The Echo of my heart.

I am sitting in my house and it is very quiet... And I am smiling. Smiling at the blessings.
The blessings of this past 10 days of summer that are overflowing in my heart and home. Although my home is quiet... Which is a blessing at the moment! It is not empty, it is full. As is my heart and the hearts of my Husband and children.
We were blessed to have our good friends come up from NOLA for 10 days... To bring ECHO to Ohio... A Theology of the Body Camp for teens.
I was a little overwhelmed at the thought of having to watch my children at this camp during archery, high ropes, zip lines, horse back riding, the land pillow... Among other things.
I was a little hesitant to drive them into town for VBS each morning at 7 am after sleeping In a twin bed with Courtney and the two littlest kiddos... Not to mention the late bedtimes.
To Many this may sound crazy... But to us it was 10 of the best days we have ever had as a family.
The Echo of our hearts is for communion, love, community, fullness...
Our culture distracts us with so many temporary fills...
The Lord reminded us that he is fulfilling it daily... In our own little Domestic Church where he is ever present.
He revealed our hearts to one another so that we can truly live amidst the chaos of the world. To love with a love that releases the beloved to grow and be who God calls them to be, not one that suffocates a possesses.
My 8 year old conquered her fear and hurt from being teased at school by standing in front if 70 young adults and teens and Singing ... My 6 year old spent her week making art and hugging so many... Where previously she would close off and hide. My 5 year old spoke sentences sharing his joys of hiking and swimming and singing VBS songs... My 3 year old jumped his heart out... And spent hours searching for fireflies ( which he caught in his hands) and worms... And my baby shared smiles and hugs and laughter with everyone met.

We were not viewed as a distraction or burden, we were accepted as a blessing and recognized as not a hindrance to the ministry but a sign of its fruitfulness, and Gods faithfulness.
In the busy every day these things are missed. In the beauty of this week they were found.
We reconnected with good friends and were blessed by their presence. My heart is heavy to let them go today... But I will hold onto the joy until next time!
I learned so much that I can't put into words... So today and for many days I will ponder them in my heart...
Thank you to everyone for the love, the hope, the help! We are truly blessed and hope to ECHO the joy that we have received to the world...
And thank you for blessing our family and our home!