Time with Friends!!

The Saturday following the fire we met some dear friends in Columbia. These friends we met while we were at Shelbyville Mills and still keep in touch. All our friends at SMBC will always hold a special place in our hearts. One of the friends we met that day is Timothy's best friend, Lane. Timothy talks about Lane a lot so it was supper good that they got to see each other!!! We even thought that they look a little alike. People would get these two mixed up often. :)

Lane and Timothy are one month apart and Lane has a younger sister that is Joanna's age. Here is Joanna and Rosie. We had so much fun together and enjoyed seeing our friends. Lane and Rosie's mom is my friend who gave me the tortilla maker when we left SMBC. I really liked my tortilla maker and miss it. :( 

It was good for us to see friends that day...we needed that. We always enjoy seeing friends and visits with friends. :)

God Meeting Our Needs!

On Monday following the fire the Red Cross had small blankets to give the kids. There is a lady in town that makes these blankets for children in need and the Red Cross distributes them as needed. I was very touched and the kids were tickled to have the blankets. Below is a picture of the kids with their blankets. 

 Over the next few days we had a list of things that needed to be taken care of. We ate out every meal that first week. Things were crazy and our minds were in no shape to think about anything. There were moments when we would cry or remember something that we missed and cry some more. One of the first things Joanna asked was "Did my pillow burn up?" and our answer was yes. Then she asked "Mommy, did your pillow burn up?" My heart just hurt for her. This will be something that our kids will never forget. They will also NEVER forget how God has met our needs through the love and generosity of others being poured out on our family.

That first week so many reached out to us! I can not begin to list all of those who have sent a card, text, clothes, presents, etc. to meet our family's needs. Since this happened right at Christmas there were those who reached out by giving our children Christmas gifts. Thank you!!!  

The Next Few Moments and Hours

We made it to the end of our road as the fire trucks started rolling in. By this time we knew that our home was gone. As we watched the fire trucks come we also were surrounded by church members, friends, and other ministers. They were bringing clothes, shoes, toothbrushes, tooth paste, and lots of love. One of the men from the church went through the woods down to get the dogs. It made the kids feel better to see the dogs. A friend from church took the dogs to her house. The kids and I went to a nearby church members home and waited there for Bryan. Someone offered to run to Walmart and get a few things we would need the next few days, diapers and wipes for Joanna being the big item at this point. 

Bryan showed up to pick us up and I really wanted him to walk in and say that most of the house had been saved, instead the news was in an hour our home was nothing but 18 inches of ashes. We knew our next decision would be where to go for the night.

When we moved here 6 months ago we had not closed on our house yet so we were able to live with someone for about three weeks, these same people opened up there home to us again. Bryan and I decided that this would be a good place for our children since they had already lived here before. So we got the children and the items that had been given to us and went to Uncle David and Aunt Sandra's. It was around 11 or midnight when we arrived. The kids slept like babies and have ever since!

On Monday morning the first thing Bryan and I did was call our parents. We knew that if we had called the night before they would have not gotten any sleep. That was an emotional moment, our parents were very thankful that we were all safe and together. Then I took inventory of what clothes we had and what we needed. The kids were the biggest ones in need. The clothes we received the night before were mostly for Bryan and I. The kids had NO shoes and NO clothes. I found a few things for me and got dressed for a trip to Walmart. Another dear friend from church met me there and helped me pick out some things.

Christmas Card 2013!

Our family wants to wish all our family and friends a very Merry Christmas! May God be the center of all your celebrations and may He be the LORD of your New Year!

With love,
Bryan, Cantina, Isaac, Sarah, Elijah, Timothy, and Joanna

Overnight Guest!!

