The New House

I thought everyone would like to see some pictures of the new house. So there are and I will leave a caption on the bottom to explain each one.

Our new home in Pettisville Ohio.

Isn't it unique? :)  On the left wing is where the kitchen and living room is located. In the middle is where the porch and hallway is located, and on the right wing is where the bedrooms and basement area is located.

The view from the back. 

The cool and sorta messy kitchen :)

 The sitting area....

The Living Room..

The cool shelving in the living room space.

The screened in porch.

The hallway that connects the two wings.

The view from the front door out to the road.

The guest/ the girls bathroom.

The basement space where we are thinking of making a space to have friends over and watch movies or play games. Also use it as a place where our guests can sleep.

Mama and Papa's room :)

Dad's office area

Kate's room on the loft.

Anya's room on the loft.

Looking down at my space.

Closet and desk space in our room...

Well hope you enjoyed looking at the pictures. There will be more to come as we begin our life here in Ohio.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!

Saying Goodbye

As I sit here in our apartment two days before we leave for Ohio, reality begins to set in. Yes Emily your moving your going to have to say goodbye. Wow, isn't that hard to comprehend. I guess I have been trying so hard to not think of what is to come but at this moment I can't help it. I have lived here in Virginia for what feels like my whole life. So many memories flood my mind as I begin to think of the best 10 years here in Harrisonburg. From where we began living in the dorms at EMU to the parsonage by Weavers, to our farm on Singers Glen. I will never forget all the wonderful and sometimes challenging times I have experienced here in Virginia. I will always remember the beautiful rolling hills and mountain ridges on either side. I will remember all the many friendships I have made and how each one changed my life for the better. I'm not going to lie I am really struggling right now. The biggest thing for me is fear, its not new for me though. I have had to deal with fear of the unknown, and even though I know God is right here with me through it all it still is hard. I don't ever think I will get to a place in my life where fear doesn't test me. I am fearful for the unknown and what is come. I have never been through anything like this before. It's all new, I have never really had to completely start over. I do have some excitement though, but for right now its just a lot of grief. Saying goodbye will be one of the toughest things I have ever had to do. Thanks though to all of you who have been in prayer. I truly appreciate it.

Take Care and may you each have a very Merry Christmas,

Turning 15...

Hello Everyone! Just thought I would let you know how my birthday went. Well lets just say its been the best birthday yet!! The best part of it all was that I got to be with my dad! Yes, I know. So what happened was that we (mom, me, kate, and anya) were at Little Grill just about to order when I felt someone come from behind me and hug me and say "Happy Birthday." At first I went along with it and said thanks, then I looked around to see my dad standing there. I was COMPLETELY shocked. The funny part was is that he called me right before we had got to the restaurant and told me Happy Birthday and said he would call me later. I seriously had no idea that he would come to Virginia to celebrate with me. So anyways, we ate supper. P.S. It was also a surprise for my sisters too, so that was neat. He is here till Saturday. After supper we went into town and printed some pictures that I had wanted printed. Then we came home and ate apple crisp and vanilla ice cream. For my birthday I got quite a few gifts but the one that stuck out was a cell-phone. That was a huge surprise too! It was a great day, and especially since I got to see my dad whom I hadn't seen for 2.5 weeks.

Blessings to you as we near Christmas,



Loading the Truck

On Saturday November 26th was loading the truck day. We were so privileged to have family to help us load and pack. A huge thanks to my grandparents and Aunt Kandace and Uncle Jerry for helping us pack and clean before loading the truck, and then helping us load it too. Another huge thanks to our family across the field Carmen, Chad, Ginny, and Clint for helping us load the truck and even being willing to keep some of our stuff at their house that wasn't able to be loaded onto the truck. And to Kathy, Polly, and Monica who so generously brought us food to enjoy while working, it was delicious! Thanks to everyone who helped we truly appreciate it! Also to those of you who have been praying for my family, we want to thank you also. Your prayers are truly appreciated! And now for a few picks from loading day!

Me, Clint, and Kate

Boxes are much needed in the process of moving :)

Tape is also VERY helpful :)

And of course markers to label all the boxes :)

Loading the truck...

Anya labeling a box

And my awesome dad who had the privilege of working with Chad in fitting mostly everything into the truck.

Our comfy mattresses

All of our stuff. During the process of moving you definately become aware of all the stuff you have. Which can be a good and bad thing.

Anya + Ginny= Best Buds :)

Again, thanks to everyone who helped out!

Take Care,

Giving Thanks

I have so many things to be grateful for. 

• Family
• Friends 
• Food 
• Water 
• An Education
• Freedom of Religion

 The list could go on. I am especially grateful for the answers during this transition of moving to Ohio. For the selling of our house and the buying of one in Ohio, I give thanks. For those of you who don't know this week is moving/packing week. We will be moving all of our stuff out to Ohio on Monday, and then me and my mom and sisters will come back to VA to finish up the school semester while living in an apartment. Thanks to those of you who have taken time to pray for my family and I we truly appreciate it.

To all of you, may you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Beginning a New Journey

We have been called. We got the news on Sunday that the vote had been taken and it was 98% positive.  We will be moving.  I truly believe we are being called to Archbold OH and Zion Mennonite Church. I rejoice with the answer to a long wait. Our God is a good God! Amen. Though this new adventure will have its bumps along the way, I firmly believe that God will be with my family throughout the tears and the smiles. God wouldn't call us to Archbold if he knew it wasn't the best thing for us.

There is no doubt in my mind that it will be the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life. But what do I have to worry about when I know I have God right beside me the whole time. I will truly miss Harrisonburg, Virginia. The friendships my family has made here, I will miss so very much. 10 years of my life I will cherish here in beautiful Virginia.

Please be in prayer for my family. As we say goodbye and as we start anew together. We would appreciate it.

Thank you...

God Bless,

What's Been Happening....

Hey everyone, sorry its been a while since I have posted. I have been diagnosed with loads of homework, volleyball, and just pure busyness :) Your probably wondering how the school year is going for me so far. It has been going fantastically wonderful, except for the fact that I have a lot of homework and have to stay up late pretty much every night working on it. Other than that, its been great. I am glad to be social again, and most importantly playing volleyball! I made the JV Volleyball team and so far we are 1-1. I think we have a good team, we are still learning but practice makes perfect. I really like my teachers, and I think it will be a good year. It has also been good to reconnect with my friends and also make new ones :)

Just wanting to let you know of something else that is beginning to develop here at home. My dad has been in conversation with a church in Archbold, OH about pastoring there. This weekend we will be traveling up there for a canidating weekend. Dad will preach on Sunday and have some meetings with the elders and some other people from the church. The church will vote to see if they want Dad as there pastor, and if so we will be moving. This will be a big transition for me and my family. I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Parts of me is happy because I feel this as an answer to prayer. I also have all the feelings that you could have knowing you are moving-anger, sadness, worried, anxious, and sometimes I really don't know what to think. Your prayers would be appreciated as we as a family embark on a new journey together. Thank you.  I will let you know as soon as we know for sure if we will be moving..

Take Care,