Countdown to 500

Josiah is at 118 - keep him in your prayers...

Happy Birthday Luke and a story of the Brown legacy of extreme disciplines!!!

Hey family! Today we celebrated Luke's 5th birthday! It's family birthday year so we had a low-key (as low-key as you can get with 5 kids) steak with macaroni and cheese dinner with lots of Star Wars gifts. Can't get much better than that.

Does anyone remember the Alan and Randy getting the 69 licks story? I know we've all been pondering our legacy and the values that are being passed on to the next generation. Well, Josiah is now the proud recipient of another Brown "extreme"ly extreme discipline! Ha! He's had some serious issues with honesty for quite some time now and RB and I had actually been praying about it a lot this week. I won't go into all the details of what happened this afternoon, but let's just say that he ended up not going to his soccer practice. I could tell RB was on a mission as he bounded upstairs with his computer. He came back downstairs with this verse printed on a sheet of paper "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." He took Josiah and said they were going on a walk. When they came back he informed me that Josiah cannot attend any soccer function (including his first game this weekend) until he has written that verse 500 TIMES!! (I'm sorry, maybe you didn't get the impact of that - let me change my font). 500 TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RB confessed that he knew that was too many, but of course he would never turn back now. We're talkin', the boy cannot play or do anything else this week until that thing is written 500 times!! He worked during every spare moment he had all night and managed to knock out 40. I just keep thinking of you, Rita, and laughing! Your unwillingness to waver has been passed down!! Pray for Josiah (seriously, we are fighting for our son on this issue - it's a big problem)!

Love to all of you!

Anda

Moriah is becoming a bad influence on her older sister! 

Happy Birthday Lukey!!  

Luke's party at school 

Thought you'd enjoy this pic of our sweet little innocent Valentine... 

You go, Bailey girl!

Wow! Sounds like yesterday was quite a day in Midland! Thanks for blogging the pictures!

I just had to take a second to brag on Bailey (after seeing her beautiful picture with the new puppy!) Yesterday at church I was talking with a mom of one of our pre-teen girls. We are about to start a new class for that age group to include things like modesty & purity and all the other things little girls that age are beginning to deal with. She said Bailey is a great blessing to her daughter, and to so many others, because she is a beautiful girl who has chosen to dress modestly. She went on and on, joined by other moms in the hall, all talking about how great a role model Bailey is to young girls and how much they look up to her. I was so very proud to hear that, and said again how grateful we are that she is leading the way for her cousins as well.

I praise God for Tod and Lee Ann's faith, as they have discipled her so well to honor God with her beautiful self. And I praise God for Bailey, who is making such great choices.

Sweet Bailey, I think someday Jesus will tell you face to face that He is so proud of the way you lived your teen years. But in the meantime, just in case you ever wonder, your life is making a Kingdom difference to people all around you.

GCR Groundbreaking at last!

It seems like the planning and campaign stages have taken a very long time, but the contract was signed yesterday to begin construction on our new addition which will mainly be improvement for our children's ministry and an improved and more inviting "gathering area." Today we all gathered during Bible Class for the official groundbreaking. The construction stage may be a nightmare, but I think the goal is making our facility more visitor friendly. The plans look great! It was an exciting day for our church family.

The church gathered on the back lawn during Bible Class to witness the groundbreaking for our new building addition. (You can see Alan, Holly, Allison, Ashley, and Annie in the middle.)

Tod and O.C. Collins reminisce about how some 44 years ago O.C., the veternarian from across the street, had stopped his car, climbed over a barbed wire fence, and got down on his knees to ask God's blessing on this very ground and the church that would be built on it. It was a wonderful moment to remember and be thankful for God's faithfulness.

O.C. Collins once again prays for God to bless our efforts and that many more people would come to know Jesus on this ground. It was a holy moment. 

The elders, past and present, broke ground for our new addition. It was an exciting day. 

And even more excitement today...

Connor and Reagan fall in love again.

A New Addition

Just a little family update: Today on the way to lunch we were driving along with Reagan, Allison, Emily, A.J. and Abby Claire when we spotted some puppies for sale in the Blockbuster parking lot across from the mall. There were two little white ones and a little pug looking guy. Dale insisted we stop (really!!). We all got out to admire them. The lady told us the two white ones were Bichons, and the little tiny one was a girl. I watched her play for a minute and then picked her up. It was pretty much love at first sight. I gave her to Reagan and watched the biggest grin you ever saw appear on his face. She just cuddled right up and snuggled into our hearts in the process. I immediately called Tod on his cell and suggested they make a detour by Blockbuster on their way to lunch. (They had begun looking for a puppy to replace Piper.) A few minutes later they were writing the check. They picked her up after lunch, much to everyone's delight. She likes to snuggle and give kisses just like Piper. Ellie isn't too fond of the new addition, but she'll adjust. Maybe Lee Ann can tell you more tomorrow after they go through their first night with her. Our family just keeps growing. :)

I'm off to Austin tomorrow for a few days with James and April. We will try to put some finishing touches on their house so they can have a party next weekend maybe. I may have to post some new Lena pictures while there.

