Orange Park's Fall Festival

Anne has been in dance at Destiny Dance Center for almost a year now.  She absolutely loves it!  She moved up this fall to an older class and I have literally watched her improve before my eyes.  I have been amazed at the posture and the grace that she is beginning to emulate and am so proud of the little dancer she is becoming.  Now, I do realize that she is only 5, and she may not dance forever.  But for now, she is loving it and growing in poise and confidence and that makes me proud.

On October 17, Destiny Dance Center showcased their students at Orange Park's Fall Festival.  Anne was thrilled to be a part of it and I thought I would share a few pics.

 The speaker was in my way - bummer!

 But Uncle Ray got some good shots from the side.  Thanks Ray!!!

 Love her face in this one!

 Hugging Nana afterward

Anniversary Weekend

Russ and I celebrated 13 years on September 27th.  We held off our annual weekend getaway until after he came back from Haiti so he could really relax and decompress.  I'm so glad we did.

We had a 4 day/3 night stay at a condo in St. Augustine.  Absolutely LOVE having kind and generous friends!  :-)  We have been able to enjoy the condo a handful of times over the years and we appreciate their love and generosity in sharing such a wonderful blessing.  It's become a special place for us and this time was no exception.

 View from the condo - doesn't get any better than that!

 

Russ and I journeyed over to Washington Oaks State Park.  One of our favorite places to explore.

 

 

Love the coquina rock on the beach at Washington Oaks

 Self Portrait - no one was around to take a picture of us - which was nice.  

 Walking to watch the sunset on Matanzas Inlet.  Beautiful sight!

 We turned around to head back and the moon was rising over the ocean.  Gorgeous!!!

 One more view of the sunset

 The full moon

 Reflecting on the ocean - God is good!!! 

(I could only pick a few favorites for my blog - there are so many more pics on Facebook)

As you can see - we did a whole lot of nothing!  Walked on the beach, shopped a little in St. Augustine, walked on the beach some more.  We talked and just caught up.  The topic of our kids didn't even come up so much.  We reflected on our marriage.  Where we have been and where we are going.  All the wonderful and sometimes difficult things that God has allowed to bring us to this place.  We talked about our relationship - what we are doing right - how we can do better.  The best and most wonderful thing that Russ said to me was, "I love us."  How that makes my heart soar.  I too, love us.  I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful, Godly husband who loves me, protects me and leads me.  God is so very, very good and I think about the times when I was single - just wanting to be married.  I would get so impatient and God would whisper to my heart, "Cami, hold on - I have something so much better for you."  I did hold on and it was sooooooooo worth the wait!!!!

Russell's Trip to Haiti

Russ returned from his mission trip to Haiti this past Monday with many stories and a new perspective.  I am hoping that once he gets caught up on things around here and at the church, I can get him to sit down and share a little.  For now, I'm going to post a few photos and some of the emails I received from him while he was gone.

 Arriving in Haiti

Great 2nd day in Haiti. Cut some metal, began organizing a tool shed, and preached the gospel, with the help of my translator Abraham, to over 300 people at an outdoor crusade in a nearby town. Good stuff! Thanks for your continued prayer for our team!

Today has been great. I preached, with a translator, the gospel to about three hundred people this evening. The worship was awesome. I had no clue what they were singing, but it was beautiful.

There is also more info on this link:  jbahaiti.org

Hiking up the mountain to watch the sun set.

Today I went into Cabaret to get some paint and lumber - craziness. I will never complain about driving in Jax again! There are no speed limits or lines separating lanes. Everyone honks their horns as they pass, and they pass even if they are facing head on traffic. The other side just slows down.

Last night we climbed up a nearby small mountain that overlooked the sea to watch the sun set. You could see mountains on every side and then the Caribbean. It was beautiful! Haiti is more than impoverished island. It is a beautiful country filled with people who are proud of their country. This is a land that does not need rich Americans to make everything better - as if we could. We have so much to learn from them! After supper, I attended Wed night service at the church. Once again I had no idea what they were saying, but I was moved to tears by the worship and intense love for Christ that was displayed. I am truly loving this experience - I am so thankful for the opportunity. I am doing well - getting plenty of sleep and drinking lots of water. Tonight we are getting take out from a restaurant in Caerat - yes , I am eating goat!

"

We are taking the kids to the beach tomorrow - Should be fun. I have been asked to preach on Sunday at the church by the Children's Home - Jack will translate for me. I am so thankful for this second opportunity to preach while in Haiti.

