"Meet to Part and Part to Meet"

Last night we had a reluctant  very fun goodbye part for our dear friends who are Boston Bound, to serve the Lord with their lives. I couldn't be more filled with mixed emotions. I am so joyful that my friends are willing to go wherever the Lord calls them. Even if that is to a city where evangelistic, gospel centered churches are harder to find then corn bread and Chick-fil-a. Where liberal politics and theology are not only the culture, but the air they breath...and not to mention the very cold winters! These friends are so convinced of God's call on their lives they will completely change theirs to better use it to glorify God. Knowing full well, it was never really theirs to lose. I couldn't be more encouraged and spurred on, while being very sad to miss the constant fellowship and love from these 3 families. You see...mixed emotions.

It would be incredibly selfish of me and pretty much un-biblical if I weren't supportive of their decisions to plant a church in Boston. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't going to have real tears and grief as I do these next few weeks and months without my closest girl friends. God has been so good to give me solid, godly women in my life over the past several years...and especially during motherhood. We've all been doing the "same thing" for about 4-5 years. That is being faithful wives and mothers, while striving to bring the gospel to the parks, libraries and supermarkets that make up our "mission field" here in Louisville. I am going to miss my fellow ambassadors as I head to story time and Chick-fil-a as an army with one or two soldiers short....but God is faithful. He has been and He will continue to be to my sweet, dear friends who will bring the warmth of God's abundant love to the people of the city of Boston.

Here are some pictures from our fun ice-cream party at SBTS lawn:

Bethany, Me and Melissa (on of our Boston Bound girls)

We have so enjoyed the fellowship with the Keune family. They are some of the most hospitable people I have ever meet. Constantly inviting us for dinner and even cooking meat for me while I was in my first trimester so it wouldn't go bad! Who does this? A woman who loves with her whole heart and understands the depths and heights of Christs love for her. She intends to serve others in this same way.  Melissa is so gifted in organization and money management! It has been a real joy to glean wisdom from her over the years. Not to mention text her early in the day (or week) to find out what fun things were happening around town we could bring our kids to. God's Word is also so steeped in her heart that whenever she prays or we confess sin to one another she is already meditating on verses that directly apply to mending our hearts back to the Lord. She is full of wisdom and I am blessed to have been apart of her daily life for these years. Her unwavering trust in God's good and sovereign plan for her life is and has been a real encouragement for me. She has encouraged me to love and trust Christ more, whatever the cost.

Noel, Mady and Moriah. Girlfriends!

The "newly-wed" table...even though they both have been married over a year.

Jordan with The Schaffer's sweet Isaiah, another Boston Bound baby. How cute is he!!!

Sweet Jenny. I will never forget meeting her for the first time some 4 years ago. She came into my sunglass store I was managing at the time and told me we had meet at IBC (of which I didn't remember). She had so many compliments and sweet things to say to me, I was blown away by her beautiful, kind, selfless spirit! It wasn't long before we were enjoying her sweet dessert parties and watching each other bare children. Jenny also has the gift of hospitality. Her home is full of warmth and southern charm. Dukes Mayonnaise and Blue Belle ice cream are two things that will always make me smile when I think of Jenny. These are two staples in this girl's kitchen.  Jenny has many gifts but one of her gifts, one I have most benefited from is her humility. She has much the world would tell her to boast about, but she keeps her heart content on the Lord and boasts only in Him.  Her contagious laugh and easy going demeanor will be a breath of fresh air to the Bostonian's she will meet. Certainly, many will come to know the Lord through these amazing women.

J.C., A.J. and Bryan

Me and my love

Bethany and I being ridiculous

Just the night before this was taken Bethany and I had the chance to speak to the women of IBC about how the Lord brought us both to Christ. Bethany and I have known each other for 10 years now and I am so very thankful for her constant fellowship and love over the years. We have both grown leaps and bounds from our days living together in the sorority house (and thank goodness). God was good to use me in her life when she was a non believer and I was a very zealous new believer. He was faithful to lead her to repentance and trust Christ as her savior. We have experienced great joys and deep sorrows together. God has knit our lives tightly together and we couldn't be more thankful. I am glad that she has no immediate plans to move to Boston, (or anywhere else)....I still need some sisters sticking around ;).

