Happy 2009!

I just read Kelli O'hea's blog about everything that has occurred in her life over the past year ( I still think it's crazy that it's already 2009 there!) and it reminded me how I so often forget to reflect on all that God has done in my life as well as update you all on what has happened this last year.

Of all the years previous, I feel this is the year God has challenged and grown us the most. I hope to say the same this time next year ;-) Johnny and I faced trials that challenged us as individuals as well as a couple and we learned not only to rely on God's guidance but also to rely more on each other. The trials brought us together and taught me valuable lessons on being a submissive and supportive wife.

As 2008 began we believed we had 8 short months to prepare to move out of the country. We were confident that God was calling us to serve as missionaries in Montreal. I still believe that God put that in our path to serve His purposes... for without such a huge event and trial, we would not have been able to trust in God's provision, to test our willingness to follow Him, or to learn valuable lessons that only strengthened our marriage. By March, the doors once open to Montreal had been very evidently closed. Sad as we were, we did not lose hope that God would open a door elsewhere and continued to pray. We knew in our hearts it was not Albuquerque and were open to wherever He may lead.

A couple months later, Johnny had the opportunity to talk to Levi about Fresh Life. Our hearts always yearned to be here serving the valley and serving alongside some of our best friends but there was never a need for us to join them. We refused to come here just to be with friends; we wanted to be an active part of a ministry. Through the conversation we learned that there was a need! After prayer and consideration we decided that this was were God had us. We could work and serve in Montana and allow God to continue to open doors of opportunity for both of us. We would pack up!

In the meantime, I graduated from college with my BBA in Entrepreneurial Studies and Management. 4 long years but it was finished! I made a commitment that I would not let being married young hinder my education, the education that I feel God had blessed me with due to a scholarship, and that I would finish despite so many people convinced I would drop out. Well I didn't! I feels good to say I have completed what I set out to do and even now I can see how God is using it in our lives by allowing me to get a good job here in the valley that I would not have been able to get without a degree. We also took a vacation to Napa and San Francisco with Johnny's family in June to attend the wedding of his cousin. I love to travel so this was a great opportunity to go out and have a fun family vacation!

We arrived in Montana on June 18th. Johnny's parents got to see the valley and my family came up a few months later. It has been a whirlwind of activity since we arrived! We have done so much from the Active summer camp, to movie nights, baptisms, teaching opportunities, fun events, girls events, staff meetings, and so much more! You never fully grasp how busy you truly will be while being involved in a young church. And we are not even as busy as some here! It has been absolutely great! More doors have opened, Johnny was put on staff as the Assistant youth pastor and helps Coy with all things Active and he also ran the OCC collections. He's also getting a lot more opportunities to teach! I have been working and helping where I can.

It has been 6.5 months since we moved here. We love it! We love the town, the area, the people, the church! We even love the snow! It's amazing how quickly you adjust. It's still cold but it's not as cold as you would imagine. We miss our family and friends of course... so just let us know when you want to visit ;-)

The holidays were different for us this year. We just hung out with staff and a few other friends. We missed our families but it was nice just being able to go one place and stay there. It was very relaxing and fun! I think that's what holiday's are supposed to feel like.

As 2009 approaches, just a few more hours, I know God will be doing so much more! There are already a couple things on the horizon that are super exciting. It will mean tons more work but that's the exciting part! We will have adjustments and challenges I know, but I love seeing what God is doing in the small valley I now call home. So on that note, Happy New Year to all. I hope God does great and moving things in your life this year and I hope you all seek to have a deeper relationship with Him. Enjoy the fireworks!!!! (Kalispell lights off fireworks on New Years!)

It's in the 30's!!!!

Woo hoo!

So much SNOW!

Its 1 am and we are just leaving the Lusko home. We had to follow the Trammel's just to get out of the complex and drive in their tracks

Return of the butterfly paddle.

Veritas 80's christmas party. A little ping pong action. Johnny beat Frankie in like 2 seconds. We were the only lame ones who didn't dress up. Johnny brought out his fancy paddle that I bought him a couple years ago for the Renovate tourny... I guess he only plays for college parties.

suga suga

These are the ones i did. I don't do well with smaller projects... I can decorate a huge cake but these caused me problems.

