All alone!

Wow I am completely alone in my house for the entire night!!! I should be enjoying this time, but the truth is I feel lost. I am absentmindedly (is that even a word?) walking around my house without a clue as to what to do. Funny how I am probably equally dependent upon Jeff and the kids as they are on me!!

This morning Jeff and Brittany left for camp. I am so excited for both of them. Last year I got to go and Jeff stayed home and worked. This year I can't go because of school, so Jeff is getting his turn. Camp is probably one of the most amazing things we have ever done with the youth and church. It will always be one of those defining moments that made a huge impact on my walk with Christ. The worship is always amazing too! It was so amazing to pull into our church parking lot and see 7 BUSES getting ready to fill up with kids. I think last year we only had 3 buses. Our youth is growing and I know that so many kids lives will be changed this week. Please pray for all of the counselors and kids this week!!

It is amazing to me how Satan tries to destroy what is happening sometimes. Last night I was up the entire night with horrible stomach cramps! Brittany and Maddie were also sick with the same thing this past weekend. I took Maddie to the emergency room last Thursday night because she was in so much pain. I thought she had something going on with her appendix. She was begging me to hurry and get her to the hospital because she was in so much pain. For those of you that know Maddie well--you know that is not normal!!! This kid never goes to the doctor--she usually throws a fit if she has to go. Her begging with me to take her to the hospital scared me to death. After completing some test, the doctor's determined that it wasn't her appendix. They thought by the looks of her x-ray that she was just extremely constipated---please don't tell her when she is older that I posted this for all of the world to see!!

So, we went home and gave her some medicine. She did still have some pain for the next few days , but seems to be all better now. Then on Saturday Brittany started complaining of the same identical pain. Last night Brittany was in tears with pain while she was trying to pack for camp. Then last night I started having the same horrible pain. Now, I think that Maddie must of had some kind of stomach virus and passed it on to us. It is different from what seems like a normal stomach virus. There is some nausea, but it is mostly horrible stomach and back pain. Jeff was thinking about staying home this week, but I insisted that he go. Brittany was scared that she was going to start feeling sick again at camp. Please pray that we will all get well. Pray for Britt to have a good week and feel completely better.

Where have I been?????

studying, studying, studying!!!!!!!!! Wow, this summer has been so darn crazy!!! It is all I can do just to stay "afloat" right now! Lately, my days have consisted of getting up, going to school, coming home and doing something fun with the kids, cooking...well okay not always cooking, but getting dinner for the fam, and then studying again until almost bedtime. I really haven't been on the computer much other than for "school stuff". I have tried to make the most of my free time by doing something fun with the kids. I don't want them to miss out on their summer time in any way, because I am going to school. I have tried to plan fun things with them and spend real quality time with them. I get finished everyday at 12:00, so we usually will do something fun until Jeff gets home and then he takes over. Jeff and Brittany have been an amazing help this summer.

School is such a rewarding experience. Although it demands so much of my time, I absolutely love it. I am finding out that I am a "nerd" and love studying and learning new things. (don't make fun of me!) My history class has been so interesting, and has given me a whole new understanding of christianity! It helps that my teacher is also a christian!

This is something I feel God has truly put on our hearts, and we are trying to be obedient! The truth is I often don't tell others this, because it might not make sense! In some ways I don't even understand?!? We have a very long term plan for me to go to dental school. Eventually, we will have to move. We have been considering Virginia Commonwealth University, because my dad is a professor there and would keep us close to some family.

The point is I have no idea what exactly God has in store for us! I hesitantly use the word "missions", because "missions" is often thought of as going out of the country, but Jeff and I both know this is God's plan for our family! It could be something or someone somewhere on this journey we are suppose to encounter! The only thing I know right now is this feels right! It seems like it is all part of His plan! Ofcourse, I wish I could see the purpose in all of it, but right now I am just enjoying the journey!