Goodbye Grace

Last Sunday we said goodbye to Grace Fellowship. It was a strange feeling to know it was our last Sunday with them after 9yrs of being together. We met at our house and it was packed! Dad gave a great message and then we did the Rwanda photos. As I looked around the room and at all the faces of good friends I was a bit sad knowing that this was the end for us. It was a great day of fellowship and food ( mom's pasta ;) I have so many memories of Grace that will always remind me of the great times we have had. Like all of the potlucks we've had (wind and all) or when we first started and and Mr. Stell and the boys played the trumpets from the top of the stairs, park days and so much more! All of the families that have come to Grace have been such a blessing to know.
I am going to really miss Grace but I know that God has called us to a new chapter in our lives. SouthSide is going to be great for out family. We are excited to be moving there and blessed to have the opportunity to be going there. Its going to be a blessing going to be able to help with ministry. I can't wait to see what God does with us and this move.

Battens

Dear Battens,
I hate how you have a way of ruining such great times as a family, and that even whenwe think we are doing great you have a way of tearing us down.
Your enemy forever
Kerri

Happy Birthday Kyle!!!

I’m sitting in our family room in Tahoe waiting for my parents to get back from a movie with Tony, Mandy, Kyle, and Kelly. This week has been awesome and we have only been here a few days. It’s been great to relax with the family and just have fun. Tomorrow we will celebrate Kyle’s birthday. We have known Kyle for about 5yrs. I still remember the night he came to go out with Kelly and wondering who this guy was and why I should let him date Kelly. So what do I do, I stare him down. =) Well, now its 5yrs later and now I realize what a great guy he is. He takes great care of Kelly and I know he is going to be a great dad. He is also great to all of us. He is so good with Catie and Annie; he will play with them or even rock Annie. I’m so thankful for Kyle and that God gave him as a husband to Kelly and as a bro to us. So Happy Birthday Kyle and I hope it’s the best yet!!!!!!!!

Techno

Technology, can't live with it, can't live without it.

Mom

It peaceful as the girls go to sleep and Mom, Amy, and I are hanging out for a few minutes before we all go to bed to. As I look at mom I can see how tired she is and how she is so thankful for just a few mins of peace. She has had a long day and has the realization that tomorrow will be just as long. It will be filled with school cleaning driving and endless questions and answers. She will have to deal with so much more. So to have even the slightest brake is always appreciated.
As I watch mom I can't helped but feel blessed to have her as my mom. She is always putting others first and herself last. Always giving of herself and giving 110% in whatever she is doing. To spend everyday here at home to teach Amy and I so that we can have a biblical education and to grow closer as a family. She is such an amazing mom, wife, and person. I am so grateful for her and hope to one day be like her.

Class of 2010

Well summer is coming to a quick end. We only have three days before the girls start and about a week before Amy and I start. I can’t help but be a bit nervous for my senior year. There is so much to do and figure out, like what classes I need to take in the spring and making sure I get all of my senior work done and most important I’m trying to figure out what God has for me.
I’m really excited in spite of all of that for the last year of high school. I remember watching Tony, Kelly, and Catie all graduate and thinking wow its going to be forever till I get there. Now I’m there and I’m ready for an exciting year of school. My biggest goal this year is staying close to God.

TIme of your life

The song “ Time of your life” By Green Day is perfect for my summer. This really has been the time of my life. I have been so blessed to do all that I’ve done.
The biggest thing was my trip to Rwanda. That was the best ever!! I was able to go last summer and I caught the Rwandan bug but to be able to go back was even better. It was so great to see everyone again. I missed them so much!! This summer dad, Pastor Raleigh, Mama Mary, Pastor Darren, Mr. Rodgers and I went to Kigali to have a pastors and wives conference. It was so amazing!! Dad, Pastor Raleigh and Pastor Darren all preached and had discussions. Mama Marry ( pastor Raleigh’s wife) had a session with the women and gave her testimony, I was also able to share. Mr. Rodgers did a great job doing all of the details and so much more.
One of the greatest things that I was able to do is go back to the church called Rukera. We visited there first year and to be able to go back was so great. Dad and Pastor Darren preached and then we were able to goats as gifts to the members of the village and go to a site where they want to build a school. On the way back from seeing the site I was able to play soccer with some of the kids. It was so fun! They all laughed and must of wondered why this mazungu can’t even play a simple game =) While we dad and I walked back to the car, being the hyper planners we are, tried to figure out how we could stay a week there in Rukera. So by the time we got to the car we had figured out food, shelter, and mission jobs we could do. My heart is in Rukera and all of Rwanda and I hope to return soon!

a daily chore
Rukera Children <3

one of my fave shots