Clarification about Andy and Kate...

It appears now that Kate's biological dad was killed in the plane crash. She called both men Dad, so we didn't know who died. So, her stepfather is still with her family.

Andy and Kate Anderson...prayer request...

Carrie and I were so blessed to be apart of a couple's small group Bible study that met in Andy and Kate's home in Falls Church. Both Carrie and I regretted leaving VA because we were leaving our "family".

I just found out that late last night Kate's dad was killed in a private plane crash near Stafford Airport. Kate's mom is battling cancer right now and has Hope, a 7 year old daughter, at home. Please be in prayer for Kate's family and for Kate as she is not only struggling with the grief of losing her dad but she is also comforting her mom and sister. Also, Kate and Andy are new parents with their firstborn son arriving a little over a month ago.

I'm sure they will appreciate any prayer and words of encouragement!

Seeing is believing....Janice

Today, I went to get my normal haircut from the stylist that both Carrie and I both go to here in Folsom. An inexpensive haircut from someone who actually listens to what you like and dislike and does what you ask.

Well, she is slightly eccentric... So, today when I went in, she asked if I was ready to try something new and different. I said sure, why not...it's just hair and at the rate mine grows out, I'll be getting another haircut in a matter of weeks anyway.

So, I got blond highlights...

So thankful...

I was meaning to post this on Valentine's Day, but I didn't get around to it. I am so thankful for Joshua. He is truly a blessing, and each day I am reminded how much I love him. Joshua has led me in so many ways, and even though the changes I have had to go through have been rough, they have always been for the best. He helped me through the process of relying solely on Scripture for my doctrinal beliefs, and I know my walk with the Lord is stronger because of it. He encouraged my to take a different job in Virginia even though I went kicking and screaming (not literally, but close!), and I have the job at Morrison Homes, www.morrisonhomes.com, as a result of that encouragement. Although I miss Virginia and our friends and family, I am thankful we are out in California. Those are just a few examples. It is amazing how one person can impact your life so completely. Four years ago, I would never have imagined that I would be where I am now. God knew that I needed Joshua as my husband. Joshua is a great husband, and I love him dearly!

Hannah Elizabeth Holtom has arrived!

Praise the Lord, Matt and Elizabeth Holtom delivered a healthy baby around 11:15 AM today at Fairfax Hospital!

Elizabeth pushed for 2 hours but the baby was coming out sideways so they had to do a C-section. Both mother and baby are doing well.

Introducing the Holtom family's newest addition:

Hannah Elizabeth Holtom (they had a girl! the suspense is over!)
February 13, 2006
6 lbs. 6 oz.20 inches long

Congratulations Matt and Elizabeth and welcome to the world Hannah!

May God bless Matt and Elizabeth as they raise Hannah to have her gaze directed heavenward!

Volleyball time again!!!

My back is finally healing and I am ready to hit the courts. Matt Wolfe from church and his wife Michelle are both really big volleyball players. Yesterday afternoon, Carrie and I went to McKinley Park in downtown Sacramento, set up a court and hit around with Matt and Michelle. I am VERY rusty playing since it has been seriously 5-6 years since I've played doubles last.

I did get a couple of good hits in though and they felt good. I'm excited about possibly playing some more with Matt and Michelle, especially if the Lord blesses us with a home closer to church.

Ah! I am really excited about possibly entering into a couple of grass doubles tournaments this year with Matt potentially. That is if he can stand playing with me! He has been playing consistently for a number of years whereas, I really need to work all of the kinks out of my play.

More later on volleyball!

Friday night with Janice...

Our friend Janice Phillips came over tonight to have dinner and hang out with us. It was so good seeing her and hanging out with her. It has been too long. We enjoyed watching the opening ceremonies of the XX Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. WOW...what an impressive opening! We were all amazed at the finale!

www.nbcolympics.com

Go USA!!!

Movie renting at it's BEST...

Carrie and I signed up for Netflix recently and have been extremely pleased with the service. We can rent as many DVD's as we want per month, watch them as long as we want...all this for only $9.99 per month.

I have found the selection of titles to be worth viewing and although Carrie and I never really watched that many movies, it is certainly cheaper than renting DVD's from Blockbuster.

