Looking Back....

Its hard for me to believe that almost a year ago the decision was being made that our family would move to Ohio. I find myself trying to relive the emotions that filled my body as I delt with the thoughts that entered my mind. But as I try to relive the emotions I realize I cannot truly feel the way I felt when I was in the midst of the process. The process/journey/transition is not over, the emotions and feelings of loss, sadness, and fear are still present. And as this journey has progressed the question that has played in my mind over and over again is "Who Am I?"  More specifically...Where do I fit in in this community? Where do I use the gifts God has given me? Who do I choose to connect with? Can I be myself? I'm struggling a bit as you can see.

I'm missing home the place where I felt connected, affirmed, and loved. I don't think you can ever realize what all you have until its not with you. Truth is its gonna take time for me to become connected here in Ohio..to feel affirmed for WHO I AM..

***

Romans 5:3-4

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Fireworks!

The main reason I love the month of July is because of the display fireworks shown each fourth of July. Last weekend our family enjoyed going to a Toledo Mudhens game and afterwords there was a fireworks show. They were probably the best I've seen ever :) So here are some shots I got (not the best but whatever)

Enjoy this next month whatever it brings for you!

Take Care

Pettisville Ohio...

As a follow up from the post before my friend asked if I could talk a bit more about Pettisville,OH (the town I live in). Pettisville is a very very small town. The towns main attractions are Sunday's Market which is a locally owned store/restaurant that has odds and ends..Kids like to go there and get candy after school and during the summer. Some also go there for lunch some days during school. Pettisville Meats is another store that is located in Pettisville. It sells meats, cheeses, and side dishes like potato saled (which is AMAZING). Right beside Pettisville Meats is a chocolate store called Stella Leona, where delicious chocolate, coffee, and hot chocolate is sold. Then there is Pettisville Garage and the Post office. Those are the shops in Pettisville. Then there is the school which is located sort of in the middle of the town and houses surround the school. Down the road from the school is the baseball and soccer fields and Pettisville Park. Close to the park is Pettisville Grains, where you will find big grain silos, and also a recycling center is located in the town.  

The atmosphere in Pettisville is much like in a smaller town. Everyone knows who everyone is and who there family is and so on. Which is nice at times but then also at times makes it a little less comfortable. In comparison to where we live and Pettisville. We live across the road from the town if that makes any sense. So our address is technically a Wauseon address. Another thing we've had to get used to is the sound of a train. Many trains come through the town each day.

So I don't know what kind of impression this leads you to have but I'm still getting familiar with the town as well. I'm really enjoying where we are living. We have our own space not in the town but it also feels like we live in the town as well. 

Thanks Evan for the request, I hope it answers your questions :)  

IT'S SUMMMMER!!!!

Hey Everyone! I hope you all are enjoying your summer as much as I am. No school, wonderful weather, relaxing, and being outside all day :) :) I'm lovin it...So I was just thinking that you might like to see some updated pics of our new home, so I took some for you!

View from the front door

Our favorite place to be these days..our campfire circle/cove within the trees :)

The new part of our school thats being built..this is the view from our house

Zoom in a little closer..

These are the BEAUTIFUL flowers in bloom here at our house...

I just LOVE this time of year! Ok so I'm gonna do something a little different now...If any of you reading this would like to see a picture of or video or want me to write a post about something you'd like to hear or see about life in Ohio right now...I'd love it if you would comment on this post or email me something..and I would be glad to show/tell you more about it...For example...my plans for the summer...our house....the school...our gardens....what it looks like around here...church....Pettisville...or really anything..I hope this is making sense :) Ok so just let me know and I will be glad to fill you in!

Take Care!

The Birthday Month

May for our family is a month of birthdays. With my dad's birthday starting the month May 1, then comes moms on May 9 and Kate's on May 10. It's nice though because it usually means some good food and new stuff :) The month of May here in OH is when this year the flowers are bursting. We have 3 bushes/trees in specific that in the past week have just bursted open with flowers. It's been so pretty and refreshing.

So first for dad's birthday his main gift was to take him to a Detroit Tigers Baseball Game.

 Here is the new stadium :)

 This best part though was that my dad got to talk with THE Willie Horton. Whom he had already met when Willie had come to Weavers Mennonite when he was pastoring there.

