Today is an exciting day in our life. Our church where we've been serving 'gratis' has voted today to begin to compensate our work. We are so thankful and blessed. This decision for them to do this answers our prayer for 'clarity', because now we can turndown the other 'part-time' churches that have been contacting us. We still have some full-time churches that are considering us and we pray that when God is ready, that those doors will also open.

As usual, I've been out of the writing loop. But I feel like I need to write and tell a little about whats going on in our lives. Tom and I enjoyed a great Christmas Season. We were blessed to get to go on a Cruise just before Christmas for our 25th wedding anniversary God is good--He has managed to keep us together for a LONG TIME and we have gone through so much, but love each other more than we ever thought possible.

We arrived home and had a great Christmas and New Year with our children and even some extended family.

As we have done for over 2 years, we have been continuing to pray for God's leadership in our ministry. We had a few contacts just before Christmas, but over the last couple weeks, it has been as if we are in a tornado. We have had churches calling us over the last couple weeks everywhere from TX, KY, FL, and a few even locally. We've had phone interviews, some face to face and even a committee at church this morning. We are trying to not be stressed out about it, and are trying to trust that God will give us clarity as to what we are to do. Needless to say, there's a deep part of us that wants to stay local since our daughter is getting married in June, however, i keep telling myself that with a REAL job for Tom, the money for the wedding will be easier. I have to believe that GOD IS IN CONTROL and he will not allow us to be confused or overwhelmed. We really love the church where we are now even though it is volunteer. Our pastor is sooooooooooooo creative and we have such a fabulous relationship with he and his wife. But God is aware of that also. There has been some talk about trying to compensate him, but we will wait to see what God has in store for that.

Speaking of our church, we had the most amazing news this morning. A member of our Admin team got up at the end of the service to share about 2 anonymous gifts that had been given to the church. The first one was for $20,500 that was specifically designated to go to the pastor for back pay that was owed him from his recent Sabattical. The next gift was given for part to go towards the mortgage principle and in our general funds...It was a gift of $500,000!! WHEW GOD IS SOooooooooooooo GOOD! Now, a church that has been in dire straights financially has been blessed by an on-looker from the community wanting to see the church succeed. I took that as a perfect example for our family, that God HAS NOT forsaken us, that he knows the desires of our hearts and will meet our needs as He sees appropriate. PRAISE GOD

I also have gotten a part-time job at Sears at the local mall. I will be starting this week in the jewelry department and will be using the money to go towards the wedding fund and other household expenses.

If you read this and know us--PRAY for God's continued presence in our life as well as provision and for clarity in the decisions that will soon be facing us.