We had just such a fun "planned" activity yesterday afternoon. Some people would call it "coincidence", but we KNOW it could only be arranged by Our Heavenly Father.
While the realtor was showing our house yesterday (no news yet), the kids and I went shopping in the nearby Big City. After accomplishing all that was on my checklist for the day, I realized that it was only 3:00 ... the sun was shining brightly ... and we didn't have any plans for the rest of the day. I turned to the kids and said, "Let's head home, change our clothes, and head out to the beach for a picnic dinner!" Of course, the kids were thrilled. Spontaneous picnics at the beach are always a welcome treat.
After changing into beach clothes and throwing a few items in the back of the car (towel, beach blanket, water bottles, camera, bag of chips, etc...) we headed out. The kids were a bit concerned that we were only going to eat chips for dinner; but, I had a surprise planned. When living in a household with 10-12 children at home ... dinner "out" is practically unheard of. But ... with only 4 young ones ... I thought it would be fun to stop at Subway for their $5 Footlong Sandwiches. The girls could split one. The boys could split one. And ... I just thought, "I'll buy one and bring home the 2nd half for tomorrow's lunch." Elijah quickly calculated that it was only $15 to feed all of us. (It's always good to see that my homeschooled children are learning.)
I had brought a water bottle filled with ice ... a jug of water ... and an ice tea packet, planning to make myself some ice tea when I got to the beach. However, while at Subway, I realized that I really like their Ice Tea. So, I bought one. I was actually kind of embarrassed by myself (not that anyone else would know), but I thought, "Why did I just buy a large ice tea, when I have one in the car already?" Maybe I would get really thirsty???
When we got back into the car at Subway, I took a minute to send a quick text message. I popped off a note to Jared, Jeremiah, Hannah, & Kati that we were headed to the beach for a picnic, and that we would love to have them join us if they would like. (Lindsey is out of town for the weekend, or she would have gotten a text, as well.) Kati responded immediately with, "I'm already on my way to the beach." Hmmm ... I figured that she must be heading out to meet friends there, since it was such a nice day.
Upon arriving at the beach, we heard Kati's story ...
After work, she stopped by our house to see if we were home. When we weren't (we were on our way to Subway already) she thought ... "It's such a nice day, maybe I'll go out to the beach." Then she thought, "Maybe I'll see if Jeremiah & Jared want to meet me there." Off she headed to the beach (a 25 minute drive), passing Subway while we were buying our sandwiches.
Now, it was dinner time, but she hadn't made any plans to eat. She had nothing with her, because it was such a random and spontaneous decision.
As I got out our picnic stuff we had quite the laugh when I told her that I had brought her dinner (the extra ice tea and the extra 1/2 of the footlong sub). Oh my! God was definitely directing my steps, even when I myself couldn't explain the decisions I was making. So cool!
Here are a few pics of our time at the beach ...
Kati & the Kids ...
Searching for Treasures
Sweet Sarah ...
always smiling.
Josiah ...
"The Boy With The Green Hat"
We bought this hat for Josiah ...
... in Mexico
... when he was 4 years old
... and he still wears it
... almost every day.
Little Elijah ...
always the goofy one with the grin.
Rachel ... loves to dig in the sand.
Elijah ... always looking for beach critters.
Warriors ... in a sword fight.
So glad we have a beach to explore,
even when we are not on the island.
Kati & I had some wonderful "Mama D. Time"
while the children played.
Thanks Lord ...
... for sunshine
... for beaches
... for sword fights
... for hermit crabs
... for pretty shells
... for time with Kati
Thanks Lord ...
for planning our day.
Love it!!
ReplyDeleteMy kids saw the pictures of your kids and asked when we were going to see you again--I told them hopefully sometime this crazy summer
Too funny! I'm glad you and Kati are getting lots of time together. She's so awesome! What a blessing :)
ReplyDeleteI especially love this story b/c my name is katie. Just sayin'.
ReplyDeletelovin' it! Just think, all that 'guilt' for nothing...we need to rely on the fact we don't know why but He does, huh? You are a good Momma taking on this family while dad can't be home.
ReplyDelete