Hatteras Island 2010

We have truly been BLESSED by this past week being beach bums in Hatteras North Carolina. Pastor Billy and Ms. Erin's hospitality to allow our family to stay the week in their ministry house was amazing. They truly went out of their way to make sure we enjoyed our vacation. We were able to use their Kayaks and Pastor Billy came out one morning and took John and the boys on a ride on his boat and pulled them around on rafts.

We pray that God continues to use Pastor Billy and HICF to rock the Island in His name!

We enjoyed the quiet family time away. We would spend our days laying at the beach and tanning ;) and enduring the crazy waves in the ocean. God's creations are so amazing... the water was so blue and clear...there were times you would be out in the water and you would see this pool of fish swim right by (I still haven't decided if that is nasty or not...lol) and one of the days we were out at the beach we were able to enjoyed watching 5 dolphin swim and jump!

Then we would head back to the house and enjoy family dinners together and then we would watch movies ( we saw some good ones...I highly recommend to you "Letters to God", "Glory Road", and "Facing the Giants" and "The last Song") (OH...and Highly would not recommend to you all 3 Lord of the Rings...lol) by the last movie we saw the boys brought out the tissue before it started for me...lol BOYS!!!!!!!

We enjoyed some really fun times just sitting and talking and joking and imagining.

Thank YOU GOD! We really need this week to be reminded of how much you love us and provide and care for us!

Washington DC 2010

We were able to take a drive and spend the day in Washington DC yesterday. We had a lot of fun and saw great things. Here is a picture of the White House above (not what I was expecting...thought it would be grander...hmmm) and below is the Washington Monument, which was beautiful. It looks far in this picture cause I took it from the steps of the Capitol Building which wasn't so close but the scene to it was amazing!!! The picture trail below all these pictures shows pics from the Botanical Garden which was beautiful and so fragrant, and pictures from the Smithsonian Museum of Air and Space and the American Museum. We will have to go back and visit in the fall when it isn't so hot....there is still so much to see :)

Here is John and the kids in front of the White House. ( You should see the picture of the squeaker that was inside the gate sitting on the lawn, eating a Ritz Cracker..it was so cute and chubby. All the squirrels and birds were so not afraid of people!)

Here is John and I sitting in front of the Capitol Building

The kids in front of the Capitol Building

Still in front of the Capitol Building (Such Tourist!!!)

Vacationing can be so TIRING..lol

York River Park

I spot something that starts with a "D"

How much more great can Virginia get???

Today at the park we ran across about 6 deer!!!

I know 2 1/2 years later and they still really make us excited!!

Norfolk Tunnel

Gabriel's favorite part of going to Norfolk...getting on the tunnel :)

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives!!

SO...a few weeks ago...John and i were watching Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Guy was at a curbside drive in, which happen to be n Norfolk! So we thought we must go there one day...TODAY was the day!!! We loaded up and took the hour drive to Norfolk and found Doumar's...it was a total Dive! lol...Anyways...Food portions were very small..but the ice cream soda floats were really good!

VBS at Calvary Chapel Williamsburg

Here is my confession for today....When we moved to Virginia, God clearly showed us we would be in ministry full time, and that we would serve in areas that we did not serve in the 13 years at CC Livingwater in California... So I was excited and thankful for the pre-knowledge of this. HOWEVER, when God allowed for me to take a huge step of faith and become the children's ministry director...I honestly spent the first year questioning if God really knew what He was doing and was I right for this ministry...

NOW...I have to tell you...God has done a HUGE work in my heart and soul and He has melted me into the Children's Ministry and as I keep my eyes fixed on Him and pulling out His vision and not letting my eyes get caught up in the things of the world for this ministry...HE has given me great insight and JOY for this ministry..I believe I am in the most wonderful ministry of our church...

The ministry is growing and bursting at the seams and I thank God for pouring His Spirit into our ministry...

Vacation Bible Study is getting ready for it's 4th session and I stand in AWE of God and what He is doing in the hearts of our kids at Calvary Colonial Kids Ministry!!!!

Below or pictures from the last 2 weeks of VBS...hope you enjoy them and they express and capture the joy of the ministry!!!