Well, I can't believe that it has been almost 2 months since my last entry. The summer has flown by. I'm sure yours has too. School is just around the corner...and we're all doing the last minute scramble for the school supplies, and enjoying the relaxed moments before school gets started for all of us. Please allow me to catch you up with our family... Our youngest daughter, Christina...is an official licensed driver...and now employed....and on her way to being an official highschool junior. Wow, time really does fly by as our little ones get older. It is nice to see her enjoying life,,,trying her hand at teaching piano, and exploring new things like voice lessons, a nice Christian boyfriend, and a missions trip to Seattle, WA...that she'd love to tell you about someday, just ask to see photos...or hear her phenomenal stories. Andrea made it back from Mexico...safe and sound...just in time to go on family vacation with us. This was a good time to debrief and visit before she starts back to school's busy schedule. She and Steve (her boyfriend) have compared notes to their language training in different countries...they also have many stories to share and have lots of photos to share as well. I hope that you'll get a chance to hear what she did while in Mexico. Becky, Matt and the girls are doing well. Matt and Becky will be celebrating their 4th wedding anniversary. The girls are growing, communicating with understandable words, and now can sing up a storm, and are bringing us much joy to watch them love each other. Steve has accepted the challenge to teach a "Leadership/Management/Administration" type class at St. Louis Christian College. He's very excited about this opportunity, and has been planning lesson plans, and gathering materials and ideas for resources and topics of research and discussion. This is his first! And he is getting ready for classes that begin Aug. 23rd. I'm also getting ready for classes. I'll be in school for the next 3 semesters...year round...and then a 6 month practicum before projected graduation date of May 2009. There's much to learn...and while I'm learning...I'll be exploring leadership of Women's Ministry at FCCF as a volunteer. God gave me the desire a couple of months back, and I've been praying about how I could help, and now, am working towards building a leadership team to help me continue the work of Women's Ministry. There's much to do...and I'm depending on God to help me as I go back to school and learn about Christian ministry and step out in leadership in this way. I pray that you are all well, and that you are enjoying this season of your life. I know God is leading me through another season that will be ministry oriented...as I tackle school and Women's Ministry at the same time. I'd appreciate any prayers that might approach God's throne on behalf of me and my family. May we continue to be open and willing servants, eager to learn and to lead as God leads us. "Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me....I once was lost, but now amd found, was blind but now I see". Oh these are familiar words to a favorite hymn written by John Newton, that I've been reading about this week in a book titled: "CAPTURED BY GRACE", by David Jeremiah. The author compares John Newton's journey to that of the Apostle Paul. Interesting comparisons of 2 men who persecuted others and how God pursued them and changed their lives as they experienced God's grace first hand. It's amazing to know that God sees us with such love, and has so much to share with us, and can't wait to have an intimate relationship with us, so that we can know HIM better. He knows us and loves us so much...and HIS grace is reaching out to us from HIS loving heart. This book has been a fresh reminder that we all need to experience God's grace. I spoke with a young lady today, frustrated with life and looking for help...who wasn't sure why she came to church today...and I could only say that..."it was God's grace...reaching out to you". I hope she'll come back...pray with me for her to come back, and get to know the Church family, and God. She is not beyond God's loving reach. As you face the remaining days of this summer vacation...may you be reminded of God's grace in your lives, and know that you are loved with a love that reaches beyond all obstacles to get to you. May you also share that love and grace with those around you. Blessings! Janet | 
