God is so good! We don't thank & praise Him enough for all He gives us each and every day! We had 2 wonderful services today and I am so thankful for the words of truth! I look forward to a wonderful service come Wednesday night!

*DEFINITELY TIME FOR AN UPDATE*

Hello & greetings from Roanoke, VA. It sure has been a long time since I have even posted anything here on blogspot, so please forgive me as well as overlook me if I leave anything out while updating! Feel free to ask any questions that U may have... I hope to start using this site again on a regular basis! From looking at the last time I blogged, it has about 14 months since I did post anything, so I will do my best to fill U in!

Well for starters, it has been a very busy past 14 months at that! It's hard to believe that another school year is rapidly approaching us! Seems like we just closed out 08-09. Kyle will be 17 this month and going to be a junior this year! I am really having a hard time believing that maybe, just maybe we missed a birthday somewhere down the road... but as much as I wish that were true, that isn't the case at all! He finished drivers ed, has gotten his license, a job & a car in the past 14 months. I guess I am not wanting to think about him graduating & leaving home! (I hear it's every parents fear when their firstborn reaches that time in his/her life) I almost forgot to mention, Kyle is now just a bit taller than I am! lol

Kristofer was 13 in May and he is going into 7th grade. He had the privilege of attending a summer program through and paid for by Family Preservation Services to help him with life & social skills, self help & behavior issues! I am so very thankful he was able to participate in this program! He is growing up so fast and he really needs your prayers as he starts school this fall! He stands tall enough to look me in the eyes & is still very thin!

Kaitlyn will be 11 in January. She is going into the 5th grade and can't wait to get back to school! If she had her way, school would be open all year round! lol Katie is developing into quite a young lady! She wants to do everything Mommy does... I am so often reminded that she is watching my every move & that I must mold my life after Jesus so that she will always want to walk close to Him and have a close relationship with Him! I am not always perfect & sometimes I fall... but I am so thankful for God's mercy & forgiveness & that He is faithful & just and never more than just a prayer away!

Since Kyle has a job, he isn't able to get away as much & do family events/functions! I was able to take Katie & Kris to Kings Dominion back in July. We had a good time & we ended the evening with a really good concert that included the bands Fireflight, Hawk Nelson, Skillet and Switchfoot! We throughly enjoyed the music & I will say that I was very impressed with the testimony of each of the artist that played that night! I believe that God can also clearly speak through music... we just have to learn to open our hearts and listen to the message He has for us!

I have been pondering an idea/thought that I have had for the past several years. I feel even more impressed to follow through with this idea since my father passed away in October 07. I believe that I am suppose to write a book! I know, call me crazy but I really can remember back from the time I was very young that I would or might someday do this! I believe that with God's help I have a story to tell that may be able to help others who may have had the same or similiar experiences that I have had throughout my life! I have a friend back home in Ohio that is writing a book and I have asked her questions in which she gave great advice and have done some research but I am still looking & praying for the right time to make this happen! First place for me to start is with writing and I have done just that... writing for me I find is quite theraputic! I am aware that this isn't an overnight process & it will take me writing, rewriting, maybe even several times, finding trustworthy Christians and publishers to work with! There will be a lot of truths revealed in my book that might not be so pleasant for some to hear or believe but I know it is the right thing for me to do & if I can help another person through writing then I feel that is why God has laid it upon me to do this! I want my book to reflect my testimony and how God can heal a childhood full of abuse, hurt and neglect that came in many forms and bring my life back to Him! Even though I strayed, made wrong choices and turned my back on Him, He was faithful and forgave me! That is one thing that I have had to learn to do as well.... Forgive! I will be continuing to work on this and I will keep you all posted!

Well I need to get off here... If you have any questions or comments please feel free to do so, again I am going to try & start updating here as much as possible...I will at least try to do weekly updates if not more often! Take care & God Bless!

P.S. I will also try to post updated pictures soon!!!

Well I can definitely say that is has been a long while since I have done any blogging and part of that is due to my life getting too busy... shame on me! Anyways a lot of things has happened since February and some of them I will let you in on.

