Happy New Year to our dear friends and family,
The E family hopes this finds you each well and experiencing the grace of our Lord. We thought with the advent of a new year, that it would be nice to send out a little update on our family. We always enjoy hearing from each of you, and wanted to let each one of you know that you are in our hearts.
As we look back on the year 2008, we are filled with thankfulness of the Lord's faithfulness. As we recount all that has taken place, His guidance and mercy fills us with praise towards Him.
Probably the biggest change in 2008 has been our cross country move from our home in Tx, to upstate South Carolina. We had been seeking for some time direction from the Lord as to where we were to settle after selling our home out in Brookshire. We had rented for almost two years and did not feel that He was calling us to remain in Houston any longer. The Lord brought to our attention a wonderful church in the Greenville area, and our dear friends entreated us to consider joining them in the furtherance of the work here. After much prayer and S flying out to visit, we felt we should pursue this direction. Very quickly afterwards, the Lord opened up a job for S to work for Caterpillar through Volt Technologies. The timing of everything was amazing, and we were moved just as our lease was due to be up in Tx.
We have purchased nearly 7 acres of land here in SC, which we have named SpringMeadows. We hope to build on it in the future and are excited as we think over all of our possibilities. In the meantime, we have a wonderful home in the country we are renting. The landlord is a Christian, and even goes to our same church. He has been like a grandfather to our children, giving them horse rides, letting them play with his puppies, etc.
We have so enjoyed our first 8 months here in the deep south. We are learning what truly "southern" means. (I never knew Tx was "West"). Our biggest blessing has been the church the Lord has given us. We want to shout to the whole world about the work He is doing here in the Upstate. Our pastor is the most faithful shepherd we have ever had. We are fed with the richest portions each Lord's Day and we have such a warm church family, in which we have the sweetest fellowship.
The children are really growing, and homeschooling is going very well. We are not doing any co-ops this year, just focusing on our learning here at home, and enjoying each other as a family. That being said, we have taken several field trips, including a few day visit to see our friends in the VA/Wash. area. We were able to tour southern battle grounds and historical sites, as well as spending a day in D.C. learning all about our country's government seat.
S, as I mentioned above, is working at Caterpillar. He is enjoying his new duties very much. As he says, it is so nice to get out of all your designing being in a cylinder that goes downhole (as it was in the oil industry). His division works with marine engines. In his spare time, he has set up a nice workshop where he and the boys are always doing something, throwing a frisbee with the children, or relaxing over a cup of coffee.
J, continues to be very busy with the homeschooling management. Her role becomes overseer more and more as the children get older. Between caring for the family, schooling, laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. there is never a dull moment. But she does find time to work out at Curves, keep a blog, and enjoy a good book once in a while.
J is 11. He is quite the young man now. It is kind of scary when in school all of a sudden during science you are discussing cloning. Yes, we are entering into a new phase with our dear boys, and it is wonderful to behold as they head towards manhood. When J has free time, you often find him reading, whatever he can get his hands on. He also enjoys playing with his siblings and anything athletic. Give the boy a ball and he is happy!
W is 9. He is our artistic, creative, mechanical one. One of his considerations has been to make a robot to take over some of mommy's household chores. Many times we will not know where W is, and he is down in the shop engineering some new invention. A couple of months ago, he was trying to fashion a handmade rifle. J and W are hoping to open up their own little business crafting homemade leather shepherd slings. W also joins his brother in many wrestling matches and go-cart escapades.
R is 8. I have always referred to her as my little butterfly and she still is. With her white hair flying she bounces throughout the day. She is quite the active one, with the female grace added. She loves school and is a very dutiful student. She is excited about taking a sewing class with the rest of us beginning the end of this month. When she is not jumping on the trampoline doing flips, she is playing with her sister "baby and mother". Also, lately she has discovered she loves to read independently as well.
