Our Ballerina

Anne is about as girly as they come and we just knew that she would love taking dance or gymnastics.  We had been waiting until the move, but decided to go ahead and look into it.  I asked her which she would prefer and she said dance.  She is facinated with ballet. I was hesitant at first because I wasn't sure where to go.  I found a Christian Dance Studio right here in town.  I took her last week for a free trial lesson and she loved it!  So did I!  When we arrived, there was an older girl (probably 12) doing a beautiful ballet routine to a Christian praise song.  It brought tears to my eyes to see her float around the room.  Anne went into the class and absolutely had a blast.  Dance lessons were going to be a Christmas gift, but we have to get her started in order for her to participate in the recital in June.  Today, Christmas came early - we purchased her shoes and signed her up.  She is all ready to begin her lessons on Wednesday.

Merry Christmas Anne!

Thanksgiving in New Port Richey

We spent our Thaksgiving in south Florida with my Aunt and her family this year.  As you can see, we had a wonderful time cooking and just hanging out.

 

Anne helping with the Apple Pies.  Yum!!!

 

Homemade Noodles!

Playing in the flour.  She sat here for hours making stuff.

What a mess!

Me & Sasha

Marcia and Jeff just bought a new house.  Anne couldn't stand not being able to go swimming but even in Florida it gets too cold for that.  We did let her put her feet in though.  Once she realized how cold it was - she quit asking.

Russ and Jeff chillin' out waiting to eat.

Jarod & Anne hanging out in their room watching TV.  We had a wonderful time.  It's so nice to be with family during the holidays.

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.  Now we come into the Christmas season.  I can't believe it's here again.  We will pick out our tree next weekend.  The kids can't wait.  Until next time.....

Happy Thanksgiving!

I can't believe Thanksgiving is upon us. Once we come to Jarod's birthday in September, it seems like the rest of the year races down hill! I realized today that is has been two weeks since I posted last. We have been busy, as usual. But it's been a good busy.

Russ and I took off to the Pastor's Conference and State Convention in Pensacola a few weeks ago. Yes - we drove right into Hurricane Ida. A little wind and rain - but we survived it just fine! It was my first time attending something like this and I will have to say, I was quite apprehensive. I do not enjoy all the politics, but there is a new resurgence in the Baptist Convention of a Great Commission Task Force and Russ felt we needed to be there to support it. It wound up being a wonderfully encouraging time for me. They had an entire seminar specifically for Pastor's wives and it was so nice to be able to listen to great speakers and soak up God's word. The worship was awesome! We were even able to attend a concert on the last evening with NewSong, Blue Tree and Rush of Fools.

As I have stepped back into my role as Pastor's Wife and Church Secretary, because I am having to commute back and forth, I feel like I just focus on "doing the next thing". That is not bad in and of itself, but I don't want to get so caught up in the "next thing" that I miss a ministry opportunity that could be right in front of me. I am asking God to continue to give me a love and passion for the people here at Ocean Park and also for the lost in the community. It will be easier when we actually live here - but God isn't ready for that just yet. So, I need to be more aware of the people and situations around me.

We have had two different people look at our house in the last two weeks, but nothing has come of it. So, we continue to drive. Is it horrible to ask God to wait until after Christmas to rent our house? Russ laughs at me - I am ready and willing to move. But the thought of putting all the Christmas decorations up, only to take them down to put them up again! Ugh! It's exhausting just thinking about it. I just don't want to move a Christmas Tree. But, if that what God brings about, I will comply - it just won't be fun.

Anne had her Thanksgiving Feast at Pre-K this past Friday. She was so cute dressed as a little Pilgrim. Of course, I forgot my camera. Bummer.

We leave on Tuesday afternoon to go down to Marcia and Jeff's in New Port Richey for Thanksgiving. Anne's been telling everyone she's "going to her Sasha's for Thanksgiving." The kids are so excited. We are too. Seems the Lord allows us to be able to get out of town about once a month and the break is always appreciated. Besides - this means I get some of my traditional food for Thanksgiving! Russ misses out on his Southern stuff - but we will be with his family for Christmas.

Thanks for your continued prayers. We will keep you posted as always. We pray that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We all have so very much to be thankful for.

Great Day for a Picnic

Today we had a picnic with our friends from Pathway Church at Washington Oaks State Park, just south of St. Augustine. It was an absolute beautiful day. What a blessing it was to be with everyone. Russ and I commented on the way home that no matter how long it has been since we have all been together - we can all just pick up where we left off. We spent 3 wonderful years with these people. We laughed together, cried together, rejoiced together and prayed together. We were a family. Just as God intended His church to be. It's been hard to go our separate ways but God is blessing us each differently and is still using our experiences from our little church. It's good to know that we have such a good support system as Russ and I branch out in a new church. Today for me though, it felt like I was "home".

The big oak tree - isn't it amazing?

Family shot

This Gazebo was in the middle of a pond created by a natural spring.

Marc & Sam

Bruce and Emily

Jon, Shanon, Maddie & Cooper

Checking out the pond

This is what they found! UGH! Everyone get back!

The "Big" kids

Candid group shot


Jason, Sarah, Leif and Elijah
I know this was taken a few weeks ago - but somehow I missed you guys today! Sorry!

Still no news on the house - so we will continue to wait. God's timing is perfect so we shall see. I'm really hoping nothing will happen now until after the holidays but you never know.

Russ and I are off to Pensacola tomorrow for a Pastor's Conference. We are excited to get away by ourselves for a few days and be refreshed. Pray for traveling safety, for rest, relaxation and spiritual refreshment. Pray for Jarod and Anne as they are staying with friends separately. They are quite excited and we are sure they will do well. Until next time......