Giving

So here is my dilema- I work hard at trying to teach my boys to become givers. Elijah at this point is getting the basics like sharing toys and giving a bite of food to someone who might ask and giving hugs. Then there is Caleb. He has no concept. If it isn't for him it isn't worth his effort. (some people tell me this comes with his age, I must argue. I think it comes with his past.) So a couple of weeks ago I was in a little store here in Punxsutawney and I came across these little pigs. I showed the boys the piggys and gave them each a handful of change. We talked about how important it is to give to God and to others. Then I had an idea. Our children at our church are doing a mission project and that mission project consists of each child in our church earning $9.00 for a soccer ball. This isn't just any soccer ball. It is colored with the colors of the story of salvation. We will see how many balls we can send to Africa so that Nazarene Missionarys can distribute a soccer ball to each child and then tell them the story of Christ.
Well Caleb started to get excited and now all I hear is "Hey Mom, how much will you give me if I do ....." "So I can put more money toward the ball." Please pray for our mission project that we will reach many children in Africa.
When I think of all the beautiful children in Africa I can't help but think of my new little great Nephew (Eli) and his sister (Sophia). My nephew (Chad) and his wife (Amy) just adopted these beautiful children from Africa. We praise God for these new little additions to our family!

Tractor fun!

Here are some new pictures I have taken of the boys. My other camera broke. I was without it for two weeks. So off I went to buy a new one. I was so lost! So I looked at every camera, read all the information on them then decided to buy a Kodak. I love it!

We are three weeks away from leaving on our BIG family vacation. In the almost 16 years of marriage we have never really taken a family vacation. So we planned our vacation around our church's general assembly which will be held in Orlando FL. We are beside ourselves with excitement. We will be staying the first night at Fayetteville, NC then off to Ormand Beach, FL

WE will spend two days at the beach! I can't wait. Elijah has never been to the beach so this will all be new to him. I will have to pack lots and lots of sun block, my dear children burn so easily.

After Ormand Beach we will be going to Disney for seven nights/eight days! After that we will be staying in a lg. house with people from our church for our general assembly. Caleb will be quizzing on saturday, June 27. He will be quizzing on the book of Exodus with about 3000 kids from around the world. Pray for him.

Some funny, yet amazing things about Elijah. The other day I was doing laundry (which seems like I never get done with it) and I had just emptied the clothes from the dryer into the basket. I slid it out of the way to put clothes from the washer into the dryer. When I turned around the basket wasn't there. I said to myself "now I know I just put a full basket over here." Then I saw it. Pieces of clothing leading out into the dining room. I looked up to see Elijah carrying this very full basket of clothes to the table and with all of his might he was trying to put it on the table. With a grunt and all! When he had accomplished this task he turned to me with his little hands on his hips and the sweetest voice ever he said"there mama". Almost like he knew he was being helpful. This just goes to show you they do watch everything you do.

P.S. from Gary: For those of you in NC- Go Penguins!