2010

It's hard to imagine how many changes have happened in our family in the course of just 12 months. I sit here thinking about it and it almost makes my head spin.

Jordan turned 13 and we have been thrust into parenting a teenager. That in itself would wear anyone out. :) Lance graduated from Seminary and we moved 3 states away to live in a completely different part of the US than we have ever lived. We found ourselves once again adjusting to new life through transition to a new state. Lance began working at his appointed church as PASTOR and we eased into life as a pastoral family. That only takes us to JULY!!

In August, I made a career change, choosing to work from home and be more available for Jordan (and Lance and the church). New job: workman's comp record reviews. Completely different than any job I've had. Also in August, I lost my grandfather, but we also had a nephew born. Baby Ian arrived safe and healthy!!!

October brought me one year closer to that age of 40 and not at all feeling a year older! Hee hee.

In November we were able to see our God-daughter get Baptized and see how much she and her big sister have grown. A reminder of how far we live from friends.

And that brings us to December. I now realize that in the short 6 months we've been here, St. Paul has become our church home. As I served Communion on Christmas Eve to a group of people that were once strangers, I felt a warmth of love come over me. They are no longer strangers, but family...Christian family. And for that I am thankful. Thankful that we have a God that brings us together for one purpose.

So as I look back on this year, I am thankful. Thankful for a Savior that came to Earth as a small baby, but died for me...for my sins. I feel blessed that I can share His love with others and that He knows what is best for me and is ahead of me in each situation...sometimes before I have the chance to ask.

Merry Christmas to the friends and family that continue to follow me (us) in this journey of service in Him.

10 years

Ten years ago today our twin girls were born into heaven. I wonder what a birthday party is like with Jesus. I'll bet it is spectacular!!! My grandpa is celebrating with them this year.

We remembered Lauryn & Cassie by buying gifts for 2 girls of similar ages our girls would be. These little girls live in a crisis home in a near-by town. While it felt good to buy gifts for them, I am saddened that they live in a crisis home and not with their own parents. I am sad that some children don't know what a loving family truly is. At least we were able to give them some love through gift-giving.

So, sweet girls, happy 10th birthday. We remember...and we love you.

Thanksgiving

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We went to South Carolina to see Paulo & Juliana and the girls for Thanksgiving. Our God-daughter was Baptised on Wednesday, so we were able to be at the church for her special night! The weekend was wonderful, packed with lots of playing NERTS, snuggles with the girls, Black Friday Shopping (all night--we got home at 7:30 am) and so much fun. I wish I could have packed all four of them in the car and brought them back to Florida!! We also got to see Pedro and Juliana (Paulo's brother and sister in law). It's extra fun when we can all get together.

The miles between us seem long. It was so hard to drive away on Saturday. I'm glad we have Skype and other forms of media to keep us in touch, but it is not the same as being there. So glad we got to spend Thanksgiving together!!

Happenings around here

I'm not sure when things got so busy. Two weeks ago Jordan & I flew into StL to see my family in IL. What a blast! We had a great weekend!!! It was all too apparent as we flew out that Monday that I essentially don't feel like anywhere is home. (A byproduct of transition.) I was glad to be back in FL with Lance, but this is not yet "home" in a true sense of the word. I still feel like I'm on vacation. :)

I never realized how busy the holidays get for a pastoral family!! There's hanging of the greens, get-togethers, cantadas, kids' programs...all so fun, but our weekends are packed until January!! I worry about Lance as he works extra hours trying to get ahead on sermons to be off some for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He's also had a funeral and wedding thrown in...just for added variety.

Jordan is keeping ME busy! Daily band, home schooling, youth group, "play dates", band auditions, band outings, cantada rehearsal and tonight we are going to the midnight showing of the Harry Potter 7th Movie-part 1. WHEW!! No wonder I'm so tired!!

While in Highland I was asked what my duties are as a pastor's wife...ummm...everything other than what the pastor does. Hee hee! I keep the house running so he can keep the church running...yup! There's no specific job description...although, I don't think he has one either!

So, if posts are slim the next several weeks, be graceful with me. It's going to be a busy season!!

Fall Festival

Our church had their Fall Festival yesterday. They didn't have it last year because of the economy and were very excited to be able to offer the festival again. It is FREE to the community and I think we had about 200 people show up! We had an inflatable slide/bouncy, cake walk, hotdogs, nachos, pie the pastor, pumpkin bowling, photo ops, a police car & firetruck, and 4-5 other games...for FREE!! (Well, admission was a canned good & we collected about 150# of food!!)

I was so proud of our church for their efforts and hard work. You don't put on a festival this big for nothing. So far, we have one family that may start coming to church because they think the pastor is really a good guy for enduring the "pie the pastor" and the other church members are very nice. Another family came to the church today and said they think they'll start coming; that yesterday was a lot of fun! OUTREACH...no Bible banging, no yelling in the streets...fun, laughter, love & service. That's OUTREACH!! Good job, St. Paul (& Pastor Lance)! I've got buttons popping today!!! :)

(BTW--these are pics from the local newspaper of Jordan "pie-ing" her dad.)

