Happy Anniversary My Love

Five Years ago today I married the most wonderful man in the world. I am so thankful that the Lord brought JA into my life, and allowed us to get married despite myself.
The top ten reasons I am thankful for JA are:
1. He loves the Lord more than anything else in this life, and He wants to serve the Lord in every possible way that he can.
2. JA has demonstrated God's love towards me in many different ways, and He is always directing me back to the Scriptures and our Savior.
3. JA loves his children, and puts in a lot more work and time with them than most men that I know (including the changing of dirty diapers).
4. JA loves to read and would rather us read books together as a family than watch television.
5. JA is willing to do whatever job he needs to in order to provide for us, even if it meant working fast food (which thankfully he's not had to do).
6. JA spoils me with a lot of things that I like even if I don't need them.
7. JA is a peacemaker and rarely gets upset with me.
8. JA cares enough about our children to discipline them when they are being disrespectful.
9. JA enjoys planning things for us to do as a family.
10. JA saved his first kiss for me.

Christmas Fun

We had a wonderful Christmas. JA, Andy and I drove up to Smith Center where JA was able to preach on Christmas Eve Morning. The girls stayed home with Oma and Opa. After lunch, JA and I drove down just to make it in time for the Christmas Eve Service at my dad's church. Below are the girls in their Christmas Dresses.
After the Christmas Eve Service, we drove home and everyone changed into their pajamas, fixed up a plate of snacks, and then we met around the Christmas tree to open up majority of the presents. Unfortunately, Lydia did not make it through the evening. After opening a couple of presents she was so grumpy and sleepy that we had to put her to bed.
All of the kids enjoyed their Christmas presents (us adults did also, but the kids like their toys). Andy's favorite seems to be his wrist rattles . He likes watching his arms now as he waves them about. Kara likes her new safari animals from Uncle Rob and Aunt Julie. She has only painted the elephant so far, and as you can see from this picture she has a very colorful elephant {green, black, and blue -- sounds like a bruised elephant :-)}

Here is Andy and all of his wonderful presents.

Kara and Lydia also love their new Dora pirate ship.


Tradition Suggestions What are some of your favorite Christmas Traditions? JA and I are wanting to start some Christmas Tradions with our kids next year.

Christmas Greetings

This week has been an exciting week for us. We are prayerfully awaiting to find out if we will be moving soon (We will find out after December 31). We have also been preparing for Christmas. Elizabeth and I have decided to kick mom out of the kitchen on Monday, and we are going to make the meals. So, we have been busy deciding on a menu.

Andy has been growing steadily. He is now over 10 pounds. I scheduled his surgery this week, and he will be having his surgery on January 15 (as long as he doesn't have a cold or a fever). We have a lot to do before then. I want us to get our family photos done before his surgery because he will most likely have a bright red scar for the next year after his surgery. That, and I have really fallen in love with his lip, and I'm actually going to miss it.

Merry Christmas to you from us.

Lydia enjoys playing with her little brother. So much that in this picture she knocked over the activity gym. He is growing so quickly! He is reaching for his toys and waving his hands to bat them. Last night he was trying to reach for me while he was laying on his daddy's lap. I was excited about that!

Andy has also began to smile. He smiles best for his Aunt Beth (she's the only one who can get him to smile for the camara). We are having so much fun together as a family. Have a Merry Christmas, and

Remember to thank the Lord for the most precious gift of all -- His Son Jesus Christ and the incredible gift of Redemption.

I LOVE DATING!!!

Mom and Dad gave us an early anniversary present this week. For the first time in almost a year, JA and I were able to have a date (with no kids!!!). They sent us to the Prarie Rose Chuckwagon Supper Club and Opera House. We left the house early so we could go visit the Hopalong Cassidy Cowboy Museum & Theatre. The museum wasn't that great, but we did enjoy walking on the grounds. I took this picture as we walked.Before the dinner bell rang, we were able to take a train ride and enjoy the outdoor holiday light display. The dinner bell rang, and we sat down at a table ready for an enjoyable evening. Before they served the food, everyone stood and said the Pledge, and then they said grace over the meal. How many dinner shows do that anymore? The show involved four men playing their instruments and singing cowboy songs. It was great. Their jokes were clean, and they interacted well with the audience. In fact, the singers were the same men who served us our delicious dinner of briscut, sausage, beans, potatoe salad, and a biscuit followed by a wonderful peach cobbler. These same waiters/singers have sung all over the country, including Carnegie Hall (twice).

The best thing about this night was that JA and I were able to be able to spend an evening enjoying each other's company without anyone fussing, complaining, or begging to eat :-)

Please Pray

Please pray for JA as he preaches this weekend in Smith Center. He will be candidating for the position of senior pastor. Please pray that the church will have wisdom, and that we will also have wisdom in making the decision.

Setting up the Christmas Tree

These pictures are from about two weeks before Thanksgiving. We set up the Christmas tree (or rather, Elizabeth, Opa, and JA set up the Christmas Tree) early because Opa was going to be in Belize for Thanksgiving.

God is Faithful

Praise the Lord, He is Faithful.

The last few weeks have been a bit discouraging at times, as JA and I desire to be serving full-time (or even part-time right now) in a church. It really seemed as though we had no prospects. Because I have felt a tendancy to want to question God, I have had to turn more earnestly to His promises.

With God's Word, I have confidence that we are seeking the right path-- God's Word states that "He who desireth the office of a bishop desireth a good thing."

With God's Word, I have confidence that He is in control -- "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways."

With God's Word, I know this period of waiting is to better prepare us for a permament ministry -- "All things work together for good to them that love God."

With God's Word, I know we can be faithful and serve right where we are -- "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."God has shown himself faithful to us over and over again. This past week, JA has received contacts from three different ministries. This Sunday, JA will be preaching at a church that is looking for a pastor. We are praying that he might be able to candidate for the position the following weekend. But we know that our path is in the hands of the Lord, and His way is perfect.