Dale and Mitch are flying out on Wednesday to meet up with Cary in Boston. From there they will go by private plane to NYC on Thursday where they will finish their business. Please keep praying for for God to reign in our business dealings. They will come home by private plane Thursday night. Hopefully we can find a bucket of Gatorade to dump on your brother Cary. :)

Please keep blogging. I love every single word. Love you all, mom

Reagan looks pretty excited, and Maddie looks like she has found someone to love. 

Everyone was pretty excited to find a new puppy on the street corner. 

Bailey and newest addition, Madeline (Maddie) 

Op Camp Update

I like to see how the Lord works and how His timing is perfect. We had an advisory board dinner meeting at our house last p.m. and it was so cool to see black and white leaders from all different denominations coming together to see God do something in Fort Worth, specifically Como. We all prayed together at the end and it was powerful. It was also fun being with Van and Cindy. He's meeting with some of the TCU student leaders this Sunday and so I think they're going to come to church with us. Another black pastor called RB this a.m. and they will be having lunch next week - the racial reconciliation piece and building community among the poor is starting to happen. It just feels like the Lord and it's very cool.

Randy went to that Dave Ramsey conference with some guys from our small group last weekend and now he's officially cutting up our credit cards. Ha! As if he needed a lot of encouragement to do something like that!

Isaac has slept through the p.m. for the last several nights and we are praising the Lord!! He has come out of the colicky thing and is so sweet and content - makes us really thankful after the past couple of months!

Just wanted to write a little to let y'all in on the latest! Can't wait to hear about the trip!

Anda

Jill is proud of her man. They make a great team. 

Thought you would like to see a picture of your brother, Cary, going to work in New York City this morning. Go Cary!!! He is doing us proud!

Rita, here's the b&w photoshop version. Having fun with this camera! 

sweet Isaac 

Mommy playing with the "Rebel"! Isn't he adorable? 

I Love Right Now

One of my favorite moments from this past weekend was this simple statement:
I just love right now! Don't you love right now? I love right now.

Thank You, Family

Cary and I are overwhelmed by the love that you poured out on us this afternoon. We were so humbled to be lifted up in prayer by all of you - to be taken to the Father by people we love was one of the greatest joys we have ever received. Your words led the Spirit to encourage us. Please continue to pray that He will be glorified in all that happens these next few weeks.

Thank you, Dale and Rita, for your amazing generosity. Your lives remind me of the Lord's everlasting love - I can feel God's love for me through your lives.

I've been emotional and somber all day - understandably. The journey begins tomorrow, and life will be different. Things will change. I'm teary, feeling like I can never get back to NOW. I take comfort in the things that do not change: the love I have for God, Cary, and my kids. The love I have for my family. God's goodness towards me. Hope of eternal life with Him - such relief to count on God in times like these. My heart can hear Him saying, "Come on, it's time to go. Don't be afraid, I'm going with you."
Thank you, family, for the great send-off.

Love you all,
Cary and Jill

Big Girl

Today was Lena's 2 month doctor's visit. As it turns out, she's still a big girl. She measured at
24 1/2 in. and weighed at 14 lbs. 8 oz. Isaac is still the winner, but not by much. The doctor said she is way off the charts and that I must be feeding her some really good milk. She (the doctor), is impressed at how well Lena is holding up her head, is able to stand with help, and tries to sit up when propped up in my lap. She said it's wonderful that Lena has been sleeping through the night for 3 weeks now. Basically, I'm supposed to keep doing what I'm doing.

Things are going good here. Just working on getting the house together. I just labeled a few bins with Lena's clothes in them, some she's outgrown, some that are for when she's 2. I'm discovering that just because it says a certain age, doesn't mean that it will fit her at that age. She started wearing size 6 mo. at 6 weeks. We'll see what size she wears when she is 6 mo.

Things are coming together here in the house. Slowly, but it's getting there. Having stuff in the garage for a while, really teaches me to get along with less. I'm learning you don't really need so much stuff. A lot of stuff is disappearing to Goodwill. My goal is to be done by the end of the month. When all things are done with the house, (hanging pictures, etc.) I will post pictures of how it looks.

It was good to see all the women last weekend. We should have girl's weekends more often. It was fun! See you all in Midland this coming weekend.

Love,
April

The littlest longhorn fan.

