It's 2010!!!

It's hard to believe that it's 2010! It still feels like it's 2009. The Lord has really been so gracious to us in these 3 months! We have been learning so much about each other and ourselves in the process of becoming one.

Communication is something that I've always valued and knew was very important to any relationship. But I think I've realized more since we've been married just how important it is and also how differently women communicate verses men. While it has been somewhat challenging, the Lord has had His hand on our communication and that has allowed us to not let miscommunication get out of hand.

We've had a busy 3 months so far! We hosted Thanksgiving at our new home with half of my family. It was such an honor and we also were able to babysit 4 of my nieces and nephews for a few days while their parents celebrated their 15th anniversary! 4 kids are a lot of work! But we had such a great time and were blessed by their presents. It even allowed us to have a deeper bond with them that we didn't have before. We went to Hersey with some of the family as well, which was a treat. We did all of the free stuff and did one activity that you had to pay for but it was worth it!

We then ventured down to NC for Christmas. We stayed with my sister Laila for a few days and spent Christmas day with my brother's family in the morning and then rode over to Greensboro to spend the later half of the day with my sister's family. The next day all of the family got together for our annual gift exchange. What a crazy and fun time it was with everyone under one roof!

Finally, we spend New Years at a Crusade conference in Baltimore on the harbor. It was terribly cold but a great conference to set the tone for what the Lord seems to be up to in this season of our lives. Many of the speakers talked about having faith in a time of change and in the unknown time - which is where we find ourselves.

We are in a season where we need to raise more support and are seeking the Lord for direction on how to best utilize our gifts to His glory. We are also getting more involved in our local church plant community - both starting new ministries to serve the college students at the church and also assisting the church and the surrounding community with job hunting resources and skills.

There's so much more say but I'll end it with some praise reports and prayer requests.

Praise Reports:

1. The Lord has been faithfully providing for our family even though I currently do not have employment.
   
2. We are blessed to be able to utilize our giftings in our local church - which is leading into new ministries being started in the hopes that more would come to know the Lord and be spiritually developed.


3. We are developing relationships with older couples to help us in continuing to develop a solid foundation in our first year of marriage.

Prayer Requests:

1. In this season of unknowns, we desire to continue to walk in the will of the Lord. Please be praying for wisdom as we move towards next steps and plan for the next year and a half.


2. As we start the new ministries at our church we are praying that they would truly be effective for Kingdom growth and not just adding ministries to the church. We desire for lives to be changed and transformed through these ministries.


3. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to learn each other and grow with one another.