A great weekend!!

I'm a little late in posting this, but it's been a crazy week! We got a somewhat surprise visit from Lance's sister and her family last weekend. What a blast!! The 2 boys kept us in stitches all weekend!! "S" decided that their home state is boring and Florida is fun! He thinks they need to get an apartment and move here! Lance's sister likes our "radiant heat" in our floors. (Only warm because of the Florida heat!!) Husband "R" enjoyed the seafood and little brother "E" loved playing Wii w/ "cousin Jordan". A good time indeed!!!! The house was WAY QUIET when they left on Monday!!! Can't wait for their next visit to the beach!!

How do you measure success?

I know that pastors in churches ask that question all the time. How do you know if your church is successful? Is it through how much money is collected each Sunday or how many people are sitting in the seats? Do you count the Baptisms each year?

I have only been a Pastor's Wife for a short 3 months and I'm sure my view of success will change with time, but this is what I think at this present time in our season of ministry. I think success is measured by people coming to the alter for prayer, when their pastor can pray over them & for them and make a difference. Success is feeling a change in the church...a lighter, calmer, attitude towards worship, praise and prayer. I think success is a pastor that can't hardly get his supper at a carry-in dinner because someone wants to talk about what salvation truly means. It's a church that in one week collected almost $400 for a widow, gave food to a stranger & helped a mom keep her child in preschool. It's a church so filled with love that they took in a family of 3 from the Mid-West, allowed one to be their pastor, and loved on this family as if they belonged. Success is not measured in money or numbers, but in the love that is felt, the prayers that are lifted up and the service to others.

The "bestest" birthday

I think this birthday will be remembered as one of my favorites. One of our sweet church members took us out on his boat. (I have to say, he did not take us out for my birthday. He didn't know yesterday was my birthday. He took us on the boat because Jordan wanted a boat ride and she's a little spoiled by these church folk here.) We got to see about 8 dolphins play in the sound (water between the island and the penninsula where we actually live). We ate lunch at a local restaraunt w/ 2 couples from church (trustees chair and finance chair, so Lance said he was actually working). Then, sat on the porch of one of the couples, overlooking the sound, and got to know them a little better. (See slideshow for a picture of the view from their home.) Lance made my favorite cake and we dined on pizza while watching, "Phantom of the Opera". It was a GREAT birthday.

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Sand Scultping Contest

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BP sponsored a sand scupting contest at OUR beach this weekend!! We spent all day at the beach yesterday watching the sculptures come to form. SO COOL!!

This bunny

During school on Thursday, I noticed that Gracie, our bunny, had diarrhea. GI problems can be potentially fatal for bunnies. SO...Jordan became hysterical, I got on the phone to find a vet that handles "exotic" pets, because bunnies are considered "exotic" and we prayed. What I haven't posted about through the whole lizard incident and everything is that Lance has been in Missouri visiting his family and meeting his new nephew. Of course, all of this has to happen while he is miles away.

In the end, Gracie is fine. Some meds for her tummy and a check on her in the middle of the night and she is back to her usually self!!! It's so nice to see her back to hopping around and into mischief!!!! Jordan really loves this bunny...and I'm getting more attached to her every day too. What a day!!!

All of God's Creatures

But can't they stay outside? SERIOUSLY!! I have a lizard lost in my living room! YES, my living room. I was alone tonight, as is usual some nights, and saw a tail dangling from the beam on our ceiling. YUP... a lizard. I donned a pair of Lance's shoes (their bigger than mine) and grabbed a net on a stick. I got the lizard off the ceiling, only to have it go behind the TV. Now it is harboring in the cracks of the fireplace somewhere. Jordan will catch it and take it outside, but now it is hiding from us. I'm wedging a towel under my bedroom door if we don't find this critter by bedtime!!!!! Yes, Lance, I know they won't hurt me, but I also don't want the surprise of finding this lizard in my bed, the shower or falling on my head from the ceiling. Please, little creatures of God...stay outside!!!!

I got out!

I went to a meeting at church yesterday by myself! I realized as I left the house that this was the first time I've driven to church alone. Wierd. I met with a great group of ladies to plan the fall festival in October and a baby shower this coming weekend. It was fun to be out and planning activities again. The shower is for a military wife who has no family here. We are giving her a shower for her 2nd baby (who was born in June) to help her with some essentials and just show her we care. I've heard of these 2nd baby showers called "sprinkles". I like that!! It will be a nice day for her and another outing for me next weekend!

We're working on meeting some homeschooling families and have connected with 2 families in particular. Hopefully that will help with the friend situation, for me and Jordan. :)

Prayer Team

Our church is in need of a prayer team & doesn't have one set up. Actually, it appears that prayer is needed on many levels. Looks like I am going to start the prayer ministry team! Lance & I are going to begin slowly with 6 month covenant groups based on Wesley's questions. From there, we are hoping our prayer team will develop and then I will take over. (Lance is a little busy being the pastor.) Having been raised in a religion where there was a standard prayer for every occasion then transitioning to open prayer to now leading a prayer team...really? God does have a way of stretching us!

