It has been a LONG time since our last post. Really a lifetime ago. So much has happened and life has completely changed. So many of you know everything that has happened and yourselves have been grieving and wondering if the hole in your heart will ever be filled, not hurt so much, or offer any joy again. Of course, we know as Christians that we do not grieve as those who have no hope. So the void is being filled as Christ who is our Comfort leads us through this valley, gently speaking His truth into our souls and caring us on the days of tears and sadness.   He is making the path of joy straight for us and reminding our hearts with greater assurance that this is not our home.

Gogo met Jesus on Feb. 19, Grandaddy met Jesus on April 6, and Papa met Jesus on July 11. An unbelievable sentence.

So many of you ask how are you getting through all of this, you all have been through so much... these things are true. Christ is so real to each of us and not in a fake spiritual means... no He is real to us through His people through you. He is made real to us through the prayers that go up on our behalf, the cards, phone calls, inbox messages, texts, meals, invites out, and visits. Thank you for ministering to our very souls as you each have pointed us to Him and offered us kindness beyond words.
The kids are doing well. They share their tears with us and talk about Gogo, Grandaddy, and Papa, remembering what the loved about each of them.

We are ready to move forward with tears, not forgetting these past months that will continue to define, refine, and shape us for the rest of our lives. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

All things considered we have had a great summer... morning coffee on the side porch with Ryan, a week vacation with the SuperGroup in TN, a day at the beach for Caedmon's birthday, painted the girls room, got other home projects done, baseball games, Samaria Project week (local missions), I bought a cornhole set, GREAT visits with friends in our home.

The Russell's are getting ready to head back to school. Ryan will go back on Monday the 6th and begin classes on the 15th. This year he will be teaching Algebra 1 along with the upper bible classes. Ryan has taken on different responsibilities at the church as Worship and Outreach Minister.

The kids and I are switching to My Father's World. We are excited to study History, Geography and Science together as a family. Language and Math (Saxon Math) will be taught individually. Caedmon is on 4th grade, Justin and Athan are in 2nd grade and Holland is in Kindergarten. We are excited about our M.A.T.H. homeschool coop. They will also be starting art lessons taught by a Mike Jancart and Jody Bohannon.

We will make no grand promises to faithfully update our blog this year... but thank you for reading it when we do!! WE LOVE YOU ALL!!