July coming to an end....

I can't believe July is almost gone. This summer is FLYING! We've been busy traveling this month and it looks like we won't be stopping anytime soon. The girls and I spent the last 2 weeks in Smith County loving on my parents! We had such a great time getting to sleep late and play outside on the swing and in the pool with Nai Nai and Yei Yei. I've never been able to visit like that before. It was so special. There were no agendas, no itineraries, no programs, just fun and relaxation. The girls were spoiled rotten too. SC really became fast buddies with Yei Yei and Nai Nai and will reach for them...that was special. My mom was concerned that SC wouldn't know her....wrong....she knows them both...VERY well. I mean who could forget the man who feeds you ice cream and sweet tea, along with many other adult foods...and that lady who held me all the time...I just love her!

Anyway, SC and SJ had a blast! I so enjoyed catching up and even getting to see some old friends and family I had not seen in several years. You know, even after being at home for 2 weeks, it still felt as if I didn't have enough time to do all that I wanted to do or say all that I wanted to say...wonder why that is? Oh well, we'll just have to go back and visit again! Woo Hoo!

CDP made it back from Ft Worth and from what I heard Sunday, HE LEARNED A LOT! We missed him greatly and we are glad he won't be away from us for that long again. I am so proud of him! He has completed his last 2 week seminar and will begin working on his thesis and dissertation early next year. We are anticipating his graduation in May of 2010....Go Dr. Pace...Woo Hoo!

Now our family is in the throws of preparing for our Mission Trip to Nicaragua. I am very excited to be going with CDP this year. I had planned to go last year but God had other plans, namely, SCP! He was gracious to me this year and I'll be ministering along side my hubby in the coming days in a little village that needs to hear the gospel. We will also be providing medical, dental and prescription needs for the people there as well. Please pray for our team and our families as we travel and leave children and spouses behind. We know God has everything under control. We are trusting Him for all things.

It's time to sign off for tonight. I'll chat again in a few days. Until then...

4th of July..Woo Hoo!

Well, it's that time of year again. To wave flags, sing the national anthem and give thanks for the great country we live in. Our small town hosts an annual Kids Parade and film on the Courthouse lawn each year so we decided to take it in. We, along with several hundred other Mom's, Dad's and Kids, walked, rode bikes and tricycles and pulled wagons along the town square celebrating the birthday of this great nation. SJ had a BLAST! She pedaled her tricycle all the way..with a little help from Daddy...and SC took a ride in her Stroller and waved her flag with the best of them. We then settled down on our blanket on the courthouse lawn for pizza and a watched the Bee Movie. We all had a great time and it reminded me of just how blessed we are to be able to live in a place where we can assemble freely and express our patriotism by praying and thanking God for his blessings on our land. We take so many freedoms for granted. I am free. I am Free! I AM FREE! In so many ways, I am Free! I am free to raise my hands in honor to my Saviour, Jesus Christ. I am free to call on Him for everything I need. I am free to teach my children to love Him and I am free from the power of sin and death. Praise God, I am Free! Why wouldn't we want to give Him thanks for such freedom? These United States were formed in an effort for men and women to be free to serve God as they chose. I am thankful for their sacrifice! However, I am most grateful for HIS sacrifice. Just in case some of you don't know, Jesus died so that you could be free. He paid the penalty for your sin. He made a way for you to be free from the power of sin. He is the only way. He did it all. He is all you need! Hallelujah, what a Saviour.

I could go on.....but time is short and as I prepare to head out of town to visit my parents, I just wanted to share a few words and some pics from our 4th of July weekend. We also took in our County Fireworks show on Friday night and I must say, DeSoto County did a nice job! They were fabulous. On Saturday afternoon, we spent some time with our great friends the Swindoll's at their home celebrating and just hanging out with them and some other friends from church. We really feel at home here. God has blessed us with some wonderful friends we can truly call family. Today I am grateful for our church family. They have been so supportive and loving to us. We are so blessed. So, until next week, I'll sign off and may possibly update some during the next week. Please pray for CDP as he is on his way to Fort Worth for his last DMin Seminar! WOO HOO! He has a long 2 weeks ahead so please pray for him to be focused, for safe travel, and for God to speak to him through his study time. Until next time....Ta Ta for now!