BON VOYAGE

We are headed to the airport, all 8 MU Josh and I are all crammed in the white beast with our luggage and Chad as the driver. Our flight leaves around 4 so we will meet our UC guys at the airport and then pick up a few others in Chicago. Oh we are so excited for this Trip can’t wait to see what God has planned!!! 

AT THE STAUFFER’S AND CHRISTMAS AND BDAYS

Busy day we hung out with Matt and Monica today. Josh and Matt played video games while we talked and played with the kids. The tomato soup and grilled cheese was very yummy!

After lunch we headed to Columbus for Dawn and Rich’s Birthday party followed by our part of Christmas with my family. The Birthday was fun we had subs and salad (Josh grabbed Chick-fil-A beforehand) after the party we did the sibling gift exchange! We had Ben and Dawn. Ben got tools, a shirt, and baby clothes. Dawn got cupcake cases, a jacket a calendar. Jamey and Dustin had us; I got a Bluetooth for my phone…sweet!! And josh got a year of Xbox Live…very cool. Then a little later we had part of the whole Christmas. Mom had everyone open one gift then Josh and I did the rest of ours. Highlights: Josh got a Texans hat and t-shirt, pocket knife, Big Bang Theory, a super sweet duffle bag, Golden Sun and Chap Stick that smells like icing. I got a camera (very cool you will see many new photos very soon), clothes, stationary, jacket and we both got other great things too! Thanks everyone!

EAST ASIA PERFORMANCE:

We preformed all of our Christmas songs and dances for the kids at Kids night! Lots of fun, a little crazy!

Moving on

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful one, we had almost 80 students staff and faculty showed up to eat the wonderful food that prepared by our Community Groups. We had some new faces that joined us on Sunday for Church. Such a wonderful night of fellowship and community.

Well with less than 20 days till the East Asia Team departs and less than 3 weeks of classes till winter break; you would think things were calming down in Oxford but that is far from the truth. The Tuesday before thanksgiving the Bridge launched their 'Club House' an after-school program for elementary aged children. Each Tuesday the student work on homework or other suggested materials and they are fed dinner. We are currently working with 18 students and hope to expand.  With this we are doing a BOOK DRIVE, we are accepting children book, reading materials, hooked on phonics, and other educational materials. We are happy to take any new or used items. If you would like to contribute please call the Bridge

Please continue to be in prayer for the East Asia team there are 14 going on this trip. The team departs on December 18th pray for safe travels and unity as they head across the world to share the Christmas Story. Please pray for our students and staff members that will be traveling over the holidays. And lastly please pray for the Children and the Children's ministry, God is working, pray that we have the workers and the hearts to teach these kids who God really is and how much He loves them. Merry Christmas and Thank you for your prayers and support!!

BLACK FRIDAY AND WORK

Let me tell you the schedule. I was at my house last night for Thanksgiving; I headed to cbus in the PM. We woke up around 3:30 headed to Wal-Mart, then to Target and Old Navy where we slept in the car for 30 min before they opened. Next was Kohl’s, then Steak and Shake (I skipped the breakfast and napped a little more.) then we returned to Wal-Mart so I could get my car and head to work. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz I am so sleepy. After I left the crew they went to target again and then to Meijer and Michaels. Oh

THANKSGIVING AT OUR PLACE

This year was very different. We had thanksgiving at our place…ok at Granny’s house but we hosted since she was gone…it was fun, minus the 5am wake up so I could turn the turkey on.

NO MORE CHINESE CLASS!

Thank goodness now it is time to head to ASIA!!!

EAST ASIA MEET UP

Today all the Miami and UC student that Are going to East Asia met at Kids night to help out and have a meeting after. My teacher was sick so I was able to go to the meeting. We talked about the trip and got to know each other a little bit.

CLUBHOUSE

It has official started. We (the Bridge) recently took over the afterschool program “Clubhouse” we are starting with 7-9 kids working one on one with homework and phonics. We feed them dinner and then they attend the Clubhouse Worship (formerly known as Kids Night) for bible study and fun.

BRIDGE DINNER AND THE CENTERPIECES

This week was our Bridge Family Thanksgiving dinner. Each of the community groups made desserts, sides and bread items the church provides the meat. And this year I did the decorations. It was fun minus the fact I found out on Friday that there was no decorations or any plans for decorations. So I had to go shopping in the basement for supplies. Found plenty and bought a few bags of rice, bean and corn for vase filler. We ran out of table cloth so we compromised but I think all in all it turned out very nice and we had over 80 people there.

SHORTEST LONG WEEK EVER

So this week is the holiday week and I have class, an East Asia meeting, off on Thursday and half a day on Friday. OH my so I worked over so I could go shopping with my family on Friday and then head into work a little late. Amazing how long a short week can be.

BABY SHOWER THINGS

This weekend we had The King JV “Sprinkle” Tracy is having a Boy so she wanted it to be Junior Varsity Style. So we all wore sports jerseys and had sports themed games and décor.

