Que Pasa? Nosotros Estudiamos Espanol!

Nate and I are learning Spanish and we are having fun! He is in Elementary 1 and I am in Elementary II and Spanish for Healthcare Professionals. So far, so good! It is proving to be very rewarding. I am still exercising faithfully and I am building some really good muscles. I am looking forward to gaining muscle. I don't really have any muscles right now, but I can tell a difference. No doctor can diagnose me with Muscular diseases...I'm on my way to pure health! Nate attended the exercise class with me today.. It was fun! We are toning muscles we didn't even know existed. I'm loving the way Ifeel though. So much better. Anyways, Keep us in your prayers and don't forget to live, laugh, and love.
Jolie

I am Ashamed!

I honestly am ashamed that I have not blogged in too many months.....Much has happened. Most of it is good! God is still in control, and I'm quite thankful for that! I am now a credentialed minister, and a mother to a 9, 7, and5 year old..What?!? Yes, I am! We are having so much fun in life.. It just keeps getting faster and faster..I almost feel like I don't have time to enjoy, but I am fighting for it! Just a little thought that the Lord has placed on my heart......He has reminded me that nothing is worthwhile unless God is in it! He has also gently nudged me to not forsake the time I spend with Him....We all make time for whatever is important to us. I choose to make time for the Lord. I am committed to reading His word everyday and praying to him, just listening to the still small voice that He uses to connect with me. He is important to me! Is He important to you? Then He is on your priority list and good for YOU! While I was spending time with the Lord telling Him that I did not want to go back to school, He helped me see that I had chosen the wrong path...Not that I don't enjoy English Ed..because I do. It is, however, very time consuming. I've already discussed my time issues. I have now changed my major once again and I am now a Spanish major with an English minor. Can you believe I only have 50 hours left on this plan. I will complete this major in 50 hours. Wow! That is alot I know but it is not as much as 78 hours, which is how much I have to take to finish an English Ed. degree. Anyway, I love Spanish, the people , the culture, well...all of it!! Enough about my boring decisions...Well, I do have another one to share! I am also beginning a toning exercise class and it kicked my TAIL today! My exercise has been weak all year, but I am going to get buff, no, for real this time! hehe! We shall see! I love ya!

Jo

It's Raining It's Pouring!

Waa! Dylon's first football game was rained out! Oh well. We will travel to Merritt next weekend for his FIRST football game. Our house is turning our really cool! I am a very blessed woman. Okay, so for those who need an update I have dropped my classes for this semester. It was a hard decision, but I feel like I'm missing life because I'm so busy..I would be working on a research project right now, if I was still taking my courses. I am finishing my credentialing process. I have made top grades doing that and I have two tests and one seminar left until it is final. I am getting to participate in a credentialing service at Muskogee, Ok. that's where my husband grew up...My Pastor's wife, Christy, is being credentialed too, along with Mark Williams, who was once one of our students in our youth group! He is now my childrens' pastor! How cool is God! My son's 9th birthday is on Monday! Where does time go? He is such a great little guy. Keep him in your prayers, his transition to public school has been a little rough. He's not used to bigger class size, more responsibility, and making new friends. He's a champ though. I learn so much from my kids. We still don't know how we are going to celebrate his birthday. Maybe he'll want to go putt putt. He wanted to go to the lake but our weather is not conducive to the lake...it's too cool and rainy. Anyways, Nate and I have been waking up really early and walking in our neighborhood before the kids wake up. SCORE Nate and Jolie!! We are trying to stay fit. We also walk with the kids in the evening. it's wonderful to be able to walk in our neighborhood and not get hit by a car!!! Reason #101 that our house is so great! Love you guys and I promise to try to update you more often. Don't be too upset with me! I usually have a choice...computer or spend time in the word...I usually choose the later, but tonight I didn't because I love you guys so much! These are a few more current pics of the kids. Some were from July. The one with brooklyn is at her first day of school with her teacher.

AAH! Fall is in the Air!

It still hot as the blazes, but school has begun, routines are being established, and football time is here! We have a little football player, AKA Nate Junior. He tried out for the Weatherford Eagles 3rd grade team and is attempting to decide between running back and quarterback. He thinks the runningback life is for him. He and his dad have been watching Adrian Peterson films all afternoon. We are officially football parents...Kinda crazy, but Dylon is loving it! I hope he still feels that way after his first hit in the game. We have media night at the High School Football field on Monday. He'll get his name announced out loud and stand with the Varsity team. He also get to scrimmage during the high school homecoming game. The girls are already planning their cheers for their bubba. I'll let ya know how it goes.
We move starting tomorrow. College starts tomorrow too. I hope everyone is doing well. I'll try to update a little more tomorrow.
Love ya,

Jo
P.S. I don't know what your situation is right now but let me encourage you. Read Galatian 6:9......I'm still doing the fat blasting dance mix! It is so funny. I can't get Nate to do it with me yet...that's my exercise news!

what happened to july?

