Tuesday, August 26, 2008

THE CHECK LIST...



THE CHECK LIST:
Paper work Mailed off today (thank you Mia)









$$ Application Fee -
Check
Formal Application - Check
Medical exams - scheduled
Financial Statement - Check
Criminal Record Background Investigation Form - Check
Discipline Policy Form - Check
Notice of Privacy Practices Form - Check
Adoption Release and Consent - Check
Proof we are on city water - Check
Copy of Marriage License - Check
Copy of tax return - Check
Copy of birth certificates - Check
FBI fingerprint clearance -got finger printed today at the police station will FedEx to FBI and wait 8-10 weeks for the report.

The next step (I believe) will be a joint interview with J and I with the Agency while we wait for the FBI clearance and begin reading the book: Dear Birthmother which is on order and we should have by Friday.

To be continued...

Friday, August 22, 2008

Here we go

A lot has been taking place in our lives the past few months. We are loving every minute of our busy lives. There is just something so great about being busy with things that matter.

Our involvement with youth group has increased. We have been leading the youth hand-in-hand with our friend Aaron as interim until our new youth pastor takes the helm. We are really enjoying our time with the youth and know that it is exactly where the Lord wants us to minister right now. We have weekly youth group meetings on Sunday night, youth Lead team on Thursday nights where we meet with 6 of the youth who have a desire to lead their peers. We try and spend some quality one-on-one time with at least one person from the youth group at least once a week to build some strong relationships. On top of this Johnathon is leads the worship team on Sunday morning and our youth group worship. Very fun times doing something that matters in the Kingdom of God!

Work is growing us (I know I can speak for Johnathon on this). I love being challenged by work. Although, I don't always embrace it as I should - the challenge is good. It seems like nothing grows my character more than working with my family, friends and co-workers. I know that could be taken in a negative way, but that is not at all how I mean it. There are just so many opportunities to choose integrity, honesty and patience or the contrast, and it is in those moments where I either allow my character to grow or my flesh to celebrate in it's selfishness.
So I am grateful that the Lord is still perfecting and teaching me...what better way to know that your relationship with God is alive!

While in the midst of all this Johnathon and I are taking a leap of faith. After 2 years of trying to have biological children we have decided to pursue adoption. I cannot begin to tell you how very, very, very excited we are! We have talked about it for almost a year and researched it quite a bit but never really decided to go for it -now we are! Our plan is to adopt domestically for our first adoption. We are hoping to adopt a bi-racial baby for several reasons, but mostly because they are the least wanted...which breaks our hearts more than we can express. We our in the process of completing a very lengthy application with an agency called Bethany Christian Services. So far so good. Please be praying for us as we walk down this road. Hopefully I will be able to keep any readers that I might have up to date!



I will leave you with some fun pictures from the Bahamas.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Monday, June 23, 2008

Trying to remain faithful...to my blog

So in efforts to remain faithful to my blog I'm trying to post more. Whether great or not so great I'm going to post more often.

Reading list:
Do Hard Things: a teenage rebellion against low expectations - by Alex and Bret Harris

Dreaming Big: Energizing yourself and your team with a crystal clear life dream - by Bobb Biehl and Paul Swets

360 degree leader - by John Maxwell

The Giver - by Lois Lowry

So far I'm really into Do Hard Things...it is a great book for all people ministering to youth and is a even better for your youth to read!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

To do list

1. Accomplish all important work task before I leave for the women's conference in Atlanta (1 week from today)

2. Go to Barnes and Noble to pick up all the books I ordered and plan on reading while on vacation

3. Pull luggage out of the attic

4. Begin thinking "what do I want to bring with me to the Bahamas?"

5. Prepare to relax and receive from the Lord while at the women's conference. PTL

6. Resist the desire to purchase anything else for vacation until I go to Atlanta where I will shop till I drop *note-to-self bring an empty luggage bag for all the shopping goods.

7. Tell Johnathon how awesome he is because he is the greatest husband ever and I love him very much.

8. Stop making this to do list and go work-out at the gym!!!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Life...

May ended June is already 12 days gone...how does that happen soo fast!?

If you would like to take a look at Marcie's wedding pictures go to David Molnar Weddings The pictures are amazing! Thank you David and Tammy Molnar for being so great!

The weekend after the wedding we had Johnathon's grandparents (Damiens side) surprise 50th anniversary! It was so sweet. They had no clue. Here are the 2 good pics we have...our battery died in the camera. (Hint, hint...Gary or Angie email me some pictures).

Then the next big event was the "Desperation Youth Retreat" we have been planing for months! June 6 -7 it was awesome. The Lord was so faithful throughout the entire retreat and changed the lives of so many youth! Do we have any pictures...nope still a dead battery!

So this is the month of transition in the youth group and church. Nate and Amy (the current youth pastors) are moving to Alabama. Johnathon, myself and Aaron $ are transitioning into the youth leader position. We are sad and excited. Sad that Nate and Amy will be gone...excited because the Lord is stirring and churning a deep desire in our hearts for the Youth of our Church so we know it is the ministry that the Lord is calling us to right now. Although it is an interim position we are ready to be used of the Lord for how ever long this season last!

At the end of this month I will be attending a Women's Conference in Atlanta called "Deeper Still" and I'm really excited!



Then...July 1...will take us to....drum roll please....

What looks like this?Has one of these?

And I get to do this...


...and this...


...all day, every day!

!!!!THE BAHAMAS!!!!

Johnathon, Myself and his parents are going to the Bahamas...ahhh I can't wait! I plan on charging my camera battery for that!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

They did it!!


Marcie and Dad



The newlyweds!

Ok so these pictures were ripped off of one of the Baker girl's facebook...thank you. ;-)

Marcie's wedding was very fun and the whole day, although busy was surprisingly peaceful and calm. Marcie was the coolest, calmest bride I have ever seen. On top of the fact she was drop dead gorgeous.

I have lots of fun things to post for the month of May and will soon.