End of school year update!

God is SO good to us. The first semester here was hard, hard, hard. We missed Isaac desperately. We were adjusting to so much all at once and not extending grace like we receive it from our Triune God. Multiple schools, classes, assignments and teachers, all in the midst of huge transition, and two stressed-out parents who are not able to keep on top of it all either! I was discombobulated by the lack of rest - after all, hadn't that been why we were coming home on furlough? There was LESS physical rest (although I started sleeping better gradually and continue to heal in that way, praise God). If anything, we were so much MORE overwhelmed by the demands of school and various doctor and therapy appointments. We were trying to tick off the list of things that needed to be done, as soon as possible, with a view to healing our kids, our marriage, ourselves, and our family. But there was no rest, no restoration; just striving to be "faithful." And to what end? Our souls were in more turmoil despite our best efforts to "do better." All the good stuff wasn't the best stuff. Sitting at Jesus's feet and just being His is the best, and no grades or successful therapies are worth that. So we've slowed down. We are doing the things that absolutely need to be done and trusting Him to guide us in HIS best for us. We are coming to Him for healing in the quietness of soul that is already ours in Christ. We don't do it perfectly, by any means! But we are His, and He is ours, and His banner over us is LOVE. 

Seth won three awards, including Principal's honor roll and the Honorable Character medal for his homeroom. He was so pleased his big brother and grandparents could join in! 

Look at Seth trying not to smile! 

Celebrating afterwards at Chipotle. We love having Isaac back home again for the summer.

Will giving a "wet willy" to the statue at the Dallas Baptist University Joan and Andy Horner Ballpark

Seth is the most devoted to baseball games.

Isaac and friends Colton and Meagan 💕 at the Boyce College Spring Fling

(He's such a delight! His darling girlfriend took this photo.)

Marcie in her homemade astronaut costume for school, "Ellen Ochoa"

Look! Zero gravity!

David loves making slings after his Biblical namesake. They are SO fast and dangerous!

David doing bushcraft stuff in the woods by our house

Beaver teeth marks!

David and Gracie in a Black Hawk Helicopter at the Fort Worth Air Show

They really are best friends!

"Heart Care Chapel" (my name for it) at Focus on the Family, Branson MO.
We're celebrating 25 years of marriage this summer!

Celebrating my dad's retirement! 55 years of faithful teaching - including us three kids in Colombia, South America, where we were missionaries in the 70's, 80's and 90's. It was such fun to have Aunt Cynthia and our newest family member, adorable baby Hannah, with us! 

At Dallas Baptist University, after serving 20 years as adjunct professor. We three kids are alumni!