Haven't posted in 2 years...

After having another baby....life went into fast forward..didn't know it could go any faster. With a faster pace came new priorites and obviously blogging was forgotten. Maybe I'll pick it up again...After I do more praying..spending time with my husband...playing with my kids..who seem to grow up way too fast...helping hurting peole..loving hurting kids and seeing the kingdom of God move on earth. Until then, catch you later!

Blogging...Replaced by Sleeping

SOOOOO, I haven't even blogged in 2009 yet? Wow, It actually took me 10 minutes to get my computer to sign me on so I could give a bit of an update. First, Let me all make you aware that I am pregnant. Again. So instead of doing well anything productive, I have been sick and sleeping. So, I made it through Christmas and now that I am 13 weeks, I am feeling much better.
We are very excited to be expecting again and I am even more excited to know that this is my last one. I am enjoying it now and can't wait to find out what it is in 5 weeks. The due date is July 27th, which means I will have a June, July, August, October, November and December Birthday celebration! It's nice to have the first 6 months off of partying.
Speaking of partying, I decided to blog today beacuse I am one year older today and totally relaxing. I refused to clean for ONE day. So I told my boss(Russ) I was taking the day off at church . I stayed home, played with my kids, took a hot bath and we are going out to eat...with a sink full of dishes and loads of laundry smelling up my basement. Don't worry, it will be there tomorrow. To all my fellow bloggers, Have a JOYFUL 2009!

My Gift in the Mail... My story continued

To all those who waited all summer for the continuation of my story, here it is. To recap, Pastor Russ was the youth pastor in Cleveland, at a church I was attending. He just said his final goodbyes and left for Pittsburgh. I thought I would never see him again. During his two week interim Florida vacation before relocating to Pittsburgh, I received a small envelope with balloons on it in the mail. Inside was a book by Max Lucado and a birthday card from "PR". I was really surprised that he thought of me!

In the card, he wrote that he had picked up the book at the airport for me and hoped I had a nice birthday. Then he wrote that he would stop to see me before he left for Pittsburgh. I showed the card to my friend Deana, who had know PR for a long time. She was all giggles. She said he just doesn't do this for anyone. This "is something." I blew it off as a nice gesture.

Although, I really was looking forward to his promise of seeing him one last time.

The day came for PR to come home form the airport, gather the last of his few bachelor belongings and head to Pittsburgh in his little black Jetta Volkswagen. I called Deana to see if he had arrived. She said, "Oh, he already came, got his stuff and left for Pittsburgh." Inside, I felt a little pain in my heart, then went back to work at the mall kiosk.

Back to School

So school started 4 weeks ago, and I am finally blogging. With 1, 500 pictures on my little chip, I decided to do some downloading today and realized I haven't updated my blog. We had a fantastic, relaxing and uplifting summer! Wow! The roller coaster of life gets faster and more fun every day! In June, my grandpa became ill and on June 26th, went to be with Jesus. During that time, my entire life was put on hold. I went home to Cleveland to be with my family. Thanks to Julie and Dan for hosting all of us! During that time, my training for my triathlon was put on hold and when I came back we left for vacation (just camping of course), and put it off for another two weeks. By then the triathlon was 2 weeks away and of course I planned to compete the day we started to set up for our biggest week long outreach of the year-City Reach. So, I gave in. I said from the beginning that my training would not come before my family or God-work. So I am pleased to say I did just that. And it was soo worth it. Yes, I am still training...for next year. I am running weekly with several friends, swimming int he wee hours and spinning when I have to(AHHHH!)

Otherwise the schedule of full time mommy getting kids up for school at 6 am and sending them out the door every hour, signing checks and filling out thousands of papers, grocery shopping (and putting it away), trying to find the bottom of the laundry pile, and cooking some type of nutritious meal...not to mention reading tons of books and bathing kids(at least once a week)...is keeping me pretty content.

The first day of school is always exciting. Especially because everyone wakes up on time. This year was special because my little girl, Rachel started Kindergarten at Kerr Elementary. It was emotional at the bus stop because she was so busy talking to her friends she forgot to wave goodbye from the bus. So, I think I will be missing her the most. Greg started Fox Chapel high school as a freshman and Shelby is in the 8th grade at Dorseyville Middle School. Danielle is in preschool at Glenn Ave. and Justin..well he goes to a literacy class with Danielle and I and he attends book babies at the library.

