One more week!

Our house is slowly transforming into more of a warehouse than a home! We've packed close to 100 boxes and still have a few more to go!

The past couple of weeks have been busy not only with packing, but also with a myriad of other things: 10 dentist appointments, 4 Dr. appointments (those 14 appointments probably added up to 30 hours in spent in waiting rooms), 1 minor outpatient surgery, a "going away" party for the teens, farewell visits with friends and Stephen's family, and a garage sale. Add to that the regular household happenings of a family of 12 (laundry, house cleaning, meals, etc.) and it all makes for a busy time at our house!

Our plan is to have the house completely packed by this Friday. Stephen will pick up the moving trucks Fri. afternoon and we'll load Saturday. We'll camp out in the house Saturday night and leave Tuscaloosa Sunday after church. We'll travel as far as we can push ourselves Sunday afternoon and evening and finish the trip on Monday.

Mom's got lots of checklists for the days ahead so this week should be lots of fun!!!

Moving to Michigan!

God has really been at work!

Six months ago He began to stir our hearts toward a change in our lives. We thought we knew what that was going to look like, but little did we know!! :)

After a whirlwind of prayer, discussions, and more prayer, Stephen has accepted the appointment of the West Michigan DBA to serve as the interim pastor to the congregation at Burnips Wesleyan Church.

We're very excited about the privilege it will be to live with and serve these people. Pray for both us and them as we make this transition!!

Haircuts!

Unfortunately, we had heavy rain all day so the grass didn't get cut.

But, 9 heads of hair did!!

This is a regular part of Stephen's "Dad Duty". It takes him a few hours and yields a pretty big pile of hair!!

Trip to Michigan

On the beach at Lake Michigan

Paul acing the skim board (even with few waves!)

L to R: Andrew, cousin J.J., Philip, and Daniel

The Beach Boys!!

Cute things kids say....

As we were headed out for a "date" one night, we left instructions for the older kids to serve frozen pizza. Andrew (8) seemed a bit upset about the supper plans. Finally, he got up the nerve to ask," Could I please put mine in the microwave?" Guess "frozen" pizza didn't sound too appetizing! :)

EXALT! 2007

http://bbc.readyhosting.com/exalt

Abby and Joshua have had the privilege of participating in the EXALT choir this year (3rd time for Abby, 1st for Joshua). We were thrilled to be able to travel to Michigan to hear them sing at Kentwood Community Church and another Wesleyan church in Jackson, MI.

In the picture, Abby is at the keyboard and Joshua is 3rd row up, 2nd guy from the right. The teen leading worship is none other than our nephew/cousin - John Gorveatte!

More pictures from Campus Challenge...

Campus Challenge (TNT) '07

Here's Abby with her art project - a woodburning of Moses. She earned 3rd place for this entry. It took a LOT of work and she did a great job!!

Abby entered 10 categories and earned $4500 in scholarship money. Her grand total for her 4 years of participation in Campus Challenge is $14,300!!!

Joshua is off to a good start. He earned $1200 this year bringing his total to $2000.

A big thanks to Bob and Gail Kerstetter and Paul Pierce for all their work toward making this happen!!

Family Photo

December 2006

Back row: Stephen, Joshua (16), Thomas (13), Abby (17), Beth

Middle row: Paul (14), Samuel (9), Andrew (8), Philip (11)

Front row: David (5), Daniel (3), Peter (6)