Off

We're off. We get up at 4am tomorrow, leave the house by 4:45, and fly out of Harrisburg at 6:30. We'll spend 6 wonderful days with various parts of Jeremiah's family (mostly in Tucson with Laurel), and be back next Monday, arriving in Harrisburg at 10:50pm.

I'm not sure how much actual blogging will be done, but be sure to check here for the first installments of the 2008 in 2008.

Not too late to join in. Set your own numbers. Maybe 2008 is too high. Shoot for a thousand ( an average of only 2.75 pictures a day).

See you on the *SNAP* side!

Babies and Broken Tradition

As mentioned in passing 2 posts ago, not one, but TWO of my sisters are pregnant and will have babies this coming summer!! How exciting! For Jaymie, this will be her first and she couldn't be more excited. And, ha!, for Gina, this is her second and she couldn't be more excited :)

As for broken tradition, my family has always made it a point to have one birthday each month. Ok, so we haven't "made it a point" but that's the way it's always been. Growing up, with a family of 6, we had two months of birthdays and two months without patterned throughout the year. It looked like this:

Jan - sister Gina
Feb - mom Lorraine
Mar - no one
Apr - no one
May - sister Krista
June - dad Thurland
July - no one
August - no one
September - sister Jaymie
October - me!
November - no one
December - no one

Since then, there have been 4 children had by my sisters, and keeping with tradition, they birthed them to fill the empty months. It now looks like:

Jan - sister Gina
Feb - mom Lorraine
Mar - Isaac (Krista's 2nd)
Apr - Naima (Gina's 1st)
May - sister Krista
June - dad Thurland
July - Emily (Krista's 1st)
August - Jake (Krista's 3rd)
September - sister Jaymie
October - me!
November - no one
December - no one

Since I was the next married and the next expected to have kids I was told I "had" to have them in November or December to keep with tradition. (My family doesn't like to share, apparently!!!).

But now Gina is due in July and Jaymie is due in August, sufficiently breaking tradition and allowing me to have my kids whenever I darn well please. I'll keep you posted :) (Don't come checking anytime soon though!!)

No takers

Merry Christmas everyone!! Hope you all had a great day!

Apparently, based on the abundance of comments on my last post, no one is brave enough to join me in my quest of 2008 in 2008. That's alright, I'll venture it alone!

Here's a short list of what I have thought of so far that will help me towards my goal.

1- We are spending the first week of the new year in Arizona. Everywhere you look there is something uniquely beautiful to snap.
2- Two of my sisters are pregnant and will have babies this coming summer. Granted, they live on opposite sides of the continent (with me in the middle), but with the family reunion, maybe we'll meet up there. And, if they haven't popped yet, even preggo pictures can be fun.
3- Two family reunions this summer. There must be something I can capture!
4- One reunion is on Grand Manan Island. Jeremiah has never been there, and the lighthouses, cliffs, oceans, whares, etc will make great shots!
5- The Lagoon is launching in January and is bound to have excellent photo ops throughout the year.
6- Hope is that by next Christmas, there will be enough kids/families in the church to put on a Christmas play. Always photo-esque!
7- Jeremiah is going to Swaziland and Mozambique in November. We're praying about me going along. If not, does it count if HE takes the pictures??? hehe
8- We're looking for a house as we find things we like. Once a house is in the works, I'll want to show it off electronically.
9- I love my husband and maybe if I'm nice, he'll let me take some pictures of him throughout the year.
10- We have found some beautiful spots around the Carlisle area that are guaranteed to be snapped at different points throughout the year.
11- None of you have been to my town, so who knows, you might even get a virtual tour once the spring hits and the land is a little more beautiful once again.
12- It hasn't snowed yet this year and I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival, so when it comes, you can bet I'll be snapping it up!
13- My sister bought me a "how to photograph nature" book, so I'll make use of that as well!
14- Washington DC is only 3 hours away.
15- We will find a zoo to go to.
16- etc etc etc.

It's not too late to join in the fun!! let me know if you plan on snapping with me!

Be on the lookout for my upcoming jumpstart in Arizona!

2008 in 2008

As previously mentioned in other posts, my wonderful and loving husband bought one of my dream gifts for me this past September. He bought me a sleek, black, shiny DSLR camera -- the Nikon D40. I've been accused of not using it as much as I could (although I have taken a handful of pretty neat shots).

I've taken this accusation and made it a challenge.

My challenge is this:

2008 in 2008.

That's it. That's how simple the rules are. Between the stroke of the New Year and the stroke of the following New Year, I will take 2008 pictures. Based on it being a leap year, that's only 5.4863387978142076502732240437158 pictures a day (I think I'll round it off to 5.5 a day) average. That's an average of 167.333333 pics a month

While that's the only rule, I have given myself a couple of guidelines:

1- No more than 15% can be taken in any given month. (must be less than 300 pictures a month -- if November rolls around and I haven't hit 1408, there's no catching up. ) Pictures over 300/month may be included in the count only if the 2008 goal is overshot)

2- I have to try. I can't just shoot nothingness because I'm behind. You don't have to think it's beautiful, but I have to know for myself that I am trying to learn and strive for better photography.

3- The sky's the limit. Pictures can be of anything I feel like shooting. I'm going to enjoy myself or die trying.


So fellow digitizers out there... are you up for the challenge? Will you join me? Or am I on my own? (Filmers, I invite you too, but only if you've got a strong pocket book!!!!) Make your own guidelines and let us know what they are!

You can find my pictures (starting with brand new Jan 1 pics) at www.sarahs2008in2008.blogspot.com. (Unless someone tells me a better place for listing pictures). If you want to join me, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! Make a new blog (www.yourname2008in2008.blogspot.com or wherever) and I will put a link to you on my page.

Let's shoot it together!

And We'll Have Fun, Fun, Fun...

Til the storm takes our phones away......

I'm at work right now. it's 9:12 on Monday morning, and for the second time since I've worked here (4 months) we're having pretty significant phone issues. Ugh. It's Monday and, rumour has it, it's going to be Monday ALL DAY!!!

Cure for Insomnia

Here's the self-proven method of curing insomnia.

