wedding prep

I'm so thankful for all the people who are helping us with the wedding!  

dismissing the crowd

I read Streams in the Desert yesterday, October 26th.  First it references Matthew 14:22-23 where it says, "He made the disciples get into the boat, and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And after He had sent the multitudes away, He went up to the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone." Then the devotional reads "Oh my soul, practice the solitude!  Practice dismissing the crowd!  Practice the stillness of your heart."

Practice dismissing the crowd.  That phrase has stood out to me over and over since yesterday as I think of what my "crowd" is.  Mostly it is the thoughts in my own mind.  Sometimes the demands.  Sometimes the children.  Mostly though, it is what is in my mind.  Crowds and crowds!  Crowds of lists, ideas, plans, thoughts, needless information.   And then, when I am overwhelmed, afraid, numb- rather than invite more of the crowd, hoping it will be a distraction and a band-aid for my hurting heart, I need to dismiss the crowd until it is just me and my Father. That's what Jesus did. 
 Dismiss it.  Walk away.  Seek His face.  HE is my band-aid.  More than my band-aid actually because He doesn't just cover my wound- He heals it. 

True peace and contentment will not come through the noise and distraction.  It will come with being alone with my Father. 

Dismiss the crowd, Erika, dismiss the crowd.

fall fun

Alissa mentioned that she really wanted to enjoy the fall and spend some fun family time together....so we carved pumpkins!  We haven't done that for about 10 years!  I couldn't believe how litte/if any help anyone needed.  It was great!

One neat thing about the night was when we all showed what we had carved.  Neither Matt nor I knew what the other was carving and when it was time to reveal- we had done the same thing!

family field trip!

About a month ago we planned a family day.  We decided that Matt, Cam, and Bri would all take off work and we would go to Boston and walk the Freedom Trail- a dream I've had for about 12 years!  Anyway, when it came to the day before, we were unsure about parking, cost, transportation, etc and I started to think that maybe I would be the only one to enjoy it!  (Although the whole family was being a very good sport!)  When we saw that the temperatures were going to be high 70s, we decided to take a trip to the beach.  We haven't been in almost 8 years!  We drove down to East Lyme, CT (HATE the name of that town!) and went to Rocky Neck State Park.  It was off season, so there was no charge and hardly any people!  

We had such a great time together.  It was relaxing, refreshing, and just awesome.  Just what we needed before we are now plunged right into the busyness of last minute wedding details!

surprise

One day I mentioned to Matt how pretty it would look to have a chrysanthemum hanging by the barn door.  I mentioned it in passing, but 2 days later I looked out my window- and there it was!  And the most beautiful color too!  What an amazing husband I have :)

the moments

Enjoying the moments....

It was a cool fall evening and we decided to have a fire and roast marshmallows with all of us together.   It was so much fun!  We sat around the fire, talked, laughed, and even sang while we just enjoyed each others' company.  I love my family!

happy birthday caleb

Caleb turned 15!  I didn't take many photos on his birthday- I'm kinda slacking I guess.  But he had a full day!  One of the gifts he got was a 4x4 rubik's cube.  It took him a couple of days, but he figured out how to solve it!  That kids has quite the head :)  

Matt and I took him to Hot Table for his birthday lunch and he ate a large panini, 2 small bags of chips, and a huge cookie!  His appetite has increased so much.  A regular "snack" for him is 2 whole bagels smothered in cream cheese.  That will tide him over until until his next meal.  

Apart from his eating, Caleb continues to amaze us as we watch him grow into his own person.  He has taken a huge interest in reaching kids with the Gospel and takes any and every opportunity given him to do that.  As quiet as he appears to be, he never lets a chance go by to be up front to teach a Bible lesson, a verse, or just share the Gospel.  He is am amazing boy.

We always remember on his birthday the moment the doctor told us that he should never have been born alive as he was delivered with a true knot in his cord.  Praise God that it is HE who gives life and He decided to allow Caleb to live out his life here on earth.  

Happy 15th birthday, Caleb!