Kimport Kookies

Last night, Carrie and I got to go over to the Kimport's and decorate cookies, as well as join them for dinner. It was so much fun decorating with the girls. Rachel cracked me up more than once. Even Erin decorated a cookie. It was just such a great night for it. It was snowing outside, we had Elf going on tv, and we even sipped a little eggnog. Thanks Tiffany for the invite! Sorry you missed out Elisha, maybe you'll think twice before going home next year ;-)

Mexicadian!

The leaders for our Mexicadian Christmas party. We opted for Canadian with a twist! Mostly we just couldn't resist this sign we found at salvation army and had to wear it. Devan has mad thrift store spotting skillz. We walked right by this sign 2 times and then he picked it up and slid it over his head. SO great! We were all supposed to wear white shirts and dress like we were in Canada but it didn't happen so great. The party was fun! Everyone seemed to have a good time and while they're hands got messy, they didn't have to eat anything gross. I'm sure they were thankful for that, and our new carpet in the Active room that contributed to our lack of messy games.

Oh Christmas Shipping

Standing in a long line to send 1 package.

Mountain in a parking lot

Here's the picture of snow from parking lot snow. It's about twice as tall as me. You ever wonder where the snow goes from the streets? Well here is your answer!

brrr

My view from the merch table at church. Do you see that snow out there?

Shopping in the cold

so much snow! This is the Costco parking lot.

Oh tannebaum!

A picture of me with our tree. Freshly cut from the Hosanna Ranch property! I felt kinda silly standing there showing off my little tree.

Christmas Glitter!

It twas 10 days before Christmas and the house was decorated with care. The ornament and lights glittered quite fair!

Though not finished, but she still had 10 days until Santa would be there! Still some ornaments to hang from the ceiling and a back porch to clean so the tree could be moved back into place,

But at least the stockings had already been hung from the window sill with care.

Ok, so I'm not a poet... I'll leave that to my sister and get down to business. This year decorating the house was odd. Which makes being away from home just that much more difficult. When it comes to Christmas, I love tradition! I always decorate the day after Thanksgiving... ALWAYS! But this year, it was a little different. We started a new tradition going out and cutting down a real tree- except the kick-off year of this tradition had me alone instead of with my other half. It was a great time being with friends but hopefully on our second annual year, my husband will actually be able to be there! This threw me off because I always want to wait for him to decorate and he didn't even get off that Sunday night until 10! I tried to stay up but it just didn't suit. So we waited until Monday to see what we'd do. My husband works hard, so I can't blame him, but he just doesn't seem to be feeling it this season. I ended up decorating the tree while watching Lost on on DVD and my husband looking on relaxing on the couch. No Christmas music or movie to get us into the season. It was late that night too (the result of both working) and instead of decorating everything at once, much got forgotten. So over the last two weeks I've been trying to finish but can't see to find the time to get things accomplished. I bought some new ornaments for our strangely barren tree. The red leaves/hearts and the gold ones with gold glitter are new but I still needed more. How did I have so few? We left all figurines off the tree this year to appreciate one more Christmas with ornaments that will break when little hands try to appreciate. Our tree will one day become more family friendly but until then no popcorn garland will grace these branches! And still it isn't finished... I don't have tacks, plastic ornaments, or ribbon so the ornaments won't get hung from the ceiling. Once it gets into the negatives, travelling out of doors for such things is not very inspiring. I have an Active party to coordinate and Christmas shopping to finish.... looks like I will be one of the many last minutes shoppers this year! I still have to bake and I have no eggnog. Is Christmas really just 10 days away?

Emma's 2nd Birthday!

So Friday was Emma's 2nd Birthday (the party was Sunday). And I must say I just love this little girl. I know I shouldn't play favorites but I can't help it. The Trammels have been our best friends for years and when Emma was born we were around her a lot! She was the first baby I was around (that wasn't a sibling) and the first one I wasn't afraid to hold and cuddle. She always says the cutest things, makes the funnest faces, she's incredibly smart, and I've just loved watching her grow.

