Well today we saw the first leaves popping through on the boys trees.  We planted each tree the year they were born.  They are both maple trees but each is a different variety.  Anthony is boasting that his tree is already getting as tall as Christians.  They each have different fall colors too.  Anthony's leaves are large and Christian's leaves are smaller but abundant.  It really suits them quite well.  I think that Anthony with his vivid imagination and drama like actions suit the big leaves on his tree.  Christian is just good at a lot of things.  He always has done well at everything he does.  He isn't usually the best but can keep up with just about everything, just like his tree.  We had a wonderful sermon this week as we are learning about Psalm 139.  We were meditating on being fearfully and wonderfully made and that God has odered our days.  We can surely be much more in awe at His creation of us than any tree no matter how beautiful.  Even our hurts and hard times have molded us into unique creations for His glory. 

Many of our friends have been quite hard pressed this past year.  It has been quite a time to pray earnestly and lend an ear and encouragement when we could.  There are so many marriages in crisis, uncertainty financially and many who are burdened for wayward family and friends.  We are coming to a time in our lives that taking care of parents and grandparents have become one of the priorities for many of our friends.  May God strengthen us in His power to do His will and make our marriages and families strong.

This week was my father's birthday.  He has been with the Lord for 4 years now.  It seems like it has gone by so fast.  Much of my days were filled with care for him and my mom at their worst times and it is so sweet to think he is in no more pain and doing what he always wanted; being with our Lord Jesus. Anthony has been anxious to go to his grave.  He is fascinated with cemetaries.  He likes for me to read the names and dates on the stones.  There are two twin brothers that are buried in the same section as my dad.  Though they didn't die together they died just a few years apart, one around my boys age and one in his teens.  That hits my boys pretty hard and my heart as a mom too.  Anthony has been talking about Heaven and Hell quite a lot lately. Christian was talking to him about Christ and what he needed to do to be saved.  Christian said to Tracey "I think I just led Anthony to the LORD!".  It was pretty special.  We are not sure of his full understanding but his heart is tender to want to be with Jesus forever.  I praise the Lord for his Word and wonderful workers at church that faithfully tell the truth of God's love and sacrifice for us.  

I had the honor of working with some of the teen girls from our church this past few months in vocal training.  They had some really rich music to learn that had beautiful messages of the truth of Scripture.  Music speaks to me deeper than anything.  I love when Scripture is put to music.  It comes alive to me.  I had one gal who had never sung in public before.  She really did a great job for her first time, and she sang with such sincerity and love for the Lord.  I had a few others that have been working for a few years on developing their talent.  They have grown each year.  Two of them scored very well at our Church's talent rally and at the State Talents for Christ.  It was a blessing to hear the results of their hard work and that of many others too. 

Well it's time to go out and enjoy the beautiful weather with Anthony on a bike ride.  Enjoy Him with me and all He has created; like you!

Well, today is Tuesday and I'm still in awe over this past Sunday.  We had a wonderful day celebrating the faithfulness of God to our Church (Evangel Baptist).  We got to see our former pastor (Ron Graef) and two men and their wives (John Greening, Ken Floyd) that were very helpful and supportive during the search process of a new Senior Pastor.  Our wonderful new Pastor Ken Pierpont was honored and challenged this Sunday night during an Installation Service.  We got to hear funny stories from his Dad about his childhood and the "trouble" he caused them.  It was nice to hear and see that our pastor is a "real" guy that loves Jesus.  He is so gifted with communication and I know so many of us have benefited from his ministry already these past few weeks.  We had a wonderful reception time to talk and celebrate afterwards.  I got kicked out at the end from the kitchen because at 11p the alarm of the church goes on.  We just missed setting it off. 

Tracey and I are in transition now.  We are no longer a deacon family and he is no longer in leadership in the church.  We have been so entrenched in everything that it will be strange to step back and do other things.  It has been 6 years in that position and especially the last 3 have been very intense and rewarding.  We wouldn't trade the privilege of meeting and getting to know the Pierponts first before most knew them.  We count that as a treasure of the work that was put into it.  It was what we call a "perk" of the job!  We got to meet many wonderful pastors during the search too and learn so much.  We most definitely have a greater appreciation for the pressures and demands that are put on a pastor. 

Christian is playing basketball now and loving it.  He loves all sports and jumps at any chance to play them.  His Grandpa and Grandma came from Ohio to visit and were able to watch him play.  That was really special to him.  It was a bonus that he scored and his team won the game.  That's always nice!!!   Anthony asks almost every day how long it will be until he can go to school.  He cannot wait to go to kindergarten in the fall.  I think he thought the moment he turned 5 he would be going to school.  He was not very happy to hear he had to wait.   His most favorite thing right now is Cubbies at church.  He counts the days each week in anticipation.  He loves the teachers and friends he has at church. 

Well, speaking of our little guy, I need to get back to "parenting" so have a blessed day!  Michelle

Hi!  I thought I would start this site so I could share what God is doing.  We are rejoicing that God has answered our prayers and given us a new Senior Pastor at Evangel Baptist Church.  Since Tracey has been involved more closely with the process (Search committee team) it has really been a great commitment the Lord has brought us through these past 2 1/2 plus years.  There is so much excitement at our church it just gives me goosebumps.  I am welling up with tears as I write thinking about how gracious God is in giving us such a wonderful new pastor and family.  Being the Italian I am, I have to hold back my emotions or I would just kiss them every time I see them. (I don't think that would go over very well!)

We had a precious ladies event this week at our church.  We did a progressive dinner where we moved from room to room and fellowshipped and shared together with ladies of all ages from our church.  I was overwhelmed with how God blessed it and helped us to enjoy one another and laugh together.  We had some new ladies attend and they were great! 

Tracey and Christian got to go to the Ohio State / Michigan game today.  This was Christian's first big football game to attend.  I wonder if the Michigan fans were nice to him in all his Buckeye clothes.  I'm glad Tracey and Christian had some time together since we have been so busy with things at church.  Those are the times for long discussions in the car, memories to be built and meaningful times to share the things of the Lord with a son.  GOOD TIMES!! 

Today I got to attend Christmas concert rehearsal and sing these wonderful songs about our Lord.  I get so caught up in singing and worshipping I have to remember to blend and memorize the words along with the others.  (marvelous, glorious, wonderful, powerful, the great I AM) How can't you get caught up in it all.  Well, I'm done babbling for now.  I'm great at run on sentences and paragraphs.  If you read this you are longsuffering.  Bye for now!  Michelle      Ok, the guys just got home from the game - GO BUCKS!  VICTORY!

Your site's all set up

Type your first post here and click "Save Changes" to publish it to your Xanga Site!