Friday, we packed up to head to Arkansas for the weekend. I had the opportunity to speak to some ladies at a church there and we spent time with good friends while there as well. Traveling on Joy’s birthday meant that she spent the whole day with us and we could sing to her and celebrate this 9th year in a way she would enjoy. Our friends in Arkansas knew it was Joy’s birthday and they surprised us with some gifts and balloons for her. She rewarded them with giggle fits on Saturday. You couldn’t help but smile and laugh yourself to hear her deep into belly laughs, the kind where you don’t make any noise. She has these times by turns, sometimes things Ben says makes her laugh but it was my turn this time. I would say dramatic things that would get her giggling. We were having fun with it.
Moving forward, school is in session until May 26, which means Joy has 9 more days of school. Ethan has finished off a few of his subjects and we’re set to double up some in the extra time to finish the remaining before Joy is done with school. He and I both feel the end in sight. We’re excited for summer. I have a stack of chapter books waiting for him that he can’t begin reading until “summer”. That’s raising the anticipation. He does love to read! We won’t be able to let math go without any reinforcement over the summer but I am compiling math games to play so that we don’t have to sit at a school desk. I’m hoping to incorporate them into his outside play and daily activity. The thing is with math, that’s life! I’ve been telling him each day when I’m using math in my everyday activities. He’s starting to get it.
Joy will hopefully be doing her annual stay at TCC for the month of June. We still have some logistics to nail down but we are excited for her and for a little respite. We will not take an away vacation this year; we plan to stay-cate! There are a few day trips in the plan but we want to stick close to home. Most of the activities that were cancelled at the college last year are planned for this year. This means a little more busyness for Ben but planning and organization for these events is certainly a strength the Lord gave him and he is using that to be a blessing to others.
I’ll leave you with a song that will encourage your day hopefully. Thanks for your prayers!
God Will Take Care of You
Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Refrain:
God will take care of you,
Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.
All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.