Updates on our little Prince...

What a crazy few weeks it's been!! In the midst of chaos of work and chaos of Christmas, the most incredible blessing has come our way. I have updated our blog regarding our son, Prince, and I would invite you all to take a peek! God is good!!

http://www.ourprincewillcome.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas!!

I think I may need to get to the mall more...

Christmas At Our House...

For the first time ever we will be having Christmas at our house!! So, before the house turns into a mad scene of pure chaos (with over 20 people spending the night) I thought I'd share a few pics of our peaceful Christmas! Welcome to "Christmas At Our House".

My Baby Turns Three!!

This little girl is the love of my life and makes every day brighter!! I love you little Elle! Happy Birthday!

First Day Of School!!

I can't believe how big my kindergartner and third grader are getting!!

Only 1 Day Away!!!!!!!!

Almost a year to the day that God revealed His plan for Donn and I to move to NY to begin C1, we will be holding our first major event and unveiling the new storefronts!!

I can hardly believe it is here and just wish that all of you could be here to see it! I especially wish that my amazing friends from Charlotte could be a part of this amazing day because you have all been such a catalyst for Donn and I having the courage to step out in this plan.

The signs are around town, the newspaper ads have run and I'm starting to hear people talk about this "new C1 ministry" that is "giving away over 80 backpacks!" (True story: I heard that twice today)!

Please cover this event and the people who come in your prayers! I will be sure to take lots of pictures and get them posted as soon as I can! Find me or Change of 1 on facebook and you can get updates there as well!

I truly believe that this day would not have happened if we hadn't had so many people "pulling for us" over these past 12 months. You all know who you are and I hope you also know how much we love you

Ahhh!!!!!!!!

My good friend at work just reminded me that I hadn't blogged yet today!

AHHH!! Now I've got little spies who are keeping me on task in my quest to blog regularly!!

Stupid spies!!!

And so, this is what you get when it's 6 minutes before I leave work for the weekend and the internet is still not hooked up at my home.

You get me...talking about how I made it one week, and even though today's blog is pretty much lame, at least I blogged!!

Keep in mind, yesterday was a deep blog. Truthfully, yesterday was deep enough for a whole month for me so don't judge and just celebrate with me! This could be the first full week I have blogged since last December!!!!!!!!

I did it! I did it!!!!

And so I'm off to an exciting long-weekend of continued storefront renovations and getting ready for opening day (which is just 5 days away)!! Ya-hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to show you pictures next week of the C1 storefront completed!!!! Have a great weekend!!

C1 Update...

Not too much extra time today (while I'm scarfing down some food) but I wanted to share a few pictures with you. The top picture is of one of the sides of the C1 Storefronts on the day we began leasing it. The bottom picture is the same side as of today.

God is moving! Things are coming together and hopefully lives will be changed! Just 6 more days until our great Back To School Bash and the grand opening of C1!! More pictures to come as the transformation continues! Let's pray this transformation happens in lives too and not just in this building!

One Year Later...

Can you believe it's been a year since God called Donn and I to leave NC to begin C1 in NY!!

I can hardly believe it's been that long and yet here we sit now (in temperatures that are dropping) and just one week away from our grand opening event!

Here are some things I've learned over the past year:

1) Surrender is crucial. Before God even gave us this calling, He was preparing our hearts by teaching us to surrender. I'll never forget the day I sat on my back patio in NC and ended up in tears as I felt God reminding me that every part of my life needed to be surrendered to Him. "Lord, I surrender our home, I surrender our family, I surrender my life to You..." Those were some of the hardest words I have ever uttered and yet they threw open the gates for God to begin revealing His plan in our life!

2) Having deep faith on one day does not mean you will have deep faith the next day. This faith journey has been such a rollercoaster! Some days I look at our bank account or our trials and they barely bother me because I know that God is in control of them. Then, inevitably, I wake up the next day in a sweat wondering how we're going to make ends meet! I used to feel guilty about this until I realized that this is actually a great way for God to keep me on my toes in our faith journey together. Faith is a day by day commitment (sometimes a minute by minute commitment)!