The kids have made it out of school and was ever so ready for summer break. They all passed and Kyle will now be in 10th grade, Kris in 6th and Katie in 4th. Where does the time go??? Oh before I forget to mention, Kyle is now driving!!! Yes I said driving. I am not even sure if the shock of it all has worn off but my darling little boy isn't so little anymore and that really makes me sad! He will be 16 in less than 2 months and how I wish that I could stop time or slow it down... knowing that I can't makes me even sadder. I think all of you parents can understand where I am coming from? Right now Kyle is at camp in Alabama with my sister in law and niece and nephew.

This coming Friday, July 4th we are headed back up the mountain to get ready for our yearly church camp meeting aka Blue Ridge Camp. Last year was my first time there and I can say that I wouldn't miss it for anything! My kids have so much fun as so do we adults, but I am really looking forward to just going to the services and being fed! I want to come down off that mountain and know that I allowed God to work in my life in such a way that I am forever changed for the better and that I will better know what God's purpose for me is! To many this might seem odd, but as I look at this world and the sin and sadness that is all around, I am reminded that I was once there and that I don't have to live there anymore and if I might stumble and fall that Jesus has never even once left my side... I just have to reach out and take hold of His Amazing Grace! So many times I have gotten caught up in my own life and have allowed it to become so busy that I loose sight of where I need to be... but I want to stay on track and make sure that I keep Christ the center of my life... and when I do I will never go wrong! Philippians 4:13 has been really revealed to me here in the past few days and I have found that to be true. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I want that to be a constant reminder when I am at a low and when satan seems to be working his hardest. I pray that you will pray for me and my family as we will do our best to remember you all! Have a Blessed day!
I will try to do better with posting and updating my blog!
P.S. I will update with new pics at a later time

Dear family and friends,
It has really been a long time since I have posted on here last but I am here and I try to pick up where I last left off if I can remember. It is hard to believe that we only have a little over a month left of school and the summer has already started to fill up with important dates and events that we will be doing. We definitely want to go as a family back to our churches camp in July and I know that Kyle will be going to a lot of different events with the youth. I started working about 8 weeks ago and I love my new job. The only difficult thing about working is trying to find a sitter for the kids during the summer. I know that God will provide.

I put Katie back into the Christian school but Kris has to stay where he will get use of his IEP that he so desperately needs. He tried out for the 5th grade all country choir and made it. He had a jazz concert back about 1 month ago and they really did a good job! The teachers have asked me if Kris has had formal training and he hasn't but they have suggested that he further his vocal abilities. He is learning to play guitar.

Kyle has really turned into quite a musician... at times he now plays lead/acoustic guitar for youth worship. He is the drummer on Wednesday nights for worship. I am encouraging him to further his vocals as he also can sing.

Katie is just Katie... she still does some solo parts. He is having some problems with her asthma. I had her back to the doctors this week and the PFT test that she took showed that at times she is only using 44% of her lungs. Please keep her in your prayers as this week she is on intense therapy and if she isn't quite a bit better by Tuesday the doctor is taking some aggressive measures on getting her better.

Well I need to go... Kids need to be tucked in and I am getting sleepy. Give me a holler back and stop in say hi or email me at anytime. I will update more later! Hugz to you all! God Bless

*A LONG TIME GONE*

Dear Family & Friends,
I know it's been a long time since I have posted anything and believe it or not a lot has happened or gone on since my last post. I won't bore you with all the details but for starters I will let you know that I am no longer seeing Brian. I believe that we were both just wanting different things and that is the way it goes sometimes. Katie and Kris are back in public school and Kyle is still in Parkway. Please pray for our little family... I know myself and I'm sure the kids would appreciate it too! We are each experiencing our own difficulties and Satan has been working against me in the worst way! I would greatly covet your prayers! I will update more at a later time. Blessings to each one!

Dear Family & Friends,
Wow! It has really been over 2 weeks since I last blogged and a lot has happened in that time but I can say that most or if not all of it has been good! :-) God has been working in my life and I just wouldn't be able to post this blog without mentioning how good He really is to me! I had a situation concerning my car come up and God had already taken care of it before I thought about how me, this weak unworthy person that I am was going to deal with it. I can say that not only did He take care of it, He made it possible to be able to see into what I thought was going to weigh me down for months. God is good all the time and I can't say this enough.... ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!

