Are you sure this is fun?

The kids and I spent a wonderful weekend with my parents camping at Lake Hartwell in South Carolina. Jamie was not able to go with us... but hopefully he can get away the next time we go. I have several pics and experiences to share with you about the weekend, but one stands out above the rest.


For the past two years we have "taught" Jake how to go tubing. The first year was a struggle and he only went about 100 yards before he was screaming that he had had enough! Last year was better, but he wasn't yet big enough to lay across the tube. He still had to climb in and it made for an extremely bumpy ride. This year, however, Papa (my dad) decided to teach him how to lay across the tube.


The first day of tubing was okay, but not too much fun for Jake. He didn't like the way the water was splashing in his eyes. Well, he decided he had the answer... Goggles! So, green goggles and all, the second day was MUCH better. As a matter of fact, he said that he made up a song and sang while he was tubing.

I am so blessed to have this silly little boy as my son. God gave me great delight in watching have fun!

So, I hope you enjoy the show... green goggles and all!

"Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul."

Let it Shine

We had a few sparklers left over from an event this weekend. You will need to excuse the pajama kiddos, but I think the rest speaks for itself...

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven." ~Matthew 5:16

(You may need to stop the music from my playlist to hear the sound.)

Special Guests

After brunch on Saturday morning, my eye was caught by something moving around in the backyard. Our special guests were back. Two years ago, a doe raised two fawns in our backyard. Earlier this Spring we saw a doe, obviously expecting, eating the honeysuckle at the back of our property. Sadly, the fawns never appeared. I just assumed that maybe the doe decided to take her babies elsewhere.


I was delighted that the doe decided our backyard was once again a nice place to bring her two new little ones. Our neighborhood backs up to a protected National Park, so the deer here have never been threatened or afraid of humans. Although I would never atempt to approach one, we were able to go out on the back deck and enjoy a look at our special guests.


The moment was surreal. We were basking in the beauty of God's sweet creations. Just then, knowing that her Papa's hunting seasons have not been that great lately, Nati Grace whispered, "We need to call Papa."


Don't worry...the sweet family in our backyard will never see a kitchen table.

"As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?" ~Psalm 42:1-2

The Best Show in Atlanta

The dilema is quite a difficult one in the Auton house. You see...I love fireworks! Jamie likes them as long as a large crowd is not involved. Nati Grace doesn't like the "booms" of fireworks and Jake just wants to be in the middle of all the action. With the advice of my friend, Amy, we went with her and her husband, Justin, to the top of a parking deck in the Vinnings community. Odd, yes, but the view of metro Atlanta was AMAZING!

We got to the parking deck just in time to set up our chairs, drink a Starbucks, and enjoy the view before it got dark. Once the show started we were able to see the Fourth of July Celebrations of several communities in metro Atlanta... Midtown, Stone Mountain, Chastain Park, Downtown Centennial Park, Marietta, and Lennox Mall. It was perfect! No loud booms, all the fireworks, and only a small crowd. I think we have found our annual Fourth of July tradition!

I am so thankful to live in a country where my family is free to worship and proclaim the love of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful to so many men and women who put their lives on the line everyday for me to experience this great freedom. I am most thankful, however, for a God who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross so that I can experience freedom from sin...here on earth and for all eternity!

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the Spirit." ~Romans 8:1-4

Special Quotes from the evening:

"The fireworks are so pretty, it makes me want to cry" ~Jake Auton

"Jake, who did we win our freedom from," Amy asked. Jake responded, "Ummm... oh, I know! The Indians!" Oh well, it was the perfect teachable moment.

"Justin, you better not jump over!" ~Amy Weaver Did she really think he would?

"Daddy, this is the best firewacker show ever!" ~Nati Grace Auton

The pictures below are of Nati Grace and Jake waiting on dark to arrive

and Jamie and Justin looking at the fabulous view.

A Hole in 14...

I revert back to our beach trip again today. I can't help but wonder exactly why there are so many putt-putt courses near the beach. Every beach I have been to seems to have a couple of things in common... surf shops and putt-putt courses. These two things seem to be found on every city block. As we drove down the main drag at the beach, we actually lost count of the souvenier shops. Many of which I hope I never have to enter! The only rival to souvenier stores was the vast number putt-putt courses. Many had monkeys with glowing eyes. Some had dinosaurs who would eat your putt-putt ball. There were even some active volcanos.


Just like any good tourist, we took our turn at playing a round of putt-putt. Now, you must understand. My sweet husband is quite competitive at any sport he takes on. Although I am not quite sure if putt-putt is a sport, it is considered one by Jamie. We set out with 4 different color balls and clubs in hand. Jake was the first to putt. He took aim and after about 3 putts...in went his ball. Jamie was second and he took pride in already being under par. Nati Grace was next.


Nati Grace impressed me with her skill of putting her PINK ball on the putting area. She seemed to be so very confident of herself. After a few pitiful looks at her daddy, Jamie went and help her position her hands on the little club and she set off on putting the ball down the green. Several strokes later, Jamie once again stepped in and helped her get the ball in the hole.


In the next couple of holes, Jamie, Jake, and myself had great success. We were all relatively close in score and Jake and I had even had the victory of a hole in 1. Nati Grace was up again. "Daddy, I can do it myself this time," she declared! Sure enough, 10 minutes later, her pink ball finally dropped in the hole. She quickly added, "See, Bubby, I am a good player too! I got a hole in 14!"




You see, Nati Grace was far more concerned about making sure she completed the task ahead of her than about the hardship that it took for her to get there. A hole in 1 or a hole in 14... her persistence still got her there.


I have found myself asking the question, am I willing to persevere, fight the good fight, and finish the race even if God asks me to go through trials, heartache, and difficult times? Am I willing to try 14 times to get the ball in the hole or do I give up after the first try?

Dear Lord,
I want to stick it out! I am confident that You want me to see it to the end.

Help me to remember that You have already won the game,

I simply need to do what You have called me to do.

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy se before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." ~Hebrews 12:1-3

Dancing the Day Away!

My family just returned two days ago from a wonderful vacation to Panama City Beach, Florida. While there, my son, Jake, decided to do a little dancing on the beach for everyone to see. Boy, can he put on a show. It went on for about 10 minutes before I decided I should probably get out the camera and film a bit of his moves!

There are days that I wish I could just go outside and DANCE! I can't say that I have ever been a good dancer. As a matter of fact, I think my skills were at their best when I danced as a chicken in a dance recital at age six. It is the freedom of dancing that is enticing to me. When we were children, dancing just came natural. With absolutely no skill at all, we would dance like the whole world was watching and hope that they were.

I have contemplated if I can take the same look on my walk with the Lord as I did when with my dancing as a child. Reckless abandonment! Can I live a life for Christ with no skill of my own...only His? Can I live a life that He shines through...even in my messes? Can I live a life for Christ like the whole world is watching...and hope that they are?

"Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre." ~Psalm 149:3