Happy Birthday Josie!

Josie turned 2 yesterday....my sweet precious baby girl.  She is a true joy to live and breathe with each day.  She greets me each morning with a smile and a darling "hi."  We are so blessed by the Lord to have her in our family. 

Obviously she is fun and vibrant and keeps up well with the boys in the family....along with picking out a bow for her hair each morning.  Her favorite gift (one which she is having trouble sharing already) is a new stroller which she strolls her baby doll around the entire house.  She finds that her most favorite activity is sunbathing in the kiddy pool in our backyard :).  Happy Birthday sweetie.  We love you.

Here's to You, Jonathan!!

Jonathan and I moved to Dallas, TX 5 years ago for J to start a masters program at Dallas Theological Seminary.  He and I were both excited and nervous about the new turn in our journey together, but confident that it was where God was directing our paths.  To say that these past 5 years have been difficult would be an understatement.  I don't believe we ever had a clue of the challenges that were before us....if we had, we might never have chosen to come.  To say it has been a joy would be a complete  understatement as well.....our first two children were born here with another waiting to make his appearance.  As I write, Jonathan is engaged in his last class...his VERY LAST.  He will finish up loose ends tomorrow on campus and he will be done.  I can't even type without welling up with emotion.  There were times that I really wondered if we would ever finish this chapter in our lives.  Now it is here. It is really here!!!!  To say I am proud cannot begin to describe the enormity of passion I feel behind the words.  Not only has he attained a Masters of Theology (120 hour program including 5 classes of Greek and Hebrew!), but he has steadfastly loved me as a husband and encouraged our marriage to grow stronger, become the most wonderful, devoted father to 2 (really 3) amazing children, and grown in fellowship with others deepening relationships to higher levels.  Growth really has been his theme in all areas of his life.  And growth is something we will never finish.  Please join me in praising our awesome Father in heaven for sustaining him through these years.  Please join me in praying for our future as we enter into a search to find a place for him to pour his passions for Christ into the lives around us.  There is no other place I'd rather be than by your side, Jonathan.  Congratulations.  I love you.