Hello November

October has been busy, as most months are. We started the month off with our Parents Weekend Dinner. A few of our upperclassmen prepared a wonderful meal, we were able to meet some of the freshmen families, and enjoy the wonderful fall weather. The following weekend was momentum, (Momentum is our fall retreat, a time for us to bond as a church family) we packed up the Miami vans and headed to Camp Swoneky in Oregonia Ohio. We had two cabins, a worship hall and plenty of field space to play ultimate Frisbee and capture the flag. Dr. Ken Dillard led us through a study through Acts. God is so great! After a long but restful weekend everyone headed back to prepare for Midterms.

Tuesday Nights (Children’s/Youth Night) is still going, we have 9 students/adults that have committed to teach or help out on Tuesdays. Please continue to pray for the children as they learn who God is and what it means to have a relationship with Him, Pray for the Students as they teach and interact, that they may reflect God’s Love and message to each child in a way they understand.

With less than 8 weeks until Christmas break please pray that the lives of the students will be radically changed, that they will recognize God and fully commit to follow Him.  Less than 2 months and the East Asia team will be heading out! God has been faithful and we know He will continue to make the funds available for each of the students and staff as they prepare for the trip.

We thank you for your prayers and support; they mean a lot to us all!

TRAINING:

For the last two day I have been training 3 ladies from our hospitals, it just reminds me how much I really love to train!

CHINESE CUPCAKES AND FALL FESTIVAL

Josh mother and I have this tradition of making crazy cupcakes for the fall festive each year and this year we went ethnic!

HAYRIDE

We had a bonfire minus the fire…there was a no burn warring out for the county we were in. But it was fun we had microwave smores and went on a hay ride, had trouble remembering campfire songs but oh well J.

BABY SHOWER THINGS

This weekend we had The Teasley “Sprinkle” my mom deiced that since they had already have kids we should do something other than a “shower” so we had “sprinkles” for both sisters. This one was co-ed so Josh came too. It was super funny I was in charge of games, so we had monkey trivia and Guess how big the belly was… the dad’s belly and counts the bananas. We also had a guest appearance from the Prego Monkey…played by Christina.

VISITING B AND B

Had the day off so I visited Bed and Breakfast! It was fun. It is funny how when you are at a job you feel bad for leaving because then you put them in this position to replace you and such. It is nice to go back to a job and see that they are doing pretty good without you but they still miss you.

MOMENTUM AND MY HOLIDAY!!

We had a Momentum weekend South of Columbus at the Salvation Army Campgrounds. It was a really nice and huge campgrounds we had plenty of space to play Frisbee and other games. There was a small chapel for us and super nice cabins. We had a great time with Dr. D.

I WILL FOLLOW

Where you go I’ll go

Where you stay I’ll stay

When you move I’ll move

I will follow

Who you love I will love

How you serve I will serve

If this life I lose

I will follow

I Will Follow

Chris Tomlin

Another Day

God provides and I am still in awe. Today was a great day. Nothing too special, just nice. I was reminded of God’s love and provision.

Good Bye September

Wow it is hard to think that September is here and gone already. With the semester in full swing things are falling into place around Oxford; the freshmen know their way around campus and the leadership team has a quick second to catch their breath before next month’s festivities. Looking back at the month there have been so many great things that God has done that we were able to be a part of: Community Group (throughout the week in different areas of campus) the groups are taking the Sunday sermon and going deeper. Youth and Children (Tuesday nights 6 PM) we have been able to get more of the college students involved in reaching out! Coffee house (Thursday nights at 7 PM) Pancakes (Thursday nights 11 PM-2 AM) many conversation with hurting students, but we are able to plan so many seeds through these nights. Freshmen Friday (the first 5 weeks of class) we were able to connect with the new students and get them connected with community groups and upperclassmen. And Ladies’ Brunch and the Men’s Munch (2^ND and 4^TH Saturday). In each planned and unplanned event we have the goal of reaching out to the students and community in Love so they can see the Love of Christ.

Please be in prayer for Youth/Children Nights we are currently looking for a location to continue our ministry there, also be in prayer for the children that we are reaching, we pray that God will be real and move in dramatic ways in their lives and in their homes. Pray for the East Asia team, Josh and Amanda are leading the team of 8 students (2 students from the University of Cincinnati, and 6 from Miami) Pray they continue to be faithful as obstacles come. Thank you for your prayers.

CHURCH PARTY AND THE IPOD CAKE:

Now for Birthday Party 2! We had Chad and Josh a surprise party after church. Dawn made an awesome iPod cake, we had a piñata and the boys got sweet mugs with gift cards…Olive Garden here we come!

CHURCH PARTY AND THE IPOD CAKE:

Now for Birthday Party 2! We had Chad and Josh a surprise party after church. Dawn made an awesome iPod cake, we had a piñata and the boys got sweet mugs with gift cards…Olive Garden here we come!

I will follow you

This has been such a wonderful week! God is so great! Last week was truly a downer...another no on a job that would of fix all our driving problems. I had my life fixed. But you see that was really the problem I have been so fixated on me and my life that I have lost so many opportunities to minster. I am reading Ruth and Psalms right now,  learning about praising God and about being faithful when it hurts. There is a new song by I think Chris Tomlin called 'I will Follow' The words are so fitting and with a broken heart I fell on my knees and told God...

