I feel like I have been around in the world in 80 days! I have gotten to see my favorite people in the span of about 3 weeks. My body is tired from running all over but my heart is extremely full. People are my favorite thing and I have been blessed with some of the best ones out there.

“Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure,” (Matthew 6:19-21 TPT).

My greatest treasure is my family. Both Jon-Michael and I have been blessed with incredible families. We also have friends who have become family to us and we consider our church part of our family too.

Whether or not you were born into a healthy family, I believe that God can bring you the people you need. He more than makes up for any familial deficits that you may have.

“Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
    this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
God places the lonely in families;
    he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy,” (Psalm 68:5-6 NLT).

“God places the lonely in families.” Amen. Our world needs strong, healthy, vibrant families. Because we have been so crazy and all over the place, I thought I would just show you what I have been up to for the past few weeks with my precious family.

My bestie called me a couple of weeks ago and asked if I could join her on a last minute trip to Gulf Shores. I hopped on a plane to meet her in Dallas, we drove a whole day to the beach, spent one day on there, and drove a whole day back to Dallas. It was a whirl wind trip but we had been trying to plan a beach trip for 6 YEARS and couldn’t make it happen. She gave me three days notice and somehow that was doable?!

Right after the beach trip, JM’s family came in town for his 35th birthday! We only get to see them twice a year because they live in KY and are also in ministry. Weekends are hard to come by when you lead different churches. 🙂

They got to be at church with us on our re-opening weekend. We hadn’t been with our church family since March. It was amazing to worship together with everyone and see my man preach on his bday!

While I was on my way to church that morning, our kid’s pastor called and asked if I would be able to help with kid’s camp. One of the sponsors had woken up sick and with everything going on with Covid-19, they had to be extra careful. So, I went home and packed last minute for camp. Hadlee and I got to spend a few unplanned days together riding horses, driving go-carts, and worshipping in chapel.

We had already planned our family vacation to Oklahoma City for the evening after Hads got home from camp. Since she and I were already in Tulsa (which is halfway there), we went on to OKC after camp and my hubby and younger daughter, Landree, met us there. We got to celebrate the 4th of July with my parents and siblings. We went to the Science Museum, swam, watched fireworks and ate our weight in food.

I am both exhausted and rested at the same time! Being with my people, filled my heart and made me happy. What a life that my bestie can ask me last minute to come with her to the beach and I have the flexibility to go, I can hop in my car last minute to be with my daughter at camp, and we enjoy being with our families. What treasure. Hope that you are able to spend time with the people you treasure too. 

Love,

Tif