Saturday, February 13, 2021

Our dude is seven!

Yes, it always seems so cliché....but, how is our 3rd child SEVEN!? 
Our Parks man is just the coolest! Mike described him so great; he's the picture of innocence. He has no cares in the world....if he wants to bring all 3 stuffed animals into Culver's, he does. If he wants to play dolls with his sisters, he does. If he wants to tackle hard and be all boy, he absolutely does :) He's that friend that everyone wants in their lives! From minute one, he's just always been one content kid. His heart is overflowing with so much love! Quick to share anything he has, gives such full hugs and will randomly spurt out, "I love you" :) 




A GREAT time celebrating this cool dude! Birthday cinnamon rolls and gifts to start the day!

The birthday kid get's an afternoon out with Mike and I. THEY get to choose what we do! First stop, Build-a-Bear to adopt two new stuffies. Welcome Bearie & Dragonite! Not sure if this child has any room left on his bed for more....;)


Second stop, lunch. The birthday boy's request was a cheeseburger & pickles. Ended up at Culver's in the most sunniest booth, soaking up this one on one time with our boy! 



Closing the day, Parker choose a Little Ceasar's pizza dinner followed by cake. In line with the rest of the day, the birthday kid get's to pick the cake. It can be store bought or they can give me a creation (that's my favorite!). Parker's creation was....3 blue layers with sprinkles. One layer with peanut butter, one layer with fudge. Complete with blue frosting and Skittles that spelled "Parker" ;) A few mishaps with the cake...but nothing globs of fudge can't fix :) 
Here's to another year, Parker Michael! Praying over you that you'll grow stronger in your love for Jesus, that your confidence will continue to be in Him alone. Praying your front teeth come in and that maybe you could like meat? Praying your heart will remain kind and you'll thrive in your braveness! You are one of a kind and we desire for you to SHINE! 

 

Thursday, February 11, 2021

In this world...


 LOVE my time with Jesus in the quiet of the mornings. Not many times during the day is my house quiet....and so mornings (before everyone wakes up) is my precious time! Today, I simply wrote to Jesus....

"You are perfect in ALL your ways! Nothing surprises You! You are with us wherever we go. You have promised to give us peace but that peace is ONLY in You. You warn us or more, give us a heads-up that life is going to be hard, there will be trouble.  But, in your loving kindness doesn't end there. I praise YOU for your incredible love that then tells my heart straight on "YOU have OVERCOME the world"!

Gracious God, Loving Father! When I pour myself into YOU, Your peace comes, You direct our steps. We are not here for the approval of man! We are here to bring YOU glory! Lift our heads us, give us strength to not drop our swords. Our strength and peace come from You! You are a good, good, Father. Even in our weakness, YOU ARE STRONG! It's when I'm weak that Your power so greatly shines! Shine away Jesus! To YOU be ALL the glory and honor!"

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Breakthrough Miracle



The Lord uses songs so often to speak to my heart. A monthish ago this song by Kristian Stanfill came on. Within the first verse, I stopped dead in my tracks, motioned Mike to "shhhhh" and we just listened and praised Him for the complete hope He was providing us in that moment!

Friend, take a peak at these words......

The odds stacked against me
I'm surrounded on all sides
But I've heard You can part the waters
So in Your name come and turn the tides

I'm staring at this mountain
No chance I'm getting through
But I've heard they can melt before You
So in Your name I'm asking it to move

Let that breakthrough miracle power pour out
I need a breakthrough miracle moment right now
Only in You and with You, my victory is found
Bring that breakthrough miracle power, let it rain down

The fires around are raging
I feel the heat at every turn
But I've heard that You're in it with me
So now by faith, I'm standing on Your Word
Yes in Your name, I know I won't be burned

Let that breakthrough miracle power pour out
I need a breakthrough miracle moment right now
Only in You and with You, my victory is found
Bring that breakthrough miracle power, let it rain down

Let it rain down

As long as You're in it
The story's not finished
I know You've overcome
So I know I'll overcome

As long as You're in it
The story's not finished
I know You've overcome
So I know I'm gonna overcome with You

As long as You're in it
The story's not finished
I know You've overcome
I know I'm gonna overcome with You

As long as You're in it
The story's not finished
I know You've overcome
So I know I'll overcome

Let that breakthrough miracle power pour out
I need a breakthrough miracle moment right now
Only in You and with You, my victory is found
Bring that breakthrough miracle power, let it rain down
Bring that breakthrough miracle power, let it rain down

Let it rain down
Let it rain down, let it rain down

The cross stands before me
It is finished, it is done
Yeah I heard You told death it was over
So in Your name, I'll claim this fight is won


I'm encouraged! This will be a tough week for us. As of today, nothing makes sense and even by the end of the week there may still not be too much direction. It's amazing how your heart can be so hurt by people and confused but yet STILL encouraged! I'm encouraged that Jesus Christ has conquered the grave! And ONLY because of that conquering, we WILL NOT be burned this week, the mountain WILL BE moved, the waters WILL BE parted, HE WILL OVERCOME because HE IS IN IT. OUR identity is in HIM ALONE and we will continue to "walk in the spirit and not the flesh". 

Take a listen to this song, I know you'll be encouraged!

Click to Listen to this song

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Welcome to Paradise!