Where you go I'll go
Where you stay I'll stay
When you move I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you

and that is my prayer that I am a complete reflection of Christ in all ways.

We had a women's event 'REAL Women' and I was reminded of being authentic, that sometimes things are crappy and sometimes things are great but in both situations we need to share and live life beyond ourselves.

CHRISTMAS LIST

What a daunting task. I don’t need anything and have trouble wanting things, but here is what I have come up with:

·         2011 Spiral or Bounded Calendar/Planner (not a binder) - can be 8.5x11 or 5x8 basically any size. (Must have the full month view, can have the weeks too)

·         30 Rock Season 4(DVD), 

·         Blue Tooth for phone(small), 

·         Brown Ouchless Headband (goodie brand),

·         Cord Clips(they attach to your dresser or desk and hold your phone or iPod cord in place so you don’t have to search behind the desk for it, about the size of a quarter)

·         Fourth Book from the Circle Series by Ted Decker (I think it is “Green” Book 0)(Christian Book Store), 

·         Look What’s New Cupcake(book), 

·         Pedicure (it can be in Columbus or somewhere in Dayton…I can schedule a time to go either place)

·         Polka Dot Bag (like the black with multi colored dots that I use now) I know flower factory has the black and white one which I like

·         Purple Flats Size 7.5 or 8 (nice for work, dark purple, they can be any design for the most part, Closed toed please)

·         Snow White DVD

·         Stationary set (I would like it to be a set of just flat cards(about the size of index cards) with matching envelopes, any colors or patterns(prefer no words) I have gotten them from Wal-Mart in the past

·         Zelda Skyward Sword (Wii Game) 

JEWELRY

So mom has now given me a new hobby…Jewelry making. You see we went to a Premier J party and I indicated that I could make stuff pretty similar so mom wanted to try me out. It went really great I have made 15 or so necklaces earrings and such mainly for the family and friends.

JOSH AND BEN’S BIRTHDAY PARTY

My side of the family is a little Birthday crazy, this year we had Ben and Josh’s together it worked out nicely the guys are both pretty laid back and good with whatever. Happy Birthday Boys.

VISIT FROM A STRANGER AND THE PACKAGE NEVER MADE IT

Marie came to visit this weekend!! We miss her very much. She is teaching in the Deep South J no accent yet lol. We went to Brunch before she headed home. Oh did I mention I got to see her puppy he is so cute! It was sad to say good bye again. Now about that package we sent her a package a while ago and it should have been there by the 11^th but no sign of it, I ended up telling Marie and she checked …it was at the office the whole time. Hope you like semi stale cookie L

STUDY CIRCLES

Today I began study circles at work; it is a cultural experience and development class. I feel like I am back in college lol.

SEEING THE RAIN IN A NEW LIGHT

As I drove home today it was raining and not only outside. I sometime ok often feel like my sky is falling. And as I drove in yet another rain storm there was a dark black followed me. So my 1+ drive was going slow and painful! As I approached 35 the clouds broke a little and as I looked to my right I could see streaks of light and in the light you could see the rain pouring out, the rain that I so deeply despised looked beautiful. In that moment I realized that sometimes it takes the sun or the Son to change your outlook on a so called storm. I am not saying out life got any easier that moment but I found a new hope that will help me weather the storm.

APPLE PIE, BREAD, CRUMBLE?

Each year after apple picking I get to make lots of yummy desserts!! This year we did apple bread, pie and a GF(Gluten Free) Crumble mmmmm so good. Thanks Dani for all your help!

CHILDREN'S CHURCH TRAINING

Sunday I was able to train a few of our girls to work with the children that attend our Sunday night services. Thank you for the help!

SUNDAYS’ WITH STEPH

God has really been showing me that I need to reach out and devlop my relationship with some of the ladies at the church. I have been praying for a while about this and God recently opened a door for me to start meeting with one of the girls! Thank you!

APPLE PICKING

We stayed in Columbus after the wedding and got up nice and early to go apple picking with my family. We go pretty much every year it is lots of fun and I love the apples. After apple picking we headed to Dayton to have dinner with Josh’s family! Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JP

Today is my Husbands birthday! LOVE YOU!!!

THE BRIDGE MERGER (CORBIN AND JORDANS WEDDING)

We attended Jordan and Corbin’s Wedding it was very nice. We are super excited for you guys and are praying for you as you begin your life together!

ULTIMATE AND A 3 DAY WEEKEND

 I love holidays they make me think I am getting rest but we all know that it is not true…I often do more on the off days than the days I am at work, funny but true. This holiday I played ultimate after church with the kids and slept on a very firm bed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA

Oh how time flies by!

Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."

        

MONSTER COOKIES AND MONSTER APPETITES

Ok so we had a parents dinner with all the kids and their families. Some of our students volunteered to cook the dinner. So I got there early to help out. Dinner we good, it took a little longer then planned to get everything ready but it worked. I had made monster cookies, apple and zucchini bread for the dessert. It was crazy I had 16 mini loafs of bread and probably 7 dozen cookies, they were all gone and I mean gone quick! It was a lot of fun to get to meet some of the parents and have dinner with adults!

