It's Official - We're Moving!

The last several months, I haven't blogged very much for several reasons. The biggest one has been all the uncertainty we've been living with. In December, my contracting position that paid for more than 2/3 of our income ended. That meant we had to find something. Quickly, because each month we'd be digging in to savings or going deeper into debt.

We've struggled along for the past 4 months, without a clear direction, just knowing that God was in control and trusting his plan. That's been hard, as you can imagine, because when there doesn't appear to be any movement with a needed job or even with selling our house (that we could no longer afford), you wonder what God's up to. I've been through short bouts of depression, frustration, anger, doubts, and more. But, Go

d has constantly been proving himself faithful. There's been short-term contracts to build sites for churches and other groups, there's even been plenty of movement at the church to encourage us that we were being useful to God there.

Last week, though, a job offer finally appeared. Just about three weeks before, we looked into a full-time church position in Elizabeth City - and after a whirlwind of activity, they decided that I was a fit for their needs - a Pastor of Children & Families. So, in a few weeks, we'll be living in Elizabeth City.

What kind of lessons have we learned through all this (including the past 1 1/2 years?):

• God is Good - all the time!
• Faith isn't always felt - but it is always tested!
• God can work even in unlikely places and through unlikely scenarios!

Definitely good lessons!

So, what's the plan? Our last Sunday with Mountain View is May 24th. Then, we'll pack, move the first week in June and start at New Community Church in Elizabeth City on June 7. The church is amazing - and we are so blessed by God to be able to be there and serve!

Oh, and for some awesome family photos - the growing Roten clan (thanks to Haley Cromer for the photography!).

Hair Salon Day

Celeste had her latest braiding session today. She cried a bit but it turned out great.

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Little girl braids

Celeste had her second visit to the hair salon Tuesday. She squirmed but Lena was able to get the job done. What pretty hair!
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The newest little Roten...

Well, where do we start? Several months ago, we decided that we would certainly want our children to be close in age, and as such, we'd let the adoption agency know that we are ready whenever they are. The agency requires adoptive families to wait at least a year before their next placement.

And, we figured that the amazing speed at which our adoption of Celeste occurred, that surely we wouldn't have the same experience again. Well, we were wrong. Yesterday, we received a call that we had been chosen as the parents of a little girl. It took us a few moments to understand what was being said, and for reality to set in. We had just celebrated Celeste's first birthday last week - and as much as we thought it could happen, we didn't dream that God would bring us a new little one so soon.

Today, we picked up our cute, adorable little addition - Olivia Ruth. She's perfect - 7lbs, 3 oz at birth on Feb. 27th (Yes, that means she's just over 361 days younger that Celeste!). Pray with us as we become accustomed to being parents of two little girls under the age of 13 months! You can imagine all the things we could use prayer support on - so don't be shy to life them up to our heavenly father!

Here's some pictures of our dear sweet little baby - and her big sister (who couldn't let the new one out do her, so she started walking yesterday!).

March 09 Snow

Well, we waited all winter - and finally it came!  Overnight, we had about 5 or more inches of snow (more because we went walking between the houses and it may have drifted to something like 8 inches in spots!).  We took a walk around noon to enjoy the scenery.  Happy Snow Day!