When we lived in Alabama we homeschooled under a church that had a school. One of the perks was that the homeschool kids could go on Mondays and participate in enrichment with the school kids. This was a good experience for Isaac and Sarah, something that they still talk about. One of the greatest blessings from their time there was we met a family that are still close friends to us. Sarah and their oldest (Eliana) were in Kindegarten when we met them...that was 5 years ago. :) The picture above was taken in December 2010 when we were in Alabama for Christmas. As I was looking for a picture of the kids I realized that I have more pictures of them than I thought I did. YAY!!

At that time they had 3 children and we had 3 plus I was pregnant with Timothy. Alot has happened in 5 years...we helped them move across town, they really blessed us with meals when Timothy was born, they were there to help us when we were packing up to move to TN, we have had our 5th baby and they have welcomed twin boys! We use to get together often when we lived in Alabama and now we try to stay in touch through email and text. Their girls even came up for Sarah's birthday this summer and when Sarah goes to Alabama she usually spends a day with them. (In the picture below: Eliana, Sarah, and Hannah)

Almost 2 weeks ago Mrs. Sara (the mother of this lovely family) text me and said they were headed north to visit family and could they stop at our home for a visit and to break up the distance. Of Coarse!!!!! We were tickled that they were coming. They had stopped by our home in Unionville a couple of years ago but our visit was cut short because their little boy (only boy at that time) was sick and they needed to get home. (In the picture below: (their) Elijah, Timothy, and Isaac)

They arrived right at supper on Wednesday night and we enjoyed every minute they were with us. They stayed til after lunch on Thursday and then they packed up and headed north. It was so nice to see the kids play together and us to get to talk (while watching 10 kids). :) (In the picture below: (our) Elijah and Joanna)

It was an adventure with 10 kids under the same roof but nobody seemed to notice. We are so thankful that God gave us an opportunity to be together. When we get together it is interesting because we both have Sarah's and we both have an Elijah. We usually have to clarify who we are talking to. Adds a little more fun in the mix. (In the picture below: Caleb and Josiah)

Not sure what it was that caused us to make a connection almost 5 years ago but God does. We are very thankful that he has given us this family as friends! They love the Lord, have some of the same convictions that we have, and strive to make Jesus the center of their marriage, family, and home.

The picture above is Sara and I. Usually we are the ones taking the pictures but we did ask Isaac to take a picture of us. :)

Here are all the kiddos right before they had to leave. :) We are so blessed!

Thankful Thursday!!

One of my friends from Shelbyville Mills gave me this Tortilla Maker as a going away gift. It was this friend and her mother that got me started with grinding our own flour and learning about eating healthier. I will always be thankful that God placed them in my life.

I miss Laura! Her son and Timothy were right about the same age and were friends. Timothy misses Lane too! :(

Here is the sweet note that was included in the box. We had been out of town on a trip to the beach in May and when we arrived home this was waiting for me on the front porch. We are so blessed with such special friends! :)

I am thankful for:
162) a visit with family.
163) a getaway with my hubby. :)
164) watching a movie with the kids.
165) our tortilla maker. (See pictures above) 
166) deer meat.
167) our children memorizing God’s Word.
168) a new school year.

SURPRISE!!

On August 23rd we had Isaac a surprise for his birthday. We invited his 2 friends from church to come over and spend the night. He was very surprised!! :) Wish I knew how to upload video to the blog so I could share his reaction when we saw Ryan and Kyle.

Bryan took Isaac out of the house and while they were gone his friends came over. When Isaac and Bryan arrived back home and Isaac came in the door we yelled "SURPRISE!!" It was so much fun!

We ate pizza for supper and had mini red velvet cupcakes. After supper Bryan took the boys fishing. Isaac's friends gave him a fishing rod and some fishing items for his birthday gift. Then when they arrived back home we let them hang out in the basement and just have some fun. The picture I took was of them just being silly!!

We really like these boys and their families! So blessed with good friends!

Birthday Girl!

 Sarah and her friends had the best time together. They rode bikes (pictures below), swam in the pool, and played legos!

 Here is Hannah riding Elijah's bike. Elijah later informed me that he wouldn't ride her bike because its a girls bike.