The kids are doing good! They did have 2 days off from school last week due to some weather issues, but I pray that the weather will be kind and not cause for anymore school days missed... after all we only have 3 make up days this year. Anyways we all got through it and were all still in one piece! The only set back was that Kyle had end of the semester exams that had to be carried over into 2 days this week, but today was the last for him for another 9 weeks. I pray that he used his time wisely and took those extra days to study! Kris and Katie are doing well in school.

Well I must hurry and get dinner in the oven. Tonight is church and I want to have dinner almost finished when the kiddies get here as it is usually kind of hectic on Wednesday nights to cram everything in before 7pm. I started working with 2 other ladies at church on Wednesday nights helping with our 3-4 graders in a series called the Pioneers Club. We had 24 last week and I believe that we could anticipate more to come. This series runs through the end of May and it is another way for me to get the classroom experience that I wanted when I was going to get my teaching degree. Anyways, it is a learning and exciting experience.

Take care and I will try to do better about updating my blog on a more recent basis. I want to keep you updated a little more with what's going on with my personal life! ;-)
Much Love & Blessings To You All! (and ya all know you ya are)

*WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD*

First I want to start off by saying that thanks so much to each and everyone for your many thoughts and prayers. You know who you are and I just cannot tell you how much your friendship and kindness has been! To my family, I love you and I'm thankful and blessed to have you in my life! To all my friends, the same goes to you!

God has made Himself again so real in my life. Just when I doubted Him as I am so guilty of doing, He showed me again that He will never leave me nor forsake me... and I am going to try my best to remember that! This is a new year full of new beginnings and I want to make each day count and not to forget the One who gives me the gift of life! I have been going through some personal battles here in the past few days and I can't say it enough how good God is to me! He has not only heard my prayers and saw my heart, but He brought closure to something in my life that has really consumed me for a few years. I am so glad that when we least expect it, God has a way of changing what we once believed and taking care of it as He always does! Let's just say for almost 5 years I lived in fear of and was made to believe something that wasn't true and if I would of relied on Him for guidance and what necessary steps to take next I wouldn't of had to live the past 5 years in pain. We all live and learn and I'm thankful that this learning experience will definatly make me a stronger person. Thank you God!

Yesterday we celebrated Katie's birthday 9th birthday. She had a big chocolate chip cookie in place of cake with ice cream. She sure didn't need the sugar to make her buzz around the place, she was already buzzing when I picked the kids up from school. She was happy with the little Polly Pocket thingy that I got her along with the jumprope that she has been wanting. Kyle even wrapped gave her a gift that was in a huge box, stuffed with some heavy books and packing styrafome (I know I didn't spell that right, oh well!) and she was tickled just to go through the box and see what he got her. You never know what to expect when Kyle throws his twist on things into the mix... and I do mean that in a good way!

In close I want to mention that Katie did have a nice birthday, she is still not able to understand why her father didn't call her or even send her a card yesterday. She is aware that this isn't the first time he's forgotten her on her day, and i just ask that you remember her in your prayers and also that I have the wisdom in knowing what to say to her to help ease her sadness. I don't ever wish this to happen to her again. Also, I have another request. There is someone that I love dearly and care so much about... they are going through a tough time right now and I ask that you help me hold them up before God and that they will find peace with what they are going through. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and those of you who don't blog... it is a good form of therapy and I would love to read your blogs as well, so I would like to take this time to invite you to open up a blogpage and join the rest of us fellow bloggers! Take care and Blessings to you all!

*Special Unspoken Prayer Request*

Dear Family and Friends,
First I pray that everyone had a very safe and happy New Years. I still can't believe that it is 2008 already. Anyways I am blogging for a very special reason. I know I should of blogged before now, but I have a very special unspoken prayer request that has been weighing on me for quite some time now and I would really covet your prayers concerning this matter! I am trusting God to work this situation out as only I know that He is the only one Who can! I appreciate all your thoughts and prayers for the kids and I and I do my best to remember you all as well! I also can hardly believe that my babygirl will be 9 years old tomorrow January 7th. She is getting so big and growing into such a little lady. Sometimes she gets a little too big for her britches and I have to remind her, but I thank God for her and that He trusted her to my care as well as the 2 boys that He also gave me. Well I must run along... I need to go to bed and try to get some sleep since I promised Katie that I would take her in some cookies, brownies or cupcakes in to her class tomorrow depending on which I have the ingredients to make. Take care and may God be ever so real and present in your daily life! Hugz & prayers, Leslie

