Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

1 Corinthians 16: 13-14

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Father-in-law: Doing well after surgery!

Well, we heard from Mike's dad tonight and he is doing well after having surgery to implant a pacemaker & heart defribulator. He is at home resting and icing his chest to help reduce the swelling.

We were glad to hear that everything went well with the surgery and now he is recovering. Hopefully he will be able to start returning to work full-time after the 14th of May.

It really is wonderful to hear his voice and now he is doing well. Our prayers were with him and Betty. We will also continue to pray for them over the upcoming days and months that his recovery would go well.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

New house photos on the way... Keep watching!

OK... Several people have asked for more photos of our new home as it comes together from all the unpacking. Well, I'm still unpacking and the house is coming together. We are just waiting for our family room furniture to arrive.

I'll try to post photos soon.

Pam

A New Day...

Wow, I feel good today! Last night Mike and I went to C3 for the celebration of the end of the 10 day Daniel Fast that the church was doing. Mike and I didn't do the Daniel Fast for several reasons but we did make a commitment to start working out and to loose weight with the 10 days being the start of getting back to a healthier lifestyle.

Since the start of IVF this time last year and through a total of 3 IVF Cycles, I had gained 40 lbs. I've hated every pound that I've gained especially after I had worked so hard to loose 65 lbs. back in 2006! I was determined not to gain back any more weight but loose those 40 lbs. with the intent to loose even more!

Now, you may wonder what our weight loss goals have to do with going to C3 last night...

It has a lot to do with having a new outlook for today, tomorrow and our future. I've realized how selfish I had been for some time. It was so easy to get caught up with the IVF cycles and focus on myself because that is what IVF is all about! IVF is about achieving our desire for a child through the latest medical treatments. Now, don't get me wrong, WE had to do the IVF and truly felt that is the path God was leading us down. Throughout the procedures, I learned a lot about myself, my husband and our marriage. Then there was the move to North Carolina. I've really missed Evergreen Community Church and our friends to the point that I had started to get frustrated that I couldn't find a church just like Evergreen. I know this was the wrong thinking and that every church is different and do not have the same strengths.

The first time I visited C3 I was SOOO excited and ready to join immediately. I loved the worship and, in my case, the first individual I heard speak was the youth Minister. His message was refreshing and on point. It wasn't until my 4th time at C3 that I finally heard Matt Fry, the Senior Pastor, speak. WOW! He is so dynamic and engaging with a strong biblical approach. However, something was holding me back. I was scared and uncertain of myself. My focus was on MY needs, MY desires for a specific type and style of Church and MY wants.

God touched my heart last night reminding me that the church isn't necessarily all about MY needs, wants and desires but about serving HIS needs, wants and desires. Mike has been ready to become a member of C3 since we attended the membership class whereas I was holding back. I'm disappointed that there isn't a more defined Men's and Women's Ministries but I need to get established in a Church, start meeting people and reaching out to share the Gospel by serving in a Church here in North Carolina.

C3 isn't perfect, but no church will ever be perfect. Even Evergreen wasn't perfect. What makes it as close to perfect as possible is that the church is God focused and biblical based! It isn't about us but about God. C3 is our opportunity to get connected, meet new people, serve and reach out to our new community.

So... Through the 10 days of fasting, I've recommitted to a healthier lifestyle, loosing weight and joining a new church.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ~ 1 John 4:7

Pam

Monday, April 14, 2008

Unpacking! General thoughts!

Well, we've been in our new home 2 full weeks now. The process of moving in and unpacking is actually going relitivaly well I think. We have a sleeper sofa in the office now and the office area is actually looking fairly put together. The Dinning Room is unpacked and the curio cabinet is in place and 90% full. I still have items I want to put inside the curio cabinet but will wait until I have more unpacked. The kitchen remains a work in progress but it does look good overall with most stuff put away. Most of what I've been doing in the kitchen is moving things around and re-organizing because I'm uncertain of where I really want some items located.

We have moved onto the 2nd floor and are expecting my parents to arrive tomorrow. The guest bedroom still needs some work but for the most part it is ready for guests. Our master suite is coming together and items are finding new homes. The closet is huge and it is nice to hang up most of our clothes and free up space in our dresser.

This weekend we purchased an inexpensive patio deck set. It will be nice to be able to grill and enjoy the outdoors while sitting at the patio set. Gabriel is enjoying the fenced backyard.

Later this week we should be getting our new window treatments. We've ordered cellular shades for most of the windows with a few windows having the top down/bottom up style. The back door will have wooden shades. We ordered various colors to mix it up a bit in each room.

Pam

Monday, March 31, 2008

Closing Today!

The big day has finally arrived! This morning at 9:30 we have our final walk-through then we close on the house at 10:30 am. Mike and I are really excited. Both vehicles are loaded up with stuff that we had over at the Corporate Housing Apartment. The movers arrive tomorrow - yippee!!!

Now we begin the fun process of settling into our new home.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Just a few more days!

Just a few more days before we close on our new house! Mike and I look forward to settling into our new home. The fence installation has been scheduled with our down-payment being made. It looks like the fence should be completed on April 7th.

We are already getting mail at the new house. It was fun to open up the mailbox and see our mail. There is still so much to do and it looks like we will be without blinds for a couple of weeks.

Furniture shopping in High Point, NC is definitely an interesting and overwhelming experience. I've found a sofa style & brand that I really like. The company is Rowe Furniture. They offer slipcover sofa's.

Pam

Monday, March 24, 2008

Snow Arrived! Leaving for North Carolina!

Wouldn't you know it! There was snow the whole weekend! We had about 8 inches of snow! Surprisingly, Mike arrived on time at 10:30 am on Friday.



I was able to leave Sunday morning for North Carolina without issue. There were a few snow flurries but overall the roads were in good condition.

On the first day of my drive, I made it through most of Kentucky and stopped just 30 miles from the border of West Virginia.

Today, I only had a "short" 6 hour drive. I arrived in Raleigh around 2:30pm. The kitty cats have definitely been missing me! MaCree is following me around everywhere throughout the apartment.

Pam