She Called Him By Name

I wish you could have seen his face. Grandpa Cam was given his name this week. The first time Riley called him Papa I thought he was going to melt. We would say something about "Grandpa" and Riley would say "Papa" over and over. The world was hers. If it was in his power he would make her wishes come true. Even if it was going into the waves that no one wanted to brave, she'd pull...and into the water he'd go. We even caught him playing choo choo train following her around in circles.

These last few weeks I have been facinated watching what happened to my son Cam's face everytime she called him by name. She has been saying Dada a long time (he proudly stated several times) but it never lost the power to bring joy to his heart. She says it when she wants to sing in the morning with him or when she sqeels as he throws her in the air and it's like magic.

I was thinking as I watched my two Cams that there is a lesson in this father's joy over the child they love calling them by name. Don't ever forget that you have a Father in heaven that rejoices every time you call His name. Do it often in prayer and worship. Some of you are young in the Lord and He has such joy hearing that you know Him by name. Also don't forget to hold His hand and trust Him when the waves are too deep or you're up too high!

Sarah Huxford
SCC Women's Ministry

Modern Thought…Ancient Provision

We’ve been “Earthing” these last few days and I’ve got to say that I’m enjoying it. I know at this point you are worried about me spending too much time on the west coast.


I will admit  that it is all my fault. I was reading some health articles and one of the new schools of thought is called “Earthing".  In a nutshell, the thought behind it is that there is healthful  benefits to having your feet touch the earth. As you might have guessed I read it out loud to the family to share the education.  So the suggestions were to put your toes in the grass each day or have your feet in the salty ocean sand and you’ll feel better.


Even though this is accompanied with much teasing and laughing  about “Mom’s latest cure” we do feel better after  having had our toes in the grass or feet on the beach. I will not vouch for the science behind “earthing” but I will say that the one who created the Earth has given us a remarkable gift and made provision for all we need.


As we’ve been talking  about what refreshes us and renews us I will have to say that anytime I spend some time in nature I see the hand of God and I am left speechless by the wonder of what He created.


If scientist have by chance finally figured out that this earth is exactly what we need for our well being, then they are catching up to the book of Genesis. Our Father has created the perfect place for His Children. Let Him lead you beside the quiet waters and let Him restore your souls. Psalm 23

My husband added his comment after reading this and informed me they always practiced “earthing” in South Carolina but they called it “going barefoot”.

BIG Day today for me!

Today is a big day for me.
Today is the day that Riley Grace Huxford spends the day and night with her grandparents. I feel I am definitely moving up a step on the grandparent ladder now that I have had both of my grandchildren spend the night. I am so excited.

There may be, however, someone more excited that me and that's my daughter-in-law Hailey. I see the longing in her eyes as she talks about 'sleeping in' one morning...and that it has been 14 months since she has done that.
You young moms are amazing with your tireless, non-stop care of your sweet kids. Those of us past this time in our lives need to be reminded of how constant your life is at this stage. I hope and pray that you find ways to stay refreshed and renewed in your busy days. Hanging out with 14 month old Riley has introduced me to the speed fun concept.
You moms know that you can't give up shopping so you "speed shop"...in and out of three stores in under 15 minutes. It's pretty remarkable. Then if you need to get one more store in you stop for some fast fun and you "speed play" with your little one. This has all been a great reminder for me. With their attention spans children don't need an hour at each thing...just a few minutes will be great fun for them.
After having three sons I am glad to have a girl in this next generation of the family to shop with. I will have to say that Riley is already showing signs of being a good shopper. She oos and ahhs at the right time over items in the shopping bag and will even try on some hot pink sandals and model them for everyone in the store to "ooh and ahh" over.

When I handed her her shopping bag she held the handle tight all the way down the street as if her life depended on it. I thought her little knuckles were going to turn white with that strong determined grip.

Even so some of the best shopping moments were the play breaks. The stop at the frogs fountain where you never know when the water is going to come out of their mouths was priceless but she loved the five minutes to play with her new ball that Mom got her, just as much.

So as I close, let me just say ladies, I hope you will put some energy into finding some fast fun for yourselves as well, that will renew your spirit.
Psm 103:5 So you can keep doing the most important job in the world with joy.
Sarah Huxford

Thursday's Thought from Sarah-

The topic of how to fill the extra hours with kids home during the summer seems to keep coming up. I know all of you good moms want to make sure that this time is productive and fun for them. What I want you to keep in mind is that in the normal day to day you might build some of your best memories. Watch for opportunities for fun breaks!

I have been trying to think back at my age (I'll admit this much...I'm a Grandma for those of you that don't know me) about the things that leave the best memories after the years have flown by. It was, however, time with my 8 month old grandson that reminded me of something very important. We were all together for the 4th of July out at Fort Stewart. We were trying to honor our military families with some chicken sandwiches that "Grillzilla" was producing by the hundreds as well as some other picnic food and cool drinks on that hot day. Did I mention it was almost 100 degrees (ok, only 99) but hot for a picnic!?!

I figured the best job for me was to be on "baby watch" so everyone else could get the food served. Staying cool was the goal, so we tried riding, walking, and holding...but after awhile little J Harrison did not want to be held by anymore hot people. Then I saw it...the perfect toy...a cardboard box. After I verified that it had only been used for bread, I figured it was clean enough for my grandson. He played in that box with a cold bottle of water for over an hour. Uncle G had to come by and make some reinforcements and upgrades with duct tape so he could stand up and show off (and reach for his cheerios) in his chariot. He thought he was the king of the day and rewarded us with tons of cute giggles...and we haven't laughed like that for a long time.

I was reminded that it is often the simple things and sometime to just hanging out together that builds good memories. After all handing out cheerios and tickling tummies are the best jobs I know.
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