Camp Refuge

Richard and I had the privilege of taking our youth out to Latham Springs for youth camp this year.  Richard spent a lot of his own youth and part of his early 20's out at Latham Springs so he was excited to return.

Richard's cousin, Jeremy, passed away is a car accident during the time they were involved at Latham Springs in their 20's and they had a bench with a plaque as a memorial and they also planted a tree. It was neat to see that tree and the bench still there and watch Richard tell of his cousin's legacy. Koby's middle name is Scott because Jeremy's middle name is Scott. They never met, but I bet Jeremy is proud of Koby and the young man he is becoming. 

Baylee and I both tried out the zip line, which was so much fun! 

All the kids loved the lake and spent most of their free time everyday swimming or paddle boating or sliding down the enormous slide. 

 Koby and a few friends got into the 3 on 3 tournament and placed 3rd! Richard loved being their coach!

We love this group of kids so much and had a wonderful time playing all week, but also finding Jesus all week. They were focused and transparent and came seeking and because if that Jesus rocked all of our worlds! Lives changed for the better this week and I'm humbled that I got to be apart of it!

Extraordinary

It's been 6 months with the word Extraordinary and I wanted to make sure that I documented all the things the Lord has done in that short amount of time.  When I chose the word Extraordinary I wanted to be more intentional about hearing from the Lord and then acting on that.  If practice makes perfect how will I ever get better at hearing the Lord if I don't act on what He says to figure out if it was truly the Lord I heard...if that makes sense!?!?

So in my initial posting on Extraordinary I wanted to be used to help free people in whatever way the Lord chose.  I have found myself praying more intentionally, seeking out those who need prayer and praying aloud over them and being more aware of my surroundings from a spiritual stand point, and here is the fruit of those actions...

Over the last 6 months I've seen:
- a teenage boy regain his sight after a firework blew up on his face
- a toddler go from 30 seizures a day to having 0 over the last 13 days
- Teague come to know Jesus as Savior
- a youth accept Jesus as her Savior and then be baptized in Holy Spirit
- Richard recover from back pain that had left him in agony
- a lost teenager reunited with her family hours after our church collectively cried out to the Lord.

With every instance above, except in Richard's case, corporate prayer was involved; believers coming together, stopping what they are doing and asking the Lord to move.  In Richard's case, it was just me. He threw his back out and couldn't barely move or straighten up.  I had no clue what to do or how to help him, but I immediately heard "pray."  So, I did...and not just a quiet, in my head prayer, but an out loud, confident prayer, like I see Jesus pray in the Bible. Afterwards, he was able to stand and walk slowly.  Although he wasn't completely healed immediately, he was able to carry on with the day and our plans, and over the next few days his back returned to normal.  I believe God taught me so much through that experience.  Boldness and faith are definitely requirements when choosing to walk out a biblical lifestyle and I need to increase in both!!  As I look back on all these instances I see people being freed...from pain or illness or grief or an eternity in hell, and I also see God getting the glory!  Not a day goes by that I don't encounter at least one individual who needs freedom and God's heart is for them to experience that freedom.  I just pray I'm the vessel He chooses to use to bring it to them.

I love the lyrics "The more I seek you, the more I find you.  The more I find you, the more I love you."  I finding more and more truth in this as I go deeper with the Lord.  He never ceases to amaze me and every encounter only leaves me wanting to know Him more! I'm looking forward to the next six months and how God is going to move! 

Memorial Day

For Memorial Day we took the kids to the Ranger Game.  The pre-game tribute to our military was very moving along with the fly-over and the huge flag displayed by the soldiers.  As the soldiers talked, they mentioned that they take an oath to give their life for others.  I felt so thankful that their are men and women who will do this for the freedom my family and I experience.  Truly, freedom is not free.  As I sat and listened, I was reminded of the ultimate "soldier", Jesus.  He also chose to give His life for others and for the same reason; freedom.  Freedom from worry and bitterness and anger and complacency, etc...  He desires for us to have an abundant life.  He died for us to have that abundant life yet so many of us still choose to worry or fear or hang on to that anger.  We are free because of Him!  I am thankful for our military for their sacrifice and for the One who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The game was a great one to watch with a ton of hits and a few home runs to set the fireworks off, which is Teague's favorite part.  

5 years ago we visited the KidZone so since we were back we recreated the picture.  The amount of growth in the kids is crazy when you put the two pictures side by side!  I sure do love these faces!

8th grade graduation

Koby has graduated from 8th grade!!  They had a nice ceremony at the school where they acknowledge each of the kids' achievements and then present them with their certificate.  Koby and his friends decided to wear bow ties and they all looked so handsome!

Koby had a basketball bow tie with matching cuff links!!

Koby with his cousin Jase.  They are some sharp dressed Hollingsworth men!

All the family came out to celebrate with Koby!

Koby has grown so much over these junior high years; athletically, academically and also in stature. He has all the qualities of a quiet leader.  He definitely gathers others to himself and then leads more by actions than words.  The Lord has started a good work in him and I am excited to see where He takes him through his high school career!  Congratulations, Koby!

Youth Leader Retreat

This weekend we had our first youth leader retreat. We rented a cabin on Lake Aquila and had such a great weekend bonding and planning and playing!  We started with dinner out on Friday night. 

Saturday morning we planned for mission trip. 

After lunch, we took a hike to the lake to skip rocks and look around.

  

 

  

Our cabin had a loft area with a pulley system to get your luggage up there! We had a good laugh watching Ryan and Haley Ann maneuver this apperatise! 

 

 

We had fun playing games and trying out charcoal facials! 

   

I feel so blessed that I not only get to serve in a ministry that I  love, but that I also get to serve alongside Richard! I love that the Lord brought our hearts together not only to love and raise our family, but also to serve Him together! 

Koby-Man's 14

Today we celebrate Koby! We had donuts this morning and lunch out at La Fiesta with some of his friends with presents.

Happy Birthday, Koby!! I hope you always know how special you are to our family! You are an atypical teenager due to the fact you have not gained an attitude or the typical teenager defiance. We truly appreciate it and are thankful for your easy going disposition. I hope year 14 brings more happiness and love than you can imagine!

Teague's baptism

Easter Sunday was even more special this year due to Teague's baptism.   I found the letter that we had received from our pastor at Teague's baby dedication back in 2009 that was sealed and only to be opened once Teague made this commitment so that was neat to read to Teague and explain to him that many people had been praying for him for many years all hoping today would come!

My mom and dad and aunt all came into town and our nieces were already here for the Easter holiday and Teague's dad and wife also came, so Teague had quite a cheering section.  As Richard baptized him, he shared that he was honored to have baptized all five kids.  There is something so sweet when the last child comes to know the Lord!!  I know that has been our prayer for so long and now we can shift those prayers to growing deeper with Him daily.  

As I prayed from Teague and what the Lord had for Him I saw a concrete slab that was being covered with sealant.  I know that all the years of prayer and activities we have pursued have all led up to this point and have given Teague a solid foundation in the Lord.  His baptism was the sealing of all of it and will serve him well as he grows and matures.  I also received Isaiah 33:6 as his life verse.

"He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure."

After the service we headed to Roy and Lynette's for lunch and fishing.

Koby doing what he does best

We had a great day celebrating Teague, family and a Risen Savior!