Peace...

Quite a bit has happened since I last wrote (which was only a few short days ago) Isaiah's soccer team U-11 SFIU took 1st place in the Hartford Tournament. They worked hard, but there really weren't a lot of teams on the same level as ours so they need to keep that in perspective and not think that league games will be the same ease. They are really gelling together nicely and working as a team. I was also impressed by our coaches. Isaiah told us after one of the games that the coaches told them to take it a little easy on the other team, also there was one boy on SFIU who had not yet gotten a goal (the only one on the team) so they told all of the boys to get it to this boy as often as possible to make sure that he got a goal before the day was over. I love knowing that while winning is important...having integrity and good sportsmanship is as well.

Monday I started school! It is going to be a ton of work/reading...but a ton of fun as well. The teacher is so incredibly knowledgable. He speaks about 8 languages including Arabic, Hebrew and Aramaic...so he KNOWS the bible. He knows truth in its authority and authenticity. I like that. Having the head knowledge to go along with what my heart and experience already knows to be true will be very wonderful!

Today was Marlon's surgery. It went great! He ended up in surgery for only about 45 minutes! He did have two hernias instead of one so the mesh repair that the surgeon did is bigger than he had anticipated. I am praying that his recovery will be smooth and that he will rest as long as he needs to and not try to push it too soon. God is so faithful and I continue to thank Him for all fo the blessings he bestows upon us. Seeing him being wheeled away I had a lump in my throat because I was nervous...but I knew that God had him and wasn't going to let anything happen to Him that wasn't in His plan. I just wanted to give him a humongous hug when they brought him back to the room! Thanks to everyone who prayed! We are grateful to have such faithful friends and family who love us!

Off to a good start!

So the first day of our second tournament is over. We won both of our games. The first game we won 6-0 and the 2nd game we won 14-1. Our boys are really coming along great. It's funny because when we switched Isaiah to select this season, there was a little part of me that was apprehensive. The time committment, the way it takes over the family for over 2 months, the cost. But it's been nothing but pleasurable so far. Even today sitting in the pouring rain watching them...I was very content and having a great time. Starting with two tournaments was great because it really gave the families a time to bond as well. With all of the time we will spend together it's really nice to get to know each other and enjoy each other's company. Today after our 2nd game we went to the Mineshaft and hung out for a couple of hours. The kids had a blast in their game room upstairs. Now we're unwinding for the night, I'm doing some cleaning and after watching a movie we'll head to bed.

On a totally unrelated note, I start school on Monday. I am going to get my certificate in Biblical Studies. I am very excited because while I have the hands on ministry experience and definately serve in numerous capacities...my biblical knowledge is still lacking and I know I can more effectively serve if I have a better understanding of the bible. Not just the verses and stories that apply to my life...but the whole of the book and it's impact and truth. My first class will be Old Testament Survey......boooooooorrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnggggggggg! Everyone I've ever talked to that has taken this class (no matter what school) says how dry and boring it is! A ton of reading and figuring out things that I might never have thought about. Also I have not personally read much of the Old Testament. While I know many of the stories...that is not the same. I pray that I can stay focused and diligent in reading and my work so that I don't see it as a chore but as the first step in following God's path for my future in ministry.

Alright...off to get the rest of my night underway!!

Muscles!!

This picture is from awhile ago, but I came across it recently when I was gathering pictures of Marlon for a slide show at church and it always makes me smile when I see it. Just had to share!

1st Tournament!

The team hangs out during our 6 hour break!! I think they were testing each other on who wears what number...lol


The boys get some last minute tips from their coaches while being checked in for a game.


SFIU-Dousman 2nd place

Well our first soccer tournament weekend is complete. What a tiring experience...both physically and emotionally!! The boys did awesome and it was such fun. They took 2nd place, losing the championship game to a seasoned select team from Illinois. A couple of parents from the other team even came and commented on how good our boys were. Sunday consisted of a game at 7am and then semi-finals at 2pm which led to the last game at 5. Our boys were so tired and totally spent. You could just see that their bodies weren't cooperating with what they were trying to do. Even with all that...they didn't give up and kept fighting getting their only goal with just a few minutes left in the game. That shows such fight! I also enjoyed watching them all bond together and can see how this group of boys will probaby become long time friends.

