Summer Happenings

This was Rebekah's first meet in a 50 meter pool. It was a lot of fun to watch her. She did a great job.

These are pictures of Father's Day and the kids giving Pete their cards. Rebekah had lost the one she made at school, so she was doing it verbally. She got a little embarrassed.

This is Emily's 14th birthday. I can't believe I have a highschooler. She is so much fun.

Precious gifts of the Holy Spirit

This morning I woke up and had a little time in the Word before starting the day. I was reading in Ephesians and then was spending some time in prayer. My mind went to the thoughts of the day. It was going to be an extremely hectic time between 8:30 and 12:30. I had 3 extra kids and they and my own kids had pick ups and drop offs all morning. I immediately sensed that this was one of those times when I could become really cranky with everyone around me if they did not cooperate with the "finely tuned" schedule. If anyone dawdled or disobeyed someone would be late. God immediately brought my thoughts around to Galatians 5:22-
The passage on the fruit of the Spirit. I read it over and thought about how if I asked the Holy Spirit to make its work evident in my life today, then I would not act as I naturally would. That being grumpy, impatient, unlovely, anxious, short, etc. I prayed and gave it all to God. He worked a big miracle in my life and the atmosphere of our car and schedule today. He produced love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. When Jesus left his Holy Spirit with us when He went back to heaven, he left us an unprecedented gift.
Today we were early for every place we had to go. I was prepared with food in the car for lunch and snacks and dinner was in the crock pot at home. The kids were pretty well behaved and when there was disputes, there was no yelling from me ( that is only by the Holy Spirits power). We even fit in a hike in the afternoon and everyone went to bed with a snuggle. It is a most fun adventure walking with the Lord. Thank you Holy Spirit for your presence. You are an amazing God. Let's do it again tomorrow, one step at a time.