After reuniting with our boys at Kanakuk Kamps we enjoyed our time in the Branson area and then spent one night in Eureka Springs in order to attend the Passion Play before driving on to Possum Kingdom Lake and our annual Northcutt Lakehouse trip. If you ask any one of our boys where their favorite place is in all the earth they would say, "the lakehouse!" We have travelled the world but they enjoy the lakehouse and our time there more than any other. I think it is a combination of lots of wonderful memories, family time, total relaxation...we are always so grateful to the Thompson's (Kristy, my sister-in-laws parents) for their generosity in letting us totally invade their lakehouse and all the amenities that come with it, what a blessing to us over the last 13 years. Every year comes with its changes-this year we had 3 newly licensed jet-ski drivers! Dustin, Nathan and Hunter all obtained their boating license this past spring on-line and put it to good use this last week. It was freeing that they could go out whenever they wanted and didn't need to rope in an adult to ride with them but also a little anxiety producing. I guess it is just a taste of things to come as all three of them will turn 15 in the next few months and they can see their driver license approaching. This year we also had a High School graduate. Amber graduated in May from Frenship High School in Lubbock and we spent one evening honoring her. Mark commissioned her with some scripture from Joshua about choosing today whom she will serve and all of us prayed blessings over her and her future, a really special time. Besides that we spent lots of time playing games, eating, enjoying all kinds of water activities and just being together. We are always sad when our time at the lake is behind us and we have to wait an entire year to be there again.
We are now heading back to the Lubbock area where we will spend some time with Mark's mom and my parents. Mark returns to Thailand on Friday, his visit has been entirely too short! On our way back to the west Texas area we stopped over in Abilene to meet up with the Fultz family-our dear friends and former pastor in VA. It's surreal to be meeting them in Abilene! We so enjoyed our time of catching up and fellowship, we have missed them and just treasure any time that we have with them-a foretaste of heaven!