Overwhelmed by it all.

 Poor Marie, my venting pal, last night was one of those nights where everything seems to continue to pile on and you are just ready to collapse. I drove to oxford for kids night after work..it went well. We went to dinner..it was fine. See yesterday was not the problem. There is not one thing that stress’ me out it is the distance I have between me and everything that is causing me grief. I drive over an hour to work one way. I see my mom during the day, which has been an amazing blessing. I see the rest of my family maybe once a week. I see Josh most evenings not all. I see the student Sundays and the occasional Friday. I feel like I am spread all over the place with no real place of my own. I want a house I really do. I mainly want somewhere that is mine. I am tired of driving; I am tired of always being on the go. I need something to change.

East Asia Update (kids and $$)

 $550 has been raised! We have 1 girl student committed to going and 4 guy students committed

SO READY FOR A HOLIDAY

Yes I am!!!

CONGRATS DUSTIN!

 I was able to attend Dustin’s Badge night very cool. We are so proud and excited for him! Dawn made the cakes for his graduation dinner and for his graduation party (a giant donut lol) 

IT’S A BOY!

 We went to Tracy’s ultrasound the other day! And it is a Boy…Ethan! Yea! Now Ella will have a little brother.

Pink

It’s a Girl Yea!! I went to the ultra sound with mom. It was weird… the baby look like a real baby that is creepy…I mean the kid is 7.5 inches and weighs 8oz and we can see its face and see it moving.  And as of now her name is Samantha! 

RANDOM DESSERT AND A NIGHT WITH THE FRESHMEN

So dawn was making the cakes this week for Dustin’s Graduation and she has to cut the tops off to flatten them. So we had 4 very large pieces of cake that were leftover. We did not want to waste it so I decided to make a dessert for the Freshmen Night that we were having at church. It was an interesting dessert. We layered cake and cool whip and icing and added toffee bits and then we poured chocolate syrup and caramel syrup all over it. I think they liked it since it was completely goneJ.

Isaiah 43: 18-19

"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland."

First Sunday in OBF

We don’t have to load in the sound every week!!!! We get there the band sets up their instruments and start practicing, oh happy day. Service went well. I had 2 kids down stairs with me and we had 120 adults/college students in service. Many were freshmen. God is so awesome. We had a great lesson down stairs about following Jesus and what it meant to be a disciple. All the children’s lessons are based on Chad’s sermons.

THE SCHEDULE

Welcome to another crazy school year and another wonderfully busy schedule. Josh and I have really one night home together…I guess it could be less! God help us to find rest in this.

Welcome Week/Bridge Cake

 Oh what a week…The guys had leadership training, water bottle loading, move in day, concerts, and meet and greets. Then we had our Bridge Birthday party! Lots of new freshman it should be a great year!! Everyone loved the cake!!

Less than a month

 With less than 4 week until “Move in Day” we are still going strong. Last week we held Vacation Bible School. We were blessed to have a PowerPlant team of 13 youth from Gardendale, Alabama help us this week. We were able to minster to over 85 children. We had 2 commitments and lots children asking questions that we are following up with. God is working in these children please continue to pray for them.  August 7^th we have 20 students and staff leaving for Madison, Wisconsin. There they will be helping a local church planner as he prepare to launch. Please pray for safe travels and a united team as they go to minister and serve. Just a week after the mission team gets back we will be greeting the thousands of students at move in.  Move in Day is August 19, we will be talking with students, carrying boxes and passing out “Bridge Water”(bottles of water with Bridge information on the label). This is a wonderful way for us to minster and build relationships with the new students.

We thank you for your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for us as a church as we continue to seek the face of God. Pray for the East Asia team we have 4 that have committed to the Christmas trip. Please pray that financial assistance will be there and that God will continue to prepare and equip them for this trip. Please also pray for the Foundation Team as they are ending their summers we pray that they will be focus and intentional in their ministries. 

Faith Baptist Sunday

Church was a t Faith Baptist the week, small service but good. Chad preached since they are without a pastor at this time.

My friend is leaving

 bye marie Well I feel like I have told this story before. But this time it ends a little different. Marie (one of my teacher friends) has been looking for a job and has not really had any open doors. Well she has one but it is far away…Down in the Carolinas. But like her story last year there is a twist. 2 days before she was planning on leaving for her new home her old school called and offered her an assistant position (less money not full time and no benefits…but a job) so she thought about it and decided that it may work if she could take grad school classed along with the part time job. But Miami would not give her the teacher discount since the school is not an Ohio accredited school. Not fair, but when is life ever fair. So Marie headed down to live with a friends grandmother for a week or two until she finds and apartment with a pool! Another bummer she has to work summers too! 

Birthday Party

 We have lots of birthdays in my family and we are ever growing. This week was Mark, Tracy, Dustin and Jamey. It was a nice chilled party with yard games and lunch. I held Ella for a while, played with the kids and just relaxed. Josh was in WS so it was just me.

            Happy Birthday Guys!