A few weeks ago, as Lance & I greeted people at the back of church, one woman said to him tearfully, "It moved me the way you prayed over people at the alter. I haven't seen that in years." I nearly cried myself. It makes my heart ache to think that the people at this church...these beautiful people...haven't been prayed over, prayed with or prayed for in a real, tangible way in a long time.

Please pray for us as we start our covenant groups in October. And pray for the prayer team that will form out of these groups.

Book

I've never been much of a reader, but as I get older (no comment, Jordan!) I find myself enjoying books more and more. I'm reading a really good book right now written by a Pastor's wife. High Call, High Privilege by Gail MacDonald. Marilyn, our spouse/family leader at Asbury, recommended it and I am just now getting around to reading it. It is a great book!! I think I am getting more out of it now than when I tried to read it in seminary. This woman tells it like it is...being a pastor's wife. She also explains that our survival in the ministry is dependent on ourselves "keeping our fire for God burning". Good stuff and I'm only in the second chapter!! SO, if there are any pastor's wives, wives of missionaries or wives of anyone that is serving in any capacity (youth, children, counseling...), I highly recommnd this book!

Marathon or Sprint?

So, in church today Lance was talking about running a marathon for God (being in it for the long haul) or sprinting (quick burst for God and quitting, basically). That got me thinking. It has been a rough week all in all. Grandpa dying didn't help and I've been feeling rather homesick on top of it. This whole "pastor's wife" role has sunk in and my sense of identity and how I fit in has come full circle.

I am currently working from home, doing record reviews online. (Still not cleared to see babies here like I was in KY.) When this job came available, I prayed to God for discernment and Lance & I really feel this is what I am supposed to do. So I think for now I will work from home and not treat children as I have done for the last 16 years. ((GULP)) My head knows this makes sense, that this is best, but my heart is grieving this change in career.

I have also been feeling somewhat lonely and isolated. Since Jordan attends Youth Group near our home and our church is 12 miles away, I spend much time home for her. So, between not going out for work or Bible study or having any friends, it's been a little lonely. I'm feeling a little 1950's housewife!!

I listened to the sermon this morning and I feel I hit the marathon "wall" this past week, with the passing of my Grandpa being the peak of many emotions. I decided I am going to continue this marathon with God. I know this is a season, that He will remain faithful to me and tend to my needs. He has not failed me yet and we've been through a lot together. I'm praying for contentment.

After church, one of the women I know, who is also in the medical field, gave me her number and would like to have coffee. She and her husband asked about my work and I tearfully told them about my decision and they affirmed it. (Thank you, God, for Christian affirmation.) She said she doesn't have many friends and would like to get to know me better. (Thank you, God, for a friend!)

I guess I need a coach in my marathon and pray that the Holy Spirt will lead me in this calling into ministry and as a pastor's wife and mother to Jordan. I pray that I can get through the "walls" that I hit in this marathon.

Grandpa Horstmann

This morning my Grandpa Horstmann (my mom's dad) passed into heaven. He has been fighting painful arthritis and breathing problems for awhile and I guess the last few days have been especially rough for him...and the family. While I know he is in a much better place, without pain and suffering, I am grieving the loss of my grandpa. He was the patriarch of our family. He has 5 living children, 18 grandchildren and lots of great-grandchildren!! The family still gathers (as many as can be there) once a year to celebrate Christmas. We are a close-knit family and a testament to the love that trickles down from the top of the family tree.

This morning I am sad. Sad that I will not see my Grandpa again on this earth when we go back to IL to visit. Sad that I live far away and cannot comfort my mom and Grandma. Homesick for my hometown, my roots, where I came from. Homesick for my extended family and the love that will pour out in rememberance of a great man! I love you, Grandpa...

Roots and wings

That's what my mom says we have to give our children. Roots to stay grounded in the values we teach them, but wings to fly! This week and next a few of my "KY babies" are starting school as 3 year olds. While they aren't my children, I feel so connected to these children as I have said in previous posts. Thier parents are feeling the anxiety of putting their children in school and I am feeling so proud of these little ones for yet another accomplishment in their lives. This is another step for them and one that I have helped them plan for...sometimes for months before reaching this day. It doesn't just happen when school starts. We've had meetings, testing, sometimes tears and frustration, but mostly preparation...in head, heart and physically!! (I think for the moms: mosly heart preparation.) There's such a sense of accomplishment that this day is here and we've made it! I'll say a prayer for my "babies" this week and mostly for the moms as they learn to give their little ones wings.

My Kitchen

I had decided before we even saw this house that I wanted to change the color of my kitchen. I've had a hunter green kitchen since we've been married and wanted a change. Most of my dishes and things are neutral now, so changing the color means paint, rugs and towels. In addition to new color, I wanted to decorate w/ coffee decor. I was thrilled to find out the kitchen was already painted red!! A few of my friends started off my decor with some pictures and stuff and then my mom sent me a late Mother's Day gift and helped me decorate my kitchen the rest of the way!! It is fun and gave the kitchen a punch of color!! Another step to making this house our home.