 Here is Eliana riding Isaac's bike. These girls were loving to ride down our long driveway.

 Timothy had to get out there with them and ride his bike. All my kids love these girls, like they were part of our family!

 Here is the Birthday Girl on her bike. She was one sad girl when they left! :(

 On the day of Sarah's birthday (Monday) we gave her our present for her. She will be getting a puppy when it is old enough to leave its mother, so we gave her....

 Puppy food, a collar, and a dog brush. She is so excited about getting a dog. Don't worry....Isaac is getting one too. :)

 Then we took her out to eat on Tuesday night to the restaurant of her choice. She wanted ribs so we went to a place in town that serves ribs. Thankfully on Tuesday nights kids eat free at this restaurant (we didn't know that ahead of time) so that was a blessing for our family! :)

Here is her and Isaac being silly! Sarah loves all of her siblings and wants to be best friends with them! Sarah had a great 10th birthday and our prayer is that she felt loved and knows that she is loved by us and mostly by God!

Look who is 10!!

Our Sarah has turned 10 this week! She is an amazing girl! Grandparents came up this weekend for a "party"! My parents had her a little surprise...two of her best friends from Alabama!! We were all so excited to see Eliana and Hannah! These girls had so much fun together!! :)

Here is a picture of Sarah's cake I made her. It is the cover of a book. She loves to read and I thought this was just perfect for her 10th birthday!

Here she is opening her presents! She got "BabyCakes" items. Now she can do lots of coking! :)

The Word of God says in Proverbs 31 that Charm is deceitful and Beauty if fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.

Sarah is a BEAUTIFUL girl! When I look at her each day I realize that she is very beautiful...her eyes, her hair, her complection, etc. As I looked at her one day last week I knew that it wasn’t anything we have done, added, put on, or taken off that makes her so beautiful, it is what JESUS is doing in her heart that makes her such a beautiful young lady!! God is at work in Sarah’s heart. She is such a blessing to all those who cross her path, she thinks of others before herself, she desires the things of God, and she has a heart for seeing Jesus change other peoples lives! I love her for all those things and more!

Happy Birthday Sarah!! We are so blessed to have you in our lives!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

VBS Family Fun Night

June 17-21 was our Vacation Bible School. The kids had a great time and it was a great opportunity for us to get to know some of the people at our new church. Isaac and Sarah were able to meet new friends. Elijah and Timothy were able to learn new faces. Joanna and I were able to meet new people and have some time together. :)

On Wednesday there was a family fun night for everyone that was attending VBS. I took a few pictures of the kids and thought I would share.

Isaac has met a couple of boys his age that he has been getting to know.

The first Sunday we were at OK Sarah met a girl that had glasses too. The girl was quiet, but during VBS her and Sarah quickly became friends.

Joanna eating a cheese puff for snack time.

Elijah really enjoyed the bouncy slides. You can see FUN all over his face! :)

Timothy was being silly as he slid down the bouncy slide.

VBS is always a busy and long week but a good one. So thankful that our kids seem to be adjusting really well to our transition.

Having FUN and Fellowshipping!

I do have internet service but it is extremely SLOW!! :) I thought I would be able to catch up on blogging but that will not be as easy as I thought. LOL!

We have officially gotten moved in our new home and are enjoying time with each other and our new church family! I wish I had taken pictures of all of our adventures and fun with others but I didn't always remember to bring my camera. :) The following pictures are of a cookout we were invited to and we had lots of fun! The kids went 4-wheeler riding, we grilled hotdogs, roasted marshmallows and had s'mores (my favorite), and got to fellowship.

Roasting marshmallows. The kids liked this...some were a little too burnt. I think Joanna fed more to the dogs than she roasted. :)

These two have so much fun and enjoy posing for a picture.

Here are the three little ones finishing up their chips and hotdogs. We enjoyed getting to know Miss Hannah better. She is a sweet young lady!

