Tis the Season

Well Christmas has come and gone. Mike and I were able to spend the entire weekend with friends and family! We started it off with the Andersons (my mom's fam) on Christmas Eve, after a great message from Pastor Todd. The Anderson family always does a big white elephant game and this year Mike got Andy's wisdom teeth! GROSS! And I got a thigh master-oh the joys. We deeply missed Brad and Sammy Gelschus though, in the festivities!

Christmas morning held stockings, gifts, bacon, Thiessen devouring his new toy, and Toy Story 3 as we joined my family (Gelschus). We headed out to the cities and Maplewood as soon as brunch was over. There was little to no traffic on the roads, but for whatever reason the slowest person always decided to cut right infront of us! One lady nearly took of the front fender! But we arrived safely and were able to join Doug and Nancy DuFrene as well as Grandma to celebrate Christmas Day. The day included Nancy's awesome cooking, Thiessen chasing Brinkley around and "Fred Claus" But again we missed Stacy.

The Day after Christmas (aka boxing day) was met with church at Trinity Baptist, where Mike grew up going-being able to worship with the Reeds and the Karels! The Karels joined us for lunch then at Mike's alma mater, Panera. "Beth" joined us too! After lunch we celebrated with the entire DuFrene clan! It was such a joy to see our family this weekend. As we drove back into Hutchinson it was so great to see the trees painted with just a touch of snow. We are blessed. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Love,

Amy and Mike

the promised photos.

The photos that i promised!

Preview of the Munchkin!

On Monday Mike and myself went to the doctor to hear the heart beat of the future DuFrene!Striking fear in me, the doctor couldn't initially find the baby's heartbeat. But the doctor got a portable Ultrasound machine and we were able to find the little tyke, with heart beating away. We didn't hear it but Mike was able to see the fluttering of the heart which was pretty cool. I tried to see but by the time we were able to get me all adjusted the tyke was not wanting to fully cooperate. But we scheduled an official ultrasound for tomorrow (Thursday, Dec. 2). Hopefully we'll be able to scan a photo up for that so ya'll can see the Du-Babe.

Other than that we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Got to hang out with Mike's family (minus Stacy) and my immediate family as well as some of my mom's side. We are re

ally blessed!

1 year down-a life time to go.

Yes we have made it past our 1 year mark! 1 year ago today we were enjoying the Mexican sun and boogie boarding on the beach in sunny Puerto Martes (near Cancun). It was beautiful and we had a blast. Since last year a lot has changed in our lives though.

Mike got a promotion at work, changing his work schedule but increasing his joy in the job as a whole.

Amy went on her first (as head leader) mission trip to Denver Colorado, having a blast with the students that came with.

Mike got a new car-a pickup!

Amy's brother got married to a wonderful gal named, Sammy, on Sept 25.

Mike and Amy found out a baby DuFrene was going to be coming our way in June 2011!

That is only a few high lights in the past year and if you were to sit down with us we could go on and on. But we are so grateful for the family and friends that we have. Having Amy's folks close to us has helped in a pinch with Thiessen. Our friends in Hutch have supported us on a daily basis and our friends who are in the cities keep us accountable and we have an awesome time visiting them when we make our way there. If we were to change one thing with family/friends is that we would be able to be closer to Doug, Nancy and Stacy! But we are so grateful that we get to see them when we can.

As we enter our 2nd year of marriage we are prayerful that we can continue to encourage each other as well as begin to adapt to the changes that will be happening quickly in the next few months. Please pray for a safe and quick pregnancy (quick meaning it flies by!)

Much love from H-town!

Mike and Amy

DuFrene Munchkin.

Well I am sure you can tell by the title of this post that we are expecting. After taking a few at home tests last week, all positive. We went to the doctor this morning and she confirmed it. We are very excited.