I highly recommend Netflix.

The Lind's have landed...

Jeremy and Leslie Lind arrived safely in Portland, OR over the weekend. We are very excited about having them join us on the West Coast. Carrie and I have already checked...Southwest Airlines...1 hour 20 min flight...$39 each for a one way ticket. Carrie and I can't wait to visit Jeremy and Leslie, once they settle in, and for them to visit us down here...once we have a place to shelter them. :)

It has been amazing to see the Lord work and provide for their move out to Portland and to really see the Lord's handiwork.

Pet pics...

Just some favorite pics of Harrison and Mozart...

Visit with Daniel and Anu...

Daniel and Anu came back to California for a brief visit and a wedding that they were in today. Carrie and I drove down to my parent's house in Stockton to see Daniel and Anu (back from Syracuse, NY). We had a wonderful time fellowshipping with the newest newlyweds in the Briggs family. Heard excellent reports from Daniel about the progress he is making at Syracuse Law School as well as the fact that he recently applied to the Marshall School of Public Administration. He should heard back from them in the next couple of weeks. If he gains acceptance, he would concurrently receive both his law degree (J.D.) as well as his Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree.

Anu is loving her job and they are loving having her as well. Her boss recently praised her in an company wide e-mail stating that they need to hire two more customer service representatives "just like Anu". The Lord is continuing to bless Daniel and Anu in Syracuse although we miss them greatly here in Cali.

Carrie and I got to see my Dad's new school, McNair High School, and the science labs...WOW, Wow, wow!!! Each classroom has their own Spectrophotometer, Gas chromatographs, $$$$ salt water aquariums, gel electrophoresis equipment, etc. I was so envious! :) Plus, Ward's scientific supply company has now packaged labs for each of the different areas. So, my Dad now is able to do mock paternity tests, blood typing, gas chromatographs, etc. with EACH of his classes AND the students are able to perform these labs in groups while in class. I can't even scrounge up enough materials to do one labs in front of my students.

Anyway, it was a great couple of hours spent with my family, laughing and discussing weightier matters. We had some very insightful conversations around China, world economics, and the recent appointment of Justice Alito and Chief Justice Roberts.

Additionally, my Dad and brother learned that SOL meant something other than "S**t Out of Luck". LOL

Carrie wants everyone to know that she does not approve of the last statement.

Surgery update...

Well, Joshua had surgery on Monday to remove a lump from the lower part of his back. He decided to go back to school afterwards and then teach both yesterday and today...in pain. After calling the doctor's office, they told him, belatedly, that he should have taken a day off of work. So, he is taking tomorrow off to rest and hopefully, recuperate. The teachers on his team at school told him to take Friday off as well if he wasn't back to himself at the end of the day on Thursday.

We will know more about the lump in a couple more days when the biopsy results come back.

Friends...

Here are some pictures that we took in Virginia at Christmas. Kate (in the middle) and her husband had their little boy on New Year's Day, and Leslie and her husband Jeremy are on their way out to Portland. We are so glad they will be near us on the West Coast.
Our good friend Juliet from Wednesday Night Bible study.
Three of the five couples from our Tuesday Night Bible study.
Andy and Kate, Jeremy and Leslie, and Joshua and me

Jonathan, Christine, and Timothy. They are expecting baby number 2 in June. Jonathan was in our wedding, and he and Christine hosted the Tuesday Night Group until little Timothy arrived.

If only Virginia and California were next door... We miss everyone in Virginia!

Links...

For whatever reason, the Folsom Zoo link isn't working exactly as planned. This is a really cool zoo that takes in abused and neglected animals. If you want to see the animals, you will need to look under Activities (left hand side) and look at the link for the City Zoo Sanctuary. If any of our friends come out to visit, we will definitely have to take you there.

Additionally, I've added a link to my website that I've created for my students and parents at the middle school where I teach. In order to view it (if you so desire), you will need to scroll down the page, look on the right hand side for the Class Homepage Login link. Once there, for the Classroom User Name type in lifescience and the Classroom password is sciencerules.

Prayer...