3) My ways are not His ways....uggh....shoot me dead now...This is a tough one for me! My life has changed in just about every way this past year. My friendships have changed, my home has changed, my career has changed, my family-life has changed, my hips have changed (oops...that's another blog). The point is...everything is different! As a general rule of thumb, I'm thrilled with knowing that God has placed a calling on our life and we're pursuing it, but specifically, there are a few things I would have personally done differently. I miss my days in ministry settings, I miss my time to write, I miss (most of all) my children. Sometimes life throws us curve balls and all we can do is try to play the game well. I've never been much of an athlete, but I'm trying to do my best now. It may not be a "game" I would have chosen but I trust that God has the big picture in mind and knows what His plan is for me.

4) Don't lose sight of who you are. This one has been interesting for me. Any of you who know me, know that I'm pretty transparent and wear my heart on my sleeve. Just a few years ago, I wrote a book about being honest and confident in who you are....these past few months have been a definite exercise in my own confidence! Never before have Donn and I felt so challenged, so burdened, so responsible or so "watched" as we have since beginning C1. At times I find myself over-analyzing my actions. I have come to realize that it's a wonderful thing to recognize the responsibility that we have, but it's a problem if we let that responsibility change who we really are inside. Walking through a rebirth of my own Godly confidence has been one of the greatest blessings of this journey.

5) God is waiting to blow our socks off! Just when you think you'll never sell a house...He'll sell it...just when you think you'll never get a job, He'll provide one...just when you think you'll never have deep friendships again, He'll bring them...just when you think no one is showing up to help unload the moving van, people will come out of the woodwork...just when you think you'll never be in your own home again...He'll put the perfect house in your path...

...just when you think you can never do it, He'll remind you that it's Him who was doing it all along!

One year later...what a great year it's been!

Admit it!!!!!!!

Okay, admit it...how many of you looked at the clock and saw that it was already 2:30 and thought to yourself, "Nope...Cyndie's not gonna write today!"

Come on!! Be honest! I know my Mom thought that...she actually called to tell me that I hadn't written yet today (just in case I hadn't noticed)!

Alas, here I am....day 2 of the challenge and I'm staying true to my word despite the fact that I'm actually 3 paragraphs in and still have no idea what I'm going to write about!

I know you're all on the edge of your seat wondering where in the world this compelling drama will go!

Sorry to disappoint but this could actually be one of those times when you will walk away dumber just by reading whatever nonsense comes out of my brain!

And yet, still you're reading on!! Wow, you 4 are committed!! :)

So, here I sit....at my desk in my cozy little office (where I should be working - shh...) with my heater at my feet (because, yes, this is the North) and i'm typing away wondering what in the world I could impart upon all 3 of you reading this. (you see, the 4th person just dropped out back there when I began discussing my heater).

And so, here goes...

Slight pause for dramatic effect....

Nope.

Nothing.

Man, have these last 6 months of working full-time seriously made me brain damaged!? I swear, I used to spend 24 hours a day with a 2 year old and I had deep thoughts...now I spend my hours with a bunch of adults and my brain is crippled?

Wait - is there a deep thought in there???

Nope, it's gone.

Mental note: No more blogging at 2:30 in the afternoon...I'll stick to early mornings.

But remember - at least I blogged!! MOM!

Where's my coffee?!

A New Challenge....

Okay, I'm ashamed...I can't even begin to look at the last date I posted something. It's truly appalling and I can give you a million and 3 reasons why I have become a blog reject, but I'll spare you the boredom.

Needless to say, I'm tired of not taking the time to blog. I often think about how stupid it is that I even miss the blogging...I mean really, do all 17 of you out there actually care a bit about the dumb comments I made in grocery store line or the tricky way in which I know it's time to diet (stories for another day, I suppose)? The point is, I highly doubt that any of my blogs alter anyone's course in a significant way - but I've realized something pretty big.

I miss it.

I have so many amazing and incredible and difficult things going on in my life since our new adventure began and I miss having a way for myself to sort through all of it!

And so, I've made a declaration with myself (good luck). This week I will blog each day. Just like old days.

I can't guarantee that any of the words will come out forming any actual sentences, but I can guarantee that I will do it!

Game on!! Here we go!! Get ready for your life to absolutely be altered in NO WAY... but who knows, maybe we'll laugh a little as we go! :)

Ever have one of those days...

When you're heading up to bed, but you can't quite make it! :)

The Reality...

