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!

I'm at Boot Camp

Well, for those of you who know me, you know I am not at your traditional boot camp:) I am at church plant boot camp. It is in Michigan! I'm okay, really. LOL! We are with Nick Poole, Tim Satryan and some other great people. I am not sure what to expect this week but tonight was fun. We had to do a drawing of our testimony. I am not an artist so that was interesting. I am looking forward to learning all I can about church planting.

I got a job!

I am so incredibly excited. I have been looking for a job. Today I found one. It is in downtown Pittsburgh. I love the city and now I will be working at a credit union in the Steel building.

Tonight we went to a Bible study for the young adults. Rich is helping out. Although I am not a younf adult, I loved it. It has been a long time since I got to just be a part of a bible study. It was great!

What a week!

Hi guys,
It has been quite a week. Last Sunday, we said goodbye to some great people! We got up the next morning and drove to our new home. It is beautiful! Well, it was, lol. Now, it is full of boxes and more boxes. We are tired but it is coming along. The girls are enjoying youth and kids activities at APC. JoLyn went to school on Friday and LOVED it. She made lots of friends. Famous quote of the week, "mom, I think I'm popular." Jacki starts tomorrow. Today we went to APC and to a party with some new friends. It has been a crazy, exhausting week. Thanks to all involved in making this transition a good one. We miss all of our friends in Hermitage so keep in touch!