Lots of Family in Breckenridge, Texas

In July, before Brandon and I made our journey to Africa, we had the chance to spend some quality time with lots of our family. We went to Breckenridge, Texas to my grandparents house and there we saw my grandparents, my Aunt Martye and Uncle Ernie, my cousin Kevin and his lovely new bride Brittany, but it didn't stop there. Brandon's mom and grandmother also came over to Breckenridge from Lubbock and spent some time with us. What a treat to have the chance to spend time with so much family under one roof! Thank you Mema and Poppy for letting us hangout at your house!!! It was a blessing!

Mema and Poppy's House

Poppy

Teaching her to be an Aggie early!

Poppy pushing Noah on the tractor--Sweet Great-Grandfather!!!

School Time with Aunt Martye--

They LOVED it!!

Noah couldn't take his eyes off the computer game!

Poppy beating Brandon at Washers!

Emma Grace and Noah on the Tire Swing!

Brandon, Emma Grace, Grandma, Jama, Noah and Me

Noah is so excited about the Guitar that Jama gave him.

Jama gave Emma Grace a necklace and poem.

It was very sweet.

To top it all off, on Sunday night, Brandon and I attend church with Mema and Poppy and were overwhelmed by the love and support we received from their sweet church. As a group they laid hands on us and commissioned us for our mission trip. It was a night I will never forget and I feel honored to have had that experience. At the end of the service, they all wished us well and presented us with a check to go towards our trip. There weren't even words to thank them and tell them the difference that they were making in our lives and those of the Malawians.

Brown Reunion over the Fourth!

For the past eight years, The Browns of Tennessee (formerly The Browns of New Mexico), have traveled to the beautiful town of Granbury, Texas for the Fourth of July. It is one of my favorite traditions!!! Brandon's family makes this so much fun and I am so grateful for all their hard work! This year was no exception!! We had so much fun on the lake, at the pool and just being together!! Russell and Jenn are so gracious and we can never thank them enough for allowing all of us to invade their home, pool, boat and refrigerator!!!!

Once an Aggie, Always an Aggie! WHOOP!!!!
It is hard work swimming in the pool all day!
Poe and Nana Della
(Brandon's Dad and Step Mom)

Grandad Mike and the Girls

The Cutest Girls I have ever seen!

Long Day on the Boat

Eating at Uncle Roo and Aunt Jen's

Stephanie and Brandon

(Brandon's sister)

Me and Rae

(my sister-n-law)

The Boys!

Carson

(Stephanie's little boy)

Don't scare the boys Uncle Roo!

(Brandon's Brother)

Uncle Roo and Carson

Kaydee, Raegan, Emma Grace and Noah

Me, Noah, Kaydee, Carson and Emma Grace

Gunnar and Aunt Sissy

Thanks for hosting Russell and Jen!!!!

I love being in Granbury for the Fourth of July!!!!!

First day of School!!!!

As of today, both of my kids are in school and VERY excited about it!! Emma Grace is in the first grade and Noah started a preschool program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I feel a little lost without them and sad that summer is over and school has started, but I am sure my time on Tuesdays and Thursdays by myself will fill up fast! It has been a blessing spending time with them this summer but I am excited to start this new phase!

Noah in his classroom with his teacher Miss Rhonda
Way too Big!!!!
Emma Grace was so proud of Noah

Me and Emma Grace in her classroom

Thank you Lord for the blessing of being a mother!!! It just seems to get better and better with every new chapter!

I am officially back and slightly overwhelmed

It feels so good to finally be home. Being gone for pretty much a month is not all it is cracked up to be. I obviously have a ton to share and can't wait to do so! Right now I don't even know where to begin. I have so many things bouncing around in my head and I don't know exactly how to process everything. My only prayer is that I never forget and that this will only be the beginning of our mission trips. This trip was life changing for me and I look forward to sharing it with you over the next few weeks. Until then, check out our team blog, if you haven't already. Stephanie did a great job writing it and it has a lot of information!!! www.hisfaceoflove.blogspot.com

New Friends!

The Team!!!

My Beautiful Dancer

We are so proud of our little dancer. She worked so hard all year learning three dances to perform in her recital. It was a lot harder to concentrate this time because of the multiple dances but she did AWESOME!

Who couldn't love this smile?
She was mad because her ballet shoes were hurting her feet.
Thank you Meg for saving us and loaning us Lainey's shoes.

Team Malawi!

So, I know that it has been a long time since I posted something but I have been very overwhelmed. That is why I am now stopping to breath and asking for prayer.

As most of you know, Brandon and I are leaving for our mission trip to Malawi in about 15 days. God is so good and he has continued to bless us every step of the way! As we get closer and closer to July 11th I am getting more and more nervous and working daily to overcome my anxiousness and focus on this amazing gift and opportunity that God has given us.

This morning I was running (in the crazy heat), listening to my ipod and praying when Steven Curtis Chapman's song Dive In came on and I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort. The next 15 days may be crazy but SINK OR SWIM.... I'M DIVING IN!!!!!

Tanner, Scott, Richard, Brandon, Jim

Betty, Suzy, Mary, Stephanie, Kelley

Our Malawi Team!

Lake Trip

Our sweet friends, John and Melissa Fanning, invited us out to the lake this past weekend. We had a blast chillin, boating and swimming. What a blessing it was to spend a weekend with our family, great friends and a beautiful setting. What more could we ask for!

Family Pic
Tyler, Emma Grace and Cayden

Brandon on the tube

The Couple--Tyler told us he was going to marry Emma Grace

Melissa and I

Chillin

Me and my sweetie!

Brandon and the kids on the jet ski

Noah and John driving the boat

Tyler and Emma Grace