This year we received a special gift from our son-in-law. He blessed the entire family with a week long vacation in Destin, Florida. He chose a home which would allow us all to spread out, which is not easy with a family as large as ours...and still growing. There were 21 of us total. All six of the children, their four spouses, and seven and 7/9 grandchildren. We were even joined by Earl and Lora for a couple of days, along with my niece, Jaime. The days were spent visiting on the beach or at the pool, taking walks in the evenings, discussions out on the balconies, shopping at the outlet mall, and several "date night" getaways while there were family members to keep an eye on sleeping children. Katie baked all the breakfasts, snacks and too many pies to count. We all shared a meal together at the Mellow Mushroom and Pompano Joe's. Each of five nights was assigned to a different family, so that no one family was overburdened. I am grateful for a family of good cooks. Babies were passed around, read to, sang to, and cuddled by one and all. And being reminded of our newest soon-to-be grandson's arrival, only weeks away, by some seriously cute maternity clothes:) Great memories were made, and a lot of laughter shared. One night we gathered in the living room and sang together, and Terry spoke to us all, reminding us of what makes us a family. The Lord knit together these 21 individuals, with their unique quirks and differences, and brought us together into one body. We are the body of Christ, and all we do we do for His glory. When we fail, and we fail often, He forgives us and renews us and strengthens us,and we continue on. I can not imagine going through life without the family He has blessed me with. I love each and every one of them, and I pray that whenever we are able to be together again that we will continue to be an encouragement to one another, and that we all will leave spiritually uplifted and renewed. We have experienced enough of life to know that we can only be grateful for today, because we do not know what the future holds. But regardless of what difficulties may come, we know who is in control, and that He blesses those who diligently seek Him. Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine, o what a foretaste of glory divine, heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long. This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
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