A Good Day

That's what Jordan said about our day w/ Stephanie & Paul and their family on Friday. "Mom, it's a good day!" There was such a sense of peace and calm in her voice. An ahhh...it's good to spend time with our friends. I agree. It was a great weekend! We spent Friday with them at their condo: swimming in the ocean and pool and even got to eat out at a beach-side restaurant!! Then, they came here for church on Sunday and lunch at our house. Our first official visitors in our new home!! I am so thankful that they shared their vacation with us!! It truly was a great weekend!!

Our new nephew

Ian Robert was born on 8/4/10 weighing 8#, 10.9 ounces and measuring 21 1/4 inches. He is the son of Lance's brother, Zane and sis in law Kim. That is Lance's grandmother in the picture w/ Zane & Ian. She broke her hip on Saturday and had surgery on Monday. They were able to wheel her in to see the baby before she was transferred to another hospital for rehab. It's been a rather exciting week for the family!!! We are very excited about the newest member of the family and can't wait to meet him! I'm working on a flight for Lance...and maybe Jordan! :)

Green Flag Day

We finally got a couple green flag days at the beach. This means calm waters, no rip tides and a wonderful day of swimming!! It's like being at the pool with a few rolling waves! We could see our feet in neck deep water it was so clear! There were a few sea creatures to watch for: baby sharks feeding around us every so often, and yesterday there were a few sting rays around. Just enough to remind us that the ocean really doesn't belong to us! We just kept our eyes open and stayed away from them and we were fine. I did have a remora fish (or sucker fish) attach itself to my leg. I didn't like that too much. It reminded me of the leaches you watch out for in lakes/ponds in the midwest. After a few seconds of yelling for Lance to get it off, it transferred to Lance's leg. He wacked it in the head with the paddle he was using (we were playing paddle ball) and the fish finally left us alone. Otherwise, we've enjoyed a great weekend at the beach! I'd have to say that the green flag days are my favorite!!

The line up

We are getting some visitors!! Stephen (from KY)is meeting us for breakfast tomorrow and then Stephanie & Paul and family are coming to the area for vacation next week. We are so very excited for some friendly faces from KY!! Lance's mom, stepdad & grandmother are visiting in the end of August. We feel very blessed to have them visit as they are traveling all the way from Missouri and grandma is in her mid-80s!! I think some friendly faces will help with the homesickness we've felt this week & so does Jordan. Stephanie's little boy has been saying, "I want to go to Laurie's house." Brings tears to my eyes (he's only 2). Can't wait to see everyone!!!!!

Up, down, up, down...

That's what transition feels like...up high one day, feeling down the next. I was getting some pictures ready to be printed to send out today and that's all it took. Jordan & I are feeling a little homesick. Looking at pictures of our friends that are now far away dredged up that all to unfamiliar feeling. UGH!! I'm thankful these days are far and few between, but they are horrible just the same. I'm now trying to desperately figure out ways to go back to KY or drive to Myrtle Beach. I know, I know...not gonna happen. It was worth a try. So for now we'll hold onto memories and pictures. This too shall pass...

Humble thyself...

That's how I am feeling right now...simply humbled at God's grace and mercy. If I had any idea 4 years ago that God had this plan for us. To bring us here to this beautiful place to serve at this church, I would not have believed him. I still have to pinch myself to think that we live less than 4 miles from the beach! And yet, the people at SPUMC are some of the nicest, most loving people I've met! They have such hope in what Lance is going to do for them and the church. It scares him that their expectations are too high, but I know God has a purpose and has put him, us, right where we are supposed to be. And I know it is not going to be easy, but these people have brought us in and are loving us with a godly love that cannot be explained. I hold fast to the hope that God has a plan for us to prosper and to not fail. God will lead Lance and this church and good things will flow. It's neat on a Sunday morning to watch how 4 years of seminary and a life of growth in our Lord are flowing through Lance and leading a flock. Thank you God for your unfailing grace and mercy!!!

Our Beach

Yes, we're already calling this beach "ours". It feels like it is already our home and we have a sense of ownership here. We woke up early this morning...5:45 to be exact to go out on the pier. We were hoping to see some neat sea life. It was a slow day in the water, but we did get to see a pod of about 5 dolpins!! SO COOL! What we did get was a relaxing morning on the pier, eating breakfast and talking to local fishermen. We then took a nice walk on the beach until it started to get hot. It was a nice morning on "our beach".

A good laugh

You know, sometimes you just need a night of laughing. That's what we had tonight. One of the retired pastor's wives had us and a few other pastor couples over for dinner. She has a mission of helping us meet other pastor couples. As a matter of fact, we already have dinner scheduled for next month. This group of people is funny! Two of us couples are currently in ministry and the other two are retired. The two retired couples have so many years of wisdom, experience and funny stories to tell. They wanted to know about how we got here, and also told us many stories about being in the ministry. Jordan was able to meet the couple's grand-daughter (yes, they even had someone there here age). It was fun and a good time out from the normal duties of the week! It was a good night of laughing, connecting and meeting some new friends.

