i want to be two and a half

i want to scream no at anything i don't like. i want to be sent to my room. i want to have to take naps. i don't want to share. i want to marvel at a snowflake. i want to scream i'm poopy and have it be socially acceptable. i want to be held and demand snuggles--and have them granted!

celebrating

the comfort of old friends. we just returned from atlanta visiting peter and kasie smith and their kids. our time in asheville thus far has been very rewarding but many days lacking the comfort of good friendship. we had a great weekend with them. i love the feeling of just being ourselves and knowing our children can do the same. we shared great conversations, meals and laughter. their hospitality is a reminder that despite the chaos of 7 kids and 4 adults under one roof it is so worth it. it refreshed our souls.

we now anxiously await the visit in a couple of weeks from the mcdonalds and stranges all the more!

missio dei

we excited about our first service this sunday and all that god has planned. we sent a follow up note to several people who responded to our informational meeting ad last fall and have already heard back from one planning to attend. we are looking forward to making new connections and putting our faith and long prayed about ministry into practice.

other work

michael will begin preaching twice a month at the western carolina rescue mission next month in addition to some potential mentoring of men there. this is exciting work for him as he is passionate about seeing the marginalized cared for and loved. the mission deals with homeless and those trying to get back on their feet by feeding them, housing them and helping them gain skills for employment.

michael is also seeking part-time work. he is hoping to teach at one of the local colleges or do chaplain work. please continue to pray that doors will open for him in these areas.

preschool miracle

the two younger kids were accepted into a 3 day program with the perfect hours at HALF PRICE! the owners are christians and wanted to support our ministry and this was their contribution. it is really amazing and such a gift to our family. it will free michael and i up to get our work done and give us the comfort of knowing the kids are getting a good academic start in a loving environment. ask and you shall receive!


thought for the day

this has come to me several times over the last week or so...

....trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight....

remember snow days...

...you loved them as a kid and now as a parent they SUCK! We had 2 1/2 last week! the first one was fun--sledding, snowballs, snow angels etc.. that lasted about two hours and then it was BORING! the worst part was one full snow day was in anticipation of "wintery weather" that equated to NOTHING. not a snowflake!

celebrating

male bonding- michael had a great trip to orlando with kurt. they spent 24/7 together and still wanted to hang out together once they got back. that is HUGE for my husband. lots of time to talk theology, life, vision etc... i am grateful that god has brought them together and they enjoy each other. the mutual respect they share for each other we hope will prepare them for powerful ministry opportunities.

trapped in pre-school hell

who thought the fate of 4 kids 5 and under could cause such sleepless nights? i mean this is not harvard medical school-yet. i won't bore you with the saga that is the educational nightmare in asheville. suffice to say our choices for next fall have been narrowed down to a carpool fiasco that has three different drop off AND pick up times EVERY DAY, $1100 in monthly school/pre-school costs or homeschooling. i think we know which one is NOT AN OPTION!

kids say the darnedest things

harrison out of the blue the other day said the sweetest thing i have heard in a long time. he told me he really hoped he and ms. ida (our nanny in tx) died at the same time. i asked him why and he said he wanted them to be able to go to heaven together. then he said; you know what else mommy, i hope i a still a kid when me and ms. ida go to heaven so she can still be my babysitter. talk about tears! mine and ms. ida's when i told her!

missio dei

things are moving along well for michael to partner with kurt in the church plant here in asheville. they share the same ministry philosophy and vision yet have different gifts and callings to serve. michael is now really comfortable not being in the lead pastor role, rather a teaching pastor and implementer of the vision. kurt is the networker delux. he is meeting they mayor next week to lay out a plan for serving the needs of asheville etc.. both our families feel this coming together has been an answer to prayer.

michael has one more round of interviews with the church that has helped launch missio dei. it is with their head pastor and a lead elder. we are hoping this will go well and give that final approval of michael the rest of the team needs. our prayer all along has been clarity and discernment and that is our continued prayer for our family and the men michael will meet with.

our first public service (beyond the core group that has been meeting for months) is the end of february. we are meeting at a live music venue that is well known in the area. pray for god to go in front of us that day and prepare our hearts to serve sacrificially and for the hearts of anyone who may attend to hear truth and experience love.

***NEWSFLASH***

michael turns 50 march 5th!