Right when I need it

After a week where I lost my temper, spun a terrible web of busyness and only pulled away a few times to Refresh. I really needed to read this post today. Sally  Clarkson has encouraged me so many times. It never fails that on the day I decide to take a few minutes to read her blog or book(I have two) it bears witness with my heart. It reminds me of the truths that are important.

After a terrible day, my husband watched the kids and made dinner so I could go to the store on my way to a homeschool womens encouragement meeting. In addition he encouraged me to get the dress from the store I had been eyeing for a few weeks. I was able to get a new dress today and though it did put a smile on my face. It felt great to pretend for a moment I was a pretty as I felt... inside and out. I had to be honest and say to myself, what I had said to Katherine just a few days before. "Now if you will just act as beautful as you look that would be great" Man, how those words rung in my head as I paid for and walked out with my cute little holiday bag. We are all like this at times and it is in these moments when I need to hear from faithful women who have gone before. Those jewels of wisdom fill me on the inside. They remind me of what is really beauty and it is found in sweet simple things. Like the three little faces that greet me every morning with expectant eyes about what we might do or experience today. It is when I choose to give grace instead of an attitude. It is when I stop thinking so much about what I need and see how much I have that beauty starts to show all around me. I pray that I see tomorrow.

Honduras

As of right now plans have been confirmed for Larry to go to the mainland Honduras in Dec. He will be going with his very good friend Eric Hill. Eric and Larry met years ago and have both been sensing God's direction in their heart to go to Honduras. When we got back from our trip we began to pray regularly together with Eric and his wife Sonny for guidance about what to do, where to go and who should go. It has become crystal clear that it is time for an exploratory trip. Eric and Larry have met many people who have either been to Honduras, live there, or have contacts there. They will be going for a week to pray, speak with pastors and be led around a few cities by a lady who works for Frontline missions here in ATL. We are encouraged greatly as we see God fulfilling a desire of our hearts. And a huge praise is that Larry's ticket has been paid for! Leaving a good paying job to be available to the Lord doesn't make sense BUT we have seen great provision and peace come to our family. Larry is alive! Freed from the 9-5 he has been faithfully praying, helping others, working on his mom's house and spending good times with the children. The kids and I are doing well as more of our emotional needs are being met by a daddy and husband that is with us more.

Will you join us in praying 
* that we continue to please the Lord as we do what we feel like He wants us to do here on earth?
* for the safety of both of these wonderful men as they leave their families to go?
* that you would be open to hearing the voice of the Lord in your own life more then you have before

We love you!

My Sweet Larry

We have walked some amazing roads together. Our story began at a dinner theater with a table full of his coworkers. I still have the flyer from that night. We kept looking into each others eyes and feeling the spark that most singles want to feel when they are looking for their mate.
 We left that evening with plans to meet at our favorite coffee shop in the morning. We both showed up with the same greeting card for one another. My family already knew him and loved him, as the days turned into weeks the time came where we "knew". I love to tell people that we fell in love while driving listening to Norah Jones. He took me to a wedding in Canada and it was on that 13 hour drive that I began to see that this was the man I could commit my heart to no matter what happened. I wrote it in my journal and I love that I can go back to that moment in time.

We just passed the 9th anniversary of that trip together. It came while we were on another trip. Our trip across the US. It was then that I realized I had fallen for this man all over again. If you have been married or in a relationship for any period of time you know you have your bumps in the road. We have been through quite a few. Having three kids(this can be thrilling and the hardest thing all at the same time), moving 3 times, dealing with aging parents, changing churches and the reality that day to day life is just not naturally romantic! These take its toll and you go to a place where you have to fight with all your might for what you know is right. For what you know God joined together and what the enemy would so love to rip apart.

Larry has been worth every thing I have had to lose so that I could keep him. My pride, material comforts and obsession with my insecurities. He is a faithful disciple of the Lord. He loves God over me, family and others. But because of that passion he loves us, here on earth, in way that makes you feel at rest in his presence. He can laugh, sing and make a good joke(every once in awhile). He is respectful to those in authority but KNOWS the truth and will gracefully put anyone in their place if they are venturing away from the straight and narrow. This includes ...me!

We have seen grief first hand this week and in going to the services and supporting the family through the loss I am walking away from it so very grateful for what God has so graciously given me. Larry is a blessing and I am taking note of the life of God he brings to our family and the lives of those around us!

I love you baby!
Ecc.7:2
It is better to go to a house of mourning

than to go to a house of feasting,

for death is the destiny of everyone;

the living should take this to heart.

Fall leaves

We can walk to the park from the house. I try and to have the kids make the trek at least once a week. It is a good source of exercise and it gives me pictures like this one where they are holding hands...precious!

After we return they are full of energy and begin "helping" Daddy in the front yard

These are some of the views from our campsite at Stone Mountain towards the end of October

Beautiful Fall

Thoroughly enjoying the weather. We took a drive to Ohio for the weekend to celebrate my Grandma's 80th and was in awe most of the way. We had left around 7am so by the time we were in N. GA the sun was rising and we were seeing beautiful shades of red, yellow, orange, purple and green. It was just cold enough to have a warm drink at our favorite coffee stop and I might have snuck a Christmas tune in there while Larry was pumping gas in the car...Shhh.

All 12 of the Turner/Vick clan arrived in Dayton at an address we have had memorized since we were kids. Writing thank you notes after birthdays and Christmas was a definite part of our school routine. We have so many memories in that home. Ones that are an interesting concoction of joy and sadness. Grandpa and Grandma have lived in that home for over 40 years and when Grandpa passed away 11 years ago she decided not to touch a thing in his workshop. We walk through and it is literally stepping back into time. I treasure it in an odd sort of way. It reminds me of a time that was more carefree. It isn't as carefree anymore. She sits by herself most days watching her beloved Buckeyes in the Fall and reading her favorite authors other times. She lived for Grandpa and when he left apart of her left too. She is in good health  though and we all wanted to make the effort to surround her on a day that has been special since its inception. Her birthday. She may have felt a little overwhelmed by all of the in-laws, nieces, grandkids and great grands but we walked away knowing she will see our faces when she thinks on this day not just a television to keep her company.

Grandma gave us all kisses with her red lipstick. We smelled the perfume that she has worn since as long as I can remember. We ate Casano's pizza and played baseball in the backyard. We spent time as a family laughing, shopping and driving. But my favorite of all was getting our family photos. Uncle Tom and Cousin Laura are professional photographers and they took pictures of the whole clan. Can't wait to see them and share ;)

We drove the 9 hours back to GA a little over 24 hours after arriving in OH. It was a quick trip but one that I would do again in a heartbeat. I am going to leave you with some photos of Grandma's

The table that has been there since they bought the house. My dad used to barely put his chin on the edge. 

 Hummel's, tea cups and thimbles

 Our family heritage in pictures

 I can't tell you how many times I got smacked for touching this spinner. But I also can't tell you how many times I fell back snuggled in smiling in the bean bag chair!

 The beloved darts. We would wait patiently for our time with Grandpa when we could play darts.

His desk. He was an amazing handy man!

The front door where we have been greeted since I was a baby. Always with a smile and a hug that enveloped me entirely!