Spring Update

Precious nieces

I've decided that my blog page is turning into a "seasonal" update of our lives. I'm sorry to those few people who may occasionally check to see if I've updated. I'm horrible! Anyhow, since I am finally updating, I'll get on with it!

Let's see - March was fast and furious. We went to Atlanta to meet Matt's brother Mark, who was interviewing at Bro. David McCoy's church. It was a fun, but short trip. (Mark will be moving there at the end of July- YEAH!) Then we just took it easy over Spring Break. I don't really remember anything we did, so it must not have been too exciting. The best part was just having a "break" from school!

In April, we took several students to National Competition at Bob Jones. Matt's Handbell Choir and Ensemble did really well, considering their lack of experience. It was a lot of fun.

On to May - name it and we did it in May! What a whirlwind! There were many "end-of-the-school-year" activities including parties, recitals, graduations, banquets, tour groups, etc. Matt flew to Lancaster, CA for a few a days for Mark's college graduation. Then when school was out, we rented a cabin in Pigeon Forge for our 5th anniversary. It was such a nice getaway. My parents went with us, and we enjoyed our time golfing, shopping, relaxing, and eating!

Mark's Graduation from West Coast

OBC Ambassadors with our family

June began and so did summer school! We are now in the last week of summer school and can't wait for another break! I am looking forward to enjoying the rest of summer off (except for volleyball practices). It's hard to believe that June is already half over! We have started "Spring Cleaning" when we've been home. We are quickly realizing that it is time for a yard sale!!! The accumulation of "junk" happens so quickly! Anyhow, we are still loving every moment in the ministry, although it feels at times like we are just barely breathing. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Well, I should go ahead and write about July and August while I'm on here! I may not have time once they happen! :) Thanks for "tuning in" to our seasonal update! Keep in touch!

Another Praise!

Things are busy around here. (of course!) Sorry, I still don't have any new pictures. I never remember to bring my camera to school to upload my pics - not that I've taken any either! Anyhow, school is going well. We are learning multiplication and division right now, and they are loving it. Even the first graders seem to have grasped the concept. YEAH! That's exciting, especially if I have them again in second grade. Then I'll just have to figure out what to teach them then! Oh well!

Everything has been going great with our bus teens the past couple of weeks. There were a few of the girls and guys that came on Sunday, too. It was a real blessing, as we are still developing the Sunday morning route. Our main emphasis for the bus ministry has been on Wednesday nights. Anyhow, I had another young lady get saved this past Wednesday. Her name is Ashley and she is 19. It was her second time to come, and I could tell the Lord was working on her heart. It was so exciting to see her trust in Christ as her Savior. My husband also had two boys in his class get saved - Darius and Wesley. We are so thankful for the opportunity we have to reach our city for Christ. Please pray for us as we endeavor to do this. Thank you!

I hope all is well in your part of the world. Please send a message and keep us updated on your lives. Have a blessed day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! My life this week consists of my first and second graders. They seem to be wound up a little extra because of Valentine's Day. It's okay though because tomorrow is Friday! PRAISE THE LORD! :) Oh, and we have Monday off for President's Day. YEAH! We were planning on golfing, but we'll see what the weather does. If it's not raining and if it's warm enough, we will probably go. I hope so! It always feels good to do something active.

We are working with our bus teens on Wednesday nights for the next 3 months. We are trying a quarterly rotation so no one gets "burned out", but so there is still some consistency for the kids. Last night was a little wild, but things finally calmed down some. Matt had 15 boys and I had 10 girls. Two of the girls got saved last night. It was so exciting! Please pray for them. Their names are Destanie (13) and Alexus (12). Also, pray that I'll have wisdom on what to teach. I really want to have a "theme", but it seems as if we have a totally different group of girls from week to week. Last night I really struggled with what to teach. Every time I tried to teach what I had planned, the Lord kept leading me back to salvation. I know why now, of course, but it's so hard to prepare, when I have no idea who will show up. I know God will show me, but I covet your prayers on this matter. Thanks!

Well, that's all I have to update for now. Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy New Year!