Sometimes there's just nothing left to do but admit the reality.

Sometimes the reality is simple.

Sometimes you can know for certain that you are living God's will, but you can long with deep sadness for days gone by.

Sometimes you just ache...

Sometimes you miss your deep friendships that were closer than you ever knew friends could be...The friends who knew exactly what you were like and loved you anyway.

Sometimes you miss the life of being the one who leads Bible studies instead of the one who leads Fundraising meetings.

Sometimes you miss the days of waking up and having time to get your own kids dressed for the day.

Sometimes you just miss yourself.

You...the way you used to be...The writer who had time to write. The leader who had time to study.

Lord, I pray for a thankful heart and for the strength to remember that, even on bad days, You are the reason we are here and You are worth it.

I pray for glimpses of You and reminders of who I am in You.

I pray for more of You.

Welcome Home!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it's been a journey (to say the least) but we believe that our journey is about to finally come to a close to some degree.

About a month ago, we were blessed beyond belief to get a message from my college roommate's little sister asking for more information on our house in NC. She and her husband had just found out that they were going to be moving to Charlotte to accept a position at Charlotte Christian School.

We tried not to get too excited at the possibility of them actually purchasing our home, but in our hearts we knew that it was just like God to take someone from our days back in Boston and relocate them directly to Matthews. Within days they had decided that our house was the one for them and we are now set to close on our NC home in just a few weeks.

In the meantime, we again picked up our search of homes in NY. If you recall, our Matthews home has actually been under contract 2 other times throughout these past months, so looking at homes in NY has been quite a roller coaster. What began as such an exciting adventure, got to be something that we dreaded. All in all, I think we have looked at about 30 something homes. That's only about 25 more than we ever had to look at in Charlotte!

When we looked at this home, there was just something about it from the minute we walked in. It's not the biggest home and it's definitely in need of updating, but we feel at home there and we know we can make it ours. At one point I sat in the window seat that overlooks the yard (from what will be Elle's room) and I felt like I could picture her standing on the front lawn taking prom pictures! I think it was at that moment that I knew we were finally home.

And so, we are now in the process of packing up the Charlotte home (which the boys are doing right now) and we will be closing on our new NY home by mid August!

We're elated and very grateful to God. The journey of these past 6 months has been a very unique one. We've had ups and downs in many ways but more than anything we've had our faith tested and our faith strengthened. God has taken care of us through it all and it is clear that He had everything worked out all along!

I smell like a monkey...

and I look like one too! :)

Happy Birthday to me! :)

It's the 4th Annual 29th Birthday Celebration Baby!

Progress!!

Come take a quick tour with us!!

This is the C1 facility in progress! It's humble...it's pretty ghetto...but it's Home!

A Good Day!!

Well, tomorrow is a very big day for many reasons!!

For one, it is my studly hubbie's 35th birthday (no, I can't believe he's 35)!

Secondly, it is our 11th wedding anniversary (no, I can't believe we've been married 11 years)!

Thirdly, it is the first big Renovation Day at the C1 Storefront!!

So many awesome and exciting events in one day! I am truly blessed.

Blessed to have an amazing, healthy, hot man.

Blessed to have spent 11 years with the best friend I've ever known and

Blessed to be starting a ministry with others who love the Lord!

June 12, 2010 - It's a good day.

Email...

There are days when checking email is about as exciting as getting a pap smear...filtering through all the junk and smut that comes down the line is just not my idea of a good time.

However, there are other days when; as you're filtering through all the smut; you come upon a really special simple message.

"Mommy, I love you FOREVER." Love Ayden.

Those are the days when email becomes a lifeboat and makes my heart smile.

Thank goodness for email.

Recent News...

Well, I am excited to say that C1 became public news last week in our local paper! I must admit that I am thrilled with the article and especially with my Studly Hubbie's boldness in dealing with some of the negative statements which were made during this meeting.

The reporter put a bit more of a "church" twist on it than we ever really advertise (mainly because we are looking at this as more of a ministry than a specific "church") but the reality is that we are going to be "Church" (notice the capital C) to many people, so the generalization is pretty accurate though it may be not worded as we would typically word it.

