A Journey of Faith

 Let me introduce you to my family  ...  each and every one of them a true blessing from the Lord.

Jim ... when the Lord brought Jim into my life, I knew I was blessed to find a young man
that shared my dream of having six children.  Who would have guessed that, 26 years later, we would welcome child #13 into our family.  Jim ... my best friend, my parenting partner, and the most amazing Papa I could ever ask for for our children.  Oh yes ... on the professional side ... Jim has been a teacher for 21 years.  He has his B.A. in Ed. from Pacific Lutheran Unviersity, and his Ma. in Ministry from Pepperdine University.  In addition to teaching full-time in a Parent Partnership Program, Jim is the Substitute Teaching Leader for the local Bible Study Fellowship men's group.

Laurel ... that's me ...  I clearly remember, in 4th grade, reading a magazine article about
a very large family.  That was the day that being a mommy to a whole houseful of kids became my dream.  Then, I remember my sweet 6th grade teacher, who became my first cheerleader for writing.  She encouraged me to write and write and write.  I dreamed of becoming a writer.  Today ... 35 years later ... I am happily living out my childhood dreams.  I thank the Lord for hearing the heart of a little child, and helping me to find my way to living the most amazing life possible.

Gregg ... 24 years old ... having fulfilled his dream of giving 4 years of service to the U.S.
Army (including 2 tours of duty in Iraq), Gregg is now pursuing his dream of college, and a beautiful young lady.  In addition to his full-time studies, Gregg is a volunteer small group leader for our church's high school youth group.  Gregg is, also, an amazing big brother, to his 12 younger siblings.  Just this week, Gregg woke up his two youngest brothers (ages 6 & 8) and surprised them with a 4 day road trip to Oregon to visit their big sister, Cassie.

Cassie ... 23 years old ... passionate about youth ministry and missions, Cassie has
traveled to Haiti, West Africa, and India.  After completing 2 years of college and her YWAM DTS, Cassie worked full-time in children's ministry for 2 years. She then decided to move out-of-state.  Cassie is currently working as a professional nanny, while volunteering in youth ministry.  Whenever Mama and Papa are traveling, Cassie joyfully drives home to be "Substitute Mommy" to all of the little ones.Though currently not involved in music ministry, Cassie LOVES to sing.  She took many years of piano lessons and voice lessons; and she sang in the high school musicals and the college choir.  Cassie always has a song on her heart.
 

Jeremiah ... 21 years old ... politics, international relations, ministry ... these are the things that make Jeremiah tick.  After studying Political Science at Liberty University, and debating on their National Championship Debate Team, Jeremiah taught school for a year before heading out on his next big adventure. Jeremiah is currently attending an Arabic Language School in Amman, Jordan while working part-time in ministry there.  Along with ministry and politics, Jeremiah loves sports and music.  He played league baseball the past 17 years (also playing varsity football in high school).  In addition to taking 9 years of piano lessons, Jeremiah had lead roles in the high school musical productions (including Thernardier in Les Miserables).

Carissa ... 19 years old ... compassion is definitely one of Carissa's spiritual gifts.  She
loves children and ministry.  After doing short-term mission trips to Costa Rica and Mexico, Carissa decided to attend a 6 month YWAM Discipleship Training School in Mendoza, Argentina.  After completing her DTS, the Lord called her to stay in Argentina on a long-term basis.  She is now enjoying her status as a full-time, volunteer, YWAM staff member in Mendoza.  In addition to children, ministry, and missions, Carissa enjoys running (she was a 300m hurdler in high school), and worship ministry (she is a vocalist and piano player).

Lindsey ... 19 years old ... seeking adventures with the Lord, Lindsey has traveled to Costa
Rica, Mexico, and Germany.  After sharing a bedroom with her identical twin, Carissa, for 19 years, Lindsey headed to the other side of the world for her Discipleship Training School.  She is currently seeking and serving the Lord in Herrnhut, Germany.  Lindsey was also on the high school track team (running, jumping, and throwing the discus), in addition to being involved with the high school musicals.  Lindsey continues to pursue her love of music through her guitar. When not traveling the world, Lindsey has been involved in children's ministry and youth ministry for the past 6 years.