Spend one day as follows:
1- Get up bright and early and spend an hour getting ready for work
2- Go to work for a 9 hour stretch (8 hours of work and an hour lunch.. but to make sure the cure works, work on church stuff during your lunch break)
3- Make sure the last half of your job is relatively stressful
4- Go home and spend at least 20 minutes of quiet time with your husband eating supper (left over pizza from last night worked in the test day)
5- Drop your husband off at the church for a board meeting at the church and run back to the grocery store for coffee and something to eat at the meeting.
6- Return to the church and spend 2.5-3 hours painting the new children's ministry room
7- Wait for the board meeting to be over before being able to go home.
8- Sit while your husband chats to a board member for an hour after the meeting (it was an interesting a good conversation, though. I didn't mind!)
9- Go home by 11:20.
10- Go to bed. (Don't forget to make sure you set your alarm a little later for the morning, you're going to need it!)

I haven't been sleeping well for the last week. Lots on my mind of everything that has to get done. I'll tell you though. Last night, I slept like a ROCK! Go ahead, try it. And if you don't mind... try it at our church helping me get the Lagoon up and running by January!!!

OH - and check out the new church website: LoveLearnLive.Org

3 minutes

I have about 3 minutes before I have to leave for work.

Update:
- work is going well. I am still the jack-of-all-trades, and I prefer it that way. Yesterday, my role was clarified for a couple people and I think that'll help things go smoother in the future. yay for smoother :)

- Amy and Mike are coming to visit tomorrow!!!!! I cannot wait. I have not seen a family member or person from home since mom and dad and Laurel left in SEPTEMBER. Oh how I miss them sometimes!!! It's a short visit, but we'll make the best of it.

- Times up. I didn't have much else to say anyway :) Until next time

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Nature Shots

I posted some of my favourite shots of the season on my photo blog. Let me know what you think!!! I'd love to have your input. I am REALLY enjoying my new camera! It is amazing!

Photos at: www.gomezfamilyphotos.blogspot.com

Lately life has seemingly become very busy for Jer and I. With me continuing to adjust to full time work, and he in the middle of many upcoming church adjustments, we have learned to make special use of the moments we share together. Depending on who has the car on a given day, we'll share lunch at work or I'll come home for lunch. Last Saturday, we had a special day. Lots of tv and sleep.

Yesterday, looking for something fresh and new to do, we packed up and went out to enjoy a "late fall day" (weather in the 60s). It's amazing what you can find when you drive JUST OUTSIDE of town around here. Within 10 minutes, we were winding around the mountain roads, heading up to the hiking paths in Kings Gap State Park. We paroused through some of the trails and enjoyed each others company while we enjoyed glimpses of the world God has given us.

Click here for a couple of the shots that we snapped while we were out. They couldn't possibly share how wonderful our day was, but they may show off a bit of God's beauty.

New Phones!!

On Thursday, Sept 20, our phone system at work got hit by lightning. It has been THREE WEEKS since we've had a functional telephone system. The lightning blew out the processor, and for whatever reason, it could not be replaced right away. The phone company was able to set us up with 15 temporary phone lines, but in a company that has about 35+ phone users, 15 lines don't spread very far... AND the temp lines don't have voice mail.

Which makes life at the front desk pretty interesting. Half of the time, there just isn't a direct line to put people through to, so we have to explain and take a message. Another bunch of the time, the person called doesn't answer the phone, so the call comes back to us and we have to take the message.

TODAY, we are being trained on a whole new phone system! New phones, Voice Mail, lines that actually work, and the excitement is soaring!! Life at the desk is getting better!

363

363 mornings ago, I was up early getting ready for my wedding. Wow. A whole year ago already. Jeremiah and I are leaving as soon as I get home from work to spend part of the weekend in Virginia, a restful and relaxing anniversary weekend :)

Can't wait!

Many Times

There have been many times in the past week or so where I said to myself "I could blog about that" or "I should blog about that." And yet none of it came to fruition. So since list blogs are so popular and enjoyed, I'll just blog about all of them now.

1- I have the most amazing husband. We have a mutual understanding (with zero forcing on my part) that housework is not all the wifes job -- especially, but not only, now that we are both working. That being said, for about a week, both of us were pretty slack about it. Then, on Wednesday, I came home from work to find EVERYTHING done. Dishes, vacuuming, bathroom, beds made, table cleared, laundry done... you name it, I think he did it that morning. I felt SOOO blessed to be able to just come home and relax rather than knowing that I really should be cleaning up. I love that man. And that's not even a fraction of the reasons why!

2- I am enjoying my job. Part time, mostly front desk and secretarial stuff.. but the IT girl is leaving (at the end of this coming week) and I am being trained on a handful of her tasks. Look out world, *I* am in charge of keeping the computer systems functional --- EEK!!

3- I have an interview (kind of-- just need to call to set it up basically) if I want it. It is at a podiatrist office as a medical transcriptionist. I plan to talk to Mary, in HR, at my current job first, to make sure that my current job is staying at part time. If they are thinking of moving me into full time, I won't waste the podiatrists training and time (unless they know that up front and don't mind). But if it'll be a few months before full time is available at Tuckey (current), I will definitely see if Pinker and Assoc. (interview) can work with what hours I have available (basically 2-5 MTWF, and 2-6 Th, based on their open hours)

4- Jer and I are finishing up the first week of the South Beach diet. We are both feeling great, and we can both already see a difference. I am back into the last pair of jeans that I recently had to stop wearing and it feels GREAT. One (or maybe two) more weeks of phase one, and we can lighten up a little.

5- Last time we started this diet, we were pretty boring with meat and veggie meals. This time, I'm trying to stir things up a bit. Yesterday, we had Cheesy Chicken Fajita Lettuce Rolls. Basically "fajitas" with a piece of Romaine lettuce instead of an actual fajita. Jer says you can't call it a fajita if it doesn't have a FAJITA. But they were really good. Right now, we're waiting on South Beach Taco Soup to finish simmering. (Again, he says can't be a taco without a TACO SHELL, but what does he know!)

6- Today was Jer's installation service as pastor at the church here. We had a good visit at Bonanza with Rev Randy and Gayle Swink after the service. They are really good people from what we know of them and we look forward to serving in their district under their leadership in the years to come. At lunch, I cheated and had a *very small* piece of cheesecake. Stinks when you cheat and it's not even that good.....

K, that's enough catch up for now! Going to check on my soup!

Disappointed.

I went to a job fair for Dickinson College today. I have been keeping my eye on their job opportunities online and am interested in a couple that they have currently available. I read about the job fair and decided that would be a good opportunity to have some "face to face" time so that those hiring for these positions (in the financial operations office and in the bookstore) would have a face to go with my name.

