Merry Christmas in July! Turns out Nick was a July Christmas present- so Happy Birthday, Nick! And soon there will be another Nick/Nicole running around! Just kidding, those aren't the first names we have picked out! I have to give my friend Kim credit for that, actually she said a little Victor or Nicole...anyway... I've always loved these verses, especially on birthdays when it’s normal to reflect on our lives, and especially when I can't see God's purpose for me: "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” -Psalm 139:13-16 So if anyone is in that place today, be encouraged! All your days are written in God's book. As Theresa once wisely pointed out, the Word is a lamp to our feet so sometimes all we can see is the next step. But God can see the whole path so sometimes all we can do is trust. A friend recently reminded me that God made part of a song I wrote come true for me recently so maybe it could encourage you. I wrote it at a time when I was 30 and nothing seem to be happening in the natural; not a great ministry, career or family but I knew in my heart the character of my God. He was building faith inside of me. I knew He wasn't done yet. The story wasn't over, I just had to wait and not lose heart. There's no happy ending without suspense. There's no victory without a battle. If you want to be a winner, you can't give up like a loser. You have to fight for what you know to be true. The song has never made it to actual music but maybe it will work as a poem: Beyond These Eyes @2006 Victoria Babinetz When you first called to me, the vision was so clear I dropped everything and followed with no fear Now years have come and gone and I can't see the light But I will trust in You and walk by faith, not by sight For I know that my times are in Your hands And I know You will take me to promised lands And I know that Your purpose for me Lies beyond what these eyes can see Now You still call to me, Your voice is crystal clear Your Word says “Stay the course, be strong and have no fear” I will delight in You, stand in Your holy fire And in Your perfect time, I'll see my dreams, see my desire For I know that You set my heart free And I know You will bless me abundantly And I know that Your purpose for me Lies beyond what these eyes can see And someday Your purpose for me Will be where these eyes can see So if your purpose isn't clear right now, just keep walking by faith, and you will see it. "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." - Psalm 27:13
Maybe someday this could be me with a little one...
I've always wanted to ride one of these but in the water!
Look at all those people! We didn't stay that day...
Christian putt-putt golf! 
Hole in one!
Church in Hilton Head, they were so nice!
NYC, never far from our thoughts!
A beautiful park
For Elijah and Raina...
Brandon and Lauren will be seeing this soon...
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