Catching Up

I realize that, other than the baby news, we haven't posted about any of our summer activities. So, I here's what we've been up to over the past few months. Gary and I have both been working with the youth at our church since May. In June, Kathryn took a group of 7 Jr. High students to Florida for RYM, a great youth beach retreat. We had great speakers, great teachers, and great weather. It was a spirit-filled time and it was so great to see these young teens get excited about the gospel. It was also a great opportunity for me to get to know some in our group before I began leading a study with them back home.

The following week, Kathryn taught the 1st graders at Vacation Bible School. While VERY exhausting as I was in my second month of pregnancy, it was such a sweet opportunity to share God's word with young children. Our theme this year was the Olympics, so I was "Coach Kathryn" for the week. One of the students from my class still calls me Coach Kathryn today.

Over the 4th of July weekend, our dearest friends, the Galbreaths, came for a visit. We enjoyed a laid back weekend and getting to show them around our town. Gary and I also loved the time that we had with our godchildren, Carter and Kelsey. Carter is at such a fun age, and we hadn't seen Kelsey since she was a newborn, so it was fun to see her smiling and interacting even more. Before we had moved to Greenwood, we had lived in the same town as the Phillip and Shannon for 6 years. We have missed them greatly, but are so glad that we still get together every few months.

The following weekend, we went to Philadelphia for a wedding. Gary is planning to post about this trip, so I will just say that we had a great time seeing the city and catching up with college friends.

At the end of July, we were able to get away for a few days for a beach vacation with Kathryn's extended family. It was so nice to get away. We had great weather, so we were able to enjoy alot of tennis, golf, and beach time. It is always so much fun to catch up with my cousins that I get to see less and less these days. We were so grateful that Gary was able to get away from the farm for a few days of R&R.

A few weeks later, Kathryn went with her sister and parents to visit her brother in Boston. We had a fun-filled weekend of touring Harvard, Cambridge, and Boston and visiting Fenway Park for our first Red Sox game. Walker seems to be loving life in the big city. Although it was a very quick trip (we got in on Friday afternoon and left early Sunday morning), we are all ready for our next trip. The next weekend, we got Susanne moved into her dorm at Birmingham-Southern College. It is hard to believe that she is in college now. She has already gone through rush and pledged KD and is also on the rifle team. They will be traveling to our neck of the woods next weekend to compete against the University of Memphis and Ole Miss.

At the end of August, Kathryn went to Knoxville to help with our nieces while Gary's sister, Catherine, was on bedrest. I always look forward to these extended visits with our young nieces/nephew. I get to see so much more of their little personalities come out when I get them all to myself for a few days. A few days before I was planning to leave, Catherine went into labor and our niece, Gabrielle Marie Foca ("Gabby") was born. Happy Belated Birthday, Gabby! Pictures of this visit are below:

Precious in Pink Ballerinas

"Asleep" on the floor

Enjoying the geese at the park
On a serious business call
Gabriella Marie Foca

During all of these travels and events, Gary has been busy at work on the farm. They managed to survive two hurricanes and have had alot of great, sunny weather lately, so harvest is coming along well. I am so proud of Gary for all of the long and hard hours that he has been putting in and am thankful for his dedication to work and providing for our growing family. "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." Colossians 3:23