I am linking the article to this post and I would also point out that it is important for our prayer partners to read the comments at the bottom. The North is MUCH different than the South and not everyone here is going to welcome us with open arms. We recognize that and the Lord has even given us a sense of humor about the entire situation. However, I would also point out that many people have come alongside of us and many area churches have already begun supporting the ministry as well.

God is already working in big ways!! It's such a humbling experience to be a part of!!!

As you'll see when you read the article, we have just received final approval to begin renovations on the storefronts! Renovations began last week and as the Lord supplies money (we need a total of approximately $20,000) we will continue to do the work to get the buildings up to code for ministry!! God is good!!

Article Below:

http://www.leaderherald.com/page/content.detail/id/522959.html?showlayout=0

Carolina...

I can't wait to tell you all about my NYC excursion with my Mom and sisters, but that will have to wait since I refuse to tell you about it without pictures (which are on my sister's camera).

In the meantime, let me leave you with the song that's making my heart pitter patter right now...




I can honestly say that multiple times a day I "go to Carolina in my mind". It doesn't matter how much I love our new life here in NY or how certain I am that we are exactly where God has called us; Carolina is still my home.

But here's the best part!! In just 2 days I'll be driving to Carolina by myself to spend 2 days cleaning, doing yard work and packing needed items.

In my mind I'm going to Carolina!!

And...in this case; "In my van I'm going to Carolina!"

Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, but you get the point! :)

Water for Liberian Kids...

I received this letter from the Adoption Agency that we are adopting our son Prince from...this is the orphanage that Prince spent many years in. Please read below.
_______________________________________________________________
"Water- for the majority of us, it is as easy to attain as the turn of a knob or the flip of a handle. Many of us watch it run steadily down the drain as we brush our teeth in the morning or water our bushes in the afternoon.

Try to imagine what it would be like if you we not able to simply walk into your kitchen for a glass of water. Instead, you must trek to an outside well and draw the water that you require for basic hygiene, consumption, and household cleaning throughout the day. Though this scenario is difficult for most of us to conceptualize, it is the current reality for the children at the Daniel Hoover Village Mission School in Monrovia , Liberia .

CAS is petitioning our friends and supporters to consider helping meet the needs of these Liberian children by donating money to repair their watermill. The repaired watermill will allow these children to have running water in their dorms. $8500 is needed for the repairs.

Think about the impact that the availability of running water within your home has upon your quality of life. This is the vision that the Daniel Hoover Mission School has for the children under their care…and you can help to make this vision a reality. Please prayerfully consider giving to this incredible cause and changing the lives of these children forever.

A team of 15 Americans will be traveling to work on this project June 17th-26th. If you feel led to contribute to this cause, please send tax deductible checks to CAS with "Liberia Trip Group Projects" written in the memo line. Thank you in advance for your prayers for the orphans in Liberia and any effort that you are able to take to provide them with one of the bare necessities of life- water. "

Sincerely,

Your friends at CAS

For more information about the Daniel Hoover Village Mission School , visit: www.africanchildsponsorship.com

Jessica Owanesian

Christian Adoption SErvices

624-134 Matthews-Mint Hill RD.

Matthews, NC 28105-1775

Tel: 704-847-0038

www.christianadopt.org


"Behold, children are a heritage of the Lord." -Psalm 127:3

It's almost here!!!!!! It's only taken us 6 months, but we are finally getting to celebrate my Mom's big 60th birthday! And so, this weekend, while the hubbies are home with the kids; my Mom and 3 sisters and I will be heading to the big apple to indulge in a total girls weekend!

We'll be staying at the New Yorker Hotel (just steps away from Macy's) and we'll be enjoying an off-broadway show of Stomp!!

However, I must admit, that though those things excite me - the thing I'm most excited about is finding the man in the white van who sells the purses!!! :) YIPPEE!!!

Of course, this amazing weekend will then be followed by a great birthday party for my big 5 year old on Monday! Can you believe that little Brekyn is 5??!! Where has the time gone?! I'll be sure to post pictures of my cutie's big day as soon as possible!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!!

Oh Dear Blog...

Oh dear blog...I'm sorry I've betrayed you! Why can't you just be as easy as facebook and, dare I say, twitter (GASP)!?

Why do you require actual thoughts and more than 5 words to be formed together into a complete sentence? Do you think at the end of a long day in the office I have actual words still left in my head. Okay, so maybe I do have actual words left, but good grief!! Do you expect them to make any sense? Who are you kidding!

