June 2021 should have only lasted 30 days. In some ways, it felt like it flew by and in others, it felt like time stood still. We finished up school activities, I wrapped up my 16th year at NCCS, Eli returned home from a week at Woodlands Camp, we went to Costa Rica for a week…had an amazing time!, came home just in time for Clint to spend time with his Dad before he passed away after a short battle with cancer, then we headed to the lake for a long weekend with my entire family…Mom, brother, sister, their spouses and kids…a rowdy and precious time together, and then Emma got braces to cap off the month. I think I’ll choose the word FAMILY to describe June of 2021. I’ve pasted some highlights below…
June 3 THE BEST | I had the privilege of having dinner tonight with this precious one. Emma is such a gift to me in so many ways. @clintstrange32 and I comment often about how much she is growing in grace and wisdom. She is truly a delight to be around and I’m so grateful that the Lord has shared her with me! #7000days
June 4 WOODLANDS | So happy to have our sweet boy home! Eli had an AMAZING time @WoodlandsCamp this past week. It was his first time to go to camp and he asked if he can go back next week! I loved hearing him talk about how much he enjoyed chapel and the quiet times his cabin did on the porch together. He also asked if I can help him make a playlist of his favorite songs from chapel so he can keep singing them. I’m so grateful for an awesome partner for our family in raising our son! @clintstrange32 and I are so grateful for @cedarcrestchurch, @nccseagles, and @woodlandscamp for the HUGE role they play in helping shape our kids view of what it means to run hard after Christ.
Also…he brushed his teeth “almost everyday except Wednesday…or maybe only Wednesday” ?? and he “only took one shower since we got to be in the lake each day…but I still have plenty of my new soap left!” ?? #Grateful#Unforgettable
June 5 TRI THE PARKS | Our family had an awesome time serving at the @TriTheParks race this morning at Lake Lanier Olympic Park. It’s always a blast to cheer on these amazing athletes and celebrate their accomplishments! @clintstrange32 helped out on the bike course. Emma helped out at chip pickup, helped on the water as a lifeguard, and then manned backup timing at the finish line. Eli worked registration and finish line. I was the announcer. We are sweaty and suntanned, but we had so much fun together! We love our #TriTheParks family! Already looking forward to the next race! #7000days
June 6 LAKE PARTY | Spent the afternoon in Lake Allatoona with dear friends celebrating one of the best! Happy Birthday @kat_epp! That was the best birthday cruise I’ve ever been on! #CharcuterieAtTheLake #TubingWithTheBirthdaySashOn #HowManyBrowniesDidEliHave
June 10 ACWORTH | You looked beautiful this evening. So grateful for our awesome city. Walking in the evenings gives me time to reflect on how much I have to be thankful for. I’m much more creative and focused when I set this time aside. Sometimes I get distracted and “busy” giving the illusion that I’m more important than I am. A 5K around my favorite city in the evenings reminds me that God is in control, He is always working, and I have to seek Him first ALWAYS. #WeLoveAcworth
June 11 SUMMER VACATION | Year 16 @NCCSEagles was one for the books! The banner over this entire year has been God’s faithfulness. In so many ways this year has felt like several different years packed into one. The mountaintops have been the highest of highs and the valleys have been gut wrenchingly hard. In it all…God has been faithful. There are no words to describe how incredibly proud I am of our entire faculty and staff….just amazing! I’m grateful for our awesome students and their families. What a gift to have been on campus all year doing the things that make NCCS an amazing place to serve and to grow up! As a Principal and a Mom, I am so appreciative of everyone who has prayed for us, cheered us on, walked beside us in the dark days, laughed and cried (sometimes at the same time), and celebrated like crazy with us in the wins.
2 Timothy 1:7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
#GoEagles#WeAreNCCS#NCCSFamily
June 19 COSTA RICA | We’ve looked forward to this trip for almost 18 months since it was originally planned for last summer. Turns out the wait was more than worth it! Sunshine. Swimming. Great food. Awesome conversation. New friends. Several books read. Lots of rest. Tons of laughter. Singing. Dancing. Water polo late into the evening. Water slide races (I won!).
The very best part? The people I had such a blast with this week are my people. We are all headed home together today. Grateful for time away. Recharged and refreshed for what’s ahead. God is faithful. #7000days#Strange2021#CostaRica
June 20 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY | @clintstrange32 is a very special Dad! Our provider, protector, and patient rudder for our craziness. He loves to make memories and is thoughtful and intentional in everything he does. His love for the Lord is his strong anchor on the mountaintops and in the valleys. Clint is loving and fun, helpful and compassionate, creative and resourceful. And he is all ours. Thank you Lord for the gift of Clint to our family. Emma and Eli have the best opportunity to understand the love of their Heavenly Father because of the way Clint points them to Jesus. #7000days
June 23 MARTY STRANGE | When I married @clintstrange32, I was so blessed to gain one of the kindest and most gentle men I’ve ever known as my father-in-law. Marty was an amazing Dad to Clint. Clint is an amazing Dad because of the way he saw it modeled. His Dad always read to him…and thus, Clint always loved reading to our kids.
Marty never demanded anything of us, he was so easy to be around. He was gracious and generous. Our kids always lit up when he was around. Emma and Marty share a birthday (November 15).
Marty was known for the nicknames he gave everyone. In fact, there are some people he knows that I’m not sure what their real name is! His beloved sister Pat is “Herb”. Clint is “Kid”. He loved his dogs and treasured all of his pictures as they reminded him of precious times with those he loved.
Marty passed away today after a short battle with cancer. It was an honor to pack up and organize his home this past weekend. Lots of laughs and good memories were shared as we spent time at his home. Thanks for praying for Clint and all who were privileged enough to know Marty Strange. I sure was blessed to have known him!
John 14:19-20 Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
June 26 SUNSET CRUISE | Holding down the back with the triplets. Eli + The Graffam twins. I’m learning a lot about Minecraft and the plans they have to all live together one day. Should be interesting! #AbelGraffamStrangeReunion2021
June 27 SUMMER IN THE SUBURBS | Awesome message @cedarcrestchurch this morning from our Pastor @VanVandegriff about what it means to live #OnMission in our community by taking the hope of the gospel to our neighbors. Come join us for Summer in the Suburbs for the entire month of July. The Strange family will be there for all the festivities and we can’t wait to see you there as well! ?
July 2– Cedarcrest Church @ 6:30 PM
4600 Cobb Parkway NW, Acworth, GA 30101
Schedule:
Free Food and Hangtime: 6:30-7:30 pm
Worship Service: 7:30 – 8:15 pm
Dessert and Concert: 8:15-9:15 pm
Fireworks: begin at dusk
July 11 – McCall Primary @ 5:30 PM
4496 Dixie Ave, Acworth, GA 30101
July 18 – Seven Hills @ 5:30 PM
432 Seven Hills Blvd, Dallas, GA 30132
July 25 – Allatoona Creek Park @ 5:30 PM
5690 Old Stilesboro Rd NW, Acworth, GA 30101
