Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! As the new year begins, I think about the past year and how quickly it went by and all that I have learned from, this past year! So I have had some heartaches and disappointments, but all in all I can say 2008 was a good year, it was a year of change and new beginnings, and definitely growth. We (Earl & I) really learned to seek out God's will for our lives, individually and together as a family. In January I had the opportunity to go to Mars Hill Church in Michigan and hear Pastor Rob Bell speak/preach and was very moved by the whole experience, I heard from God that weekend and He (God) gave me a burning desire to serve him in a Bigger way, I also felt that something bigger than me was on its way, at the time I wasn't to sure what it was but I knew that if it was from God that HE would provide. In February Earl and I celebrated 12 years of Marriage. In March we decided to give up the ministry search and to re focus on what God wanted for us, and not so much what we wanted for ourseleves. In June we received a call from a church that Earl had previously interview at to re interview. He resubmitted his resume and interviewed, we went for a visit and we asked to join the staff at First Baptist Church in Augusta, KS. (Where we are currently at) We got the call the first weekend in July that Earl would be the new Director of Christian Education and Leadership Development. Oh and that we would be moving the first week of August! So in a little less than a month with 2 mission trips in between we were to move form Findlay, Ohio to Augusta, Kansas. Rebecca left for her trip to South Dakota and we began packing, and packing and packing. When she got back we go the call that Earl's mom had passed. She had been struggling for the last year and a half and finally went to be with her Heavenly Father and would suffer no more! We spent a week in Texas for the funeral and spending time together with family. In this we became a little closer with Earl dad and brother. I think this is the first time since we (Earl & I) have been married that we were all together. We came back from Texas and Michael & I went to Niagara Falls, NY for our mission trip. We spent a week serving the homeless and poor, and spent my last week in Youth at Stonebridge with some AMAZING middle schoolers. It was bitter sweet. We returned from that and left a few days later for our new home in Kansas! Earl got to work right away and the kids in school after being here just a week. Everyone has adjusted and It's hard to believe that we have been here only 5 short months. We Love our new home, our church and the town of Augusta. It's a bit smaller than Findlay but everyone is so nice and welcoming. Our new Church is Amazing! Rebecca was in the fall play at School (Once Upon a Mattress) and won a medal in Debate! She is in her Junior year @ Augusta High School and is doing great. She is in Choir, and taking some tougher classes this year! Preparing for College! Michael is in 7th grade @ Augusta Middle School. He is the Manager for the boys basketball team, and is in Band and Choir. He is still playing the trumpet but also is expanding his music ability with the Oboe and piano, this year! Michael and Rebecca are both involved with the youth @ FBC. Katie is in 4th grade and is excelling at Ewalt. She has made many new friends since being here and Loves going to Kids Club @ FBC. She is growing into a Beautiful Young Woman. I am so Proud of all of them. Earl began his first ministry position and is loving it. I have taken the longest to adjust to the move, but I can truly say that I think of this as our home now. I attended a women's retreat, helped with the Children's Christmas Program and the Women's Ministry Luncheon. I have begun to work with the Youth here @ FBC and am leading Middle School Girl Group. I still have the passion to work with and encourage middle school girls, to see their true Beauty in God. We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving here in Augusta with My parents (Joe & Julie) and Earl's dad (Bob), this was the first time they ever met and spent time together. For Christmas we trekked back to Ohio to visit with my family and all our Wonderful Ohio Friends! We spent New Years Eve Together as a family snuggling, watching movies in front of the fire. (OK some of us fell asleep :)) But as we begin 2009 I pray that we will grow more in God's Love, that we will grow close together, and that we will seek God's will. My goals resolutions for this new year are to get Healthy (and stick with it), to be in God's word every day, to get more organized, and finally to keep better contact with those we love so dearly near and far! This blog is one way but I also hope to write more letters and send more pictures! And some day soon, I hope to add some pictures to this blog. So until then!

Know you are Loved,Thought of & Prayed for!

Love Christina