I hope to be blogging at least weekly, when I am not playing Candyland for the 100th time-enjoying my children while they are still young. God's Blessings!

First Camp

The flowers have bloomed, the sun is out and school is almost over. Let the fun times begin. Dirty faces, sweaty hair, swimming pools and CAMP. We took our first trip last weekend! What crazy time! We forgot the keys to our trailer(again). So we really were roughing it with no utensils, plates, cooking supplies or bedding. (In addition to no running water and a very old outhouse) Miraculously we came out alive..and had fun while doing it. Pizza saved the day. The kids didn't have a care in the world (I wish I could be more like that). They were busy as soon as we set them free from their seat belts. Greg went fishing and chopped wood. Shelby mowed(I mean drove) the grass and made friends with the new teenage girls in the next camp. Rachel and Danielle can't help stay out of the river-even in 50 degree weather. It just so happens to be toad mating season this time of year-for those of you interested. So, the excitement was in catching as many toads as they possible could-at the same time. They definately got a kick out of the "piggybacked " ones. They played baby toad, tent toad, boat toad, and they were even given boogie board rides. At the end of the trip it was emotional to say goodbye-at least to the ones who lived through it. I like to call it animal investigation instead of cruelty. Justin got a taste of hot dogs over the fire and lots of grass and mud. A very well balanced diet. Me, well, I just attract bugs-even in the cold. We can't wait until we meet the outdoors again. happy camping!

Hello

Wow, has it really been that long since I sat down to blog? I wonder what I was doing? I am going to finish my story, for those of you waiting. But first, let me update you on triathlon progress. I all but gave up until my husband and encourager said just start training and if it doesn't work, then at least you'll know you tried. So it is better to try that not do anything at all. So, I have begun my training. So far, so good. The date is set for Augst 10th and I can't wait. But, the rule is :Family FIRST! My husband and my kids need me. So it can't interfere with them. Here are some recent pics of some of them. Up above, Danielle (age 3 1/2) is all dolled up for Easter, Justin (10 months) on his first swing, and Rachel(age 5) right before her first big t-ball game. I'll try and catch up with Shelby and Greg so you can see them too. Check out Shelby's awesome blog to the right!

He's Leaving-My story Continued

To all my blog readers, thanks for waiting. Time just doesn't stand still for blogging. So, I left off with the announcement by Pastor Russ that he was leaving Immanuel AG in Ohio. I was not there when he made the announcement. I was still attending Westpark. I found out through my friend Dee Dee. She said, "Did you hear the news?" Pastor Russ is leaving. At first, I felt my stomach hit the floor. Then I reasoned. I said to myself, "It must not be God's plan for us. He has something better." And that was that. At his farewell party, I remember Russ with tears in his eyes as he said goodbye to the entire youth group. I didn't cry. I just gave him a hug and said goodbye. I asked for his address, so I could write to him. I happened to have my Sunday morning kids church memory verse paper in my back pocket. On the back he scribbled his parents address in Pittsburgh. I still have that paper. I held onto it because I thought I could write and encourage him.

So after I said goodbye, I left, knowing God had another plan for my life that did not include Pastor Russ.

Russ was taking a two week vacation to Florida-by himself-then going on to Pittsburgh. I really thought I would never see him again. During his vacation it happened to be my birthday. I received a small package in the mail. The return address was from Pittsburgh, PA.

First 5k of the Year

What a Glorious Day to go for a run. The announcer blared this over the microphone as we lined up for this mornings cold, but beautiful race. I called my friend Kate Thursday morning and asked her is she wanted to run a 5k on Saturday. She said, "SURE!" So starting out at 5:45 am this morning, we met up to run the "Just a Short Run" (meaning you get free shorts) for Leukemia. It was freezing! We were an hour early to register since we missed online registration. Then we sat in Kate's car to get warm. Greg(my 14 year old son) joined us and I think he was half asleep still and Kate's friend from Allison Park, Charlotte ran too! We had a blast. I was so excited and full of coffee and a bottle of water, that I had to run to the bathroom before the race began. I waited in line so long I almost missed the start. The race started uphill first which was tough then flattened out. I loved every minute. I just wished I had my ipod. It's sorta hard to sing and run, plus there were lots of people around, so i just faced the beautiful sunshine, thanking God for a glorious morning and a beautiful run.