This life as a pastor's wife

Someone in Wilmore said that life as a missionary looks a whole lot better from Wilmore, KY. (In so many words.) They may be right. Don't get me wrong, life in ministry is going to be rich and full of many blessings, but it is not at all what I expected before leaving our little bubble in Kentucky. I knew to expect some wierd hours, some stressful times, some fatigue...I just didn't expect it in the first 2 weeks in ministry. Lance has essentially been Baptized by fire already and we've not even been here a month. He's had hospital visits, counseling, a church issue and his first funeral. That happened around the usual pastoral duties, such as writing sermons and running a church in general. Some days we only see him for about an hour between the day's work and a nightly meeting. We've learned to really enjoy the time we have with him and know that this too shall pass.

As for me and Jordan, we have the house unpacked and looking like home. We've been busy keeping up with mowing the lawn and trying to get me cleared to work. There are times during the day that I miss our friends and family so much, but those times are not long and are usually fixed by a phone call, e-mail or facebook post. (Gotta love this information age we are in.)

Florida continues to be true to it's form. It is really HOT!! (Not unlike most of the US right now, I've heard.) The spot storms are fast and the rain comes down in buckets!!! We really like going to the beach!! And...I now have affirmation that we have snakes. Oh, yes...BIG, BLACK snake in the yard when I went to finish mowing today. (It moved in the direction of the mower that I was heading to.) YIKES!! At least it wasn't poisonous. Needless to say, Lance finished mowing today.

Sorry for the long post. For those of you that made it through this, bless you! There has been so much going on. Lots of activity here!

Our church family is wonderful and all 3 of us feel extremely blessed to be here!! (Though, I could do without the snakes)

What I've learned about Florida (so far):

1. Milk is expensive
2. Sunshine is free
3. Rats, snakes & bears, oh my!
4. Mosquitos bite ALL day and are the size of small birds
5. People are very nice, mosquitos are not
6. Rip currents are no fun; lifeguards are wonderful!
7. Sand is EVERYWHERE...even where you don't want it :)
8. Sand in your yard will eat up your mower blade; mow when the grass is wet
9. Seaweed will go down the drain
10. Even the smallest tree frog can sing louder than a half pound toad
11. The ocean is beautiful any time of the day

An eventful week

We've had an eventful first week here in Florida. We needed to find a washer and after several tries with used washers settled for one on sale at a local store. We decided to keep our eyes out for a different fridge as we wanted one w/ a water filter built in. (The water here does not taste the best.) We found a good deal on Craigslist and after shuffling around the other 2 fridges, we found out that the one we bought didn't fit in the kitchen. UGH!! Had to take it back out. SO...we had to sell 2 fridges and were still looking for one w/ water in the door. Again, found a scratch/dent at the local store....and they deliver!!

That takes us to Friday. After all of the chaos with appliances and the rain we've had all week, Jordan decided we should go to the beach. It was such a pretty sunny day and she was just anxious to get to the beach. Lance had to work, so it was just the 2 of us. Well...let's just say, riptides are no fun!! We were on our newly bought boogy board and got caught in a riptide. Two surfers came to our rescue until the lifeguard was able to rescue us and bring us back to shore. Too much excitement for one day!! Apparently, the hurricane and the new pier have affected the currents here and they've had a lot of trouble.

I think when we go back to the beach today, we'll stay close to shore and very far from that pier!! A good lesson learned in how to get out of a riptide. A thankful heart that God protected us and kept us safe!!!

Getting settled....

We've been unpacking since the movers left yesterday. The kitchen is unpacked and the living room is basically set up. So, the main part of the house is looking like home. We found a riding lawn mower for less than we budgeted and a washing machine for really cheap (as long as it looks good when we go see it tomorrow!).

We found out that there is some interesting wildlife here: a rattlesnake has been spotted in our yard, bears nearby and we have a resident rat in the bushes in the front yard. The frogs serenade us daily and we were greeted by a lizard when we got home tonight. Needless to say, life in Florida will not be dull!!

At night, at least every other night so far, we've heard machine guns and canons going off during special ops training at the Air Force Base. Sounds like fireworks!!

Jordan is doing really well. She talks to her friends or chats with them on the computer every day. She was laughing with some of the church members tonight and was excited to be asked to be in a play they are planning for Christmas!! It is good to hear her looking forward to "normal" Jordan activities!!!!

All in all, things are going well. I wish I could wave a magic wand and have all of the boxes unpacked, but slowly it is getting done. Hope to be completely settled in soon!!

We're here!!

We've made it to Florida safe and sound. Leaving KY was so hard, especially for Jordan. She's been crying on and off all day. I'm praying for a friend for her to emerge quickly!! All 3 of us miss our KY friends already!!! We've even been in touch with them on our way down here!

On a much happier note, we could see the ocean as we pulled into town!! SO BEAUTIFUL!! I really can't believe we live here...near the ocean. We usually vacation in Florida and then go home, but now home is here. CRAZY!! It feels good to be here, but I'm ready to get the house set up and make it feel like home.

By the way, we're having breakfast on the beach tomorrow morning!

All packed up...

