What are we doing here?

Many of you have asked us "Why St. Louis?"

Well first, Mark got a new job as a Senior Property Accountant working for another real estate firm, McEagle. His former job was shaky as the company was sold and even though he didn't get laid off, there were so many changes occuring that it seemed like a good time to move on.

Although he graduated from Southwesteren Seminary almost a year ago, he is still going through certification for Biblical Counseling and is hoping to use all he has learned as a lay minister in a local church we find here. Whether or not the Lord has full time ministry in His plans for us, we don't know. But we plan to use what we have and serve the kingdom using our current circumstances.

Second, St. Louis is not a very evangelized city and there is not a Bible believing church on every corner like back home. We are hoping that with our willingness to serve, the Lord will use us here to reach others for His glory.

In the mean time, we miss our family and friends dearly but are trusting God to meet our needs here and hoping that He will allow us many visits back to Texas to stay in touch with everyone!

Thank you all for your support and encouragement. We love hearing from each of you!

Singing Praise

At the church we visited Sunday, Lucy & other kids her age join us in "big" church for worship before going to Sunday School. This video is of her singing "Blessed be Your Name", a song we sang together in church. It's really a neat experience to worship the Lord with your child especially when you consider her innocence and raw desire to know about Jesus.
Be sure and notice the fancy toothpaste microphone. :)

"Jolly Jump Up"

Natey jumping and Lucy with her Mr. Potato Head dolls.

Nate & Lucy

Nate had his first bowl of rice cereal today! Should have happened sooner but with the packing & moving, it got put off until now. He liked it but kept getting distracted by Lucy who was soooo excited to see him in the highchair and eating "real" food.

"This looks good, Mom!"


"Tasty!"


All Lucy wants to do is swing in the backyard. Such a new thing for us to have our own swingset (the previous owners left it behind). I remember when she was so afraid to swing high but not anymore!

We made it!

After hours and hours and rain and rain, we made it to our new home today. Amy & I got up REAL early so we could miss the D/FW traffic and have the kids sleep in the car longer (Nate did, Lucy did not) but only made it to McKinney before we had to pull over and wait for the rain to stop. I have never driven in so much rain before. The power went out so there were no street lights and of course the sun wasn't up yet so it was impossible to see. When we finally stopped in Oklahoma for breakfast, the power went out at McDonald's right when we got there so they stopped serving food! The second half of our trip was less eventful but very long after all the delays in the early morning. But we made it - Lucy & Nate did great in the car and are happy to be in their new home!

Lucy having apples & watching DVDs



Nate sleeping



Tucker in his tiny space on the floor



Kobe sleeping in his litter box (which is now busted because Tucker stepped on it)



Lucy opening her car prize from Nan & Pops - thanks!

Plan your next vacation....

to St. Louis!!!

Come and stay with us while you visit a really cool city! There's lots to do for families.

We want lots of visitors!!!

Transition

Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

This is a pretty familiar passage, quoted often and simplistic in nature. But if you truly believe the Word of God is alive and active, then you know that sometimes something that seems repetitive and ordinary can, at another time, appear brand new and revolutionary. (For those of you that are familiar with Harry Potter... you know how the wizards' newspapers and books have moving images? I think of this now when I consider the Bible - it is alive!!)

So this happened to me. I struggle with fear when it comes to my family and my family is apart now. Last week we left Lucy behind to house hunt and now Mark is in St. Louis working at his new job. I get nervous when I'm here alone and miss him terribly so this verse has truly sustained me. I can honestly testify that surrendering to Christ by trusting His word is giving me peace through this time of transition.