The Tender Mercies of the Lord

We recently came back from visiting our friends, The Welters. When we got home, we smelled something odd, like a burning smell. We called an electrician and he came out. Throughout the next two weeks, we had him come out several times. He fixed a few things, replaced a few things, but the smell would not go away. Then yesterday morning, he came at 7am to look at the breaker box again. He told us it probably needed to be replaced, but he didn't have time to do it. He gave Jason another number to call to see if they could come out.

Jason called and left a message. He and his dad had planned on going out to the driving range with the boys. Just as they were getting ready to leave, it started to rain and rain hard. They were deterred from their golfing and just a few minutes later, the electrician called back and said he could come over.

After working on the breaker box for an hour, he came upstairs and asked Jason if he was a religious man. Jason, of course, acknowledged that he was. The man told him to thank God that he called him to come out today. We were literally only hours away from our house burning to the ground. The wires were so worn out that they were ready to ignite. He is also a volunteer fire chief, with 23 years of experience, and told us that when the wires wear out, they create a fireball that will literally explode and burn the house down in minutes.

Had it not rained, we wouldn't have been there to answer the call. We would have lost our house last night. We would have lost our business. We would have lost everything, even possibly our lives. I will never think lightly of the words, "Keep us safe from harm and accident" again. I am grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord, for the angels who guarded us and for the safety of my little family. I am grateful for a new appreciation for the blessings our Heavenly Father bestows upon us, even when we least expect it.

Saying good-bye to Emily

We met Emily when she came for violin lessons. She endeared herself to our family. She is an amazing young woman. She was our nanny last fall with our rental season. She became part of the family. She is now at the Naval Academy. We miss her terribly! We had a going away party for her. Here she is with her mom.....

Holding cute baby Nicholas......

Savannah in front of the sign the kids made for her.....

The three girls in her shoes.....

Outside her house the day before she left.....

This is the last picture we took with Emily before she entered the Naval Academy. She was a babysitter like no other. We went to her house the day before she left and had breakfast with her. At the very end she teared up. We teared up. We had to just go. She holds a special place in our hearts. She is going to be so successful and do so well! We love our "Elimee!"

Movie night on the Lawn

One of our favorite traditions is movie night on the lawn. We do it at least two or three times during the summer. Everyone is in their P.J's by about 6:30pm and then we watch a movie and can still be in bed by about 8:30pm. This is little Nicholas. He is such a doll baby! Love this little guy like he was my own!

Every movie night has a bunch of bowls of popcorn....

Lots of blankets, even though it is hot and humid!

It it such a fun tradition and we love it!