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

To all my Family & Friends,
WOW! It's feels like forever since I've been here. First I would like to say that I trust that everyone had a Very Blessed Christmas and your New Year will be Merry and Bright!!! A lot has happened since I last posted, it has been busy busy busy around here and along with all the business there have been a lot of good things happening and some sad but I will just mention a few. One good thing that took place was the kids Church Christmas play, it was a big highlight for the Holiday Season at our Church and it came together beautifully as the children were such troopers having to do the play not but 1 time but for both of our Sunday morning services. The kids were quit eager for their school's Christmas parties as well as they were for their holiday break. One thing that I had a hard time doing is sending them to their father's in Ohio for part of their break. I have never awakened on a Christmas morning since I have been a mother and found my home empty without the excitement and laughter of my 3 gifts that God has entrusted me with. It was something that I don't look forward to ever again. God gave me strength that I didn't know I had and I was able to pull through plus I thank God for other blessings in my life that helped me get through Christmas Eve as well... you know who you are! I get them back this Friday for New Years Eve and I am thrilled! I miss them so much!
I also wanted to mention that I am dating a wonderful man named Brian. He has been a great deal of support and encouragement to me and I look forward to our time spent together and I can't wait for you all to meet him! He has a adorable little boy who is 4 years old whom I can't wait for you to meet as well! I will update you more at a later time! Well I sure would love to hear back from my family and friends and see what you've been up to and how your holidays were. Take care and I pray that you stay safe and blessed throughout the holidays! Many Blessings & Love to all ~Leslie

*2 MONTHS AGO TODAY*

It has been almost a month since my last blog and a lot has happened around here. It would take up too much space on here and I don't have the time or the memory to recall everything that has happened either... boy aren't I the brilliant one! LOL

2 months ago today I said good-bye to my father, Wilson Holloway. I have been missing him so much here lately and I am at a loss for words to explain the sadness that I feel knowing that I can't pick up the phone to call him, expecting him to answer, hear his voice and just simply ask him for advice on some mechanical issues that I am having with my car. I know that he isn't in pain anymore and that cancer no longer consumes his physical body since Jesus took him home to Heaven... and for that I wouldn't even want to bring him back, but I am his daughter, I am human and I miss him terribly. I think that sometimes we try to protect our hearts from pain... it still didn't seem real to me that dad is gone and I think that a part of me hadn't really come to terms with it or allowed myself to grieve, but with Thanksgiving just passed us and without being able to call dad or see him and another holiday which is my favorite-Christmas rapidly approaching I am just really struggling with grasping that he is no longer here. I do have friends here but I don't want to burden them as they are busy with their jobs, families and just life... so when I need a hug or just a friend to listen to me, I can cry out to Jesus... and He will hold me till the pain subsides. When my heart has is aching so bad with pain and I feel like I can't go on, the best I can do is ask Jesus to take the wheel!
P.S. Check out the new pictures on my site.

*LAY IT DOWN*

I recently sang a special song for our Wednesday night prayer meeting. I had no idea what the preacher was going to preach about but I really felt impressed to sing the song "LAY IT DOWN" and as I started practicing it, I knew more and more that I was suppose to sing it. There are so many times in my own personal life that I have just wanted to be in control instead of giving it to Jesus, the One who knows our hearts and needs even before we know that we are in need. Some of the words say, So I'm gonna lay it down- I'm gonna learn to trust You now, what more can I do, everything I am depends on You- and if the sun don't come back up- You know Your love will be enough- I'm gonna let it be, gonna let it go, gonna lay it down. I am asking God to remind me that when I want to be in control and not surrender my burdens on Him or just forget who I am in comparison to Who He is, what He has already done, and still can do for me, He will remind me that He is all about picking up whatever we are willing to lay down. I pray that you will give all of your concerns, cares and burdens to Jesus. ~Blessings

*PATIENCE*

...is one of the many things in the many areas of my life that I really need God's help with! He's still working on me, to make me what I ought to be. Just a line to a song I remember from childhood that is so true for me even as an adult.