Dawn Got a New Car

My little sister is great! She wanted to move out and get her own place but then after about 3 hours of doing the math and then the math again she decided it was not going to work. So she went to option B: Buy a new Car. She has been planning on getting a new car for a while since her car is ready to bite the dust. She did her research and went to the dealers…got $3000 on her car as a trade in which is great for a ’97 accord. She bought a very cute and very Dawn, Orange Element Yea Dawn! This will be great for cake deliveries

Good bye 11.5 inches of hair

A simple trip to the salon did not end quite as planned. Ok let me explain Josh went to great clips to get his hair cut…the lady did not do the best job. So we went back later that week to get it fixed and since we were there I was going to get mine trimmed. So we get there and the manager takes Josh back and is working on his hair, the lady that was working on me was super nice. We chatted and she asked what I wanted and I explained I was just trimming it today since I was going to donated it once it was longer. She explained how much she would need in order for me to donate it today and I said ok let’s do it. That is not a typical me response. I think things through much more than that but hey it is just hair right? I think I made the girl nervous because she was worried about what Josh would think and if he would say it was ok. So I yelled across the room (no one else was there) and asked if he cared and of course he did not mind. The best part is… I like it

The Moore’s bought a house!!

 Yep it is true the Moore’s have bought a house. Not the one they thought they were going to buy but it all worked out. They had put an offer on a house, the sent out the inspector and the house was basically rotting from the outside in. Not a good thing when buying a home. So the withdrew their offer. They had the loan approve, so they put an offer on this other house that was asking a little higher than their offer. After a few days of going back and forth the guy accepted the offer and now they have a new house…well they don’t move in until September but they are home owners. It is hard sometimes to be really genuinely excited for someone when you really want what they have…I know it sounds like jealousy but I truly don’t think that is what it is. I think it is more the idea that we may never have a house and I often blame myself because of the student loans and the car payment. If we did not have these debts we could have a house and we would not have to live with his grandmother. But either way God has a plan for our lives rather that is to live with Granny or to have our own home, I will just have to wait and see. But we are blessed.

Asia Photos/letter

Dear Friends and Family,

Amanda and I have made it through the first year of marriage and are looking forward to the years to come. Throughout each of our high school and college years we both have been given many amazing opportunities to serve in the name of the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the advancement of God’s kingdom. Not that He ‘needs’ us, but rather calls us to serve and to go in obedience to His command. We are now at a point where we feel God is calling us to another special time of service and sacrifice this coming Christmas.

Amanda and I are currently a part of The Bridge Church in Oxford, Ohio, where I serve as one of the pastors on staff. This is our fourth year working at The Bridge. It has been a wonderful learning and growing experience for the both of us in our walk with the Lord and in our relationship with each other. We have a great desire to see college students and young people make a difference in the world by living beyond themselves for the sake of the gospel. This coming Christmas we are answering a call to lead a team of college students to East Asia to share the true Christmas story in an academic setting. The story of the birth of Jesus the Son of God, who came to save mankind from the penalty of our sins and eternal separation from a holy God by his sacrifice alone.

This is a decision that neither of us has taken lightly and with great humility we ask for your help in making this mission possible. The cost for both of us to go on this trip is $6,500. We know this is a lot of money, and praise God that he is greater than any dollar amount and will provide. Please pray for Amanda and I as we are raising support and have tightened our own monthly budget to invest in this trip as we feel we must sacrifice before asking for a sacrifice from you. Today we are asking that you would prayerfully consider supporting us in prayer, or in prayer and by donation. Your prayers are far more powerful than any amount of money, so please keep us in your prayers from the time you finish this letter until God has brought us back to the United States. Thank you so much for your generosity.

If you are lead to give financially please make checks payable to The Bridge Church and put “Parson East Asia” in the note and mail to:

                                                                        Josh & Amanda Parson

                                                                        718 Black Moat Place

                                                                        Miamisburg, OH 45342

In Christ alone,

Josh & Amanda Parson

Another Car...

bites the dust – Well yet again another car issue…this time Josh’s car it is lovely how everything tends to break or fall apart at the same time. We took Josh’s car in the other day because it make a wonderful noise and pulsates from time to time the new was not so wonderful. It pretty much needs a complete new motor. $1500-$2000 The car is worth about $4000 so we decided to put it up for sale. Anyone need a car? Honda Civic 1999 really nice! J Only $3000. So for now we sit and wait. God has blessed us throughout this time; Chad and Whitney have an extra car so we have been able to borrow it until we figure out what is going on with the civic.

Not really ready for school

School will be here so soon, though I am super excited I don’t think I am ready just yet! How about another month? The kids will not care. With school comes the students and with the students more work, more drama, more everything…I guess you have to take the good with the bad. Oh God we pray for these kids!

Red Lobster with Friends

OK so I really like bargains! We got a ‘coupon/gift card’ for Red lobster. It was $10 off any purchase of $10 or more. (Catch we had to use our discover card, not a big deal) So we decided to go out to dinner with Nathan and Erika since we had not seen them for a while. Josh suggested we go to Red lobster since we had the coupon. Well in the news paper there was a coupon for $4 off 2 dinners. So I grabbed that and the $10 off and we headed out. Josh and I split a Shrimp dinner and both had water, so we gave Nathan and Erika the $4 off coupon. We paid $9 for our dinner that makes me happy. But anyway it was really nice to get to have dinner with Nathan and Erika both of our lives are pretty busy. Erika has a bunch of wedding booked she is doing the photography (link) Nathan works with the youth at their church and school is starting soon so they will be getting even busier.