Now we have heard a lot of people frown upon telling before week 12 and we are at week 5. But what Mike and I have felt was that if something were to happen during that timeline we would need the support of our friends and family around so that we can deal with whatever comes our way together. So we are really pumped about it and were able to have a wonderful time this weekend with the crew from the cities. And were very excited to tell them. The picture of Mike and me was taken at the orchard when we went with the crew.

Manafest-OH!

Manafest came to Trinity Baptist (aka Mike's home church). We went down to the cities to visit the DuFrenes for Doug's birthday and hit up the free Manafest concert.At the concert we got to enjoy the Karels and Stef/AV! It was so muchfun! AV got called up on Stage, Mike and myself moshed (okay not completely but we pretended).Us girls all laughed at people that didn't fit the stereotype of being at this specificconcert.And just overall had a ball!

Trinity also gave us free nachos and free B-dubs!

Boo to the ya. After the B-dubs and the nachos

we still had room though for Baker Square pie with the Karels.

Below are pictures of Mike & Manafest, Amy & Manafest, and AV on stage!

The newest Gelschus Edition

Well, per our last post, Bradley Allen Gelschus has found himself a wife. The wedding took place this past weekend (9/25) down in Montemedia MN, with a reception in Oakdale. The wedding was gorgeous and my baby bro could not have looked prouder on his big day. My sister Tami and I were bridesmaids, getting in on all the happenings in the wedding. Mike drove down for the big day, but couldn't come down earlier for the rehearsal or stay late for the gift opening the next day. It was his regularly scheduled work weekend-and couldn't get it all off.

The weekend was a whole was a blast!

The attached picture is the "Gelschus" Girls

and then the second is of Mike and myself at the wedding.

Much Love,

the DuFrenes

First week of Chaos

Well Labor Day has come and gone, which means the first week of school, first week of official youth group, first free-lunch, first Sunday School, first Children's Church, first potluck, and the list can go on and on. Thiessen, I have to say, enjoys when school is in session because as we get moving in the morning he gets to watch the kids get on the bus and when we get home, he gets to watch them get off the bus. The activity level is so different in our neighborhood from school to summer. And Thiessen really enjoys not being tempted with kids playing outside when he is supposed to behaving-taunting him.

Life on a human level, though, is not as enjoyable with the first week of chaos. Working at a church Amy has to spend her entire life at church during the first week of school. Sunday School starts the weekend after Labor Day, meaning that all the supplies, prep-work for Sunday school needs to be done during that week (since if it done too early the supplies go missing). With the start of Sunday School and Children's Church comes the enjoyable task of finding volunteers. This year this task proved to be extremely difficult as the church members have the impression that we don't need them to help serve. Also this week OHCC served the first free lunch of the school year. Free lunch is something that the local churches in Hutchinson do-it is a ministry to the high school students, they come to a church across the street and are served a meal for free (hence the name) and hear a brief message. The youth directors of the supporting churches always come too! This is a blast, but a lot of work-adding to the chaos of the first week. Youth group had a great jump start this past week-confirmation starts this up and coming week!

With all this chaos happening at home (and I suppose in the community too). Mike has really had to hold his own during this time. It was his weekend to work-keeping himself very busy. But overall he has been loving his job and has done extremely well there!

Please pray as this season of school starts. The chaos normally only lasts a little bit into the fall, but with Brad and Sammy's wedding at the end of September it may last a little longer.

With Much Love!

The DuFrenes

Catching up to the Swing of it!

Well it has been nearly 3 weeks since I returned from Denver. It feels like it has really taken that long to get back into the swing of things. Last week was the McLeod County Fair and Mike and I, along with our church family, were able to head out and enjoy it! OHCC hosted one of the stages at the fair, bringing in DonB Ministries. So Mike and myself enjoyed that performance before we enjoyed the rest of the fair. Growing up as a 4-Her I have learned to love the fair. It is very hard for me to go a year without going to the fair.

On Saturday (8/21) my brother had his bachelor party, and this weekend (8/28) Sammy-Brad's fiance-will have her bachelorette party. With both of these events happening it is putting the swing in motion for next month's event. Yes that is right we are down to the 30 day count down mark! September 25 is right around the corner where Mike and I will be able to welcome Samantha into the Gelschus family and celebrate a new sister.

