John is doing summer school

John is currently taking Greek I the term only lasts for three weeks! He got 100% on a quiz today. John told me this great news over the phone today.
I hope I can be of some encouragement to him while he is studying and working so hard to finish his degree. I decided to insert some pictures of the campus, and beautiful buildings at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. I've only gone into one of John's classrooms.

The gorgeous chapel

Patterson Hall

Trust in the LORD

This is often a simple command that happens to be a harder one to put into practice for me. I've also observed it in others...when finances fall short, when (I/we) don't have a job, you fill in the blanks. Why cannot I just trust HIM? Hasn't he been faithful before this! Yes and he remains to be faithful. I got a call today from the Nurse Recruitment office at Duke that I no longer have an interview. Oh okay. What then do I fear. Nope. I took a good look at my heart today and found some joy without the interview - where will it take me (should I say "God take me" excuse me). Perhaps to just the right job he has in mind. It wasn't until something else happened that I started to let fear creep in. Lord thank you for being a faithful and loving God who cares about my comings and goings.
This is the passage of scripture I read today. Galatians chapt. 5 especially verse 26 "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires."
Wow I need to dwell in that mind-set. The earlier verses say For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit...
Everything contrary to Spirit which includes fear, faithlessness, and a lifestyle not trusting her Savior.
I want my desires to become one of a holy lifestyle and living to glorify my Father. I hope I too can repeat Paul's words I have crucified the sinful nature...and I'm not living for myself.

Mike leaves for Camp

This morning Mike left for Glorieta New Mexico. This conference center is in the mountains it's beautiful there. Last summer I was there one week. It was Glorieta's first time having Centri-Kid!
Mike is working in the kitchen/dining hall along with his other friends from FBC - Elise & Carissa Burk, and Shaianne McCarthy.
We said our goodbyes in the drive-way (at 6am) but also last night. I am so happy for him and especially when he gets back from camp he'll be heading out on his own to the U of A. Wow! This was a sad departure because I too will be leaving on June 4th for North Carolina so we might not see each other until Thanksgiving? God knows. Deut. 10 what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands

Little Town life to City Life

Andrea is leaving for camp training week June 1st. Michael is leaving tomorrow (he isn't packed yet) he'll be working at Glorieta NM all summer. (I'm gonna miss my siblings so much). Our family went to Tucson Thursday for Kevin's graduation from Desert Christian High School. Michael visited his new housing near the U of A campus. His roommates are part of the Navigators ministry and his house is called the "Mullet". I will have new roommates too! Char, Joanna, and Mara. What a gift from God these girls will be in my life. One girl that was living there is moving to live in Florida and she's engaged. God really worked-out my situation - I will now have my own room. Last night Andrea, mom, and dad played The Top 10 Game, then we watched Bride Wars. I love just hanging out with the family these days. I will miss their company tremendously! I recently purchased a NUVI (Garmin GPS) I think because I don't know where I am going but as John said it'll come. The city scares me a little having a lil' GPS will be handy and comforting. :D

slideshow for fun

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Michael Ryan the graduate!

Michael graduated with an Associates in Science (Pre-Nursing) on May 8th 2009. He also was accepted to the University of Arizona nursing program. We are so proud of him.



...Justin Galloway, Bret Sullivan, Michael, Eric Burk & Matthew Zale

...The Huffers' and the graduate!

...Jason Lunt with Michael

...Andrea & Amy with their little brother

...The Bohlings with the graduate

..."The Proud parents"

Reflections on 1 Samuel

Jonathan was gently asking his father, King Saul, what is David's sin that he should be put to death. Nothing. Earlier the scriptures say and the Lord left him (Saul). However, Saul becomes jealous of highly favored David. His son Jonathan acts as a mediator between his father and David, reminding him of David defeating the Philistines, and his innocence and duties he has preformed for the king. And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death. And Jonathan called, David and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before. Here I was rejoicing because Christ is my mediator on my behalf. I choose sin but Jesus Christ has purchased my soul for eternal salvation and I can enter my LORD's presence! Christ has reconciled the judgement I deserve and I come unashamed, washed clean before my King.

Romans 5:8 and 9
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

On Michael's birthday (April 29th) we traveled to the Chiricahua National Monument. I enjoyed God's creation during our walk-about. The desert scenery was amazing a smaller-version of the Grand Canyon but more rock formations. I didn't lug my camera up there so here's one from the wonderful google-image search. We had a picnic with the Bohlings (Leah, her mother and Kris) and then drove to the Sugarloaf trail. (0.9 mile hike and the trip back.) Michael was eagerly awaiting a phone call from his possible summer employment and his cellphone service was very unreliable on the drive to the Chiricahua's. Happy 18th Birthday Michael.


John is in Turkey for 10 days. His church, Treasuring Christ Church, has been there since leaving Raleigh airport on Friday, April 24th. They are called Team 10. One of his friends is blogging their daily adventures. The country is heavily populated with Muslims. They are praying for God's direction, will and guidance for living there among the people and share the good new of Christ!