We climbed a volcano

On a trip to the island of Sumatra, Indonesia less than 2 years ago, Julie, myself, and several friends hiked up a volcano and took pictures sitting in the middle of its caldera.  We learned today that a volcano (Mt. Sinabung) erupted in northern Sumatra yesterday.  Not sure, but we think it might be the same one!  This volcano had been dormant for over 400 years.  We actually stayed at the Hotel Sinabung near the base of it in Berastagi.  Sort of surreal to think about...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38901477/ns/world_news-asiapacific/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jx_ZQ9848g

'Twas the Night Before School Starts

'Twas the night before school starts
And all through the house
All the children were wailing
And so was the mouse.

"It's only 9 o'clock,"
Jackson, Turner and Caroline said.
"We barely got to play!"
"Really? It's time for bed??"

The shoes were all lined up
Along the kitchen floor.
The backpacks were all hanging
Beside the back door.

The children were nestled
So sad in their beds
With visions of grammar
And math in their heads.

A hug and a prayer
And a pat on each head
Soon helped them all know
They had nothing to dread.

So to summertime fun,
We say, "See ya later!
'Cause now we're a
Second, fourth and sixth grader!"

To blog or not to blog?

OK so our family decided to start blogging. Today. Well, one of us did. Maybe the other 4 will get interested! We are the Goforths... The Going-Forth 5... Get it? Some of you might actually decide to follow our blog. Most won't. But anyway, this is gonna be a place where we talk about what is important to us...God, family, ministry, school, trips, pets, ups, downs, twists, turns. Life. I guess about anything goes. Maybe we'll post a pic or a song or a video. Maybe we'll talk about something we've read. Bottom line: each member of our family is realizing we were created for a purpose. We are all growing and learning that God made us to declare His glory. Every day.

Today, maybe the attached song might be something encouraging. Jackson and I started writing this a while back. One of us was having, well...a tough day.  Listen to a rough unfinished cut at...

http://ggoforth.podbean.com/

ENOUGH GRACE

There is enough grace there is enough God

This day that you face won't have the last word

Be strong but be sure that even when you're not

There is enough grace there is enough God.

This fear that you have, these questions you've asked

So much time has passed since you felt sure

Be amazed when our God steps in

To show the way, to save the day