Joshua ... 18 years old ... after 4 years of volunteering in children's ministry, Josh is taking
this year off to focus on his college work and his favorite pastime, running.  In addition to running on the high school track team and the cross country team, Josh has also discovered that he enjoys the challenge of a 1/2 marathon.  Josh will complete his AA degree in June '09, and is praying about joining Carissa in Argentina for a Sports Discipleship Training School in July.  Josh is enjoying his first year of Men's Bible Study Fellowship with Papa this year (after many years in the BSF children's program and student program).

Benjamin ... 15 years old ... baseball, cross country, and photography are Ben's
passions.  He saved up his lawn mowing money this past year and purchased his own Nikon D80 camera and a Mac desktop computer (shared with Josh). In addition to keeping up with his homeschool high school academics, Ben loves to work with children.  He volunteers two services per week in children's ministry at church; and he works twice per month at our local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers).

Jacob ... 12 years old ...  Jacob arrived in America in March '08 ready to
find out all about this big world that he lives in.  Not only does Jacob love baseball and soccer, but he works very diligently to catch up on the years of schooling he missed while living in his village in Ghana.  Jacob is full of energy, and has a smile that won't quit. He is thoroughly enjoying his 10 new brothers and sisters, and all of the adventures that being a part of our fun and faith-filled family brings.

 Hosanna ... 12 years old ...  Hosanna has a maturity beyond her years.  In one month this past spring, the last of Hosanna's big sisters moved out, and 3 new siblings arrived from Africa.  Hosanna went from being the 3rd youngest of 8 kids at home, to being the oldest girl at home.  She jumped into her new found responsibilities with gusto, and has surprised us all with her joyful willingness to be the biggest sister in the house.  Hosanna began volunteering in children's ministry at age 8, and currently volunteers 3 services per week, in addition to working twice per month at M.O.P.S. For her own spiritual growth, Hosanna attends the B.S.F. student program, and also the Breakout missions training program at church.

Sarah ... 9 years old ...  we have found Sarah to be sweet and quiet, yet very
fun and social too (with a totally cute giggle).  She is a deep thinker, who processes everything she has seen and heard since arriving in America. Sarah is an amazingly gifted artist, and took high honors at our local fair this past summer.  Sarah thoroughly enjoys her homeschooling studies and her Bible Study Fellowship.  She loves to read, and wants to learn anything that we put before her.

Josiah ... 8 years old ... sensitive and another deep thinker, Josiah lets the
younger kids be the center of attention; yet he isn't afraid to remind us of his thoughts and feelings on any subject, either. Josiah loves his artwork, and has enjoyed sharing this passion with his new sister, Sarah.  They spend many hours drawing and coloring together.  Josiah is seen here at the wheel of a ski boat ... as one of our favorite annual family holidays is a week with friends at their cabin.  Josiah loves to ride in the boat, and also to innertube behind the boat.

Rachel ... 7 years old ... spunky and full of energy, that's our little Rachel.  We
were in awe to discover that both of our new little girls matched right up, personality-wise, with our two youngest boys.  Rachel and Elijah are the dynamic duo, not to be stopped by anything.  As the youngest of 13 children, these two think they can do anything.  And, they will try everything.  Rachel also enjoys her homeschooling and Bible Study Fellowship;  and she looks forward to being on an American baseball team in the spring.

Elijah ... 6 years old ... at age 2, Elijah climbed up on the kitchen counter, took
his big brother's car keys, and went right out and started the car.  At age 4, Elijah climbed 15 ft. up a Palm Tree.  At age 5, as he walked precariously close to a camp fire, I casually reminded him to be careful because the fire could burn him.  He responded, "That's okay, Jesus will unburn me."  At that moment, I realized why Elijah has absolutly no fear. At age 3, Elijah nearly died.  He had an amazing encounter with the Lord at that time, and has had complete faith, and lack of fear, ever since. Oh, how refreshing ... the faith of a child.