With all the excitement around that-school is starting up here in a little over a week, giving me some much needed stability in a weekly schedule. I know Thiessen will enjoy the consistency as he has had to learn to be more flexible with my summer schedule. Please pray for us as we start the school year over again, that we can continue to support each other in the ways they need to be supported.

Much Love!

Amy

(the DuFrenes!)

Mission....Accomplished

Well I went on my first official mission trip as a youth pastor! Yes I did-I took a group of 4 students from OHCC and 6 students from a local church here in Hutch and went out to Denver Colorado. While I was there I worked at a Denver VBS and a group that works with landscaping. On Wednesday of the trip I got sick,though. I spent the evening/night hugging the toilet and loving that I was not sitting in the porta-potties we were supposed to be using!

While I was there, Mike was left in Hutch, on his own! For the most part he did wonderfully! We did have to ask for some assistance with the pooch-with Mike's work schedule the week I was gone, Thiessen was left to his own devices. My mom came in like a superhero and helped Thiessen eat and use the "toilet" he loved that she was able to come and help out. Thiessen did make Mike take him to the vet while I was gone! He had run into a few branches the weekend before which caused a lump to grow on his chest. The vet drained it and said it will probably come back, but it is the healing process so not to worry too much. Phew! That would have been awful!

As we look ahead the summer is starting to wind down which means that the chaos that summer contains will also be gone like yesterday's news! The summer for ministry (or youth ministry) at the very least is painfully busy! I love it completely but by the time August rolls around I am ready for school-I never thought I would admit this when I was in school. But with the school year comes some extra stability with scheduling. After much prayer and discussion Mike and I realized that this fall (2010) was not the fall for me to start seminary. Please pray for us as we continue to see what God has in store for us and His plan on us serving Him solely.

The photo attached is a picture of the group of girls from OHCC and me. I had a blast with these girls and am so excited for the year of continuing to get to know each other and see what God has in the mix for them!

Much Love!

Amy

The Gelschus Cabin

Well Mike and myself (Amy) had a wonderful weekend with the Crew! We went up to the Gelschus cabin, yep the home of the late-Al and Liz Gelschus! It was a great weekend with the crew! We went boating, swimming, enjoyed watching the pooches in the water. I am so glad to have a great time with the crew and relaxed. Mike and the boys enjoyed a few cigars.

The Crew

May the Forth with With You

Happy day-after the 4th! Well there wasn't any super big news for us on the 4th. Mike had to work so I (amy) went down to Lake Minnetonka for the day to be with my folks, and brother & soon-to-be sister-in-law. It was a blast, I dominated at 313 a very cool card game and we went boating, the water was perfect. Sammy's family came out at about 4p.m. and we went and showed them around the lake a little bit more and came back to a lovely grilling time from Papa Jon's lovely cookin'-Mom did awesome inside while Dad manned the grill. When I was done eating headed home to meet up with Mike and my sister&brother-in-law (Merkins). It was a great 4th, Thiessen was not liking the fireworks too much but I think he is starting to get used to life a little bit more. Tomorrow he turns 1! I can't believe we have had him for a full year in 8 weeks! Time has certainly flown since last summer.

The day I picked him up! He is so cute and little. He crashed soon after this picture was taken, and I had to carry him inside half in the kennel, half out of the kennel because he just couldn't keep his eyes open long enough to make it out of the kennel!

This was on Mike's Birthday when Thiessen wanted to help me wake him up. (4/4/10)

Father's Day Fireworks

Well it has been just over a year and a month or so since Mike and I have both officially moved to Hutchinson. 8 months since getting our house and 7 months since gettin' Hitched. But it was our first time to have Thiessen experience the fireworks. Out here in Hutch we have fireworks on Father's day, yep not on 4th of July-Father's Day. The reason I think is because it is the end of our summer-city celebration thingy (Water Carnival) and also a lot of people leave for the 4th. But mostly Water Carnival.

