Pray for TJ

I am close to being able to be totally transparent regarding the heartache we have experienced in this last year with our oldest son, TJ.  I've been given an assignment that I have not wanted and yet I approach that assignment with all my heart, soul, and mind to pass with flying colors.  It's an assignment that can only be passed with the help of the Lord.  He is certainly faithful!

The Sunday before Christmas my husband and I stood before our church family because there was a huge elephant in the room.  The day before, our son made the front page of the local paper and two news stations in Columbus, Ohio.  We were several days into knowing what was going on, but had hoped that it would not be made public.  Not so.  It was the assignment we were given. 

The same day the news hit the front page I got an email from Carol Kent.  She new that we would be going before our church family and offered some godly encouragment.  She said, "Kathy, when we are vulnerable before the people of God, they respond with love and compassion."

I can't recall what Tom said, but I know exactly what I said.  I said, "There are many questions we do not have the answers to today.  So we rest in the things that we do know.  We know that we love TJ very much.  We know we are committed to him as long as we live on this earth.  We know that God loves him even more than we do.  We kow that God began a good work in him over 19 years ago and He will be faithful to complete that good work.  We know that Tom and I stand together strong with the help of the Lord.  We know we have a church family that loves TJ and loves us.  Thank you for praying for him and for us."

Our church has been wonderful through these times.  What a blessing. 
I'll share more soon.  Thanks for your love and compassion.  Pray for TJ.  God wins when it is all said and done.  We anticipate a great victory!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  2010 is nearly behind us and can I just say, "I am looking forward to 2011!  It has been a year of much joy and many heartaches.  I am grateful to know a God that cares and loves not only each member of my family, but myself included.  2010 has been the year that I can say with resounding joy.....I can not imagine walking this earth without the Lord!

I'll start with the girls and move my way up.  First, we had an amazing opportunity to visit China in March of this year.  You can check out our journey by clicking on the tab at the top of this blog.  TJ was unable to go with us as we journeyed for 21 days through China, visiting many historical places.  The highlight of the trip was being able to visit the birthplaces of our youngest children, Lily and Sarah.  Check out the travel blog if you are interested in more details!

Sarah turned six in July.  She is in the first grade at Fairfield Christian Academy.  She is extremely bright.  Miss. Cassidy says that she is extremely quiet throughout the day.  I have reminded her that Sarah is not that quiet at home...especially when she is mad!  Sarah continues to play the violin, but her greatest love is reading, writing and art.  She says, "I will be an artist when I am older."  She draws much of her time when she is not in school.  Sarah and Lily are both taking dance through Leaps of Faith.....learning to praise God through the art of dance.  Sports?  We are venturing into that territory now as Lily and Sarah are both playing Upward basketball.  Dane and I are the coaches of their team!

Lily turned 7 last month.  She is also in the first grade at Fairfield Christian Academy.  I don't know a more pleasant child than our Lily!  She is a pretty easy-going little girl and her girliness brings a smile to my face most every day!  Like Sarah, she loves to read.  But when home, Lily seems to like to track down her blanket and cuddle up and suck her thumb.  We have begun talks about when it is the right time to give up the blankee.  She only sucks her thumb when she has the blankee!  One day!  Lily learned to ride a two-wheeler this year so that was a big milestone.  Lily plays the violin as well....and loves to have Daddy teach her on the piano.  Tom says that she is giftend musically.   I trust his opinion!

Dane will be 15 in February!  What a guy!  He has one of the best hearts I've seen in a young man!  He is a wonderful big brother and a great help to me.  He is in the ninth grade at Fairfield Christian Academy.  He played on the golf team this year.  He is also part of the choir.  And I think he got a role in the musical this year.  He, too, is gifted musically.  He is also a good student and works extremely hard academically.  Oh...and does he have a sense of humor!  He cracks me up!

Ty is completing his senior year at Fairfield Christian Academy.  He does well academically as well.  He played on the golf team again this year.  He qualified for the second time in his high school career!  The best part is that the FCA Knights golf team made it to state as a team.  They placed fourth in the state of Ohio!  Ty has taken up rock climbing and repelling......an interest that has me a bit anxious.  I find some comfort in knowing that he is a smart guy and is doing these things with good kids that I hope are also smart guys!  We haven't confirmed anything, but it is looking like Ty will end up at Mt. Vernon Nazerene University next year. 

TJ graduated from high school this past year!  Right now he is working through some things that are certainly a challenge.  We stand strong in knowing that God began a great work in TJ and will be faithful to completion!  I look forward to seeing how God moves in his life in the coming years!  I know it is going to be something big!  And I look forward to celebrating with him and sharing the story as it unfolds. 

I have had some changes this year as well.  I no longer work for the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities.  I took a few months off and have been subbing in local schools here in town.  When the new years starts, I hope to find something fulltime that is agreeable with being a mom to five and wife to a pastor!  We'll see!  I have had a difficult year with some back issues and am hoping 2011 is a better year on that level.  I continue to teach a Women's study through our church and count the women in my group as some of the best friends ever!  I am enjoying serving on two ministry boards that mean a lot to me....Grace Haven Place and Orphan Voice.  Grace Haven Place is a home here in town that houses women who are transitioning from jail into the community.  It is a home of faith.....filled with grace for women who certainly need and know the grace of a loving, forgiving Father.  Orphan Voice is a ministry near and dear to my heart.  OV serves the widows, orphans and poor of Central Vietnam.

Tom continues to serve as the Lead Minister of the Lancaster Campus of Fairfield Christian Church.  He is still involved with the worship aspect of the church as well.  I have a great deal of respect for the pastor Tom has been over these past few years.  I even have more appreciation for the father he has been to our five kids!  He's a wonderful dad!

I know this is just a brief update for those who may have received our Christmas card.  Since I listed the blog address, I just wanted to write a little update.  Thanks for checking in!  Thanking God for being so evident in our lives this past year!  We are looking forward to seeing His plans unfold for 2011.  May you be blessed in big and mighty ways by Him!