Prayer Needed

On June 16 Jason had neck surgery to relieve the pain he'd been having for nearly a year. It is now November, and there has been no relief. We still have so much to be grateful for, but Jason's entire life is impacted by this pain--when he sits, works, reads, etc. There still is physical therapy and other things to try, but most of all, we believe that only the Lord can heal him. Please join me in asking the Lord to bring healing to Jason's neck.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Jason and I are amazed at the whirlwind we've just stepped into. We feel so very blessed to be able to get this education--we've both begun graduate school. Jason is working on his Masters in Math while I am doing an online masters in Autism (sort of). We knew it would make us busy, but we are truly putting in more hours a week than we ever have. Time management is becoming a real issue--especially if we want any kind of social life! I am teaching third grade and enjoying it, but it is difficult to end a day like that and start reading and writing for 3-5 or more hours at night.
All this to say--we haven't had much going on other than that these few weeks since school has begun. We've had some friends from seminary living with us for a month or so while they were waiting to close on a house a little over a mile and a half away from us. It has been a blessing to have friends living with us during this move. However, we are about to be empty-nesters again as they are settling into their new place this weekend. At some point, I may figure out a time to do things to our new home I've been wanting to do--like paint and decorate. Maybe during the semester breaks! Helpful ideas are welcomed! So are guests! I will do my best to get some pictures up soon.

New Beginnings

We are closing in 2 weeks in Knoxville on our first home! We are very excited! We are praying that all goes well, so far, so good.

As for Jason's neck, he is still having serious pain in the same spot. Online blogs have shown that this is pretty normal. However, we have seen some blogs about the pain continuing for months and years. Please pray that this is not the case with him. We are trying to make arrangements so that he does not lift a finger throughout this move. Any strain can really upset what has been done on his spine. He will start school in a little more than a month and will need to be able to sit up and study comfortably. It is a scary situation to be with the unknowns, so we have to trust in our Lord, who is the Great Physician. Thank you for joining us in prayer.

I have accepted a job offer to teach third grade at a school near where we will be living. It will be a new adventure!

God is our Provider!

After much prayer, and some clear direction from the Lord, Jason and I have decided to go to Knoxville, TN. In the past month Jason was offered an assistantship position there for his MS/PhD track in Math, which is a HUGE provision that covers all tuition and insurance and even pays a stipend for being a TA and eventually teaching undergrad courses. I'm so thrilled for him to have this opportunity!

We're also excited about a church there that is very involved in hands-on ministry with the city and is eager for fresh ideas as well.

This decision was truly an answer to prayer. Through all of these decisions we're making, I'm learning most of all to "in nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6). After the decision of WHERE to move was made, it was tempting for me to begin checking a list of find a house, a job, etc. I was going about it in my usual way of doing what I knew to do. This week, however, I'm reminded of the patience and time in prayer it took to have the clarity we do about Knoxville. So, I'm humbled again to pray about my job and our home. Jason is joining me in this and it has truly been a blessing for us both. Thank you to those of you who are praying for us. I have had a job offer, but I'm wanting to be certain that I know it's what the Lord wants me to do. God has been and is being our provider and teaching us so much along the way!

Here's our big prayer request: After having a great deal of pain for over a year now in his neck, attending therapy, and receiving various shots that never seemed to relieve the pain, Jason is going to have surgery next Tuesday, June 16. This will be what's known as a 'neck fusion'. Pray that it is effective and that his recovery is quick.

Update March 09

Well, I'm not sure how many of you still keep up with this blog, but I thought I would give an update for us with some pictures and a few words. We are now in the final quarter of this school year. It is hard to believe, but it really is almost done! (Well, two months and a bit to go). Jason and I are on Spring Break right now, which for us really means just catching up on all of the little things that need doing. We are prayerfully considering what to do next with our lives and are wrestling with the ever pressing question--What is God's will for our lives? We are interested in a few things and are trying to remain undecided until the Lord has made it clear to both of our hearts. It is a great exercise for both of us in patience and primarily in dependence on the Lord. We could end up in Birmingham or Knoxville, but who knows...maybe the Lord will call us to Africa, Bulgaria or China! We are truly trying to have open hearts and hands. It is a sad thing to leave my immediate family here, especially as my sister is just weeks from giving birth to my fourth nephew. But in all things, God is Sovereign and Jason and I truly are learning a lesson of reliance on his guidance. Not only in that area, but also in fertility. We would love to be parents, but the Lord has yet to give us this blessing and we are seeking medical counsel and are beginning some steps to determine what the issues, if any, may be. In all of the emotional ups and downs, I am convinced that only God is the Creator. It has been a year of learning that my life here is not my own and that I am here for His purposes, not my own. Far be it from me to say what is BEST for my life. We know what is best is to seek the Lord with our whole hearts. Though I am far from doing this well, He is molding me and transforming me to be better equipped for Him. I know that Jason would say the same.
Meanwhile, Jason and I have loved having our sweet dog, Radley and loved being around my family here in Montgomery. Here are some pictures of late. Believe it or not, it did actually snow in Montgomery a couple of weeks ago. It lasted all of 4 hours, but we'll take it! I took the boys to a nearby hill to try to sled on laundry baskets. It was too wet to slide on though. We still made snow angels and snowballs.





We celebrated my mom's b'day at her house. Delta and I made a delicious (if I do say so myself) cake from the Cooking Light book. YUMMY! Family times are a blessing!




Keep in touch and let us know how you are all doing! With love, Claire.

Dog Owners!

We've been wanting to get a dog for a while now. So, last Saturday Jason and I went with my brother-in-law and nephews to the shelter to pick one out. We played with a lot of dogs, and on the way out, I saw this dog just begging us to take him. We decided to "foster" him for one week to make sure it could work out. After about 2 days, it was decided we just had to keep him. He has the sweetest countenance and licks us a LOT! So, the name game began on Wednesday. Jason and I had totally different ideas (go figure--ha). So, I asked my third graders the next day to write down their choices on a post-it. They were cute, but none fit. We'll after a few instances of showing just how timid and scared he gets, we decided on Radley. Yes, it does come from "Boo Radley" from To Kill a Mockingbird. We are hoping he will grow out of being so timid. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with us, it usually loud noises and cars. For example, he ran into a table and a vase fell and broke causing a loud crash. Radley ran and jumped behind the couch and would not come out for some time. He really has begun to show his full personality with being somewhat playful, but mostly a sweet, lap-dog. So, here he is:

Christmas Family Time and New Year's Reunion

Jason and I are blessed to have had 2 full weeks off of work for Christmas vacation. We spent the first weekend in Knoxville where I laid in bed for 2 days with flu-like symptoms and had to visit a local clinic for medicine. Once I was better, my mother-in-law had our nieces over to make their annual Gingerbread houses and we added the feat of making gingerbread boys and girls. She is so creative and it was a lot of fun. After four days, we left and went down to Florida to be with my family and extended family. We spent a full 10 days there with family and friends. My dad's whole side of the family came. So, it was a very special time for my Grandmommy to have ALL of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren there for the season.
Then, for the fourth year in a row, we had our Chattanooga friends reunion during New Year's (though not everyone has come every year). We all met in Florida and went to my uncle's lakehouse. It was so warm, we were able to spend time in the water and on the boat. I even kneeboarded! During the day, our extended family would come out with their children to play in the water and ride on the boat. Jason was able to enjoy getting some fishing in as well. Here are a few pictures of the reunion:
Me and my cousin:

Jason & Jason fishing:

Smores on New Year's Eve:

Kneeboarding:

The whole group: