Life Moves at a Rapid Pace!

Jordan
John, Nichole and Jack
Lindsay and Paul, Marissa, Addison and Oliva

I thought I would use these "snowy days" to update my blog.........since we are spending days upon days inside.........but it has been a time of fun games, reading and some cleaning......and also having school.....yes, we have had school for most of the days.......some days have been modified but we are full steam this week .

It has been a year of faith and joy and a growing knowledge of knowing that ALL things are in our Savior's hands!

Lindsay our oldest is homeschooling and it is fun to share ideas and watch her.......and yes, it seems like yesterday when I started homeschooling her......Paul, our son in law, was added as anassociate pastor this past month. It is a joy to come alongside them and help them with babysitting while they minister together. It is a blessing for sure that they live here and we can share our lives together.

John and Nichole's son Jack was born last January! We had so much fun with them in the month of December--such sweet memories and laughter! He is the branch manager for Enterprise in Springfield, MO. I wish they lived here too!

Jordan continues to work at Lowe's while taking classes at TCC. It is truly a pleasure to enjoy games and life with him. He is a great brother to our younger children and a great Uncle to say the least!

Rachel spent her last semester at the University of Tulsa in Amman, Jordan studying abroad. Truly a great way to end her college career! Now she is searching for a job:) Our adopted kids love her so and she loves to teach them cooking and being a great role model. I will say it is great to have her home!

Josiah is a sophomore at Bob Jones University where he is studying Residential Construction Project Management and Christian Service. His desire is to help in construction projects in Africa. He plans to return to Zambia this summer to work as an assistant leader with AIDS orphans.

Sarah is a sophomore and working at a rapid pace so she can take concurrent classes at TCC next year. Her desire is to go to law school and work with human traffic issues throughout the world.

Timmy amazes us daily as he is learning to read, quotes his AWANA verses and makes us laugh! Paul is playing basketball for the Green Country Defenders this year and he is really enjoying it! His biological sister Hannah always makes us smile and loves to serve at home and church. It is amazing to think they have been a part of our family for over 7 years!

Laurena spends her days reading and doing puzzles in her free time---she really wants to be a Pediatric Surgeon and I think she will . Such a long way from her days in Liberia!

Abigail and Peter, also biological siblings from Guatemala have come so far, working thru their past. I am so thankful that they have a safe home and family now and look forward to see how the Lord will work in their lives.

It was a year ago we returned from China with our 11 year old daughter Mary Kate---a child who has never looked back and longed for a family---she never "missed a beat", stepping right into family life like she had always lived here!

Life has brought many joys and sorrows.....many changes.....

We continue to praise the One who never changes, who we trust in daily for ALL things! How grateful I am for His work in my life and the lives of our family!

To God be the Glory!