Why aren't you satisfied by allowing me to "like" certain things and simply type random phrases that take no more than 10 seconds to form?

Oh dear blog... I'm sorry that I've been distant but why do you have to be so high maintenance?

Where do you think I find the hours in my crazy day to sit down and be with you? Don't you realize that there are meetings to attend and toilets that still need cleaning??

Oh dear blog...please forgive me for I have wandered. I wish I could love you the way I used to but maybe, I don't know...just maybe...we ought to be friends. :)

(No - this doesn't mean I won't be blogging anymore...just a simple statement that when you're a busy working mom, facebook IS in fact, MUCH EASIER)!!

There, I've said it!!

Gasp...I may be banished to an underground world of bad bloggers now! :)

Amazing!!

Surreal...that was the feeling I had as I looked around at a room full of people who were laughing and talking as the vision of C1 was laid out before those whom God led us to invite to be part of our Advisory Team.

Somehow, the building that felt so barren and stale just hours earlier seemed transformed as about 30 people heard the hearts of our "core" team and learned more about the mission to reach Gloversville.

As I sat and listened to the stories of how God brought our core team together and called each one of our families into this ministry, I couldn't help but sit in awe. There are so many details that have been playing out for years that brought us to this point today. We truly serve a big and mighty God!

Despite the fact that I told myself I wouldn't cry; I couldn't help but get choked up while thanking our advisory team for committing to the work. Just a short 8 months ago, Donn and I sat on our back patio in sunny Charlotte and committed to follow God's leading to Gloversville.

The road has not been easy and it has not been without trials, questions and tears, but it has been God's road. As I looked out at those in ministry alongside of us last night, I was reminded and overwhelmed by how miraculous our God is!

"And by faith, Abraham, when called, went to a place he did not know..."

Lord, let us keep the faith...let our lives be used for the change of 1.

Big Night!

Tonight is a big night in the "history" of C1. Yes, I realize that the C1 history doesn't exactly go back as far as George Washington or the Titanic, but everything starts somewhere right?

Tonight is the first C1 Advisory Board meeting!

What's the advisory board?? Funny you asked...

The Advisory Board is a group of people whom we are inviting to come along on this journey with us. This group of about 30 people have been prayed very specifically over and we have invited them because we feel that they have some area of insight that could be helpful as we launch this new ministry. The group consists of committed Christians who range from local pastors to teenagers; business-men to teachers; moms to grandmas and everything in between.

We have prayed very hard over this meeting and are looking forward to casting the vision that God has laid on our hearts to these people and then asking them to stand in the gap for us in prayer and service.

Please pray alongside of us that God will be glorified during this time and that we will communicate clearly and effectively.

It's a monumental night for Donn and I...our first meeting in the C1 storefront! It ain't pretty but it will do! :) Praise God!

My little girl!

Just couldn't resist!

My little girl recently went to visit Nana (who is the church secretary) at work.

Who wouldn't love getting a phonecall from this girl?? :)

Beyond a shadow of a doubt...

Some days are just harder than others. Some days I miss my "old" life more. Some days the weight of the calling here seems heavier. Some days I long to walk through my old front door and pass by my flower beds. Some days I would give anything to sit around my table with all my old friends and laugh until we cry.

Some days...

Life has certainly gone in a direction that I could never have predicted and there are definitely days when I wish I could wake up, get the kids ready for the day, run off to my old Bible study or Mom's group and re-live that life that I grew so accustomed to.

It could be really easy to focus on all of those things that I miss and 'pity-party' myself into a pile of mush...but then I remember one very important thing...

Beyond a shadow of a doubt.

You see, in every major decision in our marriage, Donn and I have always said that we will not "go" unless we are certain that God has called us. We trust that if God is calling us in a direction, He will give us peace "beyond a shadow of a doubt."

Sometimes this has meant we have chosen NOT to move forward with a decision or plan. Other times God has given us that absolute certainty and we've taken the steps that He's ordained.

I'm grateful for the "beyond a shadow of a doubt" factor in our lives.

This road has already been (and will likely continue to be) the hardest road we have ever walked. The path that has been set before us is windy, rocky and at times unclear - but, in the midst of it all; we know we have been called.

