InstaFriday #7 - Furlough 2015

Okay so I've been gone a while. Life threw us some crazy, busy stuff lately and we've been flying her and there. We're currently sitting in Pensacola, Florida with a little down time so I thought I'd use the time to update with an InstaFriday. 

I was over-joyed to get to see my sweet niece and her adorable family a little while a go. Traci is the oldest daughter of my sister Rita (she died in 1986) and these three cuties are her boys. From largest to smallest: Parker, Walker and Ryder. I was so blessed by the ability of these 3 to love so easily. My sister would be proud if she could see them now, I know I am. BTW, they're sporting their Croatian soccer jerseys.

Furlough, furlough, furlough. I often hear people say, "I'm glad you're getting to come home and take a break." I know they mean well but this is hardly a break. I'm enjoying seeing some stuff and being alone with Johnny but it's tiring for sure and I can't wait to go home. 

We've been all around the south. We started with meetings in Louisiana, went onto Mississippi, and in Florida now and headed to Alabama tonight. Oh wait...I forgot about Georgia. We had a great time with friends near Savannah and they treated us to a Brazilian Steakhouse. WOW! If you've not been and you have some money to blow (thankful for generous friends) then it's worth a try especially if you like all you can eat steak! 

After our Sunday meetings we headed to New Orleans to see the French Quarter. I loved seeing all the architecture but I didn't care for the hustle and bustle. I'm a coffee-sipping, strolling kinda gal and things were way too loud and busy for my tastes. It was nice to see and I'm happy to check it off my list. 

Stopped at a little store and bought some Brim's pig skins and was pleasantly surprised to find John 3:16 printed on the back. Bravo Brim's!

I was reading in my devotions the other morning and was saddened by this verse in Zechariah. Saddened that our dear Jewish friends can't see that the BRANCH has already come, He has already removed the iniquity of the land in one day. How sad that they can't see that the Messiah has already purchased salvation for all who will accept it. 

My hubby, love of my life and I have enjoyed Pensacola. The weather has been awesome and we've loved getting to see the water. It hadn't really been too crowded either. I loved strolling with him and making memories. I guess furlough isn't all hustle and bustle, and i'm happy for the times to just be together. 

Okay so I've managed another blog post!! Woohoo!! I'm trying to be faithful to my blog despite all the hustle and bustle. 

Our Baby Girl's All Grown Up

Well, I'm here! I know you thought I was long gone but I'm not. I'm still here, hanging on and riding along with life. We've had a crazy last couple months and they've been life changing. We made our way Stateside the last week of April and we've been running since we arrived. Our main reason for coming back to the States was to see our dear daughter Hannah graduate high school and begin her life here in Texas. 

We started getting ready for graduation by taking the long awaited senior photos. I had such a ball photographing Hannah. She made it so much fun and easy. It's easy to take beautiful photos when the subject is lovely inside and out. 

These are some of my favorite photos from the shoot. Oh yea the setting is in a very old botanical park about 10 minutes from our home in Croatia. 

I fell in love with the photo, she looks so angelic. 

This photo floored me! She looks so grown up and I don't think I was ready for that. She's my little girl and always will be. 

This photo was an accident. Her dad had decided to do push-ups right in the middle of the park and she was looking at him like he was crazy. I just happened to snap the photo at the right time. 

I'm responsible for the new part in her hair. She had it parted in the middle but she looked so grown up so I asked her to part it on the side and I love it. She looks so young. 

Loved the simplicity of this one. 

This is my all-time favorite photo of Hannah. It is her all rolled up in a photo. I can see her spirit and beauty in this. Love it!!

Hannah graduated with 3 other home school graduates at our home church in Texas. She beamed and looked like she belonged in that cap. I'm not sure when she grew up but she did. 

I loved that she chose to decorate her display table in the colors of Croatia. I love that she loves Croatia and counts it as her home. She has a real missionary heart.

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Finally, she's working! She has her first job at Chick-fil-A and she loves it. She's working 40 hours a week and saving for school. She's doing amazing, I knew she would. So phase "Hannah" of our furlough trip is almost done and now we're taking care of business. 

We've  been traveling and visiting supporting churches for a month and right now we're sitting in bright, sunny Florida! We still have 2.5 months left but it's flying now. I have mixed feelings about leaving Hannah but I know God's in control. I'm thankful for our life. We've been so blessed and we're looking forward to the next
"empty nest" phase of our lives.