Man, thinking about all that has happened since I last updated in July is overwhelming. The last you all knew, we were praying for a job for Chris, welcoming a new baby nephew, and just "getting by" on faith that all things would work out for the good and the glory of God.
Well, Chris did indeed interview for a job at Columbia Crossroads and ended up being blessed with a position at a satelite branch called Columbia Crossroads Northeast. We were not initially interested in this site as we had just left our old church which is funnily enough located right across the street! But, God had better plans in mind for us and as we visited with the pastor and the launch team, we were overwhelmed at how this was the perfect place for us. We have been meeting as an official church for 3 weeks now and are very encouraged by the "home" it is becoming and the people we are being challenged to be through the ministries there. Chris is learning new things daily about his own gifts in the ministry as well as taking on many new responsibilities. I am enjoying a wonderful women's Bible study, making many new friends (who are a lot like us with many kiddos!), and also helping out in the children's ministries. The kids are meeting new friends and finding a new home there as well. We couldn't be happier! Praise God!
Just before starting at CCNE we made our yearly trek to Black Mountain in North Carolina for a wonderful week of camping in the mountains with Chris' family. We had another excellent week and I must say that it was great to be there not pregnant or with a very new baby... this is the first time in 4(!) years that this has been the case!!! Crazy!
Chris started his many (5) jobs as Fall began. He is teaching guitar lessons to private homeschool students, at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, at Carolina Music Academy, and at Columbia International University. He is also teaching a Music History class at CIU and beginning to enjoy that... it has been a lot of work. It has been a blessing as it is also acting to prepare him for his oral exam he must take to "officially" receive his Master's degree. With all this he is also, as mentioned above, the Music Ministry Director at CCNE. Yeah, he is a busy man!
I am also feeling a new busyness this Fall as well as I am taking on a new "at-home" position. I have recently re-launched my business with Arbonne International, a health and wellness company. I decided to take on this venture again after seeing my sister succeed in her own Arbonne business and receive her company car! It is taking me some time to reorder my life around building my business after caring for my family each day. But, It is nice to work only when I want to and see such good results from hard work.
The kids have enjoyed the newness of Fall weather and time outside. The boys continue to grow into little men and I am continually amazed at how big they are getting. Jed will be 4 in December! Peter turned 2 in July and baby Bo is almost 1!!!! Bo is our nickname for Isabel, thanks to Peter as he tried and tried to say it and ended up with Isabo and then just bo. We think it is cute! She is turning 1 on October 22 and is so close to walking!
Our latest house "project" was to upgrade our gross office! For 4 years Chris has worked out of an unorganized, unpainted, ugly office. My dad built us custom shelving and we painted the office a nice green. We absolutely love it!