Well Emma loves goofy. And so since I got to make her cake for her birthday, I just wanted it to be so cool! I had a hard week emotionally and physically just being sick and all. I stressed and contemplated how to make things easier on myself. I was trying and trying to simplify the cake, but everytime I minimized the ideas in my head they just seemed LAME! I just wanted this little girl to LOVE her cake. So I got over myself and just did what I planned all along.

Thanks to Eric Melzer for the last 3 shots- they have better color and angles than the ones I took. The party was fun too! Everything was Mickey Mouse clubhouse style. Sara worked so hard to make it special. Tons of decor, fun special food, goody bags for kids, and it just looked awesome! Even though it was mostly adults- we all embraced the disney culture and it was fun to see all of us chilling on the couch (including/mostly guys) watching The Little Mermaid.

SNOW

Here it comes. Blizzard warning for tonight!

This is what happens when adults entertain kids. Trying to watch the movie "cars" on you tube.

It stuck!

Snow snow snow snow snow! It won't be long til we'll all be there with snow! I always sing this song when I think of snow, it's from White Christmas when they're on the train thinking about getting to Vermont. So fun!

Ambiance and Atmosphere

Sitting by the fire looking at the snow this morning at the bucks. Just stopped in to drop of Johnny and get a vanilla latte. It's always so relaxing for me to sit by this fireplace and just stare outside. With the snow, it was a beautiful!

Happy Birthday My Love!

Today is Johnny's 23 birthday. It's hard to believe that we've know each other almost 5 years. We met when we had both just turned 18. We've experienced so much in these 5 years it's hard to believe. From Mission trips to Hungary, Mexico, Macedonia, and Montreal, to getting married, going through school, changing schools, changing jobs, almost moving to Montreal, moving to Montana, working in various elements of Ministry, traveling to LA, San Fran, Montana, etc. we have had so many little adventures. Through these 5 years, God has shown us much and grown us. God has been using Johnny in so many ways. He has been getting to teach in Active, something he has such a heart for, as well as help out with OCC and other ministries around the church. We love our students and our new home and how God is using this to mold us more into what He desires for us. I'm excited to embark on another year with Johnny, and another and another and another! I cherish my life with you.

Happy Birthday My Love. Enjoy the Sushi tonight!

Oh Christmas Tree!

It's late at night but i finally got the tree decorated. This was a first time experience for me. Not the decorating of the tree but decorating a REAL tree. My family has always done fake and I even still will proudly proclaim the ease of a fake tree. However, Johnny grew up with real trees and on Sunday I was given the opportunity to let him have his real tree. I normally don't want to do it because 1. going to a parking lot to pick one out of a mass is lame and 2. why would I pay for a tree when I have a beautiful, new, pre-lighted tree that my mom bought us at a garage sale for $5. But anyway, the opportunity was that we have some friends up here who have some land where Christmas trees just grow naturally and they were having their Second Annual Tree Hunt and Cut party on Sunday. We (that is the Lusko's, Trammels, Guido's, Carrie and Elisha, Eric, Gayla and the boys, Kimports, and Rays) enjoyed some delicious chili and cornbread as well as hot apple cider with whip cream. Then we all bundled up and went out to walk the property and find a tree for each of our homes. This was an experience and a memory that I wanted to be apart of, so although Johnny was stuck at work, I went with the Trammels and picked us a tree.
It was really fun! Johnny and I had bought a fancy tree holder earlier so when I got home I just had to wait for him to come home the the base so we could decorate!

Well, he got home pretty late and we didn't have Christmas lights (things you forget when you tree is pre-lighted) so we just put the tree up and fill the base with water. Well we got the nice one that has a little pour spout for easy watering and Johnny decided he didn't want to pay much attention to that. He was looking in the top trying to fill it all the way up (the spout is half way down) and the water just started pouring out everywhere! Thankfully it was just the water and soaked up fast. So finally after waiting all day (really 3 days since I normally set up the day after Thanksgiving) Johnny brought home some lights and we got to put all the ornaments up! I'm used to a really full tree so I'm going to have to buy some plumes or berries or something to give the tree a little more richness. I love Christmas!