That lovely word

Possible job/another no – I feel like I am getting use to the NO.  Even though the drama was much higher this time. We all took the test and I passed along with the lady that trained me. We passed the interviews but she had a higher score. So she got the job seems simple enough right? You would think but the ladies who did not pass the test made accusations that they fixed the test so I would pass, and that it was unfair. The hard part about all of this is that I did not want the job, I really want something closer to home. I applied because the pay increase would at least cover some of the gas expense. I just pray there is something closer for me sooner than later because some days I am not sure if I can go another day like this. But God provides and He sustains me. 

1 2 3

2 sisters oh wait 3 sister are prego!

1.     Lisa (sister #2 in order from oldest to youngest) Super excited! She is due sometime in January…this means I may be sharing a Birthday with someone! This will be child number 5 for my sister and her husband, Ben has 2(1 boy 1 girl) and Lisa has 2(1 boy 1 girl) …this baby will break the tie!

2.     Tracy (sister #3) I found out she was prego 3minutes after I found out about Lisa LOL. She is due end of February or beginning of March. Tracy and Mark have Ella she will be 1 in September so these two will have their hands full.

3.     Brittany (sister #6 – the youngest) She is due March/April. This will be her first and she is still living out of state.

Lots of babies will be her soon! But don’t worry we are still planning on waiting…JP will tell you we still have 7 years…that’s what he thinks J

Fried Green Tomatoes

Warning if you have not seen the movie it may make you cry. I attended the Women’s movie night at Miamisburg Church. It was a lot of fun (I was the youngest there but it works) we had dinner and then watched Fried Green Tomatoes. After the movie we talked about friendship and how important it is. God has blessed me with wonderful friends some that live close and some that live further away. Sometimes I forget how much I truly value these wonderful women in my life. I think we all can get so caught up in our own life that we forget to invest in others. I am very thankful for last night and it has pushed me to refresh some of those relationships that have been neglected.

            Fun little quiz from the dinner coming soon:

VBS/PowerPlant

 Bring on the Munchkins! I was really bummed that I was going to have to miss VBS again. But we are so happy to have the team from Alabama here to help. The team is younger but God can and will do great things.

Habakkuk 3:18

 “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” 

June Update

Well summer is reaching it’s midpoint here at the Bridge. The water bottles are stacked waiting for new labels. This year the guys were able to get  duringduringduringduringduringduringduringduringduringduringduringduringduringwater and vitamin water these bottles will be used durring move in. Wow August is almost here and still so much to do!

We just finished our Back Yard Bible Club, God is so awesome we were able to see over 40 kids this week. Coming up in July is our Vacation Bible School: July 19-23. We can’t wait for our PowerPlant team (a mission team of high schoolers that assist church plants) They will be helping lead the lessons, music, activities and possibly labeling water bottles.

Please pray for our students that are on mission over the summer we have students working at summer camps, Serving nationally internationally, and serving locally. Please also be in prayer as we continue to plan for our August mission trip to Wisconsin. We will be working with a church planter and helping with launch. Thank you for your prayers and support!

Madison, Wi � The Bridge Church

Madison, Wi � The Bridge Church

Still Waiting

So the Job Posting have gone down and now I sit and wait... The posting in Cbus will be a bit since one of the ladies applying is going out of town for 3 weeks! Good news for me. The other I have hear nothing and I am getting antsy But God is in control!

It is Official…

We are going to East Asia!!!! Deciding was the easy part now we have to plan and keep praying!!! We are very excited! With the new job and my vacation time we really feel that this is the time, God will provide for us. We are planning on saving to pay for part of the trip and working to raise support through letters and fundraising events. If you are interested in giving or will to commit to partnering with us in prayer feel free to leave a comment and I will provide more information

Dinner Party!!

I am a planner this is true. Now that we have been living with Granny for a bit I thought it would be fun to have a little dinner party to catch up with all the couples we have not seen in a while. We invited Chad and Whitney, Nathan and Erika, Ricky and Christina, Phil and Sarah and Donovan and Jenny (Christina’s sister) It was lots of fun. We had plenty of food! I made wonderful Strawberry BBQ. Love the recipe. After dinner the guys headed down stairs and the girls chilled upstairs, we played Quelf…such a great random game. The guys played Monopoly.

            But the best part of the whole evening was before the guest arrived. Josh and I cut the veggies, boiled the corn and prepped the other things. I sired the chicken on the stove top and then put them into a preheated oven…that was ice cold! The oven had been on for at least 30 minutes and nothing no heat, nothing. I was really nervous because the stove top was working so I went and got Josh. He turned the breaker off then on.  Nothing, Great I broke Granny’s stove. So I walk into the living room and ask “is there a trip to your oven?” she said “no” then proceeds to the kitchen…well there is a trick…see the oven is so old that there is a manual button, if the manual is not on then the oven only works by timers, oh my, but it works now!

