Catch Up Post!

Wow.  It is hard to start back when I've been away so long.  So much life has happened in the last 6 months, and I am almost sure that I haven't really posted about the happenings of our life in at least 6 months.  This is my family's scrapbook, so I have to get back to posting our life.  And, how do I begin?  Where do I start?

I have on more than one occasion told my mother that I do not even recognize my life anymore.  So many things have changed.  We haven't moved.  We live on the same 7 acres that we have for the past 12 years, but slowly over the past months, little by little, life all around our 7 acres has changed dramatically.  Our world which always felt very full and blessed has grown richer and fuller with the addition of family moving near.

Erik's brother is now our pastor.  Surreal even to type it.  He took the job three months ago, and it is still like a dream.  A month or so ago I had to take something by the church office in the middle of the day, and I ran in quickly not thinking much about anything except that I had to drop off a check and a vase and get back to my van full of kiddos.  I opened the door to the office and began talking to our church secretary, and he walked around the corner, sleeves rolled up, all smiles, and said, "Well, hey!" Just like this was normal!  It felt so surreal to see him there in what is now his office, me standing there talking to his secretary.  Crazy!!!  I walked out shaking my head in disbelief.

It all began nearly a year ago when I began to hear the whispers, and they came for a visit.  And, I told Erik he was CRAZY.  Stop the nonsense.  This was not happening.  And, then the craziest thing happened.  Erik came home from a meeting all alight with God all over him, undeniable.  And, he began to talk, and as he did he used his hands.  And, all I remember is something about this huge amazing God Who raises up kings and nations and rulers, but yet cares deeply about our little small town church.  And, then he raised his hand up and pushed it down while saying these words I'll never forget, "God is a powerful FORCE."  And, when he said the word FORCE I felt Him move in me, stirring something.  And, I was captivated.  It was at that moment that I became a believer ~ maybe God was calling my brother in love here.  Wow.  And, then watching the Spirit move and stir in my Jen.  It was all so real. So untouched by us.  So Him.  All Him.

And, they are here.  We lived communally for 6 weeks, I believe it was.  We did some school together, but mostly we played together.  And, thankfully, we didn't get the stomach virus while we lived 16 people under one roof.  That was my secret fear, but we made it!! 16 people and one washer and dryer ~ it went amazingly well!  Jen and I got into a rhythm and stayed on top of things for the most part!

Now they are in their home, and we are in ours.  We are awaiting a baby, and they are settling in and learning a new way of life.  We meet together on Fridays for Erik and Jason to teach the kids together.  Erik teaches Anatomy, and Jason teaches writing.  On Tuesdays, Pop (who also moved here and makes our lives so very rich!!!) teaches Latin.  It all works smoothly, and we are having a wonderful school year.

 I have so much more to say!  But, this is a first installment.  More, more, more to come!