New Friends/ New Encouragement

I just finished checking my email. I finally put the email addresses from my new friends in Connecticut in my address book. Then I emailed all of them asking them to email me a line back so I would know I put them in right. Well, I got a few emails back today and I almost cried. They were so encourageing to me. For those of you who know me, you know I am basically very shy. I tried to put myself out there while I was there and Lauren,(she is the one on the far left)really made me feel good about it. I hope to keep in touch with the family we stayed with, if nobody else. They made us feel so at home, and have even said we are welcome any time. Thanks to all of them. I know you'all are getting tired of hearing of Conn. and NYC, but that is the most exciting thing that has happened to me in a long time!! Maybe I'll have something better to write about soon. Let's hope so anyway!!!

Just another day in the Neighborhood

Tonight we have home groups and I am glad to be back in town to be there. Although last week was great, I missed the fellowship with my great friends here. We have temporarily split up into male/female groups to do a study. I can't wait to see what we are going to learn. I have just been sitting here on the computer and thinking: Kevin has gone back to work, Nick has gone back to work, and I am ready to go back to work. I have only 1 more semester and I am ready to get it over with. I start back on Aug. 23rd, I think. I am just worrying that I will not be able to find a good paying job in this area. Maybe Kevin and I should consider relocating somewhere we can both find a good job. The week after a big trip is such a let-down, I am so depressed because there is nothing to do. Maybe it will get better next week. I guess I'd better stop before I depress every one of you also!!.......................bye

Home Again, Home Again

We are all back home from Connecticut now. I hope we have all recovered. I felt awful for the first 2 days after we came back. It felt like a sinus infection, but thankfully I feel better today. Maybe I will live. Here is a picture of my handsome son in New York. Doesn't he look like he belongs there? We all really had the best time there. I think my family would move if given the chance. I would love to be close enough to do the train ministry about once a week. That was huge for me. I learned that I could pray for someone without them knowing and feel like maybe I made a difference in their day. I know God answers prayers and I prayed for them to have a great day. I think I will try to make this a habit. Nick made some new friends this week. Here are some pics of these great people: Hopefully you can see everybody. Nick has been on the phone talking to his buddies every available minute. Glad they are mostly on Cingular. Those who aren't he has been Instant Messaging. Kevin has been having trouble figuring out how to blog on his site. I think I have figured out what he is doing wrong. He has posted 3 total times, but you can't see but 1. I'm going to try to straighten it out right now...................More later.......................

My perspectives of this week:

I tell you what: NEW YORK WAS BIG! When we got to Times Square, Nick looked up and said "Now I feel short." Now he knows how I feel all the time!! LOL We have had the most wonderful people that we are staying with, and all of the people of the church are great! They have been so kind to us and so patient, so helpful and they have been trying their best to take us sight-seeing to all the places that we are interested in and whatever they think might interest us. It has been a busy and wonderful week. The kids here are enjoying VBS this week- the theme is Artic Edge and it has great catchy songs and interesting stories for them. I even find myself singing the songs in my mind because the tunes are so catchy. I have seen a different side of some of my travel mates: for example I didn't know how good a teacher Misti is and how patient we can all be when a room full of kids are screaming to the top of their lungs. Amy is going to try teaching for the first time tomorrow;( Amy Flemister- she's 14- and kinda shy- I think this is Awesome!) I am very proud of my son- Nick- he's been great with the kids. My husband, Kevin has helped out wherever needed, mostly me, with lunch and snacks. Brandi and Jennifer have watched babies and helped clean up and whatever was needed. Most of them have done the Train Ministry and I get to go tomorrow- more on that later. We are having a dinner at the church tonight so we can meet all the parents of the kids who have been coming, and hopefully minister to them. Kevin and I have met some wonderful friends here and hope that we can all keep in touch with them and maybe come back next year. There are so many things I feel that I am leaving out, maybe later when I am not so tired I will write more. For now I am going to sit back and chill before everybody gets here tonite!

Gettin' ready for a trip

I am just sitting here wasting valuable time. I need to be up doing things to get us ready for our trip. My son just keeps on bothering me- that is all the time. We will be going on a Mission trip tommorrow and I just can't wait. We are going to Connecticut. This post is to let the people know that I will be posting whenever I can. I have also set up a posting spot for Kevin: kevstoxe.blogspot.com. He has not posted anything as of right now, but I just know it will be interesting when he starts because he has many great stories to tell. I have been reading all the life histories of my great friends in my home group and hope to someday soon tell my story. It will take some time to get my thoughts together for that. I am not sure what all I will share because I'm not sure you are ready to see me in that light yet. I will just say now that God has really worked in my life and sent me a great husband to guide me. I am also glad He sent me to Journey Church and to this home group. You 'all are the best. Guess I'd better get to work- I always heard a suitcase won't pack itself!! Later