Paul moves out on his own

The new year has started with new beginnings for the Ralph family. Paul completed his degree requirements at BJU on December 17th and is now a college graduate (he will walk in the graduation ceremony in May). We are so thankful to God for clearly directing Paul where he should work and live. We have absolutely no doubt that Paul is where God wants him to be. On December 18th Paul accepted a position with Answers in Genesis at the Creation Museum doing IT work. His title is Solutions Developer. On his trip home from BJU Paul stopped in KY to find an apartment and signed a lease at Sanctuary Place Apartments for a nice 2 bedroom apartment.

Between December 18th and January 5 we had a graduation party, Christmas, Christmas with Jen's family, New Year's Eve Annual Party, and packed all of Paul's belongings and painted furniture that was given to Paul.

It has been awesome to watch God provide for Paul's needs. Everything that Paul has for his apartment was given to him. These items came from family, friends, and http://www.freecycle.org/. One of the concerns Paul had was the need for a bed. We watched God provide a "like-new" queen size mattress, boxsprings, and bedframe at no cost to Paul. Close friends gave Paul a couch and loveseat, and other friends gave towels, shower curtain, dishes, and monitary gifts.

I have posted a photo albumn on FaceBook for those who would like to see photos of Paul's apartment.

Busy Times!

One would think that as your children grow that life slows down and gets a little less hectic... So far, I haven't found that as true.

This summer found two of our boys working out of town and one working hours just opposite of ours...so our summer went fast and we didn't have much time as a family together.

Paul spent the summer in Knoxville, TN working. For the past couple summers he has had the awesome opportunity to work as an intern under Rob. This summer he lived in Knoxville, spent many evenings with the Gillens, enjoyed spending time with the Oakridge Baptist Church's singles, and enjoyed some additional freedom of basically living on his own. Paul is in the midst of his junior year at BJU where he works at least 2 jobs (cook & lab monitor) and is a computer science major.

Timothy worked in town but with hours almost opposite mine and Rusty's. Tim and I shared a car...so I would get home in time for him to go to work. We tried to use times when we were both off work to do our "college shopping". He had the opportunity to submit some graphic work to an area politician, and although his designs failed due to office politics, he gained some valuable experience. Mid-August we said our goodbyes as Tim drove off to PCC where he is working as a cook and is a graphic arts major.

Peter also worked out of town this summer. He had the opportunity to work on the Tech/AV/Progaming Staff at Southland Christian Camp (http://www.southlandcamp.org/). He absolutely loved the chance to work at the camp and still feels as God is directing him toward camp ministry. He is begging to get his driving license asap (I think this will happen next week). He is the class president of the junior class at TCCS.

Andrew continues to grow, but I guess when one has a size 13 shoe he has a LOT of growing to do! He is right at the 6' point and shows no signs of slowing down yet. He has been working hard to help with our current home remodel project. He loves to keep things organized.

Arrena is right at passing me! I can't believe my baby is now 12! She plays the piano and french horn, loves to read, does well in school, and loves K4T club on Sunday evenings.

Before the college kids all left for college, we got together as a family at Dad and Mom's. It was great to have all David & Jen's and Rusty and my children together with Grandpa and Grandma. We enjoyed watching them play games, tease, and love on each other.

After Tim left for college we found an evening to go to PowerPlay out in KS. This unique indoor gaming center is mostly all blacklite and was loads of fun! I was surprised at how inexpensive it was for us to spend a few hours today doing something fun and different. Paul, Peter, and Andrew enjoyed a round of free-throw shooting together...we found that Andrew had quite a talent shooting free throws! Peter threatens to tell Coach Christensen.

Graduation and a month!

The past couple months have just flown by...I keep saying that I need to write a post, but time never seemed to allow for it. So I will try to catch everyone up to speed.

Saturday, May 24...we celebrated Timothy's graduation from Tri-City Christian. We are so proud of the young man Tim has grown to be. He plans to attend Pennsacola Christian College this fall and major in Graphic Design. Tim loves to work in children's ministries at the church. He is involved in children's church, puppet ministry, and Kids 4 Truth. We celebrated Tim's graduation with an open house complete with family and friends. We are grateful for the family and friends who came from out of town to make this time special for Tim. Congratulations Tim! We are so proud of you!

Sunday, May 25...Peter left for the summer to go to Southland Christian Camp where he is working on staff for the summer. You can learn about his summer ministry at: http://peterralph.blogspot.com/. We are excited for the ministry he has this summer.

Tuesday, May 27...Paul left for Knoxville, TN where he is doing an internship again this summer. We are so grateful for the opportunities God has given to Paul. He is able to gain valuable experience, learn things that help him in school, and earn money for college all at the same time.

Sunday, June 1...Andrew and Arrena left for Mississippi to spend some time with Rusty's folks. The truck & trailer was full of people and animals when they left our house with 5 dogs, 3 cats, Grammie & Grampie, Brant, Neal (friend from Mississippi), Andrew, and Arrena. The kids enjoyed their time with Grammie & Grampie and Brant (their cousin from FL). Andrew even caught a catfish the size of his arm!

June 8 - Saturday June 14...Rusty and I took 47 junior-age children, 10 teens, and 3 adult sponsors to Southland Christian Camp for Junior Camp. Arrena joined us on Monday and we were able to see Peter. It was a great week of camp watching many bus children make professions of faith and church children make life changing decisions.

June, 22-28...Rusty drove a bus to Southland Camp again to take our teens to camp. This time Andrew joined him on Monday and once again he saw Peter.