Anyways the reason for my blog is just to say hello to all friends and family out there and to say that I was messing with my site and opps, I guess that I was so clueless that I was actually deleting some of my favorite pictures that I had posted here and now they are history and I have to start all over again. Oh well, that is what I am talking about when I say patience. I was reading my sister Bev's blog and I got the bright idea to change my template because I had wanted to for some time now, but when she said that she lost some of her things, I just took that as she made a simple error and pushed a wrong button or something of that sort... well I must of done the same thing. So PATIENT is just what I am going to have to be in order to restore some of my favorites that I used to have. So please be patient with me and I will get things back to life on here soon!

In closing I just wanted to mention that I appreciate all your thoughts and prayers for my family during our time of loss and grief. Thank- You and God Bless! ~Many Blessings

*PSALM 51:10-12*

Create in me a clean heart, Oh God And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Psalm 51:10-12 NKJV

I have had the privilege of attending the 2nd annual Missionary Conference at our Church this weekend. It started on Friday night and will continue through tomorrow morning. It has been quite interesting and yet fulfilling to see the work that God is doing in the lives of people who were or was once lost. Pastor Jeff challenged us to pray about what we can do for missions and to keep an open heart to God if He is calling us into missionary work of any kind. He and a few others from our church went to the Ukraine a few weeks ago. That is a place that has always intrigued me, but anyways he said that he believes everyone should at least once in their lifetime take a trip to another country. He also states that if you do, you will come back a changed person. I am sure you can imagine some of the reasons why but I won't post it right now. God wants us to step outside of our comfort zones and reach out to the lost and dying world. If we simply keep to ourselves because we don't want someone to see us socializing with the lost, then what will we have done to further advance the kingdom of heaven. I want Jesus to create in me a clean heart and renew the right kind of spirit in me so that when the opportunity arises they will see Christ-like holiness within me! Are you going to step outside your comfort zone in order to make a difference. Many Blessings, Leslie

*A BIT OF CATCHING UP*

I still can't believe that it has been a little over 2 weeks ago that I said goodbye to my father. I am still in disbelief that he is no longer with us. We are heading back to Florida in the morning for dad's funeral and memorial service and it just feels that since we are heading to Florida that when we get there, dad is one of the people that I should be seeing upon arriving. But as I sit here thinking about this, I am quickly reminded that dad has ended his suffering and journey here on earth and he is now with all others who have gone on before. I guess I didn't really say goodbye to dad, but more like- see you soon! I can't wait till the day when there will be no more night, no more pain, no more tears, never crying in vain, but praises to the Great I Am, and we will forever live in the light of the risen Lamb. Please keep my family in your prayers as we all meet to remember dad (Wilson F. Holloway) . We have family/friends coming from all over. There is going to be a memorial service at the church dad attended on Thursday the 25th and then the burial will with the Veterans in St. Petersburg on Friday the 26th. Some from Arizona, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Virgina and maybe a few more states. I pray that we all draw close together as a family and that we remember that Jesus is right beside us and He isn't going anywhere. Even when I am unaware and not worthy of His mercy, He is always faithful. I have found that Jesus is always faithful and I want my life to reflect Christ likeness (holiness) so that others will see and want the same Jesus that I have. Jesus is giving me peace over great grief and loss and I know that when my grief becomes to much for me to bear, He is always faithful to comfort me. Are we allowing Jesus to do the job that God sent Him to do? I love and miss you dad!

*RISING ABOVE GRIEF- REMEMBERING MY DAD, WILSON HOLLOWAY*

I begin this blog with a very heavy heart. This is by far the hardest post that I have ever done! Most of you may already know that my dear father's 7 year battle with cancer ended here on earth @ 7pm Saturday October 6, 2007. He is no longer fighting the disease of cancer that had overtaken his body. He entered into an everlasting journey and was given the perfect healing that comes from personally knowing Jesus and by determining to live his life for the One Who Created him! My heart is breaking with grief, but I wouldn't want him to come back to this life and suffer another minute. I know where my strength comes from and my family and I are relying upon Jesus for the strength it will take daily to get through. My family truly have been blessed by the words of encouragement, generous acts of kindness, and all the food given to each of us throughout this very sad loss! We can't say thank you enough for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers! Again I say thank- you! I can't promise, but I will try to keep you posted and keep my blog updated. Funeral arrangements have been set up for October 25-26, 2007. For further information please go to www.caringbridge.com and look up Wilson Holloway. God Bless you all! Leslie ~I love you and miss you dearly, Dad~
Oh I almost forgot...my father's story about his farmall tractors and how he made the cover page for Farm and Ranch Living Magazine's September Issue can also be checked out there as well as going to www.farmandranchliving.com (where he is on the cover for sept issue and a small write up on him is in the following issue, the issue with the cows on the front) or go to www.highlandstoday.com where he made bottom of the front page on October 6, 2007 (Highlands is their local newspaper the title to look for is A Farmer And His Farmall- Wilson Holloway)