It was a lot of fun :)

Since Mom's birthday was the day after Mothers Day we had more of a two day celebration. Dad and us girls made her lunch on Sunday and we also went MUSHROOM HUNTING! Then on Monday (her birthday) her she purchased a new bike and spent time with dad on her day off.

For Kate's birthday she had some of her friends from school over and we had a special supper for her too. It was a great time celebrating for all.
  Another good thing is that school is done! Yesterday was our last day :) We got out so early because our school is being demolished and a new one is being built. So another nice thing is that we don't have to go back to school until September. I will keep you updated with all the things I am planning to do this summer. Here are some of the things I plan to do:
-Volunteer at Ten Thousand Villages
-Go to Convention in Pittsburgh with my youth group
-Take a trip to Harrisonburg for a couple days to visit with friends
-Take voice lessons..O that reminds me I auditioned for a singing group called Noteworthy at my school and made it!!! So I'm very happy about that.
-I also plan to do a Monday Night League for volleyball and maybe a camp in June.
So yeah, I am looking forward to this summer!
Take Care!

Good Friday..What does it mean to you?

So this week as I was trying to focus my mind on the importance of Holy Week and what all it brings. I found myself being reluctant of taking the time to actually ponder what it means to me and actually being aware of the signifiance of the events that took place years ago. Last night it all changed for me though as I was watching this video on YouTube. It's the song Lead Me to the Cross. By the end I was in tears and had a hard time watching it for there were parts that were just to much. For me it made my reason for believing in Jesus Christ is my saviour so much stronger and defined. What he has done for me and you is beyond anything I can wrap my head around. Because the video is so realistic and humbling for me that's what made it so much more powerful. I'd encourage you to watch it but I will just warn you it is very gruesome at times.

Lyrics to How Deep the Father's Love for Us..
How deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One,

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocing voice,

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that helf Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast inJesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom



We Live in a World that Is Deeply Broken....

I don't know about you but I feel sometimes as if our world is falling apart. So many people in this world are left alone helpless, hurt, abandoned, and clueless. Some not knowing that there is hope in the midst of the darkness. I feel helpless like there is nothing I can do, but when I come to that point I know one thing for sure I can do is pray. I have experienced prayer to be very powerful in my life. I have no doubt that God hears us. So please Join me in this prayer for God's people in our world who need Him and all the many things He can provide.

Japan May the...

The light of God surround you;

The love of God enfold you;
The power of God protect you;
The presence of God watch over you.
Remember wherever you are, God is!

 Haiti May the..

The light of God surround you;

The love of God enfold you;
The power of God protect you;
The presence of God watch over you.
Remember wherever you are, God is!

 For all those who hunger and thirst May the..

The light of God surround you;

The love of God enfold you;
The power of God protect you;
The presence of God watch over you.
Remember wherever you are, God is!

 

And for all those who need healing, strength, peace, a new start, or just need God's Love. Power. Presence. and Light. The Lord will hear your crying, and He will comfort you. When He hears you, He will help you. 

Isaiah 30:19

God we also want to be aware of all that you have done already. So simply but deeply said. Thank You. 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Amen. 

 

 

 

Softball, Spring, Flowers, and Warmer Weather=A Happy Emily

Hey so I know its been FIVE long weeks since I've posted but hey I've been busy which is a good thing right?! :) Someone asked me this week, "So Em, what's new?". I had a hard time answering them at that moment but as I thought about it I came up with a few things. The main thing I immediately think about that is new for me is starting softball. I have never played before on a team but sure I've thrown and hit ball with my dad and grandpa as a kid but never anything this serious. I'm loving it SOOO much though. I love my teammates and coaches. I have a feeling this is gonna become my favorite sport. Of course playing any sport requires some equipment soooo....

I've been equipped with some pretty nice stuff..A new glove, batting gloves, and a pair of softball cleats. Oh and my favorite new thing --Under Armor which I didn't take a picture of. I've been learning a lot lately and I am already seeing myself improving so much. I look forward to learning more as the season goes on. 

With the softball season approaching the season of spring is also on its way. Which means flowers and warmer weather will also make its way here too. I am sooo ready for spring and all that it brings. I tired of brown grass and coldness. Hope you're doing well!

Take Care, 

A Few Words....

