College Update

So...I figured I ought to do this every once in a while, to keep this blog alive if nothing else. :)
It's now been about nine weeks since I started the summer work program here at school. I'm enjoying myself a lot, actually--I'm pretty homesick sometimes, but there are a bunch of really cool people here and I'm enjoying the chance to get used to college life before I have to worry about class schedules and such.
There have been some "oh drat" moments recently--my computer fried (it was a month old!!!!) and I only today got the message that it was finally fixed (after being in the shop for a month), and the AC in my dorm has gone on the fritz for the second time in as many months. Fortunately, my RAs are cool and are letting Chelsey (my roomie) and I sleep in an unoccupied dorm until we get our air back up and running.
On the good side of things, I'm already learning a ton at work--I'm assigned to the bakery, and am learning a lot about baking in general, and how the kitchen works as a whole. One of my favorite chefs is going to be leaving for good right before we start the fall semester, which makes me sad, but he's doing it to be closer to family, so I guess I can't argue.
I'm not going to ramble for long, but just thought I'd drop a line for those who are interested. Love y'all!
~LoriAnn

Wow! Six Already?!

Yesterday, as we’re celebrating his birthday, Kenaniah asked me if I “could remember the old days; you know, when I was a baby.”

Yes, Bubba, I remember the old days. For me, they weren’t that long ago at all. And I remember that some things never change. You always have loved your music.

You’ve always loved adventure.

And I know that even at six years old, you are a man out to conquer life.

Happy Birthday, Little Buddy!

We love you and look forward to the release of your first CD!

Another Milestone!

Another milestone in our family. My little buddy, who ain’t so little anymore, just had his 16th birthday.
I have to say, I’m pretty proud of the young man he’s becoming. He’s a great help to me in many ways. He’s a great big brother to his 5-year-old counterpart. He’s growing in his faith. I’m just thankful he still let’s me call him “Buddy.” God has been so gracious to us with all of our children. In some ways it’s tough watching them grow into adulthood and become more independent. But we knew going in that they were only on temporary loan. We just pray God will overcome our weaknesses as parents and grow all these young ‘uns into Christ honoring servants. I think this one is well on the way.

Love ya, Buddy. Happy Birthday!

21 and Counting!

21 years ago today, by the very great grace of God, this woman became my wife.

In those 21 years, I’ve dragged her through seminary housing, living with a homeless ministry, several years on an Indian Reservation, and a couple of small churches. And she’s never once complained about the low standard of living that comes with being a small church pastor.

Along the way, God blessed us with four wonderful children, whom she has done the bulk of the labor in raising and homeschooling. Our children are becoming amazing servants of Christ, largely due to their mother (and of course large doses of God’s grace). Again, she does all this without complaint.She is the very definition of what a godly woman should be. She loves Christ, loves her husband, loves her family, loves her church; pretty much in that order, as it should be.

I know that grace is an amazing thing in general. I know that receiving undeserved favor, unmerited blessing is at the core of our faith. And I am constantly amazed that God would ever love “such a worm as I.”

Though nothing can or ever will compare with that grace, I continue to marvel at the fact that God gave me Cheryl on top of it all. What a blessing to this worthless lump! And I am eternally grateful for it all.

Happy Anniversary, Cheryl! I love you more every day!

(Even if the kids do think there’s more than one dinosaur in this photo!)

Happy Father's Day!!!

Many times

You forget about

Dads, but I can tell you all

About MY dad. My

Dad is awesome,

Sweet, wonderful

Cool, and really great!

Only my dad knows how

To be the best.

Though most would think it’s their dad,

I know it’s mine, he makes me

Laugh, and keeps me on my toes

Or slouched down in my seat, ‘cuz he can be

Very

Embarrassing sometimes, but,

You know,

Only my dad is the best—

Unless he’s singing Superchic[k], just to embarrass me...

Love ya, Dad!