I had a wedding to go to yesterday (Mike didn't go due to work). So I hit up a little of the Hutch parade, seeing my cousin march as Drum Major and then scoot to the cities to see Jessica Wanderi become Jessica Montgomery and marry Christopher Michael. It was a gorgeous wedding and a beautiful day for it all. When I left the wedding I arrived in Hutch just as the fireworks were beginning. Mike and I watched mostly from our back yard, not a great view but okay considering we weren't able to get close (because of my tardiness).

Thiessen was a blast to watch, he was so confused at the sounds but not barking. He wasn't having a meltdown of any sort, but rather just confused as to why the sky was lighting up and why there was a big boom following it, and then another boom when the original sound echoed back to us. Being that he was born right after the 4th of July last year, this is his first experience with them. And I would classify it as a success. Who knows maybe next year we can actually head down to the river and enjoy them from there....even with Thiessen.

Happy be-lated Father's day to you all out there. It was a great day and I hope that you felt the love and joy that your children feel for you. And a great day to be thankful of our Heavenly Father too! He has blessed us more than we deserve.

Thank you for your continual prayers as we journey on this lovely endeavor in Hutchinson!

The DuFrenes!

Thiessen's Haircut

Well summer or a very nice spring is upon us! Yesterday it hit 96 degrees out here in lovely Hutchinson. Well considering Mike and I did not have our air conditioner on yet for the season we were a bit leery of seeing if it was working (I would hate to find out it isn't working when it was hot), but my dad came over and hooked it up for us! That was awesome of him.

While dad was helping us out we decided it was time for Thiessen to loose some hair, as it is in the 90's and he is roasting! So we w

ent and got a special clipper for doggies. So we started, little did we know this is a not fun job! And dogs don't really appreciate it until it is all over with. Well we struggled with the clippers, Thiessen has really thick hair that didn't enjoy being trimmed or buzzed. So it kept getting clogged, making us try new things. Well in the end Thiessen has shorter hair, but it is very buzzed in some areas and not super buzzed in other areas. I told Mike he kind of reminded me of a calf, I don't know why a calf but a calf none-the-less. We will have pictures online for you soon!

Here is a before picture that Mike took

while he was cruising with T-dog!

Thiessen on a time-out. Yes we put our

dog on a time-out when he is naughty.

A New Beginning

Well, it has certainly been a long time since I had been at the site writing away. It is crazy how fast time goes by. Since I last wrote Mike has officially moved into his new position at Menards! We have slowly been adjusting to the schedule, or I guess I am mostly. I get bored so I am finding wonderful activities, like working with Thiessen.

Thiessen and I have started to come to better terms. He is getting less aggressive as he is getting a little older and I am starting to be better at Alpha person in the house. Mike built him a kennel outside, which has really improved on his behavior. He has toys and a little moving space (unlike his indoor kennel). We are still working on a way to keep him a little more contained when we are playing with him outside. He still likes to run after things and nearly got hit by a car after he booked it out of our backyard to go and greet 3 little puppies that were on a walk. Luckily the neighbor stopped the car coming towards them as he saw Thiessen's strides.

Other than that the school year is winding down here in Hutchinson area, which means that my exciting-ness is just beginning. We have summer-youth-softball for the first time this year, VBS is right around the corner, a Confirmation Canoe trip, Mission Trip. The summer will be upon us and I will be running around like a chicken with my head cut off-but enjoying every minute of it. And with the end of school/beginning of summer we find ourselves beginning our co-ed softball on Tuesday nights. Last night was our first 2 games, yep started off with a double header. We lost the first one, but won the second. It was a good start!

Thanks for your support, and prayers! Blessings to you as this lovely season begins its cycle! Love the weather!

