Catch Up!

I know it's been forever since I've posted on here, but I just have been really busy! :0) However, I do want to update everyone on how the Lord is helping us here at King William. There have been many challenges and yes, even disappointments that have come our way; but God has not forsaken us! We had a wonderful crowd for Easter sunday and were so excited to see new faces! Some of our new van children had their families there, and that is always a blessing to see! We have some very important special prayer requests that we would like for you all to help us pray about. I can't give any details, but the Lord knows all about each issue, and is able to take care of it the way He sees fit! We are happy serving Jesus, and are excited to see how He is going to work on our behalf! This is HIS Church, and HIS people. He knows best how to take care of them! :0)
In other news, last week we went to Ministerial Institute up in Canton, Ohio. We enjoyed staying with my mom while there. My dad was in Belize at the time, so unfortunatly we didn't get to see him. The speakers at the Ministerial this year were Bro. Grile, and Bro and Sis Kratz. On wednesday and thursday for the afternoon session, they split the pastor's and their wives up into two different groups. Bro Grile spoke to the preachers, and Sis Kratz spoke to the preacher's wives.
We have a fairly full next couple weeks with IHC, a visit from our conference president and his wife (Rev and Mrs Cope), and revival with Rev and Mrs Brian Spangler following directly on the heels of one another! :0) I will try to post pictures and news updates for each event but we will see if that happens! ;0)

Memories from yesterday...

Both of my grandma's birthday's were in the month of March... My sister, Jennifer, posted a special "memory post" about them on her blog today, and it got me to thinking... She said it beautifully so I included the link to her blog. However, I thought I would add a few thoughts and memories of my own of both of these special ladies...

http://joyeverafter.blogspot.com/2010/03/lessons-learned-from-my-grandmothers.html

Growing up, I had the privelege of living near both sets of my grandparents. I have many fond memories of both of them, however, I'm going to pick out a few that stand out in my mind today...
I remember going over to my grandma's house and laying across her bed with her while she tried to nap. I was yound and didn't want to take a nap of course, so to avoid it, I would say, "Grandma, tell me a story." So, she would... However, one day she decided to switch things up on me a little bit, and said, "No, you tell me a story..." Clever as she was, she knew if I was doing the story telling, she could nap, like she intended in the first place! :0) I soon became wise to this ploy, and in the middle of my story I stopped and tried to pry her eyes open to see if she was really sleeping! Poor grandma! She took it all patiently...
Another day, while I was over there, she told me to go pull out the checker board and she would play a game with me... so, I went and got the board, thinking I was sure to win since grandma was nearly blind...but boy was I in for a shock when she beat me! :0) I decided I didn't want to play checkers with her anymore after that... ;0)
The week right before she died, we were all concerned over my grandpa's failing health at the time, including her! She always had more concern over other's than for herself... I spent some precious moments with her that week that I will never regret or forget...

Gram was an independant little thing...she lived alone after my grandpa's death; and even bought herself a little deringer! (Much to everyone's chagrin!) LOL Right before I went to college, she began to tease about remarrying... so when it came to the point where my own relationship with my (now) husband, was getting serious, we teased about having a double wedding...little did we know at the time that we would never have the opportunity to even think about it...
Gram had a cockatiel bird that was her pride and joy. She shocked everyone by letting it fly around the house because she was always such a neat housekeeper! I grinned the other day when I found a bird feather in my house that had come out from the couch that once belonged to her; and now is in my own living room.
I was on a missions trip to Mexico when Gram passed away...when I heard the news it was quite a shock to me... She was only sick for such a short time that I hadn't really had time to come to terms with it...none of us had really.

Even though neither of my grandma's were alive to attend my wedding in May of 2008, somehow I think they were able to look down and be there... I know that I definately had both of their blessings! They both were certain I should marry Luke before I was! ;0)

I love you Gram and Grandma!! You were two truly special ladies!!!

Just a little thought...

For those of you who know me well, you know that I'm not one to just LOVE to discuss theology and such; however, I'm going to get a little philosophical/theological on you for a few moments...
A thought came to me while I was getting dressed for the day this morning... I was planning on wearing one of my favorite outfits (aka a jean skirt and a comfy top), when my husband suggested I wear another outfit. My immediate response was at first, "but I was really wanting to wear "this" today..."; however, because of my LOVE for my husband, I gladly wore the outfit that he wanted me to wear. This whole exchange got me thinking about my "Heavenly Bridegroom" so to speak, and how I wear the things that please HIM, NOT because it's a standard that my CHURCH upholds, but because I LOVE HIM and want to PLEASE HIM in everything I do, including my dress. It's not a matter of HAVING TO, it's a matter of WANTING TO because I know it pleases my Heavenly Father. It wasn't hard for me to wear the outfit that pleased my husband, in fact, it gave me pleasure knowing that I had done something to please him. In the same way, it's not a drudgery to wear, act, and do those things that please my "HEAVENLY BRIDEGROOM"! It is an absolute JOY! I am happy serving my King, and want no other life...

A Spot of Tea

This past week we were up north for the "joyous" task of getting our taxes figured. The upside of that was that we got to see our family for a few days! :0) So my mom, sister, niece and I decided to make a "ladies day out" and went to the tea room. We don't get to do this very often so we really enjoy it when we get the opportunity!


Jessica in the little toy shop next door...
Our lovely pots of tea

An array of French Vanilla, Apricot, and Cinnamon spice teas...

The little lady

Here we are (Jen decided to take a nap during this picture LOL)

Three Generations of tea lovers :0)

Snow Storm Blessings

Due to all the snow both up north and down south, we were able to spend extra time with our families. We saw both parents and all of our siblings, so that was a real treat!! I didn't take many pictures this time, but I did manage to get a few of the kids (of course!). They are really growing up fast so I try to get lots of pictures to help me when I have to be away from them...doesn't really help much but... :0)

Me and my little buddy Jessica
Jessica and Jeffery (could you tell he did NOT want his picture taken?) LOL

Jerrod

Big Sis and Jerrod

My little Princess

Ornery Jerrod

Uncle Luke teaching Jeffery and Jessica to play Axis and Allies... LOL

Just Us

While the sun was shining I took the opportunity to take some pictures of us.

It's Snowing in our Junior Church!

Recently we redecorated and changed the theme in our Junior Church. It is all decorated with snowflakes, snowman and snow! :0) The theme title is "Someone Needs Our Words Maybe Even Now". It's an acrostic of the word SNOWMEN. Clever Sis Crystal, as usual, came up with this theme for our winter months. The kids really liked it, and I LOVE it because I LOVE snowmen! :0) Each week they are learning about different kinds of words we can use to help others. Example: Week 1 was "Words of Kindness", last week was "Words of Happiness" etc...