So I'm sitting here looking out through the large windows inside our living area. Squinting my eyes because of the brightness the sun that is reflecting off the snow that covers the ground like a blanket. No school today or yesterday which has been nice to just have a break and be able to relax and be with my family. As I'm trying to decide what the best word is to describe how I'm feeling or how everything has been I can't think of one word in particular. I've told people this new journey has been a roller coaster ride with ups and downs. So my response of how I'm feeling really truly depends on the day or the hour or the minute. Overall, I would say simply I've been good but I could be better. These past few weeks have been a struggle. It's been hard to find time to just do what needs to be done whether that is to just cry or journal about how I'm feeling or just take time to be silent and let God's spirit be known to me. At times I do feel myself trying to underestimate how I'm feeling deep down. I want all this change to be easy. I want friendships to develop easily and quickly, for adjustment to new surroundings to come easily or for contentment be known and felt. But what I've come to realize is that it just takes time.....Not an easy thought to hear at all. Although there have been times of hope and excitement right now the thoughts that fill my mind are of no extreme happiness or sadness but instead of indescribable feelings. I can't really put into words how I'm feeling during this moment, but I know that I'm not alone and thats all that matters.

I hope your doing well. May you experience God's peace in your hearts in the coming weeks and months. 

Take Care, 

One of the amazing people in my life....

Today I had the privilege of taking some pics of my beautiful sister Kate. So I thought I would share some pics with you!

Don't you just love her cute hat?!

LOVE IT!

She can be a little weird, but I still love her!

She's amazing, no doubt about it!

Hope your doing well and Take Care, 

New, New, New

Hey Everyone! I am sure all of you are wondering how my first week of school went and how I am adjusting. Well I am happy to say that I had a great first week! I met so many nice and welcoming people and I am so grateful for this! Sure there is a lot of change I am getting used to but I feel it is going smoothly so far :) 

Another new thing I'm getting used to is NEW FURNITURE!! This week our new furniture arrived and it just adds to the homey feeling in our house now. I love the furniture and I'm sure you want to see what it looks like well here you go:

 The Sofa

The Chair-and-a-half and the leather recliner

 And the two awesome arm-less chairs

I love each of the pieces! It just makes our new home more comfy! Thanks for all of you who were praying for me and my sisters this week! I know many of you were and I want to personally thank you!
Take Care,

Looking Back

First of all, Happy New Year to everyone! I wish you all the best in the coming year. I learned from someone who I admire greatly that in order to go forward you need to be able to look back at where you've come from. So here are some of my highlights and memories from 2010....

JANUARY

During the month of January I received my Nikon Coolpix S650 in the mail and then had an amazing year of taking pictures. I will continue to take photos throughout the years, because of a passion for photography :)

FEBRUARY

In February when received the boat load of snow in Virginia. Which was a HUGE surprise and a lot of fun!

MARCH

In the month of March, going snow tubing with my youth group and then going to Hank's Smokehouse for supper was a highlight :)

APRIL

In April, Jessie my dog ate a whole chocolate bunny and didn't die thankfully!

MAY

My favorite month of all probably. In May was when our nanny goats gave birth to the little ones. It was fun being able to play with the kids and give them names.

JUNE

In the month of June, I had the opportunity to speak the message for Youth Sunday. Which was such a rewarding experience in so many ways!

JULY

In July, my youth group at Ridgeway went to Indianapolis for a week to do service. I learned a lot and grew so much from the different challenges that brought.

AUGUST

August was the month summer slowly started to come to an end. Volleyball season began and the preparation for school started.

SEPTEMBER

In September, I had the joy of starting as a player on the JV Volleyball team as a freshman. It was a lot of fun to play and connect with some pretty awesome girls. Also being able to make it to the championship and coming in second place!

OCTOBER

October was a busy month with balancing school work and volleyball. School also had its rewards like making many new friends and just having fun!

NOVEMBER

November was the month that the idea of moving really began to set in. We began the process of packing and had so much help moving!

DECEMBER

December was a month of mixed feelings. The joys of Christmas and a birthday filled the air while also the sadness of having to say goodbye was also present. My highlight of this month was on my birthday when my dad surprised me by coming to VA from OH where he was getting our new house ready. Thanks again dad, I will never forget that!

I think what overall this year will be remembered for is the process of our family discerning what God wanted for us and then following his call to the state of Ohio. As we begin a new journey and a new year here in Ohio there will be many challenges and surprises ahead of us and I am really looking forward to what God has in store for us.

Take Care Everyone,