I finished strong, had fun, and didn't stop with a time under 32 minutes. I can't wait for the next race. Anyone out there game?

continuing my story

Where was I? For those of you who have not read the previous blogs, I was just explaining how God dramatically changed the course of my life at age 18. So, I was teaching kids church every Sunday morning at Westpark and going to school to get my teaching degree. I lived with my grandma and grandpa in Parma, Ohio. They fed me well. Thanks Gram (Like she reads my blog!) Anyway, I really started to notice how nice and sweet Pastor Russ was. Our college bunch got together often and even though I didn't go to Immanuel anymore I was still welcomed. We went tobogganing, ice skating, bowling, running (of course) and ate together often. One night I was having dinner at Dee Dee's house. They had invited Pastor Russ to come too. I just started to see him in a different light. He loved God sooo much, but I insisted he was way too good for me and that I was Crazy for even having an interest in him.
The more I prayed the more I thought about Pastor Russ. AHHH! It was starting to bother me now. I asked God to remove him from my mind. IT was no use, so I confided in Dee Dee. I told her I think I like him. She said great. Of course, no help. So I made an appointment with the pastor's wife. I went into her office and told her I had a problem. I said I liked someone and I know that I shouldn't. She immediately said I know its Pastor Russ and I've already fasted and prayed about it. You need to get his attention. So clean his house. Wow, was I taken aback. What? clean his house? What? She approves of my feelings. Boy, was I confused.
I took her advice. No, I didn't clean his house, I made him a pie. A homemade apple pie and put it in a big white box with a fall colored bow and wished him a happy thanksgiving. I placed it on his stove (his door was always open) when he wasn't home and left it there. I thought he might like it. He loved it and thanked me with his big smile that made my heart melt.
Even though I got his attention, he still showed no interest in me in that way, so I just continued to teach and pray and keep my mind on Jesus. I was always busy(not me) doing something-at this point I was singing in the singing Christmas tree!

That month-December-Pastor Russ announced to the church that he would be resigning and moving back to Pittsburgh....more to follow later

Enjoy this beautiful Sunny Day!!!

28 days later....

It has been so long since I was able to sit down and blog. And still my daughter is over my shoulder asking me a question. Maybe I should blog in the middle of the night? Anyway, Easter Egg Hunt preparations have kept me more than occupied this month. We had a great-cold-day with 530 kids registered! I was able to share the gospel with probably 1500 people. It was an amazing day! Thanks so much to Sheila and Christa and the Urso family and everyone who worked several hours to make the day a success! Several kids were heard saying, "This is my best Easter ever!" Easter Sunday was a great day too with over 300 people in church! God renewed my compassion for the lost during this weekend. I met so many unchurched and hurting families. We can only have faith and hope that those who heard the message will turn to Christ.



God has proved himself trustworthy. Every time I turned around and read a passage and even on my office wall, were the words trustworthy. Trust Him. For my life, my kids and their future, my marriage, our finances, the ministry-everything. The more I trust Him, the more I feel lighter and free and the more He proves it. He proves himself faithful in my life again and again. I am so thankful to God for all that He has done in my life! I will continue to share the rest of My Story tomorrow.

Boiling Point

For my blog readers, I have been continuing to share my life-changing story. But here is some recent stuff. Last Thursday I found out I was going to a youth retreat in Erie, PA. I tried to get out of going, but obviously God wanted Russ and I there. Sooooooo, to make along story short, we took 18 teens from Sharpsburg Family Worship Center and God did great things in each of their lives. I will ask permission to share later. The Allison Park youth staff and leaders did an amazing job! The retreat was phenomenal. The message was clear and our kids grew as a result. Here is a picture of those who went.

my story...continued

On my own. No problem. At eighteen I thought I knew everything about life. I had it all together. I would go to school, work, get my degree, learn as much about the Bible as I could, and never ever get married. Yeah, I wanted kids, but I would adopt or move to another country as a missionary and take in some orphans.