We won!!

We won...we won...Isaiah's team beat FC Milw. for their first tournament game tonight. They played so well. Isaiah really dug deep and played hard. It was good for him to get his first select game under his belt I think. He was so nervous before the game--but he really kept up and pushed. We were joking on the way home and told him--now they know how tough you can play and how fast you can run...you'll never be able to slack at practise again!!! Our game tomorrow is at 1pm and then Sunday at 7am!! If we win all three then we'll have to play again at 2pm and if we win that then we'll have to play at 5pm. Gonna go to bed now--very, very tired.

Jordyn Ashley

So Jordyn is 15 today!! That is amazing to me...I can't believe it's been that long since I was in labor (23 hours, thank you!!) She is such a wonderful young lady. While there are always teenage tiffs (what parent can't relate to that)she is respectful, self-disciplined, caring and loving. Such mature qualities in a young lady today. I pray that she continues to discover Christ and the impact He will have on her life. That she isn't complacent and doesn't rely on our faith to carry her througth, but finds her own relationship with Him as she has started doing. I pray that she chooses to seek God's will for her life...in her choices and when she does so, that she fully enjoys the tremendous blessings He will bestow upon her.

I am thankful to God for Jordyn and for teaching me that there is redemption after sin. That the poor choices I made can turn into a wonderful, purposeful life and He is in control of it all!!

Happy Birthday!!!

Wedding Shower

My cousin Rafe is getting married to a wonderful young woman on Sept. 1st, Gerry Lynn. (tons of weddings this year-Lanetta was in April, Kris in June, now Rafe and Dustin in Oct!!) Yesterday was the shower and it was a fun time. I always enjoy spending time with my family because even though so many of us are so different...we really try to see things from each other's point of view. I imagine sometimes they think of me as the "bible banger", but I'm okay with that because I'm comfortable in my "Christian" skin now. I love them for who they are and I pray that they love me the same.


Alicia (in the back) helps the girls swim--Mackenzie, Caitlyn and Amelia



Here are a few of the cousins--I say few because there are 22 of us!!
Front row: Billy, Rachel Second row: Leti, Tiffany, Mahleah, Christy
Back row: Cody, me, Rafe and Gerry Lynn



The little girls help Gerry Lynn open gifts.

The Wilderness

Well we just got back on Wednesday night from our annual trip to the Wilderness. It is always such a relaxing time for us and I am so glad that we decided to go forward with the trip this year. In the past Granny gave us this trip as part of our Christmas gift...so Marlon and I prayed about whether or not we should still make arrangements to go and whether or not financially it was a good idea. It seemed very apparent that we needed to spend this family time together and enjoy each other's company. We opted not to do any "extras" like sight seeing or attractions, but that seemed to make our 3 days even more fun because we literally were in the water about 11 hours a day!! Here are some photos of our time...

The boys take a break from the water


This is the craziest tube ride-the Hurricane (see how much under the water Izzy is on the left and how high into the air Isaiah flew? lol)


Elijah, Kristy and Jordyn hang out at Moose Jaw Brewery


Jordyn and Kristy navigate their way down the lazy river

More...

Isaiah and Elijah play basketball within 30 minutes of arriving!


Izzy and Marlon pose in their moose gear at Moose Jaw Brewery


The kids take a break outside of the resort on our way to dinner

More photos

Isaiah and Izzy enjoy a tube slide


Look close-Izzy's in the middle in his blue swimsuit!


Bathing Beauties-Jordyn and Kristy

Jackie and Kavon

I am so happy to know this young lady. She is part of Teen MOPS and has become a friend of mine. These pictures were taken at our Teen MOPS cook-out this July. Her son Kavon loved the water and it was nice for her to get a little break too. She has since had her new baby (a son Kamron-who I got to be the labor coach for!!)and lives in the apartments right at the end of my block.
She came to the group kind of skeptical and jaded. Quiet and an introvert, I think many of the leaders weren't quite sure how to approach her. To spend time with her now...it's like night and day. She shares her feelings, talks about her struggles and reaches out more often for help. This summer she started attending the weekly bible study one of the leaders is holding at the teen center and really seems to enjoy it. I just wanted to share a little of why teen MOPS is so special to me. It's making connections and loving each other where we are at.