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 #12 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 ... After teaching middle school and high school for 21 years, he recently "hung up his chalk" and moved into full-time ministry.  He has his B.A. in Ed. from Pacific Lutheran Unviersity, and his Ma. in Ministry from Pepperdine University. He pastor's a small church in the San Juan Islands of Washington, State.

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 house full 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 ... 38 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 ... 25 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 moved to Texas.  He is currently pursuing a career with a city police force.  Gregg is a wonderful, loving big brother, to his 11 younger siblings. Although he is 18 years younger, little Elijah has the most amazing relationship with Big Brother Gregg.  Gregg is a sports fanatic, and played about 15 years of league baseball before joining the Army.  He also loves to sing, and was involved in high school choirs and musicals.

Cassie ... 24 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 ... 23 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 then attended an Arabic Language School in Amman, Jordan while working part-time in ministry there.  He is now back in the states, completing his degree in Political Science and looking forward to Officer Training School with the U.S. Navy.  Along with ministry and politics, Jeremiah loves sports and music.  He played league baseball the past 19 years (also playing varsity football in high school).  And, 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 ... 21 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 enjoying her status as a full-time, volunteer, YWAM staff member in Mendoza, and is coming up on her 2 year anniversary there.  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 ... 21 years old ... seeking adventures with the Lord, Lindsey has traveled to Costa
Rica, Mexico, Germany, India, and Bangladesh.  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 thoroughly enjoyed her time of seeking and serving the Lord in Herrnhut, Germany.  Lindsey was also on the high school track team (running, jumping, and throwing the javelin), 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 8 years.

Joshua ... 19 years old ... running is Josh's passion, playing the guitar is his hobby, and becoming a high school English teacher is his career goal.  Josh is a Junior this year at Eastern Washington University.  After playing baseball all of his elementary school years, he hung up his mitt during middle school, and  got talked into running track with his big sisters his sophomore year of high school.  A new passion was quickly found.  He moved from track into cross country, and then started training for a 1/2 marathon.  Josh has a LOT of energy, and is usually able to focus it on bringing FUN into whatever activity he is involved in.  His most recently new found FUN activity is snow-boarding.

Benjamin ... 16 years old ... track, cross country, and photography are Ben's
passions.  He saved up his lawn mowing money when he was 14 and purchased his own Nikon D80 camera just after his 15th birthday.  The following year, he saved up and purchased his own Macbook laptop computer for editing his photography.   After so many years of being the "middle kid", Ben moved up to the "oldest at home" in our recent move, and he has stepped into that role wonderfully.  He is a very responsible and reliable young man, and a great, big brother to the younger 5.

Hosanna ... 13 years old ...  Hosanna has a maturity beyond her years.  In one month, when she was just 11, the last of Hosanna's big sisters moved out, and her 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 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, until our recent move, volunteered 3 services per week, in addition to working twice per month at M.O.P.S.

Sarah ... 11 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 just a few months after arriving in America.  Sarah thoroughly enjoys her homeschooling studies. She loves to read, and wants to learn anything that we put before her.  Sarah has enjoyed learning to crochet this year, something taught to her by Hosanna.

Josiah ... 10 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 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 ... 8 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 12 children, these two think they can do anything.  And, they will try everything.  When the weather requires her to be inside, Rachel loves to play board games and card games.  However, she would much prefer being outside, running in the woods or playing at the beach with her brothers.

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 absolutely 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.