Happy New Year!

The kids rang in the New Year in Oklahoma again this year.  They joined the Gungans and the Lowes for a fun evening together.  Before they headed north Abigail had softball practice with her HSAA Angels.  

The kids had a great time together and really appreciated being able to be together and just hanging out! It's become a great tradition! 

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them” Ecclesiastes 12:1

Roomies

The girl has made her college selection, Oklahoma Christian University!  I'm very excited because OC is where my dad, my uncle, my brother and I attended!  She'll make a fabulous Eagle! 

She's so excited to have her college decision made, plus she has a sweet friend from Camp Blue Haven that she will be rooming with, Ms. Audrey! Can't wait to hear about all their adventures! 

May he grant you your heart's desire

    and fulfill all your plans!

Psalm 20:4

North Texas Home School Homecoming

The baby girl is looking all grown up and fabulous!  Our girl and Gracie enjoyed their last North Texas Home School Homecoming  at Frontiers of Flight Museum. 

The homecoming event is for homeschoolers across North Texas.  Abigail's boyfriend Josiah came down as her handsome escort for the evening.  And Gracie was on the arm of Gabe.  They all looked dashing. 

This year's theme was 'Around the World' set with the beautiful 45+ suspended planes on the main floor of the Frontiers of Flight Museum.  Some 800+ home schoolers with their dates attended, plus plenty of parent chaperones!  

There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Book Signing with Kevin Henkes

What an enjoyable evening with friends at Barnes and Noble Bookstore.  We went for a book reading and signing by Kevin Henkes who is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. Henkes told the story that he thought he would be an artist until his junior year of high school, when one of his teachers encouraged him in his writing efforts. He discovered that children's books combined both his literary and artistic interests.  To date he's written and illustrated some 50 books!

Frankie and I went to the event with one of my sweet friends from church and her precious girls.  It was a delightful evening.  The kids in the audience giggled in delight at his stories and drawings! 

The living, the living—they praise you,

    as I am doing today;

parents tell their children

    about your faithfulness.

Isaiah 38:19

A Time to Laugh

After classes today Abigail, Gracie and a few other friends met up for dinner tonight.  The girls are getting into the swing of their senior year and catching up on all the fun they had this summer.  Between jobs, church camp and sports the summer went by quickly and now it's time to get back into the grove of school.  

P.S. Aren't they cute! 

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”  Psalm 126:2

Farewell to the Interns

Summer is quickly coming to an end and school will be starting back up soon.  With that in mind the McDermott congregation said goodbye to the interns. After the reception our two sweet ministers and their spouses treated us to a delicious dinner.  

Wes and Mark have been so gracious to Caleb this summer.  They made it possible for him to preach and teach at McDermott.  He also traveled to South Texas and Estonia.  Caleb has loved his time with these amazing Godly men!  

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.  Proverbs 19:20-21

Wedding Bells

While I was in Oklahoma this week, Caleb headed  south the San Antonio for Scotty and Melinda's wedding.  Scotty was a Biblical Text and Preaching major with Caleb at LCU who graduated this spring.  It is a fun season in life! 

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends. 1 Corinthians 13:7-8

Road Trip

This week Mom had surgery.  I was blessed to be able to take the week off and spend time with her in the hospital.  The visit wasn't quite as adventurous as my last visit to Tulsa but it was still good to be together. 

She'e doing well but will have home health care to help her for the next two months until she's healed. 

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:34

Summer Fun!

Abigail has spent the summer as a Nanny for these sweet face all summer.  They have had a blast together.  Between swimming and art lesson; then through in time at the water park; bike rides; and science experiments! 

Abigail fell in love with these two!  She's going to miss them when school starts back up. 

The righteous who walks in his integrity—

    blessed are his children after him! Proverbs 20:7

A Time to Wed

What a beautiful day to celebrate with friends!  This weekend was Matthew and Liz's wedding in Ada.  Although Josiah has met the Gungans and Lowes this was the first time to have the three Gungans, Kirkwoods and Lowes together.  He weathered the group pretty well. 

The wedding was very pretty and the kids, now all practically adults, had a good time setting up and cleaning up. 

