family

It was a fun weekend with Rick and Carol, who came alongside countless times almost all our years in Haiti. Driving from Canada to spend the weekend with us was such a gift, for Matt and I and for all the kiddos who have always enjoyed time with them so much. They got to visit our church and meet a lot of our family, had some good water balloon fights, time at the pool, a movie night we all stayed awake through (!), good walks, great conversation, family dinner with our dear ones, and even got to catch up with Ethan, who also overlapped them several years in Haiti.  We've all been through a lot together, and it was so good to connect and be family.

They even brought us our favorite Canadian chocolate and syrup, just like all the good old days.

Matt's new book is finally out, an introductory-level read that drives home our high privilege of having the Holy Spirit restore the image of God in individuals by unifying us to Jesus.  We've been studying the Holy Spirit at church as well this Pentecost season, and I'm just so thankful for the fresh help and mercy He is meeting me with. 

Matt, Rick and Carol left today going two different directions, and tomorrow is everyone's last day of the semester! We are all so ready for a shift in seasons, and an end to the 7:15 and 2:15 commutes!

I'm so proud of these hard-working kiddos...and now have a rising ninth, eight, seventh, sixth, third grader, and kindergartener, and a baby who is taking those first steps every chance she gets! 

I have conquered  gotten through Algebra, and Lily has mastered it. Whew!

The end of this week is Sofie's "Turning 12" trip, a commitment our family has made for each kiddo with the same gender parent...a chance to step away for a night or two, have fun together, give them letters from people who know and love them well, shepherd them through how God's designed puberty, sex, how we're going to handle issues with dating, etc, and a chance to focus on the milestone of growing up!  I had SUCH a precious time with Lily two years ago and cannot believe our compassionate, hilarious, fearless Sofie-girl is turning 12.

Every time the heavy weight of shepherding these precious kiddos overwhelmes me, so does the gift.