Happy Birthday

Tonight the girls celebrated Sara's birthday. No kids, no guys, just girls being silly. We went to Bajio and stuffed ourselves and then gave Sara her gift, a stack of coupons! No but really, we also gave her so oh so pretty cleaning gloves and a cool apron as well as a year subscription to Real Simple Magazine. After that we went and wandered around Target (a treat for all the mothers who normally tote around kids) and then we went and got Gelato from Dolce Villa. I got peppermint and white chocolate! mmmmm. It was a really fun time!

Staff Thanksgiving!

Last night we had our staff meeting/thanksgiving dinner. It's always so fun for all of us to get together and fellowship. It always takes us at least an hour to get to business... even if that business is merely dinner. Lets just say we get a little distracted. Either the guys are looking at something on their macs or iphones, we're waiting on the last few to arrive, or, by then, it's time to put the kiddos to bed, something always keeps us from starting on time. I guess that's why the meeting now start at about 5:30 to 6:30 since a majority of us have to wake up the next morning.

Dinner was at Elisha and Carrie's casa and they did their best to make it beautiful, and they did a great job! It was much more stunning that I imagined it would be or I would have done were it my house. We had placecards and napkin rings and fancy goblets for our water or tea. It was absolutely lovely. The table had tea lights and golden glittered pinecones with little chocolates all about. Everyone brought a dish and everything was delicious. Sara even made the turkey that Elisha won last Friday! It was so great!

Coupon Extravaganza

On Friday we had a girls night. We went to taco john's (disgusting) and then a coupon party with the "coupon lady". Jayne Hartman hosted and it was a little bit like a tupperware party or something. We sat there munching on delicious sweets while the "coupon lady" proceeded to astound us with what horrible stewards we are of are money and how could cut our grocery/shopping bill to 20% of what it once was. At the beginning we got to look at the massive amount of food (seen in picture by Elisha) and guess how much it cost her to buy it at the grocery store. I figured, "ok, she likes deals, so I'm going to guess everything is about $1 each". I counted and got $32. I thought I was clever. She had a 14lb turkey in there and almost everything you'd need for the full dinner! Well the grand total was $16... Elisha guessed $15 and won the all the food. I guess that's what's great about going to those kinds of things with 6 other girlfriends and thanksgiving around the corner... it didn't really matter which one of us won because we'd all share most of the food at the staff thanksgiving! It was overall a fun night, and while I don't think I'll ever be as intense as the "coupon lady" who doesn't buy a single thing without a coupon and stocks up on so much stuff she has racks behind every door to hold it all, it is a good thing to realize that coupons really can help.

Just for me!

There is something so beautiful to hearing kids worship.

Move it move it!

A little fun before active OCC. I bit of a dance party slash disco line or something. Look at the things the Trammels start!

Turkey!

This is what we're eating for Active. Thank you Ray's!

Active thanksgiving

We had a meal, a great teaching, some awesome pilgrim and indian hats, as well as a time for everyone to say what they are thankful for. It was pretty awesome

Gas Prices

Just think that 6 months ago i was paying more than double of this just to fill my car.

First time up front.

Johnny was blessed with the opportunity to give a devo during fresh life's worship night. He did a great job!

Decorating for Christmas

Christmas time is fast approaching, 35 more days I think, but Thanksgiving hasn't even passed yet. For almost all holidays, I hate when they pull out the goods to be sold long before they're due. Like selling for Valentines the day after Christmas and Easter baskets the day after Valentines and so on and so forth. But there is one holiday that I am always excited to see, CHRISTMAS! So many believe it shouldn't even be talked about until at least the day after Thanksgiving but not me. Here in Kalispell at work I listen to live streaming of Magic 99.5, a radio station in Albuquerque that has been playing Christmas music earlier and earlier. It's all they play from now until Christmas. I will also say that it brings joy to my heart that my new town is as equally excited about Christmas as I am! On Sunday, as we drove to church, I saw that the mall had put up some wreaths and decor and I was fairly excited about that. However, it wasn't too surprising... even in ABQ the malls got decorated. But last night, again as we drove toward church, I noticed EVERY single lightpost had garland, lights, and red bows! And they are just getting started! Yay for small town life! I can't wait for the first snow and to see all the garland up and the lights shining! This lamp post was right outside the strand.

