Little Update

Well, this blog is a lot like my flower beds right now--a little neglected.  My flower beds, on the other hand, are having a hard time surviving!  It's so HOT!  Ok, that's the last time I'll mention that in this post, promise.
Since I posted last, we have decided on a name for baby sister.  And, I wont tease you about it this time.  I'll actually come out and say it.  Just be patient and keep reading. :)  We have been to one summer camp and had Vacation Bible School the week after.  Then, I spent a week away from this blistering Oklahoma summer (see I didn't say it was _ _ _...I'm keeping my promise), and went to the New Mexico mountains.  Namely, I went to Angel Fire with my sister and her daughter and my parents!  It was SUCH a wonderful week.  Anywhere I land in the mountains, it always feels like home to me.  This place is very special, even so.  My mom and dad bought it from my grandparents this last year after my grandma's rare illness last year.  That actually was the beginning of this blog.  I counted that time when she was in the hospital fighting for her life one of my most difficult.  I wasn't sure what would happen.  But, I kept praying that the Lord would keep her here for us.  Praise God, He did!  He provided a miracle and wonderful doctors and nurses to get her well and have an AMAZING recovery!

Anyway.  After the Angel Fire excursion, I knew that I had to be working on laundry and preparations for Falls Creek with my husband.  He is a youth minister (I don't know if I've mentioned that before) so this week before is totally dedicated to last minute details of camp prep.  He is such an organized person and so planned out for camp and other big events.

I want you to know that I think he does a great job of doing things for camp WAY in advance!  The week before camp is a lot of time on the phone confirming special guest speakers in our cabin, making sure our cooks are taken care of and are ready to go, and also answering questions by parents and students about camp (mainly about dress code..ha ha ha).  I'm so thankful, though, for the spiritual preparation that he does year round for the "harvest time", as we call it, that we tend to have every summer when we are there.  He is such a terrific example of a man seeking after God's heart and I cannot imagine that I deserve to be with such a godly man.  God was so gracious to me when Aaron was looking for a wife.  I feel like I snuck into his life and God blinded him for a few months time so he could fall for me.  I sure do LOVE that man of mine!  He is the biggest blessing in my life!

So, next week we go to this camp and are waiting with anticipation for what the Lord will do in the hearts and lives of the students we take.  That's another thing.  We are taking 114 students (not including sponsors) this year!!!  We took 86 students and 14 sponsors and 5 cooks last year and our cabin was comfortably filled.  This year we are overflowing!  We are taking more students than our total number of people last year.  We have 16 sponsors and 4 cooks and a nurse going this year for extra folks to help us out.  Praise the Lord!!!  I know that it is not of us that this happened!  The Lord is making waves through our community and He is causing revival to break out, I believe!  God is so good to us.  His kindness leads us to repentance for sure!

I'll be 33 weeks pregnant while we are there and will go to the doctor for an appointment one of those days.  It's crazy, I know.  But, this is our life and this is what I'm called to do.  Don't worry about EK, she will have a cool and cartoon laden week at Granny and Papa's house this week.  So, when you check out the weather forecast this week for Oklahoma, think of how...uhhh...WARM it will be at Falls Creek this week.  Pray for me.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.  I have to tell you the name.  I don't want to leave you in suspense any longer.
Baby sister's name is....drumroll please........................................................................................................

Anastasia Elizabeth-Fay!  We will call her Ana Beth for short.
Please reserve your critical comments for your pillow.  She has a beautiful name regardless of if she will ever be able to spell it.  (I know that's what you're thinking) ;)
Anastasia means resurrection and has special meaning to us for more than just the obvious reason.  Elizabeth is a classic name that means "God is my oath" and is in honor of a very special girl who, very faithfully, prayed for this baby for many months during the first of this pregnancy (Hope Elizabeth).  And, finally Fay--Breona Fay Morris' name is special to our family and always will be.  She is remembered through the name of our daughter.  Bre is resurrected to new life today with our Savior through her oath to Him and His covenant with her.
I love my daughter's name and am so glad that God gave her a such a beautiful one!

update :)

I have been thinking it is way past time to update my blog for a couple of weeks.  I was told by another fellow blogger that I need to really be "watering my garden" a little more.  I need to keep up with my postings a little better in other words.  Sorry to my 6 followers,  who I'm sure have been waiting ever so impatiently for another riveting entry from yours truly.  I know that last statement is not entirely true, well not even a little true.  I know you just check when I update. :)  Anyway.  I do need to update.  So, here's a short blurb on what's been going on in the past three weeks.

Mother's Day was wonderful, period.  Thank you all so much for the feedback on my mother's story.  I loved telling it and I loved hearing that so many of you were inspired by her courage and fearless faith.  She truly is one of the most amazing people I have ever had the privilege to know.

We celebrated some graduation ceremonies in the meantime.  We "graduated" our 3rd class of Seniors since moving to Cushing.  I hope there are many, many, many more students in our future here.  God has really blessed this class with so much leadership potential and with hearts that seek after Him.  We love you, Senior class of 2011.

Then, last week, we took 20 students with us to Arlington, TX to enjoy a Texas Rangers game and Six Flags.  It was a blast to say the least!  We had a wonderful time with the kids we took!  Even sitting all day at Six Flags was bearable because of the company we kept while there.  Christi Hickman, my dear friend and wife to our music minister, sat with me for the greater part of the day.  What a blessing!!!

So, now up to today.  I'm turning in money to our church secretary today for a new ministry that a few friends and I are starting for moms in our community.  I am SO excited about what we are doing and more excited about what God is doing!  We are hosting a garage sale this week at Robyn Jones' house.  So, if you like garage sales (as I do!!!) stop by if you are in the Cushing/Stillwater/Stroud area this Thursday and Friday.  I promise it will be worth it!  We are not only selling "pre-loved" items, but we are raffling a trip to Branson for $5 (<---click here if you want to see some pictures to where you could be going!) a ticket and also selling homemade laundry soap including instructions for making your own if you are interested!  The ministry is Moms31 and we have a facebook page.(<---click here to take a little trip to our facebook pg)  So, come and see us there or on our blog. (<---and click here to go to our blog page!)

Shameless advertising below! :)  Hope to see you there!

Last, but not least, I wanted to update you on our baby naming progress.  We have a short list that includes a few really beautiful names that we think will go with Elliana's name pretty well.  There was one new revelation yesterday about one of the names on that list.  We will not be naming our daughter Sawyer.  I can tell you that I still love the name, but being from Oklahoma where all our words kinda run together at times, I don't think I could be pleased always with that choice.  Here's what happened to help us with this one.
Yesterday, my mother and father in-law came over for some time away from Mustang. My mother in-law was wearing some really cute shoes.  She asked me if I saw them earlier and I responded, "Yes, I saw your cute shoes!"  But, with my Okie accent it sounded more like "saw yer"...and in that moment I heard her potential name being made fun of in so many ways and couldn't bring myself to put her through such torture as a Middle schooler.  So, the name Sawyer is officially off our list.  As for the others, we will update you as soon as more get crossed off, but until then, keep suggesting names.  We are open and would love some help with this HUGE task of naming our second child!
Thanks y'all!  Love
CL