On a trip to see Amy in OKC we decided to have some fun. One evening we went to the park and her husband Bryan Sholtess took my picture. They made great mother's day and father's day gifts. Here are some I thought I would share with you.

 

Currently Listening Singing in the Rain By Gazebo see related

My Life In A Nut Shell

Well I think it is time to update this since it has been so long. A lot has changed but I truly believe that God is at work and has a plan for everything. In early May my car was totaled due to flood waters. If you have ever been to our house when it rained you would understand. What should have taken 10 min. to get home from work took over 2 hours and my car never made it home that day. I was reminded by God that I had given it to him and that because of that even though I thought the insurance adjuster quoted the value way under what I thought it should have been God reminded me that it was his money anyway and just enough for his purposes. Well that certainly changed a few things. Talk about loosing some independence. However that is not always a bad thing. You begin to think about what it truly important. Around this time I begin to feel that it was time to look into getting another job. Due to some personal reasons God was making it clear that it was time to move on and in some ways I felt a release from the ministry he had given me there. In June we were coming home from a 5 day Bible conference which I had taken some vacation time from and I received a call from my office and found out that they had to cut 6 jobs and mine was one of them. Talk about a shock. I didn't know whether to be glad, cry, or truly what to feel. You know when you surrender completely to God though  it is always an adventure that you come to see is for your best interest. I've also learned that God delights in giving his children the desires of their hearts. One week later my dad came home and told me that the job of my dreams had opened up and I could work there if I wanted to. So now I'm working as Church secretary for the best boss in the world my Dad.

It really has allowed me to be more focused on the ministry God has given me at our church. As preschool director I've seen our preschool department double in the last year to the point we are talking seriously about how we can expand. I'm still enjoying directing the Children's Choir. If you are anywhere around on Dec. 9th you should drop by. We are doing a military based Christmas Program  that centers on a dynamic Salvation Message. I wish I could say that things were going to be settling down a bit but alas I'm afraid that is not to be. I'll try to keep this updated better in the future. May God Bless you all.

OK,Ok, I know I don't update this thing every day, every week or even every month to be exact. But come on, I live a busy life. (Who doesn't Right?) It's been awhile so I'll try to quickly update you on everything that is going on right now. I'm sitting at my desk. It is 7:00 in the morning, I'm looking at my computer, I'm typing in my web log. Oh, I guess you probably want a better update that that.

To be honest the Lord is doing great and mighty things in my life right now. The biggest event coming up is my children's choir is doing their musical on Dec. 3rd. If you are in the area you will not want to miss it. They have improved in leaps and bounds since last year. Last year I had to use back up voice on the tape. This year we can hear them in the back of the auditorium with out any help at all. What a blessing because I don't have back up voices on a tape. We are doing this story about these two city kids who end up stranded in the country when their car breaks down. These two are dressed to the tee with amazing sophisticated outfits. Enter country kids Luther and Cora Mae. Hicks from the country. They and the rest of the choir are dressed in denim skirts, jumpers, overalls, and jeans. With the cuff rolled up and bare feet. White shirts and colored bandanas. All of them will have straw hats as well. The set will be a hillbilly front yard with a porch seen, and rocking chairs. We know were the is a buckboard wagon and are working on getting it for a prop as well. There will be hay bales and and everything you can imagine, the christmas tree will even be trimmed with stringed popcorn and berries. the best thing about it is that my Dad is going to preach that sunday morning with everything behind him on stage. He really doesn't mind because he says it is great advertizement to get people back that night. I don't think he has ever preached with this kind of a set before. It will be great. If you can't make it please keep us in your prayers. About 80% of my choir's parents do not attend church anywhere. And I would be willing to guess that the same percentage if not more are not saved. They have been asking God to save at least 5 people as a result of our play.

On top of this monstrous task I have also taken the position of Preschool Coordinator at our church. I know I know I have got to be crazy but I really felt that this is the direction God was leading me in. It has been a real joy to begin serving in this capacity and after last Saturday when I presented our training everyone seems really excited. We are praying that God would triple the attendance of our Preschool department within the next year and that would mean we would be running over 60 in our Preschool department. If any of you have been to our church you would know that space wise we can handle that. (This would create a very GOOD PROBLEM) If you think about this you would also know that for the Preschool department to triple it means that the rest of the church is growing as well. If the rest of the church grew 3 times in size we would go from running 100 to 300. That would be more and amazing, require a huge miracle, totally impossible and completely possible for God.

Well other than the fact that I'm still going to Tulsa for shots, have half my christmas shopping done, and there is only 49 days left till christmas, everything in my life is completely normal. I love you all and miss each and every one of you. May God bless you all today and may you remain in his service daily.

Well I guess it has been a while since I updated this. As most of you know I have now officially aged a whole year. It happens to the best of us. I have to tell you that my perspective of birthdays has changed after hearing what one lady in our church said. When she was young she got her life in a mess and there is a long story behind all of that but what struck me was when she said she remembered her 25^th birthday very much because she thought I’m 25 years old and I have nothing to show for it. WOW! That was so sad to me. I thank God for parents in my life who have helped make my life something I’m proud to have lived. No we don’t do everything right. But with God’s leading and direction each year should be a year that we can look back and see how God has used us.

Besides a birthday I can say that nothing else exciting has happened really in my life. It seems to be very consistent at staying crazy. This week is a good example of what happens around the Newport homestead.

Monday: I work half a day not because it is my birthday but because I have to get shots in Tulsa on that day of all days. Victoria and Allison who is my “little sister” helped make it a very special trip and very enjoyable. When I got home at 9:30 we had company at our house. My Dad’s cousin was by and they were discussing family trees

Tuesday: I’m at work by 7:00 because we are leaving for Hospice on the Hill in OKC by 7:30 It was fun to be at the capital again and we got our picture taken with my uncle. For those of you in OKC especially Amy you were all on my mind as I was at my other home for a day. When I got back to town I went strait from work to the Church were we were having church wide visitation. I ended up in child care since they were short workers.

Wednesday: Up and at work by 7:30 I have a meeting that I’m responsible for at 8:30 and I have a bit up updating to do before I put it together. The day was long but before we left everyone who has an office on carpet had to move there stuff for the carpet cleaning guys. After that I headed to church to take care of my 2’s and 3’s class.

Thursday: The goats got out today during Wisdom Search therefore that was the end of law and order. After a quick breakfast I headed to work. Tonight after work I have a baby shower that I’m a hostess for and therefore I will once again spend my evening at the church.

Friday: Yes I know it is not here yet but this week gets better. We have friends who are missionaries coming in to spend the weekend. So we will have company all weekend long. I have got to get my paper typed and sent in for school some time this weekend in the mist of all this chaos.

Monday rolls around and it will all begin again. So if you every want to know what it is like to live at the funny farm  just come and see us. I love you all very much  and miss you more than you all will ever know.

Till next time.

Well, my office is rather dismantled.  We are doing some rearanging here and everyone has boxes everywhere. When I come to work in the morning I will have no phone or computer because my new desk doesn't arive until 8:30 and it then has to be put together. I'm not sure when the lines will be dropped to be able to hook everything up.

I went shopping for white sandle heels yesterday for Easter. I found some that are really cute and will work just fine. They were the only pair that were comfortable and looked like they would work. I got home and was looking through some pictures and realized I had picked out he exact same ones you wore at your wedding Amy.  I couldn't believe it. I really didn't pay that much attention to what you wore on your feet. But I thought it was funny we obivously have great taste.

Well I must try to restore as much order to my day as possiable. I'll talk to you later.