*MY DAD*

I just wanted to stop and take the time and post a blog that is very dear and close to my heart. I don't know if many of you know that my father was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2000, and since that time he's had 2 major surgeries and many chemotherapy treatments. In early 2007, Hospice was called in to help my mom care for dad and the house and to give my mom a chance to do work that she can't do at home. Mom is a LPN and she is able to do some of her work from home so she can be with dad. Hospice has been a blessing! Please keep mom in your prayers... with help and strength from God, she has been so strong, courageous and a wonderful wife and caregiver to my father. This picture was taken yesterday September 16, 2007. My father is down to 143 pounds, and he looks very nice in his shirt and tie. I am not sure if any of you have ever heard me talk about Caringbridge.org? It is a free website that supports and connects family, friends and the ones we love during critical illnesses. You can read updates about your loved one and even leave a comment of encouragement for them to read. I highly recommend it, it has made us able to still feel connected even though many miles separate us. For more information go to www.caringbridge.org
Before I close, I wanted to mention again that I am so proud of my dad. His picture made the front page of the September issue of Farm and Ranch Living (magazine). He is pictured there with one of his Farmall tractors. In dad's spare time as his favorite hobby, he would buy old tractors (Farmalls) and restore and paint them. I will always remember having quite a few Farmall's around the house. Dad also loved to fix them up and participate in local tractor pulls... and he always did quite well! (especially against those old JohnDeere's). He was involved with the Florida Flywheelers and I believe the last time he pulled was earlier this summer. I have many memories of watching dad from the grand stand and seeing him pull his way down the track and many times it was a first place pull for his class. As I'm sitting here posting... I also want to say that as much as I know dad loves his red Farmalls, he loves his Heavenly Father and Jesus much more! I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers for my dad and our family, please continue to pray that my dad will feel great comfort in God's Everlasting Arms. Thank You Dad for the memories, ~I Love You~

*INVESTMENT THAT'S WELL WORTH IT*

I have meant to put this picture of the kids on here before now, but as slippery as my mind is... well need I say more? Anyways, this was a first for all of them to wear uniforms to school. It's the first time for Kristofer and Katie to attend a Christian School but Kyle started out his schooldays at a Christian School back in Ohio from Preschool up to Thanksgiving break his second grade year, where he (they) attended public school till this year. Kyle is a freshman, Kris is in 5th and Katie is in 3rd. One thing that I find a little humorous... almost every morning Kris asks me why he has to wear the same kind of shirt? I tell him the same reason over again, but with his Autism (Asperger's Syndrome) it's really bothers him that all the shirts look alike and the only difference is that they get to wear 8 different colors. I thank God that I still have the freedom to choose where to send my kids to school. My heart breaks for the people of this world who don't get to enjoy the freedom that our country has. I want to be more Thankful for what I've been given, complain a lot less and always remember from Whom my Blessings come from.

*MAKING PROGRESS*

Before I forget, this is a picture of the house we are renting. I took this off my cell phone so it isn't of good quality, but I hope you are able to make it out!

Tomorrow night the Children Of The World Choir is going to be at our Church to sing, dance etc. These are an amazing group of young children who each has a story to tell. I am really looking forward to seeing this group of innocent kids come together, putting aside their differences whether it be back rounds, race, culture, talents and whatever seperates them each individually to worship and bring forth a message that will obviously bear signs of a UNITY that our world so desperately needs, second to God! This is the main reason for this post.

As I look back and remember where I was this time a month ago and see where I'm at today, I sure want to be sure to thank everyone that helped me get to where I'm at... and that goes for everyone who gave any type of help during our move. I can say that we are settling nicely into our home, although I know it takes time to unpack everything I am trying not to let it get to me too bad! So when I look back and remember where I was when I first started this transition for our lives, I can say that we have truly made progress.