My disappointment lies in the fact that there were no representatives for these two opportunities! No one to speak to about the current job vacancies. I spoke to one lady, asking where I might find someone to speak to and was told that "due to space issues, there are not representatives for every department." That would be all fine and dandy, except that her table and about 4 others in the room were representing their offices but currently had NO AVAILABLE POSITIONS. Come on folks!!! This is a JOB FAIR --- where people go to talk to people about JOBS.

MOVE OVER AND MAKE ROOM FOR DEPARTMENTS WHO ACTUALLY HAVE OPENINGS!!!!!!!

Two thumbs down from me on your job fair, Dickinson!!!

(But I'm still secretly hoping I may hear from one of those two departments)....



(Yes, I am currently working, and I love my job. However, it is only part time at Tuckey. I am really hoping a full time that I am interested will come up. No worries, I have been completely honest -- The HR, my supervisor, and the company president all know that I am still seeking other employment. Found another one today that MIGHT work alongside Tuckey if they'll adjust the hours slightly for me!)

New Toy

These are some of the pics me and Jer came up with while we were playing. Any guesses who took what pictures???

Happy BirNiversarMas to me!!

This is my new baby. I have been talking forever about wanting an SLR camera. But they are kinda pricey, and with trying to eliminate debt, I didn't think it would be any time soon, if ever, that this dream was actualized. However, my fantabulous husband treated me to a BirNersarMas gift. Granted, it's still early for ANY of these events, but he loves me lots :)

So we've been playing lots. I will have to make a slide show of some of the favourite pics that we've taken in the past couple of days. I'll do that tomorrow :)

Tuckey Employee

As of Friday when I went in to fill out the pre-employment paperwork, I have officially been an employee of Tuckey Inc. -- the largest privately owned business in this area (and much of the area around it). I still as of now have no idea what I will be doing, or even which of their three companies I will be working under. I report immediately to the President's Assistant, and will be doing office administrative type stuff.

That's all I know :) I guess I'll find out more tomorrow.

It's only part time. 8am-1pm, Monday-Friday. And it only pays $9/hr. But it brings in more than sitting at home waiting for a job to come along. It does have medical after my probationary period of ninety days. Which is good since we were disqualified for the insurance we tried to get.
So I continue to look for full time work with medical. But for now, I am very looking forward to going to work tomorrow!


Tomorrow: The unveiling of my early Anniversary/Birthday/Christmas gift from Jeremiah :)

Jer and I just enjoyed an amazing week with Jer's mom, Laurel. We toured Washington DC, explored the battlefields of Gettysburg, walked through the streets of Carlisle, and enjoyed MUCH good tasting/bad for us foods.

I've gotta say, I am so glad that I love my mother-in-law like I do. I hear so many people complaining about their relationship with their in-laws. The only thing I have to complain about is that she lives so far away!

I will add some pics of our week soon.

Next blog: I GOT A JOB! (Starts Monday)

6:42 AM

It is 6:42 am. I should not have been awake already for almost 2 hours. Alas, I woke up at 5:03 to go to the washroom, then flipped around in bed for 55 minutes before deciding to get up so as to not wake my husband.

My MIL is here this week. So I really should go back to get and try to get some sleep before our first full day of showing her around town.

Here's hoping for another hour (or 3) of sleep before my body wakes me up again!! And here's hoping that I can get back to sleep at all!!!

Water bill too high???

Is your water bill higher than you think it should be??? Maybe you have the same problem THIS family does.... Watch it. It's definitely worth it!!!

Interview today...

Work tomorrow or the next day???

Extreme Makeover: Guest Room Edition!

After much deliberation, Jer and I decided that our guest room needed a bit of a facelift. If you took our visual tour a couple weeks ago, you would understand the necessity of this. So with much labour and intense struggle, we put our best foot forward and here's what we came up with. Not too shabby, given what we had to work with!

BEFORE:
ANOTHER BEFORE:
AFTER:
And just in time! It was completed for my parents surprise visit last weekend (see previous post) and is still beautiful for Jer's mom's visit on Friday! We're psyched to have some more company.

Life is good. Let's enjoy every minute of it while we have it to enjoy.

You never know who you'll meet at Dairy Queen!

Sunday, on our way home from lunch after church, Jeremiah says to me, "I don't really feel like it now, but maybe later it would be nice to go to Dairy Queen and share a blizzard." I didn't really feel like it at the time either, but agreed that maybe later it would be nice. A couple of times throughout the day, the thought of Dairy Queen that evening was mentioned. Later on that afternoon, we were invited out for supper with a couple from church. And then they took us to the new Coldstone, so I figured Dairy Queen was out.

Around 9pm, Jer asked if I would go with him to cash a reimbursement cheque because he wanted it to clear Monday morning. On the way home, he drives RIGHT PAST our apartment. My quote "Um, we live there." He made a comment about being tired and just missed it. So we went up to the corner to turn around. Since Dairy Queen IS just around the corner, Jer decided to go in and "see what the prices on ice cream cakes are" in case he ever wanted to get one for church (which at the time sounded believable).

So we went in, we looked at prices, we left through the other door, walked along a (closed) strip mall "just to see what was there" since we hadn't yet. Then we went back to Dairy Queen towards the car.

A couple was just getting out of their car and walking towards the DQ, and I was **JUST** about to say to Jer, "that woman looks like my mother," when I realized it WAS my mother!! My mom and dad had come from Ontario to visit us! I was SOOO surprised (and happy!!). It had been a long week and it was JUST what I needed to begin a new week fresh.

Thank God that he knows what we need and when we need it and that he shares these thoughts with other people so they can be his hands and feet.

Thank God for family. And visits. And new towns. And husbands. And Casa Mani :)

I love you, Mom and Dad!

Oh, and Jeremiah says I love him too! hehe

A New World Opened by Blogdom

What started out being a simple google search for "common children's ministry misunderstandings" turned into almost 2 hours of blog finding today. I have come across some incredibly useful children's ministry resources in the last couple hours. Some insights that will open my eyes, as well as the eyes of those I share the ideas with. Some training tips. Some ministry ideas. Some tried and true thoughts. Some tried and find false ideas.

I'm looking forward to spending some time over the next few days and weeks digging into their minds and pulling out whatever tidbits I can. We are setting out on the adventure of starting a brand new ministry in Carlisle, and I am using *whatever* resources I can find to pull it together as well as possible.

Feel free to "borrow" my links on the right :) ENJOY! Watch my list grow!

