Ladies Brunch, Swimming Lessons and Baby Chloe

Today several of the ladies in our church put together a Ladies Brunch. The purpose was so that I could share my personal testimony with several of the women all at once so they could all get to know me a little better. What a wonderful opportunity. It was such a joy to stand up and share all that God has done in my life. I do have to tell you that it was hard to narrow my life down into 45 minutes, but I think I hit the main points. It was so nice to think back over my life and be reminded of all that God has done. To see his purpose and plan unfold and have the anticipation of what is yet to come. I pray that they saw me as real and approachable. I am so excited about being at Ocean Park and I can't wait to see what God is going to do in and through me.

On a lighter note, my Aunt came for a visit this week. The ever popular Sasha (as my kids call her). She spent the days riding with me as I drove back and forth to the beach taking Anne to Pre-K and running all my crazy errands. It was so nice to have the company! One of our errands each day was to stop and see Baby Chloe! What a sweet girl. Here are some new photos of my adorable niece!

Chloe and Daddy!

Chloe and Mommy!

Isn't she pretty?

Sasha and Anne

Sasha always takes the kids swimming! Anne is very proud of herself here.

She was quite afraid at first but within a half hour, she was swimming like a fish! Way to go Anne! Thanks Sasha!These are a few photos I took when Sasha and I went to the beach this week. We relaxed while waiting for Anne's Pre-K class to get through. This is literally blocks from the church! God is soooo good! I can't wait til we get moved there!

Jacksonville Pier

This one - well - Russell liked it and asked me to put it in. Hee Hee!!!!

First Day of School

Up and At Em!!! Time for school!!!!

Today is the first day of school for both kids! Jarod starts 4h grade and Anne starts Pre-K!

Jarod will be 10 in about 2 weeks! Amazing - double digits.

Anne is 4 1/2 going on 30! She is soooooo ready for school.

And this is the photo of a man who does NOT have to go to school today! Can you tell he's excited!!!! He LOVES his new job. God is good!!!!!!

Jarod and Anne Meet Chloe

I took the kids to the hospital today to meet their new cousin. They were so very excited. Both are quite taken with her and can't wait until they can all play. Jarod was very excited at how cute she is and is okay that she is not a boy.

Anne just giggled when she held her. It was so cute!

I hope they all get along like this in about 3 years!

Cousins!

I LOVE this pic! How sweet!

Chloe Lynn is here!!!!

Chloe Lynn Mickle has finally arrived! Born at 7:15 pm and weighing in at 7 lbs. 14 oz. and 21.5 inches long! She's a beauty!!!!

Sam had a long day but mother and baby are doing fine.
My first photo


As soon as Daddy shaded my eyes from the light, I stopped crying..... Thanks Daddy!


7 lbs. 14 oz.

Daddy holding me for the first time.


First family photo


Kisses from Mommy.

Girls Mystery Trip

I promised an update on our girls mystery trip and here it is! We drove to Valdosta, GA and went to Wild Adventures! It was a great surprise as many of the girls thought we were going on a Community Service type trip. So they were thrilled! I had never been to Wild Adventures so it was great to go and check it out. It wasn't Disney - but it was a fun day. I'm such a Disney snob! Hee Hee! I kept thinking about the story that Russ told me that I shared in an older post. He was so right!

It was quite hot but we had a lot of fun. I was able to share a devotional with them on Friday night which led to some fun discussion. Then I had about 8 girls piled on my bed that night peppering me with questions about how Russ and I met, how he proposed, etc. It's always fun to retell that story and be reminded of all that God did to bring us together.

