"I know that baby"

It was so cool tonight...let me explain. We had an outreach tonight at Miracle Hill's Shepherd's Gate...ice cream sundaes and a devotional...it was wonderful. I was sitting at a round table with some women and our Hannah Belle was sitting there too and the lady beside me says, "She looks so familiar to me. I know that baby." Well I knew just what she was talking about. Rewind about a year ago or so. After Hannah's birth mother left the maternity home where she and Hannah lived they came to Shepherd's Gate for a short time. I knew this bit of information all along, therefore bringing Hannah Belle with us tonight was a special thing for me. So, fast forward to tonight... when the lady said she knew her I said, "Yes you do." I told her Hannah's birth mother's name and upon seeing the lady's eyes grow wide and face light up I knew I just blew her mind. What was so dear was when we were leaving, that lady, who in fact volunteers at Shepherd's Gate, and another volunteer stood in the entryway with me and cried telling me how much they loved Hannah and her birth mother and how they had an instant connection with Hannah even though their stay was so short. They'd always wondered what happened to Hannah and prayed that God would let them know.
Isn't He sweet? His providential hand blows my mind.

One, three, seven...

Thanks go to our cousins who came to hang out with us at the beach as they provided ample fun for our kids and humored Zeke to Zeke's heart's content. Its no wonder he loves them so! Yes, and Hannah Belle is a jumper, good heaven's I'm always impressed that she lands on two feet. She should preface herself with, "Parkour!" as she jumps off anything I'll let her.

Beach Pictures

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Wild Dunes with my family and it was FUN. This was the first year, especially being down an adult with my sister in Africa and being up another kiddo, that there was little sit and chill time on the beach. It took a day to get used to it, but soon enough we warmed up to the idea of constant play in the surf and sun. It was especially fun watching Hannah LOVE the beach for the first time. She would swim in the sand, literally, as you will note below. Zeke was fun and full of himself, it was nice having such wide open spaces for him to play on. We even got to take a day to visit Mimi and Papa at Ocean Lakes. It was a fantastic vacation to say the least!

You'd cry too if your face turned this color with sunscreen

Hannah luh her some Acey, aka my Grandmother

Zeke and Ma Di chilling by the waves

"CHEEthe!!!"

There's that fake smile again

Getting ready to cruise the "strip" at Ocean Lakes with Mimi.

Just a word...

This post is just a word, non-child related, from this gal's heart. Here's the word(s):

My gifts and talents are created by You for Your glory. When I don't use them because of fears, intimidation, and/or insecurities, I rob You of glory that You've invested into me. I rob a potential moment of ministry between You and another person, also, by focusing on the fear rather than the glory. You created me to do good works that will bless Your name, that my soul is blessed is a by-product.
When I compare myself to another having a similar gifting or talent, I shift the focus from Your grace and unique craftmanship over my life to inferiority which leads to shame and hiding.
May I focus my eyes and heart on Your creativity, Your joy, and Your glory that You own and love to cultivate in me and remember that through Your effortful agape You designed me to proclaim Your beauty, whether through a drawing, a few notes on a piano, a scratchy pull along a cello, a tomato, or even a silly jig.

That's all for now. This concludes deep thoughts with Katie, pictures will resume at a later date.