Some praises and prayer requests......

I thought it's been awhile since I have made a post. I feel like it's time to share a couple of specific prayer requests along with a couple of praises:

PRAISES:
1. Jessica had a wonderful relaxing time in North Carolina for her spring break, which she really needed.
2. Jessica has returned safely from her spring break trip and is back in Upland, IN, safe and sound.
3. Marsha has felt better the last couple of days.
4. Keith has one week left until his spring break!

PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Jessica needs to find a place to live in or near Reston; hopefully, something affordable and possibly in close proximity to her work.
2. For stamina to finish her senior year focused and strong.
3. Jessica needs to also find a church in the Reston area. May this all be a smooth transition for her as she settles into her career and new surroundings.
4. For Keith to be able to have strength to get through this final week of school before his spring break begins. Today, he said everyone's ready for a break!
5. Marsha will be having another colonoscopy with a possible dilation on Friday, April 4. Pray that everything will go well for the entire procedure.
6. Pray that everything will return to a "normal" state after the colonoscopy and Marsha won't have any adverse effects to deal with following the procedure.

Thank you, friends and family, for remembering our family in prayer and these specific requests we have shared with you today. Blessings to you all. :-)

Just dreaming....

of things to come.......... :-)

Good Friday?

" I guess I had better go out and start shoveling..." I did go out to shovel and it was a very heavy snow. I guess I wasn't use to shoveling and I couldn't even finish. By the time I went inside, the driveway was starting to fill up again, and I was covered with snow!

...and to think Jessica is missing all this fun by enjoying herself in North Carolina! haha...I was thinking about her while I was shoveling. I am happy she's not here to "enjoy" all this snow. I'm sure she'll having a good time visiting with her cousins and Aunt and Uncle there. I think she's also going to be able to visit some Taylor friends there as well. I'm waiting to see pictures of her trip. [hint, hint... :-) ]

This is the first time I can remember that Good Friday services were cancelled at several area churches due to a snowstorm. This is the second day of Spring?

First Day of Spring!!

Spring has arrived here in West Michigan! But, wouldn't you know it, they just posted a "winter storm advisory" for some counties south of us, for rain, snow, sleet, ice, all the wintery mix of stuff. Ha! Well, after all, this IS Michigan!

Jessica leaves for her Spring break tomorrow. She will be heading to North Carolina for just less than a week. There she will visit with my sister and her family and most likely get to visit the new baby! Whatever she does we are hoping she will get some much needed rest, especially after the last few weeks of busyness. Then, when she returns, she'll be on the home stretch toward graduation day. [Have a wonderful time in North Carolina, Jess! We love you and know God will keep you safe while you're gone.]

TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!!!

CONGRATULATIONS JESS!!!! We are SOOO very happy for you! God is so good! :)

Yes, in less than 24 hours after her interview, Jess received a job offer with Accenture! Thank you, Lord! She will be starting her new job in Reston, Virginia in June. Thank you, everyone for all your continued prayers regarding Jess and her future plans. You are all so special to us all. :)

The Waiting Begins....

Jessica had her interview at Accenture this morning. She had a great experience with the interview, and said everything went well. Since they are still interviewing other candidates for the position(s), she won't find out for a couple of weeks. We just continue to pray for God's leading. If this isn't the place for her, God will close the door and open a new one. Jessica does like the city of Reston. For anyone that reads this tonight, please pray for Jess tonight as she has to drive back from Indianapolis to Upland tonight after midnight. After this exhausting day, she's pretty tired out.

We thank you all for your continued prayers for Jess and the people making decisions for the positions to be filled.

Prayer is very much appreciated....

Marsha's Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease in which I have been diagnosed 25 years ago. In the last 25 years, I have had two major surgeries and various testing and medicines. Last October, I was given the option of going on this new medicine called Humira. This is a self-medication by giving myself injections once every two weeks. After alot of prayer and consideration, Keith and I decided this would be a good option for me to at least give a try. It has been known to give Crohn's patients their life back. With this in mind, we went ahead with this option. October 1, 2007, I began my first injections and have continued with them ever since. After my last appointment with my gastroenterologist, he stated my "disease has quieted down." For this news, we are most grateful. However, I have continued to struggle with the symptoms of the disease, which is what causes me not to be able to leave the house whenever I would like to. Unfortunately, my mornings continue to be a struggle for me. For this, both Keith and I are discouraged, as we were both hoping my life would get back to some sort of normalcy. I know I have several people that have been praying for me for which I so appreciate very much! I truly am encouraged when I see someone and they say they have been praying for me or if I receive an email, etc. Thank you everyone for your continued prayers.

