it's been worth every mile

looking back over the past few months, i'm beginning to see how the Lord used a lot of things for our good.And now, looking back, we’ve begun to understand why God puts us in certain places at certain times.While the road seems to have smoothed out a little, there are still bumps ahead and we covet your prayers. We continue to have many things to sort through and a lot of decisions to be made. God has worked out so much for us - we’re confident He'll work out the rest. We are ever thankful to you for all of your support, love, prayers, and concern on our behalf. It has meant so much. Since we returned home on Christmas Eve for the holidays, Chris has had a few employment opportunities and just recently began a job at a local company, Itron, working on an assembly line constructing electrical meters. He will be working third shift for now and continue to do some construction part-time during the day. I was unsure of how I would deal with staying alone at night, but I’ve learned to adjust and have surprisingly managed well. I am also on the job search and trust in your well-wishes and prayers as I pursue a career path that will be prosperous and successful for our future plans.
We are eternally grateful for provisions the Lord made, but continue to stand in amazement at how His plan unfolded.
2009 was full of fun, uncertainty, adventure, love, trouble, smiles, and some sadness. God answered prayers for us, worked out hard situations, helped us through tough decisions and as promised, He never left us. Nothing that comes our way in life takes Him by surprise; He has foreordained it all. And now, looking back, we’ve begun to understand why God puts us in certain places at certain times. But, of course, there is really no place like home. We are delighted to be staying at home in the land of smiling faces and beautiful places!

2009 year in review (part II)

.:July 2009:.
another great youth camp ended.

the traveling journey of our life began.
Chris started working permanently at JBM.
a young man from our church went for a few weeks as well.
we stayed with Livi & family for a few weeks.
and i sure loved spending a bunch of time with her!
celebrated my 28th birthday in VA.

ONE week I even stayed home ALONE.
it was only the 4th time Chris & I have stayed apart.
of course, I spent the nights at mom's.
(that's a story for a whole separate post)
then we "rented" a camper for a few weeks.
God answered prayer and worked out a hard situation.
1770 SC-VA miles for me / 2360 SC-VA miles for chris

.:August 2009:.
attended a few weekend services at SC Campmeeting.
Kevin came down for a short visit.
Mr. Landon Johnson made his arrival.

Miranda visited a few weeks in VA.
she gave me company and tons of help.
Ashley gifted me tickets to see David Phelps.
I began teaching at DFCS.
Chris and I moved to the school apartment.
made a new best friend! - Beth :)
2655 SC-VA miles for the 3 of us.

.:September 2009:.
Found out we're going to be "aunt" and "uncle" again in May.
Mom and Tricia & family and Deanna
came to visit Labor Day weekend.

went camping with Justin & Beth and Livi & Marcus.
attended several revival services at Martinsville.
witnessed the adoption miracle of lil Sam Johnson. 1180 SC-VA miles for us.

.:October 2009:.
God protected Chris in a small accident at work.
spent a weekend at the beach
with Justin, Beth & Sam, Robin, and Beth's parents.
attended Saturday night of GaitherFest in Myrtle Beach.

SC Friends - Dennis Family came to VA to visit us!

enjoyed annual church picnic.
had tough decision to make.
on the 29th - wrote my first blog post!
loved being home to see cute trick-or-treaters!
885 SC-VA miles for us.

.:November 2009:.
Sporadically attended another Gaither concert!
God helped my Granny through skin cancer surgery.
Played RockBand on Ashley's Wii for the first time.

( i know NO Beatles song - so it was hilarious!)
Enjoyed early Thanksgiving festivties.
Participated in DFCS's annual Thanksgiving program.
Spent Thanksgiving away from home for the first time.
But oh so thankful to have SC family visit!
Chris is now 29 years old.
1475 SC-VA miles for us.

.:December 2009:.
the Lord helped us through a difficult appointment.
sang in the park. enjoyed Christmas parties.
and church Christmas dinner.
went bowling for the 2nd and 3rd time in my life.

prepared for and presented Christmas program at DFCS.
got stuck in VA due to 9 inches of snow.

my cousin got good report - NO cancer!

traveled home. (stopped to for dinner with Atkins!)

due to inventory at JBM, spent 11 consecutive days at home.
the longest stretch since June.
celebrated CHRISTmas.
cherished time with family/friends. (esp. Kevin)
1475 SC-VA miles for us.

(that's 10,620 miles, if anyone's counting)

the many miles make the journey.
and love makes the journey worth while.
every mile has made memories.
and proven that being together is enough.
it's evident this year has been full of fun, uncertainty,
adventure, love, trouble, smiles, and some sadness.
but, all in all ... in all my life.
and especially in this trying year,
the hand of God i see.
and that makes all the difference.

2009 year in review (part I)

.: January 2009:.

my little brother's 25th birthday.

spent time with SC coast family,

while Chris worked at D&A's home.

Ashley, Chris, and I made a crazy, quick trip

to Charleston on the 31st

to see David Phelps rejoined with Gaither Vocal Band!

.:February 2009:.

Chris worked a lot this month.

Our niece, Cheyenne, had her 1st birthday!

.:March 2009:.

busy 1st Saturday all in one day:

long-time friend's first baby shower,

Laurel's 5th birthday party,

and ice skating with church youth.

fun church Youth Spring Fling. (sorry no pics)

visited new friends, Atkins family, for the first time.

.:April 2009:.

Mom, Chris and I sat front row at D&V concert.
Miss Aubrey Meadows was born on the 5th! enjoyed revival services at church.

Miranda, Mom, Chris, and I met Kevin

in Pigeon Forge for a weekend.

this was Thumpy's first trip! Casey C, Chris, and I attended

Martinsville Church of Church Convention.

.:May 2009:.

Chris and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary.

Planted our first garden!

Had tons of fun with Kevin home for a few days!

in celebration of 9 years, we (including Thumpy)

vacationed in a mountain cabin and

attended Gaither Family Fest.

on the 30th we went to Dollywood with C&A.

.:June 2009:.

another great visit, week-long, to the Atkins' home.

Chris did a little remodeling in their home.

attended night services at local youth camps.

attended services at

Victory Tabernacle's Fellowship Meeting.

first trip to VA for Chris to work at JBM.

our church's annual youth camp began.

590 SC-VA miles.

to be continued tomorrow...