Well, that's about it. Our chapter here is about to close. The house is packed up...actually we got done at 3pm today...ahead of schedule. That was a nice feeling!! We enjoyed an evening with friends without the loom of packing hanging over our heads. The moving truck comes tomorrow and then we'll leave on Saturday or Sunday, depending on when our stuff will be delivered next week.

It's wierd to think we'll end this week in Kentucky and begin next week in Florida. The next time I go to church, my husband will be the pastor.

I am so thankful to the friends that have fed us, prayed over us and loved us this week (this week and the last 4 years!!) I am excited that my mom and sister are coming to help and to send us off on the next phase of our journey!! I am ready to go and sad to leave all at the same time. I am ready to stop living out of boxes and get our new home settled.

The next post will hopefully be from our new home or somewhere along the way...

A family of 18,000

At least that's how many Christian family members joined together in worship this past weekend at our annual Ichthus festival at the edge of town. Lance & I were blessed to assist in prayer ministry, praying with others in need and those accepting Christ for the first time. It is a humbling experience to be in this ministry with such trusting people that have never met us before.

Saturday is the night for Communion and the hush over the crowd of 18,000 makes it such a Holy moment. After we hand out the Communion cups to this large crowd, we partake of this sacrament together...all of us: young people, older people, those from all walks of life. Then, hands joined, we join in union in saying the Lord's Prayer. It is beautiful!! It can almost not be described in words. Lance said it is a glimpse of what heaven must be like and I think he is right. I hope we have the chance to come back to Ichthus again some day!!

Wish I could bottle it up...

Today I am wishing I could bottle up the things I will miss about the little ones I work with here: the giggles, the smiles...the hugs. I wish I could take them with me for times when I miss them and wonder how they are doing.

I feel so completely blessed to have been a part of these children's lives, if even for a short time. As I have driven around this week thinking about some of these precious babes, I have felt so humbled by the experiences I have had. I have watched several of them sit on their own, crawl and take first steps. I've cried with their moms and prayed for them in times of illness. Their families have allowed me to come into their homes and invade their personal space. They opened their lives to the possibility of someone to help and along the way became part of my heart.

I will not forget these precious little ones, those smiles, those giggles or those hugs. I know there are more little ones awaiting my arrival when we move. There will be more first steps and moments to cherish, but today I feel sad because today I have to say goodbye. To those families that have stepped into my heart, you are truly amazing!!!

Pastor's wife?

We are at Annual Conference and have been completely immersed into this world of Pastor/Pastor's Wife. Lance is busy with meetings, commissioning, being voted on yet again and I am the wife. It's kindof a wierd place to be. I am not the seminary spouse, not the working spouse...I am the "GUEST". HUH? Am I not the one who has worked for 4 years to put this man through seminary to get us here? The guest. No coming forward with him, no praying over him...I get to stand at my seat and support him as he is commissioned. It's a bit lonely.

Not sure what life will look like when we get to our new home and Lance takes his job in the church. Not sure how I will fit into this new role. I can say that everyone we have met in our new area have been so nice!! Much like our current home. That will make our transition much easier!!

On a side note...our Bishop took a few moments to pray for those affected in the Gulf. Since our church is in the Gulf, we were most appreciative of this!! Our prayer is for God to direct us in how to help those in our church heal from this tragedy. As for now...we'll just pray...HARD!!!

Tonight Lance will get commissioned in the robe I made for him. I sewed it from scratch!!! As I stitched it together I prayed for this man, my husband, that will wear this robe to bless the bread, to marry, maybe to baptize and to bury. So after tonight, he will be a Pastor in the eyes of the Methodist Church and I guess that makes me the Pastor's wife.

Graduation

Yes...Lance graduated this weekend. It was a rich weekend...full of happiness, friends, family and yes, a few tears. The day itself was a day to sit back and reflect on the last four years. I remember how scared we were when we came here and how unsure we were of how things would work out. I did not have a job, Lance was returning to school, Jordan missed her family and friends in Illinois. It was a rough first year. But then, almost as if unexpectedly, this became home. I thank God that the uncertainty didn't last long. He was faithful in taking care of us and bringing us into a community of a new sort of "family". This family came from all over the nation...and world!

So, I sat back and remembered the last four years and they will remain a truly spiritual, rich, and wonderful time in my life. The friends we have made here will be a part of us forever. The lessons we have learned are priceless. The growth we have had is unmeasurable. I am thankful for the opportunity we had in being a seminary family. And as our dear president put it...now we must move on.

I am very thankful that both sets of parents were able to make the trip to be part of our special weekend. It was a special time to spend with them!!

So, congratulations to my sweet husband, Lance. This degree is quite an accomplishment!! It has been a great four years!!

It is finished....

that is the theme at our house tonight. At least, that is what Lance is posting!! Lance attended his last seminary class tonight. They talked about fasting and the blessings that followed. Sounds like he has had a fruitful semester!! How long will it take to sink in that there are no more papers waiting to be written, no books waiting to be read, no projects to do?

It is the continuation of the lasts at our house. I had my last event with Spouse?Family Ministries on Monday night. I graduated!! :) Jordan will have her last art class tomorrow. It will be a sad day for her. And we plunge onward...

