It's been too long...

It's been over a year since Brian and I have used this blog. It's a fantastic tool to keep in touch with anybody who is interested - but alas. Life tends to get busy and we forget.

There is a lot going on with us right now. I'll let Brian tell about everything that is going on at church. I am very excited about what the Lord is doing in Gaston, SC - but he really enjoys sharing the work so I will let him.

The kids are all doing great. Blakley is finishing up her last year in elementary school. She didn't play softball this spring (for the first time since she was 4 years old). Amazingly enough, I've kind of missed it. I didn't think I would. I think it was best for her to sit this season out, though. She has really struggled with school this year and she really couldn't afford to have one more thing to devote her time to. She has been in Girl Scouts this year, though. I am thinking about leading a Cadette Troop next year as she will be old enough to move up to that level. We'll have to see though. She is currently working on earning her Bronze Award. For a project she wants to organize a mini concert at a local nursing home. I think it's a great idea. She gets to share her God-given talent with some people who will appreciate the attention she wants to give.

Jacob is doing great. He's turning out to be something of a "talker" at school. He hasn't brought home anything lower than a 96 on his report card all year. His teachers only complaints? He talks a little too much sometimes and he can't keep his bottom in his seat. Ha! I don't know where he gets these talking tendencies. hehehe Jacob is in Eagles (Gifted and Talented) this year. I think that has been such a wonderful thing for him. It presents a challenge for him at school - which he DESPERATELY needs. I think he has such a problem with talking because he finishes his work so quickly and doesn't have anything to do. It's no excuse, I know, but I don't want him to be bored with learning.

Christian is finishing up his first year of school. He's getting to be such a big boy. They grow up too fast. He spends half a day every day in a Spanish speaking only classroom. He is learning quite a bit of Spanish. Brian and I are both very excited to see him learning a second language so young. It is going to be so beneficial to him in his life. We are praying that he will one day find a way to use the ability to honor and glorify the Lord. Brian is looking forward to having a visitation partner who can be of some help to him when knocks on the door of a Hispanic family. It will be so nice not to have that language barrier there. Back to Christian - it caught me off-guard when his teacher (of the english speaking class) asked all the students to write something. Christian wrote his IN SPANISH! He still hasn't gotten to bring it home. His spanish teacher was so proud of him she's insisting that she keep it til the end of the year. LOL I don't blame here.

Brian is staying very busy with church and family. We have an elderly lady in our church that ocassionally needs Brian to take her to her Dr's appointments or to the grocery store, etc. She was so sick last week. Brian went over to check on her one day and I think he did some light housework for her. She is such a sweet woman. We call her our "South Carolina Grandma". She considers us family, too. Every Wednesday night I pick her up to take her to church. She always has a smile on her face no matter how tired she is. She always has the Funnies from Sunday's paper for Jacob to read. It's such an encouragement to Brian and me to have her in our church family. She is our encourager so many times. Brian, of course, has also been doing a lot with the kids while I go to school. I don't know what I'd do without him.

Speaking of me going to school - that's not going to be happening for much longer. May 9, 2009 will be the day that I am officially a college graduate! YAY!!! I am so excited. Although while I sit typing this, I should be writing an extra credit paper. Or studying for a final... I'm just so excited about what is going on in my family. My kids are healthy. My husband is healthy and able to work. Graduation is just around the corner. My Savior lives - and is in control of everything under the Sun. He is taking care of us, sustaining us, and loving us. What more can a person ask for? God is so good - ALL THE TIME!

Real quick - before I wrap this up - I want to share what we did last night. Brian, the kids, and I all went to a church about 5 miles from our home that was hosting a live simulcast event by Dave Ramsey. You may have heard about it. It was called "Town Hall for Hope". Brian and I have been on a big Dave Ramsey kick this year. We are determined to be debt free in 6 years - all except for our house. We've had a yard sale, we are looking into selling some of my old text books on ebay, we've almost got our van paid for... It's such a blessing to take control of our money instead of letting it control us. I am so excited about this, I'm telling everyone I can about it. Go to www.daveramsey.com. We are hoping to go through Financial Peace University this year. If you want to know more about it, you can find all kinds of info about it on this website.

Anyway - back to the Town Hall for Hope. Dave really laid it out for all the country and world to hear. I do not believe that our government is going to be able to get us out of this recession. I think the American people are going to have to do it - by being more responsible with our money. Pay cash - less credit... I know - sounds crazy, doesn't it? Normal is changing in our household. I've been telling people - "I am an American, and I refuse to participate in this recession." LOL The really great thing? By telling people about Dave Ramsey, I give myself an avenue to talk about the Lord. It's been so helpful for me.

Okay - I guess I've bored you all enough. (Did I leave anything for Brian to talk about?) Now I guess I know where Jacob gets his tendency to talk. :)

Take care, everyone. Please keep us in your prayers. We need them...

Christel