Amy

Thiessen + Thunderstorms = bad night sleep

Well here in Hutch we have had an official Thunderstorm. Mike and I learned the hard way that Thiessen is afraid of Thunder! He whimpered and was scared most of the night. We were lucky, though, because outside of Thiessen's hard night we did not wake up to water in our basement or anything of the sort.

Other than that no big news. Twins have won their first official home game of the season and they play again today in just over an hour. Mike will be hitting up his first game on Friday (4/16) while Amy will be hitting hers up on 5/3. Enjoy the season of Baseball! Enjoy the rain and all the gifts the Lord has bestowed upon us.

Blessings,

The DuFrenes.

Michael's a Quarter of a Century Old!

Well it has been a eventful last week. With Mike's impending birthday (the big 2-5) and Easter quickly approaching. It was a bit hectic at our house. But with Sunday (yesterday) came Easter and Mike's big Birthday. It was nice and relaxing day once church got over. Easter at Amy's work (church) is youth Sunday, meaning it is a very busy week leading up to it for her. She has to plan and organize the decor for the day as well as how the service will go, all relying on the youth to help pull their weight. But once the service was done both could relax! We went down to Mike's parents house to celebrate the holiday(s). It was a great day with gorgeous weather and a lovely time spending with the family. We then caught up quickly with the Karel's. It was great and relaxing and busy day.

Thank you all for your continual prayers as we journey on our 1st year of this lifelong adventure. We would appreciate any prayers for our dog, we are struggling a little on getting him trained and he isn't wanting to behave (which is normal), but with his size it makes it very difficult.

Love!

Amy and Mike.

Is Spring Really Here?

Well I cannot believe it but Spring is right around the corner. Having enjoyed 60 degree days this week. Both of us are very excited for spring and later, summer softball! Yesterday, Wednesday, trying to work out the kinks with Thiessen and his training I took him to a field with a friend and her dog. The 2 dogs ran and ran and ran. We just stood, chatting and occasionally throwing a frisbee. Later Thiessen absolutely crashed. It was a great work out of him. I loved having him work out so well that when we got home, he laid down and fell right to sleep. I know that as the weather continues to get warmer and more enjoyable he will be able to work out the extra energy and thus be better behaved, or at the very least that is my hope.

Last night Mike and I went to Applebees. It has been 1 year since I was hired at Oak Heights and yesterday happened to be Bar-go (Bingo) at Applebees. So we went, enjoyed the Bar-go and celebrated my 1 year anniversary at OHCC. It has truly been a blessing to have a job that I love for an entire year already. The time has completely flown by and I am so grateful to God for his provision during the job search. If my 1 year anniversary is here, that means that Mike's is right around the corner. He was hired about the end of March, beginning of April. And was fulltime (more or less) on May 1st of last year. So we were both celebrating our new jobs in Hutchinson within a month. And now we can really continue to put down roots. It is amazing how it is thru our jobs that we really start to feel the comfort of friends. We are blessed to have the jobs that we have and are blessed to be surrounded by amazing people here and be not terribly far away from our other close friends. God has truly provided for us in our needs as we continue doing His mission in our lives.

Love as always,

The DuFrene's

Thiessen's Training

Well as many of you may know. We have a puppy, he is 8 months old now and driving us crazy! He has lately been trying to be extra dominate, causing us major frustrations. But on Monday of this week we had a "specialist" or someone who trains dogs a lot come out and show us what we are doing wrong. Within a few short minutes Thiessen had learned how to heal. Now he hasn't completely mastered it outside of this training, but we are working on it, and he is showing signs of improvement. He has been sleeping in our room on a special blanket the past few days. In the past if we tried to have him sleep outside of his kennel he would be up about 2a.m. and then 4a.m. and then again at 6a.m. (the 6a.m. one was the worst cause it was so close to when we were waking up and it was just brutal). But lately when we have been working with him, he will sleep until about 6a.m. and usually I have to admit it is me who wakes him up. The furnace will turn on or something and startle me awake, and it has been quite the adventure. But usually at that time if we move him to the kennel he is quite content until about 7:30-8:00. It works out very nicely with our sleeping patterns then too.

