Around here lately....

T

he last week has been "overflowingly" full!

On Wednesday, our oldest son, Nate, who is in the Army, was able to come home for a four day visit! That qualifies for a family holiday here.

I used my chalk markers to write a "welcome home" message for Nate on our front storm door.



The whole family drove up to the airport to pick Nate up.



The children had a blast watching planes landing and taxiing, etc.



You should have seen the "group hug" that took place when Nate arrived! (In uniform, no less!)

Here we were waiting for Nate's luggage to arrive~ and trying to keep the little guys from taking a ride on the baggage conveyor!



I'm so glad that he was able to bring his guitar home! I really miss hearing his guitar around the house.




Nate really enjoys his little brothers and they, of course, are thrilled to have another lap to sit on and be hugged!


We took a little time to catch a family photo on Sunday...


We had to do a little "horsing around."



The little boys found a skink...



We reluctantly returned Nate to his Army duties Sunday afternoon, which was so sad. It was a much quieter ride up to the airport that evening than when we went to get him on Wednesday.

Then, to top off our day, Tom had to euthanize our Old English Mastiff, Lucy that night. She was getting old and had really begun to suffer. It was heartbreaking to see her like that.

I was sad to say "good-bye" to her.

Monday we had some fabulous autumn weather and I was able to go for a bike ride to pray and "recharge."


Life ebbs and flows, doesn't it? Seasons change and I embrace them... both the warm carefree summer days and autumn's splendor. Winter's blast doesn't last forever, does it?

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.
The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.

Lam. 3:21-25

Nate wrote this song recently, and sang it for us when he was home.

His Love

Don’t give up on love
Its not so far away
Turn your eyes above
He is here to stay

So don’t close your eyes
Keep pressing on
And when you fall down
Face to the ground
Look to the sky
His love pours down

You say you fell too far
Child, you never left his side
Take heart and hold His hand
Arise, loved one, and stand

Choosing to find joy in Him and His gifts so richly given,

susan