Jessica's Job Journey

Jessica is on her way tonight to Reston, Virginia for her interview tomorrow with Accenture. (www.accenture.com if you want more information about the company.) She will have a one-hour presentation about the company and then two one-hour personal interviews. After that she'll have time to do whatever before her late flight back to Indianapolis at 11:00 p.m. We thank you so very much for upholding her in prayer during this important time in her life She is very grateful for all your care and concerns regarding her life decisions. Thank you, all!

Onward...

Jess received a call from the Accenture office in Washington, D.C. They want her to interview this coming week, hopefully on Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. if they can get her a flight on Wednesday evening. :) Our prayer continues

Lord,

You have Jessica's life in Your hands.

You are our all-knowing God, and have Your perfect plan in place for her.

We would ask that You would continue to reveal to her what that plan is.

We pray You will give her wisdom, strength,

and a calmness as she goes to this next interview.

Whatever it is You have for her, let there be no doubts in her mind

that that is where she is supposed to be.

Thank You, Lord,

for your faithfulness and guidance throughout this journey.

We ask these things in Your name.

Amen

for you, Jess:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God. And the peace of

God, which transcends all understanding, will

guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6, 7 NIV

"...He answered their prayers, because

they trusted in Him."

I Chronicles 5:20 NIV

The Loopy Ewe

E-Commerce class at Taylor

Jessica has introduced me to a new "friend," Sheri, even though we haven't met face to face yet! According to Jess, we have some things in common, namely scrapbooking and knitting. After communicating with Sheri a few times via e-mail, I have found out we also have a few more things in common. Just a couple are her college boy and my college girl are in the same E-Commerce class at Taylor this semester, and we both love Paynes Coffee Shop in Upland, Indiana.

Sheri was asked to come and speak about her online business, The Loopy Ewe, in this class and also for the Taylor SIFE organization. This is an awesome website having to do with knitting. She also has a blog which she shares recipes once a week, along with alot of other information. So, if you are bored and have nothing else to do, go check out Sheri's website, The Loopy Ewe (www.theloopyewe.com) . :) Also, if you know of anyone that loves knitting, you might want to direct them to this site.

Rejoicing....in a new life....

May I introduce baby Abby....

born to Jessica and Joe, at 3:00 this afternoon

March 4, 2008.

God bless this happy little family

Thank you, Lord, for this precious new life!

May she come to know You at an early age and grow up to love and serve You.

PRAISES AND PRAYER REQUESTS...

Jess just completed her second phone interview with Accenture. She said it "went extremely well." Thank you, Lord! She said the lady was going to recommend that she is invited to go to Washingon, D.C. for a personal interview! We praise You, Lord!

While Jess was waiting for her phone interview, she received an email from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Hospital regarding an internship which she has applied for as well. This would be a 3 month internship in the administrative aspects of the hospital. (This is the type of job Jessica would eventually like to do.) They will be calling her on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. to talk to her about the internship. Please, we are asking you to remember to keep her in your prayers regarding this as well. :)


A NEW BABY...

We also just received word that Abby was brought into this world at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon. She is the daughter of her proud parents, Joe and Jessica . Proud Mamaw and Papa are Rich and Lori of North Carolina! Congratulations to you, all!!! (As soon as I get a picture, I'll be sure to post it on here!) :)


ANOTHER PRAYER REQUEST...

On February 16, I wrote a post about my Aunt Merna. Well, yesterday she went to the doctor to see why she's been feeling so lousy. She has ended up in the hospital and may have to go to Muskegon for a pace maker. Her kids are all out of state or the country. My cousins who live in the Philippines will be coming home the end of April or first of May for a one-year furlough. One good thing is she does have her siblings who live in Ludington and also two nephews who live there as well. Please pray everything will work out and the doctors will have wisdom to do the right tests, etc. so they can see for sure what exactly is wrong.

On to Interview #2...

Jessica called today and said she received an e-mail from Accenture stating they would be calling her tomorrow, March 4, at 2:45 p.m. This interview will be alot more intense than the previous one. Again, we are asking the Lord to make it very clear if this is the place she is to be. We all appreciate your prayers. If Jess makes it through this interview, Accenture will then fly her to Washington, D.C. for a personal/final interview. Thank you again for your prayers.

Soon-to-be....Grandpa and Grandma!?!!!

Happy Birthday, Rich! :) Let's see...how old are you??? Hmmm...old enough to be a grandpa!! haha... Congratulations!!

It doesn't seem possible that you and Lori are soon going to be grandparents; as soon as Tuesday, maybe?! Time has sure flown by quickly. I can remember when Joe was just a little baby, and now he's married to his wife, Jessica, and going to be a daddy. We will certainly be praying everything goes well with the delivery and also that baby Abigail will be healthy as well. We rejoice with you on the birth of your first grandchild. :) Be sure to give Joe and Jess our love on Tuesday, when you see them. May God bless you all.