Babysitting Emma.

She is so incredibly smart! She's not even 2 yet and she can say her ABC's, Count past 10, know's her colors, and can recite books from memory. She was doing better before and once she realized I was filming she kinda started acting silly. This book is called Jamberry I think and it's about different kinds of berries. I so love this little girl!

SNL CAKE

The saturday night kick off cake for the students! I used canned frosting to save time. I never want to do that again!

SNL dos

Here's one more pic!

SNL

Our first Saturday Night Active service! I'm stoked to see what God is going to do during this new change of service. Pray that God will bring some new life and growth.

Beef stew

My second time making stew, it turned out really good. If only you could smell it! Beef. Bacon. Carrots. Celery. Red potatos. Spinach. corn. tomatos. red wine vinegar. and more!

Orange and Yellow

The leaves are almost gone but its still so pretty

Depth girls fun night!

(In order of appearance, counterclockwise from the top: Ruthie, Kelsey, Kristin, Elisha, Becca, Kendra, Alexus, Sam, and sams friend that she brought to join us)

Girls are not necessarily dainty little flowers that only nibble on veggies and sit quietly... ESPECIALLY not mid-school girls. The girls downed 4 medium pizza hut pizza's, tons of Capri suns, a whole tray of candy bar brownies, two bags of popcorn, a tray of apples and caramel, plus tons of candy all in a 2.5 hr period as we watched Pride and Prejudice (with Keira Knightley) and some played card games. It snowed a bit outside while we hung out too, which added to the excitement. Oh and we all rocked pajama's. Does it get any better?

Active Leaders Meeting

Sara likes to be taller than everyone during our active meetings. I think she likes the power.

so many headlights

Its 5:20 On a Tuesday. Election Tuesday to be precise. This is the most traffic I've experienced in awhile as the city goes to get out their vote. It's rainy with low fog like clouds promising snow overnight. I'm getting excited for Christmas. That's what this weather does to me.

You can never have too many options to drink.

So soft!

I finished the scarf i was making. Just in time for snow

It's Snowing!!!

I wish I had a picture to show you, but my camera phone sucks. Our first snow of the season, apparently it's later than usual but that's ok. I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to get my fill ;-)

After the Fall Festival

When adults get ahold of candy.

Their Patriotic Duty.

My wife and elisha doing early voting. It looks like they are afraid, or scared.


Too bad their vote didn't mean anything since Montana didn't even ever get colored in on the broadcast of the elections on November 4th.

more yellow tunnel

People love this thing. Now Elisha plays with it.

Yellow Tunnel Toy

This is what Sara does during our staff meeting. We spend a lot of time laughing. Not just at her, but we have a hard time staying focused. I think we're all so tired we just start saying crazy stuff. Last night Jennie was the worst, acting like she was a thug or something. She blamed her new short haircut.

Sinking below the mountains

You can't really tell, but there is a really cool sunset tonight

Arts and crafts for love

Who do we love? Our Depth Discipleship girls! Elisha and I spent 4 hours cutting and gluing to make these notebooks for our girls last sunday. we had a lot of fun and even though they didn't turn out exactly like i hoped, the girls liked them!

Girl time.

The little girls were asleep and the boys consumed in a red sox game, so sara and I went out. now girl time is pretty normal for me lately since johnny works crazy hours, but Sara doesn't usually get to go out without Emma and Ella. we had fun looking through sales racks and trying on hats.

The wall

I've been meaning to show you all the atrocity that is my view. Many of you may remember the little red roofed house and the expansive lush field often frequented by deer, this is what now takes its place. They've paved paradise and put up a 'parking lot'