Many have asked how in the world we travel so far with so many children and why we would do it. For sure, it IS a lot of work and it is hard. It does cost for us and for the precious family that we spend time with. Two days of traveling in an 15 passenger van has, well, for a better word, ISSUES.
And it is worth EVERYTHING to spend time with our family and friends.
Some of the reasons why we do it are...
...to watch our children learn to play, ski, swim, laugh, work together and love their family and each other;
...to see the pure joy of playing with those you love and who love you and to see a child who once was alone learn that he belongs for ever and always to his family-through the good and the difficult;
...to watch the faith that my mother had in her Healing God to give her one of her greatest desires - to ski again; to see rainbows, and crazy tubing sibling;
...to experience acceptance; jump scary heights with those who applaud your courage; to see newlyweds enjoying the gift of marriage.
There are so many reasons, and as my mom, dad, Steve and I have discussed the “whys”, the greatest reason that we come up with is that we are investing in one of the greatest gifts that the LORD has given us...each other.
Oh SOOOO!! VERY precious and SOOOO!!! VERY true...You made it seem as though I was right there with you...
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and yours...
Oh, I love this post! Family time is the BEST time!!! Whether we're traveling far to spend time together or down the road to pick out a Christmas tree, it's what I treasure most.
ReplyDeletep.s. I really like how you have the pictures laid out in this post!!
Absolutely! Nothing matters more than relationships!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures and rejoicing with you in seeing your mom skiing!!!! Praise God!!!
Much love!
Lisa
GORGEOUS PHOTOS and perfect reasons! AMEN!
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Amen! Absolutely!
ReplyDeleteWe have always traveled with our crazy big family, and we LOVE it!
Our big kids most precious memories are all of our family traditions of traveling to friends and relatives EVERY summer.
Ummm ... 18 passenger van??? Did you get a new one? Haven't heard of an 18 passenger.
Blessings,
Laurel
PS: Send me your address and I'll send you a couple of boxes of clothes for the girls. :)
Amen to all that! I just buried my dad on Monday and for the first time in my life have felt what it is like to be fatherless. I looked around the room at my friend's dads who were there and felt such an emptiness as the reality sunk in. I don't have a DAD anymore!!! And then I thought of all those who have no parent at all. No parent to invest in them, love them unconditionally, make time for just them and my heart broke even more.
ReplyDeleteWe will be going forward with our next adoption as soon as possible so that there will be one less fatherless child in the world. I had my dad for 40 years. I miss him terribly, but I am truly blessed. Plus, I have the peace that Dad is resting now and that I will see him again when he is resurrected at the Second Coming. Keep doing what you are doing!!! It is making a difference! :)
Beautiful photos of everyone. Glad you had a great time special spending days with loved ones.
ReplyDeleteBut, seriously...you need to post a photo of the gang in the 18 passenger van. I'm scratching my head wondering that that looks like!!! And how anyone would have any sanity left after traveling in it with all the kiddos :) Mine is about gone because the loudest ones NEVER want to sit in the far back!!!
Blessings, Jennifer