*** due to changing backgrounds, my side list no longer exists... it'll be back. Promise!***

Reba

I had a strange dream the other night. Much like the tv show Reba. Jer and I were still in high school (although the same high school). I definitely got pregnant. We definitely got married. Only here's where it changed. I resented him. Our relationship stunk. My friends all thought it was "cool" while I dreaded what I had become.

I awoke the next morning SO GLAD that we waited until marriage. God is good.

Jer and I are happily married. We are loving the moments we get to share together. We are slowly digging our way out of debt so that someday when we DO have children, I will be able to stay home and be their mother (for awhile anyway). I love my life :)

And someday, in a couple years when we begin trying or sooner if the Lord blesses us in his timing, we'll be excited to share the news of our nothing-like-Reba, soon-to-be baby :)

Don't come back looking for the announcement tomorrow though. It won't be here!!!

Home Sweet Home

Don't forget to read my prayer request in the post below, but I took these pictures and wanted to get them posted today as well :)

We came to Carlisle and moved into the apartment sight-unseen. We put our trust in Marsha, the wife of the church treasurer. She claimed herself to be a "real estate agent wannabe," and she proved herself wonderfully. We absolutely **love** our new place.

The only thing we have left to do (besides the last room you will see) is to hang up pictures . Then it will really feel like home!

With no further adieu -- Our apartment :) ENJOY!!! And come visit!!!

We actually live in a town that they announce it before you get here!!
And this wasn't even the first sign!

This is our apartment complex. There are three buildings that share our parking lot --
the two you see and another on the right hand side.

Here is a close up of apartments. As you can see, there are 8 apartments in each building.
We LOVE the privacy/shade that those trees give our windows!! (Top left)We're getting closer! Our door is 252, the only one without the cheesy wreath :)Once you open our door, this is your first view. Climb on up!
Room #1: Living Room/Dining Room
We still need to buy another couple of chairs :)Living Room/Dining Room from another angle
We also still need to pick up a tv stand!!!

Room #2: Den/Computer Room
This was supposed to be a dining room, but our desk wouldn't fit anywhere else!!!Room #3: The Kitchen

Our brand new washing machine

Her sister, the brand new dryerRoom #4: Master BedroomRoom #5: The Bathroom
--- the one thing we don't like about the apartment: thick carpet in the bathroom ICK!! ---
Room #6: The Guest Room
Yup... this is where we keep our guests...

So there you have it. That's where we live. And yes. It's always this clean ;) hehehe

Call to prayer

I have a very special set of friends. Amy and Mike mean the world to me. And they need our prayers. Mike has had some pretty serious health conditions in the past, lots of migraines, dizziness, strange stomach pains... for years the doctors have told him they can't find anything and they're not sure what is causing the pains. This past week, it went a step further. Even though he has been feeling very well lately, out of the blue, on Friday night, he went into convulsions and seisures and had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Again, they're not sure what caused it. He is being sent to a neurologist, but it might be a YEAR before he can get in. And his licence has been taken away until the neurologist has been seen. He lives about 40 minutes from where he works, so this is going to cause some pretty serious work issues..

As if that weren't enough, Amy went back to work with the city of Ottawa on Tuesday, after taking Monday off to stay home with Mike (she didn't feel comfortable leaving him alone quite yet). She got to work only to find out that in 2 weeks she basically doesn't have a job. She's supposed to work 27-30 hours a week, but they've got her scheduled in for 24 this week, 16 next week, 3 weeks of unrequested time off, only to return to 2.5 hours a week after that!!!!! Yes, you read that right. From 27-30 hours a week to TWO AND A HALF hours a week out of the blue!!! That's hardly enough to pay for gas and the taxes they'll take out of it!

So on top of Mike not being able to drive, causing driving issues, Amy is now on a job search (as far as we can figure, 2.5 hours is just a way around firing her for no reason... she has no choice but to quit.) When I left Winchester, she took over the children's ministry position at our church there. She really feels that is where she is meant to be, but with those 15 hours a week, it will be difficult to find a job that will work around that AND her having to drive Mike to work and pick him up every day.

Needless to say, it's a confusing time for them. Pray that God would continue to give them guidance and the peace that can only come from him.

I love them to pieces and you would too if you knew them. If I or they come to mind, PLEASE pray for them. Prayer is powerful.

Thanks

A bit of catch-up

Ok - so it's been a few weeks. And a few weeks in a new place means much can change. Unfortunately, it hasn't, but I'll update you anyway :)

1- We are still LOVING Carlisle. The longer we are here, the more we mean when we say, "We actually live here. We are beginning to have favourites (Restaurant ad: Casa Mani - see below)

2- I have begun my job search. I went to a local employment agency and set up an account in their online job bank. I have sent my resume to a bunch of places through that (Dickinson College, a couple banks, a couple agencies -- mostly for administrative stuff). Also, the treasurer in our church is a very well known business man in the community. He runs and owns the largest privately owned corporation in the area, Tuckey. He has said that he will help in any way he can, by personally getting my resume into the hands of HR people that he knows and recommending me personally to them. I hope to be working in the next couple of weeks.

3- We are expecting soon. Company that is. My maid of honour, Amy, and her husband, Mike, and one of the youth from Winchester, Lyndsea, are supposed to be blessing us with their presence next weekend. I say supposed to be because Mike ended up in the hospital with seisures this past weekend. They're not sure if he should be travelling out of country... Please pray for them. Mike has had some health problems in the past, pretty serious ones, but this is new and they're not sure where it is coming from.

4- Shortly after Mike, Amy, and Lyndsea head home, Laurel, Jer's mom drops in on the scene. It will be so great to have some family to show off our little town to. There are some places we are sure she will enjoy as much as we have and look forward to making her want to move to PA someday :)

5- Speaking of moving to PA, Anthony and Elizabeth (my brother and sister in law) are still planning on moving up here next summer from Arizona. We are anxiously awaiting new plans in the works and are already looking into finding a home where they will be able to move in with us for awhile. Pray for them as they have lots to get in the right before making it possible.

6- This afternoon, I am planning on spending the afternoon at Casa Mani, our favourite local cafe. It is owned and run by a couple from our church. The atmosphere there is cozy and warm and welcoming. I'm not sure how else to describe it. The couple there is funny. They won't let us pay for anything (and when they do, they will *never* let us pay full price for anything). We try to pay for as much as we can so they will never think we are taking advantage of them, but there is little they will accept. Jeremiah said that to them once. They said "we will tell you if you are taking advantage of us." Naomi, the wife, is from Japan, and they are currently decorating to open a Japanese noodle shop next door to the current shop. Robert, the husband, told Jeremiah the last time he was in: "When the noodle shop is open, you will come here and sit at the noodle bar. And if Sarah ever feels like not cooking, you can come here for noodles. And... you don't have to pay! And you can't *not come* because you don't have to pay!" Imagine that in a very strong Asian accent -- (Naomi is Japanese. Robert is from another Asian background, but I can't for the life of me ever remember what it is). They have 5 children, Andre, Chane, Natasha, Liam, and Mani.