You would think that I would learn that my plans are not God's plans by now. My parents always said I liked to be boss. Now it was time to let God do the driving and I needed to take a back seat. He always knows what's best for me.

The good stuff...So I keep on attending the youth group at Immanuel Assembly in Brookpark where Pastor Russ Horne(PR) was the youth pastor. (Don't jump ahead..it's not what you think!) I always sat in the front row. I scrambled down as many notes as I could take and looked up every scripture that was preached. I really didn't take notice of the preacher, I really focused on the preaching. I did some drama and then became best friends with the senior pastor's daughter, Deana. Dee Dee and I were both going to Cleveland State for teaching. She was hilarious! We did a lot together, especially at church. I only went to Immanuel on Wednesdays, since I was committed to the church plant started by Jeff Brown.

Jeff totally challenged me. He bought a bus and said fill it. He gave me ideas and then said make it happen. He taught me to pray passionately for the lost and cry out to God and how to hear from Him. At that time, he asked me to become totally committed to one body-one church. He asked me to leave Immanuel. I totally respected him and obeyed.

But, I still hung out with Dee Dee and the gang of college students (PR, Roland, Joe, Maryann). There was a group of us that hung out and did stupid stuff like go bowling( No offense-I just stink at it). One Friday night after bowling, we all decided that we needed to exercise. So, we had this crazy idea to get up at 8 am and go running. Since PR lived in the parsonage, we would meet there.

I woke up, got on my jogging suit, bought some donuts, and headed to PR's house. For those of you who read my blog earlier, you know what happens. I was the only one to show up. So, Pastor Russ laughs and decided to go running with me. Alone. I was scared to death and pushed my self so hard, I almost puked.

That was our first official non-date. As a joke one night,(as we jumped on her parents bed!) Dee Dee says, you should like Pastor Russ. We laughed so hard about that. Then that night, I started to think about the preacher man. Nope. He's way to good for me. Plus, I never wanted to get married, so I didn't have to get divorced. I just wanted what God wanted.

God's Will vs. Mine; My story continued...

So do I go away to college or not? I really felt like God was saying, Stay Home. But all the odds were againt this decision. The hardest part would be to tell my mom. I thought she might understand. One day I casually asked her, "Mom, what would you think if I didn't go away to college?" She basically exploded. After she calmed down, she decided that that it would be Ok if I stayed home and went to college as long as I paid for it. Hmm..Free college or not. Now it was a REALLY hard decision. I fasted. I prayed and still felt like I shouldn't go. I was really only 18 and had not made up what I wanted to do with my life. How could I make such a huge decision? I talked with Pastor Jeff Brown, Maritsa, my friends.. they all affirmed that I should stay. So I did.
My heart and my mind really wanted to do what my mom and dad wanted. I really wanted to please them, to make them proud. But I went against them. It was the hardest decision in my life so far.
I enrolled in the education department at Cleveland State. The only trouble was I didn't want to waste money on room and board and I couldn't live at home. I had really no where to go. I decided to ask my grandma and grandpa if I could live with them while I commuted. They agreed to let me stay.

So after graduation (which my husband Russ happened to be at, coming to see kids in his youth group!), I went to Spain and France on a high school trip. It was amazing and I vowed to go back someday. The day I flew home, I came home to any empty house. My mom and stepdad and sisters had moved. All that was left were my things. I packed everything and moved that day to grandma's house in Parma, Ohio.

Graduated, 18 and kindof on my own. My new life was just beginning.

Silver Ring Thing!

On Wednesday night, we had our first SRT event!Here are the 35 students who committed to stay abstinent until marriage. Each student got a silver ring to remember their committment to God. It was great night!

