Youth Sunday

Today was Youth Sunday at our church. Once a year the youth lead the entire service. They talk about mission trips, give testimonies of how God is working in their life, their praise band performs, they do the ushering and greeting... it's all about them! It is typically standing room only and a big deal for our youth.

Well... Devin was one of 4 who gave his personal testimony during the service this morning. As a parent there is nothing we have enjoyed more than watching him onstage pour his heart out explaining his relationship with Jesus. We were so in awe of the words pouring out of his mouth that we couldn't even cry.

Then, tonight, he gave the entire message at their Youth Service. This is something he's been working on for the last month or so with a friend. His topic... a touchy one for high school kids... how to share the word of Jesus with their peers each and every day without being singled out or pushed away. Wow! He NAILED it!!!

(Devin after Youth Service with his Youth Pastor, Sonny)

Kayleigh also participated in the youth mission trips this summer. One of the photos on the slideshow at the morning Youth Sunday Service was of Kayleigh, a friend of hers, and a little boy with their heads bowed in prayer. Such a beautiful thing to see that she's able to reach out to others unconditionally.

We are so very full of excitement, joy, pride, and so many more emotions! We are very very proud of our kids and can't wait to see what God has in store for them!

Back to School!

The kids all went back to school this week without a problem!

Paige is the only one of the kids that let me take a picture though! She's in first grade this year and very proudly told her teacher "I am NOT a ringleader... I JUST like to be in charge!". Poor Ms. Williams didn't know what to think. She had a great first week, despite having a nasty cold.

Chase is in Middle School this year and is on a modified block schedule. I think it's a great way to transition him into Middle School and he seems to enjoy it. He has the first 2 classes with the same teacher, then the next 2 classes with the same teacher. In the afternoon he has his "elective" courses. The continuity in the main courses will be really beneficial to him.

Devin is a junior and attends the Career Center in the morning for college level AP classes, then heads to Reagan in the afternoons. He has officially taken control of Mike's Honda Accord in order to do this though!! He's enjoying it so far, but has a LOT of homework!

Kayleigh is in her sophomore year at Reagan and so far so good. She's been buried in Algebra already and spends a lot of time studying (as she's always done). She's been bumped to Syphonic Band this year and we're excited to see her progress with that.

As for Mom and Dad... we're trying to figure out a schedule that works for all of us. And, we're exhausted from all of the homework that WE had as parents! You know... forms, forms, forms, oh.... and MORE forms!

Hope everyone else has a great back to school!

A Little Late is Better than Never!

We celebrated Chase's 11th birthday on August 14th. He is such a fun kid and always has the biggest smile despite all he's been through! He has taught such patience, love, and understanding to us and we are having fun with him each and every day!

Chase picked his birthday dinner... lasagna and root beer!

Kayleigh spent the day making him a great big chocolate chip cookie cake that was sooooo yummy!



He hasn't picked his activity for Daddy's Day Out yet (Mike always takes the kids out for a Daddy's Day on their birthday. Very fun tradition if you haven't started one yet!).

Guess we'll wait and see....

Bring the Rain

Mike and I have been married for almost 18 years and what a roller-coaster it has been. We have endured 3 miscarriages, the life threatening illness of our son, premature births, the loss of my Mom and many other loved ones, crazy injuries, heartache, pain, and so much more. I guess you could say we've been through a lot of "rain"... and even more "storms". So many, that if I wasn't living this life myself I wouldn't believe it could all happen to one family.

We sang this song, 'Jesus, Bring the Rain', in church Sunday and it brought me to tears. It's a song about praising God and having Faith, even after all the troubles, heartache and pain in life. After each storm we've endured, we are always stronger in the end we've always gotten through. Believe me, I'm the first to admit there were times when we had given up on God even caring but He was, and is, always there to see us through and it's after the storm is passed that we are able to see how great our God is and how He held our hand through the rain.

So yes... if the pain is what shows us Your great glory and love for us... Jesus, Bring the Rain.

Video Montage of Vacation

We had a fantastic time in Southwest Indiana with the Taylor-Schroeder family! This video sums up our week in pictures!

Enjoy!