As I am sitting here typing this, oodles of thoughts are racing through my mind... and I remember visiting here around this time last year and knowing that in about a year I would be here where we are at, but couldn't even begin to imagine just how far God brought the kids and I. I have learned to trust in Him more. I have always been a "doubting Thomas and for a change I was walking out in faith, stepping back and fully trusting God to lead me. So when I look back to a year ago I really do know that I have made progress!

Again I am taken back to 6 years ago today and I am still shaken by the horrific events that took place in New York, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon. My heart mourns along with the millions whose lives were directly and indirectly affected that day. I have the deepest respect for the heroic efforts of those who served in any way that day and those who gave their lives unselfishly to save the lives of others, and all the men and women who serve our country everyday so that we are still able to experience freedom in so many different ways. May we no longer allow the hatred that is infesting our world today to destroy anymore lives and may we bring God back to every area of our lives and allow Him to bring about a change in each and everyone of our hearts so that sin and hatred will be a thing of the past. May we allow Jesus to bring peace to this world that He came to save! So if we look back on September 11, 2001, are we able to say that things look better today than they did then? Have we made progress and if not... what can we do to bring about a change. I pray that God will give me a heart that is broken for the lost and dying in this world, until then we may never see a change. ~Blessings

*JUST A LITTLE CRAZINESS CONTINUES*

Things have been CRAZY around here but I am ready to see some signs of "normal"... if there is or ever will be such a thing again! But through it all I can say that things have been going pretty good!

The kids are adjusting to school and doing quite well! This is the first time ever that I have heard Kristofer say that the kids at his school like him. He went up to his teacher last week and said to her, Mrs. Wilmoth, I am a little worried. She said how so Kris, and he said, well there is a girl here that told me that she likes me. And the teacher told him, Kris that's good that kids like you, and he said, oh I didn't know that. Everywhere else we have gone Kris has never felt like he belonged or was made to feel like he belonged or could feel comfortable enough to fit into his surroundings. So when the devil or others try to make me feel like that sending my kids to a Christian school isn't worth it, I can firmly say that is absolutely not true! It has always been very important to me that no matter where my kids went to school, they feel safe and comfortable... and I believe now that both of those needs for the kids are being fulfilled! Thank-you God!

At an early age I knew that I was to do something with music, whether it is to write, record, sing or simply minister... I didn't realize till I was much older that God just wanted me to use the gift He gave me for Him. Yesterday I had a try out/audition with our music leader here at our new church... and I get to start practicing with the worship team this coming Sunday! As we all know, in life we will always be disappointed by others who can be unkind or stand in the way of us using the talents God has given to us, but I know from personal experience that having great patience pays off! I now know that God had bigger and better plans for me than I could have for myself... His timing is always PERFECT!!!

Our new church really has a good focus for our young children and youth. Katie and Kris are plugged into the children's church and Kyle has fit in nicely to the youth. The teen ministry here is focused on leading our generation of Youth to Christ! The teen ministry is also known as "Soul Changers". This is an awesome outreach to the youth in our area. The teens get to lead church service as well as the worship music. After Sunday morning worship, everyone involved with the youth meets back at the church by 3:00 and they load up the church bus to capacity(approx 60-65 youth) and head out for a 30-40 minute drive up the mountain to a little country church in a town called Copper Hill. First they have worship music that is lead by the band and then one of the Youth Pastors brings the message. Afterwards they eat and have a lot of fun activities planned. I had the opportunity to go with them last week and it was really awesome to see the church packed out and the youth worshiping. The prior week they had approx 63 youth and 8 out of the 63 gave their hearts to Christ! That is awesome!!! Kyle had his first experience playing the lead guitar along with another youth who already plays the lead in the band. He was asked to join the "teen worship band". He is thrilled! He has waited a long time for this moment and I was elated to be able to be there and see it happen. He had really been practicing a lot and playing well over the summer and has improved tremendously! He really did a good job for the first time and was asked to be a part of the new band that they are looking to start in the near future. I took the picture posted on this blog from my cell phone and it isn't real clear and I do apologize that it isn't good, but I can't find my digital camera since we moved. (Kyle is in the green shirt)

Anyways, for now that's an overview of what's been happening here. When I get more settled I will be able to post more often. We have church tonight and I gotta keep busy! Blessings to All! :-)