Places to Visit

Saturday, May 28, 2011

In Memory of Mr. Tom....




Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

A Precious Little Man


P.S. You may notice the kitten in the bottom photo... more on that later!!! :)

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Filming - Day Two









Monday, May 23, 2011

Filming - Day One - Part Two



Filming - Day One

Our first day of filming...!!!! Half over! We are hot, tired, hungry, happy, laughing, and smiling. The Lord has blessed the first part of day one. I will have more pictures later, but for now... I have some pretty little sisters and one cute and handsome brother.

Jamie and Sarah are playing twin sisters Beth and Eliza Howard.
Ryan is playing Josiah Bennett.

FYI is is 83 outside and our costumes are all long sleeves! Thought you might want to know! :)










Sunday, May 22, 2011

2011 Graduation







Friday night, my sisters and I were thrilled to have the chance of playing for our homeschool covering's graduation. It was a wonderful chance to play for our church, to see our friends, and learn some more music. Rachel and I are in the back as we played 2nd violin. Erin and Emily had 1st with Timothy. His mom accompanied us on piano!

We really had a great time and got to wear all black. With a long black skirt with a black skirt, we felt like professionals! A fun feeling to have for a night!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The Night of the Storm


Seeing it on the television is one thing. Removed, distant. You can cope with it.

But when you're there. And you hear the crying, feel your own tears, hold your sweet friends, hear the prayers to the Lord.

Dig through a house, bury a calf, search for a wedding band, wash loads of clothes, and cry to the Lord.

You will never look at a storm cloud the same way.

You will never listen to the weather man the same way.

You will never beg for the safety of your family and friends in the same way.

Jordan's Story of His Father

The Best Mommy in the World part one



This is only part one because my mommy has a birthday this coming Saturday!!! But until then,
Happy Mother's Day Mommy
from all your kids!!!She is there when we are sick,
she is there when we are sad
she is there when we are happy,
and she is there when we need a hug.

Few women with "careers" can accomplish the following in a day,
start the coffee, yell at the barking dog, wake the kids, get Michael up, supervise chore time, teach Bible, teach math, solve a fight... oh excuse me a disagreement, teach history, take someone to the potty, teach english, teach science, get a snack for the baby, answer the phone, take everyone outside, help feed the tadpoles, talk to her loving husband, decide what would be best for lunch, read to Michael, pass out on the sofa for a few seconds... then piano starts, listen to violin basics and piano scales, garden, weed, get the mail, answer the phone, council someone, bandage someone, feed someone, clean someone, help someone, start supper, clean someone, fold laundry, and then get some well deserved rest!!!!

We love you MOMMY!!!!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

National Day of Prayer


Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5: 16-18)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Moments Frozen In Time

The moment of seeking shelter under our dining room. The fear.

The moment of seeing the clouds part and the sky shine through as the storm passed. The hope.

The moment of thinking it was gone. The unawareness of despair and pain.

The moment of settling in for the night. The peace.

The moment of one last phone call to make sure all is well. The care.

The moment of six hurried words and a click on the other end. The fear.

The moment of thinking, readying, preparing. For anything.

The moment of one last email check, is all well? The assuredness. Surely it is.

The moment of hurried feet on the stairs, the fear in her eyes. She is never upset.

The moment of knowing your friends are without a home. The helplessness.

The moment of finding out that no one can contact the other family in the valley. Helplessness.

The moment of sending your dad into the dark and rain. No preparedness for whats ahead.

The moment of the his lights fading away and no cell service. Tears, fear, and shaking.

The moment of waiting, waiting, waiting, and watching. The prayers. Whispered.

The moment of calling a sweet family in town and telling them their best friends were unaccounted for. The hardness of saying it.

The moment of laying down to rest. Trying to sleep. The sleeplessness.

The moment of waking in the night. Crying, shaking, praying. Begging God. Let them get the Lees out.

The moment of the morning. The hope that comes with sunshine. The quiet of the house.

The moment of the news. Mr. Lee died last night. The tears, the prayers, the sadness.

The prayers and tears that morning. The sadness mixed with joy unbelievable. God is in control, he alone sits on the throne.



This week, we can't stop wishing we had one more day of normal. Of blissful peace. One more moment before the email, before the call, before our world was turned upside down.

Only God can help us, sustain us, and lead us on. Our prayers are with the people out here, suffering, but knowing God is in control.

Amen.

Monday, May 2, 2011

The Story of Shoal Creek

Shoal Creek was a place of happiness, laughter, joy, smiles, hard work, dedication, family values, and good old fashioned hard work.

There were brown cows grazing, little chickens pecking, dogs barking, laundry flapping in the breeze, and children running through the grass.

The Valley was filled with Moms that loved their kids and kept their homes, families that loved the Lord, kids that loved the outdoors and the world God had created, and Fathers that loved their families.

To us, the Valley seemed perfect. A place to visit. To be welcomed to. To be graced with hospitality. To us, the plan was to stay the way we were.

But to the Lord, it is different. He has a great and marvelous plan. One we can not always understand fully. One that is strange to us. One that is sometimes, heartbreaking. But, he holds us in His hand. And he loves us more than we can know.

Now, when you come to the valley it is different. Most of the land marks are gone. Destroyed, vanished, and torn apart. The trees are fallen, the houses are crushed, family land will never be the same. Not quite.

To one of the families, the story of their life will never be the same. They will pick up the pieces and put their lives together, but there will always be a place missing. A hole in their hearts.

A hole for the man that loved them and who they loved. The man who taught them to listen, to work, and to love their life. The man that above all, taught them that God is good and everything is a blessing and has a part in God's plan. Even if it means leaving his precious family.

When Tom Lee lay down his life for his 13 children and his dear wife, he left the earth leaving behind one last servant hearted act, one last legacy, and setting one last example of a true man of God.

Yesterday at his funeral, his oldest son Jordan spoke one of the sweetest things. He said that they were not bitter about this at all. He said that from now on, they will be able to say with Job...

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away,
Blessed be the Name of the Lord.