 Wow! What an incredible find and the most perfect place to completely check out from life! This island isn't for everyone.....BUT....if you want absolute simplicity, terrible internet, no motor vehicles, no shopping or restaurants, the most incredible sunsets, toddler friendly ocean and  your only decisions of the day to be ocean first or pool first....Little Gasparilla Island IS FOR YOU! 


These photos are totally outta order....but just go with it ;)

Did you catch above? No motor vehicles AT ALL on the island. So....you drive around golf carts. It's amazing. No buckling, no fidgeting with kiddos, you hop on and go. Made our very short way to the beach so much easier as we piled all chairs, towels, umbrella and sand toys and loaded in. What a FUN change for the week. This absolutely helped to simplify the week even more. 

We parked our rental van on the "mainland". Our beach club has gated parking leading to their own boardwalk which allows us to board their FREE ferry to the island. The ferry runs every 2-3 hours during the day. We went back to the mainland 2x's during the week and it was super simple to catch the ferry and then get back on. This also made for a never done before trip and made this week even more simplistic! And catching the ferry at sunset....I have no words!
The ONLY activity on the schedule was to be at sunset EVERY night. I just brainwashed the kids to thinking that everyone does that EVERY NIGHT ;) For real though....! We sang David Crowder's newest song (Good God Almighty) several sunsets. This island is NOT crowded, not even full....so you better believe we sang at the top of our lungs! 
Boardwalk from our beach club to the ocean. That sunset! Our crew brought lOTS of noise to the precious retired friends enjoying their sunset drinks ;) Did I mention we met some of the most KINDEST people we've ever met before? It's like the sun and the appearance of no virus created such kind and accepting souls. We were not shamed ONCE, so refreshing :)
Wanna see a dolphin? Go to Little Gasparilla! We saw 4 sets the whole week we were there! We rented a boat one day and within minutes a dolphin found our wake and for the next 10 minutes kept us entertained :)

I can't travel (or wear a mask for that reason) without making a (very cute and kind) political statement, right? We had the greatest airplane/airport experience (except for one instance...but we prayed for The Lord's intervention and that was that). Mike and I tried decently hard to keep our masks on....and the kids...well...they had them ;) It was just simply a great experience. 

Island life...because there is no retail on the island..we grocery shopped BEFORE hoping on our ferry. We planned food for the week and loaded our luggage and groceries into these carts that we brought onto the ferry.
Many close choices for food and the even better thing was that if we forgot something, it was a free ferry ride back to mainland. That was the beautiful thing about staying at Hideaway Bay Beach Club was the free ferry. Otherwise, you'd take a water taxi...and pay per way $$$$$



We pack light! Mainly, it's because of me ;) First, I refuse to pay the extra $$ to check bags. Second, I hate waiting at the luggage carousel (I'm so impatient)  and third, we had a washer/dryer in our condo. We packed clothes for 2-3 days and then just washed. It's the island life anyways; simple!


One of our mail land trips was to eat out for lunch. First time in MONTHS we ate at a restaurant! MONTHS! You would have thought we won the lottery! Ordering food AND being SERVED! The kids KEEP talking about this! Not sure why, but the fries & chips were magical! My grouper sandwhich was MAGICAL, the hamburgers and Mac N Cheese were MAGICAL! 

We made two sets of such precious friends before we left!  One set, took this sweet pic as were were on our way to board our ferry for the last time. Brody loved being the "wagon dude". 

This week was such a gift from Jesus! To get away from all the junk and to just truly breath, be together & spend some serious time in the Bible. He is calling us to some crazy, radical things and this week away geared us up for it! We were reminded that just as the sun sets EVERY SINGLE night and the waves NEVER stop rolling in...He's OUR constant, He's always there and He is constantly directing our feet!  I spent so much time walking the beach & listening to the book of Psalms in the Message version. Wow, what a way to get your praise on! Hearing David's anguish in one breath but with the next praising HIS NAME, PRAISING HIS GOODNESS AND PRAISING HIS FAITHFULNESS! Y'all, do you know how great Jesus is? If you haven't experienced Him....please talk to me!
Little Gasparilla has captured our hearts! So much so.....we are in the works of trying to purchase a condo at Hideaway Bay and renting it out! Super exciting and crazy...but this island is a place YOU want to take your family, it's a place YOU want to have reunions it's a place for you and your spouse to get away to to and it's a place to draw closer to the feet of Jesus!

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Take Up Your Sword


It's been a difficult few months. Obviously adjusting and recreating a new normal due to a virus we've allowed to make us silly blinded. Spiritually, however, we've been under attack. 

Mike has a legit sword that has hung out in our closet. He picked it back up a couple months ago and now carries it with him wherever he goes. It's his reminder that Jesus is going with him. That Jesus will fight this battle for him. His physical reminder that he is to stand firm, to not be discouraged and to not be afraid. 

What made us smile was this morning, as he was just about out the door leaving for work, Annie hollered "Daddy, do you have your sword!?" She could have yelled about his cell phone or needing an extra hug....but she knows what that sword means....battle and he needs it. 

Have you taken up your sword today? 


2 Chronicles 20:17 (NIV)

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ ”


Ephesians 6:17 (ESV)

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,



Our dude is seven!

Yes, it always seems so cliché....but, how is our 3rd child SEVEN!?  Our Parks man is just the coolest! Mike described him so great; he'...