This is Murray.
 

He is a West Highland White Terrier.  He is 8 weeks old.  He is Ingrid's replacement.  He is so cute.  He is a lot of work.  But at least he will grow up around our kids.  We look forward to Murray being an awesome addition to our family. 

Strange title for a summary post of 2007, but of course, I have explanations.  We recently sent out New Year's cards/family pictures to all of our family and friends, so I figured I should post a review of our lives for the past year for you onlookers.

Romans and Egyptians have to do with the following pictures from this past year of school.  We have really enjoyed this endeavor into the world of homeschooling.  While it has been challenging and we have had to make adaptations to our orginal plans, it has been incredibly rewarding.  Here are the kids in Egyptian collars:

Here are the kids in Roman togas: 

Here are the kids in European ruffs:

The "German" part of our year is that we did get a German Shepherd a few months ago, Ingrid.  She was a precious, obedient, playful dog.  I say "was", because we gave her back to the rescue center last week.  We learned the hard way that she is too rough and too big for the kids.  Since she came from a rescue center, we also are not positive of her history.  This does not mean that we won't have a dog.  We are actively pursuing the purchase of a new puppy, but this time it will be of a small breed and it will have a chance to be raised in our home. 

The CD that we were working on this time last year is ALMOST finished.  We have finished recording, editing, and mixing all the songs.  We have just run out of resources to pay for the mastering and duplication process.  We are just trusting that God has the right timing for when this project, "Stand Up for Jesus", will be complete.  As soon as it IS done, you will be the first to know...we PROMISE!

This has been a year of Rick and I taking charge of our physical shape.  In 2006, we cleaned out our kitchen and became gourmet organic food specialists, only allowing those in our home to intake healthy, non-processed, non-chemically-treated foods.  That change helped the way we all feel and has brought our children to amazing heights of health.  Last year, in 2007, we began working out.  We have been following a regimen called Body for Life.  We have been weight training, doing interval cardio training, and getting fit!  We have loved it and have more energy and stamina than probably any other time in our lives.  We have had the opportunity to bring many friends along our journey too, and we are beginning to view this daily routine as a ministry.  I have decided to get certified as a personal trainer in the next couple of months, so we can make that view a reality.

As for Rick, he has definitely made some changes this year in regards to the church.  The Elders, leadership, and he decided it was time to remove Baptist from the name and to coincide it with developing a fresh mission, vision, and set of priorities.  This decision has been difficult to stick to as any major change brings challenges and loss.  But the passion and heart of those who are still a part of this body is now stronger and filled with a newly-inspired zeal.  We are all excited about the future at The Church @ Parkview.

We are still very thankful to be here.  Hurdles or not, having an opportunity to share the love of God and gift of Christ with others for a living is awesome.  We have some close friends (who were also the previous pastors of our church), Ron & Amie, who are experiencing a 15-month deployment with Ron ministering in Iraq as an Army chaplain and Amie ministering to her kids as well as other military wives at home in Louisiana.  While the pain of separation has been almost unbearable, I know they have learned that the joy of expanding the Kingdom of God has an ability to overcome the pain in some supernatural way.  We are learning from them. 

We really pray for the lives of all our friends and relatives this year.  That you would all seek His plan for each moment, each decision, each attitude, each thought.  You all have the capability, with Christ at your side, to do great things...for yourself, for others, for His kingdom.  We look forward to hearing about the awesome things He does through you in 2008!

Love,

The Woods 

Well, we just finished almost two and half weeks of holiday time with family.  It was so great...for them and for us.  Everyone had a great time, grew closer, and built memories.  Thanks, Lulu, for an awesome Christmas with WAY too many presents for the kids!  It was so nice to relax and enjoy your company and conversation.  We love you.

Thanks, Nana, Steph, and Benjamin for making our New Year's extra special!  We had a blast all week shopping, working out, feeding ducks, talking, watching movies, playing with the kids, taking pictures (see below), and so much more.  We miss you guys already, even though you just left.

In 2008, may we all never take the time we have with each other for granted and may we grow closer and more in love with our family and friends! 

What?  I know.  Weird title.  But this post is actually an overdue "thank you" to everyone involved in this year's Christmas Program, "AN OLD BOX OF CARDS".  The drama team was amazing.  Deana blew us away playing her role as Mrs. Perkins, and Natalie, Nori, Churck, Toby, and Ana all exuded suprising talent in their performances as well.  Who knew this church had actors/actresses?

The choir worked especially hard as well with 2 and half months of grueling practice on somes great musical Christmas medleys.  Thank you, team...all sixteen of you.  Thank you soloists too!  We may be drawing out some new worship team members after this one.  :-)

I also really appreciate the very important behind-the-scenes help that would have kept these performances from being possible if it wasn't for their exhaustive efforts.  Mike L. for running sound week after week...Tyler for running PowerPoint and lighting...Mike C. for building us a stellar door...Dawn for pulling off some delicious after-program fellowships.  You were all vital to the ministry that went on that weekend.

This entire production consumed a lot of my time as well, especially the last month beforehand.  So I want to thank my husband, Rick, my precious kids, and my dear friends for being patient with me through this time.  We'll see what God brings along for next year!

Christmas is a time of celebrating Christ's birth, and even more, doing that together.  I hope those who were a part of this production and those who attended one of the performances will be inclined more to reach out this holiday season and extend Christ's love to someone who needs it.  There are a lot of people who need it.   There are a lot of people who need Him.  Let's continue to be His presence in the world today that entered the world on the first Christmas day.

Love, Melissa

We have officially changed our church name.  The Church @ Parkview.  Please check out our new website (even though it is still under construction).  We have a clear motto, mission, vision, and priorities that have the people in this portion of the Body very excited.  As we look to the future, prayers for us are always a great thing.  Thanks, loved ones and friends!

(BTW, the new logo was created by Irene Heck...pretty cool!)