1st day of school

I want to say a special congratulations to my niece Olivia
on her first week of school!



And of course I couldn't resist showing all 3 of them
as they wish Olivia a good time in school!
Jack, Olivia, Lexi




Can't wait to see you on friday!!

Goodbye Old friends...

We said goodbye to 2 old faithful members of the family...
somewhat sentimental because these were our cars when we were first dating, first married, etc...

But God has provided in a big way! We weren't even exactly expecting to replace the cars right now, though they were starting to make me nervous. But my parents called and said they were going to give us one of their old cars. We were then able to sell both of our cars for the price of a newer one! God has worked everything out so smoothly, we have been amazed. We put our cars on Craig's list and both were sold in 48 hours for our asking price!

We praise God for providing for us in this way!

It was another busy weekend!

Andrew was in a wedding on Saturday for his good friend from college.

Congratulations James & Laura Varner!

Our church is going through a very busy time. Our beloved Pastor will be leaving to take a church in Ohio. While we are sad to see him go, we are excited for how God has directed with our new pastor. Our church voted unanimously to call Stacy Potts and his wife Jaime to be our new pastor. We are excited to see the vision that he is bringing with him. We won't even go one Sunday without a pastor!


This past Sunday we had a baptism at the oceanfront. It was very exciting because 2 that were getting baptized were 65 & 72! The waves were crashing and it took 2 men to keep them upright, but it was so exciting to see how thrilled they were!

Do you have a continual trial?

Ours is our cars....!
It's that time of year again...taking our cars for their yearly inspection. We always approach this with dread. I don't think either of our cars have passed on the first time since we've lived in VA. aghhhh. Well, there is good news and bad news as we took our Oldsmobile in today. Didn't pass (of course :) HOWEVER, the only thing we have to fix is replace the windshield wipers and put in a new brake light. That is encouraging! Though I don't like driving around with a pink REJECTION sticker on the windshield. Gives me a complex. :) The bad news is that they did say something was wrong with the brakes (don't ask me for any of the technical info). Another $200 to fix that. But Andrew called a guy in our church who said he could help Andrew fix it and would probably only cost $45! Andrew has learned how to do so many things on the car this year, it has saved us so much money! I am so proud for how hard he works at that between his crazy busy school/work/church schedule. We are getting ready to try to sell this car, so we are going to have to fix it soon. That car has been one bill after another this year and we are so looking forward to have not such a drain on our wallet! It looks like the Lord may be providing us with a vehicle from my parents and we are so thankful! Now we're just hoping Putt-Putt (our toyota) will keep plugging along! God has definitely taught us many lessons about trusting Him through this and we are thankful that He orchestrated this in our lives. We sang a song in church the other week that the words have kept coming to my mind over and over. It's such an encouragement no matter what trial God brings your way - it's such a peace knowing we can fully trust in the hand of Sovereign God.

God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm. Deep in his dark and hidden mines, with never failing skill, He fashions all His bright designs, and works his Sovereign will.

Oh fearful saints new courage take: the clouds that you now dread are big with mercy and will break with blessings on your head! Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for His grace, behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face.

God's purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour. The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan his work in vain, God is His own interpreter and he will make it plain.

So God we trust in You. O God we trust in You. When tears are great and comforts few, we hope in mercies ever new, we trust in You.

Disaster hits close to home

Last night I was sitting and watching TV, when they broke in with a special report. I thought -this is never good. And then to my shock told of the disaster in my beloved home city of Minneapolis. It is very weird when it hits this close to home. However, from what we've heard, no one we know was involved. My brothers were at the Twins game which is about a mile or less away. Thankfully I was able to get through to them before the cell phone circuit clogged and no one could get through. So thankful my family is safe, but certainly praying for those who weren't.

Here you can see the Metrodome (big white dome) which is where my brothers were,

and the bridge went across that span of water right there.

collapsed bridge there in the middle
mangled
terrifying to live through