Four years

Started packing up to move to Florida. It all went well...until I found a poem Jordan wrote about meeting her friend Abbey. And it dawned on me all of a sudden that we are packing up four years of memories. Four years of our life into boxes to start over again. Jordan was 9 when we moved here...such a little girl and now she is a 13 year old...a teenager. Four years of meeting new friends and making this our home. Four years of growth, laughter, tears and life. Four years...it seemed like such a long time when we came and yet it went so fast!!

A snapshot of our new home....

We went to visit the Navarre and Pensacola areas this weekend to get some stuff done for my work down there and to see our house!! The weather did not cooperate at all--no swimming in the ocean for us! Lots of rain, overcast skies, wind and cool temperatures. Like always...we still had a great time...it's Florida after all!!

Our house is going to be wonderful! It is really big and has been mostly updated. Not at all what you think of when you envision a parsonage. Storage is going to be tricky, but we will just get creative. We may decorate the family room with our bikes! :)

In general, the area is very nice and I think we'll settle in quite nicely. Although, leaving Kentucky is not going to be easy. While watching the derby from a sports bar in Ft. Walton Beach, Jordan & I both cried during the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home". God is good and faithful and He is already taking care of details before I even ask. I know He is ahead of us in this move. He will guard our hearts and make the move be as easy as possible. I know that He has a friend (or 2) waiting for Jordan that we haven't even met yet. As for now, we'll walk through this time in joy and sorrow...laughing...and at times...crying.

The BIG announcement...

We've known for awhile, but have had to wait to announce:

Lance got appointed to St. Paul UMC in Gulf Breeze, Florida and we will be living in Navarre, Florida. Our house is located just 3.96 miles from Navarre Beach!!

So far....

I'm feeling optomistic this procedure worked. Had the ERCP yesterday and so far no sign of pancreatitis. I'm past the biggest risk for it, but still have to introduce real food into my body, which will happen later today.

The doctor found that the sphincter at the end of my bile duct (the Sphincter of Oddi) was really tight. Normal pressure is 40 and mine came in at an average of 65!!! When they put the dye in my bile duct it didn't even drain. He said he put a big cut into it to release it. So...that was the problem!!! I have a stint in my pancreatic duct to prevent pancreatitis and will have an x-ray in 2 weeks to see if it has fallen out (that is what it is supposed to do). If it doesn't fall out, they'll do an endoscope to take it out. (I'm hoping we don't have to do that.)

So, having bile backing up into my system was making me rather sick...go figure. The first GI doc I saw was reluctant to believe this was the problem and wanted to write it off as IBS. I'm glad I pushed for another doctor...a doctor I now trust more. I'm thankful that this new doctor listened and acted on my symptoms.

So...soup for lunch, ease back into "real" food over the next couple of days and my life should return to normal. Well...as normal as it can be. Watch for updates...we are moving soon!! :)

Happy Easter!!

We are enjoying a balmy 75 degree day...perfect for celebrating Easter!! We began our day joining a family that is dear to us in the baptism of their two beautiful children. We will enjoy Easter lunch with Paulo, Ju and the girls a little later. It's a great day to celebrate what our God has done for us!! Happy Easter---He Has Risen Indeed!!

Jordan's first turkey

Jordan got to go turkey hunting today--they have a youth season here! She shot her first turkey and it is huge!! It weighed in at 24 1/2 pounds and she can hardly hold it!! She is so excited!! She said when she shot it, the force of the gun knocked her over!! See, she hasn't shot the magnum shell that you use to shoot a turkey--too funny!! Here are the pics of her prize shot! We'll be having turkey for our Easter dinner this year!!! Her daddy is so proud. (He's only shot one turkey bigger than this.)

Hoping for better health...

I've been holding off posting about this...mostly because we've had more fun things going on here and because I don't want to sound like a big complainer. BUT...it is time to post and request prayer for myself. I had my gallbladder taken out almost a year ago and while I haven't been 100%, for awhile I was much better. Around the fall/winter I started feeling worse and my symptoms progressed to getting much worse at the beginning of January. On 1/23 I was in the ER with pain in my upper abdomen/chest and wrapping around to my back. It was worse than any gallbladder attack I have had.

I've had 2 lesser "attacks" since then and today had another pretty strong one that lasted about 9 hours. The pain was similar to what sent me to the ER, just not as constant (thank God I got some relief between bouts of pain), accompanied by nausea, etc...

I am scheduled for an ERCP next Thursday (4/8), in which the doctor will send a scope down my esophagus and investigate for a possible blockage in my bile duct. This is a common complication of gallbladder surgery. He will remove the blockage and hopefully send me home that day. The biggest risk is pancreatitis and if that occurs, I will be hospitalized until it resolves. Please pray that my system calms down and the next week is less painful and symptomatic for me. After being sick on and off for a year, a day like this really wears on me!! Also, I am coveting prayers for next Thursday that the doctor can fix what is wrong without the complication of pancreatitis!! Thank you for reading...and praying!!!!

