Week in Review.....

Once again, I feel like I have been out of blogland for too long this past week. Seriously, though....I don't know how some of you loyal posters do it!! I am in awe of you and maybe a part of me covets the ability that you have to post regularly! I know, I know.....I shouldn't be coveting. I am really content with where God has placed me and what He has put on my plate right now. But I do wish there were a couple extra hours in each day. :) Thanks for you loyal readers who have stuck with me, despite my absence. I love checking in on you all and hearing how God is moving in your lives each day and week and how we are all a'changin!

Last week, my dad, my stepmom and my brother, Billy visited for the weekend. We had such a great time. I don't get to see them very often and so treasure the time that we have to spend together. They came Friday night and left on Sunday. The boys had another race on Sunday, and my dad, stepmom and Billy were the first spectators the boys had at the races, other than me and Barclay. Somehow, it is a little more exciting to them to have "other" spectators.

My dad thinks I have officially lost it as a mother, allowing the boys to participate in such a dangerous sport. At one point, he leaned over and said to me, " Aren't the boys good swimmers....don't you think you could have coaxed them into that sport???" I think he was kidding. Yes, call me crazy.....I don't know what has come over me......it is another level of trust in God.

The boys had another great race. Despite Ben psyching himself out for this race and being completely intimidated by the track, he finished 5th in his division and came home with a plaque. Seth finished 3rd. It was a proud moment for me to see them both place and receive plaques this time.

Seth right before his race.

Ben on his starting line....trying to overcome the mental anxiety. Boy, is he a child after his mother....always having to get the mind to come under subjection to Christ! Praying it doesn't take him 36 years to master that....like his slow learning mother.

It was a beautiful, warm fall day on Saturday and we ventured out to a miniature golf course for some family competition. My dad is an avid golfer and has taught Jed, our 4 year old, the art and skill of golfing. It is something sweet shared between the two of them.






Taking a picture break on the mini-golf course.....can you imagine being in line behind us! We definitely didn't play the course very quickly. We were quite a crew.

I think this is my favorite picture. Faith felt like such the "big girl" for finally being able to walk the course and actually play. She was a bit puzzled by where her ball went each time she hit it in the hole!

My stepmom, Bobbie, and Faith after a hard 18 holes!

Being the competitive bunch that we are....my dad and brother, Billy had a shoot-off at the end (you can't leave with a tie...there must be a winner!) Here is my very humble father doing his victory dance. :)

We also love board games around here. I grew up playing them. Last Christmas, we went to visit my older sister, Heather, and her family in Texas. She introduced us to this awesome family game called "Ticket To Ride." Upon coming home, we bought it last year and it has become our family favorite. Many an evening, after we put Faith and Jed to bed, the three older boys, Barclay and I settle in for a friendly match of the game. I have had to learn to control my competitive spirit, as it isn't a very good example, or very motherly to try to beat your boys at a game! They have become quite good. Shame on me, I know.

We introduced my dad, stepmom and Billy to the game and once again, the competitive edge in my family came out full force! We had a ball laughing and trying to block each person. I highly recommend this game. You can't find it in stores and have to get it online through Amazon or Ebay. There is also a European version which is just as good. It would make a great family Christmas gift!

We had such a great weekend with them.

The rest of the week went pretty smoothly, other than the normal busyness around here. Barclay was out of town for a couple of days at a Pastor's conference in upstate NY. We had our Moms In Christ Bible Study Thursday morning which was on Sarah and her example of faith. Wow....did God work on my heart last week as I studied to teach about faith and unbelief, about how God has very specific plans for each of our lives, plans that were determined before the foundation of the world....hard to imagine, isn't it?? Plans that He desires to see come to fruition and it is our obedience and faith in Him....alone.....that He desires. The verse that has stuck with me all week is Hebrews 11:1:

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Oh, that God desires our confidence to be in Him. Faith: believing what God promises for the future...our hope in Him and eternity. Our hope and confidence in His plans for us. Faith: is the proof or the unseen reality of what God is doing in the present....today. He is forgiving our sins, interceding to the Father on our behalf, pouring out His love and grace upon us all, each day. That faith goes against the flesh. The flesh cries out: ME, ME, ME....my plans. Faith cries out: All You God. All You....no matter what.

It has been a week of laying my flesh down before God, and all the unbelief that comes with fear, worry, doubt, control, pride, envy....etc..."Lord, I believe, help my unbelief." Mark 9:24

It has been a week of rashes. Yes, we are back in the season of viruses and colds. I dread this season because as one gets sick....the rest are quick to fall. Last Friday, Faith woke up with this crazy rash all over her arms. It was really red and hot to the touch. It has since spread over her entire body and she looks like she has the plague. Come to find out, she has Fifths Disease and this nasty thing takes a couple weeks to run its course. We are on day 9. Thankfully, her temperament hasn't changed as her skin has. She hasn't run a fever and has been pretty happy, go lucky. I am praying her clear skin will return this week.

Here is a picture to round out the week. We love dress-up around our house. As Faith is the only girl, I try to have the princess dress up laying around and the fancy, sparkly dress up shoes....but somehow she finds her way to the cowboy hat, the superman cape and the bug catching net.......please tell me there is hope that my little princess will be a girlie girl!! I know, lay it down....she will be whatever God designed her to be! :) And that's ok with me.

I'm off to catch up with each of you and read your blogs. I'd love to hear from you. Drop me a note and say hi....introduce yourself, if you haven't already.....have a blessed week.

In the palm of His Hand-Stacy