This has been such a full summer,  it is hard to believe that it is almost over.  Zech will be getting ready for school which starts in a week.  Josh will be heading back to Columbia Bible College in a few days.

I was thinking about this summer and how fast it has gone by, yet how full of family activities we have had, how many miles we have travelled and how God has richly blessed us.

Jim, myself, Aunt Kaye, Uncle Don and my parents, Marlene and Dale 

I will begin from the beginning of July.  We packed up and left Pincher Creek, and headed down to Oregon where we were a part of the Cardwell Family Reunion.  It was so good to see Aunts, Uncles, and cousins together in one place.

Jim holding Ivory, myself and Tim in the hospital

Uncle Zech and Ivory in the hospital 

While we were in Salem, Oregon, our oldest son Timothy called and said that he was taking Noelle to the hospital as it was now time for their little girl to enter the world.  We packed up as quickly as possible and headed down to Fresno, California.  Where we were able to meet our beautiful new granddaughter Ivory Alyce-Anne Nightingale.  Who happened to be born on her Uncle Zech's 14th birthday, which made him quite a proud uncle.  We were able to spend some time with them and get to know our little Ivory.

While we were there we were able to give Ivory her quilt that I had made, from the fabric that Noelle had picked out.  I was so glad that I could get it done before we went down there.  Actually I was sewing on the binding as we drove down to Fresno from Oregon.  I was thankful for one of my mom's friends who long arm quilted the quilt while we were at the family reunion.

Rachel meeting Ivory

Noelle, Tim and Ivory's quilt

 We had another surprise up ourselves and that was to surprise them, with the arrival of "Aunt Rachel"  Rachel was able to come down and spend a few days with us while we were in Fresno, getting to know her new niece, and have some special time with both Tim and Noelle.

Tim, Noelle, Rachel, Ivory, Me, Zech and Jim

It was hard to pack up and say good-bye, how I wish that all of our family lived closer so that we could be with them more often.  But I thank God that we are able to keep in touch through our iPhones. What a wonderful thing!  They are so good about sending us new pictures and videos of how Ivory is growing and changing.

Lily riding Penny, Hope with me

Sunday with her time in the Saddle

We left Fresno and headed back up to Pincher Creek.  We were blessed to have Rachel and the grandkids join us and spend a little over three weeks with us.  They were able to experience, horseback riding, learning to knit hats, going to visit different places in Southern Alberta, go to the Pincher Creek Rodeo, and get candy from the Pincher Creek parade.  Rachel, Elijah and Hope were able to go to visit Josh at West Bank Bible Camp, and go for a trail ride with Josh.  David flew in from his Mission Trip to Costa Rica, and spent a week with all of us here.

Josh came home for the weekend, bringing his special friend Kelsey and joined us for the Rodeo and a fun time with family.   We were all apart of the church service on Sunday, which was a real treat for us all.   It was so meaningful for me to see everyone in our family being a part of the service one way or another.  God is so very good, and I feel so blessed.

Aunt Cate and Zech in his garden

Aunt Cate came and visited us, she checked out Zech's Garden, and Sunday gave her a new name "Angel Cake"

Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump

Elijah, Rachel, Sunday, Lily and David At Ft. McLeod 

The Libby Family, Elijah, David, Lily, Sunday Rachel and Hope at the Pincher Creek Rodeo

Josh and Kelsey at the Pincher Creek Rodeo

Last Good Byes Zech, Rachel and Josh

Monday was so quite after having a full house for so long...it was so quite.  Family..such an incredible blessing.   Even though most of our children don't live close to us, we still have our Zech at home for a few more years.  They are close to us in our hearts.  It is wonderful to see them grow into the women and men that God had created them to be, using their gifts and abilities to serve and honor God.  To watch as our grandchildren grow in the knowledge that Jesus loves them so dearly.


This summer has gone by fast, but has been filled with family, with laughter and with love.
Psalm 118:24  - This is the day (summer) that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!!!

I was reflecting this morning about family, what an amazing gift from God.  I was thinking of how thankful I am for each one of my children.  As I have seen them grow in their relationship with God, as I have seen them go through some hard stuff and still they keep their eyes on our Heavenly Father.

 





I think of Rachel, what an amazing Godly woman and mother.  As she works alongside her husband David, in both ministry and as they parent their four precious kids.  I love to talk with her, as she shares what God is teaching her, and how she shares what she has learned in a natural and loving way with others.  I praise Jesus for her giftedness in writing and music.





I remember Sarah and I am thankful for the 7 1/2 years that she was with us.  How she loved on those around her, and even as she battled leukemia her smile encouraged all those who came in contact with her.







I think of Timothy as he is involved with VORP and bringing peace to broken lives through restoration and mediation.  I see how God is using his passion for others, for those who have no hope and giving them hope for a better future.  I am so thankful that God has brought him  Noelle a beautiful Godly woman.  I am excited to see what all God has for them in the future.






I think of Joshua, and his love for horses, reading and studying God's word. I have enjoyed listening to him preach when he visits, and seeing how God is working and moving in his heart and his passion for the Word, writing poetry and playing his ukulele, and guitar and writing songs from his heart.  God has his hand on him, and it is exciting to see what the future holds for him.





I think of Zechariah, as he is now alone with his parents, and missing his older siblings to hang out with.  Yet he hangs out with us watching NCIS in the evening, mowing lawns and gardening with his dad,  playing music with his mom, and helping out so much in the church with a glad and willing heart.  I enjoy listening to his sincere prayers as he prays for family.  And how proud he is that he is now taller than both mom and dad!

And I am thankful for a Godly husband, one who loves our children deeply, and has strived to be a loving father to each one.  Who has gone to volleyball games and practices in Lisbon, who travelled many Saturdays to soccer games and practices in Brazil, Portugal, BC and SK, who rode a horse for the first time to experience what his Wrangler son loves to do, and had done all summer,  who has spent time with his youngest harvesting the garden, and mowing lawns.  Watching how he spends time praying for each of his children, and puts into practice the Word of God.

I am so thankful for our family.  Even though we are not near each other physically we are close to each other in our hearts.  And it makes my heart glad to receive the "I Love You" notes.  Thank you God for each one in our family.  Thank you for your love, grace and protection over each one.

Thank you Rachel, for helping me set up this new blog.  You did an amazing job and it is beautiful!  I am so thankful for your love and for your encouragement in this new project.