We know that the Lord brought our family to this place at this very time and we trust that He has ordained the steps He wants taken.

He gave us the "beyond a shadow of a doubt" - way back in September...while standing in our kitchen - praying, hugging and crying. We "knew" at that moment that the Lord had truly ordained this "calling."

It was not man-made. It was not man-pursued. It was nothing short of a miracle.

Thank you Lord for the 'Beyond a shadow of a doubt.'

May we cling tightly to it.

On this day of prayer...

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation:

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare... We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.. We have abused power and called it politics... We have coveted our neighbour's possessions and called it ambition.. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honoured values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free.. Amen!'

Our City...

I know I have been MIA these past few weeks with regards to my blog, but I assure you it’s not for any particular reason short of the crazy pace of our lives nowadays.

The ministry is moving along at a great pace and we are currently in the process of getting renovations begun on the storefront! On top of that, we are busy with Bible studies and trying to get to know some of the people from town and spending many hours per week with our “core” leadership team. Keep your eyes peeled for an update mailing which will feature pictures of the storefront as well as the unveiling of our new website!! If we don’t have your address, and you’d like to be included in this mailing, please contact me.

God has been so good to us!

However, the reality is that our lives here are very different than they were in suburban Charlotte. I opened the paper today and read this article and wanted to pass it on as a call to pray.

Crime in Gloversville seems to be on the rise and this article is proof of the problems we’re facing. This riot occurred just blocks away from our ministry site. Drugs are a very major problem here and the city is crumbling before our eyes. It can feel overwhelming at times.

And yet…

Praise God that He wants to reign in this city and Praise God that He has called us to be part of His plan!

Please pray for the people of this city and for their hearts to be opened to His. Please pray.

(See Newspaper Article Below):

Array of weapons used in what police call ‘riots’
By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-Herald
POSTED: April 22, 2010

GLOVERSVILLE - Several disturbances escalated into what police described as "riots" on city streets Tuesday, requiring the help of other area agencies to restore order.

The disturbances began Tuesday afternoon on East Pine Street as a neighborhood dispute attracted about 100 onlookers. Capt. James Lorenzoni said the officer responding to the call observed a man push a female and then advance toward a crowd of onlookers.

The suspect then came at the officer, screaming, "I'm going to [expletive] kill you." He threw a metal lawn chair at him, and hit him in the legs with a child's bicycle, Lorenzoni said.

Two officers arrived to see the suspect attacking the officer and wrapping him in a "bear hug."
The suspect's father then engaged a second officer in a fight, Lorenzoni said. Eventually, officers restored order and placed three individuals, including the original suspect, his father and a woman, under arrest. The suspects, whose names were not available this morning, were charged with a variety of misdemeanors and felonies, including harassment, assault, menacing, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and obstructing governmental administration.

The officer who responded to the scene first escaped with just minor injuries, Lorenzoni said.
"We were very fortunate that there were no serious injuries," he said.

Another large disturbance began around 7 p.m. on Burr Street as an unidentified man began yelling from his vehicle at people in the street. The disturbance was quickly quelled, but flared up again a few hours later when a person hit another passing vehicle with an unidentified object, police said.

That incident escalated into multiple fights involving weapons, including shovels, bats, rocks, boards, belts and a piece of steel with a chain attached to one end. The entire available shift of Gloversville officers - three men - was sent to the riot.

The man who had been driving his vehicle down the road was struck with the chain, causing injuries, officials said. Numerous other fights took place over the next several hours, and city officers called for help from all other available units in the area. Officers responded to the scene repeatedly in an attempt to restore order, but were unable to do so until around midnight.
One of the victims in the fight was seriously injured and brought to Albany Medical Center Hospital. Further details about the victim were not available this morning. People also reported damage to vehicles.

Personal Note: This article appeared with two other articles on the front page:

The other two articles were about a major drug sting also just blocks from our ministry site AND an article about how break-ins have gone up in the last 6 weeks, with many focusing on area churches and businesses. One of the businesses was across the street from our facility.

Please pray. God has us here at a very critical time. Pray for protection and wisdom as we move forward.

Easter Weekend!

We had a great Easter Weekend with family and new friends! Surprisingly, it was 75 degrees for Easter weekend!