Pearly Whites

Jordan got her braces taken off today!! YEA! Our family is finally brace-less!! No more rubberbands, no more wax, no more bread stuck in brackets... Her smile looks great!! She has enjoyed some chewy treats today, compliments of the orthodontist's office and her wonderful parents!!! We're so cool...right, Jordan?!?

Jacob

Jacob is a 2 year old that I work with here and have been seeing since he was 7 weeks old. His mom is requesting that I put out a prayer request to anyone I know. Jacob has multiple medical conditions and just yesterday his mom was informed that he has "restricted cardiomyopathy" and needs a heart transplant. The thing is that with his other medical problems, he may not be a candidate to be put on the transplant list. Without the transplant, Jacob's heart will continue to enlarge and he will not survive past childhood. Please pray for a miracle for Jacob. Pray that the doctors will give him favor and put him on the transplant list and a heart will be found for him. Please pray for strength for his family at this time as they are learning to cope with the fact that this little boy is much sicker than they thought. Thank you for your prayers!!!

Swoosh...

This was a great, sometimes intense Upward season! Play is a lot different with 6th-8th graders! This year Jordan was the only girl on her team and she took it in stride! Her goal was to break her record of 2 baskets in a season. Well... the last game of the season she not only broke her record, she got 2 baskets...that means she ended the season with 4 total baskets AND she made 2 baskets in one game...another record broken!! She plays better and more aggressively as the season goes on and this last game was her best yet. The above pic is a picture of the 2nd basket she made. I could've taken a picture of it actually going in, but I was too excited and quit taking pictures so I could cheer for my girl!! Great season, Mustangs!!!

Elijah

Our little Elijah would be SEVEN years old. Seven years...that seems like a long time ago. Elijah was born at 20 weeks gestation at 6:10 am on 3/6/03 weighing 9.5 ounces and was 7 3/4 inches long. What I remember about Elijah: I craved garlic cheese bread EVERY day I was pregnant with him. He particularly liked spicy food (and I do not), so I ate more of it too. Elijah got very active when he heard his big sister sing to him. When he was was born, I remember thinking how cute he was!! He looked so different from our girls...I wonder who he would have looked like. I wonder what he would be like as a SEVEN year old boy. Mmmm...

So today we'll celebrate Elijah's short time in our family with an angel food cake (with blue glaze--Jordan's request). Of course, she wants to put a pink polka dot candle on the top. I don't know who Elijah would have been, but I don't think he would have wanted a pink candle on his cake. Happy 7th Birthday in Heaven our sweet boy!!

So proud...

Jordan had her first flute solo and ensemble contest on Saturday. She played a duet w/ Abbey and then did a solo. We were so proud of her for attending at all...it was not mandatory for a grade, she just chose to go. WELL...she got "distinguished" on both her solo and duet. That is the highest marking you can get. Actually, the man that judged the duet gave them a distinguished +!!! That is really good for her first year in an organized band and her first year at the contest!! WAY TO GO, JORDAN!!!

My Sweet Hubby

So today is Lance's birthday & it's been quite an eventful day for him. He got to take Jordan to the pediatrician in the snow this morning. (Good excuse to put the truck in 4 wheel drive.) He found out he passed through the Board of Ordained Ministry and is all set for an appointment this summer. YEA! We thought the meeting went well last week; it is just nice to know that he was passed through!! Jordan and I took him to Taste Buds for some awesome pizza for lunch. And then, he started class this afternoon. (He has class today from 2:30-9:00pm.) This is the beginning of the end: the first day of his last semester. WOW! What a day. OH...and he'll come home to find out I got our taxes done and we're actually getting a refund! So cool!

I really don't think he looks like a 41 year old...definately doesn't act like one...still a kid at heart! I will say that I am so thankful that God put this wonderful man in my life. He is a wonderful husband and an awesome father. He takes such good care of his me & Jordan. I think he is going to make a great pastor. We have a wild ride ahead of us in the next year---it's gonna be fun! Happy Birthday, Lance! I love you!

Teenager

On Feburary 2nd at 3:15pm I will officially have a teenager. Where does the time go? I know other mothers have asked the same thing, but wasn't it just yesterday I brought this tiny bundle home? I can remember the day she was born like it just happened and now I have a teenager. Shhh...I'm not even sure I can even say it out loud!!

So let me tell you about this "teenager" of mine: she has a vibrant personality and a great laugh. She has a zest for life that is absolutely contagious! She has a natural talent for playing the flute and working with small children. She is completely obsessed with Harry Potter right now and likes the books, movies...well everything Harry Potter. She says what's on her mind (not always a good thing) and has a heart of gold.

I feel blessed to be Jordan's mommy and look forward to what God has planned for her future. Happy 13th Birthday, Jordan Lynn! I love you!

Sofia Lynn

We are the proud Godparents of a sweet little baby girl named Sofia Lynn born on 1/7/10. I was blessed to be there when she was born!!

Her big sister, Carolina, just loves her. I think Paulo & Juliana are adjusting to being the parents of 2 girls well. They are a sweet family and their girls are just beautiful!!