Well it's Official...

We're Floridians!!!

Did I mention that this is our 5th state to live in (Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee (east, west, and middle), Texas, and now Florida, but hey who's counting :) Things here are going good. We are still in the process of getting everything unpacked and put somewhere, but we make a little more progress everyday. Things here in Florida are not a whole lot different from other places we have lived. As always in the south, it is HOT and HUMID!!! We have gotten quite a bit of rain lately, which they were in need of, so that is a good thing. The kids have adjusted well, as they always seem to do. They start school here the 22nd, and Carley is more than ready. She is my social bug, and needs more interaction than just me and her brother every day. Now onto what we have been up to. Other than the obvious of unpacking and getting the house set up, things are busy as usual. Carley turned 8 back on July 3. It is so hard to believe that my last baby was born 8 years ago. That really kinda makes me feel old. We found out that Jacob will have to have some oral surgery on Monday. He has an extra tooth under the gum above his front teeth, so that has to be cut out. We also learned that 2 of his baby molars need to come out. The ligaments that allow your baby teeth to grow and let the permanent teeth push through, have calcified to the bone, stopping the growth of those 2 teeth. I know, if it's something strange, it's my child. Anyway, since they will be putting him completely asleep to take out the extra tooth, they are going to go ahead and remove the molars at the same time. After all that heals, they will come back and put spacers where the molars were to allow room for the permanent ones to come in. I really feel bad for him. I hate having teeth removed. I have been fortunate enough to only have had my wisdom teeth removed, but I will admit I sat in the floor and cried because I didn't want it done, and yes I was 16! Anyhow, I know he will do just fine because he's my trooper, now Carley on the other hand may need to be sedated for a week :) Next weekend we are having some super special guest coming to stay with us, but that's all I will say on that for now. You will just have to check back in to see who it is :)

Time to Move On

Well, God has once again provided for us the way he always has...We have a new job! We will be working with the congregation in Marianna, FL. We will be making the move the first week of July. We are very excited to start a new chapter in our lives, and did I mention it is only 1 hour from Panama City. As most of you know, we LOVE the beach!!! It will be hard leaving the great friends that we have here, but I guess that is just the life of a preacher. As Brad always says, "We do not say good-bye, but see ya later." I will try to update everyone after we get moved and settled. It will definitely be a busy next few weeks with Father's Day, Brad's birthday, Carley's birthday, and of course moving (whew that wears me out just saying it!) Thanks for all of your prayers and support!

Way to go Jacob Bradley!

I just had to let everyone know that...JACOB IS SWIMMING!!!! I know most of you are thinking, "so what, big deal???" but it is a very big deal for my chicken of a child. We are talking about a kid who would not even get his face wet in the shower, and is now swimming (with his face under the water and all). Carley is also swimming, but she never lets Jacob get one over on her. I am one proud Mama! Hopefully one day I will get some pics up to show you, because if your like me, you can't believe it!

So Sorry to Leave You Hanging...

I know after my previous post, some of you have been wondering, "What in the World Happened?" Sorry to leave you guys hanging in suspense like that, but things were crazy and I just wasn't ready to talk about it. Things are still a little crazy, or maybe a lot, but at least now I can feel you in on a few details. Before I go into that here are some verses that I have been going over A LOT lately...

"For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord." 1 Thess. 3:8

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7

"...that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." Phil. 1:27

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness." Eph. 6:13-14

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Gal. 6:9

It has been there verses, along with several others, that have helped me to press on and know without a shadow of a doubt that we are doing the right thing. Without going into a lot a details, let's just say our work with the congregation at Fairview took a turn for the worst. Me and Brad decided that we would stand for what God has said NO MATTER WHAT, and needless to say, others did not see it that way. We strongly believe that every one is responsible for their own salvation ("...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Phil. 2:12). Because of this, we have stood for the truth and lost our job. That may not sound too fair, but it is a sacrifice we are willing to make. We had much rather suffer here on this earth, than to burn for eternity because we went along with what some man told us to do. We are making it just fine, due to the providence of God. Brad has been able to find work until we can decide on a preaching job, and we have already had a couple of tryouts with more prospects to come. We hope to be able to start our new work by July 1 and until then will stay with the awesome friends we are with and just make it day by day. Please continue to pray for us, for we know God has a plan. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

A "FYI" Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that we are no longer working with the congregation in Fairview. We are however, doing fine thanks to many wonderful friends and family. Brad has been extended several preaching opportunities, and when we decide when and where we are going we will let you all know. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we go through yet another transition in life. I know that God has a plan for us and he will use us to the best of our abilities.

It's a Hard-Knock Life...Preacher's Life That Is

To say that being a preaching family is hard might be the biggest understatement ever made. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my church family, and I love the work that we are doing for the Lord here in Fairview. This is really an appreciation for all that our dear friends go through every day trying to work for the Lord. I guess when I went through the preaching school and listened to all that the instructors told us about how it would really be, I guess deep, down inside I never really truly believed that it would be that way. There are so many days when you feel like you work your fingers (and heart) to the bone and no one really cares. Not only do they not care, they say horrible, hurtful things that makes all your work seem to have been done in vain. Not to mention those doing the talking are 99% of the time doing none of the work. But that's o.k. I know that if I continue to pray to God, he will fix it. He will open my eyes and make me realize that regardless of what people do, think, or say, he is proud that we (meaning preaching families) have decided to dedicate our lives to bring souls to Him. To all my friends, I pray for your work everyday, as I know you pray for ours. Just remember what Brad always says, "Our retirement is out of this world!" It is such a sobering thought to think that one day all of this hard work will pay off when we hear those words "Well done, Thou Good and Faithful Servant" Matt. 25:21. Hang in There Guys...We Love You All!

13 Years Ago Today...

I married my Best Friend!!!

Love you Brad!

2010 in Review and a Look Into 2011...

Well let me start off by saying Happy New Year to You and Your Family! It is so hard for me to believe that it is the year 2011. It seems like the older I get the faster time goes (oh, that's what my parents were always saying :) As always this year has been a year of change in our family. We started our new work here at Fairview, and so far (keep your fingers crossed) things have went great. We have met and been accepted by a wonderful Christian family here. They are very active (as compared to most congregations) and we keep very busy. The kids are very involved with Lads to Leaders and I have watched them grow so much spiritually this year. To watch my shy little man lead singing at the devos makes me want to cry, it's amazing! The church also started a pre-school program this year, which I am director. I love it! We are going to expand the program into this summer and I am very excited about the possibilities it holds. This summer me and Brad got to renew our vows at Tybee Island. It was wonderful to get to have that experience and renew my love with Brad. This fall I had to have my hysterectomy. It was a long recovery (due to my unique condition), but was soooooo worth it. I am feeling great right now. All my pain is gone and no periods...WHOO! WHOO!!! As far as the new year is concerned, I have lots of goals (as always :) My number 1 goal is to lose some of the weight that I gained during my recovery. Some great friends at church are helping with that. There are several of us couples at church who are competing in a "Biggest Loser" competition. Since I am super competitive and HATE to lose that should keep me on track! We shall see :)