Me and Sammi (holding Jenny's Kate)

My sweet daughter

The Schreiner Family and The Mahon Family

Beautiful

A lot, but not all of our ever expanding Bible Study. I have been so blessed to be in God's Word with these ladies. Oh, how it has been such a great ministry to my heart at so many different season of my life. We laugh, cry and laugh some more...all while eating chocolate and burping the newborns. I have never had such great fellowship with a constant group. So thankful for this season and these incredibly godly women!

I hate that this picture is out of focus. Whoops. Sorry.
But here are our men and all their wisdom. They faithfully lead their wives with unconditional love, just like Christ and His bride. They are funny, manly and strong. They juggle jobs, babies and footballs...all without breaking a sweat. They are such great examples for their sons and examples for their daughters, as they look for husbands. Above reproach and full of wisdom. Very thankful for them all.

Its hard to say goodbye to such dear friends, but when you know that life on earth is so short compared to the eternal destiny we have waiting for us....it makes the bitterness a little sweeter.
So we meet to part, but part to meet.

"We meet to part, but part to meet
When earthly labors are complete,
To join in yet more blest employ,
In an eternal world of joy."

-Basil Manly Jr. 1860

Soldiers of Christ, in Truth Arrayed

Finishing off the Summer....

....with a bang!
Here are a few pics from some recent adventures we've gotten ourselves into.

Mady at her very first movie!

Bryan got hired at a great company and has reason to celebrate not only for the great new salary, benefits and paid time off...but for his last day at STARBUCKS!

We are so very thankful for Starbucks and the ministry and provision it has been for us. Bryan really did fall in love with the community in which he worked. I know he will miss a great deal of his regular customers and his co-workers, but after 4 years it was time to move on. Being a full time student and working 2 other jobs in addition to Starbucks makes for a hard schedule. So needless to say, he is glad to begin a career in an industry where he sees his future. God is good!

At the zoo with Ms. Macy, our helper for the summer. These girls are a pair! 

Play dates with some good buddies!

Then a little summer virus hit her hard for about 36 hours and then we were back and running!

 

Then Uncle Christopher came for a visit! We had such a good time with him!

 

Little sporadic picnic with some close friends up at seminary lawn. These people are so dear to me. We really enjoy their fellowship and constant encouragement in the gospel.

These two are two peas in a pod. Here they are being Pottery Barn models during Pottery Barn Story time.

My great big brother was a great big help this week as he visited. I put him to work. All the "nesting" urges and check lists have been accomplished with his willing and hard working spirit. I love him. He's a great big brother....he is so great now because he has to make up for all the years he tormented me. Hah!

We had the best visit with Uncle Christopher. He was super fun and Mady adored playing with him.
He had a great time also doing/ going to lots of parties with our friends. He fits right in, for the most part....he kept apologizing for being so "northern" and loud and abrasive. It was hilarious. He was hilarious.

Over all, the summer is ending and some new fun is just beginning. Baby #2 will be here before we know it!

Someone's 5!

My nephew Layton turned 5 this week!
I cannot believe 5 years ago he made his way into the world. It still feels like it was yesterday.
It was the dream welcoming party for Mr. Lay-Lay. We were ALL there! That is what happens when you are the very first kid, grand kid, great-grand kid and nephew.
This day was equally as great...we were once again there, but this time to celebrate his 5th birthday!

Of course you know my amazing S.I.L. is gifted at the Birthday Party Decor/ Theme ideas...which made this party Pinterest worthy. It was so cute. Golf theme, for a golf loving boy.

Here's the Birthday Boy himself!

Love that Pop's had the fun job of baby sitting playing with all the kids in the pool so us parents could have a little time off! Thanks Pops!

There were TONS of kids at this party and the older they get the MORE interested they are in the presents, cake....everything! It was fun. Can you even see Layton? Haha.

Blowing out his candles.

Sweet family.

Happy Birthday Buddy!!

Mady and Luke had a tiny bit of fun too.

It was cool night in August, which is very rare...it was perfect for a 5th b-day party!

Treasured Moments

If you had any doubt that Mady looks just like her daddy...check out a few of these pictures and it will prove my point. With her glasses off, she's a splitting image. Although, definitely the more feminine and pretty version.

"That's too close daddy!! Your beard is scratchy!"

"I love my daddy!"