Concerts Galore

Wow. This was the week of concerts, that is for sure. Three concerts in seven days. It's almost like an extended Kingdom Bound. Being from a small western NY town, it's not very often that we get good, Christian bands within a few hours of us. It just so happened that they all decided to come to the area within a week of each other!

Last Sunday was Rock the Lakes in Erie, PA. It was actually a two day event, but my friend, Laura, and I just went down for the Sunday event. Saturday was Toby Mac who is always fun to see in concert but since I had just seen him in August with my family at Kingdom Bound, I decided to pass. We were watching my brothers play baseball that day, but that will be in another post on another day. Anyways, back to Rock the Lakes. It was put on by the Billy Graham Association and Franklin Graham was there! We spent a night of worship with Kari Jobe and Michael W. Smith. It was amazing! One of the things I have missed so much while living in China, was corporate worship. And let me tell you... worshiping with 8,000 other believers is pretty incredible! And the great part about the day for a currently unemployed, ex-missionary? It was free! But... we had to get there early. And wait.

Sorry for the picture quality. I didn't bring my real camera to any of these events and just had my phone.

"Revelation Song" by Kari Jobe. 

I grew up listening to Michael W. Smith and it had been several years since I had seen him in concert. He always puts on a great concert! Played some new songs as well as some old!

The body of Christ. Incredible.

So that was last Sunday.

This past Saturday we drove 1 hour and 45 minutes to Houghton, NY, where my brother, Tage, is a freshman! They just had a brand new athletic complex built and they were dedicating it this weekend. We didn't make it for the dedication, but in honor of this dedication and family weekend, they had a concert with Tenth Avenue North and Matt Maher!

We were there a few hours early to we could spend time with Tage. Of course we had to visit their on-campus Starbucks!

We miss this guy so much, but know that he is where he is supposed to be. And he loves it!

Sound check! 

And then, since two concerts was not enough, I went with my parents yesterday to our local high school where Big Daddy Weave, Chris August, Group 1 Crew, and Dara MacLean were playing! Once again, another awesome time of worship.

I love concerts, but I am ready for a little break now.

And He's Off!

Brother #5, my baby brother, is now at college. How in the world did THAT happen? I have no idea.... all I know is that it's rather strange around here without him and I'm sure it will be for quite a while. Tage is Mr. Personality. Always makes me laugh and smile and his sense of humor is priceless. He's a lovable lug. And we will sure miss him but I am so excited for him and the next adventure that the Lord has him on. 

Yesterday was "move-in" day and it was a little more exciting because he is the first child who has decided NOT to go to St.Bonaventure University where the rest of us have gone. Nope, he is straying off the path and attending Houghton College which is about 45 minutes past bonas. Yesterday was a fun day of getting his room set up and helping him get settled. Yes, it's a new adventure, that is for sure. 

ID picture taken!

Now Houghton is located in the exactly the middle of nowhere. Honestly. Like there is a Subway and a Chinese restaurant (very important!) and that's about it. A good friend of mine from high school attended Houghton and she answered a very important question for me: "where do you get a cup of coffee?" The answer? There is a lovely little coffee shop in the basement of the main building and they serve Starbucks products. So of course I had to check it out. I approve. It's offiical, Tage can stay. 

Tage's new "home away from home." His dorm is gorgeous! So big and beautiful!

Houghton class of 2018!

On our hour and 45 minute drive back home, there was this gorgeous sunset. Tage, we will miss you, but God is truly at work in your life and I can't wait to have a front row seat to see what He will do!

"The Heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

Psalm 19:1

{Sunday Snapshot} Watching the Tractor

My youngest brother, Tage, used to sit out in our side yard whenever our neighbors would be farming. We have farmland all around our house and he would sit out there for hours. Just watching the tractor. 

The other night when my nephew were over for the big birthday party, the tractor came out. Tage and my nephew, Landon, sat out there watching. I thought it was adorable and snapped a few pictures.

Happy Sunday!

Happy Birthday, Tage!

Happy 18th Birthday to my goofy, fun-loving "little" brother, Tage!

I am so excited for you and all that this year has in store. I know the Lord will continue to lead you and guide you. I am so proud of you and the young man of God you have become. 

I love you, miss you, and happy birthday!

Hair Cutting Time

This is a scene that could often be found in my kitchen growing up.

My Dad cutting one of my brothers hair. For whatever reason, Tage didn't want me to cut his hair. I guess he thought I would cut his ear off or something.

 Looking good, Tage!

Congrats Tage!

Tage recently received his college acceptance letter to Houghton! Can you tell he's a little excited?

And a bit goofy.... although that really is nothing new. 

Reading his acceptance letter. 

Congrats Tage, I'm so proud of you!

The Final Season

As I have mentioned before, one of the hardest things about living overseas is missing out. Missing out on holidays, parties, and especially in my family, sporting events. I am the 2nd oldest of 7 children, 5 of which are boys. I grew up in a sport loving family! We all were swimmers, and my brothers have all played baseball and most of them have also played football. Me? I was not gifted in the "hand eye coordination" area. Even Kiah is an excellent swimmer and started playing softball this year.

Due to technology, I have been able to keep up with how my siblings are doing. I remember last June when our high school baseball team made it to the state tournament (this would involve Thad and Tage), I woke up at 5 a.m. in order to "listen online" to the game. It was wonderful actually. I remember drinking coffee, eating pancakes, and watching the sun rise as I enjoyed listening to a ball game. Doesn't get much better than that! Swimming is easy to keep up with. Times are times and I know swimming. Baseball? Yeah, I know the game but the stats are hard for me to "visualize it." I am able to look up the games online to see who won and lost but other than that, not much of it makes sense. I miss going to games. I had my fair share of games when I was home this spring though. I LOVED it!

I just realized the other day what I'll be missing this fall. Football. Now, I am not a huge fan of football (shhh, don't tell my brothers that!). Honestly, the game bores me. But I DO love going to a game on a Friday night, sitting under the lights with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, staying warm underneath a blanket, sitting with my Mom and sister, just enjoying being together. I realized that I won't JUST be missing a season, I'll be missing the LAST SEASON of football in our family. Tage is the youngest boy and he will be a senior (!) this fall. And I will miss it.

*Sigh* Just missing home today.