Mike and I also were able to take in the lovely WILD game. And "lovely" is minorly sarcastic. The WILD basically handed the game to the Flames in the first 2 minutes of the game, allowing for 2 goals right off the bat. The refs of course where of no help either. The refs called Meiko for a call that was not necessary and then missed a tripping call against the Flames. But overall it was an enjoyable experience. Below is a picture of us, after I told Mike he had to smile!

New In-Laws

Well this news is old for some, and new for others. But Mike and myself will be adding a new in-law! My "little" brother got engaged at the beginning of February! She is an amazing gal and a perfect asset to our family. She keeps him in check (in a good way). And just fits, it makes sense. He could not have picked a better gal to complete the crew! Samantha will become Samantha Gelschus on September 25th of 2010. So an extra sister here I come!

Clean Carpets

Wow I can't believe that February is already well on it's way out of here. It has been a year and 2 days since Mike proposed! The time has completely flown by and we are blessed. We are continuing with the Theology Pub Bible Study that started in January and really enjoying it. We look at a verse and then look into where we see God/Jesus and then how it applies to our life, wherever we are right then and there. It is a great experience to be a part of this ministry that reaches those who do not go to church on a regular basis. And we are really gaining a lot of insight on specific verses as well as becoming friends with those who also join us.

Yesterday was a big day at the DuFrene house. Mike's dad, Doug, came down from the cities and helped Mike clean the carpets. When we moved in we knew that the carpets should be cleaned but with a young puppy we wanted to wait until he was no longer having accidents, or at least he was having them so irregularly that it wouldn't be that difficult to clean up after him. But we didn't realize how gross they would be! We are glad we took care of that!

Other than that no big news. Today is Ash Wednesday so it is the beginning of Lent and the beginning of the count down to Mike's birthday (it is on Easter this year).

Love,

Mike and Amy!

Snow Storm

Well it is official: I have shoveled our roof for the first time in my life! Well Okay that is only half true, I only raked part of it off. Thiessen has enjoyed the endless snowfalls that we have had! It has been fun to watch him as he tries to dig to the bottom of a snow pile, where he is completely stuck before he hits grass. This happens even more now that our lovely neighbor came and pushed all of our snow back for us (he has a bobcat). It was amazing to sit and watch how effortless that machine did the work that I had struggled on for over an hour. Sheesh I think that should be our next purchase, man oh man.

Otherwise no big, gigantic news! We are excited to celebrate our 1-year engagement on Monday the 15th. It is amazing how much has changed from then until now. We are truly blessed.

~Mike and Amy

Bowling and Theology Pub

Well Friends,

We have had a great week thus far, I know I know it is only Tuesday, but the Week has been very good (minus our sadness with the Viking loss). On that fateful Sunday Mike and myself were able to enjoy the "good" part of the game with some friends from Mike's work. We watched all of it, but just didn't enjoy the entire game, company yes, game not as much. After the game we stuck around for awhile and got a chance to chat. This was a great time and I got to know some of his co-workers a little better and really got an opportunity to speak with the gals (girlfriends of the workers).

We have also attended the 3rd Theology Pub! It is a group of 20-somethings that meet in a Pizza Place/Bar and discuss the Bible; coming from all different areas in our walks as well as different denominational backgrounds. It is a really cool experience thus far and I know I have gotten a lot out of it. Our first Theology Pub we attended we became true homeowners; how you ask? Well we had our first bat in the house. Even 2 whole weeks later I find myself looking at the ceiling in the closets before I go and grab my shoes or double checking the covers to be sure there isn't 1 taking a nap in my blankets. But no friends of his have come back to haunt us thus far, I think we may be in the clear until it warms up again.

And I know I have touched on this before but the 2 of us are in a couples bowling league. Normally we bowl on Sunday, but with this big-important game on we needed to Post-bowl. So we did that yesterday before Pub and it has been a very good experience for us. I am not sure if we will do it next year but it is something nice to look forward to every-other week.