~LoriAnn

College Update

So, Dad wants me to give updates on college frequently, and he also wants this blog to be more active. So I figured I'd do both at the same time! Clever, am I not? ...don't answer that...lol
Updates then.
First of all, for those of you who don't know, I'm working in the bakery at the Keeter Center, which means I get to make the cookies and pies and hot butter cakes and danishes and chocolate-covered-strawberries that we sell or serve at our Sunday brunch. It's a blast-- my supervisors Nancy and Brenda are both really nice, and the girls I work with are fun to hang out with. I'm learning a ton, and trying not to snack too much. LOL
Dorm life is a brand new animal to me, but so far it hasn't been too bad. My roommate and I get along fairly well, and there's air conditioning. I'm happy. :) Oh yes, and WiFi. How did I survive before I had WiFi? *Sigh*
Anyway...it's about lunchtime, and it's my day off (YEAH!!!) so I'm going to head over to the caf (er...cafeteria for you non-college students) for some pizza and a deli sandwich if they have the provolone cheese again...
Talk later!
~LoriAnn

That's Another Story

Well, she’s done it again. Our oldest has sold another short story under her nom de plume Elyn W. Marsh. You may remember that she has previously sold a short story and two poems, one of which was published in the print edition of Mindflights (you can find that here).

Anyway, she recently sold another story to Mindflights, which is now available on their site HERE.

For the record, we are also thrilled that she has been accepted to College of the Ozarks, her first (and only) choice. You can read her thoughts about it HERE.

All in all, the girl has had a pretty good couple months.

Homeschool Day at the Capitol

Again, I'm way behind here. A week ago we went to Jefferson City for the Annual Homeschool Rally sponsored by Families for Home Education. We heard FHE folks speak, along with some legislators; went to visit with out local reps; hung out with a whole bunch of other homeschoolers; and generally had a great time. Here are some pics from the day.

Happy Birthday, KJ!

Well, our youngest daughter turned 14 on Friday. Dad's not too happy about this, since when she was five she made a promise: "I won't grow up; I'll always be your baby." Well, she is still my baby girl, but she is growing up whether we like it or not.

For part of her birthday, she made a 90 mile trip to buy some new Jersey Wooly rabbits. She now has four prize winning rabbits and is hoping to breed a bunch more. Quite the little farm girl.

So Happy Birthday KJ, Joy-Joy, Baby K, and all those other nicknames....

A Poem

A poem by LoriAnn, for lack of a better thing to post. :) Enjoy!

The Sky is Falling

The sky is falling!

We run in circles, crying madly

The sky is falling!

What shall we do?

“Trade and cap—

Don’t be a sap

Do what’s best

Don’t run the tap!”

~Don’t run your mouth, you mean

The sky is falling!

We meet in hushed conclaves

The sky is falling!

What deals can we cut?

“Don’t run the heat

The North Pole’s beat

We’re melting…

Please, take a seat.”

~Yes, because you won’t hear the facts

The sky is falling!

We wail, and moan, and empty our wallets

The sky is falling!

What will they think up next?

“People? Too many!

Solution? Don’t have any!

Children, that is…

Thy cost a pretty penny.”

~No, children are a gift from God

The sky is falling!

We shake our heads in bewilderment

The sky is falling!

Whatever shall we do?

“Be wise, take care

And do your share

To steward God’s world

It’s only fair…”

After all, He cares for us

But don’t freak out about it,

OK?

New Stuff Coming Soon

Obviously I haven't been keeping up with things here. Mostly it's due to the fact that Dad here has been the one responsible for putting things on this site, and I've just been busy with stuff like, oh I don't know, maybe my job and things.

Anyway, to rectify the situation, we are working to give each of the kids their own access to this site so they can publish directly themselves and not wait for Dad. Hopefully this is not a mistake on my part. Seriously, I know only a few family members read here anyway, and it will be good to have the kids putting their thoughts, writings, pictures, etc. here to keep everyone informed. Hopefully this will make the site worth checking out more often.

So stay tuned....