Our New Home

We have now been in our new home for about 3 weeks. A lot has happened since the last time we posted. Through much prayer God has shown us that He had a new direction for our lives. Keith is no longer the pastor at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church and for now our family is under a special ministry at a fantastic church in North Georgia. They have taken us under their wings with the hopes of providing much needed rest and a rejuvination to launch us back out into the ministry...wherever and whatever that will be. Keith is in the process of looking for a job that will provide for our family while we are here. Although I pray it will not be one that takes him away too much, I know that this is a season where we may not have much of a choice.

The transition has been harder in some ways than I anticipated. Things are pretty different. A much, much, much larger church, living in very close contact with our neighbors, not much yard space, being under another's guidance and authority, ect....But, with that is the opportunity to be under some fantastic preaching (although I felt like I was under fantastic preaching with my husband), getting to know and build relationships with our oh so close neighbors, making the most of small spaces (which means getting rid of stuff we don't need- Yay!), and becoming teachable and moldable for God to make necessary changes in all of our lives.

The children miss our last home. Maleah has said, "Mama, I want to go home." Yesterday she asked, "Where is Brother Will?" and "I want to see Jakey!". She is very bossy for 21 mths.! I will have to say the other day she also asked me, "Where is God?" I had her repeat this 3 times because  I knew that I had not just heard a 21 mth. old ask this. Finally I said, "He is everywhere, Maleah." She then said, "Where is Jesus?" I said, "He is with God the Father in Heaven." In a raised and bossy voice she said, "I want to see Jesus!!". I told her, "Well, I think you need to see Jesus!". She amazes all of us. She has been a joy that has helped us all get through this time.

Wednesday I will be 30 weeks along in this pregnancy. The time has gone by so fast. It has been a struggle to decide to go natural versus having an epidural. A little over a month ago I had a terrible bout with a kidney stone and after that I just didn't think I could handle anymore pain. My confidence has built since then, and I have really prayed and pondered what is the best for me and the baby. I have decided to go natural. Is it because I like the pain or want to show that I am superwoman?? Nooooo.....trust me when I say I have been very tempted to try to make it as pain-free as I possibly could. It came down to the fact that it lessens my likelihood of a ceasarean for the simple reason that I am not confined to a bed and can get up and move around and try different positions, etc... I have also been reading up on the Bradley Method and hope to implement that. It will be here so soon and I have a feeling that other than feeding time, this little one will be in the arm's of another....if you know what I mean. Many anxious siblings awaiting his or her arrival.

School has started back for us as well. Keith has been home and been able to offer his expertise and I am loving him at home. It will be hard to let him go again. Joshua is eager to start and though we were going to wait to do anything formal, we want to take advantage of his willing spirit.

I know this has been lengthy, but I wanted to give an update on our family. I hope to post some pictures of the inside of the house now that we have it mostly organized and also get back to sharing here and there every couple of days or so.

Love grows best in little houses!

Nichole