Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

This verse certainly gives me much comfort. I have gone through a lot in the past couple of years. I got engaged in November 2007 and planned a wedding for a year. I married my husband, Brian, in December 2008. Days after returning from our fabulous Hawaiian honeymoon, I moved across the country to Indiana to make a new home with Brian. Months after moving to Indianapolis, we packed up and moved again to Fort Wayne. They say the 3 big stresses of one's life are: Moving, Marriage, and Having a Baby. Well I experienced two of those back to back. I have to say, I was an emotional wreck at times. But God, my amazing husband, my fantastic family, and great friends have gotten me through my stressful and hard times. This verse always comes to mind when I am having a hard time, anxious about something, or just need some comforting. God is always there. Not when it is convenient for Him...but all of the time. He is available 24/7 and I am so unbelievably grateful for that. What particular verse gives you comfort and encouragement?

"You can do all the planing you want, but if you don't take action, all your planning will be in vain and nothing you do will flourish."

I often make plans. I am a huge planner. My personality requires me to plan ahead if I am going to be a happy camper. Usually, I also take action. I like to see my To-Do list get accomplished...it lifts a huge weight off my shoulders. However, there are certain tasks that I plan and plan and plan for but nothing gets done. I may think I have run out of time, but in reality I have time to do those things I have planned months for. For instance, I have planned and planned for several scrapbook pages that I have yet to sit down and "scrap"! It's just silly. What do you plan and plan and plan for yet don't accomplish or even take action towards?

Happy Anniversary!

December 20, 2008

Here we are 1 year later from the day we said, "I Do." I cannot believe we have already spent an entire year as husband and wife. As I told Brian earlier today, it has certainly been the best year of my life. I am so utterly and completely in love with this man and he makes me the happiest woman in the world. As I sit here now reflecting on our wedding day, a smile forms with each and every memory of that day. It was our day and it was perfect. I loved our entire day so much that I remember telling family and friends and even my new husband, "I want to relive it." I would love to relive our wedding day again. So tonight as we watch our wedding DVD, in a small way I will be reliving that day with all the emotions surrounding it. Here's to many more incredibly happy years as husband and wife!

Oh the Hustle and Bustle!

This season take time out from the hustle and bustle to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Attend a living Nativity scene, spend an evening listening to Christmas music, read the story of Christ's birth in Luke 2.

Above all, honor the Christ of Christmas.

Dear Santa...

Today Miss Debbie and I asked the children, "What do you want from Santa this year?" Then we listened to what they had to say and helped them write a letter to Santa Clause. We definitely had a couple of laughs over some children's wishes. We work with 3 and 4 year olds, so you can only imagine what these little ones want for Christmas! The girls said their typical thing of Barbies, dolls, various PINK things and the boys said mostly boy-ish things like toys and electronic devices. One boy knew what he wanted without even having to think about it and his letter was extremely detailed...heaven forbid he get the wrong thing!!! But one little boy touched my heart so much. We asked the children to name 3 things they wanted for Christmas in their letter, and 2 of the 3 things this little boy wanted were for his brothers. He is only 4! He is already giving unto others and unselfish. He doesn't want the gifts, he would rather see his brothers get something. We didn't say, "What do your brothers want for Christmas?" We said, "What do YOU want for Christmas?" He thought of his brothers and what they might like all on his own. Adorable. Amazing.

Merry Christmas!

November

So...it's been awhile since I have posted an update on the newlyweds! Time has certainly passed quickly since my last update. Brian has finished his first quarter of his first year at Concordia Theological Seminary. He did well in all of his classes and is now on a two-week break before starting his next intensive quarter after Thanksgiving.

I have a new job! I am now an assistant teacher at Little Praiser's Preschool and Daycare. I work in a classroom with 3 and 4 year olds alongside the head teacher, Miss Debbie. There are 20 children in the classroom and I am slowly getting to know them as individuals. I began the position two weeks ago and I am loving it so far. It is a huge blessing from God to be working a steady schedule! My hours are 7am-1pm Monday-Friday. I am still able to tutor and I enjoy that as well. I have 4 students that I work with individually. One continually makes me try a new approach every session! It is quite interesting.

Working with 3 and 4 year olds is much different from working with school age children. I do hope to have my own classroom someday working with 2nd or 3rd grade preferably. Right now, however, the Lord has different plans. My eyes have been opened to a whole new world...and who knows? I could be a teacher in a daycare for the rest of my life. My point is...the Lord is in control. He makes the plans and His timing is always perfect. I constantly remind myself of this every day, every week.

Brian and I continue our weekly date nights. Last night, we went out for dinner at a Mexican restaurant we have never tried and it was very good. Next week, we will be with his family for Thanksgiving so who knows what the plans will be. We are looking forward to a mini-vacation away from our home in Fort Wayne. We certainly hope and pray all of you have safe travels and a wonderful Thanksgiving!

There you have it...the update on us! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Fall Update

Hi Friends and Family!

October is upon us! It seems as if time is going by faster and faster and I just want to shout "Slow Down!" Brian started classes at the seminary in the beginning of September following Labor Day. He is very busy with reading, studying, and keeping his head above water so to speak. When he is not busy with school, he is either working in the mail room on campus, playing flag football, watching sports on TV, or spending time with me. We continue to set aside Friday nights as our "date nights." I always have those nights to look forward to when the weeks get crazy and we hardly see each other let alone speak to one another. On those "date nights" we enjoy getting out and seeing the city of Fort Wayne. We like to try new restaurants, watch movies at home, go to baseball games downtown, and various other activities. I treasure those moments we spend together away from the hectic schedules.

I continue to tutor at a learning center in town. I currently have 3 students, 1st-3rd grade (1 student in each grade level) and I love it. I work one on one with each students in areas such as math, reading, etc. It is a great opportunity and I am so grateful to have this job. I was recently hired on at Little Praiser's Preschool and Daycare as a part time assistant teacher substitute so my hours will not be the same each week. I take what I can though-it's income! I should be starting very soon. When I am not working, I enjoy scrapbooking and stamping. I am currently working on Christmas cards! Big project but it keeps me busy. I also enjoy time spent at the library, reading, shopping, and keeping things going at home. I am learning to be a better cook every day, too! :)

Fall is in full swing here in Indiana and it is beautiful watching the leaves change more and more. Brian was recently assigned a fieldwork church in Decatur, IN which is about 40 minutes southeast of Fort Wayne. Yesterday was our first experience at the church-Zion-Friedheim Lutheran Church. We enjoyed it very much. The people were very warm and welcoming. I think it will be a great few years ahead! It takes Brian and I about 40 minutes to get to the church and it is in the country. It is a very pretty drive and as the leaves continue to change it will be beautiful. The drive time also gives Brian and I a good chance to catch up and talk to one another, too. I think I will look forward to those Sunday mornings. There is just one worship service with Sunday school and Adult Bible Study to follow. There are about 230 people in worship every Sunday. We are excited to be there at that church for our fieldwork experience.

That's the update on The Flamme's! We would love to hear from you, too!

Love,
Jen