Behind the Times!

Wow, I cannot believe it's almost the end of January and this is the first I've written since our Christmas letter! Sorry about that!
Well, here's a quick update on our family.
We enjoyed being snowed in for a while in December and had a hard time transitioning back to work. It was very nice to have the extra time together. We played a lot of games and read a lot of books!
Christmas was a wonderful time with both families in spite of plans being changed due to weather. We went up to the Davis side for New Year's Day instead of Christmas to give time for the snow to melt. Dave and I were thrilled with an assortment of books, games, movies, and clothes for Christmas. Dave also got a couple of "Restaurant Recipe Cookbooks" that both families are excited to fully experience :-)!

Dave and a few men from church have recently started up a men's ministry program. Last Sunday was their first men's Bible Study. They are working through the book, Disciplines of a Godly Man. They had a great turnout and a good discussion on the first chapter. We look forward to the men's ministry taking off at Grace and are so grateful for the way God blessed this effort.

In January, I started a few new jobs--I am now working as an assistant to another realtor in my office a couple days a week instead of being an agent myself. This means I can't personally represent buyers or sellers, but I can refer them to Yolanda and receive a referral fee. It also means I don't have to pay the monthly dues or advertising fees, which in this economy, is VERY nice! I am very much enjoying the change of pace and not having to stress the finances. I'm also nannying one day a week for a friend's little boy (Bronson Deets) and putting a few hours in for my parents testing their software program. I am so thankful and aware of God providing each of these opportunities for me this year. I was praying about what to do and each job was offered at just the right time. God's timing is an incredibly scary yet wonderfully freeing thing!

Last weekend, we had our first 2009 J-High Retreat! We joined 4 other Dallas churches in putting on the retreat for 95 students. Dave and another youth pastor spoke on coming out of the darkness into the light. On Saturday, we bused the kids up to the Lloyd Center and went ice skating and shopping (That was one of those stressful afternoons that I spent constantly counting to make sure my charges were all there!) Overall, it was a great time, but boy were we thankful for our bed when we got home!

Other than that, things have been pretty routine with youth group 2x/week and Sunday School keeping us busy! Dave is looking forward to a church Super Bowl party next weekend, and I am excited that my family will be coming over on Saturday to celebrate Anna's 23rd b-day! Sophie is apparently saying quite a few words now, and of course her baby boy continues to keep her tummy growing! I am a proud auntie!