a taste of fall up north

i went up to atlanta two weeks ago for the catalyst conference.  in a word, it was awesome.  i got an amazing reassurance of my ministry.  it became so clear that i have been judging myself for not having this stellar, rock-star perfect ministry by now.  instead, the past few years have had many struggles, pitfalls and setbacks.  yet, i was so reassured that i'm being grown and molded by God in His perfect timing and ministries take time to build.  i'm still so young!  society tells me that i have to have it all together and be climbing whatever ladder is before me right now, but God tells me to rest in His grace and trust His timing in my life in everything.  and oh, what amazing things He can do in the things i think are struggles, pitfalls and setbacks.  that's when i have to throw up my hands and say You're right God, i'm not in control, i can't do this, it's all You. and how HE MOVES!!

after that i spent the weekend with the lovely binkleys!  i got to see emilee and kelsey - and had lots of hanging out girl time with Nina!   too bad bethany and mary were out of town!

the awesome oreo chocolate cream cake kels and i made for her husband travis's birthday!

then i headed on up to knoxville

i wanted to spend some time with my best friend, kristen, her husband cameron and baby Jenna - well 2 year old baby.  :-)  i figured i could plan for COAT kids just as easily from her house and the JBC teacher ed resource center as i could from home, so off i went.  kristen and her husband just lost a baby and kristen has beautifully written about her experience and God's faithfulness here.  i have been so encouraged by their faithfulness and trust in God.

trying to get a picture of jenna, kris and i proved to be tricky.

very tricky

but i did get one of a sleepy jenna & me

sweetness.

all in all a great trip up north.  didn't see everyone i wanted to see but i had amazing quality time with kristen, which was totally worth it.

coming, i almost promise that it will be this week, pictures of my first week of coat kids with my family with 10 kids and my family with 2.  i'm homeschooling 6 kids daily!  it's crazy wonderfulness.