The Guys

USC today...

empty nest tonight.

Friends

I may have posted this one before, but I smile when I look at this picture. What a fun time these teenagers have had together. I love all their smiles. Good times.

Ways You Can Make Your Marriage Better

I came across this yesterday while I was cleaning out a drawer. Here's the short version of the article by JB Collingsworth

1. Be nice to your spouse! It is amazing how relationships improve when we decide to be nice and kind and thoughtful.

2. Watch your tongue. We choose our words and they have the power to build up or tear down.

3. Turn away from temptation and evil. God knows we will have opportunity to behave badly, but He has given instructions for our good and for the success of our marriage and family.

4. Read a Proverb a day.

5. Never forget you are not on your own! You will find joy and contentment when you lean on God and allow Him to accomplish His will in your marriage, both in the good times and in the unavoidable bad times.

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 13:14


And, I would say, remember to ask your spouse how you can pray for them today. It will bless them and you just might learn what is going on in their heart. God is good. He is all about our marriage.

The Flying Begins

This past Sunday we set out with a big truck and headed to Anderson University to move Christopher into his new house. He and 3 friends will be living in this house. This is one of several "ministry" houses on the AU campus. To live in a ministry house, an application must be submitted with hopes that you will be chosen. If you live in one of the ministry houses you must host a Bible Study, and have a specific ministry that you will be involved with throughout the year. Christopher and his roommates will have a ministry for transfer students. They are so excited to have a house instead of a dorm room this year.

Kynn's statement of the day, "Isn't there a pillow in that truck you want me to carry?" The answer was always 'NO"! :)

It was a rather HOT day.

One of the bedrooms


Dining room off the kitchen

Kitchen

Daisy helped with the move. She thought it was HOT too.


And now, there is only ONE bird left in the nest. You can just see in his eye that he is ready to fly too.

Little Birds

There are two birds in the nest right now, but only for a VERY short time. Both have plans of leaving home very soon. Little bird, Christopher, will leave tomorrow and fly to Anderson to begin his senior year. Little bird, Jamie, will leave Sat. and fly to USC to begin his freshman year.

And, little bird Spencer, has never actually moved back to the nest since the day he flew to USC in the fall of 2006. He will begin his last semester at USC in the fall.

Mom and Dad bird don't really know how they feel about all the activity. They are so excited for their birds. What an exciting time of life. However, they are fully award that a major life season has come to a close. All of us are excited to see what lies ahead.

The Rodeo

Out to Pasture

Each night all the horses on the ranch ran up the mountain to spend the night in the pasture. The lead horses wore bells around their necks so they could find the horses the next morning. It really is a totally different life than here in Columbia. It is much calmer, less stressful, a relaxed way of living.

The Barn