New Faces

Claire is loving, and i mean loving the new faces around these parts. The Hartsock kids are here for two weeks with the Norm Com team and they are sooo sweet to baby claire. They flood here with kisses and tell her they love her, and even walk real slow so they can be walking next to her in her stroller. Claire flashes them her bright smiles and loves their attention.

The other day during a meeting, claire was getting a bit restless so i took her over to the "kid corner" where the Hartsocks were. They were all watching a children's worship DVD. claire just watched them and out of nowhere started giggling. and giggling and giggling. it was sooo fun to hear. Port and Hanes looked at me and asked "why is she laughing?" and i did not know. ha! Maybe it was the joy she was feeling at being around these amazing kids, or maybe she was feeling the Holy Spirit!!!

We have been going out each night to one of our favorite spots. Either downtown, which is a huge square with lots of kids playing, people walking, and just a beautiful spot to mingle and treasure hunt. OR the Cornishe. Which is a boardwalk next to the Sea. Claire usually falls asleep on the walk to one of these places, which little Ella does not love. =) she is always shouting to Claire "Baby!! Baby! " to get her to wake up. But after an hour or two..around 9

or 10 claire gets a second wind and starts attracting the masses. Smiling, giggling, and letting anyone and everyone hold her. she is such a doorway into these women's lives.

Last night we landed in a conversation with a women who told us she has no friends, a lot of problems in her marriage, and she is so lonely. Kelly Keith, Kelly White and i shared with her parables and shared God's love over her. Then we asked if she has had dreams of Jesus. She said no, but then wanted us to interpret a re-curring nightmare she has been having. We did and afterwards she said " i have been thinking a lot about this, and now that you say these things, i feel so much rest and peace in my heart and head". she was very peaceful and wants to meet up with us again and talk more, read more, and pray together.

I feel kind of like claire. just how she is sitting in the presence of the Hartsock kids and laughing... i feel like doing the same thing. The team from norman has been more refreshing than i could have ever imagined. I have been spending a lot of time with Sarah Hartsock and just soaking in her wisdom, insight and the beauty at which she mothers. The other gals on the trip have been so willing, so bold, so ready to see healing and to share the love of Jesus with people that it is just amazing.

This trip makes me feel so deeply grateful for our norman family. They are so incredible and bring blessing wherever they go. We feel so loved and blessed by them. I am SO glad we still have another week with them!!!

Well, it is off to the Women's beach for me....will write more later!