Sunday, June 18, 2006

Back in VA

Colton LOVED running through the bubbles! This is a pic of my sister and the craft that we were working on for VBS.

Well, I'm back in VA again. My "vacation" seemed to fly by while I was running around in TN. I had a good time spending time with my sister and nephew. My Mom was and is busy preparing for Vacation Bible School. My sister will be teaching the 5 year olds and I got to help her get some of the crafts ready for that. My nephew is starting to say more words and communicate better. He loves to be outside and blow bubbles.
I also got to see my friend, Lindsey Stewart, who is getting married in August. I really miss all my friends back in Powell. On the way home, I was able to visit with another college friend, Stephanie Osborne, which was really nice too! So I was very thankful to get to spend some time with good friends.
Aaron sang at church this morning. He sang "Hungry". I wish that he had time to do more worship leading, but God has been good to open up opportunities here and there at church and at his CMDA meetings at school. (Christian medical & dental Assoc.). He is the vice president of the CMDA this year, which meets once a month.
Last night we watched "End of the Spear" on DVD. For those of you who haven't heard about it.... it is based on the true story of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and a couple of other guys who as missionaries, were trying to make contact with a tribe of people in Ecuador. I don't want to tell the whole story, some of you probably know it, but it is really good. However, the movie does not really talk at all about God much, but that's what it is all about. We are going to try and find the documentary movie "Beyond the Gates of Splendor", which goes into more detail about their lives. It was just so good to remind us that our one true purpose here on earth is to share Jesus with others and bring him Glory, even if it means giving our lives, leaving or even losing our family, and living in uncomfortable places so that others might know Him. We waste so much time on things which have no eternal value. Aaron and I both were challenged to be more intentional in witnessing and sharing with those around us RIGHT NOW, at school and at work, and not to wait until we go to other countries. We are surrounded by lost people all around us, and it is our responsibility to tell them the good news. ok, well, i'll stop preaching now. I just get excited when I think about the power of God and all He desires to accomplish and work through us if we make ourselves available to Him.
Please say a prayer for Aaron this week, he will be having finals all week and then a week off. We praise God for enabling him daily and helping him understand and learn all of this material. Hope you all have a good Sunday, and Happy Fathers Day to both our dads! Thanks for all you have done and continue to do for us. We love you!

Monday, June 12, 2006

I'm on vacation!!

School is out and I have a week and two days of vacation. However, I was still working on paperwork this morning and had to go to our office to print it all out, and I still have an employee review that I need to do before we start back, but I'm putting that off until next week. I started making our DVD of our Kenya trip last night. It is so fun putting it together. I can't wait until it's finished, but it will take awhile.
Before I forget, Happy Anniversary to my mother & father-in-law. They are celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary today. WOW! I am very thankful for them and their Godly example they set for us. Our friends here, KJ and Michelle also celebrated their 2nd wedding anniversary! And Laura & David's (aaron's sister) anniversary is Wed. Happy Anniv. to them too!!!! And Happy Belated birthday to my dad, Laura, and Uncle Jerry. WHEW!!!! and there are a lot more to come in the next few weeks, including our anniversary..... June 26th!!
I am heading home to TN tomorrow. Aaron is still in school this week, so I figured I would go home and hang out with my family. Aaron is doing very well in school, Praise the Lord!! He got a 92 on his Anatomy test last Friday!!! I can see God enabling him daily to persevere in his studying and going to class each day. I know God is preparing him to be a great doctor for His Glory. I often wonder where God will take us and how he will use us in the future.
For those of you who don't know, my dad has a ruptured disk in his back and is experiencing tremendous pain and has been dealing with this for a long time now. It is hard for him to walk and get around at all right now. He is going to therapy, and they hope that will fix things without having to do surgery. Please pray that God will heal him soon and give him strength, patience, and wisdom to take care of himself as he waits. I know God has a purpose for this trial and that He works all things for the good. Romans 8:28
Well, I'll stop rambling now. I hope to have some good pictures to share when I get back from TN! Hope everyone has a good week.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Green thumb?

Well here is what Aaron and I worked on today. We went to Lowe's last night and invested in some flowers. We decided these will be like our "pets". They will be less expensive and do not require a babysitter while we are out of town. I do not have a good history of taking care of plants and flowers, so hopefully these will turn out ok. And of course I couldn't resist another picture of my newphew, Colton, while we were in the mountains last weekend. He is starting to talk a little more now. He will be 2 in September.
It was a beautiful day today and it was nice to be outside. Tonight we went over to our friends, Derek & Tiffany to start a video bible study on The Song of Solomon. It is geared more toward singles, but has a lot of good wisdom and information about marriage and husband/wife relationships too. One of the things we discussed which actually came from our old Sunday School class in Powell was..."What if God created marriage to make us HOLY instead of to make us HAPPY??" Just something to reflect on. I am so thankful for my husband and I pray that our marriage brings glory to Him.