Let Us Remember to Pray and Carry Each Other's Burdens
Recently we were blessed and privileged to have the Armstrong family come and stay with us for a week. There really are no words to describe the relationship we have with them. Woody is Justin's best guy. Nikki is my best girl. They are the best kind of family. The ones that your hearts are tethered too. The kind that no matter how long it's been since you've seen each other, you pick right up like it was yesterday.
Many tears were shed when it was time for them to head back to Alabama. Even as I write this there is an ache in my heart to pick up the phone and say "hey. I miss your face." Incredible people with an incredible God story of redemption and hope. And here we all are, broken people loved by God making sweet memories together. The future is uncertain but one thing we know for sure that God works all things for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. As we walk through this life and journey to God's purpose, I'm grateful He gave us the Armstrong family to do it with.
Love,
The Riley's
You see Woody and Nikki are the kind of people you want to have on your side, in your corner. They walk with you. They care for you. They point you to Christ at every turn. And they were here because their best friend Brad is fighting cancer. Brad & Stacey and their sweet daughter Nola came to Houston for Brad to have surgery at MD Anderson. You can follow their story on their Brad's Caring Bridge Page And pray. Pray for this sweet family.
So their best friends are in Houston fighting cancer so what does the Armstrong family do? Jump in the car and head to Houston to surprise them!
And bonus for this visit? That we got to spend an entire week with our favorite people.
And so began a week of fun. And late night talks. And tears. And early mornings. And everything in between.
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| Girls night. I promised we cried on and off the whole time! |
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| And we did our nails. Our husbands said "what are we in junior high?" |
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| Melt my heart. My best friend making pan cakes with my little best friend" |
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| examining Roly Poly's |
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| Charis and Eli = buddies. Swimming fun! |
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| My best friends kids and my kids love each other? That is a BONUS!! |
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| Hot tub fun (getting blasted) |
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| Cuddles at night |
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| 5:30 am in the kitchen, in the dark, drinking coffee, talking about God and what He is doing in our lives. What He is teaching us. Deep heart talk. The best quiet time is with one whose heart is seeking the Lord with you. |
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| Donut breakfast! |
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| Our street flooded and the kids made sweet memories "water biking" |
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| Even the daddy's jumped in! |
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| Sweet ipad time |
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| Fizzy dino trays for everyone. Volcanoes x 4! |
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| Date night. My eyes get watery looking at this picture. Could not love these people more. |
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| not a fan of dinner pics but I love him anyway |
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| raw oysters in the bottom. A guy thing for sure! |
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| favorite restaurant double date! |
Many tears were shed when it was time for them to head back to Alabama. Even as I write this there is an ache in my heart to pick up the phone and say "hey. I miss your face." Incredible people with an incredible God story of redemption and hope. And here we all are, broken people loved by God making sweet memories together. The future is uncertain but one thing we know for sure that God works all things for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. As we walk through this life and journey to God's purpose, I'm grateful He gave us the Armstrong family to do it with.
Love,
The Riley's