What a Blessing!!

Our teens at Belmar Baptist Church took on a HUGE project this Christmas! They ALL pulled together and gave of their own money, bought toys, wrapped gifts and gave of themselves and their time to be a HUGE blessing to over 50 single moms............this is over 100 kids!! These children had a good Christmas because of the willingness of our teens. They were not only a blessing to these very appreciative moms, but also to several of our church families (me included!) as they came and saw how our teens had organized and accomplished such a huge project!!!! I walked into this room and saw this:

How AMAZING is this!!!??? More toys and games than most toy stores even have......... I stood in the doorway and just cried............feeling sooo amazed and humbled at how our teens had given of themselves in such a huge way! I am soooooo extremely proud to be a part of a youth group with such heart for others!!!! The many, many children and families that would now be able to have a Merry Christmas!!

Pancake Breakfast w/Santa!!

Our teens hosted an amazing Pancake Breakfast with Santa!! We had sooo many families come through our doors and have alot of fun with their kids.

Setting up the stage for Santa!! We took pictures of all the kids with Santa :)

The "elves" had alot of fun too!!

Some awesome men of our church cooking the amazing breakfast!!! They did a tremendous job!! It was sooo yummy!!! Pancakes, Bacon, sausage and eggs!!

Damon with Santa!! He told Santa all he wanted for Christmas was "brakes for his bike"!! :)

Damon's amazing friend Atlanna!!

Our busy little elves!!! Don't they look adorable!!!!???

We had a great time!!

2 BIG Dreams

I have two really BIG dreams..........these are very personal dreams that I have had for many years.
1. I have a dream of meeting and getting to know my Mom. She and my Dad divorced when I was very little and I would love to find her someday. I would love to tell her that I have done ok and that she has 3 beautiful grandboys! And the most wonderful Son-in-law she could ever wish for!! I don't know her situation or what she has been through in her life, but I would just like to be given the opportunity to meet her and to learn about her. I would like to know if I have any brothers and/or sisters. This would be amazing to know about a whole other side to my family that is a total mystery to me!! I have always had a hole in my life where there should have been that Mother/Daughter love and bond....there is a longing there to know about my Mom. To meet her someday.........that is my dream!
2. I have a dream of owning our own forever home. This has been the biggest trial of the last 17 years - which is our entire married life! We have tried countless times........all to no avail! I can look back and say it was much easier to pick up and follow God's call to Colorado because we didn't have to worry with selling a house. :) Now that we are here and we know without a doubt that we are supposed to be here, I REALLY want to buy a house!!!!! A house that we can call our own and be settled. A house where someday our boys and grandkids can come home to visit us, where memories will be made and cherished forever...... But, there just isn't a possible way right now....... I can tell you that is exactly what I said when the call came to move across the country "There is NO way!" But with God ALL things are possible!!!! So with that, I am telling you that I do beleive that God WILL provide a way for my dream of home ownership to come true!!!

Forgiveness

Hindsight is always better than presentsight..........looking back i can now see how God was working in my life. He has used people and situations (both good and bad) to grow me and to move me closer to Him. He has put me in places where I have relied on Him TOTALLY!!

But, I didn't always see Him in what I went through..........people that I was really close with, hurt me very badly. I was a wounded person and couldn't believe people that I thought I knew so well could be so hurtful....... We are all just human and we all fail daily as we strive to be more like our Father. I have now reached that point in my walk with God that I can give forgiveness to those that did wrong to me.......I don't have to carry that hurt around with me. I can't be accountable for the actions of others - I can only be held accountable for my actions and how I react to situations. I can't change other people - I can only change myself. Some people will never change........

It is amazing how light my shoulders feel now as I release the burden of hurt! Giving Forgiveness is exactly where my Father wants me at this moment.

What I Love about CO!!!

I find myself very thankful lately as I look around! So I thought it would be great to list some things about Colorado that I am loving!!

1. I am in awe daily of how close God has drawn me to Him! I find myself totally dependent on Him and it has made life sooo much easier and more enjoyable!

