Get the Ball Rolling~!

Sunday William went before our church's SPRC ( Staff Parrish Relations Committee) and got unanimously approval to go ahead with his pursuit of licensing. Today he had his interview with our District Superintendent and everything went great. Sunday he will be at Charge Conference where he will officially become a Candidate for Licensing. All of this said... it pretty much means that we have the ball rolling. It will be slow process, but hopefully by Annual Conference he will have completed his first week of course study. Everyone has been excited so far... just not liking the idea of us possibly having to move. Possible being the key word!

(This was John's first Braves game..9/20.)

So William has an interview with our DS next week and we are so excited about the upcoming possibilities. On the down side, William has pneumonia again and is out for the rest of the week. They can't figure out why he keeps getting sick, but he is going to an allergist next week. Hopefully we can find out what is causing all of this!

John and Clara Grace both went for their four year checkup this week. John of course is the trooper and never cries! Clara Grace on the other hand screams that she doesn't want a shot. They both had to have TB test...which is what she calls THE SHOT... and John got his flu shot.

John is in the upper 90th percentile for his height and weight and Clara Grace is in the 50th for both. Rainey has officially potty trained herself. So if this is any testimate to not push your child until they are ready...when she was ready she "did it herself." Which is one of here favorite phrases. She weened herself from breastfeeding and has now potty trained herself. Thank you Lord... if we could only get rid of the Paci! or Pappy as it is know at our house!

We have been reading stories at the Pumpkin Patch all week. Yesterday the kids got to go on their own private Hay Ride. They were so excited!

We are headed...meaning myself and the youth group... to Six Flags Saturday.. it should be alot of fun.

Who knows?

Who knows what God has planned for us. If you had asked me 5 years ago, I would not have believed that I would be living in Anniston. I sure would not believe that William would be working at Anniston First Methodist(my home church), and now 1 year later...I couldn't be happier about the move. Now, we(William) is in the process of becoming licensed..or we are just starting the steps. If he becomes licensed then he will be able to serve communion, preform weddings, preach, and alot of other things. It is not the same as being ordained, but for now it is our next step. It also means that we could be moved at Annual Conference( given an appointment), although I don't think that it is very likely this year. If everything works out as planned... he should be licensed by next summer. Exciting stuff!!!

Exodus 15: 26 He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."

Things have slowed down somewhat. My grandfather has been doing really well and seems to be on the upside. Good news for everyone! More drama with my brother and sister, not surprising at all though. Shane has now gone from suicide watch at Carraway, to Brookwood for his gastro issues, and now he is back at the Center of Hope in Anniston. Heather is still not letting Meghan see my mom and I don't think that she intends to. I know all of this from having some email correspondence with my mom. We talked via email in April when my grandfather died, but we have not had much contact since. Even though I feel like I know what is going on now....it is not a real relationship. It is pretty much her venting about Shane, Heather, and her own illness. The worst part is that I still feel sorry for her. She has not once asked how I was doing or what was going on in my life....she simply talks about her own problems....and I continue to email. I am really not sure why....sometimes I think it is guilt and other I think it is pity for them. So I guess this is my vent!
On the upside... normal, everyday life is great. Busy Busy!
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

I need a Drink!

Well, maybe a drink and a vacation. This has been an insane week. My grandfather fell, in my yard, on Friday. Of course he was doing something I told him not to...it sounds like I am talking about one of my kids, but no. His willingness to help is of course always appreciated. We just found out today that he has a "mashed vertebrae". So...he has not been able to drive since the fall and is in alot pain. Since my Grandmother can't drive and now he can't....it puts a small damper on them. They are so scared of being a hindrance on people and of losing their independence. This is my first full contact dealing with ailing grandparents and I am struggling.

They have always been my rock, my oasis, and my stability in life. It so upsetting to not be able to help them more. All I can think about is losing my other Grandfather in April and how challenging that was.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

Mom's Day Out: The Answer to My Prayers

Mom's Day Out start this week and I cannot tell you how excited I am. I have been looking foward to it all summer. Now, don't get me wrong, I love staying home with my kids, but I need a break. What will I do with my time? 5 whole hours of "Me Time"....
The kids are just as excited as I am... everytime we pass their school... they cheer.
We are still as busy as ever, with little down time. We are trying to plan the twins birthday party, which is depressing at times. It is so hard for me to believe that my babies are going to be four. The whole first year of their life was such a blur and I feel like I don't remember as much as I should. John is having a hard time deciding what kind of birthday cake he wants and what he wants to be for Halloween. (Spider Man, General Grievous from Star Wars, Dash from the Incredibles, Batman....just to name a few) Clara Grace on the other hand has never changed. She will be Alice from Alice in Wonderland for Halloween(which Mimi is making) and she will have a Cinderella and Prince Birthday Cake. Rainey has also made her mind up about Halloween....she will be Jack-Jack from the Incredibles. That is if I can find a costume. I think she is more interested in the fact that he is a baby. She is a little obsessed with babies at the moment. She wants one desperately. She also wants to watch home movies from when she was a baby constantly. Anyways....More to come....

Program shells out 8,000 pounds of free food
07-25-2008
It's not often that lines gather outside Anniston's First United Methodist Church on a day other than Sunday — much less with shopping carts. Thursday was an exception.

Crazy!
I am on the front page of the paper and William on the next page.
Our church started giving out free gorceries as part of a program called Groceries of Grace which is sponsored by the Susanah Wesley Society. We gave out 2000 lbs of food divided into 50 full grocery bags.
William, the kids, and I divided all the bags and handed out the bags. It was our second month to do it, but we had over twice as many people benefit from the program this month.
It is an awesome ministry that we hope will grow in the years to come!