Good, Gracious Gift of Vacation

There are few things in this world more beautiful than the way waves crash on the shore, especially when illumined by the glow of a full moon. There are moments when joy is multiplied ten thousand times and spills over into contagious laughter. There is a quiet that calms a weary soul and brings peace where there was turmoil. There are friendships that God gives that will encourage in just the right ways. There are days when God's extravagant gifts are so evident a person would have to intentionally try to ignore them for them not to overwhelm a soul. There were all these elements in our vacation. It was completely undeserved rest from the everyday and we are so thankful for our time away. Interestingly enough, we were glad to get home where luxury doesn't prevent our faith from being tested more frequently:) More specifically...

Andrew loved the water and the beach.

Elijah loved the beach... not the water so much.

We had the privilege of taking all the kids putt-putting; a favorite Abernethy pastime. Here they all are in the van entertaining themselves!!!

And here are the boys sinking holes-in-well, whatever it took. We didn't keep score this time:)

The boys got to touch an alligator. He was quite docile!

Our last night at the beach was spent catching ghost crabs. You should have seen Andrew go after them with his pail!

Everyone celebrating with lots of ice cream.

Beautiful Sandestin, Florida

We arrived in Florida yesterday after about 12 hours of traveling. We had safety all the way! Today, and spent our first day on the beach. This is Andrew's second time at a beach and Elijah's first. Every time I am near the ocean, or in this case, the gulf, I am always overwhelmed at the vast and beautiful coastline. This beach is especially mesmerizing with the water's blue/green color against the white sand. The boys love the beach. It took them a while to enjoy jumping waves in the ocean, but they are warming up to it with appropriate respect. Playing in the sand is what they like the most.

We have had a great time with our friends, the Meyers. Our children have all had such a good time, although Andrew wasn't sure at all at first about all the "girl toys" they brought to share in the condo! Thankfully, beach toys are generic~

Happy Days

We recently traveled to NC to visit with family and celebrate Micah's 30th (yes, I said 3-0!!!). The trip was quick, but enjoyable. It was especially nice to drive in view of the beauty of a NC spring. The flowers, grass, and trees show God's glory and creativity in creation in a way that always awakens my sleepy, winter soul. The time with family was sweet, though brief. I want to take this opportunity to say hi to Ben- Micah's cousin and avid reader of Joy in Our Journey. It always humbles me to know you read our blog!

May 6th was Micah's actual 30th birthday. I am so thankful to have had 15 birthdays with him. I used to think it was cliche' to say that time goes by quickly, but these days I am in complete agreement. Here is the picture the boys included in their birthday card to him. It was their attempt to read Grudem's Systematic Theology. I love the look on their faces!

"Active" is the theme of their lives right now. Andrew loves his friends and brother. Elijah likes to emulate his brother and seems to have very little fear of heights (yikes!). These are pics of them playing at their new favorite place in Louisville called "Incredible Dave's".

Here they are at Tom Sawyer Park, a place we frequent often.

We are leaving Sunday for a much needed vacation thanks to some dear friends who are lending us their condo for the week. I will make sure to include pics from sunny (we hope:)) Florida next time.

Grace and peace to you all!

The best rest...

When I first moved out of my parent's house and went away to college, I was so excited! Anyone who knew me at that time knew I was terribly independent and ready to be on my own. There was something I missed after I left home and I remember identifying it quickly. I had a wonderful home to live in during college, but there was something about sleep in the bed I grew up in that made my rest the sweetest I have ever known. Now I am aware that children grow up in homes where family life is extremely volatile to say the least, but by God's grace, I felt safe at home.

Since I have been married, responsibility has changed me tremendously. There is a great difference between being a kid reliant on parents and being the parent... making sure the doors are locked at night, there are functioning smoke and CO2 detectors in the rooms, etc. I watch the boys though, as they barrel carefree through a day. When they play, they play hard. When they rest, they rest so peacefully. "Home" itself for us has changed over and over, as my past posts have stated. The uncertainties of where home will be in the future bring curiosity and much prayerful consideration. Even when I visit my parents home now, it is not the home of my youth and even though they are welcoming, I am a guest.

I am fairly certain that Isaac Watts may have shared the same sentiment when he wrote the final lines of "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need". This is a song I sang with my high school choir and one that has stuck. I have sung it to Andrew and Elijah many times. Its words inspired by Psalm 23 have always been moving, but here recently the last stanza has encouraged me toward acceptance of a deeper truth. I may have eluded to this before, but I am finding more and more that the Lord wants me to long for my eternal home more than the temporary, unsatisfying rest this world brings. Having grown up in safety, this is something I am having to be taught. The other portions of the song are also beautiful, giving me hope until I am like a "child at home" in my Father's house. I pray it is encouraging to you as well.

My Shepherd will supply my need:

Jehovah is His Name;

In pastures fresh He makes me feed,

Beside the living stream.

He brings my wandering spirit back

When I forsake His ways,

And leads me, for His mercy’s sake,

In paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death

Thy presence is my stay;

One word of Thy supporting breath

Drives all my fears away.

Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,

Doth still my table spread;

My cup with blessings overflows,

Thine oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God

Attend me all my days;

O may Thy house be my abode,

And all my work be praise.

There would I find a settled rest,

While others go and come;

No more a stranger, nor a guest,

But like a child at home.

