A Running Start in 2007!

Where to begin?! I'm not sure either, but I am almost a month into the new year and have yet to post anything. How shameful!

We had a great Christmas, spending time with both of our families, eating lots of good food and exchanging gifts. Jenae really enjoyed Christmas this year. It was so fun to watch her "Ooohhh and Aaahhh" over her gifts. It seemed like each gift was a game of Peek-A-Boo that she had to uncover to find. So much fun!! We got some great photos on our new camera (yea!) but I've not had time to upload any of them. Sorry!

During the holidays we also had the to opportunity to explore a new ministry. We've been praying for a place we could minister as Jordan begins preaching and we both wanted to go back to school. Right after Thanksgiving we got a call from Winters, Texas. God has taken our requests, gift wrapped them, and placed a great big bow right on top!

Winters is a small (3,000 pop) town about 45 miles south of Abilene. We've visited with them several times and they seem to be small-town, salt of the earth kind of people. What we love is that the church doesn't think like a small town. They have a great outreach program the whole church participates in on Wednesday evenings. They have taken the initiative to build close relationships with the other churches in town, even holding joint services. We both believe this is going to be a great place to learn, grow and share life.

Now, that doesn't mean we aren't scared to death! Preaching is a whole new world to Jordan. He does such a wonderful job though. He is just going to have to find a new rythm to ministry. Neither of us have ever lived in such a small town. On the church grounds. Ha! That's right we'll be moving into the parsonage! It's a great house, but seriously, we'll walk across the parking lot to the church building! You can also imagine this move will curb our eating out as the restuarants aren't so numerous in Winters. The flip side of that means I have to cook...a lot! And we have to eat leftovers.

It's becoming more difficult to realize that we really are leaving Belton. This is where we started OUR life together. We began our ministry here two weeks after we got married. We bought our first house. Jenae was born here. To say nothing of the relationships! I'm going to miss my playgroup on Thursdays. Jenae has always had Ms. Darlene for her Bible class teacher. The kids in our youth group are amazing. So many of the moms are my closest friends. Even as I type it seems too much to think about all at once.

So, to top off all the holiday travels, job changes, emotional stress (both joy and sadness), did I mention we are trying to sell our house?!! Yup, that's right. House is on the market. Which if you've ever sold a home you know that means it has to be clean...all the time! I had a hard enough time keeping it semi-clean when it wasn't for sale. I keep hoping maybe I'll learn some new behaviors and be able to keep the parsonage sparkly clean. Ha! So, if you know anyone who wants to buy a house, tell them to call me!! Soon! Jenae and I have a heard time communicating when the house has to stay clean.

Maybe now you understand why there haven't been cute postings with lots of pictures. We've had a little bit going on in our lives. Don't even mention the packing, please! I just keep telling myself I'll have lots of free time once we get to Winters. Let's just hope they have a good internet connection! Keep us in your prayers: pray for both congregations during this transition and pray that our house will sell quickly. We love you and will try to keep you posted, even if it's without pictures!

By the way, the Winters mascot is the Blizzard and their fight song......wait for it.....is "Winter Wonderland" Does it get better than that!