Blessing / Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great Memorial Day Weekend! We started a tradition of blessings with the Onsteads, Parks, and Fridges. As each child in our families turns 13, we plan to hold blessings for them. Mason and Jonathan were first! Each adult had the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with Mason and Jonathan. We spoke words of encouragement and blessing over them and gave them charges to consider as they enter manhood.

We are so very proud of the young man that Mason has already become, and we know that this time of blessing will help him to continue to focus on godly character as he grows.

Here is Mason with each of the adults that gave him a blessing:

We were all blessed to be able to have this time at the Onsteads property near Navasota. For the blessing time, chairs were set up around the property, and Mason and Jonathan went individually to each adult. It was kind of like a journey to manhood for them. We don't have a picture of Eric and Mason since Eric was the photographer, but Eric talked to Mason about using his talents in ministry to God.

Here is Amy talking to Mason about the importance of prayer as he continues to mature in his relationship with the Lord.

Jenny shared thoughts about wisdom with Mason.

Our lives are filled with opportunities to make choices, and Charlie discussed with the Mason the importance of making good, godly choices in life.

LuAnn used her personal experience with two older brothers to share with Mason the importance of loving and cherishing Mallory.

I only cried a little as I talked to my boy about pursuing excellence in life.

Embracing the godly, Christian heritage that Mason has from his great grandfather, grandfather, and father was the topic that John chose.

Although I did not include the pictures of Jonathan talking to each adult, I did want to include this one with Tim. Some of the adults gave objects to the boys to help them remember their blessing/and or charge. Tim talked to Jonathan about doing the hard work in life. He wrote words of encouragement and a scripture on this paddle to remind Jonathan to persevere through the hard work.

Mason heard from Tim on the topic of being a godly influence on others.

After the individual blessings, the six of us came together for prayer.

The dads prayed over the boys with them seated.............

..........then we asked them to rise, join as adults, and pray themselves.

When we finished outside, we came inside and Mason and Jonathan each spoke words of encouragement to the younger children. Mason talked about the scripture that says not to let anyone look down on you because you are young. He encouraged them to use their talents for God even at a young age.
Jonathan used a verse from Psalm 23 to encourage the little ones.

Words cannot express how thankful we are for these families that walk this path with us!

Chad, Samuel, and Ben Onstead

Megan, Ben, Maddie, and Mei Lynn Fridge

Jonathan, Justin, Jared, and Lauren Park

The weekend held many other super fun activities.

The Nerf wars on the third floor (where all the boys slept) were action packed and lots of fun!

We are thankful for our wonderful friends!

The Fridge/Smith team battled hard (but lost) to the Onstead/Park team in a fierce water gun fight.

I thought I was pretty smart in getting the hose..........until Mason eventually wrestled it away from me!

We fished, and then we fished, and then we fished some more. Tim said tonight that he thinks he took 50 fish off of hooks this weekend. That was just him! All the dads (and a couple of the moms) took many off also!



Check out that whopper I hooked!

Lauren, Ben, and Mei Lynn liked to "pet" the fish before we threw them back in.

Charlie got one a little larger than the rest of us!
Eric, our amazing photographer, got some great shots of everyone.

One activitiy had us using pipe cleaners to make things that represented our families.

This is the Smith creation. Can you identify the tent, campfire, guitar, Bible, praying hands, piano, soccer ball, school book and pencil, musical note, cross, Washington Monument, pool, snow cone, and the lovely likeness of each of us in our house?

Thank you, friends, for investing in our lives. We love and appreciate you all!