Mr. Joey took the kids riding. They could have rode all night!

Isaac got stung by a bee while riding the 4-wheeler so he is taking a break.

Isaac took this picture of Bryan and I. I love the ray of sun shining between us! Neat!!

We have been at OK Baptist Church for 2 months now and the people have welcomed us greatly! Each Sunday someone has either invited us out to eat or to their home to eat. It has been great to get to know these people and we are looking forward to serving Jesus with them!!

A New Ministry

A little over three years ago God called us to move to Tennessee. We know that this is exactly where He wanted us and we have been so blessed by being here! Our church family is wonderful and it has been nice to step out of the "Pastor's Wife" role and focus on other areas. It has been great for us to be under our Pastor's leadership and Bryan and I both have gleaned so much wisdom from his counsel and the preaching of the Word.

About 20 years ago God called Bryan to pastor and has continued to burden him for this call. Bryan has been the senior pastor for 12 years before we came here. God has not taken away that call it has just been in a different aspect the past 3 years. :)

Over a year ago Bryan was feeling that God was calling him back into the senior pastor ministry but we didn't know how or when that would take place. Back in September a church called our pastor and explained that they were looking for a pastor and wanted to know if he knew of anyone he would recommend. He gave them Bryan's name. Over the past months that church has been in contact with Bryan. They and us have been in much prayer over this and only want God's will to be done!!

On April 14th they officially called Bryan as their pastor. Which means that today is our last Sunday at SMBC. It is a bittersweet time...we are excited about following God's plans but sad to leave our church family. We will only be an hour and half away so we can stay in touch and visit...which is exactly what I pray happens!! :)

This new ministry means we will have to move and sell our home, but God knew that before hand and has already been preparing the way!! He is so good! Our home already has a contract on it (we never put it on the market, it sold by word of mouth) and there is a possibility of us a new home already (by word of mouth, never on the market). I knew that God would take care of every detail but He has done it abundantly above anything I could ask or think. :)

I will try and keep you informed as each step unfolds. Our first Sunday with our new church family is Mother's Day!!

Bowling with the kids

Back at the end of June I signed the kids up for the "Kids Bowl Free" program but it took us about a month before we were able to go and enjoy it. At the end of July we finally got to go and went with some friends of ours (The Smith's).

They have become some sweet dear friends of ours. They have 5 kids also and we got together on July 4th, it was so fun to see ALL our kids playing together! They have two older boys that our Youth age, two boys that are Isaac and Sarah's age and then a little girl that is younger than Timothy but older than Joanna.

We went bowling on a Friday because Bryan would be off and he kept Joanna for me...and boy was I so thankful! :) The big kids (their two oldest didn't go) loved it and had so much fun! The little ones had fun at the beginning but was VERY ready to go by the end of the first game. After a game of bowling we headed to McDonald's to have lunch. It was a fun day and nice to be with friends!

First time Timothy has ever bowled! We was so cute!

Can you tell these two are ready to go?

Isaac did really well!

Elijah was having a great time! He liked handing everyone their ball and being a helper. He loves to play bowling on the Wii and does a really good job! :)

Sarah was putting all she had into bowling, needless to say she was really sore the next day!

I actually got all our kids in one picture...don't think I meant to do that. So glad we got to go and hope we get to go before the end of August when it's over.

Sunday School Fellowship

I have been so excited about being in the Ladies Sunday School class. It has been a blessing and joy to serve with and along side these ladies. Last Saturday was the first fellowship I attended. It was with our spouses and we went to Nashville to play laser tag and eat supper at "The Spaghetti Factory". I have never played laser tag and really didn't know what to expect but it was alot of fun!! Supper afterwards was very delicious! This group of couples is a great group to be around. They are lots of fun and they love the Lord!

Our group picture after we played laser tag!

Eating at "The Spaghetti Factory" in Nashville.

We were right in downtown Nashville close to the Titans stadium. I had to get a picture of the stadium for Isaac.