Debbie Jenkins is awesome!

I have a great friend and her name is Debbie Jenkins. I mean it, she is awesome! I just spent the last few hours with her. We used to spend so much time together but in the past four years our lives have changed, ALOT! It hasn't always been easy for either of us, but one thing I can always count on is Debbie! One thing I hope Debbie will always know is that no matter what either of us go through there are two people she can count on! One is Jesus and the other is me! You are NEVER alone!

That's MY Girl!!!

JoLyn has been one busy girl! Beginning on Thursday, JoLyn was scheduled to go to her dress rehearsal for Aladdin Jr at school. Monday through Thursdays for a couple months she has been practicing for that. Sundays, all day, she has been practicing for Fine Arts. On Thursday afternoon, she hurt her elbow and has been in a sling since Friday. On Friday night she played a royal gurad in Aladdin. She and her friends were awesome! Saturday morning at 8 we arrived at SouthHills AG for Fine Arts.

Although JoLyn was exhausted, overwhelmed and in pain she just kept going. She participated in 2 human videos and a drama solo all before 1:00 pm. In the picture to the right you see her in her small human video. She did a fantastic job in all of the events but in this one she even reinjured her arm but finished. Following that, we jumped in the car so she could do her play for a final time. She actually fell asleep on the way to the school. JoLyn finished everything with a fantastic attitude! I was so proud of her! JoLyn has had some rough times in past few years. It was so exciting to see her just flourish. SHe is so happy and that makes me happy! Way to go JoLyn!

Great service!

This mornings message was awesome! It was something that I have been told more than once by more than one spiritual mentor, lol! It was all about your attitude being your choice. Attitude is something I have on occasion, struggled with. I feel that God has helped me come pretty far from where I once was. In 1992, at Valley Forge Christian College, my senior year wasn't 'FAIR." But as Pastor Jeff said this morning, life isn't always fair. I chodse, for a better part of the year to be pretty miserable. That is a year I will never get back. The dean of women, Jen Weinholt, told me then "choose to be happy!" I thought she was crazy. I mean, come on, so much was wrong that year and it wasn't my fault. But, I was the only one who could make that choice. I did not make that choice that year. Since then others have helped me realize that attitiude was a choice. I hope I have learned my lessons well! Pastor Jeff's sermon was so great and I hope that people listened. It is not worth sacrificing the time you won't get back. You can choose to be mad at the people or circumstances that you feel were unfair or you can change your own attitude and let God change you! God wants to use all of us but if we are unwilling to take responsibility for our own attitudes and actions, we won't be able to be used at all! I am not taking that chance again!

Great Christmas!

This holiday has been great! We have been so blessed to see most of our families. On Thursday, we enjoyed Christmas morning with our girls. They are so fun watch. Then we went to my parent's home. We enjoyed a turkey dinner with them and my nephew TJ. It was awesome to just hang out and relax with no traveling. I love having my parents close! That evening Rich's dad was passing through Pittsburgh on his way home. We got to enjoy our annual chinese dinner with him. On Friday, I had to work but after I got to hang out with two of my brothers and their families. I don't get to see them often so it was awesome! We took my brother Rich and his wife Bonnie and kids downtown to Mount Washington. We gave them a tour of the city at night. I miss my bros alot but I appreciate that I had yesterday. I wish I had gotten to see my brother John as well but I did get a nice card and gift from him. Today we are at my in laws. We will get to see all of his siblings but Rob. I wish we could have seen him and his family but we are having a nice time. His grandparents on his mom's side have recently moved in with them. We are getting ready to enjoy Rich's moms famous lasagna in a few minutes. CAN'T WAIT! Anyway, we are truly blessed and look forward to a great 2009!

What a year!

What a crazy year! We started out 2008 in Hermitage and finished it in Pittsburgh! The only thing that has not changed is how busy we all are. JoLyn is in 8th grade and loving her new found "popularity," LOL! She has been invited to Christmas parties and sleepovers since coming to Pittsburgh. She is involoved in youth group and has made many friends. She does miss her friends from Re:volution alot though! She is about to begin a new year of Fine Arts. Thanks to Susie Yusko and Sherie Urey, JoLyn ,made it along with 12 others from First Assembly to the National level last year. She has already earned college scholarships. She was also involved in baton and is missing that. She finished her final year of slow pitch softball. Last year, she assisted in coaching preschool soccer and is assisting her father in coaching Jacki's basketball team. Jacki has had a rougher time adjusting to her new home but has also made many friends. She does however, miss being a Hickory Hornet! For those of you who know Jacki, you know that her hugs and loving approach to life is welcomed everywhere though. She continues to do well in school and in church as well. Jacki played soccer last year and has just begun playing basketball. She is thrilled that her dad and sister are her coaches. She also was involved in baton but we are taking a break for now. Today was her Christmas play. She was adorible! Rich and I are just trying adjust both in our ministry and in our family. I was working 9 to 3 Monday through Friday. I loved my job because I loved the people I worked with, (I miss my FBF's). They are awesome! Now, I work 4, 10 hour days a week, beginning at 6:45AM. It means that Rich gets everyone out the door in the morning and JoLyn helps in the afternoon as well as my mom. My parents chose to take this leap of faith with us. Thank God for them. It gives our children the extra stability they need right now. Just going to work has been tough enough (I don't like morning) but leaving my motherly duties behind is the hardest! I feel guilty most of the time. Rich has been AWESOME! For now it is what we need to do. Rich of course has been through the most change. For 20 years he ate, slept and breathed youth ministry. Now, that all is changing. The church plant has been very exciting. Check out PR's Rant to see all of the exciting updates. We are involved with Allison Park Church. We help with the Young Adult program on Tuesdays. Millvale Matters is on Thursdays. I love both of these groups because I get to be a part of a small group and learn as well. For the last twenty years, I have been a leader of teenagers. I loved that but now I am focusing on a new adventure in my life. I miss my freinds from... well lots of places, but I am ready to do this! 2009 will be a great year with many challenges and many successes.

Good times!

Since my last blog alot has happened. A month ago I started working at a credit union. Now, for all of you that know me, you know I hate morning. Guess what time I start work? Did you know there were two 6:45's? Yes, that's right I work at 6:45 in the MORNING! Crazy! Anyway, I take a bus downtown 4 days a week. I work in the US Steel building. That part is AWESOME! The many cups of Starbucks Peppermint Mochas are fantastic too! LOL
The church plant is going great too. There are alot of great people partnering with us!
My kids are loving life too. JoLyn loves school and youth group. Jacki is doing well too. She has alot of friends too. Anyway, we are really busy but we are all good. You know why, 'cause God is in control.

Great Week

What a great week! This church planting thing can be scary, ya know? But... I'm a pretty confident person. So, we went to Boot camp, (those words alone can be scary, lol) and it was awesome!. It was a lot of long days with alot of work. But, it was great. There was tons of practical learning, which I liked. I did not love the lecture part, but now, my confidence is based on what I learned. This is really going to happen!!! Tonight, we did an outreach in Millvale. It was fun and successful, (always a great combination). Look out Millvale we are coming!