7- Life is good and this is enough of an update for now. I have actually already been out to Casa Mani's and just came back and realized I forgot to post this. Consider it posted.

10 months in and still learning...

I learned today that my husband has never been to a county/country fair! Growing up around these things all summer long, I guess I have taken them for granted. Every little town in Ontario has its own fair for a week or a weekend throughout the summer months. So tonight, a man from the church and his starting-college-in-the-fall age son took us to a fair a town or so over.

Jer got to experience the "excitement" of hearing kids scream on the rides while we listened to the groans and squeaks of the machinery from the safety of the solid ground. Something about putting the rides up and down in an hour makes me wonder if I really want to go and hang upside down by them!

He experienced the food and all its grandeur. I had to laugh because the guys we went with "go for the food." Ugh. I'm sure their hearts love them for it too!!!!

So now he can join in with the majority of Americans and say that he too has been to a country fair.

Have you been? Any interesting stories to share???

And I quote....

The newspaper here in Carlisle put in a really nice article announcing Carlisle Wesleyan's new pastor. It was really kind of them.

Here it is (how many errors can YOU spot??? - and yes, this is all straight from the newspaper clipping!)

CARLISLE WESLEYAN CHURCH WELCOMES PASTOR
Carlisle Wesleyan Church eagerly anticipaes the arrival of the Rev. Jeremiah Gomex. Jeremiah and his wife, Sarah, will move to Carlisl on Juy 18 and the pastor officially begins ministry in Carlisle on Sunday July 22.
Denver Tuckey, vice chariman of the board at the church said, "We have been waiting all summer for the exciting day when Pastor and Mrs. Gomex arrive in Carlisle and are pleased to welcome them to the Carlisle community."
Gomex is a graduate of Bethany Bible College, Sussex, New Brunswich, Canada. He has led numerous community outreach ministries.
Important goals set by pastor Jermiah for his new ministry include becomin genuinely acquainted with his congregation and being an active member of the Carlisle community. That enthusiasm led Tuckey to say, "We not only look foarward to Pastor Jeremiah's ministry to our church but also to the ways in which he and Sarah can be an asset in our local community.
Carlisle Wesleyan Church is at 1534 Terrace Ave.


Hehe - did you count them??? I count 13 (1 error 3 times)

Perhaps when I go looking for a job, I should start at the newspaper office.. Maybe they're looking for an editor??? Haha

(They did put in another much better article the following week. Perhaps they realized their errors..)

We're here!!

We're here! It has officially been an entire week that we have called Carlisle, PA home. And we love it. The town is awesome. A couple afternoons, we have just driven around trying to find stuff. It's neat cause there is stuff to find! Haha - we ate at Applebee's on Wednesday(just around the corner from our apartment basically). While we were there, Jer stopped eating, looked at me, and said "We live in a place with an Applebees." I laughed. We do :)

We haven't got internet at our house. Took us awhile to decide for sure we wanted it... We decided to go with a cell phone instead of a landline, so if we wanted internet at the house, it had to be cable. As great as the town is, there is only one cable provider... and therefore, it is very expensive (stupid... if I knew how, I would start another cable service for people who think it's dumb to pay $59.95 a month for internet!! But we got it. They'll be there Friday.

And we bought a washer and dryer. Good thing. We are out of clothes!!! Good timing too (stop reading this paragraph if you don't want to read about undies) -- they deliver tomorrow and there is only 1 pair of undies and one pair of boxers left in the dressers!!!

Jer is working late tonight. You can read his blog to read about his new church hours idea. I like him. He is neat.

As soon as (or shortly after) we get internet at home, I'll put up some pictures of our apartment and maybe a bit of town. Maybe you'll care, maybe you won't. But my mom will want to see them :)

Until later!

Canada Day

Yesterday was the last Sunday for Jer and I at in Monticello. It was a bittersweet kind of day. While we know full well that it is time to go by all the reassurances that God has given us, it is hard to say goodbye to people who have filled your heart over the last few months (or years, in Jer's case).

After the service, we had a lunch so everyone had a good chance to talk to us and say goodbye.

Sunday was also Canada Day. And the Sunday before July 4th. Mary made a yummy July 4th dessert. My ignorant (yet joking) Canadian question was "What is the blue stuff doing in the Canada Day dessert???" Hey! Give a girl a break! Permanent resident or not, a girls gotta be loyal!!

Hello Sunshiney Ontario!

Since we are ahead on the packing, Jer told me I should take a few days to visit my parents. So I surprised them and showed up tonight :) It was a fun surprise. Now I'm here until Saturday. If anyone's around, LET ME KNOW!! I already have a bit of plans.

I had to travel across FrenchMan's land to get here (Quebec, and the worst of it, Montreal) Montreal was stop and go traffic the whole way through. Go figure... I hit it right at 4:00pm!

Because I was in Frenchland, the only English radio I could find was 104.7 CBC Radio. Canadian Talk Radio. I learned all kinds of things about the Sea Shepherds and about people who dance on roofs.

Here are a few of the useless tidbits of information I learned:

1- Cats eat more fish than seals. In fact, it would be better for the fish population if there were more seals, not less, according to Paul Watson, the Sea Shepherd founder.

2- Paul Watson is not allowed in the Maritimes for three years for the crime of having *witnessed* a seal being killed.

3- Pigs are the #1 aquamarine eaters. Pigs eat more fish than sharks do.

4- Sesame Street is airing it's 38th Season Premiere on August 13, 2007. In the list of puppet acts is a Howie Mandell puppet, hosting a game show called "Meal or No Meal"

5- A 6-month-old German Shepherd started a fire earlier this week by jumping up on a stove top with his front legs and knocking on the dial for the element. No one knew, fire started, and in the end, there was over $60000 of damage :S

6- Thy typewriter, the old fashioned telephone, and the windup alarm clock all have sounds that are now considered "endangered".

