Cotton Museum

Its fall break week for the older two kids so we decided to squeeze in a few field trips with less running this week. We enjoyed the Cotton Museum about an hour away.  Cotton is such a fascinating crop to me in South Carolina.  They told us that mid October through November is when they harvest the crops.  It was fascinating learning about Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin and all the things that developed to make cotton harvesting easier in the south. And we just had to stop and see these cotton crops first hand on the side of the road too.

 

20 years!

 

You're so thankful that the Lord has given us 20 years together! In all those 20 years of marriage, Michael told me that I finally successfully surprised him with a getaway last weekend.  I got a night at a bed and breakfast 30 minutes away run by a suite Christian couple.  I organized getting Jeremiah to stay with a friend and the other four to stay with friends.  It was so nice to have time to visit with each other without distraction of children.  I wasn't feeling the best and spent the morning reading a book about a president of CIU who stayed home to care for his wife with Alzheimer's.  It was a sweet reminder of what true love is that God gives that we can selflessly pour out to each other.  I'm so thankful for how the Lord has led and continues to grow us.  

Caesar Head State Park

Our Labor Day hike with the Johnson's was so refreshing!

 

Braces

Jeremiah got his braces on Tuesday.  He's been sore ever since.  Judah likes to be like Jeremiah and get on his biking gear.

 

School 2025

 We started our new school year 4 weeks ago ...

An almost happy crew!  Even Daddy's first day of school!

Memphis- Visit with Dawkins

 We had a wonderful finale in Memphis of our trip!!!  We got to spend Friday night and all day Saturday with our amazing Seminary friends, the Dawkins!  We only see them every few years but are so thankful for such rich friendships that God gave that we can pick up so quickly.  Laura and I have prayed together almost every week for the last 15 years.  What a blessing and a rich friend.  We have seen God move in mighty ways and change our own hearts as we love our husbands, children and give us grace and help to reach out in ministry.  It has been so good to have a prayer partner outside our ministries.  I am so thankful for the faithfulness of this family to the gospel and their willingness to forsake all for the cause of Christ.  Until we meet again dear friends ...

They gave us a memorable day sailing on the lake and visiting Bass Pro downtown and walking the Memphis Riverwalk.  The kids spent hours playing four square and other games.  Davids parents let us stay at their lovely home.  Mrs. Dawkins had cereal for us and all kinds of games and prizes for the kids. They are such a hospitable family.  The kids love staying at the Dawkins home.  

Day 12- Canyonlands NP

 

Wednesday, we went to Canyonlands NP.  We did not realize how big this park is.  We only saw one section.  We could have used another day to explore the needles section.  We went to the Island in the Sky.  We hiked the Grand View Overlook Trail.  We hiked the Mesa Arch trail.  These hikes were much smaller and our kids were getting tired of hiking at the end.  Though Joel was still catching lizards.  We loved our stay in Moab.  We stayed in a great VRBO.  Josiah said this park was a good combination of all the parks, arches, canyons, buttes, good way to end.