Three in Double Digits

Look who turns ten today! Happy birthday Nolan!

I know it practically un American, but he has never played soccer. In fact, none of the kids have, except Kellen, who played when he was three. This fall, at school, Nolan became enthralled with soccer. Every home game he begged to be ball boy. It did have a little something to do with freebies from the concession stand, but he genuinely enjoyed running up and down the field chasing after the balls.

This spring the brochures came around for the school's summer soccer camp. Nolan jumped on the opportunity, even though it meant parting with a chunk of his own money.

Since signing up, he has been out practicing with his soccer friends after school almost every day. A friend gave him a pair of soccer cleats, and Saturday  Mamaw took him birthday shopping. They came home with soccer gear, all Warrior blue. 

Sunday after church the first thing he did was get all decked out in his new equipment. He hesitated to take the ball out. It rained most of Saturday, and he didn't want to get the ball muddy. After assuring him it was ok to get a ball muddy, he was off and running. I think he might be a little excited! I think there is a lot of bleacher sitting on my future.

I love this kid! Happy birthday to my ten year old boy! 

Joy in the Rain

It has been spring here in the 100 Acre Wood. I mean it really has been spring. It has been cool and rainy and the forest has slowly woken from its winter slumber into a beautiful green canopy. Many years spring is only a quick blip in the weather before we are in summer like conditions, but this year it truly feels like spring.

The rain doesn't stop the kids, especially our youngest, Vivian. After school she is outside enjoying the weather regardless. One day she and Nolan went  waterfall hunting. They went to the runoffs that carry the rain from the ridge deep down through the woods into the creek in our hollow. They took an old phone to take pictures with and were so proud of their discoveries.

On the day this picture was taken, it was raining. The rain was coming down in a nice steady fall, but Vivian was not deterred. She got on her bike and rode back and forth on the driveway multiple times. I missed my photo opportunity to catch her riding in the rain, but as she road, I couldn't help being a bit jealous of her. The rain was all around her. It was hitting her and soaking her clothes, yet she rode on in peace with joy.

As many of you know, our family is in the rain again. A little over a week ago we were told that what we hoped was a cyst Tim had removed, was in fact melanoma, again. Since that time I have felt very little peace and very little joy. Instead I have felt anger and frustration. In my head I know through Christ there is peace and joy that surpasses the circumstances I am in, but my heart is not seeing it.

The beauty of spring reminds me that there is hope. There is life.  There is peace and joy regardless of the storms of this life. They are all found in Christ. Oh, for my heart to see!

We will ride through the rain. Is there a choice? But Lord, may I ride through this like Vivian and her bike, with a heart full of your peace and joy regardless of what is happening around me.