Out of My Hands

Well I submitted my applications today! Oh now all we can do is wait and pray!

Overwhelmed and Waiting

We make justifications for our decisions, we make excuses of why we choose not to choose. Is God calling us to deiced to just "stay open" I sit her with the stress of 2 jobs and if it were that simple I would have made my decision and had no doubt. But you see they are both the same and yet so very different. If I choose Columbus I am not just choosing a job but I am choosing my parents and my sisters and attempting to make everyone happy, maybe even me. If I choose Cinci. I am choosing connivence and submission to my marriage and ministry. But if I am "open" and apply for both is that what God is asking?

See it is funny it was all worked out, I would work here until probation was up and then start applying for Jobs closer to home. I guess I did not realize that I would miss having my family so much. It is nice to know that you are going to see someone that cares each day and that you can tell that person your stress and they understand because they are in the same boat. Working with my mother has been a true blessing, though I know the stress and the strain this job has placed on my marriage.

I know the answer but the what if's still haunt me. What is God testing, what is His plan, for now I wait and I pray.

While the Husband is away life goes crazy!

Well as posted earlier JP was gone this week and well life when upside down, to the right and to the left.
Here is my week in a nut shell or two....

Tuesday: Tires, Jobs and Ice Cream

I drove JP's car to work, no big deal except the exhaust pipe had something wrong with it and the front 2 tires were below legal limit. So of course when I step out the door in the morning the rain starts to fall. Then since the exhaust I had to drive with the window cracked and remember it is still raining. Well I made it to the tire co. we dropped off the car and I headed into work with my mother. We had a new lady start at work that day she was from Summit, the hospital in Cinci. And since I have been looking to transfer I emailed about the position and got very little information. While all of this is going on they post a position here in central office in my department under my supervisor. And of course all three of my supervisors want me to apply. Oh the stress of letting people down. After work we picked up JP's car with wonderful new tires and headed to Marshall's Tball game. Well at least I ended my day with a fabulous banana split! YUM

Wednesday: Mean Girls Grown Up

Well it started out ok until I overheard two of my coworkers as they began to talk about how they waited to post the position because I was off probation and how I did not deserve the job I had since my mother worked for the company. I was so frustrated and taken back. I work hard and I try to be nice, but sometimes people are just frustrating. Well after that wonderful moment, we all headed to our video conference, which went ok. So I had to sit in this conference with two girls that might as well hate me and two supervisors that want me to have the job. I don't enjoy stress.

After our conference I bumped into the new lady and we talked a little I asked a few basic questions about her job and such. So I was able to find out a pretty good amount of what she did and it was helpful...except the job is not posted.

We headed to dropped off the car at the muffler man's house to get that looked at, picked up the kids for church and then we headed home to meet a young lady to pick up the left over yard sale items...tell me why it was still 90 at 9:30pm that is just not right.

Thursday: The past passing

Another new day with tons of twists and turns. Work was ok nothing to report there. Dawn had a test in the afternoon so we got lunch after. Well the craziness began after work. {background story: While in elementary and middle school my 2 closest friends were Emily and Stefanie (twins) we played softball together starting with t-ball, Doug there dad coached us for a good number of years, we were all very close} we headed to Doug's funeral and here is his Obituary:

Douglas L. Wise 

Douglas L. Wise, age 51, of Grove City, O., and formerly of New Philadelphia, passed away suddenly Sunday, June 20, 2010, from injuries sustained from an automobile accident.

Born at Dover, O., on Feb. 28, 1959, he is the son of Thomas E. and Anna L. (Dapoz) Wise of New Philadelphia. 

Doug was a 1977 graduate of Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School. There, he was involved in a variety of athletic teams. Doug received his Associate's Degree in environmental science from Muskingum Area Technical College.

He'll be remembered as a devoted employee, having worked more than 30 years for Jackson Pike Waste Water Treatment Plant where he began as an operator, and at the time of his death served as Assistant Plant Manager. Doug earned a reputation as a problem solver, always able to see his way through challenges. 

Simple. Grounded. Loving. These three words best describe Doug. He knew who he was, what was important to him, and how to live out his faith by action and deed. Doug never missed the opportunity to support his children in their endeavors and was always happiest when spending time with his family. Not only did his children take priority, but he also had a big heart for his extended family and friends.

He had several areas of interest in addition to his family, some of which included riding his bike on the trails, eating at restaurants, and keeping a neat and tidy home.

Doug will be deeply missed by his parents; his two daughters and son, Emily and Stefanie Wise of Grandview, and Joseph Wise of Grove City; his two sisters, Sherry (Bob) Harriff of Dover and Lisa (Bob) Beamer of New Philadelphia; and his nieces and nephews, Ben and Brian Harriff and Sami, Brooke, and Beau Beamer; and a special friend Libby Brigner. Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends complete Doug's family.

The family will receive guests Wednesday, June 23, 2010, in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia from 5 to 7 p.m. Father Ed Keck will lead a memorial service beginning at 7 p.m. in the funeral home's chapel.

Additionally, Doug's family will receive friends Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. in Grove City Church of the Nazarene, 4770 Hoover Rd., Grove City, O., where Pastor Owen Scott will lead a memorial service at 7 p.m.

