{community}

They come prepared.
Buckets.
Nets.
Rubber boots.
They are on a mission. Children from the ages of 4-10 gather at the "pond." Together they work as a team. They build bridges. Bridges that stretch from one side of the pond to the other, but are so narrow that when one yells "emergency!" the rest clear off so they can get through with their catch. They are collecting tadpoles.
I admire their perseverance. Their teamwork and camaraderie. They encourage and build each other up. They celebrate when a team member has a great catch.
When one goes down and needs to go home because she is soaking wet from head to toe, they all pack up and go home with her.
Our young children have figured out the importance of working together and how to celebrate each other's wins!

They give me hope for the future. They give me hope that one day these children will be strong leaders in the church. They would be encourager's and doers. They will work together for the kingdom of God.

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. ³ Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. ⁴ For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. 

-Eph. 4:2-6

14 years

Here we are in the lovely month of June, with only a couple more weeks of school and schedules. It's been dreary, wet, and even a wee bit cold. But that it ok. It is ok, because life has been full and my heart is full.
I turned to Joel randomly in the kitchen the other day and asked him if he was happy. His eyes smiled back at me, he put his arm around me and said, I have great kids, a great job, a roof over my head... and I have you. Yes, I am very, very happy. How his words filled my heart with joy, how his arms surrounded me with love, and how he reminded me of this sweet boy 14 years ago that met me at the end of the aisle and said with tears in his eyes "I do."
Anyone who has said those words knows that marriage isn't easy. I saw this the other day and wanted to share. In a world where we are always told the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, I thought this was a good reminder of what God calls us to in marriage.



much love
larajane