What We Have Been Up To

Last week was fall break. A much needed break.  The boys and I hung out for a few days, played alot.  We were supposed to go to the Feeding America Warehouse in Elizabethtown to pack Backpack Program bags, but I was sick the night before and Jeff's back was all messed up so we stayed home.  Thursday and Friday we had a yard sale.  Thursday was also a very special day....

We had a nice family cookout to celebrate.  Hot dogs, s'mores, and a Strawberry Shortcake cake.  Can life get any better?

I was able to have a chat with one of my neighbors who came to the yard sale. That is another post. 

Saturday we just had to get away.....

We spent the night at "our hotel."

Then on Sunday, we went to The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere.

We had a wonderful, much needed family getaway.  Then it was off to work on Monday ending with a sick child at 2:30 this morning!  The fun never stops around here!

We are looking forward to a beautiful fall weekend here in South Central Kentucky! 

Freedom and Anteaters

I thank my God everytime I remember you. Philippians 1:3

I am very appreciative that I live in the United States of America. What a blessing it is! I am thankful for all of the men and women who have served our country over the last 233 years. They have protected our rights, responsibilities, and privileges. They have protected our todays and tomorrows. I have the utmost respect for our military and their families. I can't imagine the daily sacrifices made by them.

To those of you who are serving our country now, Thank you.

Colin, Brian (Jeffrey's cousin), and Jeffrey

To those of you who have served our country in the past, Thank you.

Joe Grimes (Jeffrey's grandfather)
Iley Murray (My grandfather)

Hugh Uhls (My grandfather)

To those who will serve in the future, Thank you.

Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

Because of the freedoms we are blessed with, we are able to experience God's creation in so many ways. Our recent visit to the Nashville Zoo was such a blessing. Jeffrey's mom took off from work that day to go with us. She got up early and checked the zoo out online. On our way there, Sue was telling us all about the new anteater exhibit. We were so excited as we walked toward the giant anteater. However, when we got there, we couldn't see it anywhere. We were disappointed, but decided to go back that way before we left for the day. This is what we saw when we went back.

We were so amazed. I had never seen an anteater before and couldn't get over how big it was. Hence the name GIANT anteater! We talked about that creature all the way home. I think it was my favorite animal to watch all day (other than the two little monkeys I had to keep up with all day)!

And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25

In the beginning....

“Then God saw everything He had made, and indeed it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

One time in Sunday School, we were asked to tell when we can feel God’s presence the most. Everyone’s answer had something to do with nature.

For the last month, the children at church have been studying Creation on Wednesday nights. Today, we were blessed to go to the Nashville Zoo for a church outing. Although I’ve been there several times on school field trips, this day was a bit more special for the simple fact that while teaching the kids about God’s Creation, I have also been touched by it.

I’ve always loved the outdoors. I’m happy sitting in the yard with a nice breeze watching the birds, squirrels, and rabbits romp around the yard. I enjoy zoos and aquariums. I love the beach and mountains. The sound of thunder and rain is like music to my ears. Sunsets and rainbows are so beautiful to look at. And still, as an adult, I look at the shapes of the clouds to figure out what they resemble.

I do feel God’s presence while enjoying His creation.

I thank God for His Creation, for giving us a beautiful world to live in with so many awesome wonders.

I thank God for being able to instill an appreciation of His Creation in my children and the children I work with at school and church.

I thank God for allowing me to live in a country where we have so many opportunities to enjoy the gifts He has given us.

The next time you watch a sunset, see a rainbow, hear the thunder, smell the rain, touch the snow, or taste a juicy watermelon, be sure to give thanks to God for those gifts.