Beach Week 2017

Beach Week 2017 is in the books.  What an incredible week with family. 

This year:

* 29th Beach Week

* Welcomed three new family members:  Amelia, Della, and Charles
* Sarah came from Hawaii

* Had Jenn and Eric, of Heflin Photography, take professional pictures

* Michael Burgers and miniature golf on Friday

* Celebrated 3 birthdays Saturday morning:  Lena’s 2nd, Mary’s 5th, and David’s 7th

* Swam at friends’ bay house 

To officially begin Beach Week, we stopped by to see Mom on our way to Galveston.  Mom and Dad began the tradition of Beach Week in hopes of keeping our families close.  Their expectations and desires are being accomplished.

 Group picture - Missing 4 due to work schedules

Abby, Scott, Debbie, Larry,  Lori, Della (7 months), Chad

Mary (4), Daniel (2),  Ryen (4), Sawyer (2), David (6)

 Scott's Family

 Melinda and Brad

 Chad's Family

 Sister Robin's Family

Adam, Kirk, Andrew

Eli (5), Jordan, Robin, Lena (2), Melissa, Amelia (7 months)

Josiah (4)

 Brother Terry's Family

Toby and Stacy, Erich

Jane (7)

 Sister Micki's Family

Kevin, Amy, Charles (1 month), Mark, Micki, Sarah

 8 of the 10 Cousins
Erich, Kevin, Scott, Adam, Chad, Andrew, Stacy, Sarah

The 12 Great-grandchildren

Chad's family continues the tradition of going down to the beach on the

 first evening and "accidentally" falling in the water with their clothes on.  

This tradition started with the original 10 cousins.

Beach Time

David

Ryen

Sawyer

Della

Mary, Ryen, Robin, Amelia

  Mary and Ryen

Eli

Josiah

Lena

Amelia

Charles

Cutest shark sighting of the week

This is the quilt Sarah made for her nephew, Charles.

Kevin and his son dressing alike.

Daniel

Lena and Daniel

Inside Fun

Bubbles and Painting the Deck

The kids spent hours playing with the bubble machine 

Brad bought for them and painting the deck.

Miniature Golf

Birthday Party Celebrations

Swimming Pool Fun

The Closing of a Blessed Week

We will not hide from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78:4

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:5

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

Psalm 133:1

The LORD has done great things for us,

     and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126:3

The Great Rescue

Recently, Roberta Ursrey and her family were enjoying a day at Panama City Beach, Florida.  She heard her sons screaming and realized that they were swimming in water too far from shore.  Roberta and other members of her family quickly swam out to the boys but soon the family members were caught in the rip current as well.  According to The Panama City News Herald, the nine people were trapped in about 15 feet of water.

Fellow beach goers, Jessica Simmons and her family, saw that the members of Ursrey’s family were in trouble and immediately sprang to action.  Simmons, along with about 30 other people, began to form a human chain to reach Roberta’s family.  When they reached the swimmers, the rescuers started with the younger children and eventually towed all of the people along the human chain to rescue them.  When interviewed, Ursrey said, “I honestly thought I was going to lose my family that day.  It was like, ‘Oh God, this is how I am going.’   I am so grateful.  These people were God’s angels that were in the right place at the right time.  I owe my life and my family’s life to them.  Without them, we wouldn’t be here.”

I love that when Jessica Simmons and others saw a need that they immediately assessed the situation, came up with a plan, cooperated with others that they may not have known before, and as a result were able to rescue and save Roberta Ursrey and her family.  Oh that I would be willing to respond as quickly when God points out a need.

And the good news for all of us is that at just the right time, Jesus came to rescue and save us and to give new life for now and eternity to those who place their faith and trust in Him.

Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

Psalm 25:20

In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me.

Psalm 71:2

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:4

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13-14

for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead–Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10