Moving and Anniversary

Before I talk about our move, I have to first acknowledge an important milestone in the Child's family. Our 10th wedding anniversary was March 1. Micah's mom and sister came up to keep the boys for us on Friday, February 29 and we had some extended time away (thank you, thank you, Nana and Aunt Mary!!!). We stayed one night on the Ohio river in downtown Louisville at the Galt House. We had a fabulous time. It has been fun over the past few days to reminisce. We have so much to be thankful for. I thought I would include some facts about the past 10 years for us, to refresh my memory and also to testify to how far the Lord has brought us in that time.

Our wedding was sweet~ We were surrounded by many family and friends, some of which are no longer on this earth with us, but enjoying being with Jesus. Do you know that when we were married, I was only 18 years old and Micah only 19? We were so young~ and I know others our age were wondering what we were thinking, but the Lord guided us to that place and time and we were sure we were to marry.

Our first apartment was in small downtown Statesville in a house that was divided in to four apartments. I think we paid $300 a month!!! It was small, and the heater was in the far end opposite of the bath so morning showers were really cold! Micah and I were students at Mitchell Community College. The thing I remember most about the school was the class Micah and I had together during the semester we married. It was strange leaving class the week before our wedding and returning after spring break as husband and wife!

From that point on, I think Micah has had 7 different jobs and I have had 5. We have moved 8 times. Micah's library has grown from about 15 books, to roughly 1300?!? We have taken hundreds of hours of college classes- Micah with the most of course. The Lord has given us pets to love on for a time and then two precious boys to fill our lives with more humility and joy. We have had one precious child go straight to the Father's arms. We have watched as the Lord drew us closer together as He drew us closer to Him. We have felt the Lord taking a hold of all we hold dear and teach us how to let go and trust Him. We have so much to be thankful for. We hope that in the coming years, we will grow all the more. We think we may make it at least to 60 years together- maybe even 70!

Now for an update on our moving. We officially sold our house on February 22, and in an ice storm, moved from Shelbyville back to Louisville. The Lord gave us much needed grace as we packed and unpacked. There was a moment when Micah and I both wanted a respite from adulthood, but we persevered! We had some incredible help from some guys from Chick-fil-a. They worked so diligently without any complaining. They were such an encouragement to me. We also were so thankful to have friends from our old church who came and rescued the boys and me in Shelbyville on our last day in our old house. We were truly blessed with kindness during the whole move.

The boys have really had to adjust to apartment living. We are so close to Micah's job and, well, everything! We have settled in, making sure to call this home as we wait on the Lord and His will for us from here. In the meantime, we are going to take advantage on our current situation and enjoy the pool and park nearby this summer. I am quick to call where ever we are for how ever long home, remembering the stuff is just stuff, but being together is what matters. Thank you all for your prayers!

Fun Packing

I was packing this morning, the boys helping, going through and putting away stuff. This quote has been hanging in Andrew's room since before he was born. He was named after Andrew Fuller, one of Micah's favorite pastors in history, and he and I wanted to share a bit of his life and ministry with him. We found this quote from one of his sermons and thought it such a sweet summation of the kind of life we desire for our little boy- and for Elijah as well. Little did I know that today, Rev. Fuller's words would bring me much encouragement. I thought I would share them with you as well as share a few pics of the boys playing, not with their toys, but with a box!

In your journey to the heavenly world,

you will have much to do,

much to oppose, and it may be,

much to suffer; but by a life of faith

on hime in whom you first believed,

you will find strength equal to your day.

Duties will be pleasant,

temptations will be overcome, and the

sufferings of this present life will

work a far more exceeding and eternal

weight of glory.

The Great Question Answered

by Rev. Andrew Fuller

Birthday and Updates

First, a late HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!!! (I write in caps so he can read it... he seems to recognize upper case letters better than lower case at this point:)). We had a wonderful trip to NC to visit family and have a party for his 4th birthday. He enjoyed getting to celebrate with family- something we out-of-towners don't get to do often. Here are a few highlights from the trip...

Here he is with his soccer cake!

And at the party with his cousin, Preston.

I also had to include this picture of the Christmas plate girls. We had a great time exchanging plates this year, adding Bethany and Amy to the tradition.

The boys had fun playing video games. Elijah is still content without change in the machine, but Andrew is catching on...

Here is everyone!

If you have even been in the middle of a time of transition, with questions about the future, what to do, when to do it, and how in the world it is all going to work out, this may be of some encouragement to you. Honestly, I really stink at being in these situations. I have come to the realization over and over again that I am a planner. I am okay with any outcome, I just want to know ahead of time so I know what I am dealing with.

This is why the last few months have been so difficult for me. God has once again reminded me that even though I am so arrogant think I could control all things and pave the way for myself, that job is better left in His hands. He must be trusted~ and as our youth minister recently reminded me, paints on a canvas much larger than I could ever see. The waiting has been sanctifying. He doesn't own me any more encouragement than to simply say, trust me. In our case right now though, His ways are so evident, my soul is increasingly, abundantly encouraged.

This past Saturday, we got an offer on our house in Shelbyville. It is an enormous answer to prayer given the housing market. The Lord has once again shown that He has ordered all things for our good. We also have a place to move from here near Micah's job in Louisville. There is much anticipation on our part as well as some of your parts as well when it comes to where we will go, if anywhere, from there. Thank you all for walking with us as we wait on the Lord for all those answers.