That about wraps up my new-found knowledge. On my way home I get to listen to a show called "Sandra Oh on Go" where we get to listen to "the Gayest Music of all Time." Should be great! ;)



And oh goodie - on my way home on Saturday, when I'm tucked into Frenchland again, I get to listen to

Nothing Worth the Read

It's been awhile since I've posted... and yet I've nothing new to post.

Still packing. Still cleaning. Still in transition.

Hopefully something will come up soon!

WOW!

I love this. Watch how they roll their eyes at him. "Oooooh great... here we go again." Then sit back and enjoy!



Incredible!

Yummy!!

Here is my yummy menu schedule for the week. We are trying to buy things just as we need them now, so we don't have a lot of food to have to move... so here's hoping the menu thing works!!! (We've done groceries with and without a menu before -- I think I like it much better with!)

Mon
-lunch -- Sarah leftover tuna salad, Jer at Rotary
-supper -- Crispy Chicken and rice

Tues
-l -- Sarah soup and sandwich, Jer at meeting
-s -- My Mac & Cheese - a new recipe

Wed
-l -- out for lunch at church family's home
-s -- Chicken Florentine - a new recipe

Thurs
-l -- Sloppy Joes
-s -- Pita Pizzas - Jer's mom's recipe - yummy yummy yummy!

Fri
-l -- BBQ hamburgers
-s -- Tuna Helper - some in the cupboard needs to get used up!

Sat
-l -- Spinach Lasagna Rollups - new recipe
-s -- Slow Cooker Roast with Rice and veggies

Sun
-l -- out for lunch at a church family's home
-s -- nachos with chicken or beef (whatever is left over!)

As you can tell, I got tired of "same old same old" this week and am going to try a few new recipes. Hopefully they will turn out great and I'll have something to share with you next week :)

What are YOU eating this week??? Do share. Then I will have more ideas for NEXT week!

I didn't forget...

My hubby's birthday came and went while we were away without me so much as *mentioning* it on here. Golly gee, how has life gone on??! :) He's good about it. Every once in awhile, he just reminds me that "no one in the blog world even knew it was his birthday." So here I am, announcing to all of Blogdom, that my husband, Jeremiah X Gomez turned the age of 25 at approximately 9:20am on the morning of Thursday, May 31, 2007. I have loved sharing every day of my married life with you!

Here are a few more reasons (one for each year) why I love my husband so much:

1- He buys me chocolate
2- He doesn't tease me (*too bad*) when my pants don't fit so well anymore
3- He is an amazing preacher of the Word
4- He brings me treats "just because" (I came home from my sisters wedding to a new Sony Dreammaker alarm clock/CD player and a big box of Lindt truffles!)
5- He gets along fantastically well with my father
6- He tolerates the rest of my family (hehe, just joking - they get along really well too)
7- He lets me hog the blankets
8- He treats his mother (and mine!) with the respect they deserve
9- He takes me on new adventures (ie - we're moving to Pennsylvania very soon!)
10- He talks to me like I am a person. He takes what I have to say as valuable. He *wants* to know what I think.
11- He loves Jesus more than me
12- He loves to just stand there and hold me
13- He paid for my immigration when there was no way for me to earn any money to put towards it
14- He would rather spend his money on me
15- He lets me spend money on him (we're working on it!)
16- He reads Scripture together with me
17- We can pray together
18- He is an amazing BBQer
19- He helps with a lot of the cooking
20- We love the same kinds of movies
21- I love the way he interacts with kids (and can't wait to have some of our own to grow to love together)
22- He is willing to give up everything to follow where God is leading -- even though that still currently means being very far from his much loved family
23- He remembers exactly what I like
24- He puts his whole heart into everything he does... even when sometimes he feels like he doesn't get anything in return.
25- He is loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled --- most of the time! (Hey, no one's perfect!)

Hon, even though I'm late in saying it on here, I wish you the happiest birthday and a great year to follow! You are one of a kind and I can't wait to see what is next in God's plan for us!

Carry on!

Moving on...

We're not moving on to Carlisle yet (that isn't until after the week at Beulah), but we ARE moving on... Tired of cold and rain and **ugh** SNOW, we're packed up and on our way to 2 weeks of sun and heat in Tucson , Arizona. I'll still have internet (staying with Jer's mom), but probably won't blog much. So incase I don't at all, see you June 6 or 7th :)

Things we're looking forward to doing:
1- Horseback riding with Laurel (Jer's mom)
2- Eating cereal at Cereal Bar
3- Watching sunset over mountains
4- Climbing a mountain
5- "Testing" cactuses (or cacti) (This involves touching the spines... it will be more me than Jer.. ok, it'll be just me)
6- Relaxing for a movie day with Laurel
7- Spending time in Hereford with a bunch of Jer's family
8- Swimming *outside*
9- Trying to convince Anthony and Elizabeth (Jer's bro and sis-in-law) to move to Carlisle with us :)
10- Supper with Jer's dad
11- SLEEPING
12- NOT WORKING
13- READING FOR FUN
14- NOTHING BUT WHATEVER WE WANT TO DO!!!!


BRING ON THE SUN!!!

Cake... mmmmm

I made it home.

Piece of cake

Ok, so things worked out a little easier than we had been told.. The lawyer definitely made it seem like there would be bad stuff to pay if I left the country without this stamp in my passport... So we thought we would have to go back to Portland. So we got up at 5:00 to leave by 6 to head for Portland. In the morning, I called the border just to make sure that what I had wasn't enough.. They said I'd have to come in so they could see it... but the guy in Houlton wasn't in until 8. We could be halfway to Portland by then... so we went to the Bridgewater border. They guy there was quite positive that I had what I needed - if HE were working, getting back into the country would not be a problem.

Wanting a second opinion (you never know with border guards) we headed to Houlton. By this time, it was 8:00 and the guy who could answer my questions was there. He said yes, what I had was sufficient and there was no stamp I needed.

Good. So we took his word for it... We left. Got here MUCH earlier than we thought.

Granted, I am still out of the country. Here's to hoping that tomorrow when I try to reenter, one of those guys is working or they really were correct...

I'll post about the wedding when I get home and can get somepictures up... :) It was a beautiful day (had it not been for the weather, it would have been perfect)

Aaaannnnndddd - BACK to Portland we go...............

A HUGE GRRRRRRRRR POST TODAY.

Ok, so as mentioned, my immigration interview was yesterday. It went really well. They approved me as a "Conditional Resident", different from a permanent resident only because Jeremiah and I have not been married long enough (2 years). The only difference is in 2 years, I have to file an I-751 to have the conditions of my residency lifted.. (costing me another $200 of course...) That's ok -- we're happy with that, makes sense with the way SOOO many marriages go these days. I don't blame them -- even if we do have angelic faces.

