a friend from Faith joined us since he is currently working in PA

This is Larry's wife, Mindy she has a little one Olivia's age. She is looking forward to spending more time with her new friend.

smiling despite the heat!

Larry and Mindy have a son around Logan's age and it certainly didn't take long to start playing with a few toys in hand.

working hard

Maddy and Billy made breakfast for the team before they left.  We had some great laughs, sweet conversations and prayed together before they left.

Thankful for these guys! They traveled up with us, unloaded trucks, put together beds and helped us get settled in on our first night in our new home.

We have been busy unpacking,settling into our surroundings and learning a new culture. We have a peace that is unexplainable in our home and we praise God for bringing us here. (Don't get me wrong, there are still kids that fuss at one another) You are an important part of  Redeeming Grace church plant by holding on the rope of support. We are thankful for the continued connection with our friends as they pull on the rope keeping it tight.   We look forward to giving you updates on the work the Lord is doing in Harrisburg.   

You are my God, and I give thanks to You;

you are my God, I extol You. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

 For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Psalm 119:28 

Breakfast with the Family

So after 4 straight days of taking all the kids out we all went to Bojangles Saturday morning to hang out together and to talk about our adventures from the week.  We gave each of the kids a gift to remember their day but to also remind them of how they are uniquely created.  It was a great ending to an even greater week.  We had a blast with the kids this week and look forward to the many adventures we will have with them after we are settled in Harrisburg in a few short days.

We gave Olivia a new set of watercolors to remind her of her creativitiy and the way she loves to serve others by making them pictures and giving them away. Her cheery personality and bright smile are always an encouragement to those she comes in contact with.

 Logan got a Civil War (replica) musket ball and an arrowhead.  These were to remind him of the things he saw at the museum.  These 2 unique gifts also serve to remind him that God has created him as a boy who will one day grow into a man and that he will one day protect (musket ball) and provide (arrow head) for his own family.  He is energetic, outgoing and very affectionate.  He has a desire to know how things should be done and has a teachable spirit.  He is a great boy and will be a greater young man as The Lord continues to grow and mature him into His likeness.

 Maddy got a T-shirt from the ranch where she rode the horse.  Her love for animals, particularly those who are sick or hurting comes from a deep compassion and a heart to serve.  She has a deep faith and a desire to see those hurting (animals, friends or the lost) healed and believes without a doubt that God will do it.  This faith and compassion will be a joy to watch develop as she grows and matures in her walk with The Lord.

Breanna got a "new" old camera.  This was a reminder of her creativity and how the photos she took were much more than just random objects, they were letters spelling out her name.  Breanna is very creative and loves to read, particularly biographies and journals.  Breanna has a gift at looking past the facade most people see and going much deeper.  Her desire to know someone's story coupled with her discerning spirit has and will continue to serve her well in her love for missions.  She truly sees herself as a missionary to her peers, not just a teen who wants to be a missionary someday.

As we get closer to moving to Harrisburg, 11 days to be exact, it has become evident throughout the past week that these days were not just for the kids.  God, in His infinite grace, took the opportunity to show Billy and I that these kids are ready.  They are ready for the mission the He has called us to, they are ready for the adventure of moving to a new place and above that they are ready because the Lord has equipped each of them for the work ahead.

We have ended each posting this week with Psalm 139:14 to show how The Lord has created each of our children wtih care and detail.  Since this posting is for our entire family we wanted you to know that as a family we are dedicated and united in the ministry God has called our family to. It does not start with moving to PA, it began nearly 16 years ago on our wedding day and has increased with the addition of each child.  So.....

¹⁵ But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua 24:15

Breanna's Day Out

Day # 4

Billy and I are taking each of the kids out this week for a special day to themselves to celebrate the past 10yrs here in NC.  We have had so much fun planning their special days and the kids have been so excited for their siblings when they get to have their days. Here are some pics from Breanna's Special Day Out.

 Our first stop was Steven's Used Book Store.

Breanna has wanted to go to this bookstore for a while however this is not the best place to take a van full of kids. Books are piled everywhere from the top of the ceiling to the floor and often stacks of books on the floor. They have the largest collection of classic literature which are Breanna's favorite books to read. It was nice to let her dig, look and chose a few books to take home.

I think her coolest find was the Pilgrims Progress on top

She chose to go to Kanki for dinner, her favorite restaurant in NC

We headed downtown and stopped into an art gallery

 ...and they studied each piece of work.

But her big activity for the afternoon was to create art rather than just look at it.  She got behind the camera and we walked all over downtown Raleigh from Fayetteville Street to the museums and everywhere in between.  She took pictures of common things in an uncommon way.

Here are some of the shots she took on her day as a photographer



Here is the Art she created with the photos she took.  Very creative! She did a great job!

We plan on getting this framed for her new room in PA after she chooses which combination she wants.

We ended the night at a theater to watch "The Fool's Lear" it was a 2 man play taken from Shakespeare's King Lear

We had a great day with Breanna, we determined it had probably been since before Maddy was born that we had a full day alone with Breanna.  It was fun, it reminded us of those days in TN when we would toss her in the car and head off to Knoxville or Gatlinburg.

We will have one more post tomorrow recapping the week with some special pictures from our weekending family breakfast Saturday morning.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

   your works are wonderful,

   I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14