 

Riding in the truck to the beach

Today was fun, but the beach was not near as nice as the Bahamas. I preach in the morning then we all having lunch at Pastor Nathan's house. There are issues here that need much prayer.

Just came in from a birthday party for all the kids who have a birthday in Oct. We take things like birthday parties for granted.

The more I see of Haiti and spend time with these precious people I keep dwelling on this song - "Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done here!" I am so thankful to be a part of what Christ is doing in this beautiful island nation.

Preaching was great today! Jack is an excellent translator. I was able to go further between translation breaks and it helped to keep my momentum going. The congregation was very responsive. The church is very simple - just a roof with columns, no walls. There was probably about 200 there. I cried throughout the entire worship singing time. How can people with next to nothing worship with such joy and passion? 

After church, we drove to Pastor Nathan's house for a homemade Haitian meal - we really need to find a Haitian restaurant in Jax! We then went back to the orphanage. When I got out of the van, my buddy Kevins came running up to me with his arms outstretched. I picked him up and he gave me a big squeeze hug. Then he pointed to my chest then to his and asked, "Pastor be my papa?" What can I say? What can I do? I am crying as I type this. He is a precious eight year old boy who wants to be loved. He has held my hand, sat in my lap, rode on my shoulders, and been held in my arms since Tuesday. I will take him and the other children back with me in my heart. How can you come here and not leave changed? I thank God for this opportunity.

 Russ gave Kevins his Mickey hat.  I knew when he took it - it wouldn't be coming back.  :-)

Kervens (pronounced Kevins)  What a cutie!

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Missing My Husband

I'm enjoying my quiet morning but I'm missing my husband.  He left on a Mission Trip to Haiti this past Monday.  He's only going to be gone 7 days and we have been separated much longer than that before but this time is very different. I don't mind being alone, I don't have problems sleeping at night. The kids are at an age now where they are easy.  I've been wondering what the problem it - what's off.  I think it's just because I haven't been able to talk to him.  To hear his voice.  To know details. I've had a few quick emails letting me know he's fine, etc.  But no in depth conversations.  Amazing the things we take for granted.

Russ and I have been facilitating a Communication in Marriage Small Group at church.  We've done the curriculum before so now we are sharing it with others.  We are going back through the material and doing our homework like everyone else and have actually been pleasantly surprised by how far we have come since we did it the first time.   Communication is the life of any relationship.  How well you communicate can literally make or break a marriage.  It's vital.  Now, I'm not in any way, shape or form saying that Russ and I have "arrived" but now that I am not able to chat with him, I realize how much we really do talk each and every day.  We get so used to cell phones and reliable internet connections that we take those things for granted. We have absolutely no concept of what things used to be like - before computers and cell phones.  Even before our modern day Post Office. When you had to hand write letters and then wait days if not months for them to be received.  And then just as long to get a reply!  I guess there are still places in our world like that. Russell's in Haiti for goodness sakes.  People are living in tents and are fortunate if they have a meal for the day.  And I'm complaining because I can't pick up my cell phone and chat with my husband.

As you can tell - I have very mixed emotions about this and I'm trying to put it in perspective.  I know there is a lesson in here somewhere and I'm sure the Lord will show it to me in His time.  Until then, I will continue to take my daily situations to the Lord and plug away until Russ returns, knowing that we will have lots of things to talk about when he's home.  I'm only dealing with a week - there are military wives that are sacrificing much, much more.  I am thankful.

On a separate note - Have I told you how much I am enjoying my cat?  Hee! Hee!  I've backed off a little as I don't want to drive everyone crazy about it.  But - she's a new little something in my life and is proving to be a blessing.  She has (I can't believe I'm admitting this) taken Russell's spot on the bed at night.  Ahem..... notice I didn't say place - I said spot.  I broke down and put her blanket on the bed at night when I lay down and she pounces right up there and stays all night.  Then, during the day, she has to follow me around like a puppy.  It's funny - she has to be in whatever room I am in - laying close by.  I will admit that I enjoy her company and having someone to talk to during the day.  Only problem is, she doesn't talk back.  I think that's a good thing.

We are continually amazed at her personality and her gentleness.  She is a VERY good cat.  Especially for being a stray.  I do have to vacuum a bit more often, but I don't even mind so much.  She's worth it.

Here's a few of our new favorite pics.....

 Under the covers on Jarod's bed

 Her favorite spot on the rug - love the paw over her nose!

 This is my favorite - under her blanket

How cute is that?

Thanks for tolerating our newest family member.  Until next time.......