Updates

Well, it is December 23rd and we still have our three house guests. The landlord gave us an extension so that my Husband's Cousin and her Husband have time to buy a car. They found one that will get them where they need to be for a price they can afford (once they get paid next week) and have decided to return to California after all. They are anxiously awaiting their check so they can get back to their life in California.

As for us, we are anxiously awaiting March so that we can start life on our "Little House on the Amish Prairie" (as Husband's Cousin jokingly calls our land and proposed lifestyle in Missouri). We recently spoke with our friends who are already out there and they spoke of the wonderful auctions where they have been able to pick up some necessary items for farm life. They also told us that wood burning stoves of all varieties frequently show up at these auctions and go for as little as $25 - $35 on a regular basis. We couldn't be more excited! Husband was going to build a clay oven, but for that amount, we will buy one for inside and then have fun building an oven for our outdoor kitchen (which will come in handy during those hot summer months when no one wants to cook inside and heat up the house).

Though anxious, we recognize the wisdom in waiting for warmer weather and saving up a bit in the meantime. We are also enjoying this extended time with family here while we wait. It won't be long before we don't have the option of just jumping in the car and going to Mamaw's house (as that will be a two day journey). Just yesterday McGee*, Bernard*, Cousin and I spent the day at Mamaw and Papa's house while their heater was replaced.

*A note of introduction, McGee is our wonderful firstborn blessing and Bernard is our second born blessing. We are truly blessed with two beautiful, intelligent, stubborn daughters. :)

Well, off I go to get breakfast ready and wait for McGee to get up. It snowed overnight (and is still flurrying a little bit), so I am looking forward to playing outside with the girls.

Have a wonderful day!
Serving the Lord with thanksgiving,
My Family
(Wife Speaking)

Returning to Normal

Well, the Lord brought us safely back home. We left at 10:20pm for Fort Stockton, Texas. After ten hours of driving through the cold, partially foggy, partially snowy, partially clear night, we arrived at our destination. It took a while to get everybody ready to go, but we finally left there at about noon for our return trip. Amazingly, we spent twenty four hours getting there and back and Husband and I never slept! The miracle here is that I had been praying for the Lord to keep us supernaturally awake (I was tired before we even left), and neither of us got tired until about two hours before our destination, both directions. At this point we were able to take a small break and then resume travelling with less fatigue. It was great! The Lord kept us safe and now we are back home with Husband's Cousin and her Husband (and their apple head chihuahua). Please keep this matter in prayer as they can only stay with us until the 20th and we have not found a place for them to go. After a short time here with us, they have changed their plans from heading back to California to settling down here in town for a while.
It has been an enjoyable week spending time with family. There have been several opportunities for impromptu Bible studies and discussions, praise the Lord! We will keep you all posted, but for now, I have to go finish a calendar for Grandma and Nonni (due by Sunday)! I should have started long ago, but time slipped away from me again. Until next time,
My Family
(Wife Speaking)

No Time For Introductions

Well, it seems our best laid plans are destined for interruption and delay! While I had originally planned a well thought out and organized introduction for this blog, it is just not coming together that way. My Husband is on his way to pick up my father's van and gas it up before coming to get me and the girls so that we can take off for Fort Stockton, Texas. It is 9:39 pm. His cousin and her husband are stranded with a dead car and very little money. After a few days of trying everything to get them out of there to here (without actually having to make the trip), we have decided to go get them. Their hotel stay is up tomorrow at noon and it is very cold where they are.

So, while my Husband is out, I decided it was time to get this blog going. I apologize to everyone who was awaiting a monumentous first post. :) Life happens sometimes in ways we can't even imagine or plan for. It seems we will have some unexpected house guests for a few weeks while they figure out how to get to their final destination. Our prayer for this time is that we would be good witnesses to the One who knows our true final destination.

Please pray for us! The next twenty four hours in a van with our two little ones will be a challenge. (Did I mention they are bringing one or two dogs back with them?) Lord willing I will be more organized in future posts, but for now, here is a very real, spur of the moment look into our life.

Serving the Lord with thanksgiving,
My Family, Wife Speaking