For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you,  and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.  Isaiah 62:5

Visiting Uncle Mike

In our continuing adventures in Oklahoma, Mom and I went to visit Michael at the congregation where he works.  It was my first visit to his new home and to tour the church.  The building is all set up and ready for Vacation Bible School to start next week. 

The church is doing a super heroes theme and everything looks wonderful.  Several of Michael's friends from the Edmond area came down to help them canvas the neighborhoods around the church with invitations to join them.  

We had a great time checking out the city where he's now working and serving.  After the tour we enjoyed lemon cupcakes at Michael's house. I think this is the fourth day in a row we've celebrated Mom's upcoming birthday! 

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.  Ecclesiastes 11:5

The Fourth of July

Celebrating the Fourth of July with sweet friends was wonderful.  We spent the evening at the Hunt's home enjoying a great cook out and fellowship.  The kids had a great time swimming and playing.  

Ms. Julie took the kids out to see the chickens and how she gathers them up for bed time to roost. 

Once it was dark we set off fireworks, lot of fireworks! The younger ones also enjoyed the sparklers of course.  It was a really nice evening surrounded by great friends! 

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. Proverbs 28:2

Time for Some Little League

Tonight the kids took in one of Malachi's Little League games.  Our favorite pitcher made the All-Star Team!  We adore this sweet family and are so blessed God brought them to our McDermott family!  

Caleb is thoroughly enjoying his time with Wes interning.  And Abigail loves hanging out with the boys babysitting.  I don't think it's really babysitting because they hang out at the park, play catch and ride bikes! 

Malachi had a good game.  He's got two great pitches and is working on his change up!  I hope he continues to play as long as he loves the game! 

Be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24

Happy Birthday, Roy

Today we celebrated Roy's 17th birthday at his favorite restaurant.  Roy, Ryan and Caleb all have birthdays right together so it was fun to have them all together. We were just missing Richard and Melissa this evening.  

For the ear tests words

    as the tongue tastes food.

Let us discern for ourselves what is right;

    let us learn together what is good.

Job 34:3-4

Time in Tulsa

This week my mom was really missing me, so she checked herself into the hospital so I would come play with her!   . . . or something like that!  She's doing better but will require surgery in a few weeks so we'll get a little more time together.  

For this is what the Lord says: . . .

As a mother comforts her child,  so will I comfort you

Isaiah 66:12-13

Wild Things!

Frankie and I decided since Abigail is off having fun at Camp Blue Haven and Caleb is off in South Texas there was no reason for us to just sit at home!  We called up the Sanderfords and met them for lunch at IHop! 

After lunch we visited the Allen Public Library where they were hosting summer movies.  Today's showing was Tarzan! The girls had a great time together and so did the moms! 

Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10

Aren't They Cute?!

So this happened today.  Hmmm, I've been told it's not ok to post details . . . . I think it's safe to say I've seen this coming and I approve.  For any more details you'll need to talk to Abigail! 

Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left. 2 Kings 22:2

End of the School Year

The school year is winding down quickly!  We celebrated tonight with our fellow home schooling families from church at the park.  The kids enjoyed croquet and a little baseball while the moms and dads hung out together and enjoyed a few brownies!  It was fun to have the dad's join us this evening! 

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  Deut. 6:7

Heartfelt Friends

Our sweet Heartfelt Friends meet each month and it is such an encouragement.  Our Heartfelt Mom's host young ladies in the church who are either single or still have school age children.  

We get together each month to have dinner and lots of laughter!  We also spend a little time in scripture and singing.  It is such a boost to my week.  These ladies have also been a huge blessing to Frankie.  They love on her and go out of their way every time they see her!    Love their sweet hearts! 

Exhort older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. 1 Timothy 5:2

A Cup of Kindness

Before the girls junior year finishes up we got together for dinner.  We met up at the Heritage Table which is a 1917 converted Victorian home. It's on Main Street Frisco and is a true neighborhood restaurant where you can enjoy a cup of espresso or homemade gourmet dinner.  

The girls enjoyed a table on the porch while the mom's enjoyed the cozy air conditioned atmosphere.  It was a lovely evening catching up with friends.  It's hard to believe these four beautiful young ladies will be seniors next year!  

In the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,
 expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7