Changes

It's been amazing to look back over the last 7 years and see all that God has done to mold me into the image of His Son Jesus. In the natural, I am very, VERY resistant to change; it didn't used to matter if the change was good or not, I hated it anyway. It all started exactly 7 years ago when my family moved to Ketchikan. Everything I'd ever known was forever different and honestly, I was angry. Ever since then, the changes have come steadily, and they've consistently gotten bigger and more challenging. They say your taste in food changes every 7 years because that's how long it takes for the human body to run through an entire cycle of cell regeneration. In this particular case, the same is true spiritually. It's taken, through many, many different cirumstances over the last 7 years for ME to be changed...not the things around me, but ME. Finally after all this time, my first response is NOT looking at the natural outward experiences and circumstances, but instead believing by faith in the character of God that things aren't what they seem, that "He who is able to do more than I could ever ask or imagine" is not just a theological quip, but a very real sliver of the character of the God who has chosen and loved me for no other reason than to glorify Himself! Isn't it somewhere in Hebrews that says these things are but a shadow of the things to come? At any rate, as I've learned to trust GOD, and get past my own stubbornness, and as Oswald Chambers loves to say "give up my right to myself", I am able to finally see the GOOD things that God had planned in what I thought were the most horrible change in circumstances in my life. I've learned that I really should not care about knowing how a particular scenario is going to turn out, and put my faith and fervor into what I DO know, and that is God's character. On that note, I would like to share two very significant changes that have come about recently. I have no idea the reasons for these changes; I could analyze them to death since that's in my nature, and probably come up with some pretty good reason and/or out comes on my own. The only thing I do know is that they're on my heart and God is good!! They are both opportunities for prayer and faith!

First, my half-brother Jamie, whom I have only known over the phone the last 5 years has moved to Anchorage and is living with us. It is yet unknown whether he will stay here, or go back to Missouri. If he stays, he will need a job and a place of his own very soon.

Second, I have taken a job with a company that will allow me to work from home. I will still be
doing medical coding and billing, just from my home office (how do you like the view from my office window?)!! While this answers some of the things that have been on our hearts the last year or so, one concern is that I am a very social person and the adjustment to spending so much time by myself will probably be a challenge.
God is good! I believe in the plans he has in these two recent changes and in faith I am excited to see how He will be glorified!!

Thanksgiving

I cooked TWO turkey's this year!! We had one and then our friend Geoff had one that his employer gave him, so we fit both in our oven; it took some finesse, but we got it done and they both turned out quite well!! After dinner, we played four on the couch (our team won!), Cranium, the guys played Hearts, and the girls played video games, Jamie got to see his first Northern Lights...it was quite the evening!! Thank God for family, friends, and plenty of food!!

NEWSBOYS!!!!

My eardrums managed to survive a full weekend at the PAC (Performing Arts Center)! Friday as earlier posted I went to a smooth jazz concert, and the very next evening, we had 3rd row seats to see the Newsboys! I had never seen them live and really haven't followed their music since hi-school; it was great to get reaquainted with their music. They do put on an AMAZING show! About half way through, their front man, Peter Furler stopped and actually preached. This was not your token "encouraging word" you usually find at a contemporary Christian concert; he full on preached the Word of God and then he prayed for all of Anchorage's pastors that there would be unification amidst the different denominations, and he prayed for both Anchorage's political leaders, as well as our nation's and world's leaders. You could feel the Spirit of God was there; it was amazing!! I actually Googled "how to take good pictures at a concert" and was able to manually change some settings on my camera and get some pretty good shots!

Guitars and Saxes 2006

On Friday, Sam took me to Guitars and Saxes 2206 and I have to say, it was an amazing concert! I didn't think smooth jazz guys could rock so hard, but they totally did!! Peter White was on classical guitar, Jeff Golub played electric guitar, and Richard Elliot and Gerald Albright played saxaphone. I do believe I will have to make this an annual tradition!

Four years!!!

Today we celebrated our 4 year anniversary! God has blessed us so much over the last 4 years. We have moved 5 times in 4 years, owned 2 homes in 2.5 years, been blessed with amazing jobs which included a career change for the better for Jeremy, siblings have been married and had babies, relationships with family have grown stronger, tears have been cried, we've laughed and smiled so much, we've been honored to have a small group Bible Study meet in our home, we've been given friendships with new and wonderful people and been blessed enough to see them grow and mature in the Lord, we've prayed and hurt and rejoiced with people and people have hurt and rejoiced with us. We are thankful to God for His goodness towards us, are hopeful for things yet to come and have full confidence in the faithfulness of God! I thought I'd show both our wedding day and a picture from our anniversary celebration today. Thank you everyone for all your prayers, love, and support!