Connected: My story continued

I have learned from starting a church plant eight years ago that meaningful connections are what bring people back to church. So after a missionary service I attended 12 years ago in Cleveland, I practically ran to sign up to help with any opportunity I could get my hands on. I was starving to serve in any way I could. Well, these missionaries were not leaving to go to Puerto Rico for a few years, so I really couldn't go with them. They politely told me to sign their mailing list. That didn't excite me. So I said to them, "What can I do NOW?" They answered, "Well, there is this church starting in Westpark. The pastor could use some help making calls and passing out flyers." I said, "Sure, I'll do anything." That is when I met Pastor Jeff Brown.

There are a few people in your life that are the ones who really help to mold you. They see the potential in you and help you become who God wants you to be. Jeff was one of those people. His passion was contagious. He was so excited about this new church that God had called him to start. Him and his wife, Maritsa, left Calfiornia and their comfortable life to come to the inner city of Celveland and start a church-cold turkey. No mother church, nothing. They relied only on family and word of mouth to get people involed and more than not, they ended up doing most of the work themselves. I never met a person who worked harder for God than Jeff Brown. He was inspiring.

Jeff asked me to call hundreds of people to tell them about the new church. I remember pages of numbers of residents that I would highlight and keep track of. Wow, I wonder how I had so much time back then. Then I would help them go door to door every Saturday.

He mentioned on a couple of occasions that the church was going to need someone to teach children. Whoa, "Not me", I said. I didn't teach kids. I had had enough of my own little sisters. (Sorry Mandie and Jess.) I was barely a Christian, but for some reason, Jeff believed in me. I'm not sure why. He said all you have to do is follow the curriculum and teach. He told me of a church that did Big Days once a month. I got several ideas from Tommy Barnett(The egg hunt being one of them). Jeff personally mentored me. He connected me to meaningful relationships, especially with Maritsa and her sister Julie. He taught me so much about people and God and faith. One thing I remember Jeff saying was, "Walk slowly through the crowd. Look into people eyes. Don't rush past with your own agenda. Care about people". He exemplified this every time I saw him.

So, the day Westpark Asssembly of God opened, I started teaching kids church for the very first time, through the nudging of Pastor Jeff.

It was summer and as most graduated seniors do, they plan to go to college. I was excited about my future college carreer. I had worked hard in high school, so I could attend a good college. I really liked science, so I was going to try chemical engineering. I had visited Ohio State and Ohio University and decied to apply to OU. I was accepted into both the school and their chemical engineering program. I was so happy. I even had a roommate from Brooklyn that would go with me. I told Jeff I could only teach until I left in August for college.

That summer my outlook on life changed. I found myself getting so ecxited about teaching every Sunday. I no longer wanted to make lots of money and have good job. I couldn't just change everything though. It was already set in place. I would go away. Then God started to speak to me. Through several different people and through several incidents, God spoke. Everywhere I went, I heard, "DON'T GO, Go to Cleveland State Unviersity". I was appalled. Cleveland State? That was like the worst choice ever. But the more I prayed the more I heard God saying to just stay. It was a fight between God's will vs. mine.

more to come...

Valentine's Day: My Story Continued

By February of 1996 I was starving to know about God. I had been raised Catholic and went to a private school in Parma-Incarnate Word Academy. I thank God fo the foundations I learned there as a child. Some of my fondest memories were attending church as a family when I was younger. Now all I wanted to do was go to church. Any time the doors were open I was there. Danielle told me about a great youth group meeting very Wednesday at Immanuel in Brookpark. I started going there with her. I also went to church there and attended all the special services, dying to know about Jesus more.
It was at a special missionary service that really cahnged the direction of my life. You see, if God had not called Lance and Maryann Hastings, missionaries to Puerto Rico, to come to Immanuel to speak, then I would never have met Jeff Brown. If I had never met Jeff Brown, I would never had started doing children's ministry. If I had never started doing children's ministry, I would never have changed my major to teaching. If I had never changed my major to teaching, I would never have changed colleges. If I had never changed colleges, I would never have stayed in Cleveland. If I had never stayed in Cleveland, I would not have met and married Russ. If I had never married Russ, I would have missed out on God's perfect plan.
So the story continues as I ponder on this Valentine's Day how awesome God is to have arranged all that and more.
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Thank God for my valentine- my husband, my best friend, and the most wonderful man I know. I can't imagine life without him.