Cremation will be conducted locally through the care of Geib's Tuscarawas Valley Crematory at Dover. 

To honor Doug and his love for children, his family requests memorial contributions be directed to Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation, PO Box 16810, Columbus, O. 43216-6810.

Those wishing to send the family personal condolences may do so by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home's Web site.

and more on what happened 

Former New Philadelphia resident Douglas L. Wise, 51, of Grove City was killed and his daughter seriously injured when a tire broke free from a vehicle and crashed into their car Sunday while they were on a Father’s Day outing.

He was pronounced dead at the scene on the Ohio Turnpike (Rt. 80) in Erie County, according to troopers from the Milan post of the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Stefanie A. Wise, 24, of Grandview was released Monday from Fisher-Titus Medical Center at Norwalk.

Troopers said Wise’s car was in the center of the three eastbound lanes  at about 11:55 a.m. when a tire and rim from an unidentified westbound trailer, pulled by a truck, came off and traveled over the concrete median wall, bounced at least once and struck Wise’s car in the windshield, going into the passenger compartment. Stefanie Wise, who reportedly was asleep in the right front seat, received serious incapacitating injuries, troopers said.

Wise’s 2009 Dodge Caliber received heavy damage to the front hood, windshield and interior, troopers said. The car came to rest in the center lane without hitting anything else.

The truck did not stop. Investigation is ongoing to try to locate the driver, Sgt. Brian J. Gockstetter said Monday night.

“As we speak, we’re interviewing witnesses who saw it lose the tire,” he said. “We definitely believe it came from a trailer, but we’re investigating to determine what type of truck and trailer were involved.

We do not believe it was a commercial tractor-trailer rig.”

Family members were traveling in a vehicle in front of Wise and saw the accident. They immediately pulled over to the right side of the highway, Gockstetter said.

Friday: Double Vision

Well the morning started with a message that Whitney's grandmother had died, she was 94 and pretty ill. And later that day I found out they posted the other position the one in Cinci so the plot thickens.

Saturday: Training, a Shower and Dinner

Dawn invited me to her continuing education at work (Cameron Mitchell's Restaurants) so since I had free time I thought it nice to hang out with my lil' sis so we went and it was amazing!! Strawberry BBQ anyone? We went shopping  for a bit afterwards and I headed to my next appointment: a bridal shower for Jordan. The shower went well, I knew very few people but no worries. Finished the evening with the fantastic House of Japan for dinner. Sorry Josh, Dawn ate the leftovers!

Sort this: Official Moved IN

·             Wow yesterday was great the guys showed up at the apt around 9am and had everything loaded by 10am, got to Granny’s by 11am and finished unloading by 11:30am. Guys you ROCK!! After they finished unloading (and I finished directing traffic J) we had some yummy pulled pork. Then I started the real work…putting it all away. I got most of it finished. I finished the rest of it today after church. It is nice thinking that everything is put away and we can relax!

JP heads to Atlanta For a week

Well Josh leaves for GA this week it is strange how this summer the tables have turned I am the one that gets home on time and he is the one working out of town or working late. But God has blessed us so much just in allowing us to see each other for the few to many hours each day. Though I feel frustrated and displaced with our living situation and work situation I know that God has a plan and though I have no clue what that is yet I am so excited to see where it all leads. Well back to Josh’s trip he is taking 2 college guys with him to this ministry conference then they he will be attending a training on the Habitudes Books. It is so much fun to see how much we have grown over the last year or so. Josh leads Sunday morning church and teaches the youth and studies a lot LOL it is fun to see him grow and see the church grow through that. Though I will miss him this week I know God has great things to teach us through this trip

More Car Drama

 Well if you have been reading along you now know that Josh and I have the most amazing luck with our cars or at least we have been lately. So the week here is the scoop: my sensor light came on in my car a week or two ago so we took it in and the guy said that is was the O₂ and it would not hurt the car if we waited but it would make my gas mileage go down. So financially we decided to wait until this week. My car went in Saturday; Josh was going to drive his brother’s car for the week so we went and picked that up. Monday Josh had to go help pick up water from IN when they got back the finished unloading around 12am he then tried to start the car and it would not start!! No fun for him. Josh ended up staying the night at Chad’s, poor guy he did not even have a toothbrush. The next day the car was fine. We got it back the following Saturday. Great all fixed even my mirror was replaced! Ok Now while Josh is driving his car he hears this noise and then the car is supper loud yea for the exhaust. So  Josh had to get his oil changed in his car where they then made him sign a waiver because his tires were at the legal limit but while he was there he asked about his car and the mechanic indicated it was a loose/missing bolt where the exhaust enters the engine. So Tuesday I will be taking his car into get new tires and a fixed exhaust.   So back to my car… I have my car back and all is wonderful until Tuesday…I am driving to Oxford for Back Yard Bible club and I hear something dragging or rubbing under the car so I stop and there is a metal piece hanging but I could not reach it so I had to continue driving. Within 5 minutes the random metal (heat shield) went flying behind me. Have no worry it stayed low and caused no accident or injury. Apparently the heat shield is not a vital part to the car so I am ok without it.