just some thoughts

We have so much to be thankful for in our home! God has done so many things this past few months! And I must say I so looking forward to the holidays this year! We have new people in our lives, and a sweeter appreciation for family also!

Yesterday our Pastor offically began his role at Emmanuel. I must say that it feels like they have been with us for a long time already. I say that in a very good way...it's like they belong and always have! I'm so excited to see what God has planned for the body of EBC! He has begun a great healing there and I am confident He will continue this healing...if we remember 2 Chronicles 7:14...walking in this truth for the rest of the days of our lives.

My girl and her family will be home in just over 2 weeks for a little more than a week and I am so excited for this time...it will be less rushed this time and we can just love on those sweet boys and play catch up...I promised Ayden, the 3 year old that he could have a sleep over with his best friend Levi when he comes to see grammy this time so we will have a house full of boys..

The twins and their parents are also doing good. Caleb is still a big boy and Rylee is still a tiny bit of a thing...they are learning new things daily and are so fun to watch...Heather and Donnie are in the process of building a new house...

Michael is working hard to be done with school and working at the church. I know God has big things for his near future and as his mom and just wait excitingly to see this unfold.

Katie is busy in school, teaching at chuch and spending time with thomas...

I pray you have a wonderful day in the Lord...

new beginnings

Well, we have had a huge adjustment period in our lives over the past 6 months...I've spoken of them many times in my past posts...they have all been big to us...and some very difficult.

But God...I love those words...don't you! But God, in His wisdom can see the whole picture...He knows we will struggle but He wants to be the one to hold our hands along the journey...Our girl has been in Florida now for almost 5 months...I knew when she went and took my sweet grandbabies that is was no doubt...God's call...and although I can't say there have been no tears...His tender mercies have been so very sweet...I'm trying to think of another word but today...for this day...tender is all I can think of to describe Him.

I have written many times this summer about our struggles...and while Cassie moving has been very, very difficult...knowing it is Gods call...somehow makes it bearable...something you know in your heart...just has to happen...and life will be good...but the difficulties have been very different in my heart than what people have thought...when godly people do ungodly things...life is very hard...we have been a season of dispair and grief...for the body of Christ...But God...there those words are again...in His (again) tender mercies loved us enough to forgive us and carry us through...

And now new beginnings...Our girl is doing great in Florida and she will start opening her home for a ladies bible study tomorrow night!!! We miss her and her family terribly and I think we always will...as parents arn't we suppose too!!! but to watch God work in her life...is so amazing...We have watched Him work in all four of our children's lives especially this summer...

But at the body...HE and only HE has brought us a sheperd...a man, I believe to be a man after God's own heart...and a wife that stands beside him in service for our King. With great anticipation we wait for YOU LORD...may we prove ourselves worthy of the call...

If you haven't experienced anything like this before...meet Jesus...He is THE way THE truth and THE life...

changes

Well it's August and many things are changing in our lives. We are still adjusting to Cassie's family living so far away in Jacksonville Florida! This has and I think will continue to be a huge change and challenge for us as a family! I still find myself thinking I need to see if they want to come for dinner tonight or what should I fix for lunch on Sunday they will enjoy...but God's grace has been amazing during this time and I wish we could put into adequate words just how He gets us thru the hard days...it truly is a gift from Him. It is exciting to have and experience Him working in our lives as well as seeing Him work in their lives also. Although, I am very thankful that He is also blessing us with little visits here and there that make the first year adjustments better! They will be home in September for a VERY few days but we will be grateful for the time they are here and cherish every second we get...I think Scott and I will go again sometime this fall and they will be home for Christmas and then I hope to be there for Landon's 2nd birthday in March so we are blessed b/c many families can't see each other this much!

Michael and Katie will begin MSSU the 24th of this month and things will be very different. They have had an amazing summer. They spent 3 weeks in Germany with our Amy and her family. They were blessed to see so much of her country while they were there. It was an awesome trip and one they will remember for a lifetime! We all miss Amy so much and our lives have been forever changed because she is a part of our lives now! They then went to Florida for a week to see Cassie, Jesse and the boys and had a blast there also! They got to see the ocean there as well and lots of play time with the boys...Ayden entertained them with a concert of veggie tales songs and they got to experience Landon's "talking"...and of coarse see baby Camden for the first time! After returning home for about 3 days they hit the road again to lead worship at a children's camp in Neosho. They had a wonderful time there as well and have already been asked to come back next year.

We are hosting an exchange student from Brazil this year. A boy named Gastao and although I can spell it I still can not say it correctly! He is a fine young man and we are enjoying him so far. He is very quiet but is beginning to tease and relax. We have his high school schedule now and look forward to this year. We hope he has a wonderful experience in America and in our home!

