Graduation 2012

 Well, it's done.  The graduation of Paul's seminary studies at Reformed Theological Seminary!  We were so happy to have Grampy and Grammy join us for the ceremony.  Here are some of my better pictures, but Grampy got some really nice ones. We are so very proud of Paul!

Here's a shot I got of Paul after the processional into the sanctuary.

(Central Pennsylvania friends, the fellow standing next to Paul is Stewart Folmar and is from Grassflat!!  Such a small world!  It was fun chatting with his family who know the Central PA area well...and even know Pinchatouly!)

Reptile-land Lizards and Amphibians Zoo

If you're looking for a reptile and amphibian zoo to visit, look no further.  The Henry kids are welcoming patrons to their newly opened Repitle-land Lizards and Amphibians Zoo!The welcome sign to the Zoo!

Love this added advertisement...

More enclosures

Queen Butterfly

Deer skull, box turtle shell and bird skull found on various expeditions.

Black Racer Snake skin...found on a hiking trail.

Enclosures with lizards inside.  The lizards that are listed are NOT what is inside...we're pretending they're more exotic than the anoles found here in Florida!

The book table (what's left of it).

 A Gopher Frog found on a Florida hiking trail.

 My zoo keepers!  It's a zoo here, most days!

 PJ with a female Eastern Fence Lizard found on a Florida hiking trail.

Adele holding (petting!) a crab shell found last year at the beach.  Not a lizard or amphibian, but hey, you never know what you're going to find at a zoo!

Around the corner

Graduation is just three days away!  Paul will graduate Friday evening.  The ceremony will take place at RC Sproul's church, St. Andrews in Sanford, FL. RTS is also hosting a banquet for the graduates on Thursday in which Paul and I will attend.  He has completed his last final and is breathing easy!

We are so thankful to those of you who have carried us in prayer these past three years...and many of you who have prayed regularly for us for years.  It is a joy to serve with you and to see how faithful our Father has been to us.  Of course, this is just one chapter in our journey.  We still need your prayers as we embark on this new season of life.

Please be in prayer for our upcoming trip to Thailand. We will be leading a Vision Trip. We leave June 7 and return June 19th. Pray for our safety as we travel about in Thailand and pray for clarity for those praying about joining us for a longer-term of service in Southern Thailand.  We are excited to see what our Lord has for us and them in the coming weeks!

Again, thank you for your labors!

daily inspiration: week 7

            An afternoon tea party complete with cherry shortbread cookies...yum, yum!

               Two happy boys who plan to sleep out under the stars in a makeshift tent.

     I often tell my kids that they can't choose their family...thankfully, these two are good buddies!

Less than two weeks...

until Paul graduates from Reformed Theological Seminary!!! Yay!  He has two major papers to finish and two finals...and then he's done.  whew.  breath.  Yeah, we're stoked!

And, a month from now we'll be in Thailand.  Did I mention how our Lord has graciously provided ALL our funding?! He never ceases to amaze us! Thank you to all who continue to pray for us...we feel your prayers and are so very thankful for your important ministry.

This post is short and sweet!

The Lord's Day

O Day of Rest and Gladness, O day of joy and light, O balm of care and sadness, most beautiful, most bright, on you the high and lowly, through ages joined in tune, sing "Holy, holy, holy" to the great God triune.

So very thankful for the Lord's Day yesterday.  My soul was nourished by the Word.  So very grateful.

feels like the world is caving in

not a good day here in sunny Florida.  I think I've cried at least every 20 minutes!  ha!  There are so many emotions running through this body today...and the lack of sleep last night isn't helping, I am sure.  (weak smile).  I've asked every one of my children to forgive me today, for harsh words spoken and for too many over-reactions to innocent playing.  I wish I could just crawl off to a hole in the ground somewhere so I don't do any more damage than I've already done.  I am reminded of a song by Sarah Groves about a tornado...and that's me today...I'm leaving destruction everywhere I go, I see it, I repent, confess and yet I do it all over again.  So very discouraging. Oh for grace to trust Him more.  So glad tomorrow is the Lord's Day!  Please pray with me that today gets better...that I would trust Him more...and not allow my emotions to run rampant, and not use my lack of sleep as an excuse to not love well.  Thank you for your prayers.

Have I ever mentioned how I hate packing?

I abhor packing.  If it's an overnight trip, I abhor it. If it's a weekend trip, I abhor it. if it's a week long trip, I really abhor it. If it's moving from one place to another?  Well, that just about puts me over the edge.  And, if it's moving across the world...well, you've probably guessed it, I do lose it.  Despite my abhorrence of packing, it is a part of my life.  It is more a part of my life than I would ever love to admit, but it is there.  Growing up in the same house for 18 years, NEVER having to move didn't prepare me very well for my adult life where I move about every 1 1/2 years on average! arrrgghhhh...it drives me crazy.  And, it would be a whole lot easier if I didn't have four children all in different stages in life and will continually be so.  This makes knowing what to purge and what to keep an even harder feat.
So, I am pausing at this moment of the day, to center myself and to ask forgiveness of my Lord for the impatience and harshness I've had with every one of my family members as I purge and gear up for a big Yard Sale the end of June.  It's just so hard to get rid of things.  It's not that I am particularly attached to things, it's more that I feel like I am hurting the person who gave whatever it is I want to get rid of.  I know that the person usually spent money on the gift and put thought into picking out the right gift and, for me that makes it all the harder!  I know this is a good problem to have, but it is so hard.   I am sure I am not the only one who suffers from this...whatever "this" is!
Just to update you all on what's going on with us and why we're packing....Paul's sister, God love her, is also packing and moving to Canada in July.  Her sweet husband got a job there and so they are moving their family.  As a result, they have offered us their home to live in until we leave for our second term in Thailand.  As you can imagine, this is a huge blessing to our family and I hope to theirs as well.  Their home is in a Jacksonville, FL suburb.  So, we are planning to move "north" (hahaha!) in mid July and occupy their home for them.  We are so thankful, once again, for God's provision and that we will be closer to family as the time draws near for us to leave.  Paul's parents and one of his siblings live nearby and his other sister isn't too far away either.
We would certainly love for you to be praying for us.  Paul is finishing up his coursework at RTS and will be graduating May 25th!  This is great and wonderful and we're so glad, but at this point, he is not much help with purging and packing. So, your prayers are appreciated for that as well.  Also, we are leaving for a Vision Trip June 7 to Thailand!  Elizabeth and I are traveling alone while Paul and PJ are traveling with our friend Drew. We will meet up with the other members of the team in Bangkok and go to Southern Thailand from there.  We would ask for your prayers concerning all the details of this trip. We praise God for providing the funding for this important trip and look forward to see how He will work through it. Please pray for those are exploring and praying about working with us in Southern Thailand.
For today, though, I could use your prayers for me as I purge and pack in the coming weeks...that I would remember that even in this I am to glorify my Lord.

daily inspiration: week 6

 tadpole found on the Peace River a couple months ago has grown into this beautiful frog.

Daddy was in need of some decompression from his studies, so a wrestling match ensued.

This girl loves balloons!  Who needs toys?!