Family dinner

 In December my parents take their adult children out for dinner. It has been a night we all look forward to throughout the holiday season. We get our hair did, look for fun new dresses to wear and have uninterrupted conversation all night. We usually end by eating decadent desserts at Cafe Intermezzo. The night ends too soon and we go home to welcome Christmas eve the next morning. I am so grateful that we all enjoy each others presence. This year we were excited to share it with Chad's fiance, Kait!



Honduras- He is home

 Eric and Sonny Hill

We picked Larry up from Doraville marta around 9:30 last night. His flight was delayed and it brought him home much later then expected. The kids ran out of the van to hug and kiss him. He is weak from a sickness he caught while in Honduras so we are taking it easy today, just eating good chicken soup. He did stay up for a bit last night and show me pictures and videos of his time in Honduras. There are many stories. He seems fairly confident he will return. There will be an update for you all very soon. Just trying to get him better before the holidays!

*Please pray that both of these men recover from their illness

Honduras- part 2

Just heard from Larry. They were in Tori until yesterday afternoon. They were able to finish praying for an individual they had prayed for the day before. They saw complete healing and deliverance in that women's life.
That afternoon they drove two hours on a bumpy dirt road to Olanchito. They both preached and were able to see many more healings. Larry said God is doing so much he is amazed.
Prayer requests
*Meilly is better but still has a sore throat
*safety as they still have some traveling to do before Wed when they return

Thank you for praying with us that we do all the Lord has for us individually and as a family.

Honduras-Update 1

We have received texts and e-mails letting us know that they have arrived. They landed and drove three hours to the town of Yoro. The scenery is beautiful. They are located in the mountains and are joining with a church there to do a crusade for the weekend. Larry and Eric have both preached. They are doing work in a tent city today and hope to pray for those in need of healing. Yesterday someone came to them and asked for deliverance. I don't know all of the details, or what that means entirely but 6 hours later they had seen a great change in the person and are going to have another time of prayer with that individual today. Praise God! There is not much more information. They do have a few prayer requests

*The interpreter and guide has been battling sickness and is weak. Please pray for her. Her name is Meilly.
*In the hotel they have had a party both nights they have slept there. It has been loud. They are having trouble getting to sleep. Both of the men are tired.
*As they visit towns and villages they would "know" who we are supposed to develop long term relationship with-God connections
*The kids are a little whiny today and Katherine said she missed Larry

Overall I couldn't be more at peace. I am thrilled to see our family doing what we feel is God's will for us right now. It is thrilling, humbling and full of joy. That kind of joy that is not material or momentary it is deep inside because you are apart of something bigger then yourself. Our church friends and family are joining with us as well and we are well taken care of in Larry's absence.

Guest Blogger- My Daughter

I was really excited about riding my bike but I found out that it was hard. It was hard because I took off my training wheels. My dad had to help me start. First we were trying on our driveway. After we tried a little bit and I fell once, we went to the cul-de-sac. The cul-de-sac was wider and straight. I started riding without my dad. I kept saying "Dad, Dad I want to try it by myself" I only fell one time! It took me a few times before I was good and I didn't feel like I was going to fall. The next day my Dad said I was a pro. A few days later we went to the park and I rode my bike. **My mom typed but I told her what to say**

On Wednesday while I was doing school my mom was looking on the computer for some treats for Christmas. She found these cookies. Little reindeer. Our friend was coming over for dinner, my mom had walked to the grocery to get what we needed. When our friend got here we started making the cookies. We rolled the dough into circles then we put it on the pan and shaped them into triangles. After they were cooked and while they were still warm we would press the chocolate covered pretzels onto the bottom of each triangle. The triangles were upside down. We used M&M's for the eyes and nose. We used red for the nose but if you want to make an alien one you can use red for the eyes :) After dinner we all ate one.

Face time

It is a wonderful thing. Sitting across from a friend that you haven't seen in awhile. You sit, you listen, you share and most times you cry. Because that is what you do ;) Such a time came today and it was met with such tenderness from the one sitting in the other seat. It has been a few weeks since we had the opportunity to just talk about things on our heart and mind. We even had to work through how we had hurt each others feelings. The beauty about this friendship is that we did it. We didn't run, hide or suffer in silence. We saw one another as worth any hurt that might have happened and we believed the best. We chose to walk in love and understanding that we are human but two humans whose path is now being shared with one another. This wonderful human is my sweet Larry. We live together, work together and parent together but it is true, weeks can go by without just stopping to have face time with each other. My parents have taken the three littles for their annual Christmas weekend and we are together. We are reconnecting in ways that give us the tie that cannot be easily broken. We see each other with clear eyes, eyes that for a couple of weeks have been blurred with responsibilities. I am filled inside. Warm and comforted.

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!

Carlsbad Caverns, NM

Driving 7 miles from the highway to the entrance of the caverns brought us to a building. We went inside looked around payed for tickets then realized we were standing on top of the caverns. We were going to take an elevator 74 stories underground. he doors opened and to our amazement there was an open space the size of four football fields. The hike through the caverns was over a 1mile. We put on our jackets because it stays at 56 degrees and we started walking. It took us over an hour to walk through as we stopped to take pictures every few steps. Katherine has told everyone since we came back to GA that this was her favorite thing of the entire trip.