To Tod, Alan, Anda and April

Thanks to those of you who have already posted about your charms. I'll look forward to hearing from the rest of you!

Jill, what are the travel plans these days???? I keep praying for you all!

The weekend was so fun! I think my family has recovered, although Elijah spent about 30-45 minutes Monday morning screaming at me for no reason--probably repressed anger.

Love you all!

moriah, moriah, moriah

Well, little "Mo-Mo" got sent to the "office" today at preschool for kicking and hitting a little boy in her class. Normally this wouldn't require a visit with Ms. Brenda, but since it left a mark on him, she had to have more serious consequences. Our other kids know the rule that if you get in trouble at school then you get a spanking from Dad at home, but we weren't sure what call to make on this one. We've never had a 2-year-old get sent to the office. We think, though, that she was sufficiently convicted by the Holy Spirit - tonight when we were praying she stopped repeating after me and started saying something we couldn't interpret. Finally, we understood she was mentioning "kicking Evan", so she told God she was sorry and we moved on! The girl is a HOOT!

Had a good time with you girls this weekend! Can't wait to see you again in a few days!

Love,
Anda

Oops. This is where I had left her for a nap. She seemed pretty sleepy, so I went upstairs to help Josiah with his school project. Thankfully the markers were washable. 

I guess she wasn't quite as sleepy as I thought she was. What do you suppose that pink stuff is? 

This is is where the mystery trail ended. 

For the record...

Family,
Could you take a moment to comment on this post and write down the charms each of your family members gave mom and the "why"? We would like to print them all out on a page for her to put in the back of her red book. Besides, all our blog readers will enjoy it!

Wow! What a birthday!

I am still reeling from my 60th birthday yesterday. I don't have words to express to my family all that is in my heart. Last night was beyond anything I could have imagined. I guess I thought I would blow out a "few" candles, sing Happy Birthday to Allison and the two of us would pull out the colored tissue paper and "ooh" and "aah" over the contents of a few gift sacks. I did blow out some candles and sing to Allison, but beyond that it was an overwhelming flood of surprises. The incredible life-size bronze sculpture of the children on the park bench is absolutely beautiful. Of course the theme of children goes straight to my heart. I can gaze at it for hours, and it just seems to touch the theme of my life.

The gift of the charms was simply overwhelming. I could not fathom that each person could find a different charm that was so meaningful to our relationship. I recited every charm and its sentiment on the way home with Dale. Each one is a treasure to me. (I can't wait to get the rest.) This morning I put them all on the bracelet, remembering again the sweet words of each person. Right now I can tell you every charm and what each person said. (I only wish it had been videoed, so that the sweet voices of each one could have been recorded forever.) Each child's thoughts were so special--so personal. The teapot, the football, the puppy paw, the present, the butterfly, the artist palette, the stocking, the soccer ball, the frog, the shoe, the heart with footprints, the rolling pin, the mustang, the seadoo, the princess--I am simply blown away. I think it has to be the best "group" gift I have ever received. To have the children each presenting me with something that was special to them was beyond wonderful. To hear the words of my adult children expressed was--I just can't think of words to express my heart. All I can say is thank you to each one of you and thank you, thank you, thank you to our Father in Heaven for the amazing gift of this family in my life--EACH ONE of you.

Then, the red book of letters came. I can't even begin to tell you the impact that had on me. After I got home I began to read. At first I smiled. Then, my eyes began to water. Soon the tears were running down my cheeks. But when I got to the letters from my family, I was sobbing. I crawled in bed with Dale about midnight still sobbing. The emotions that were touched by the kind and generous words of friends and family are too deep to describe. God used words that touched responsive chords in my heart that only He could have known about. I read most last night, and finished this morning--still crying. I don't know what to say. I know I don't deserve such praise, but I also know that God used your words as a means to bestow a blessing from Him that I could never have imagined. I am still processing, and maybe I can write more later.

I mainly just want to say thank you for all everyone did to make my 60th birthday the most incredible birthday I have ever had. (--right up there with my 11th birthday when my big sister, Dot, gave me a yellow cardigan sweater, took me out to dinner and then up to the top of the Cortez Hotel in the glass elevator, and splurged to buy me a coke for 50 cents.) I am looking forward to my weekend with "my girls"--my sweet friends. I am more than anything absolutely humbled by your generosity, your kindness, and your love. You have all touched the deepest part of my heart, and I have been impacted more than I can ever remember. Thank you.

P.S. On my bed last night was a beautifully wrapped box from Dale with a certificate for a "nice little watch" which will be here in the next few days. As all of you know, the man just flat spoils me rotten. I also enjoyed a lunch he arranged with the Coffmans and the Adams. A beautiful bouquet of flowers arrived in the afternoon. My man!!!