So, I gave up on this blog thing back in what, October. I decided, yeah, blogging is just not for me. People asked me to do it and I gave it a chance. However, now, I have reconsidered. I will try one more time. I do have a strong desire to share what is going on in our lives. God is doing some amazing things and I want to give Him the glory. But, don't expect me to be one of those daily bloggers. I'll be doing good if I blog once a week (don't even know if it will happen that much).

Where do I begin? There is so much to tell. Bullets maybe?

*We have gotten snow, snow, ice, sleet, and more snow. I seriously haven't seen the ground without snow since before Christmas. Unfortunately, life goes on in MO when it snows, I still have to work. If it weren't for Patrick's mom buying us tires for Christmas we would have a totaled our car by now. She gives so graciously to us. I don't know what we would do without her. We don't tell her enough how much we appreciate her. She is such a blessing!

*We have found an amazing church with an amazing 20/30's ministry. I am so happy to belong to a body of Christ here.

*I left an awesome group of ladies back home, a small group setting like no other. However, here I have a couple of different groups like that. Patrick and I discovered the other night yes we miss our friends and family back home but, out here we have more friends and family in Christ then we ever had in SC. What a great communities we are surrounded with.

*Like I've said before, I make goals for myself each year and pray over them. Over Christmas break I was encouraged by my mom and answered prayers I had prayed for her. She loves to read. I remember growing up that she would always read her bible before going to bed. The past few years I had seen this routine replaced with other books and I could see the effects in her walk. I began to pray that she would get back to this routine. Since being out here I have been encouraged by many things my mom has done for me and said to me. I found out that she read through the bible once again this past year. I was so encouraged I made that goal for myself. God has blessed me with an hour lunch break and a quiet secluded room at work where I can go each day and get my daily bread. Oh, how I need and crave this time!

So, my bullets are getting long. Sorry, I don't want to leave anything out.

*So, we were so worried that Patrick was going to fail Greek. However, he passed the first class with a B and his, two week, Jan term class with an A. If he was graded on effort he would have gotten an A in both classes. He is working so hard, and yet not neglecting me or our household.
He preaches his first sermon Monday! I am amazed at Christ working in him.

*I live in fear that one day I will wake up and my job will really be, just a dream job. I love what I do! The only down side is the pay. I am willing to make less for my sanity, Patrick feels differently. I had considered getting a masters in educational ministries along side Patrick. However, my boss told me that I could earn my CDA (Child Development Associates) recognized nation wide for free, online, through my job, in one year, and get a 5% raise. I start in March.

*So, we live off little money. We went from two paychecks to 3/4 of one of the pay checks. Yes, we have scholarships, support from our church, and have taken out more loans, but that doesn't pay the bills. Money (I hate money) has been, of course, the main reason for most of our arguments. We have dabbled in raising support, but I guess not gotten serious enough about it to send out letters. Today we got a letter and a check from some friends who said God placed it on their hearts to support us each month. What a blessing and weight lifted off our shoulders.

In conclusion: God is amazing! He will meet all your needs above what you can fathom! I am sure I have missed a blessing. I feel so blessed!