There have been many difficult things our family has walked thru this summer. Many people think it is the seperations we have had...something very, very new to the Griffith home...and although that has made our summer challenging there are many things that have pulled at us this summer...things I can't share openingly here but I do want to testify that although this has been one of the most difficult and heart wrenching summers we have walked thru, we have seen God move in a way that we've never seen before...we have seen more answered prayers in a very small amount of time and we are truly a grateful people that God loves us, has called us, equipped us, forgiven us and never ever leaves us! If you don't know Him, you need to! Read Jeremiah 29:11-14...

Camden Isaiah Ball

Well, he is finally here...actually right on time...his due date...june 26th. Another beautiful, healthy baby boy weighing in at 8 lbs 5 oz and 21 inches long. Momma and baby are doing good! They got to come home on Sunday afternoon.

The boys seem to like him. Ayden especially likes to be momma's big helper and is doing a fabulous job so far. Landon has been sick with the croup so we have had the add challenge of keeping him away from the baby.

I have enjoyed my time here with the kids so much and will miss them more than words can say. I am ready however, to return home and be with my husband and additional family and friends. This time God has used to teach me one thing...my place is beside my husband and I believe our marriage will be sweeter due to this time of seperation. However, as I said I have alot to get used without seeing my baby boys everyday or so...I continue to call this my new kind of "normal". Arlington Baptist Church as welcomed Cassie, Jesse and the boys with open arms...and between Lord and the Church I know they are in good hands!!!

Cassie is a great mom and will blossom as a stay at home mom. She is so much more patient with them than I was (which if you know our history..you know that is a VERY good thing!). I love to watch her read, to them, play with them and even let Ayden help cook....

Jesse is doing well at the church and will begin teaching the teens tonight! He has been working on make some relationships and or coarse waiting on the birth of this new baby boy!!!

I will leave to come home on Saturday so for those of you at home I look forward to see you all!!!!

The times as arrived and passed and so far we have all survived. That really is a funny way of putting it since we ALL understand that "thru Christ we can do all things!!!" Cassie and Jesse have been in Florida for a week and a half already...I'm still here. Scott flew home to Missouri on Monday. We are waiting for the new baby to make his appearance!

The boys are adjusted as well as can be expected. Ayden is asking for people in Mo alot and Landon would like to go outside much more than he is able in the apartment complex. There will be many more adjustments for all in the coming months but again...thru Christ is will be done!

I look forward to this time with them but also to the time when I will be home again. So I can get may on my schedule and so that they can begin there routine! I know as long as grammy is here to a degree...things just will not be in there regular everyday routine.

God has and is teaching me many things thru this experience. One that our children really do belong to Him...that He really does love them more than we as parents ever could and that we can trust them to HIM. He is also reminding me of the sacrifices our missionaries make on a daily basis. To leave everyone and everything they know and serve on the other side of the world. He continues to grow me even when I think..no I don't want too...His Holy Spirit gently guides me and loves me thru the hard times, amazing times and everyday of life times! I have pondered my life time much in the passed few months and I am amazed how I can look back and see His hand on my even when I never knew Him. He has brought to life for me His word in the last 6 months...and I can see how His word has proven true in my everyday life!

When I get home I plan to teach vacation bible school and then in the late summer/early fall I will teach a ladies Bible Study. I haven't taught in a while and I am looking forward to this time whether there be a room full of ladies or just one...He has given me an amazing study for the fall and I know His timing is perfect! I hope to visit Florida sometime in October so please pray those funds will be available...whether we drive or I fly!!!

God is good...His grace truly is sufficient...

Well, 2009 is off and running and we have many things in our lives to be thankful for! The freedom to live in a country that we can still worship God and serve Him!!! Our Katie was crowned basketball homecoming queen and she was beautiful! And our twins have arrived safe and sound. We are so very thankful for the gifts that God has blessed us with already so early in the year!!! Cassie and Jesse are seeking the Lord and His direction for their lives. If He chooses to move them it will be a very different thing for our lives, however, He is in control and will always bless obedience! Katie is seeking what school she is to continue on to after high school. Michael is working so hard on finishing his degree in Music Education. He has been amazing to watch...he hated school for so many years and although I'm not sure you would call what he is doing now...a love for school, he has been very determined to complete it! I am so proud of him and I forget to tell him that. Heather is moving into motherhood like an old pro! She is very laid back with the twins and is doing amazing!!! Scott and I have reached yet another milestone in our lives....27 years of marriage...I think he may be a saint to live with me for so many years. I truly do not deserve him that is for sure but I am thankful for him and we both know the ONE who has made this marriage work...the Lord...praise to HIM!!!