I know it has been forever since I have updated. SORRY! We don't have internet access at home, and it seems that I never have time at school to update either. Things are going great at school and church. My class has really been doing well since Christmas break. They really catch on quickly and we are able to move right on. I have really enjoyed teaching 1st and 2nd grade together.

Our church ministries are all going well, too. We definitely stay busy between all the school and church ministries. I wouldn't have it any other way though. We are so blessed to be in such a great ministry and under such a godly pastor. He has been at our church for over 28 years. What a testimony!

Our family is doing good. It is so nice to be near all of my immediate family now. What a blessing it has been having my parents here! We had a wonderful Christmas break. We were able to travel to Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa to see all of our family. We saw 50 relatives, slept in 5 different beds, and drove over 2,200 miles in 11 days. I wouldn't trade that trip for anything! We saw all of our grandparents, which we hadn't seen in a few years. We are so thankful for the godly family that we have. We are so blessed!

My nephew and nieces are growing so much. We stay busy just keeping up with them. They are a joy to be with and so much fun! Here are some recents pictures taken from a cell phone. Sorry they aren't the best quality!

Alyssa's newest "smile"

Ashlyn's 3rd Birthday

Alayna, Ashlyn & Alyssa

The Whirlwind...

I know I'm not the only one that has been busy since school started, so bear with me as I give quick run-down of our lives recently. I wanted to give an update to those who think I might have vanished from earth. :)

I am teaching 1st and 2nd Grade this year. WHAT AN ADVENTURE! :) I have 15 students: 10 in 1st grade and 5 in 2nd grade. That number isn't bad, but it has been an adjustment doing lesson plans for two grades, giving tests orally for both classes, and teaching in a way that involves all of them! For someone who just "loves a challenge", I can honestly say I'm ready for rest!

I am coaching Volleyball again this year, so as soon as I get done with class, I run to practice or a game. I'm still not sure when to fit in doing the lesson plans and grading papers. Lately, it's been a "Sunday night after church" job. Believe it or not, I really am enjoying my job. :) We are going to Educator's Conference in Gatlinburg for 3 days next week, so I am looking forward to that time of "rest." Hopefully we will see some friends while we are there. Let us know if you will be there!

I'll close by including a few pictures from Seth Haas and Meredith McCoy's wedding last Friday. It was such a sweet, beautiful wedding and reception! Sorry the pictures don't do it justice!

Keep in touch!

End of the Summer...

Garron, Alayna, and Ashlyn looking patriotic

Ashlyn, Uncle Matt, and Aunt Shisha on July 4th

Getting ready to enjoy the fireworks



Matt and I with our nieces and nephew

I can't believe it's almost time for school to start already! Our summer break has come to an end and I didn't blog at all. Sorry! I had great plans, but I didn't fulfill them.
We have been very busy this summer, as always. Here is a quick run-down on what's gone on: I taught summer school for three weeks. Then our church had its 3rd Annual Honor Service, in which we honored our missionaries who have been on the field for over 25 years. It was a very special service. Matt and I enjoyed golfing with my parents several times this summer, as Matt had Mondays off. We have also had quite a bit of company come through. In July, we took some of the teenagers to Camp Barnabas at Ambassador Baptist College in NC. That was a great week full of preaching and fun activities. Matt's parents spent a week with us as we prepared for our "Paradise Pirates" VBS. Now VBS is over and Volleyball practice has begun. Teacher Orientation is next week and the first day of school is August 18. I know many of ya'll have had a similar summer and know what a whirlwind it can be. Overall, we had a great summer. Thanks to all those who do a better job of blogging than I do. It's always fun to hear your family updates!


Alayna and Ashlyn made great pirates for VBS

Matt & I with some of the kids at VBS
Matt is on the right with the long curly hair. Isn't he scary? He was the captain in the skits and didn't get saved until Thursday night, when he also got a "haircut". He had more fun than the kids! It was a great week!

School's Out!!!

I have officially survived another school year! Our last day was on Wednesday, May 21. It is always so sad to realize that I will never have the same class again or may not ever see some of my students again. But I must say, I am excited to have finished another year. I will be teaching 3 weeks of Summer School starting June 3, but at least I have a short break before that starts. Otherwise, not much is going on. :) Here are some recent pictures of two of my nieces, Alayna & Ashlyn. Keep in touch!