Death, Vacation, Swimming, and other things...

I have neglected my blog entirely this summer due to the business of life. For those of you who read my blog and desire to glimpse into the home of the Vincents, I am sorry for your loss. Come and visit us!!! Our home is always fun-filled and exciting. Honestly, we are the kind of people who create confusion and ciaos if we don't have enough going on. It is true.

This summer, we did not have to create too much excitement to add to our itinerary -- it has been jammed packed full.

random thought: Did you know you could Google map practically into people's homes? I have google mapped places before, but I had no idea you could click a little icon and suddenly it would be as if you were transported to the person's front door stopping by for a cup of tea. It is understandably creepy and strangely intriguing to me.

Here is a bit of our summer!!!

I have been captivated by watching God protect and shepherd Katherine and her boys after Brian's death (our pastor's family). It has been beautiful and painful to be a part of their lives the past few months and my aching heart has been renewed by the testimony of Katherine and her love for Christ as she suffers the loss of her husband. The glory of the Cross and a longing for Heaven are vital to our lives as Christian's especially in light of the sadness that mortal death brings our hearts. It is a treasure to witness God's care for Katherine (here are a FEW examples):
* her house sold in a terrible market
* her car sold in a matter of hours
* her brother (who has always lives far away) joined the military and was sent to Panama City, FL just about the time of Brian's death.
* the church has been quite generous and kind to her family.
* God is providing for them financially in an amazing way.

Katherine, Nathan, and Luke are like family to us now and we are eager to see God's blessings continue to shine on them. Nathan and Benjamin are sweet friends. Benjamin frequently prays that God will send Brian back so that Nathan can have his Daddy home, and he desperately wants to find something that will "make Brian better." I was not quite prepared for having to explain death to my 3 year old boy on multiple occasions, but our discussions have been flooded with the gospel and though Benjamin cannot quite grasp the finality of a person being absent from the earth and present with the Lord, he clearly sees Heaven as a place where Jesus is King.

Death has not seemed so real to me as it has this year -- loosing my dear friend Sheri at 30 and Brian at 32. Pondering the brevity of life cannot be avoided when you are faced with loosing friends so young. I encourage you to never neglect thinking about the brevity of life, and as you gaze at the Cross and its redemptive wonder, may you clearly see your own sinfulness and need of a Savior.

Benjamin and John have had many swimming lessons from Grandmother this summer. John William -- my bold, fear-less linebacker -- plunges head first, mouth open into the water and then pops up wide eyed and smiling. He seeks any kind of dangerous activities with excitement and fervor. I believe he takes after his two great grandfathers, Lee Jensen & John Brandt II. Both men were brave, fearless, loving, and sweet tempered. Benjamin is a precious three year old. He is thoughtful, excitable, kind, and hilarious. He enjoys exploring and learning about his world around him. He is a great swimmer and is now working at coming up to the surface for air independently.

After much consideration, Joshua and I have decided to take a vacation without kids this year. Though we really wanted to go visit the Kynes family in Cambridge, we decided to take a West Coast adventure and see places we haven't been in the States. I am sure you will see pictures later in the month!!

Much Love to you all!!