So I come home, happy, knowing that for sure I can go to my sisters wedding. The advanced parole papers came last week, but now I don't even need THEM because I've been officially approved!

Or so I thought.......

I came back and emailed Mr Eiss, my lawyer, as he asked me to, just to let him know how the interview went. His response, "Did they stamp your passport with a temporary I-551 stamp?".... Ummmmmmmm, no....... were they supposed to??? His response to that, "Just go back to the office and get them to stamp it before you make your trip across the border." All well and dandy if the office wasn't FOUR HOURS SOUTH of here when our trip is SIX OR SEVEN HOURS NORTHEAST!!!!!

So tomorrow, instead of getting up and leisurely showering, etc and leaving by around 10 and getting to my sisters around supper time, we get to wake up at 5:00, shower, drive 4 hours south to Portland, get a stinkin' stamp in my passport, turn around, drive 2 hours north along the same highway we just came down (if you do the math, we should be to my sisters already by this amount of driving), then drive another 7-8 hours, getting to my sisters house (IF the stop getting the stamp is quick) exhausted and ready for bed......

Oh well - when you consider that the US government originally told us not to bother planning a wedding before this coming fall because I wouldn't be able to get in before that, I guess an extra trip to Portland isn't the end of the world...

New Handle

I've got a new handle. You can officially refer to me as:

"Sarah Gomez, CR6 - Temporary Permanent Resident"

and it only took 85 days from the day we submitted to the day we interviewed and went home completed.

The Next Step

After compiling and photocopying a myriad of pictures, Christmas cards, Wedding cards and invites, bank and credit card statements, car ownership papers, health insurance cards, Geico insurance cards, letters from the church, passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates and anything else we could think of to "substantiate our relationship," Jeremiah and I are ready to hit the USCIS with paper! It's amazing all the things that they want us to show to prove our relationship. Hope they're happy... Interview is Monday morning, May 7, at 10:30am. Keep us in prayer.

We are really excited that this may be the end of this process for us. At least for 3 years. It is absolutely amazing how much God has gone before us in this. If it weren't for Him, I would still be sitting at home in Ontario, trying to get through to the US government that I love Jeremiah and want to move to their country. If it weren't for Him, it wouldn't have happened that, even though we procrastinated a little longer than we should have, I am still able to go to my sisters wedding (this coming Saturday). We were told that the *earliest* we could expect the advance parole was about a week more than 3 months... We got in by earnest prayer 1.5 weeks BEFORE te 3 month mark. If it weren't for Him, we wouldnt' have been able to afford the extra $2000 for the medical I needed. If it weren't for Him, If it weren't for Him, if it weren't for Him...

Thank you God for loving me deeply even in the midst of my downfalls..

I love You.

THR3E

I am not usually one for movie reviews, but after the movie Jer and I watched last night, I feel the world must know. Back when we were dating and doing a lot of road trips, Jeremiah and I both listened to an excellent book on CD by Ted Dekker, called THR3E. Very intense, highly stimulating, and incredibly fun to listen to. While walking the video store aisles the other night, we saw, to our amazement it was a movie now! Neither of us had any idea. We grabbed it and brought it home, expecting a pretty decent movie.

We were sorely disappointed. Where the book was exciting and made you wonder what could possibly happen next, the movie left you thinking "why did I put $4.40 into renting this movie?" The characters, who are pretty well created in the book, felt cheap and fake in the movie.

If you asked my opinion (which you didn't so if you don't like it, ignore it!), I'd say put a little extra effort and a little more time and pick up the book. As for the movie, save your money and leave it on the shelf.

The best part of the movie for us: We returned it after only one night, and get a $1 credit towards our next rental.

I'm on AP!!!

Granted, while at Bethany, this would have been nothing to boast about.. students on AP (Academic Probation) didn't usually go around flailing their arms and proclaiming their good fortune..

But now that Bethany is part of my history, AP is a whole different story.. A new realm of excitement.

AP (Advanced Parole) is an answer to prayer. Yes, I know it sounds like I got out of jail early, but that's only partially true. While working towards immigration status in the States, you are not allowed to cross the border. Correction - you are allowed to cross the border. You are just not allowed to come back! So, for the last few months, I have been unable to enter Canada. What this AP does is, even though the process is not complete and I still don't have a green card, I am now allowed to resume normal border crossings. My sister is getting married in 11 days in Nova Scotia and as of yesterday, I'm allowed to go!

Best news yet (and why it's an obvious answer to prayer) it's *weeks* earlier than it should have arrived. God has his hands all over this one!

And also, my interview in Portland is Monday. I should be receiving my work permit any day now. So even if they don't stamp my passport and give me a green card, I can work, I can come and go when I want and/or need... I'm happy :) The green card can take a couple more months if it likes.

YIPPEE!!!

Oh, and I'm getting money back from my OWN government to boot! Yahoo!!

Giving up TV...

Before we got married, Jer and I decided to cut the cable to the tv at the house. We decided that as a married couple, there were far more fun and interesting things to do besides waste every evening in front of the television set. So it was cut. We were going to get out on the town, go places, do things, play games. Television can wait.

So here is the short list of television that we have watched in our 7+ months of marriage.

- *M*A*S*H* seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11
- 24 season 1
- Firefly season 1 (needed to be longer -- that's the end of it)
- Grey's Anatomy season 1
- Alias season 1 and most of 2

Not to mention the movies we've watched (I can't begin to list them)

Oh yeah - and we also gave up cookies.

Hehe

What's keeping me busy...

Things are crazy busy around here lately. I guess I can’t really say that because I’m still not working so it’s not like I have a 9-5 job and then have to squish everything in.. I guess there is just a lot more going on for me than there has been lately… For example – my immigration appointment has been scheduled! May 7 at 10:30am in Portland, I meet with the interviewers and get asked a bunch of questions about who I am and why I want into their country. Hopefully, if THAT all goes well and they haven’t dug anything out of my past (which I’m not sure what there is to dig out…), they MAY stamp my passport right there and I’ll be able to leave the country. Or they may not. It’s their prerogative… they can do what they want.