Pray for the Lord's leading as to the direction of my job here at the middle school. After speaking with my parents last night, I realized that with my credential I'll be able to teach anywhere. With that said, I still would like to stay here at this school, Lord willing, and make an impact on the lives of the students in my care. It is tempting to teach a higher level where parental involvement is less and grades matter when it comes to further education.

The administration will be making their decision on March 15th as to my tenure here at the middle school. Pray for the Lord's Will!

Prayer requested...

As most know, I am a 7th grade Life Science teacher at a middle school in the greater Sacramento area. The scope of this prayer request is somewhat wide. First of all, next month, I begin teaching through the Family Life unit. Pray for guidance on what to say, how to say it, and carefulness as I teach through it. With that being said, please pray for my affect and testimony with the students. Carrie and I really feel like I have been under spiritual attack this year from parents, students, etc. My heart is for reaching the students, affecting their lives, getting them to think through their life perspective....oh, and learn to love science like I do. :)

Lastly, please pray for the Lord's leading concerning my job. I really don't get a strong reading one way or another from my principal. Pray for guidance! I am very strong in my subject field although I have very high standards which I expect my students to adhere to or rise to.

HOUSE HUNTING...

Today, I went with our realtor again to look at a variety of homes. Four were definite NO's while one is a slight maybe (leaning in the direction of no). The house that we put the first offer on is looking really good right now. LOL We are waiting on the Lord for the perfect home for us (not a perfect home rather the perfect home for us). The Lord continues to lead us withersoever He desires...He has given us our new church, River City Grace and a new body of believers to fellowship with which we are eternally grateful. We are excited about moving closer to church in order to fellowship and assist in any way possible.

Family Fellowship Dessert...

Tonight, Carrie and I had the privilege of attending another Family Fellowship Dessert hosted by Matt and Rebecca Tennis. The fellowship was great and the message/challenge given by Sean Wallentine from I Peter 2 was equally poignant. It was a great time to just gather and reflect on the Lord, eat great desserts and play some games.

P.S. On the food note, Carrie and I brought homemade blueberry chessecake and a cinnamon-apple-cranberry-blueberry-crunch dessert. Anyone still hungry 'cause we still have plenty back here at the apartment?

House update...

Well, the house that we submitted an offer on has not panned out as yet. Their realtor is also their mother and so wants the most for her daughter's family. We submitted a offer on Monday which they "countered", really a slap in the face because they only came down $2K, with a sentimental letter about how "no other home compared to this home" etc.

We have decided to continue looking around the area surrounding our church. If there has been no further action on this home or we have not found anything better in the next two weeks, then we will resubmit another offer on this particular home.

Why the area surrounding our church? Carrie has felt for a while now that she would rather live closer to our growing church community and fostering the developing relationships within the church body. Honestly, it has taken me a longer time giving up the dream of providing Carrie with the perfect house which we could make a home with Carrie staying at home when we start a family. The idea of being closer to church, participating more in church ministry and developing relationships/opening our home up to others has definitely been growing on me.

Please continue to pray for wisdom for both of us as we continue to strive for Godly wisdom in our home search! We think of our friends and family spread across the nation and the world and pray for you all continually!

New Year's Eve...

Carrie and I had the privilege of attending a New Year's Eve bash at the Elkhorn Country Club...
Doesn't Carrie look great!

Even Harrison got into the spirit of things...

House search...

As many of you already know, Carrie and I have been waiting for a new home builder to release prices for a new home community located in Rancho Cordova, CA (Southeast of Sacramento). They have delayed releasing prices several times for "various reasons" which we know is the Lord ordained.

Additionally, we have become more involved and are in the process of becoming members of River City Grace Community Church in north Sacramento. With that being said, we have, in recent weeks, begun to have a change of thought about where we will settled down. Since Carrie is playing the harp more at church and we are getting involved in different ministries, we are thinking about finding a home in the area around the church.

I've been online looking at homes and then this last Thursday, with a realtor, I saw several homes. One in particular stood out. So today, Carrie and I saw the home again. Carrie and I both really like it although it is slightly out of our price range. It is a home that we both could easily live in and raise a family in.

We are hoping the trend downward continues for a little bit or the owners accept a lowe offer. Please pray for guidance in this matter.