HOPE...

Wow. I have been utterly amazed at how God is growing and expanding my understanding about this simple word, HOPE. Eric and I had a chance to get away to celebrate our 9 year anniversary recently. While we were gone I had a chance to reflect a bit and was amazed at how in 3 months my world has been flooded with this theme of HOPE. The interesting part is that I have also been restling with issues linked with poverty. That morning sitting by a beautiful pond, listening to the gentle trickle of a waterfall, suddenly it was beginning to all come together.
Currently I am reading and working through a wonderful book entitled "HOPE LIVES - a
Journey of Restoration" by Amber Van Schooneveld. The reading for that day was an interview with Wess Stafford, director of Compassion International. It began with this quote, "You cannot have a more powerful word to describe the cure for poverty or for empty hearts that should be reaching out to poverty than HOPE."
I once again was amazed by how God is the ultimate weaver. He know just what our hearts need at just the right time to create a beautiful tapestry. I am so glad that I can trust Him.

Independence Day!

I can't think of a better place to celebrate The 4th of July than in Boston! We woke up early and headed into the city with family to see the reading of the declaration at the State Building. The event began at City Hall Plaza and continued down Tremont Street to the Granary Burial Grounds. There they recognized some of our founding fathers. From there we followed the "Freedom Trail" to the State Building where the Declaration of Independence was read from the balcony. What a great tradition! From there we headed down to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Markets to enjoy lemonade, hotdogs, and other treats. Thomas's favorite stand sold race cars and was named after his favorite song.
It's been good to have some time to reflect on the Amazing Freedoms that we have here in our country. We have so much to be thankful for. Oh and I just heard that the menu for tonight is hamburgers, potatoe wedges, corn on the cob, and homemade ice-cream!

VacaSHON part II

Well the rain continued! Katie was the positive one and kept reminding us that it didn't rain the "whole time". We did have a wonderful time together as a family. We watched lots of movies, played games, and got to the beach evertime the rain stopped. One day we went to the outlets and got Happy Meals at McD's. The kids were excited about the Ice Age toy, which has been the favorite movie this trip. Thankfully our last day at the Lake House the sun came out!!!
Today I had the chance to just snuggle with Reese, or "nuggle" as Reese says. It was just one of those priceless moments that vacation time allows : )