Set Free: My Story

Superbowl Sunday, 1996. Not quite 18. Everything changed. I'll never forget that cold day where I rose out of bed to desperately search for an open church. Couldn't go to my Dad's. He'd make a big deal out of it. So, I found this little reformed church next to my high school. I walked in to a half-empty old looking small church with no one I knew. The pastor gets up and says "today is youth day, so the youth will be taking the whole service." Great. I recognize a few teens from my high school-Brooklyn. I didn't really associate with them. I was way too busy cheerleading, singing and doing lots of other important stuff, to hang out with them. Then I noticed Danielle. She was the leader today. I really didn't like her.

She led the youth to do motions to a song. The altar. I was tired. The weight of my life bearing down hard on me. I heard, "that's what this altar is for." Danielle talked. I felt embarrased and shameful of all the sin in my life. I heard "The blood of Jesus will make you white as snow."

Then I saw it. As tears stremed down my face, I saw a big list of everything I had done to offend God. My sins were too numerous to count. Then I saw blood running down each one until the list was gone and clean. I was so happy. I wanted to scream. I felt light and free for the first time.

God used my enemy to talk to me. God made sure I somehow got out of bed and found that church. That day my life did a huge 360.

Danielle looked at me like I can't believe it. My friends said I turned weird. One friend said, "You finally found who you are Jamie." I quit cheerleading. I quit almost everything. Nothing was important to me now. I had to devote my life to the one who touched me that day. I had to tell everyone else that they could be set free too.

'He who the Son sets free is free indeed."

Story to be continued...

Staying Focused

Wow! What a message tonight by Johanes. Simple, relaxed and matter of factly, it hit me square in the face. Don't get sidetracked. Are you kidding? I walk the zig zag path of life daily. Running to each distraction with passion and leaving it unfinished as I tackle another. The focus=The lost. Wow, when have I prayed for my neighbors last? A kingdom perspective really knocks me off my feet sometimes. I really need to be put back on track. And then he prayed two things that I will pray daily from now on. First, "Lord, I love you more than the applause of people." Then, "Lord, I love you more than the criticism of people". As Sara Groves sings, "I live and I breathe for an audience of One, because I know this journey is my own."

One day when I stand before God, I want to make sure I did my part to add to the kingdom of God. Its overwhelming to feel the weight of the lost souls on your heart. Then I remember what Russ preached this morning. In my weakness, He is strong. God's Spirit saves people, not me. So I lay down all of the lost family and friends and kids and hurting people in Sharpsburg and in Pittsburgh and people all over the world in countries I wish I could go to and tell. For those who have not yet experienced the awesome love and freedom of a Saviour, and I give them to God. I can't do it alone. No one can.

So I pray I will not get sidetracked by TV, food, sleep, materialism, and laziness and continue to fight the good fight and to answer the call. No matter what.

Boring Day

Today I was so exhausted I didn't want to do anything...It's days like these I wonder if I grew or learned anything. Probably not. I just wanted to sleep all day but of course that is a dream. So it's almost ten and I think I'll finally get my shut eye. Now the question remains to sleep in or swim at 6 am. It is so tempting in this dreary, grey,rainy winter to just stay in bed and forget my resolution to feel great-but I can't. I'll swim.

Whenever I get into the pool, I start at the deep end. I dive in and swim as fast as I can to get warm quicker. I can't help the huge smile and sometimes giddy laughter that I experience every time I do this. I love to swim. Immediately I feel free and relaxed. It is one of my most favorite things to do. I swim kid laps now. In sets of five, I swim a lap for Greg, then a lap for Shelby , then Rachel, then Danielle, and Justin is my fifth. Then I start over, repeating this 5 times. Each lap I pray for this child and think of them. It really helps me keep track of laps and I get to pray for each child as well. Last swim I prayed the prayer of Jabez for each kid.

I will not be bored tomorrw. I will seek to hear from God better. Enjoy my kids better. And beat myself up less for not accomplishing everthing on my agenda. So onto tomorrow.

Family Pics

Poor Justin-getting dressed pretty already. Rachel Ready for Rainbows. Danielle finally giving in to a nap. Ice skating at PPG. Lastly, Greg and his homemade afro(brocolli) and pick.