Gone To Carolina In My Mind

We were in the mountains all last week. Did ya'll miss me? ; )

Dreams Do Come True

Ever since John and I have been married I have dreamed of having my sister as a neighbor. My sister, Gail, and her family have lived in Florida for the last four years. However, in the kindness of God, He has not only enabled her husband, Charlie,
to be transferred to Charlotte, but also to buy the house just two doors down from us!
Gail sent me the words to this "classic" Mr. Rogers' song last week. Our new theme song. Will you sing along with me?:

"It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?

It's a neighborly day in this beautiful world,
A neighborly day for a beauty,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?

I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you,
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

So let's make the most of this beautiful day,
Since we're together, we might as well say,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?

Won't you please,
Won't you please,
Please won't you be my neighbor?"

Gail, Charlie, Emma, Abigail, James and Benjamin will be moving on Sept. 30th. Please pray for a smooth transition for them all!

For Miss Jamie...

Sorry you've not been feeling well.
We love you!

Gets Me Every Time

Forgetting I'm called to serve, John sent me this sweet, piercing reminder by none other than Spurgeon himself:

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

"This is what thou art here for. Thou art here for a certain purpose. Suppose, now, the duty which lies against our door to be a very disagreeable one. A sad thing that any duty should be disagreeable to the man who has been saved by Christ, but so it is.

There are some duties, which while we are nothing but poor flesh and blood will always be less agreeable than certain others; yet, mark you, though the duties seem to you to be degrading and disagreeable, contrary to your taste, yet the exhortation hath it, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Whether
it be the visitation of the poorest of the poor or the teaching of the most ignorant, whether the hewing of wood or the drawing of water, the very lowest work in the Lord's house, if thy hand findeth it to
do it.

Christ Jesus might say to us, "Oh, you don't like teaching the poor;
it is beneath your dignity; then let your commander-in-chief do it; he can teach the poor, he can wash the feet of the saints, he can visit the sick and afflicted—he came from heaven to do this, and he will set you the example."

Surely we should each be ashamed of ourselves, and declare from this time forward whatever it is, be it great or little, if it comes to our hand, and if God will but give us help and give us grace, we will do it with all our might."

Oh me.

Build-A-Bear

Lauren had her
first Build-A-Bear experience with her birthmom and family last week. She made a kittycat. I wasn't sure if Bidgie would be old enough to participate in stuffing and fluffing whatever animal she chose, but she did a great job! She even went around for a second try after the first time!

Thank you, Jamie
and Scott, for a memorable time together. So grateful we got to see you!

You Are My Lovesong

I love you, Boogs! Happy Birthday!

(Some things never change, eh?) ; )

Nakey Bidgie...

When Lauren decides she wants to go in the pool, she immediately strips down to get her swimsuit on. Today Lauren went streaking upstairs in search of her bathingsuit and stayed
up there for several minutes. When I went to investigate I found her... naked, sitting on her bed, doing a puzzle. She explained,
"I doin' puzzles, Mama!" (Guess she got a little distracted). ; )

1 Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Guess who's swimming?

I stand amazed.

You Are My Sunshine

Julianna spent three days at her Uncle Mike and Aunt Lisa's house last week. She had a wonderful time walking Maggie's little dog, picking blackberries, hiking, working on crafts, getting icecream, splashing in the creek, and tubing.
Thank you for having her, Mike and Lisa!

Although Julianna's not my only sunshine, I'm sure these pictures will make you happy if your "skies are grey". : )
(Thanks for the pictures, Mags!)