School starts in 2 weeks! Part of me is excited and part of me is dreading it. Anne starts Pre-K this year. She is so excited! She is counting her sleeps! (That's how she knows how many days - by how many sleeps she has) We have placed her in a school real close to the church so Russ or I can get to her quickly if she needs something. But it means going back to driving to the beach every day (instead of 2 days during the week). We attempted to get Jarod a special placement for the Elementary school at the beach but it was denied. We missed the cut off day (Back in May - before Russell's job was finalized) and since we don't have an address out there, they won't let us register him. So, he will stay at OPE until we move. I was trying to avoid having him make that transition in the middle of the year, but obviously God has different plans. I have walked through all the doors possible and they have been slammed shut - so I figure God's not done with him at OPE yet.

So, we will drop Jarod off at school in the mornings, drive to the beach and put Anne in school from 9-12 and then be back in Orange Park to pick Jarod up by 2. That's the part I'm dreading. Lot's of time on the road going back and forth. It's temporary though and God has a plan so we will go with the flow. Please continue to pray that our house will rent in His time. I have to chuckle a little. All these months I've been fighting God about moving - and now that I have surrendered and am totally ready to go - the house won't rent! God definitely has a sense of humor! Why do we get so stressed out when He's ultimately in complete control anyway? What will be - will be and there is nothing we can do to change it. Until next time......

Girls Getaway

The girls in the youth group at church are having a "Mystery" getaway trip tonight and tomorrow. I've been asked to help chaperone and lead the devotional this evening. I'm quite excited! I don't know if it's because I get to spend time with some of the new friends I've made at Ocean Park - or if I get to leave everything behind for 24 hours. Russ and the kids are staying home. Sometimes moms just need a break. I think I'm at that point.

Anyway - pray for me as I speak to the teens tonight. The Lord has given me a great devotional and I pray He will use it to draw them closer to Himself. I'll let you know what the big secret is when I return. Right now all the girls think it has to do with gardening gloves, boots, tents and building character! Well - all trips build character - but this will be FUN!!!!!

"I'm More Than the Pastor's Wife"

Well, we continue to make our trek back and forth to the beaches each day. Russ, 5 days a week and the kids and I go 3. On Sundays, we stay out there all day and work in the office between services. It makes for a long day. But this week, the Lord blessed us "exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or imagine" - as He always does.

A couple from our church went out of town until mid September. They live right around the corner from the church and they gave us a key to their house! We get to use it on Sunday afternoons to relax, nap or play in the pool! How awesome is that? I cannot even begin to tell you how excited we are! Yesterday was so nice. We went to church as usual, went out for lunch and then spent some much needed family time by the pool. It was almost like a mini vacation! We were able to shower and be all rested for evening services. God is just so good!

During my relaxing time, I was able to catch up on a little reading. Right now I am reading a book entitled, "I'm More than the Pastor's Wife" by Lorna Dobson. She has such good insight on balancing church life, family life and my own personal relationships. So far I can see how God has already put several things into place in my life that line up with the things she talks about in her book. Once again - He has gone before me, preparing the way and protecting me and my family.

It really is quite amazing how each and every person in the church has a completely different idea of who the Pastor's Wife is and what her role is supposed to be. As I step into this role, I am quite aware of the fact that I am being watched closely and opinions are being made based on my actions, or lack thereof, without all of the facts being known. If I'm not careful, it could really become quite stressful. I continually pray that I will be ONLY the woman that God has called me to be and not to get caught up in the opinions of others. I desire to be real, to be authentic, to be approachable, to be me. I am no different then the rest of the women in my church - my husband just happens to be the pastor. I have worked very hard over the years to learn how to be real with people. How to share my ups and downs so that God may use them in the lives of those around me. I don't want to shy away from that now because of my role. And I don't want people to shy away from me because there is something in their life they don't want the pastor to know. Am I making any sense?

Some sweet ladies in my church, that I have known long before Russ became their Pastor, are having a Ladies Brunch for me soon. The idea is to give me a chance to speak to the ladies of the church and share my heart. For them to get to know me. Please pray that God will give me the exact words and stories that He wants me to share and that He will use me to enhance His reputation. In spite of everyone's thoughts and opinions, I just want to glorify Him.
Until next time....