...even a career change.

Brandon just completed his first semester of college as a part-time student with a 4.0 GPA. I am a college drop-out (2007) with a-who-knows-how-bad-it-is GPA. I hope to clear my student account at College of the Ozarks in the spring after tax refund returns. Next step is to find out if I have a decent enough GPA to receive financial assistance, if I don't... I'll be doing a lot more praying. I'm really hoping to qualify for financial assistance, even if I am on academic probation for a few semesters...

I moved to Point Lookout, Missouri to attend College of the Ozarks in 2006. I went pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. I changed my major to Sociology, and I changed my mind after I moved home. I up until now was planning to major in Child Development. Now, I am pursuing GOD. I love working with Kindergartener's. Even Mrs. Reed tells the parents that I am a natural born teacher. I get that, it is easy work for me. To mother and teach those babies as they become ready for first grade and graduate Kindergarten. But its naturally easy for me to teach/work with them. Where is the challenge in that? God doesn't call me to be luke warm and comfortable. He calls me to be challenged. He gives me opportunities to rely on him, trust him, and give my whole-self to him.

I still plan to return to Marrs Elementary each year until God tells me that my time there is up. As far as my college major goes. There are a few possibilities. Yes Child Development is always there for me, but a new desire that would require more of me, more commitment, more education, more time, more money -Occupational Therapy. Am I sure that this is MY calling? Not yet. My calling is to follow my God, wherever he leads.

... through the first semester of college.

Brandon just finished his first semester of college. He took two online courses. It was not easy. We both work full-time jobs, and are raising a busy 1 year old boy. This fall was also extremely busy, between our much enjoyed vacation, my mom's neck surgery, and recuperation. However, Brandon succeeded! 4.0 GPA after his first semester. He will be taking 1 hour shy of  full-time this Spring. We are looking forward to the day the God shows Brandon what career path to go with. Until then, Wherever He Leads, We'll Go.

Wherever He Leads, even on a vacation!

Our family theme is "Wherever He Leads". We were blessed enough to take a 5-day cruise to Mexico, sandwiched by a few days in Galveston Island, TX. Thank you to my wonderful parents for the a-w-e-s-o-m-e vacation that we could not have afforded on our own. God showed us some things while we were technology free for a number of days. Not complaining about being technology free; we had no choice but to enjoy ourselves! :-)

Here are a few visual aids to the highlights of our adventure! We very much miss the Ocean. Our God is an AWESOME God! We were able to experience some beauty that we cannot get our minds off of.

Staying Put.

Since Brandon has begun school and I am planning to start back next fall, our future, job-wise, house-wise, vehicle-wise, children-wise, is constantly on our minds. It is very important to us to better our lives, for our children, and for ourselves. We want to set an example for our children, and make our parents and grandparents proud! We also deeply desire to follow God's Will for our life together.

Putting our own desires aside we are working hard to follow God and to be more than content with our safe home, reliable vehicles, and blessed family. With this said, my goal for 2012 is to make it a year of success financially, to make some much needed improvements to our home and lot, including putting up a privacy fence, and to make a down deposit on our next family vacation. With lots of prayer, trust in God, faithfulness to church and tithing, careful budgeting, making sacrifices on unneccessary parts of our lives, and LOVE like no other (to God and each other) 2012 WILL be our year! We really desire to live up to our calling from above.

Thank You Lord Jesus for giving each of us a calling, I thank you for knowing mine, and I pray for each person who does not and I pray that they can seek you and know you to find their calling.

Wherever He Leads...

I just got a word from God to quit planning our life. The plan that God has for us is Wherever He leads, We will go.

Anyone who knows me should know that I am OCD. I am a planner. I thrive on having things to look forward to, having things to plan and prepare for. For me to have to choose to give up such a thing as planning out my life, and my family's life is a big step. It is a step that I am willing to take. I am going to delight myself in the Lord so that he will grant me the desires of mine heart. Those desires are - to know Him and have an intimate relationship with Him.

I have such a rush of songs and lyrics running through my head and my heart. They all have something to do with following God, giving up everything and following Him. Delighting myself in Him, trusting in Him. I am assured that he has many blessings for me and I will receive those by following Him Wherever He Leads.