Friends and Family Day at Second Creek

Sunday was Friends and Family Day at Second Creek. My parents began worshipping at Second Creek over 20 years ago. Sarah told one of our church members (who was there with us) that Second Creek as our home congregation. The member came and questioned me, they remember Sarah being born while we worshipped at Savannah:) I explained it was my parents home and in being so...it just seemed like a home away from home for us too.


My dad's "Easter" wish was for his children to be with him and Clara Ruth on this day. So, we tried, and we pretty well succeeded. There were 16 of mine, Sandy and her 6, Jennifer and her 3, Jon and his 4, so we did make a difference:)

It is always a bit bittersweet for me to sit in the pew around family and know my mother is not there. She loved having her grandchildren with her at church. She would really be so very proud of her children and her grandchildren. I never sit there and sing that the urge to just cry doesn't overwhelm me. The same is true of family gatherings at the farm. It is hard not to think "what if mom were here" thoughts.

Our friend and previous minister Chuck was speaking at Second Creek for the day. I find that to be incredibly bittersweet too. Chuck was there when my older kids all because Christians, he is a huge part of the reason they are who they are today. He introduced them to so much and today, in the absence of his love and service? Well, I find it much like the absence of my mother. I hope to see her in heaven and I miss her so very much! I think, even though I am the very first to say "put your family first and do what you have to do" I find that I feel, perhaps like a divorced family member would feel...I LOVE to see you, we miss you and but it's hard to enjoy the moment knowing it will be gone again too soon. Scott and I both are quick to say, "Chuck is wonderful" and along with Chuck goes his wonderful family. I suppose I have to simply wrap my thoughts around the part that says, I will hopefully see them in heaven and need to not be saddened about this life!


The reality of my blog is (in my opinion) the pictures. I love looking at the day...remembering the good and bad and silly. This day had a bit of it all....

Before church I took a few pictures. I don't know why that is such a huge ordeal to some of my children...the majority stop, fake smile and move on...it pleases me. I have a few like Rosie....



I asked, "Seriously, that's the face you want everyone to see?" You mom's know the look..it's called you-can-make-me-stand-here-but-you-can't-make-me-smile!! She said, with the below smirky look, "YEP!"


Or the Victoria picture where she had been throwing a fit and her tearful face is pitiful?


Then she comes back for take two...which is still not up to her usual par....



Then, thankfully the good pictures but sometimes funny kids.....















Dad and Clara Ruth completed the renovations on the "little house" and we have the majority of our family time there. This Sunday they had the family back to the house for cake and ice cream after the second service.






My brother Jon's son Zach is very gifted with the sax. Truly! Daniel held his book and we all listened to him ...what a blessing!


If my kids had thier way, they would spend all thier "farm" time in the yard and creek. It's hard to pull them inside!




I can't end my blog with a Sarah silly. She and Paden took these on the porch of the little house. I'm really not sure what they are suppose to indicate? As usually they are silly!