Our Home... Progress! A little homesick :(

Well, we've been in our new home for just a little more than a month. We made great progress initially with the unpacking but now it has slowed down as we get to the last boxes and try to figure out where to put those odds and ends.

We've also had confirmation that our new family room sofa and chairs should be delivered in approx. 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. It will be wonderful to have a sofa again so Mike and I can cuddle together. I also look forward to having the family room put together so I can move forward with the painting plans.

I deny being homesick but in the back of my mind, I miss going out to eat with my parents periodically or my friends. Barb... I miss our monthly trips to Sawatdee!!! Oh, do I miss good Thai food!

Part of the problem, is that I feel lonely for friendship here. I've been meeting neighbors but there are no established friendships yet. There is my neighbor, Elizabeth, that just moved in last week that I do look forward to getting to know better. She seems to be very sweet and friendly. Tomorrow night I think is BUNCO night for the neighborhood ladies, but I have to talk to another neighbor to confirm. In the meantime, I'm desperate to make friendships. I've been a little dissapointed with C3 in the lack of outreach to new members or attendees. I think I might have to wear a big sign on my back (or at least put the sign on the truck!) that reads...

HELP! DESPERATE for FEMALE Friends...

Love to Scrapbook... Talk to ME!

Love Bible Study... Talk to ME!

Love Thai or Asian food... Talk to ME!

Signing off...

Pam

Outerbanks this weekend!

Well, this weekend is our Anniversary trip to the Outerbanks. Mike has managed to keep the location of our Bed & Breakfast a secret other than I know it is on Roanoke Island. We are looking forward to the weekend get-away. Mike has also taken off Monday, so we are staying over Saturday and Sunday evening at the B&B.

There are no specific plans other than to enjoy the beach, visit some of the lighthouses and other sights to be seen. My hope and prayer is that this will be a relaxing weekend for Mike and I to regenerate and refocus our marriage on each other as well as our future.

Photos to follow!

Our 3rd Anniversary!

Overall, we had an enjoyable 3rd Anniversary on Wed. May 7th... Lunch out at the Texas Steakhouse in Selma then dinner at a quaint Irish Pub in Clayton. We went to church and heard a wonderful message from Stovall Weems, Senior Pastor at Celebration Church in Florida. The past 3 years have been hard on us as we've journeyed through infertility treatments and my Cancer.

Yet, we've been blessed with our move to NC and finding a beautiful home. We also have each other for support. It hasn't been easy but we are making strides each day.

I'm thankful for Mike's love, our pets and new home as well as our families.

Pam

Meeting Neighbors...

Tonight we went for another walk. Mike and I are enjoying our evening walks around the neighbor. We are slowly starting to meet neighbors. Gabriel is also enjoying the walks and meeting people.

This evening we actually enjoyed a long conversation with some neighbors that were working on some landscaping around their home. Of course, I can't remember her name but her husband is another "Mike!" We enjoyed a long conversation. Another neighbor, Alec, is a huge Colorado fan especially of the Avalanche and Bronco's. I think we will make plans to get together in the fall when the Bronco's play the Patriots on Monday Night football. Alec's wife is from Massachussett's!

Signing off... Pam

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.

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