Happy Birthday Andy!

Happy birthday sweetheart!!! I love you so much and this post is all about you. I love this picture because it sums up what you are all about. You love people, it does not matter what race, creed, color, economical status, or age. Your heart breaks to see people turn to Jesus and possess the hope He can give. Many times I haven't gotten "it".
I am remembering how you loved those children in Nairobi, how you just wanted to walk around all day and play w/ them, and feed them candy! All day, ya'll I couldn't get him away. How you led that young man in the barber shop to Jesus. A barber shop in the middle of the slums, were many people would not dare go into, especially a "mizungo" Kswahili for whitey. HA!
I remember how you drove 80 miles out in the middle of the night to go get a friend who called from a crack-house because she was ready to give it up. Today she is a sister in christ, baptized and married to her then live in boyfriend. She is now reaching out and has her eyes on the prize.
The young teenager who was on his way to kill his ex-best friend because of some ridiculus mis-understanding. That day he came up to you for no particular reason, except that our house was on his way to this other teen's house. You were outside getting ready for a soccer game. We were busy like we always are but you stopped and listened to him. You decided that day he needed to hear about the love of Christ, there was something about him that day. Then he told you about his plans to kill but how he did indeed need Jesus! We were dumbstruck, bewildered! God is awesome.
The woman who had a runaway daughter and was on the brink of suicide. You came along her and her husbands side and were a testimony of the love of Christ. You were there to comfort and encourage. I can go on and on... Andy you love people because you love God! The loveliest part is that our kids have seen this in you and they have also bought into it.
Thank you for allowing God to use you. I know our future is uncertain, but were ever God leads you, I will follow. Happy birthday.

Summin' it up

This was our first day of kindergarden for Brady!! Isn't he cute? The only thing is that, well, you see this shirt? Yeah.... well he thought it would look so much nicer if it just had a nice big whole in it... you know like a big hello, a shout out if you would, to all the homeboys in K-5! Ha, the teacher called me and was s0 upset and worried that I would be angry! I was just happy it was his shirt and not anybody else's he was inspired to design.

Here is our little princess entering into second grade. "Dad uh not here, you promised no kisses or hugs by anyone who will remotely remember this oh so special moment" The entire time she was like okay ..uh you can go now! Funny! She is really doing well and adjusting to her new school. Thanks for all the prayers.

"Peace out my brothers" Justin rollin' and kickin' it with the fuzzy, blue hat. Yep that's all I can say about that! But tell me the truth, the dimple on the chin.. isn't it adorable? Justin also is doing very well in school. We just got our first progress report... and all A's.

And this... is Riley and his dad Tim. Doesn't he need to be in commercials? (Riley that is, Tim we love you but, well you know). These are our friends that took us to Silver Dollar City in Branson on Labor Day! The kids had such a blast it was nice to get to know them and their family. Lori, Riley's mom went to school with Andy and I at Clearwater Christian College. Super nice people with super nice kids!

The kids all had a wicked cool time riding almost all the rides! They have three kids all about the same age as our kids. Now we know of a hot spot to take you when you come up and visit.

You can bearly make out Justin and Taylor riding one of the roller coaster. It was their third time!! That's what was really cool about this park vs Disney... hardly any waiting and the rides are really great!

And here is the crew. Caleb, Justin, Brady, Madi,Taylor and Riley in the front doing some sort of wild chicken dance! It was a fun day! Thanks to Tim and Lori.

I'd like to make special mention...This thursday is my mom's birthday. She has been a great example to me, of what a strong woman is. She is a woman with character and integrity. Her life has not been an easy one. I have seen her struggle and wrestle with some of life's hardest blows and all the while resolving to never give up, to never stop fighting. Thank you mom for being a faithful friend, for always believing and standing by my side. Thanks for teaching me that when life gives you lemons... well, Amy make some lemonade. As I am writing this, a verse comes to my mind. That even though life is hard at times, God does have a purpose and a plan. This is our hope. Thank you Jesus for my faith. Mom I'm thinking of you this week. I love you. Happy birthweek!

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those

that love Him and are called according to His Purpose

Waz-Up?

This was the big week, Andy started his classes! One of the classes has an 1100 page read, 5 reasearch papers and 3 projects... that's just one class y'all! I hope his brain doesn't explode! Anyway so far, still smooth. Nothing crazy happening over here in "Mizoura" as some locals affectionately call home.

We have started to get involved in our church. Andy has joined the choir and we were asked to help in our sunday school class. We are the official new-people greeters. You know, helping newer people than us feel welcomed... asking them to sit with us and getting together for lunch kind of thing. It's a great way for us to start our ministry. Andy will also start teaching in the class one sunday a month. We feel so blessed and privilged to join the team.

Who's the guy in the picture? This wednesday Justin and Andy went to a youth rally were Chad Varga was the speaker. Andy heard about the rally over the radio and was shocked when he heard the name. For those who don't know, Chad and Andy went to high school and played ball together. Chad played for University of Pittsburgh and later was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks. He hurt his hand and ended up playing in Spain for a Euro league. Very cool, right? Well the best part is that he kicked it all to the curb!! Yes, and it was all for Jesus. He had just signed a $60,000 per month contract when he heard and responded to the call. He is an inspirational speaker to public schools and business' and a youth evangelist to churches. His testimony is incredible. He has written a book If You Only Knew..., it's his story. He grew up in a broken home with a drug addict mom. The craziest thing is that Andy never knew anything about it. Andy would pick him up and they would play ball all the time. He's got an amazing story that unfortunately rings true for many of our teens today. The great thing is that through all of this he found God and is now giving Him all the Glory! You can check out his ministry at www.inspirenow.com. It's time to run have to put my monkeys to bed!

Authentic Christianity....

Here is a picture of our house. I painted the shutters, they use to be "pukey green"... isn't it lovely? Kind of simple but very homey!!! What can I tell you but that God is good.
And with that said I wanted to share something with you about what I'm learning. Today is Sunday and we joined a church, Seminole Baptist Temple. It's a great church that preaches the word "no hold bars" kind of style. It is growing by leaps and bounds.. and I think it is because God is sought at this church. The message this morning was one on a series on Daniel, chapter 6, the Lions Den. Two things struck me. One: Daniel had an extroadinary spirit, he was so great that the king appointed him over the entire Kingdom. Well, that only brought him problems. His peers hated him and wanted him out! Daniel remained faithful to God and as he always did... he prayed to God. He was faithful to God daily, routinely. Not just in the nick of time but the bible makes special mention in vs10, that he did this as he had always done. This challenged me because in order to be the real deal, the Authentic Christian the world wants to see... I need to be in daily prayer and scripture reading. Nothing else will help me to possess an extroadinary spirit.
Two: Daniel was still thrown to the lions!! Humph? What? As christians we sometimes expect our lives to be hunky dory, but the bible is filled with examples of lives that were never hunky dory. And the lives that were full of suffering and persecution are the ones that God spiritually blessed the most, those are the ones who knew Him best.
This is what I'm learning how about you? If you read this mention my name in prayer... that our family will continue to seek the Lord, that we don't take our eyes away not even for a moment. By the way wasn't Daniel just awesome!! Imagine that!