My camera and Christ's blessings

Summer has kept us really busy around here, not sure why, but I am exhausted! But, having a lot of fun too!! I don't have many pictures to document the last several weeks, because my camera lense broke and I ordered another one from Ebay. Little did I know it was going to be sent from Hong Kong! Well it has been in the mail for a week and it's still not here! Is God trying to teach me something? Have I made my camera and recording our life an idol? Knowing me...yes! But...Christ brings hardships and trials into our life to draw us closer to him...where we truly belong...where we are truly at peace. This is such a silly thing and it has not been that hard...but still an example of my heart and where I put my hope and trust. I truly have been a little lost without my camera. Realizing that even breaking my camera is part of God's will helps me to know he is after my good and redeeming me and wants me to have true fellowship with him. As my dad always says, "He is faithful to bring hardships into our lives." How can we say he is faithful to allow something bad to happen? Our God knows we will not look to him for life, unless we want less of this world. So yes, he is faithful to bring trials and tribulation for our good! And, this is a BLESSING! Yes, I am saying that breaking my camera was a blessing! Strange, Huh? But something to think about?

Talking about Christ's blessings...On Thursday, we hopped on over to my friend Andrea's house to help take care of her kids while she makes crib bedding for Maury's first baby that is due in August. Maury is a mutual friend that I know from church, but she happens to be Andrea's cousin. Such a small world!! So I thought, what a great way to help Andrea get out of town, get to know Maury better, and let our kids play together. It was a win win situation for everyone! While we were there, Andrea snapped some really cute shots of the kids and I so appreciate these...since I have not recorded their life in the month of June! Yes, God provides and gives us little blessings in our hardships too!

Sweet little Frank wants to be just like big brother Parker and his friend Henry sporting their Africa shirts...

Spiderman Henry, Batman Parker, and Princess Laney all ready to 'play super heroes save the princess from the dragon!'

 

The super heroes needed to rest from fitting dragons...

 

The little kids got up from their naps to come join the fun!

Mary Taylor is three weeks younger than Frank, so its fun to see them together!

Mary Taylor was cooperating a little better than Frank...I think they have switched roles!

Such a blessing to see our kids playing together and really getting along well. That's always a plus...especially since the Youngs will be one of the only families we will personally know with a child from Africa. Andrea is going to pick up her son, Isaac, from Ethiopia in 6 days! I am so excited for their family and I am thrilled to be at the airport when they arrive on July 2nd!  It is important to be friends with other families that look like yours. What a blessing to already know families that will be going down this road with us. We will be able to support and encourage each other along the way. I am thrilled to welcome the Young's BLESSING home in less than 13 days!