June 27-29..For the first time ever I flew in an airplane. I went to Greer, SC to teach a Kids 4 Truth Advanced Regional Event. It was amazing to see God's Creation from the clouds! A bonus on this trip! Paul drove over from Knoxville, TN to see me and help with the training (he taped it all) and I stayed with my brother and his family. It was good to see them all and see Paul after a month! I had a great time teaching (enjoy teaching), but was so glad to get home to my family. It was smooth flying there but the trip home was full of delays.

July 4...We spent the fourth as a family. I went shopping with Tim in the morning/early afternoon getting clothes for college. In the evening we went to Ralph and Adele Roberts (our adopted family) to have a cookout. We enjoyed fresh fruit, hotdogs/brauts, and homemade icecream. The beautiful clear sky make watching fireworks special.

Well...I'll do my best to update the blog more frequently.

We have much to be THANKFUL for...

The day before Thanksgiving our family got together for a family photo. This is something our parents have begged for and something I have really wanted for awhile.

Rusty and I are so thankful for the children that God has given to us.

Paul is now a sophomore at BJU. He works several jobs to pay his way through college. We are so thankful for the blessing Paul is to our family and for the way God has provided for his college bill.

Timothy is a senior at TCCS this year. He has applied to college and is working to finish the application process so he can hear if he is accepted. He works as an intern for Kids 4 Truth and for the facilities department at Tri-City Ministries. He works in children's church and in the puppet ministry at church.

Peter is a sophomore at TCCS. He is interested in photography, technology, and is one of the basketball managers. Peter never knows a stranger and is always a delight. He would like to work in camp ministry and currently works in the bus ministry, children's church, puppet ministry and does audio for the youth department.

Andrew is in eighth grade at TCCS and is a huge teddy bear:-) He has passed up both Peter and Tim (much to their dismay) and will do anything to help others. He loves to cook and does a wonderful job at it. Andrew participates in the junior high choir, junior high handbell choir, junior high percussion ensemble, and junior high band. He works in the puppet ministry at our church.

Arrena is in the fifth grade at TCCS. She is our little princess. She is getting close to passing me up (which I know doesn't surprise anyone). She had her hair trimmed for the first time in 3.5 years in time for our photo and lost about 4 inches in the process! She loves to read and memorize, and excels in all that she does. She plays the piano and is learning the french horn. She also works in the puppet ministry at church. She is a joy and blessing to our entire family.

Rusty and I counted ourselves as very blessed. We keep very busy with our family and jobs, but are so thankful for all God has given to us.

Happy 19th Birthday, Paul!

Happy 19th Birthday, Paul!

Today is the first time in 19 years that we cannot celebrate Paul's birthday with him in person as he is at BJU. It is kinda sad, but we did what we could to make it special for him. A couple weeks ago Timothy and Peter went to BJU for national competition and took a "Birthday Party in a Box" to Paul. The box had a few snacky items, presents, an apple cake that Arrena Jeanette made, birthday plates, napkins, and party horns.

Happy Birthday Paul. We are very proud of you and your love for God. May God continue to richly guide and protect you.

Have a great birthday!

Travel with Care...see you in 2.5 weeks!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with all of our children (even Paul!); Dad & Mom Raymer; Dave & Jen and Crystal, Jarid, Lynnae, Craig; and Russell, Debbie, and Carena! It was great to eat, relax, play games, and just visit together on Thursday.

Friday, Paul, Timothy, and I along with Alyssa and Peter had our traditional "After Thanksgiving Shopping Trip." We hit the "techie" stores like Office Max and Circuit City...along with a camera shop, and several other stores. I heard it said several times and I agree the sales and specials were not as good as in years past...and thankfully, my checkbook agrees! as I didn't purchase much this year.

Saturday was a busy day...running errands, cleaning house, sorting old clothes, and working on wedding plans with Sarah and Bob. It was a good day with much accomplished.

Today was a normal Sunday with church services and family time.

Paul's ride decided to leave tonight instead of tomorrow morning, so we received a call around 10:00ish asking for Paul. He was out at a college/career SS class party and hurried home. They wanted to leave the church at 11:15 tonight instead of 6:15 tomorrow morning. Thankfully, I had told Paul to pack before church and he had done it with the exception of the last load of clothes in the dryer...so he had time to change and get things together and be up at the church by 11:15. They pulled out of the parking lot at 11:20!

So...if you think of it, please pray for the guys as the travel through the night and tomorrow. Wade says that he will definitely let others drive on the way back:-)

And...one last time...I will say thank you to both Paul and Wade for my special Thanksgiving Surprise gift. I loved being able to visit with Paul in person and to have our traditional Thanksgiving time together.

Thanksgiving Surprise!

I went to bed on Tuesday evening suffering from the start of a mild flu bug...I awoke on Wednesday still feeling ill and having suffered from a headache all night, and told Rusty he would need to get the kids off for school and promptly took 4 ibuprofrin and a migraine tablet and headed back to bed. As Rusty began getting up and ready I heard the front door open and wondered who was going outside...I heard the door again and decided to get up and check it out.

As I walked down the hall I saw Timothy say something to someone who ducked into the kitchen. Thinking that Jarid had dropped by after work (knowing he was to come over before noon I thought maybe he wanted to see Tim before school) I walked into the kitchen to say hello...and was greeted by PAUL!

Yes, Paul totally surprised us all by planning to come home for Thanksgiving. The only person in the family he told was Timothy...and that was to make sure he let him into the house and had his bed cleaned off!

It has been wonderful to enjoy talking with Paul and having him home for a few days. (well, 2 so far.) He returns to school on Monday, but it has been great to see him.

Oh yes, much to the disagreement of others...I will not believe that BJU food is as bad as it sounds....Paul seems to be picking up weight just fine on it! I think he has also grown taller by a couple inches!

Welcome Home Paul! Thank you for the great surprise! I will enjoy our traditional after thanksgiving shopping trip in the morning.