A Season of Rest...

The biggest fear in this move for me, Alecia, was trying to find a church home. I know that nothing will take the place of our awesome church home in the UK but we know that we need to find a home.

We have attended several churches since arriving here in NC. As of today, the search continues.
Every Saturday one of us asks the dreaded question... where are we going to church tomorrow? I hate making the kids go to a different church every week to try out the kids programs, they are anxious to get settled too. Poor little Levi refuses to go to any kids programs right now. He is waiting until we are settled to go to the kids programs. We also want to plug in so we can start serving the Lord again too.

A couple weeks ago I was talking to the boys about the Creation story and we talked about how God rested on the seventh day. He didn't rest because he was tired, he rested because it was good. The Lord spoke directly to me and said "My child, enjoy this short season of rest! It won't be for long! Rest and enjoy all I have given you."

If you knew us in England, we were ALWAYS busy and loved it! We have thoroughly enjoyed having a completely OPEN DOOR policy!! But honestly, i can say now that I was tired. So, I am excited to enjoy this short season of rest! I love that we can just enjoy being a family! We have spent countless nights outside watching the kids ride the motorcycle, playing games and just hanging out. It is kind of nice not knowing anyone because there is no expectations!

Now as for my response to the Lord, I told him that I am totally enjoying all that he has blessed us with! But my prayer is still that we will find a church home soon, we don't need to plug in and start serving right away, but just that we know where we are supposed to be!

I am going to enjoy this Season of Rest!! How about you? Do you ever have seasons, days, hours or even minutes of rest to get lost in all God has blessed you with?

Did the boys making throught the night in the tent?

A couple weeks ago the boys put up the tent and wanted to sleep in it. Did they make it?? Well, here is how our day went...

At breakfast Brian told the boys they could put up the tent and sleep in it! The boys were thrilled, well all but Levi. Gage was totally excited and Hayden asked "Dad, do we have to sleep in the tent to night?" Dad told them yes, poor little Levi's face dropped! Hayden came to me later in the day asking if they really had to sleep in the tent? I told him Dad said yes. Hayden went on to tell me that he really didn't want to.

Well as the day wore on Gage got more and more excited, filling the tent with all kinds of provisions for the night. Hayden became more and more scared but refused to tell his dad. Levi was just certain that he would NOT be sleeping in the tent.


As Hayden and Gage were getting ready for bed, the entire days fears finally exploded into water works. All the while Dad is just laughing at how hysterical they had become. Gage was still thrilled to sleep outside. After about 20 minutes Brian finally told them that they didn't have to sleep outside. Hayden and Gage were of course relieved but then Gage was devastated. This lead to tears all around because then Hayden and Levi felt awful for ruining Gage's fun.

After comforting ALL three of them until they were asleep, I came down and told Brian next time he tells the boys they are sleeping outside, he needs to be prepared to sleep with them!

First Day of Fall...

NO WAY, we are still totally enjoying our summer!! The weather is still in the 80's and we even got to enjoy a day at the beach on Saturday!!

Brian packed up the truck with all the windsurfing and surfing gear he owns and off we went! We drove to Atlantic Beach and it was beautiful! Brian surfed for a couple hours and then decided to show Hayden how to surf. Hayden had a blast and stood up many times. Then Gage wanted to try, I thought he would quit after the first face plant but he endured. Those two boys surfed for hours and hours while Brian windsurfed.

Levi spent the entire day wrapped up in the picnic blanket! He even took two long naps, I thought he was sick because I couldn't even get him to eat a cracker. Then at 5:00 the sun finally broke through the clouds and off Levi went racing for the water. He ran and splashed and rode the waves for an hour, until the clouds rolled back in. This poor little guy is SO afraid of the Thunderstorms here that every time it rains he freaks out! Well, since it was a cloudy day he was expecting the thunderstorms to come at any minute. He believes that every time it rains here there will be a storm. I tried to explain to him that if it was going to storm that we wouldn't be sitting on the beach, but there was no convincing him otherwise. I hope he releases this fear soon.

Is the Bowers family ready for summer, NO WAY!!! We will be back to the beach this Saturday!

Two weeks...

It has been two weeks since we moved into our house and we are loving every minute of it! We are starting feel settled even though there are still some boxes that need to be sorted.

This past Saturday the boys, all 4 of them, spent the entire day outside! They were out roller blading by 8:00 am and didn't' come in until 7:00 pm. They had a blast roller blading, biking and riding their motorcycle. They were all sweaty and hot but I think it was all worth it.

On September 8th, Brian's birthday, we lost our beloved Papa. He was such a great man! He was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer a few months ago, thankfully he never felt sick. He suffered a stroke and passed away within 48 hours. Nana, we are sorry for the lost of your best friend and lover!

We started Home School this Monday. To be honest I was plagued by doubt in the days before we started. I asked myself what the heck I was doing, I wasn't equipped to teach these precious boys and I don't want to fail them. Well, Monday morning we started and I have felt a wave of peace over me since! I don't have to be quipped to follow God's leading, I just have to follow! He will do the rest! We are studying South America and by Tuesday all three boys knew all 13 countries in South America. I can honestly admit I didn't know any of them when we started! We have also been blessed to be able to complete everything we are supposed to do everyday! We are usually done by noon so the kids can spend the rest of their days outside playing. It truly has been a blessing and I am glad the Lord is bigger then my doubt.

Taking bets...

Brian told the boys they could sleep outside in the tent tonight, by themselves! The boys are outside right now setting up the tent.

Any bets on whether or not they will make it all night??

Yesterday there was a family of deer in our yard!

Oh, it was SO cool!! The kids told me there were deer and sure enough there was a buck, doe and the cutest little baby!! I was trying to get my camera out but one of the kids squealed in delight and they all took off into the wooded area behind our house!

We were told there were foxes, turtles, snakes and other critters in the woods. But nothing was ever said about deer. It truly was beautiful!

Brian mowed the lawn again last night. It only took 2 hours this time verses the 3 1/2 hours it took the first time.