Coming back from Family vacation

BJ, me, and the boys spent 9 whole days away the beach. BJ was a trooper and turned his blackberry off and disappeared to the world for a week. This was something our family desperately needed, but of course, in hindsight not for any of the reasons I thought. I thought that we were going to rest and enjoy some time minstering to and loving on each other. I thought we needed to "escape" for a bit and not be responsible for anyone or anything for a week. However, of course God had other plans...We got away just so God could remind us how very complete our ministry makes us. It was fun laying on the beach and napping in the sand, but at the end of the day I had little to contemplate but God's amazing creation. I longed all week to call my BFFs and find out what God was doing in their lives (and maybe check a reaction or 2 to the weekly So You Think You Can Dance episode). I missed cooking and delivering meals to the sick, I missed helping a friend with her kids, I missed encouraging a new mom, and I really missed corporate worship in the home that God has chosen for our family. So instead of waiting until Saturday to come back we tried to sneak in on Friday and grab one last day in the comfort of our own home together. We had been home about an hour when one of BJ's BFFs showed up to mow our lawn. BJ and I laughed about God's providence and how Joe didn't surprise either of us by coming by to serve our family. We are blessed beyond understanding to have friends that love us that much and friends that we know that well. So as we returned to "normal life" (whatever in the world that is) we felt renewed and reminded of God's call on our lives...really on all of our lives....to serve one another. When done with the right heart, it is the greatest joy on the planet...I can't help but think of my Pastor quietly reminding me...."We GET to do this", this being God's work. Why he lets a nasty sinner like me have anything to do with Him, I'm not quite sure, but I DO know that His endless love for me probably has something to do with it.
Now on to some funny's from our week of vacation:
*We learned the term "snogging" thanks to a Harry Potter movie with lots of teen romance at which Devlan declared in the middle of the movie theatre, "I have had ENOUGH!". Drew spent the rest of the week trying to "snog" mommy. He would pucker thoses little lips and smush them to mine while moving his head from side to side. Per our favorite South African snogging does = making out. I'm not telling Drew about this, I'm going to let him keep "snogging" me until the cows come home...before long he'll be like Devlan and offer me his head when I pucker up to him. :(
*Devlan got his 1st ever crick in his neck. For 3 days he held his head cock-eyed and complained constantly. When we tried to get him to take a single motrin (not children's, but the kind you have to swallow) he couldn't bring himself to do it. BJ (the really calm one) got really flustered with him and I quietly laughed from the kitchen.
*Devlan pooped in his pants (a little) on the way home. I don't know what he ate, but when we got to a rest stop he said "Mommy, my pants are wet", and sure enough there was a greenish brown circle on the butt of his britches. We then had the pleasure of explaining diarrhea to the boys. We obviously didn't do a very good job because Devlan said he needed some diarrhea medicine on Sunday. As I was reaching for the Pepto I asked some questions, only to find out that our brilliant son thought diarrhea is simply green poop.

God met me in the water

Over July 4th weekend, BJ and I and a crew of our friends went down to Emerald Isle for our 2nd annual hot dog give away. We have really good friends who have planted a church down there and love our yearly trip to give away a billion and one free hot dogs, drinks, and to play some music. The week leading up to our leaving was crazy (as normal) and I was feeling very sorry for myself. I was tired and of course my uterus was being nuts and I was just plain grumpy. After throwing a fit over not having skim milk, but 2% milk instead, my very patient and gentle husband had to point out I was being a brat. I went to bed a bit frustrated and was just hoping for some rest.
The next day we had some time for rest and relaxation on the beach, which happens to be my most favorite place in the world. I spent a long time out in the ocean, way out, jumping waves and letting many of them crash over my head. It was there that God met with me. Like only God can, out in the middle of a perfect picture of His power and might, He reminded me that He is in control. He clearly spoke the following to me out in the waves: "Nicole, I know you are weary and ministry can often be exhausting. I know that your uterus is killing you and I'm afraid you've forgotten some very important things. I have the the power to split this ocean in 2 and leave dry land in the middle. I also have the power to simply lift you to the top of the waves and allow you to walk on top of the waves....however, in my desire to draw you closer to me and make you more like myself, I am choosing to leave you IN the water and therefore the crashing waves. You don't need to understand why, it is far above you, but you are mine and I love you. I love you so much that I refuse to give you an always easy road, but I DO promise you a good road. Remember these truths and lay back and enjoy the ride. Fighting the waves will just tire you more....I'm here and I've promised I will never leave you and you will not drown in surf."
I spent the rest of the weekend trying to get myself together. I'm still amazed that God chooses to meet with me, often in the strangest places, but he's always chasing me down.
Oh no, You never let go, through the calm and through the storm, oh no, You never let go, every high and every low, oh no you never let go, Lord you never let go of me!

Busy, Busy, and did I say busy?

The past couple of weeks have been full of fun in the sun, loving on our friends, and for me, lots of snot :) BJ has been even busier than normal because he has picked up a second job with Chris Leader at a day camp. I think BJ is the only real "parent" there so needless to say, he wipes alot of noses and band-aids lots of boo-boos. The boys really enjoy it because they get to attend while BJ works there. I think Drew thinks he counselor...

We are preparing to head down to the beach for our 2nd annual hot dog giveaway! We had a ball last year and even though it's 2 days packed full of work, it's ministry at it's best. I guess it's a mission trip, like the rest of our lives should be.

I have been debating about possibly taking Devlan with us, we have made plans for Mimi and Grandma to watch the kids over the weekend, but Devlan is getting so big. He turned 7 on June 20th and it seems he's growing by leaps and bounds. This past Sunday night at life group he had his 1st babysitting experience. He helped Mr. Joe watch 4 other kids while the ladies spent some time in prayer. He is so gentle and sweet with little ones. I can already see so much of his daddy in him. (Hallelujah)! I want so badly to teach him that ministry is a lifestyle and feel like this little beach mission trip might be a great way to do that. I may just ask which he would prefer, but I'm pretty sure although he's pretty grown at 7, he will still not pick a weekend of working ministry for a chance to stay with Mimi, G-Daddy, and Grandma...I guess we'll see!