2. I am loving how I can see how God is working in my boys! They are seeing the "mission" field all around them. They see how much of a difference there is here now that we're not in the "Bible Belt"........ They are inviting their new friends to church.............and Dylan witnessed firsthand 2 of his friends accept Christ!!!!! Just AMAZING!!!!!!

3. I love seeing Jeremy working in the Children's Ministry!! His eyes just light up as he is coming up with sooo many ideas!! God has definitely led us to the perfect church for us to serve in.........we are loving gettting to know the people. They are soo welcoming and loving!!

4. I love my job!! The kids are precious and every day is just so rewarding! The ladies are amazing and I am overjoyed to be working with them! Getting to work for Penny again is even more enjoyable than I thought it would be!!!!!

5. Jeremy loves his job and it is so awesome to see him thrive in an area that he really enjoys!! It is a different story every day!!! LOL!! He is working for some great people who really enjoy having him as part of their team!!

6. The scenery is soooo beautiful here!! I had never been to CO before so I really didn't know what to expect! But seeing the mountains so grand before me every morning as I drive to work is just breathtaking! We have been hiking several times and it is amazing the views that there are to take in! Hiking has been such a great time for all of us!!

7. The weather has been incredible!!!! One of the "hottest" summers CO has seen in a long time............well, let's just say that it really wasn't "hot"!!!! Not like the "HOT" that we are used to in TX!!!!!! We have sooooo loved the beautiful days of this summer!! And we especially love how it gets soooo nice and cool in the evenings! Drinking coffee and sitting outside with a blanket on summer nights............yes, I am easily getting used to this!!!!!!

8. Love the schools that we were led to register the boys in!! Damon's school is small and a perfect fit for him!! D & D's school is really pretty large (5A) - but they have adapted really well!! It is "block" scheduling - so that means they only have 3 classes each day!! They really like this part......especially Kota!!! LOL!! They have both made good friends :) this especially is exciting for Kota since his last 3 yrs at Middle School were (as far as how other kids treated him) beyond terrible!

9. Love our little house that God provided for us! It has many upgrades and is great for us! We have gotten really close as a family and that is priceless!!!

10. The accessibility of stores!!! I don't have to just go to "Walmart"!! Every store imaginable is within 5 miles of our home..........this is awesome, but also is detrimental to my wallet!!! LOL!!!

11. I am loving helping with the Youth Group at church! We have some amazing teens that literally would do anything for you!! Some really fun activities and very heartfelt worship times!

This list is longer than I thought.........I will be continuing this soon!!!!

Changes

Soooo many changes for the Wild West fam!! These changes have come so fast! I feel like I have been in a whirlwind for the past few weeks!! I have felt God move in my life in a way like I've never seen before.......my
Faith has been tested...... and now I can honestly say that my Faith has grown. I have been totally dependant on God. I am a "planner" and this whirlwind has definitely not been planned by me. :) I have been in His hands and He has led the way for all these changes. I have a peace like never before - I can't explain it , all I can tell u is that He is leading us and I have never felt more peace than I do right now.
We are in the process of moving to Lakewood, CO.......I say process because only 3/5 of our fam is there! LOL!! Dylan and I are leaving for a peru mission trip on Monday. We are so ready to see God work in and through us as we give ourselves to do His work. We will b gone for two weeks and then we will get to join them in CO!!
Jeremy starts a new job on Monday. Pest and animal control specialist........he is very excited about this new adventure....... I am sure he will come home with some very interesting stories to share around the dinner table!!!
He will also b working in the Belmar Baptist Church with the Children's Ministry. This has been his heart for soo many years. We are overwhelmed with how God has laid out His plan for us and opened the doors right before our eyes........
When I arrive in CO, I will also b starting a new job! I will b working at Jacob's Academy! I am soo excited to get to work with a very dear friend. I have always LOVED being around the kids and seeing their little eyes light up when given a smile or a hug........
The boys will all b starting new schools in the fall...... Damon's application has already been approved for the school we wanted for him!! We will b getting the other two registered soon.
So as you can see, many new changes for the West house........We are excited to see God's plan as it unfolds before us!!

Dylan's Basketball

I love watching him play!! He plays with such heart and determination.......so very proud of the young man he is becoming! =)