Nothing But Girls

Well, its official... In this sander home we have nothing but girls. Yes, I am 20 weeks and had our ultra sound and it is another girl. We are all rejoicing at the blessing of another daughter and the girls are excited to have another sister, however, I think we all hoped a little that we would have a boy. But praise the Lord all is well with baby and myself and He knows what we need and what is best! I knew there was a reason I packed at least 4 cosco diaper boxes full of girls clothing. What a good use of resources! So thankfully I won't need too much and I think I have something lined up to get what we do need, so may the Lord provide yet again. He is so faithful to us and is, as always, so gracious and generous. I know many of you have asked what we were having... so here you have it. Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement!
Blessings,
Jess

Finally another post from Jess

Well, I think I would still prefer paper and pen, but this is a great way to communicate with so many at once, so once again, I will renew my efforts to actually post some things more often!

This fall has been busy as Shane said. I have begun school with Kate and it is going really well. The curriculum we chose has been a good fit so far and it has been very managable for me, so far. I praise the Lord for this, because, most of the time I feel pretty maxed out.

With having three little ones already, watching a one yr old 30 hours a week and being pregnant and tired (always) it definately leaves me with little time or energy left over. In fact, this has required some stretching and growing as I often don't know how I will make it through the day. I have noticed a pattern, that I worry that I can't handle everything and become very overwhelmed and discouraged. What I havn't been considering is that God's grace and strength is sufficient for the day. Each day is brought to me by my loving Lord who knows exactly what I need. I can rest that no matter how I feel, He is working in me and through me to accomplish all things to His glory and I can rest in Him that He is in control of the day and will give me all that I need, if I trust and depend and abide in Him. So, these new trials have definately been strengthening my faith in our wonderful Lord and Savior!

I have so much to learn in trusting Christ, training my children, encouraging my husband, managing my home, encouraging my friends and doing everything to the glory of God. I pray and trust that He will be faithful to complete the work He has begun in me.

On a lighter note, we find out the gender of the baby a week from today (last monday in Sept) and we are excited for that news. This pregnancy has definately been more challenging than ones past. More sick and less energy. So it keeps me on my toes (or knees :))

More to come later.... Thank you all for your prayer and encouragement!

Jess

Fall in Full Swing

This picture was taken before this school year began. These are the books I read in my first year here at seminary.



We were able to finally go out and barbecue again! The summer has been very hot and so has the fall. We can't seem to consistently stay out of the 90's. I am told it has been a very unusual and very hot fall so far.

The following pictures are from the 2010 Fall Festival here at the seminary. Once again, it was a really fun time.






The fall is in full swing! I am only two weeks away from midterms. School is going well. So far, this semester has been extremely busy, but most of the business has come from things outside of classes. Classwork has been very consistent, but church and other things has been very busy and unpredictable. My classes have been very good and I am grateful for what I am learning this semester.

We are all doing well. The fall has been very hot and unusual. The trees are already beginning to turn because there has been very little rain. Unfortunately, there is little color and they are mainly going from green to brown. We keep looking forward to cooler weather but it just doesn't come! This week is supposed to be in the mid 90's.

I have been preparing to bowhunt whitetail deer. A good friend of mine gave me a great hunting bow so I have been practicing with it a lot. Bow season began the first weekend of September, but I have been waiting for cooler weather and more practice with the bow. Hopefully, I can begin hunting in October. Getting a couple of deer would really help our food bill.

Jess has began first grade with Kate and so far it is going really well. Jess really enjoys teaching and Kate really enjoys learning. The annual Fall Festival was last week and that was a great time. There were a lot of rides for the children as well as a lot of free food! It was a fun evening. There were a couple of live bluegrass bands as well that were very good.

Well, that is all for now!

Blessings,
Shane