E is now 6 and has earned the title of the only family member that has broken her arm. Yes, dear E was in a cast for a few weeks after a trampoline accident. But, she "bounced" back beautifully and is as cheerful as ever. This year was her first full schooling, and she has skyrocketed! Her new delight is to sound out whatever she sees around her, and being able to read stories is such fun. When she has free time, she is drawing pictures. She loves, loves, loves to draw and color. Also, she is our maternal one, always caressing a baby doll tenderly.
D is 4 and still enjoying spending his days playing for hours. He is either wrestling with his brothers, or running around with his little sister.
If you want to delight D just bring him home a new little tractor and matchbox car...but oh is favorite is "Lightning the Queen!" (supposed to be Lightning McQueen) There is something very endearing about Deeb. His big blue eyes penetrate you as he speaks the most melting, affectionate and sometimes hysterically funny phrases. He is still my cuddle bear and loves to be held and hugged.
H is still the baby. Yet, at almost 3 (Feb) she is hardly a baby anymore. She thinks she is 16 and queen around here. Sometimes Mommy and Daddy have to remind her that is not the case. She is a smart little thing and amazes us with her accomplishments. She also, at this young age, seems to take a special delight in drawing with pen and paper. She keeps us very busy as she explores her world, but our world is so much brighter from this dear girl.
I should not fail to mention our black lab Black Beauty aka: "Blackie". We enjoyed this puppy very much for the short time we had her. But, as we were away taking a much needed vacation, she disappeared. The children were sad, but realize the Lord is in control of this too. It has only been a few days and so we are still holding out a glimmer of hope of finding her yet.
So, that is a snapshot from our family to yours. I am afraid this has become a book, instead of letter, but it gives you a picture of our life right now. We must give all the praise to our Lord for His kindnesses to us this year. We pray His kingdom would flourish and thrive more and more in 2009. We pray also for His grace to be present with each one of you, as well. As we watch our children rapidly growing, we are reminded of the brevity of our lives, and the necessity of looking towards eternity. Christ truly is all in all.
We would love to hear from you and would invite each one of you to our home here in SC. Our home is open!
In Christian Love,
The E family
The E family hopes this finds you each well and experiencing the grace of our Lord. We thought with the advent of a new year, that it would be nice to send out a little update on our family. We always enjoy hearing from each of you, and wanted to let each one of you know that you are in our hearts.
As we look back on the year 2008, we are filled with thankfulness of the Lord's faithfulness. As we recount all that has taken place, His guidance and mercy fills us with praise towards Him.
Probably the biggest change in 2008 has been our cross country move from our home in Tx, to upstate South Carolina. We had been seeking for some time direction from the Lord as to where we were to settle after selling our home out in Brookshire. We had rented for almost two years and did not feel that He was calling us to remain in Houston any longer. The Lord brought to our attention a wonderful church in the Greenville area, and our dear friends entreated us to consider joining them in the furtherance of the work here. After much prayer and S flying out to visit, we felt we should pursue this direction. Very quickly afterwards, the Lord opened up a job for S to work for Caterpillar through Volt Technologies. The timing of everything was amazing, and we were moved just as our lease was due to be up in Tx.
We have purchased nearly 7 acres of land here in SC, which we have named SpringMeadows. We hope to build on it in the future and are excited as we think over all of our possibilities. In the meantime, we have a wonderful home in the country we are renting. The landlord is a Christian, and even goes to our same church. He has been like a grandfather to our children, giving them horse rides, letting them play with his puppies, etc.
We have so enjoyed our first 8 months here in the deep south. We are learning what truly "southern" means. (I never knew Tx was "West"). Our biggest blessing has been the church the Lord has given us. We want to shout to the whole world about the work He is doing here in the Upstate. Our pastor is the most faithful shepherd we have ever had. We are fed with the richest portions each Lord's Day and we have such a warm church family, in which we have the sweetest fellowship.
The children are really growing, and homeschooling is going very well. We are not doing any co-ops this year, just focusing on our learning here at home, and enjoying each other as a family. That being said, we have taken several field trips, including a few day visit to see our friends in the VA/Wash. area. We were able to tour southern battle grounds and historical sites, as well as spending a day in D.C. learning all about our country's government seat.
