Following The Leader

The weekend in pictures:

Hiking to Amicalola Falls

Papa and Nana came, too.

Close to the top!

Before the hike, we learned who to avoid: this rattlesnake and 

this cotton mouth.

Checking out the poisonous ones

There's bears in them woods!

Watch out behind you!

Tadpoles!

Almost a frog!

See the little legs?

This one was close to frogginess.

So pretty! My favorite shot of the day

Loved this one of the tree!

Praying or hiding?

Ready to start hiking!

Very close to the "beginning" or "end" of the Appalachian Trail

Lots of daddy longlegs to watch out for

Carry a 2-year-old to increase your calorie burn!

Ta-da!

Who's having fun?

I am now!

Big tree

The Daddy's got some photog skills!

175 stairs later: she hides behind Mama!

The Falls

The girls and The Daddy

Jake stayed back at the mountain house. He belongs to Nana and Papa.

The Crazy Dog roaming the grounds.

Bailey watches over HJ as she heads to the playhouse.

Just hanging out waiting for the butterflies

Before bedtime, we did this.

The girls ate their marshmallows "raw" instead of "dirty".

I ate mine like this. Yes, this one's the favorite shot of the day. 

We had an impromptu trip to Elijay, GA and relaxed together as the heat sizzled in Atlanta. Looking forward to getting back up to the mountains for The Fourth of July festivities. Like any good time away, reality rears it's ugly head. Back to exercising, errand running, grocery shopping, laundry and cleaning. 

This is the Week

This week our church did VBS in a very different way. We divided up into 12 teams and went to remote locations throughout Cobb County, Georgia. We met in public parks and the fields of elementary schools. We did VBS as an outreach to the community instead of staying huddled in our own little "Christian bubble."  

It was a mission trip in our own backyard. 

(Click HERE to see where we went.)

We met people we likely would not have met otherwise.

Kids were not required to pre-register.

We had no idea who would come. 

BUT He did. 

The first day I worked with 3 first graders.

The second day I worked with 4 first graders.

The third day I worked with 7 first graders.

Today I hugged and said goodbye to 5 first graders.

This is the week that...

the ironing didn't get done,

the toilets didn't get cleaned,

The Crazy Dog got zero walks,

the girls got a little less sleep,

we didn't go to the pool, 

no books were read before nap time,

and Mommy took a nap just like the girls. 

WHERE'S THE BUT?

But what did happen?

I have learned to be a servant.

I have learned how to talk to a child about Jesus.

 

I have learned how to dance and do sign language without feeling like an idiot.

I have learned to sweat gracefully in the name of the Lord.

I have learned how to answer a child's questions about God.

I have learned how to worship God somewhere other than inside church on a Sunday morning.

I have learned to speak proudly and intelligently about my faith.

I have learned that we really ARE a body of Christ and that we each play a role in life.

I have learned that I am the hands.

I have learned my energy and example will be followed.

I have learned to be grateful for MY story as I use it to create another's. 

I have learned that I need to treat my own children with the same servant attitude that I used with my "kids" this week. 

I have learned VBS wasn't just for the kids in our community this week.

Toot Toot

That's the sound of me tooting my own horn! 

I am a winner. I won. 

What did I win? Hmmmmmmm.

Oh, that's right. The Crazy Dog is the real winner.

I won a CUTE new collar for The Crazy Dog from LuckyFiona.

Oh, you know you want one! After perusing the selections, I know my favorites, but The Daddy is afraid our boy dog will look too girly. 

I'm not afraid. No, I am not!

I'm partial to The Orange Creamsicle. 

Remember, I'm from Tennessee and The Daddy's an Auburn fan, so I think that might be a good compromise! Can't you just see The Crazy Dog with his shiny chocolate fur against the cuteness of that collar? I thought so!

Thanks again, Lindy!

Very Big Sisters

VBS this week has tired out these two...

sisters. I love how HJ looks just as big as AE!

I also love...

the looks on these sweet sisters' faces!

I'm serving with friends at VBS for our church this week. I'll update you later with tales from our adventure because we've taken VBS OUT of our church and INTO the community at 12 satellite locations. 

OUTSIDE. 

In GEORGIA. 

In 92* weather.

It's called HOT-lanta for a reason. 

So after I'm done with my little detoxification program (aka sweating my hiney off!), I'll give all the glorious deets and fun stories about my girls experiencing the traditional VBS back at church (the preschoolers are still meeting inside the blessed air conditioning) and my first experience doing a local mission trip. 

I'm off to wash my sports bra for another day of spreading the Word!

The Daddies

We've got some great men in our lives...

Paw Paw

Papa (a subtle difference in pronunciation!)

Poppy

and The Daddy

We love all our daddies and wish you the BEST Father's Day!

Phriday Photo

Hydrangeas from my neighbor's house two summers ago

Getting ready to read some scripture in a wedding next month. What an honor! I've printed it out and I'll be reading it aloud to the crazy dog each day for practice. Practiced on The Daddy last night and he didn't fall asleep during it, so...

Here's what I'll be reading:

Colossians 3:12-17

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Did you have any scripture read at your wedding? What did you pick?