FAQs

This was taken last year when Chris and Syna and the cousins came to visit. We can't wait to be closer to them! Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about our impending move...


1. What are the official moving dates?

Aaron's last day at Coca-Cola is Friday, March 17. We then finish up the packing and cleaning in order to move on Wednesday, March 23. A moving company is loading up our stuff and taking it up to Minnesota.


2. When is Aaron's first day of work and what is he doing again?

April 4th - I think that's a Monday. He will be the Supply Manager for Superior Steel. I don't know exactly how you would describe what he does, so I'm just not going to attempt to describe it. It's been a long day. I can tell you that Superior Steel is a large, thriving company with only about 6 employees in a 300 sq. ft. office in Spicer, MN. Chris Reid, Aaron's older brother, started the company only a few years ago, and it's been awesome to watch God's hand on it. Aaron will actually be working more directly with Steve Wood, the financial guru of Superior Steel. (Ha, he'd like that description.) Steve attended IWU around the same time as we did. So, half of Superior Steel is made up now of IWU grads. Somewhere, an IWU business professor is smiling.

3. Where will you live?

Chris and Syna (my brother- and sister-in-law) just moved to a different house in Spicer, leaving their previous home open for us to conveniently move into. We will live there until we decide if we want to buy that house, build a house, whatever. It's been such a relief to not have to worry about housing up there. It's what I call "boy heaven" because it's right on the lake with lots of room to explore. You can bet I'll be posting pics on my blog once we're there.

4. What church will you attend?

Good question. I have no idea. We are praying about that and hoping that our search will not take long.

5. How big is Spicer?

About half the size of my current subdivision - or less! True! Spicer is only a few thousand, while Willmar, right up the street, has about 15,000 if I remember correctly. We are around 40 miles from St. Cloud. Definitely back to Small Town, USA. Greg and Jocelyn, Aaron's parents, are 3 hours north in Wisconsin.

6.Has your house had any offers?

No, not one. Please keep praying on this.

7. Are the kids excited?

Well, every time we say we are going for any kind of drive, Daniel and Greg both ask, "Are we going to Minnesota?" Greg is definitely excited to be closer to his cousins and to be able to go fishing more often. He remembers fishing a lot there last year. I think he'll really miss his friends here, though. Church and Preschool have provided a lot of new friends he loves being around.

8. Are you and Aaron excited?

We are looking forward to being closer to our family, yes. We are not looking forward to leaving a fabulous church with the friends who have become our family. We are not looking forward to leaving a small group we just started attending and really love. But we can honestly say we are looking forward to what God has in store. Every time we have left something, he has provided more than we could ask for in the next place. Just when we think God can't top Himself, He does. We embrace His will, even though sometimes it's painful.

Just a few useless facts...

Warning - Random Stuff Ahead:

If there was only one store on the planet I could shop in for the rest of my life, it would be my local SuperTarget. Clean, organized, friendly - just a brilliant place.

I am hopelessly addicted to LOST, Coke Zero, blogging, Chick-Fil-A, Old Navy t-shirts, Creative Memories, and Orbit gum. (Blue or green package, doesn't matter)

We sang "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and The News at my 6th grade graduation and I had a solo that went, "They say that all in love is fair....yeah, but you don't care....but you'll know what to do, when it gets hold of you...and with a little help from above, you'll feel the pooooowwwwwer of love."

My friend and I used to make prank phone calls from the phone in our old barn at home. Sorry, Dad.

Sometimes I rock out to Kelly Clarkson on the radio.

I took my two oldest boys to see "Curious George" last weekend and enjoyed it just as much (or more) than they did. ("Give me a hug, ya little fur ball!")

The pacifier was an ingenius invention.

I haven't ridden a roller coaster since 2000. I'm way overdue.

Grandma!

My Mom flew in from Ohio last week - what a delight! I love being able to "share my world" and what life is like down here with her. She came with me to Bible Study, Chick-fil-a, all our weekly hang-outs. She even got to see Gregory's preschool and meet his teacher.

I've never had my Mom close by since I graduated from college, and if I think about it too long, it sends me into the pit of despair. But I try to be content and thankful for the rich relationship we have through (almost) daily phone calls. I'm grateful for her constant support since I know it can't be easy having your children and grandchildren so far away. Here are some of my favorite quotes concerning motherhood...

"The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness." - Honore de Balzac

"You never get over being a child as long as you have a mother to go to." -Sarah Orne Jewett

"You may have tangible wealth untold, caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be...I had a mother who read to me." - Strickland Gillian

"My mother is a poem I'll never be able to write, though everything I write is a poem to my mother." - Sharon Doubiago

"All that I am or hope to be I owe to my mother." - Abraham Lincoln

Where He Leads...

This is Lighthouse Community Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Former name - Kalamazoo Wesleyan Church) I have never personally seen or entered this building, but Aaron took this picture when he was on a quick business trip last year to Michigan. We attended this church when we lived in Michigan, and then God moved us here to Texas a few months after the groundbreaking of this building.

Tonight I listened as our current pastor (Crossbridge) shared some really exciting challenges and visions for our church during the Partner's Celebration. I felt a grieving, a deep sadness that we wouldn't personally see some of these visions come to fruition. I love being a part of this body of believers -- I can't describe how much I hate the thought of leaving Crossbridge.

For some reason, God has decided to move our family right before we get to see God do something big, or before a vision comes into focus. Just when the crescendo is building to a climax, God tells us to go somewhere else. It breaks my heart, and yet I must say "YES" to whatever He has next for us. His timing is perfect, even when I think it's way off!

This is Daniel's "manly" smile - trying to look tough and smile at the same time. Here is Jonathan - now 7 months old. Gotta love that Jumpin' Johnny!

Parties and Pinatas

Swing away, MONTY! Last weekend we were at a surprise birthday party for our friend, Monty. Monty and Jessica used to watch the boys during our small group time on Tuesday nights and the boys absolutely loved hanging out with them. After the kids took swings, Monty stepped up to the plate.
Gregory collected as much candy as his little hands could hold, then Monty helped him stuff his pockets.
Daniel with the birthday boy himself. They boys said Monty would want a light saber for his birthday, so that's what we got him! He loved it, of course. I am so thankful for the different friends God has blessed us with through Crossbridge. I love the fact that my boys have "big boys" who are friends --- older men who love Jesus and love my boys. They have such a powerful influence on the next generation! I remember one night our friends Patrick and Ashley were over and the boys were playing outside. Patrick was sitting outside, looking at the sky as the sun went down when Gregory came up, "Whatcha doin, Patrick?" he asked. "Just enjoying the glory of God!" Patrick responded. So Greg sat down beside him and they silently watched the sunset. When Aaron came over, he asked the same question, "What are you guys doin'?" And Gregory enthusiastically responded, "Just enjoying the Glory of God, DAD!"