Our New Tennessee Life

As some of you are probably aware, Trent and I moved to middle Tennessee in June to work with the Mt Leo church of Christ. Since arriving, things have been very busy but I wanted to take a little time to let you know how things were going. We absolutely love the new adventure we have embarked upon and we could not have asked for a better church family! They have welcomed us with open arms, had us into their homes, invited us on fun outings and encouraged us so much since we have been here.

Since we have arrived we have had an ice cream social, started a sewing class to make quilts for some of our shut-ins, had a great Vacation Bible School and a very successful Friends and Family Day. At our Friends and Family Day the elders surprised the congregation with new updates around the building. We had fresh paint in the auditorium, power point installed and ready to go, new flowers and chairs up on front and some of the classrooms even got new hard wood floors. We were blessed to have around 220 precious souls present (the most we had before that was 180)!

On top of everything going on at Mt Leo, last weekend I was also given the opportunity to spend some time and speak to some of the sisters from the East End congregation (where my father-in-law preaches) at their Ladies Retreat. We had a great time together making memories and growing in the Word. The most important event to take place since we have been here has been witnessing several restorations and baptisms. To say it has been a very exciting time would be an understatement.

I hope that this post has not been boastful by any means, but pointed to the awesome work that God has going on in our lives. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we strive to do the Lord’s work and please Him on a daily basis

Mt Leo welcoming us into town

The group of ladies who attended East End’s Ladies Retreat

Speaking on “Sweeter As The Days Go By” at East End’s Ladies Retreat

Working on a quilt at Mt Leo’s Sewing Class

My classroom decorations for VBS

Trent and I over the July 4th Weekend

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Home Sweet Home

Honey, we’re home! We arrived in Collinsville at the end of July and have been busy ever since! The congregation has been wonderful. They welcomed us our first Sunday with a big “pounding”. For some of you, this may sound quite painful…but was actually a great blessing. We left that night with several boxes of food and as of this past Sunday are still receiving goodies.

Collinsville is a very active congregation and we have already been put to work. Next quarter, Trent will be teaching the high school class on Sundays, the adult auditorium class on Wednesdays, and a class at the upcoming Youth Rally this weekend. He has also preached the past 3 Sunday nights on a series about Satan. And as for me, next quarter I will be teaching 3rd and 4th grade on Sunday mornings. Just recently I also signed up to teach English to students online by using the Bible, in hopes to get some studies going in the process. I am very excited about this new work.

Before arriving in Illinois, Trent and I enjoyed a great vacation to celebrate our graduation and anniversary. Now we are enjoying making our new place a home. There are still several boxes to be unpacked, but we are taking each day at a time. We look forward to getting everything in order so that we will be able to have people over for dinners, host devotionals and singings. I’m sure there will be plenty of good times ahead.

We Got A Job!

Good news! As of  April 11th, Trent and I have accepted a work with the Collinsville congregation in Collinsville, Illinois (near St. Lois, MO)! Trent will start August 1st as the intern/associate minister and we will be there anywhere between 1-3 years. We are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with the congregation!

Lately it feels as if we are running around with our heads cut off at times as we are currently going through our last quarter of final exams!! (Second year students do not have finals the last quarter.) We are also trying to get started with packing and Trent is still busy preaching various places on Sundays.

This quarter I have not only been taking the class for the wives at ETSPM (New Testament Survey) but I have been taking a class with Trent for credit as well (Ethics). So now I have 2 finals to take on the same day – haha

I am staying very busy with my photography as well. Just this year I have done 1 wedding and have 2 more officially booked. I have done 1 family session in Charleston, SC and held a Portrait Party to benefit Relay For Life in McMinnville, TN. We had 15 sessions in one day and raised $75 for Relay For Life! Now that we are in our last months at Knoxville, I am getting even more requests for photos. It is awesome! 🙂 It makes me really look forward to settling down somewhere and really diving into the business!

That is about all of the news I have right now. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we begin to make this new transition!

PS —  Graduation is July 10th at 2pm and we would LOVE to see you there!!

Thankful

The holidays are sneaking up on us quickly this year. I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is this week and Christmas just around the corner! I don’t have too much to update you on, Trent is still doing great in school and we are looking forward to sending out resumes to congregations looking for ministers. By the way, if you know of any sound congregations that are looking…please let us know so we can check it out! 🙂

I just want to take this time to express how thankful I am for all the wonderful examples and encouragers I have at Karns and ETSPM! I have been given the opportunity to teach a few of the ladies classes on Tuesday mornings at the building. I am so blessed to be given this opportunity to grow and become more at ease with teaching adult ladies classes. All of the women in there are great and make it a wonderful experience for me!

I have grown so much since I have been at ETSPM – with the classes offered to the wives, speaking at the Ladies Day and now teaching some of the Ladies Classes. One person who I feel has made the biggest impact on me since I have been here is Mrs. Teresa Hampton! She is a true role model for me and the sweetest women you could ever meet! I will never forget the time I went with her to one of the Ladies Days she was speaking at…I remember sitting there thinking, “I want to be able to do this one day!” Little did I know I would have the opportunity to within that same year! Another thing that I have always wanted to do is write some books, especially for teen girls. I am starting to focus on that more now while I still have these great role models around me to help give me some pointers. With that being said, if you would like to take a brief anonymous survey on what would benefit YOU in a book – you can do so by clicking on the link here

Thanks again to all of those who have been an encouragement to Trent and I as we go through ETSPM! Each of you are greatly appreciated and loved!