S, as I mentioned above, is working at Caterpillar. He is enjoying his new duties very much. As he says, it is so nice to get out of all your designing being in a cylinder that goes downhole (as it was in the oil industry). His division works with marine engines. In his spare time, he has set up a nice workshop where he and the boys are always doing something, throwing a frisbee with the children, or relaxing over a cup of coffee.
J, continues to be very busy with the homeschooling management. Her role becomes overseer more and more as the children get older. Between caring for the family, schooling, laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. there is never a dull moment. But she does find time to work out at Curves, keep a blog, and enjoy a good book once in a while.
J is 11. He is quite the young man now. It is kind of scary when in school all of a sudden during science you are discussing cloning. Yes, we are entering into a new phase with our dear boys, and it is wonderful to behold as they head towards manhood. When J has free time, you often find him reading, whatever he can get his hands on. He also enjoys playing with his siblings and anything athletic. Give the boy a ball and he is happy!
W is 9. He is our artistic, creative, mechanical one. One of his considerations has been to make a robot to take over some of mommy's household chores. Many times we will not know where W is, and he is down in the shop engineering some new invention. A couple of months ago, he was trying to fashion a handmade rifle. J and W are hoping to open up their own little business crafting homemade leather shepherd slings. W also joins his brother in many wrestling matches and go-cart escapades.
R is 8. I have always referred to her as my little butterfly and she still is. With her white hair flying she bounces throughout the day. She is quite the active one, with the female grace added. She loves school and is a very dutiful student. She is excited about taking a sewing class with the rest of us beginning the end of this month. When she is not jumping on the trampoline doing flips, she is playing with her sister "baby and mother". Also, lately she has discovered she loves to read independently as well.
E is now 6 and has earned the title of the only family member that has broken her arm. Yes, dear E was in a cast for a few weeks after a trampoline accident. But, she "bounced" back beautifully and is as cheerful as ever. This year was her first full schooling, and she has skyrocketed! Her new delight is to sound out whatever she sees around her, and being able to read stories is such fun. When she has free time, she is drawing pictures. She loves, loves, loves to draw and color. Also, she is our maternal one, always caressing a baby doll tenderly.
D is 4 and still enjoying spending his days playing for hours. He is either wrestling with his brothers, or running around with his little sister.
If you want to delight D just bring him home a new little tractor and matchbox car...but oh is favorite is "Lightning the Queen!" (supposed to be Lightning McQueen) There is something very endearing about Deeb. His big blue eyes penetrate you as he speaks the most melting, affectionate and sometimes hysterically funny phrases. He is still my cuddle bear and loves to be held and hugged.
H is still the baby. Yet, at almost 3 (Feb) she is hardly a baby anymore. She thinks she is 16 and queen around here. Sometimes Mommy and Daddy have to remind her that is not the case. She is a smart little thing and amazes us with her accomplishments. She also, at this young age, seems to take a special delight in drawing with pen and paper. She keeps us very busy as she explores her world, but our world is so much brighter from this dear girl.
I should not fail to mention our black lab Black Beauty aka: "Blackie". We enjoyed this puppy very much for the short time we had her. But, as we were away taking a much needed vacation, she disappeared. The children were sad, but realize the Lord is in control of this too. It has only been a few days and so we are still holding out a glimmer of hope of finding her yet.
So, that is a snapshot from our family to yours. I am afraid this has become a book, instead of letter, but it gives you a picture of our life right now. We must give all the praise to our Lord for His kindnesses to us this year. We pray His kingdom would flourish and thrive more and more in 2009. We pray also for His grace to be present with each one of you, as well. As we watch our children rapidly growing, we are reminded of the brevity of our lives, and the necessity of looking towards eternity. Christ truly is all in all.
We would love to hear from you and would invite each one of you to our home here in SC. Our home is open!
In Christian Love,
The E family
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