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,

Yippee We Got A Wii!

So for Christmas my family got a Wii. Which we all are pretty pumped about :) So of course Christmas day we played the WHOLE day.

My beautiful sisters playing..

And as many of you know you have to use a Wii remote and for some games a nunchuck.

And what I think is the best part of it all is that you can design/make your own Mii (the person who plays for you on the screen). You can change hairstyle, eye color, smile, and shirt color. I love it :)

We have two different games Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort.

Its been a lot of fun to play and you get exercise which is an added bonus :) It was funny after the first day we played it we were all so VERY sore. haha. 

Anyways, hope you all had a VERY Merry Christmas!

Take Care,

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,