IF they stamp my passport and I’m free to go, we will get home Monday evening and then on Wednesday morning, we will leave for Antigonish, NS where my sister is getting married on Saturday (which is why it would be super cool if they let me out… the interview is ahead of schedule… so totally a God thing, I have no doubt in my mind they’ll let me out!) So we’ll head there to help with beforehand stuff. (well, I will… Jer will need to take his computer and find a remote area and get things ready for the annual church meeting the following Tuesday). We’ll have to leave the reception by 7-8pm so that we can be home by midnight-1am so Jer can preach the next day. Then, nine days later, on Tuesday May 22, we fly out of Manchester, NH to Tucson, AZ for a two week vacation in the sun!

We come home June 6, ready to continue packing and preparing (while Jer continues working at the church here). One month later, on July 6-15, we head to Brown’s Flats, NB to our church district family camp at Beulah. We come home Sunday evening, pick up a U-Haul FIRST thing Monday morning, pack it, collapse from sheer exhaustion and then get up and drive towards Carlisle, PA the next morning. We’ll take two days to get there, collapse, move in Thursday, collapse. Jer’s first Sunday at the church is that Sunday, July 22.

Hope you really wanted to know why it’s busy, cause now you know …. THE REST OF THE STORY…

$1500

Jeremiah and I went to Houlton the other day and spent $1500+ and this is what we came home with. Stuffed animals are so expensive these days!!!




(Two posts in one day - one hour even - don't miss the other!)

New Possibilities Denied --- and packing continues

For anyone who read my last post and wondered what the "new possibility in Carlisle" was, now that it isn't going to happen (for now anyway), I feel more free to say what it was :) We had invited Jer's brother and sister-in-law (so I guess *my* brother-in-law and sister-in-law) to leave where they are living now and come up to Carlisle for a new beginning. We were going to live together for the first few months until Jer and I were ready to buy a house and they were ready to take over full payment of the rent. We were really excited about the possibilities - Jer would LOVE to have some family around and it would have been a great opportunity to reach out and share the blessings that *we* have incurred in the last 6 months. God has been SO good to us. But Elizabeth (sister-in-law) could not find the course she is looking to take in the community colleges there, so they have decided to stay where they are. Pray for them as life in their home is not altogether easy... They are living with Elizabeth's parents and a sister and baby and soon to be a brother/girlfriend/new baby. If I were there --- I'd want to know people were praying for me!! haha

They are coming up in December for a wedding - maybe they'll fall in love with the town and just *have* to take us up on our offer :)

On another note, the packing continues. More on that later :) Our house is starting to look like a box factory!!!

New Possibilities...

There are new possibilities on the horizon regarding our move to Carlisle which Jer and I are rather excited about! It may be awhile before I will say what they are, but we're in prayer and continuing to seek what God has to say about it.. and if it will come to pass, YAY!!!

Amendment to my last post

I guess technically we *are* homeless still at this point. We have accepted a new job at a new church, but they don't have a parsonage, so we are still in need of an apartment or house. That is something I look forward to working on :)

Sidenote - does anyone know why the font in my daisypath is all screwy?? It's always done that when I make one - which is why I never leave them on. Anyone know how to make it better???

The phone calls have been made...

It's official. Come July, Jeremiah and I are **not** homeless!!

This past Sunday, April 1, we went on a roadtrip to interview and candidate at a church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The weekend went amazingly well, we fell in love with the town, and really felt good about the whole new adventure. We took our couple of days to make sure we weren't reacting to rollercoaster highs, and we made the clincher phone call.

So now it's set. We have three months to pack up, figure out all this shipping stuff, find a place to live (no parsonage = bonus!), and start a new adventure. This time we will both be there from the beginning.

Go ahead, hit the nearest Tim's and have a Hot Smoothie to celebrate with us. Better yet, get one of their new Iced Cappuccino Supremes; they're really tasty!! (We will be enjoying Tim's while we're here - once we move, the nearest one will be in New York!!)

More later :)

Yesterday there was grass...

Today...

Pretty Ladies All In a Row

A wedding day is one of the biggest days of a girl's life. Mine was no different. And who do you want to share in your big day more than your biggest fans, your closest friends.

I had the pleasure of sharing my wedding date not only with my best friend (see last post), but with my current three best friends. Amy Morris, Amanda Whitteker, and Alison Lapan (the alliteration is a coincidence, I promise!)

All three of these girls are more so important to me. Amanda dates all the way back to the beginning of high school. From band practices (yes Sir, we'll try to be more quiet), to trips, to math and english classes, to the gym, to movies in her basement, to walks around town, to emails from college... And believe it or not, she even took my right big toe on a trip around Europe!! (The rest of me couldn't afford to go.) I am so glad to have a friendship that has lasted over time and distance. Amanda, I love you!


Alison and I don't date back quite as far, but the love is there! She and I attended 4 years of college together, and while there were semesters that we didn't spend a lot of time together, she was always there to come back to. I've always been told that the best way to ruin a good friendship is to live with the person. This wasn't true for us. Our last and final semester at school, we decided it was high time that we lived together. With an invitation from Julie Parrot (McComiskey) and Tina Becker, we moved into the townhouses. What a great semester :) Sorry about all that Wes stuff. I hope you still love me!!


Amy Morris... ah yes. Of the three, Amy and I date back the shortest length of time. However, she is one of my dearest friends. She is a true to life answer to prayer for me (and I for her!!). Upon arriving home from Bible College, I needed a job. I was volunteering at the church, but needed to make an income. Amy worked with the city of Ottawa and basically, without knowing me, gave me 2 positions to start when I got home. She had started attending the church while I was at school and had become a Christian with a heart on fire for God. It was a joy to work with her. But there was more to my prayer than needed work. I needed a *friend*. At college, I had been surrounded with Christian friends, much opportunity for companionship, or even just someone to hang out with. At home, having left all that behind, I began to feel very alone. My prayer was for a close friend that I could pour into and who would pour into me. Little did I know, that was Amy's prayer, verbatim. Over the 2.5 years that I lived at home before getting married, Amy and I became the best of friends. We watched movies, scrapbooked, spent hours walking around town, spilling our hearts to each other. She was my boss in the city, I was her boss at the church where she volunteered in the children's ministry. She truly was (and is!) an answer to prayer. She and her husband Mike continue to be two of our biggest supporters. This will not be a friendship that is soon left by the roadside. We've become too important in each others lives to say goodbye so easily.

When choosing who of my friends I would like to stand with me at my wedding, there was no doubt in my mind that these three girls would be the ones. I am honoured and thrilled to have had such amazing friends and confidants as these three. God has blessed.

You will forever be loved here!

Thank you Jesus for giving us friends!