Thankful

I must say - I'm quite proud that I figured out how to post on this thing. :) Thanks, Rosa, for getting it set up. I love checking it every few days to see if anyone has posted. I received some good news today - I've been asked to become the Director of Youth Ministries for our church. It's a 10-hour per week position, and it sounds perfect. Mark and I have been praying that God would give us a bit more income, and that it wouldn't affect too much of our family time in the evenings. I've been volunteering with the youth for 11 years since we first started at our church, it's now turning into a paid position. God has given me such a passion for the Jr. High and High School age group, I can't wait to see how He's going to work through this new position. Please pray for a smooth transition as the current staff person is working 40 hours per week, and we're cutting it to 10. But primarily pray that God will lead us so we can bring in more kids, yet continue to feed our current kids.

Can't wait to see most of you on Thursday.
Love,
Abby

Thanksgiving Week

We are thankful for family and protection on Saturday night. We were tearing down the old barn and the fire decided not to stay in the hole where it started. Everyone is good and nothing else was damaged, but it did make for some scary moments, lots of running and fire trucks.

I am also excited to be able to see all of my sisters at some point in time this weekend.

Remember to take some time to give thanks for the abundance of God's love in His care of each of us through this past year.

Love,
Karen

Thanksgiving week

Bernie's mom went home from the hospital today. Pray that her strength returns quickly.

I am looking forward to seeing ALL of my sisters this week at some point.

Tour of stores is tomorrow night. I have my spinach dip w/ pita chips, cheesecake bites, peppermint bark, and wassail. I hope everyone enjoys it. Costco is good to me.

I am also planning a Midnight Gladness sale on Dec 5. We will have carolers, a live nativity, hourly specials and a drawing for laptop.

I am working hard to think outside the box this season. God is bigger than the economy!

Love you all! Rosa

Wednesday

Today I am thankful for:
Health
Good employees
Doctors and hospitals
Watching God move

Bernie and I had class tonight and it was good. We are enjoying this leadership class. Our "project" is a couples ministry. We see the need daily - but have no idea on how to implement it. This class is teaching us that we need to make a team - we are trying to figure that piece out. Part of me doesn't want to screw it up - but I know that God is full of mercy and will go before us. Part of me wonders if my real issue is realizing the magnitude of this project and not sure if I want to get in that deep.

Bernie's mom is still in the hospital. She had surgery on Monday. They took out about a foot of her small intestine due to adhesions and a kink. The recovery path is long and the kids are protective.

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. I saw Mom yesterday and she is a very busy person. She is playing in Branson until Saturday night. I hope she has a great time.

I had the priveledge to have lunch with Diane yesterday. I appreciated her thinking of me when she had an available time....

Love you all! Rosa

What are you thankful for today?

Today I am thankful for:
"House Hunters" on TLC
My new red winter coat
A daycare that Jessa loves
Tim's skills with a camera
Christmas Music

Ahhh...Mondays. They kinda make you appreciate every other day of the week besides Monday, huh? Thankfully, I have Friday off, so that makes for a short week at work!
We were in Pella this past weekend because Tim was the official wedding photographer at a wedding. He did an amazing job! It was fun to watch him do something he enjoys and is very good at. I hope the newlyweds love their pictures too! I was glad that Diane & Bob were at the reception (Diane works with the bride) so that I at least knew SOMEBODY! Jessa had a good time with Grandpa and Sunshine while we were at the wedding. My favorite story is when Mom & Jessa were looking at the Sears "Wish Book," and mom would circle and 'J' all of the toys Jessa wants. She was very particular, and wanted NOTHING to do with the dolls that go potty. Which is funny because she wants NOTHING to do with potty training! What's a mom to do? I'm hoping that since we'll be home this weekend, it'll be a good time to 'crack down' and potty train! Any suggestions? We've already tried: potty chart, pull ups, m&ms, and putting her back into diapers... We'll see what happens this weekend!

~Becky

Church

We had a congregational meeting today. Now for most of you, your church history (I think) is that there isn't a split everytime something doesn't go right. Well, FRC has a long history of getting along when everything flows smoothly. When something rocks the boat people get their feathers ruffled and they fly the coop. So today we had a meeting that we voted on a 1.3 million dollar renovation of the church and a 2nd pastor. It was defeated....by 8 votes....8 votes....that's really close...and enough for there to stir discension. Now, FRC has come a long way in the past 6 years in learning how to deal with differences of opinion and I feel like today will be a test of everything we've learned. Please pray for this to not cause devisiveness in the body, but rather as an opportunity to better communicate with each other and learn what the fears were that caused it to go down. FRC really needs this to show the community that we are stronger than we ever have been and that we can work through this also. Thanks!

Diane

We are back home...

Okay, folks, we came back home...Bernie's mom is in the hospital. She has some intestinal complications. Please pray that it will work itself out - otherwise she will have surgery on Monday. We are starting to get a complex about leaving. But that won't stop us from going again - we are just going to pray before we go and while we are gone, that nothing will happen.

Bernie's bday party was a blast. We had so much fun with all the family and friends. And the ugly sweaters were so much fun. I think most of the fun was looking for them.

When you folks post, please put your names in them. I like to know who is talking to me.

Rosa

This weekend...

This weekend is a big one. Bonnie and I are baking for the bazaar on Friday - selling our stuff on Saturday and partying on Saturday night. You cannot believe how much we are looking forward to seeing you all at the party. - Rosa

What Becky is thankful for...

~ Timothy Troy and Jessa Marie :)
~ The freedom to vote
~ God's power and authority to work ALL things for good!
~ Beautiful fall weather
~ UGLY SWEATERS!

Speaking of ugly sweaters...I DO have a few extra for those of you who are having a hard time finding some! I think 3 or 4 extras. Joy has already spoken for "What's New Pussycat?" Don't be jealous!:) I'm SO excited for this weekend. It will be fun to see everyone--and funny to see everyone's ugly sweaters!!!!! :)

~Becky