We have close to 50 more pictures of the caverns but after a while they start to all look the same

Tonight

I am sitting here in a house not mine, in a bed not mine and I am catching up on blogs of lives that are not mine. This all makes me think. I see images about beauty and hardship. I read about dreams dashed and ones being fulfilled. I long to do something that is of value. To make an impact in a way that will feel like more then just being a good wife, mother and friend. Please hear me those are all very important and I am so very grateful to the women who are great examples to me in those areas. My life right now has 3 littles that are very dependent on me.  When I feel like I do the same thing everyday at about the same time everyday a heart longs for more. I believe I also feel this way because we just came off of an amazing 9 week trip. We saw so many things and experienced  life on the road like I had never done before. So it is quite likely I could be dealing with some let down.

Something deeper is drawing me. A desire to be able to honestly say "I would leave it all if it meant that a life could be changed" Right now I can't and it makes me sad. I try to weigh and balance things and give myself good reasons to be stable, you know, for the kids. To wait until they are old enough to understand the sacrifices we are making/choosing for our family. To be "wise" and not over commit in case its not something we can handle. Asking myself can you really do this? Leave all that you know and love to go where you would know no one.  All of this stems from the many conversations we are having at this house about the possibility of us going to Honduras. Nothing is definite but I DEFINITELY know we are getting ready to do something. The where and then when is what hasn't been revealed. Quite honestly it could be that we move to the inner city and start living amongst the people, it could mean moving to another state but I don't think it really matters where right now. What matters is that I am daily making myself available to the tug on my heart that is getting me prepared for that moment. In my short life of 31 years I have done so much. Been privileged to have a father who at the age of 10 sent me on my first mission trip to Spain. Almost every Summer there after he found other trips for me to take and then when I was 20 took all five of his kids on a 8 week trip to Australia to help bring the gospel to the world as they gathered for the Olympics. I have helped lead trips in my twenties and as a married couple we found out we were pregnant on a mission trip to Peru. At this moment I know with every fiber of my being that I was NOT created to stay in one place. I love to take the kids all over. Even if it does take us over 19 hours in a snowstorm. (love you Mom for being there with me)

As I sit here and reflect at the things I have been apart of I am gathering strength from the divine plan that was set in motion the day I was conceived and even farther back then that, when at the beginning of time the Lord knew my name and wanted to form me in my mothers womb to fulfill the things He had planned for me to do. I am finding my footing as I prepare to take the next step toward  a destination that ultimately is found seated with my Father in heaven. I want to be a pleasure to Him in all that I do here on earth. I so desperately want to know His heart for me, for my children and for others. What can He say through me that they would otherwise not hear? What friendship can a I bring to a lonely heart? What meal can I give to a starving stomach? What beauty can I show to the one who finds herself filthy because of the way she has been abused? There are too many out there in need of someone to share their burden and I am determined that whether it is in my neighborhood, the next town over or in another country. I want to be the one who will share that load. I am again committing myself to the call that I heard deep down in my heart many years ago to follow Him wherever He may lead!

New Mexico-White Sands

After a terribly long drive on a Friday afternoon towards the end of September we arrived in NM and we were ready to go and do something. That something ended up being Applebee's and walmart...woohoo. After that excitement the kids were ready to go back to the hotel and ...JUMP on the beds! Daddy and mommy got into the fun and we finally had them all worn out and ready to go to sleep. The next day was an hour drive to White Sands National Monument in Alamogordo. What a blast we had sliding down these huge sand dunes. The heat was something we hadn't had to deal with since arriving in CA so we didn't stay as long as we thought. On our way out Daddy and Katherine made a face on a sand dune...see if you can find it. Enjoy

Flagstaff,AZ

Flagstaff is a great place to drive along Route 66. I was singing along with Nat King Cole as we drove around the town. We walked around for a bit and the town is very interesting. Lots of Native American influences and around every turn there was a place inviting you in to meditate, relax or free your mind. We arrived in the city not knowing where to start. After a quick trip to Starbucks we googled historic sites in Flagstaff and found where we should start. A mansion owned by the Riordan family. This family began the logging business in the 1900's in Flagstaff. The tour was self guided but gave enough detail that the kids found it interesting to walk around and look for the special ways they made their house a home. The volunteer at the visitor center gave us some great tips about where to go to see some of the best things on the scenic route back to the canyon. We were able to see  Sunset Volcano and Hopi Indian ruins. I think Katherine's favorite part was the exhibit, at the base of the volcano. It had a wonderful area for kids to see how volcanic eruptions are tracked. She was jumping, stomping, lightly stepping all over the pad to see her effects on the screen. Evan's favorite part was meeting a ranger who was willing to answer all of his questions about what was on his belt. Handcuffs, tazer gun and best of all, to Evan, a gun. So much for the historic views...hehe