My Little Graduate and some thoughts

My Liberty Joy graduated from preschool a couple weeks ago. It's so hard to believe that I will have a child in Kindergarten. Life goes by so fast and sometimes I wish I could slow things down. She attended Grabill Missionary Early Learning Center for two years and had two of the sweetest teachers. I am thankful for what they did for Libby. She was SO nervous about graduating and you can really tell in the picutre of her walking down the aisle. Caden is going to go to this same preschool next year and I look forward to working with them again! And Libby will be attending Cedarville Elementary. So is excited, but says she is going to miss preschool! Mom Hodel was able to come out for her graduation and we had such a fun weekend with her and Dad who joined us on Friday night.

Josie is now 16 months old and is growing and changing everyday. She is starting to really talk and it's so fun to hear the new words she says! Some of them are...oh no, mamen (amen), melmo (elmo), thank you, Love you, and some more that I can't think of right now. She knows what sounds a dog, cat and cow make. She is ALL OVER THE PLACE! By far the most onery one yet! It's fun though, always on our toes!

Caden is loving being able to play outside. The little man would shoot baskets 24/7 if we would let him. Summertime at GW can be hard. The kids love to play together, but I don't always know where my kids are! But I am so thankful for the friendships that they are making! It is also wonderful to know that wherever they go on campus I can feel at ease. I always know that they are with people who love Jesus. And that's so important! It is such a wonderful "community"!

Houseparenting is going pretty good! Each day is different and some days are harder than others, but God is good! We have been without a assistant houseparent since the end of November, so that has been a little stressful. But once again God has Provided. Angie Knobloch from Peoria will be joining the Hickory House team in about a week! We are so excited! There are still openings for assistant houseparents and alternate houseparents, so if you are interested, feel free to ask questions. Like I said, it can and will be challenging, but it is such a blessing. God has stretched me in ways that I didn't know I could be stretched and I look back and say, "Thanks God!" He is faithful and knows the plans He has for us. Sometimes on a rough, long day I think that I just can't handle anymore, and then God shows me that I can and I must! Anyway...I just feel God working so mightly and it's exciting!

So, if you are discouraged or are going through a rough spot in life, be encouraged! God has a plan for YOUR life! You are His Chosen One! (quote from Jami Kaeb! :)) It's so easy to get caught up in the little things in life, but we need to focus on Him! That's why we are here....to praise and glorify Him!

Well, this post has gotten a lot longer than I expected, but I just felt God telling me to type. SO there ya have it! I hope you all have a blessed week!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV