Sitting here...watching the clock...waiting...

Today I am answering the phones at the church. I'm a little concerned that I'm not hearing the phone, because I've only answered it twice since I've gotten here, and both times there were other people here to tell me it was ringing. It is so quiet and I am quite distracted from the phone with my unlimited internet access. (My internet access is usually limited by time...I'm usually in Nathan's office after hours, but needing to go home to make supper or go to bed or something). So today, since 11:30, I've been here at the church, exploring the never-ending world of facebook, and am realizing how people no longer have time for their blogs. It is pretty addicting. BUT, I am not one to become addicted.

This past year, I've been surrounded by engagements and weddings and pregnancies and babies like never before. It is a bit overwhelming at times, but SO exciting too! I am so proud of all my friends who are entering new worlds of marriage and parenthood. I guess it is just that stage of life! So, this post is a congratulations to all those who have had exciting announcements in the past year (hopefully I won't miss anyone).

Engagements:

Counting down with...

Ben and Marsha! Whoo-hoo! Looking forward to it! - April 2008

Caleb and Susan - December 2007

Betti and Andrew - ???

Corey and Carina - ???

Weddings:

Congratulations to...

Terry and Candice - August of 2006.

Betty and Bryce - October of 2006.

Tim and Erica - June 23, 2007

Aaron and Cheryl - June 2, 2007

Charles and Jody - August 2007

Dennis and Lianna - December 2006

Doug and Teena - January 2007

Expectancies:

Looking ahead with...

Peter and Amanda - November

Kendall and Sabrina - November

Matt and Sara - October

Mike and Kristen - April

Tim and Kelsie - April

Steve and Rose - March

Darryl and Sheri - ???

Births:

Excited with:

Matt and Sara - Thaddeus Matthew

Dwight and Marla - Moses Jarett

Trevor and Rebekah - Isaiah Mosali

Ryan and Heather - James Kennedy

Doug and Elissa - Caleb Nathan

Jeremy and Rachael - Ava Bentley

Terry and Candice - Jac Dean

Darren and Amy - Averi Jael

Brad and Carla - Carter Hayden

Bobby and Kristi - Noah ???

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Desperately want to update...not sure what to post...

Does this ever happen to anyone else? You really want to get rid of that old post that has been on your blog for a couple weeks but you have no clue what to replace it with? That's me right now. Despite really liking that picture, I think it needs to go...
So what's new?
We got cable today...well, officially we're being hooked up tomorrow, but we're officially cable-watchers. We've talked about investing in more channels many times before (the most extensive research being done last fall), but we've never been able to justify putting a monthly payment into watching tv. Now that our car is paid off and some work on the house has been done (or at least is in the process of being completed), we both feel like we can afford to treat ourselves to a little extra. It's funny how this decision came only days after we decided that we would try to watch a little less tv and spend a little more quality time with each other. I think that both can be accomplished though. We will be deliberate about what we watch on cable and be sure it's something that we really want to see before the tv has run for hours and we have no idea what we've watched. Hopefully this was a wise decision!
I mentioned in the previous paragraph that work on the house is being done. Well, it certainly is. Too bad I don't have a picture to show you. For the past two and a half weeks, our house has been sitting there with no siding on it but wrapped snugly in brand new insulation. Needless to say, the color of our lovely mint apple green house hasn't changed much (the insulation and our old siding are similar) but I can confidently say that before the snow flies, we shall have a beautiful Stratus-colored house. What is Stratus-colored, you ask? Well...come visit. That's the best I can do to describe it to you.
Youth is starting tonight and tomorrow night (senior then junior youth). We're having games/campfire nights with both groups at two different farm yards. It's really cold though, so we'll need a huge fire to warm us all up! These next two nights are the start to the winter that we already know is going to be crazy busy. BUT...heading into this year of youth, I am feeling the most prepared and excited and ready than I have since we began our work with the youth. I'm really excited about that because at the end of last year, I was so stressed and busy and not feeling it that I was ready to be done with youth completely. This summer has been great for reflecting on who I am and where my place is as Nathan's wife, as a youth pastors wife and even just as me. What are my passions and where do I fit into ministry in Altona? I think that I am ready to say that I do fit at the Hub with the EMMC (and community) youth and am excited to see what this year of ministry is going to bring.