The Many Faces of Sarah

Nine years ago today, I became a parent for the first time.

Sarah is my reader...


my chef...

and my artist.

The Lord created her with a compassionate heart and a creative brain.

She chooses daily to follow the Lord with all her heart, and those choices show in the joy on her face.

Sarah is a fabulous big sister...

and I'm so thankful she is a part of our family!

Happy 9th Birthday, precious daughter!

Don't let that angelic face fool you...

she's got a wild and crazy streak, too!

Happy 9th Birthday, precious daughter!

With One Voice

They raise their voices, they shout for joy;

from the west they acclaim the Lord's majesty.

Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord;

exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel,

in the islands of the sea.

From the ends of earth we hear singing:

"Glory to the Righteous One."

Isaiah 24:14-16a

With One Voice
Written by Steven Curtis Chapman and Matt Redman

We come together with a holy purpose;
we come together for the highest cause

We speak one language from a heart of worship

Gathered to bring the song to the world

For your glory

With one voice We will sing

Every tribe and every tongue

Raise a harmony

With one voice We will bring

Heaven’s beautiful, melody Down to this earth

As we sing to our king

With one voice

Oceans divide us, but we sing together

Now what defines us, is our love of you

From every nation and across all borders

Gathered to bring the song to the world

For your glory

Birmingham, Alabama

In Birmingham, we got to spend some time with a family we got to know when we served together at a church in Arkansas. Their little one and Katherine had a great time playing together! Aaron got to share at their church, Hillview Baptist Church.

Tallahassee, Florida

This family was actually our "official" adopted family while we were in college. Their kids were nine and seven (the same ages Sarah and Benjamin are) when we came, and now they are both married!

the newlyweds

good snuggles and sweet visits

"Uncle Wrinkles"

College Connections

We have really enjoyed getting to spend time with some former professors and staff from Stetson University.

Sarah has decided to attend Stetson and wants to take voice lessons from our former voice teacher.

A "drive-bye" in Daytona Beach

Some dear friends of ours (another "adopted family" from college) were headed out of town for a youth camp, so we weren't going to be able to see them while we were in Florida.

Turns out that they were dropping off their youngest child to stay in Daytona Beach for the week, so we were able to see them for five minutes in the parking lot of a gas station. What a treat!

Supper afterwards at Cracker Barrel - thanks, Nanny, for the gift cards!

DeLeon Springs, Florida

Another Choate tradition is eating pancakes at the Sugar Mill found in DeLeon Springs State Park.

Another adopted family from our college days hosted us during our time in central Florida. When we came to Stetson, their three boys were little, now it's our turn to have the little ones.

Deland, Florida

Deland is a very special town for our family. Aaron and I graduated from Stetson University and attended Stetson Baptist Church during our time in Deland. He was invited to lead the worship services this morning, and we were able to update our former church family on how God has used the seeds He planted so long ago in Deland to soon bloom in the Solomon Islands.


We spent time with lots of precious friends yesterday at the home of a couple who were "adopted parents" to many students who came through Deland.

Of course, no trip to Deland would be complete without a visit to Rodeo Whip - the ice cream shop famous for its "garbage pail" ice cream.

The Lord has moved us so often, and each time we find a new "home" and new "family". I know that the Solomon Islands will soon be home, so please continue to pray for us to quickly put down new roots and establish deep and long-lasting relationships. You would think moving would get easier the more often we do it. This is still very much a "God-thing" that we are even embarking on this adventure, and only the mercies of the Lord which are new every morning are enabling us to die to self.

Middleburg, Florida

brothers - two peas in a pod

"Look what we started!"

continuing the hundred pushup challenge

Ducks came up to the back door and delighted Katherine.

The cousins played with their dads' old GI Joes.