New Road We Are On

Well, I think it is safe to say most know now that our family is moving. Shaun officially gave his resignation today @ church, and we spoke with the students on Wednesday. It is hard to believe this is all really happening. I mean I knew it was, but I guess I haven't let it completely sink in until now.
I think I am at a bitter sweet moment. While very excited to move to a new church family and youth ministry, it is hard saying good bye to everyone here. Our students have touched us in a way they will never fully understand. I feel I have learned so much from them. They truly show Christ in their lives. They thirst for Him like I havent seen many do.
God has been so good to us! He allowed us the pleasure of working with these students, and now He considers us worthy to serve Him in Lewisville. I admit it scares me a little to think of living in the metroplex. I never thought I would. And now I am like a giddy little kid who is totally excited to see what is in store for us. Southside Baptist Church is a phenomenal church. They have loved us, encouraged us, prayed for and with us and been a huge support in our lives. They have been there since Jarrett turned 1, we lost our pregnancy, students' lives changed, and much much more!
But I am ready for what God has in store for us next. I have always told Shaun I wanted to live somewhere we stayed so that Jarrett could grow up in one place. I truly believe we have that opportunity now. We are committing to Northview-we want to see all the amazing things God will continue to do. And we are looking forward to this next chapter in our lives. But Southside will always have a special place in my heart-and I look forward to keeping in touch with everyone from here on out.

Man I love my bed!

Well we are officially home again:) It felt sooo great to be back in my bed. I was very comfortable at Marney's house, but there is nothing like your own bed. Thanks to my sweet parents, we got the best mattresses ever created as Christmas gifts. They have been the best gift ever! We really enjoyed our vacation. We got to do nothing, which truly was great and needed for us. I mean we did take Jarrett to the zoo, the park, fed ducks (all with lots of pics), but it was also nice to not get out of our pj's til after lunch or just play trains and baseball with Jarrett @ the house. I am so thankful we got to do this. We feel so refreshed-and rightfully so since we slept lots! That's about all there is to write for now, but I hope you enjoy the pictures & if I can figure out how..I have a couple of cute videos too!

What a time!

Well I guess it is time to let the cat out of the bag as to where we chose to go on vacation. Many asked & we dared not tell..no point really just fun to tease! We are in NM, which we love! Many I think assumed we'd go to Glorieta. I mean we all know where else is there to get away in NM, right? Well God had just His perfect plan for us!
My Marney (my grandmother-thats what I call her) is actually in Florida for a while to help out with my new baby cousin. So, she let us stay in her house. It has been nothing short of AWESOME! Now some may say give me a break-that's a vacation? For us-YES! We have an entire house (not just a hotel room) to ourselves, we get to cook all our own food, which is great for 2 reasons. 1)we are all gluten free so it is hard eating out 2) it adds up fast! Plus, we get to do NOTHING. That is what we desired more than anything.
We didn't want to go to constant activities and such. We wanted to be able to stay in our jammies (can ya tell I'm a mommy?) all day if we want, no deadlines, no places to be and if we want to get out we can. We have really enjoyed it. So, here are a few pics for all to see of our vacationing. Jarrett has loved it. He sadly asks everyday back home "where are we going today?" Thankfully, he has yet to ask that here. He loves all this downtime too! Enjoy! We sure are:) And thanks to those of you who make this possible-marney, our volunteers back home, and our Lord for setting aside a vacation that we know will forever be etched in our memories as the best one we will ever take!

How great is God? I would have to say pretty darn great! About a week ago, I was just plain struggling. Thanks to my wonderful Savior, my sincerely sweet husband, Jarrett's kisses, and friends' prayers, I am feeling much better.

Things are busy now, but I have enjoyed it. I took 19 youth girls to an all girls' conference in Lubbock this weekend. They seemed to have a great time, and I love being a part of their wonderful lives. Now we are planning for Disciple Now this weekend. I am so excited for it. The students always look forward to it, and Shaun has put a lot of hard work and love into this one. I think they will have a blast. But more than the obvious fun;) I want our students to find Christ.

