European Missions: Just one week!

     As I prepare this week for Europe by drawing near Him, packing, sending emails to my team, coordinating logistics, exercising, and shopping I find His presence in all the above. We serve a great and faithful God! This is a quick post to ask for your prayers in several specific ways. Without your prayers, we could not attempt to do anything with power. I firmly believe this and thank you in advance for lifting us up.

Specific Prayer Requests:

1. Rest & Health before we head out
2. Flights with no delays
3. All of our baggage arriving with our flight!
4. Peace and Excitement
5. Faith in His Promises
6. The many teens who will be at Euroventure

     Also pray for my co-mentor Lauren and I as we prepare to lead breakout sessions during camp. Lauren is teaching on friendship and I will be teaching on family. We were asked by our Camp Director to teach on these topics. Pray for clarity and relevant, applicable material. I have felt Him leading me to teach on our roots as applies to family. Lauren recently posted this image from her trip to Israel that perfectly illustrates some points I want to bring out. This is so unique, I wanted to share it with you....

 This Art Piece is a living orange tree. Even though it can bear some fruit, it shows that without a strong root system, nothing (whether plant or people) can reach it's fullest potential separated from home and the opportunity to grow a strong root system. (PC: Lauren Ledbetter)

Babies: Alec Robert

     Yesterday I got to babysit my 5-day-old nephew Alec. Babysitting adorably cute and tiny nephews naturally means the camera goes with me. ;) Day. Made. <sigh> I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking....

My Girls

     O how much joy these two little girls bring to my life! Days of flexible schedule in which we laugh together, play tea party, build tents in the bedroom, read books, go to the park, eat lunch together, make messes, do crafts, play outside, rock to sleep, color, take walks, watch movies and so much more!

     Because of my busy summer schedule, I said good-bye (for a time) in late-May. I have plans to see them occasionally over the next few months. Good-byes are always hard! I was glad my sister Laura was with me that last day and could snap some images of us together. O, how I love my girls!

     Madelyn decided to go "flower-picking" and I got some adorable images of her doing so. And then Lydia joined in. My heart is happy just looking at these pictures. :)