girl scout jamboree

The W.O.A.C. took a trip this past weekend to Hot Springs, Max Patch, and Asheville, NC. We spent our time hiking, backpacking, camping, and fly fishing. It was a wonderful weekend to pause, rest, and stand in awe of God's creation and fellowship with one another. "He opens His hands and satisfies us with good things." Psalm 104:28 God gives us only a glimpse of what is to come when he creates a new heaven and a new earth. Praise HIM!

Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.

summer is here... wahoo!!!

Throughout the past few weeks I have been getting small glimpses of summer... grilling outside, late night walks at the Summit with Diane, 2 river trips in May, and a WOAC hiking trip this weekend. Despite the busy schedule in Jackson this past week, I was able to soak up one of my favorite things about summer... fresh vegetables from Daddy's garden. His garden always looks great, but this season his garden is BEAUTIFUL. I cooked this summer's first squash and zucchini tonight and it was DELICIOUS! The vegetables are plentiful and that means SUMMER is here!

I came back to Birmingham today and had a much different perspective (SUMMER) than when I left last week on the last day of school. It is great getting back and immediately seeing friends and enjoying summer activities. Missy and I went for a swim and run. This is day #1 of training for our first triathlon. Then, Emily came over and Rachel joined us grilling out on the patio. Taylor and Beau came over after dinner for us to make a scarecrow for Hale County. I am now sitting here with no feelings of stress, pressure, or "hurriedness" to get in the bed for work tomorrow. My work will begin with listening to HIM. I'm looking forward to a summer of endless time in the Word.

Sacrifice

As I was standing in the customer service line at Walmart yesterday, I had some time to look around and soak in a thing or two. Not surprising that the line was 7 people deep. My dad said under his breath, "I hope to be at home by 9." I'm not sure why he didn't have hope in the Walmart employees to speed up the service (sarcasm). I went to the restroom (in Walmart!). Gross, I know, but I knew we would be there awhile. When I came back to the line, my dad had moved up one person and the line had gained 3 more behind us. We were behind a lady who decided she wanted to return everything she had ever bought at Walmart. She had a basket full of Walmart bags and was returning it all. Hmm.... makes me wonder why she bought all of those things in the first place. The next interesting sight began as a cute sight... a little African American baby girl probably not quite a year old. She was standing with her mom who was waiting on the lady who was returning all of the merchandise. The baby spit her pacifier out on the floor. At this point I was really curious about what would happen next. I wondered: 1. Was the baby going to pick it up and put it back in her mouth after it hit the Walmart floor? 2. Was the mother going to pick it up and put it back in the baby's mouth, maybe after blowing it. or 3. Would the mother pick up the pacifier and not give it back to the baby? Well, she did none of the above. Instead, the mother bent over picked up the pacifier put it in HER mouth, sucked on it (i guess to clean it off... ugh!), and put it back in the baby's mouth. What a sacrifice!

Mrs. Claire Belknap

My sis got hitched!!! and I have a brother! The wedding weekend was fabulous with brunches, lunches, and dinners. Family and friends gathered from all over to celebrate in this joyous occasion. The ceremony was worshipful and beautiful. She and Charles are both just beaming with joy.