This past week I had the opportunity of a lifetime….well, actually, it was an incredible reality check in my life.  So here’s what happened…

I sent my family to Florida, which consisted of my wife and three children just before Memorial Day Weekend.  At the same time, my oldest son went to Kenya for 2 weeks on a mission trip.  The family members who were away were having the time of their life…going to the beach everyday and enjoying the Florida sun was a well-deserved vacation/time away for them.  

 (Lauren giving her cousin a kiss…guess this is a new meaning on “kissing cousins”)

And Carl Brown’s experience in Kenya was just epic, as is any time that you are able to give part of yourself away.  (I can’t wait to hear how this is impacting his life…again!)

(Carl Brown with a Kenyan child)

The one thing I learned during these 2 weeks (that seemed like an eternity) is this…I was NEVER meant to be single!  I realized how important my immediate family is and how much I really rely on my wife and children.  Coming home every afternoon to a quiet house (when normally 7 are there) was an incredible shock to my system! 
 
It didn’t help that John Nick didn’t want to do a whole lot, but I did convince him to go to the Coca-Cola 600!  We had a great time!  We got to sit at the Nos section of the speedway, and coming off the elevator they were giving away free Nos.  John Nick, being the extrovert he is, told them how much he loved their product and how he wished he could have a whole case.  Sure enough, they gave him a whole case! If you’ve ever been to the Nascar speedway in Charlotte, you’ll realize that the walk to your car is longer than the track itself (especially when you’re lugging around a case of Nos)!  Needless to say, we were worn out, but it was a great chance for dad and son to be together, which is a rarity with our busy schedules.
 
Today as I write this blog, the last family member is coming back home.  I love having my family home.  I love the noise of a happy home.  Maybe that’s what God meant when He said “make a joyful noise unto the Lord…serve Him with gladness”.