Prayers and Blessings. As we enter another cold front I pray for health and warmth. I thank God that I have both, and pray for those who have only 1 or none. It says in the Bible for if you you have 2 coats give 1 to your brother. It is at this time that we are challenged to do so, and in an economy we are currently finding ourselves in it is an even bigger challenge. I know that the more I have given of myself to the LORD the more I have reaped, not in the earthly tangible way necessarily but in a comfort. I encourage you today on this very cold, but lovely Tuesday that you give of yourself. Some of us cannot give physical items, but we can give encouragement and joy to someone who is lacking. Be the vessel that you are called to be to the hurting, the hungry and the poor in spirit.

Love,

Mike and Amy

Life as a DuFrene/in Hutchinson

Well we are starting to get more and more used to living in a small town again. Well again for me (Amy) and for the first time for Mike. We are participating in a new Bible Study here in town, Theology Pub. A group of younger folks get together at the Pizza Place/bar here in town. It is a great experience. There are some who grab a pint, others that grab a water, some with pop and we all sit and talk about Jesus. It is a great experience, if you are ever in Hutch on a Monday night come on by to Main Street at 8p.m. for Theology Pub. But with the thoughts of Theology Pub reminds us of our first Pub-we had a nice encounter with a bat. YES a bat! Gross! So we took care of it, and man we looked all over the house for where that little guy got in. Still we have no idea how he got in, other than maybe getting in sometime and enjoying our stuff off the wall for painting. But EWE is all I can say.

We are also about to start participating in a Dodgeball league that happens the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. That should be a lot of fun.

Much Love and Prayers!

The DuFrenes

Happy (somewhat belated) New Year!

Welcome to the lovely 2010! Can you believe it? It has been 10 years since the Y2K freak-out happened. Well it is official Mike and myself had our first New Years Eve together. I know what you are thinking, weren't you dating/almost engaged at that point last year? Yes we were, but I had to work. I was at Mille Lacs, Hinckley, Webster, and the Mall of America all week that week, and when the clock struck 12, I was tearing down the decor at Mall of America. So I didn't even know it had happened until Mike texted me a little after 12.

This year we spent the New Year with friends and a little family (sister/brother-in-law). It was fun to see how "normal" people celebrate (by normal I mean those who don't work on New Years). And it was extremely relaxing. Since then Mike has worked, it was his weekend to work and so I stayed home and started painting. We decided to start working on the rest of the house now that the New Year had begun. So Saturday I worked on the hallway and entry way (which Mike helped a lot with too....I'm not a tall person). And then yesterday I worked on the upstairs bathroom. That was a tedious job; covering a dark turquoise with a creamish-yellow. But it is done and now we can move downstairs. There is only a little of the kitchen and the upstairs bedroom left! booya!

Now on to resolutions. I have only made 1 resolution in my life; to not drink pop for a year which was more to prove to everyone I could quit drinking pop for that amount of time rather than to make a resolution with a change towards the healthy. But this year I have thought of one (not that I had made any steps towards it yet), and it is one where I am daily committing myself to be more loving, more caring, and earnestly seeking after the will of God. I know that is what we are called to do as Christians and that is what I hoped to have been doing all along. But I think at this time of year it is always nice to remember what we are here for. Why am I placed in Hutchinson, the town I grew up in to do ministry. Why not some remote area where the "true missionaries" go? These are the questions that are placed in front of me constantly and I think unintentionally I overlook them. I know that happens with everyone too, what have you overlooked today? What gifts or abilities has God given you to do a job that he has instructed only you to do? So Mike and my hope and prayer is that we may be constantly growing in the Word and growing towards what God has called us to be. That we may be an example of how to love the way that Christ loved the church and how God loved all of creation. Blessings on your New Year! Pray that this challenge I have placed before me is one that I constantly remind myself of. Only in support can we fully accomplish what we were meant to be.

Following HIM and much love,

Amy and Mike