Well, if I'm gonna get one single blog in for July, I have to do it right now! We had a wonderful vacation a couple of weeks ago. It was so relaxing and needed. Since we've returned home I have sold our house, bought another one, started working on finishing my minister's credentials, raised kids, exercised, read books, etc....the list is literally endless. We are gearing up for our school year now. We start school in 2 1/2 weeks. We will move into our new house on the 24th or before....I start college on the 22nd.....I have two tests for credentially, one is on the 4th...I have to sit through an all day seminar and then test over it...Well, one thing is for sure, I can only do it with Christ's strength. Where God guides, He provides! I will try to blog a little, but don't hold your breath, i'm pretty sure you'd pass out.. This way, if I do blog, you can pass out from surprise!! I've posted a pic of our new house...let me know whatcha think!
Jolie

p.s. i have been working out..but I have double my food intake, does that compute?

I'M HOME!!!

Dear Friends,
Okay, so I think my husband thought he was going to die without me....I have to admit, it was very hard being seperated for so long...I survived Mozambique...I say that because it was a very dirty, unorganized, and 3rd world country...I love America. I love Dr. Pepper. I love food that doesn't move on your plate. I love children and telling them about Jesus..I love to hug deprived kids and give them precious gifts that can change their life....I love my children more than my own life....I choose them first everytime..
I have many stories about Mozambique. We handed out 50,000 books of hope and over 3,000 people made decisions to follow Christ! We did programs in schools, marketplaces, and prisons..The schools were huge. One school had 5,000 little kids attending. Dirt floor, thatched roof schools, ofcourse, and some of them had classrooms that were outdoors under trees...Many children we reached were so diseased, sick, and broken. We worked hard, very hard. I am very glad that Dylon did not go on this trip...I'm pretty sure he would have been traumatized by the conditions..He has such a compassionate heart..He would have never understood why we would have to leave all those children with no clothes, shoes, food, or baths! I now understand how to prepare him for next year maybe! He really wants to go to China to see what his Grandparents do there. Keep praying for this may become a reality someday!
We also got to tour London and take a night safari in South Africa at Kruger Park. I actually got to see 11 wild lions..It was so cool..The guy in the picture was one of the Nationals that helped interpret our programs at the schools.

The language is Portuguese which is very close to Spanish. I did very well with the language. I also got to see the Indian Ocean. It was very cool; it's dirty but just the fact that I got to stand on the shore of it was way neato.
To say that I missed my family is a real UNDERSTATEMENT! It is not good to be separated. I may not every go on another mission's trip until the whole family can go...we'll see what God has planned...I love everyone and I'm home safe....Obrigado (thank You).....

P.S. When I got home, my kids and husband through a party for me. We had cupcakes and cappuccino cake. They made me a big sign and streamer were everywhere. I am so blessed and I know it!

Mozambique?

So, I may not be posting for a while. Four people who were going on our church's missions trip do not have passports yet. This is Saturday, They leave on Monday! The Passport Agencies are a mess right now. Pastor Ric needed alternates to go who have their passports and their yellow fever shots. Well, I fall into that category, so if the passports don't come in by Monday morning, I'm on the plane to Africa. Weird huh? I'm totally game, but I just didn't expect it. I feel really bad for those who've been expecting to go and maybe can't. We'll leave @ 12:00 noon on Monday, so if you don't hear from me for 14 days, you'll know where I'll be. Maybe I can post pictures on the blog from Mozambique! That would be cool! I'll let you know if I don't go, but if you don't hear from me again, keep checking the blog, I'll try to post from AFRICA! Wow! Keep praying for our house. The contract fell through again! They couldn't get their financing. Whatever! God's still in control. The bible says, think on whatever is lovely, pure, noble, of good report, so I choose to think of those things. If it's not a good thought, I respond like Scarlet did in "Gone with the Wind." She said, "I committed murder yesterday (southern drawl), but I can't think about that right now!" So I choose to say to the depressing thoughts, "I CAN'T THINK ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW! See ya soon!