That is something I wake up reading and trying to pray everyday. That Shaun and I find Christ in the midst of everything. We want to find our lives in His hands. We want to seek His presence and His peace. I feel we are in a great place right now together. We have spent 2 different nights now up until at least 2am talking. Don't know about you others out there-but I LOVE getting to talk to my husband that long and that intimately. We were just pouring our hearts out to each other. That is from our lives with the Lord to me talking about the Duggar family (whom I adore) to Shaun talking sports-which I am learning! It has been wonderful!

It seems it is always during this time of the year, everything seems to go neutral. Students are tired of school, adults are ready for summer (some of them), the students in our ministry are tired and so are we..as I am sure our volunteers are too! This time becomes are downtime (after DNOW) to rest and recuperate and get ready for summer. Shaun and I hope to get that time just as a family. Not to visit others or go somewhere fun and fancy. We want to be alone-just the 3 of us-and search God. Have HIM prepare us for this summer. It will be hard. Shaun is gone one week, home one week, gone one week...well you get the idea..all up until August. That is a lot of away time from each other. So I pray we get that time now.

I guess we are different. In saying this I mean that we are not about travelling everywhere and doing everything. Don't get me wrong if money and time allowed we would do this from time to time. But for now, we don't want to be tired from the school year of work and go into the summer that way. We want to be recuperated and the best place and way to do that is to seek our Lord and find His peace and comfort.

I pray as the school year starts closing that you too search and find His peace. Don't buy into the world's ideas of escape-true escape and comfort is only found within Him. Love you all!

One of those days...

I have to be honest..I just haven't felt like writing much. Besides our ever busy lives, I find it hard to sit down and just type. Today, however, is a day that I need to. I am having one of those days. A day where you need to clean-but of course don't want to (thought I've got half the house done!), a day where I should go outside-but I want to stay n and just sit, a day where I need to make phone calls-but don't feel like talking much, a day where nothing sounds good to eat, and a day where no doctor office will call back with any results!
I don't want this to be a bad day, and I honestly don't feel it is a bad one. More like a blah one. I know these days are normal, but it is hard feeling like this especially when it is so beautiful outside. I think a trip to the park is definetly necessary. I am having a hard week really...and by week I mean the last 5-6 days. Shaun and I had to see another doctor for some check-ups and it just seems like my molar pregnancy and chemo treatments continue to follow me. I know what you're thinking-duh things follow you. But I really felt like we were quite a bit past that time period. However, it is still affecting my health. The dr said I am immuno-compromised. That is a fancy word to say my body isn't itself--STILL! It is just so difficult to not feel like I have my body back.
To make matters more difficult, I am 6 days late. I have taken pregnancy tests but they say negative. My most recent one was Sunday night-negative. I know God is in control-I really do-but it doesnt make this time any easier. It is a difficult battle. I am forever grateful Jarrett-he is so amazing and means more to me than mere words could describe. And I do not at all think he is not enough. I just want another child. For most women, being 6 days late is exciting. For me, it doesn't mean a lot. My body isn't itself-therefore no one can tell me what is going on. To make matters worse, I can't get a call back from the dr's office to find out anything. They didnt run a pregnancy test, but I would certainly like to clue them into the so-many days late thing.
I am so blessed in my life. I am sure of this..every bit of my family is amazing. I love Shaun's job. I love all my friends, my town, and mostly my Savior. But today honestly, I just hurt. I hurt that I don't have a normal body, that I want a baby so bad and everyone around me is pregnant. I in no way want to take that from them. I am so thrilled for everyone of them. But I want it too! I even talked to a woman the other day who isnt sure that she may be pregnant again..and she just had her 2nd baby who is only 4 months old! We have been trying for 2 years. If anyone should read this, which I am not sure of, I ask for your prayers. For both me and Shaun-it is a hard time. Some days are great, others not so much. I want to say I am sorry for the long blog but it really helped me. Thank you my sweet sweet Jesus-for loving me and blessing me the ways you have through my husband and son and many more blessings to count. But also thank You for the hard times. They cause me to lean harder on You-fill my home with Your presence-I cherish and love You...