Columbus

It's been a while since I've actually written a post! I've been skating by with photos and just neglecting to give any details of what we're up to. This is in part because we have been so hectic that there hasn't been a spare minute to do any of that! This semester I participated in two growth groups (or small groups) at church. One was a play group for moms and another was a Bible study for women. I get the chills just thinking about what wonderful experiences they both were! We finished our last week this week, and I am already so eager for the summer semester to begin! I've also been blessed to meet each week with two wonderful friends while our kids run wild at a Burger King playground as we read a book called The Resolution for Women. (I highly recommend it, by the way.) The big boys love their gymnastics class, and Silas is just itching to get started! They are all such little monkeys; it's a natural fit for them.

I can't believe we're already going to be leaving Columbus so soon (end of August). It seems like we just got here, but I'm so grateful for each person we've met. I have learned so much these last few weeks, from things like homeschooling, to healthier eating, to studying the Scriptures, and loving each person who has been made in the image of God. We are so extremely privileged to be here with such amazing, authentic, generous, and genuinely kind people. This is, by far, my favorite place I have ever lived.

With that being said, we have sold our house in Murphysboro, IL and we're in the process of looking for a place that's much closer to Dan's job site in Olmsted. We're not sure yet if that will put us in Paducah, KY, Cape Girardeau, MO, or Marion, IL territory, but either way, I'm preparing myself for a lot of seclusion. This might actually work to our advantage, since next year will be our first "real" year of homeschool, as Vincent will be in kindergarten. I have found it difficult to keep a good school schedule with so many activities going on here in Columbus.

As the weather heats up, we are getting more and more excited to get pool time in. We have two pools in our apartment complex, so we should be able to get lots of swim time in; I am expecting that it will be too hot to do anything else in the afternoons once the temps get into the triple digits!

I want to share some of what I've been studying on my own at home. I'm going through the most recent Beth Moore Bible study on the letter from James to the early Jewish believers; the study is called James: Mercy Triumphs. I'm working on memorizing the book of James, and it has been such a treat to commit these first few verses to memory. So whether I make it the whole way through or not, I am so glad to have these precious words imprinted on my heart. Chapter 1, verses 1-5:
"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." That's all I've got so far, but those are such encouraging words! I love that we can have supernatural joy in the midst of the muck that we're facing, because we can trust that once we get to the other side of this hardship, oh, we will see the faithfulness of God! And we will have grown through the process! And to know that the Lord is willing to grant us the wisdom we need to weather the storm?! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! If you're looking for something to study, I really recommend this Bible Study from Beth Moore. She has been given an incredible gift of teaching.

Easter pictures

The boys in their Easter outfits (which they didn't wear on Easter).

Anthony and Vincent

Silas and Vincent

"Hey, whatcha got there, big bro?"

"Waaaiiit a minute! I was wearing that!"

"Yeah, but it looks better on me."

"Yeah, you're right. Here, let me help you."

And it's Silas for the WIN!!!