Sanctus Real - Lead Me

Wow....I just heard this song and I literally cried in my car. What a high calling the men in our lives have. It really calls me on to remember to lift up that man in my life.

A Dream Realized!

Well, it's safe to say that things haven't gone exactly as we had expected since moving to NY.

For example, in our little plan of how things should go; never did we anticipate that our house sale in Charlotte would fall through TWICE and cause us to have to give up a contract on the house we had purchased here in NY.

And sure; transitioning to me being the person in the "typical" workforce while Donn begins the ministry and cares for the kids has taken some getting used to.

However, all in all, I can honestly say that this journey has been one of the most spectacular adventures I have ever been on.

Today, God continued to blow our minds as we received the keys to the new C1 Ministry Facility!

Never in a million years did I expect to have a ministry facility before getting a house, but in many ways that just seems right!

This entire adventure has been nothing short of miraculous and what better reminder as to why we're really here than to receive keys to a ministry facility (something which we initially expected to take over a year to build up to) before even receiving keys to a house!

And so; let me introduce you to C1!

Welcome to our new home! It's not glamorous and it's going to take some work to make it usable but God has brought us to a place where we can feasibly rent this facility so we trust Him to provide what is needed to fix it up.

C1 has leased the two storefronts that are under the ugly brown metal awning. This is right on Main Street in Gloversville.

Ironically, it is across the street from the Woolworths store that my Bop was the manager of for my entire childhood. I spent years playing right across the street! Who knew!

Main Street in Gloversville

This is the little grassy park across the street. It is owned by the same man who owns the building we're leasing so we have permission to use it as much as we'd like for ministry purposes! Can anyone say moonbounces, hotdogs and concerts at night!? (the Woolworths store where I grew up is the building to the right).

Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girly Girl!!

I love being the Mom of a girly girl!!

The Lord certainly knew what He was doing when he gave me my little Elle!

After listening to her say, "Pretty" for months while she would stroke my earrings, she finally said the phrase that changed all phrases:

"Mommy, Elle want pretty ears."

Melt.

And that was all it took. That was Mommy's cue to melt into a mushy little pile on the floor.

Within days we were scheduling the big event and even had my mom on board - who, ironically, wouldn't let us get our ears pierced until we were 12!

And so, I leave you with my pretty little princess. She loves her pretty ears; though she still doesn't understand why that mean lady "hurt me" (so she says). :)

Ahhh...the price of beauty - a lesson she'll probably learn all too well over the years!


Waiting for the "mean lady" to finish messing with that silly looking gun thing. :)

Darned Little Leprechauns!

This was the scene this morning as the kids discovered a HUGE mess in the family room, apparently made by those darned little leprechauns!

The little green rugrat broke through every trap set by the kids and then left little paper shamrocks around the house with snide little remarks on them (such as, "ha ha kids...didn't get me this time!")

But get this! Can you believe that Ayden discovered that the cheap little leprechaun even used our own computer to make his paper shamrocks!!

"WHAT?!" I screamed out as Ayden revealed the disturbing news.

Who could have known that my little 8 year old detective would actually go through the garbage to find scraps of apparent shamrocks cut out of cardstock?!

The ironic thing...he still thinks the dumb leprechaun is just cheap and wanted to use our computer ink to print his stupid shamrocks.

Who could have known that leprechauns were so cheap! :)

Sweet Blessings...

One of the sweetest blessings of being near my family!!

Girls WEEKEND!!!

My mom, three sisters and I spent a wonderful Saturday at an incredible women's conference followed by a great dinner out and shopping!

Who could ask for more?!

He remains steadfast...

He remains steadfast...

I reminded myself of this truth often last night. Over and over again I repeated those words in my mind as I sat with the group of people who are quickly becoming "family" for us here.

Part of me expected the phone call. Part of me was shocked by it.

Neverthless; HE remains steadfast.

We were just finishing up dinner with our life-group when I glanced at my phone to see that someone had called a few times in a row.

As I listened to the message left by the woman on the other end; my heart sank. I knew what she was going to say:
"Cyndie...call me immediately." were her words.

I picked up the phone and called to find a precious woman on the other end of the phone whose heart was broken by circumstances.

It was the sweet woman who is buying our house in Charlotte. Between sobs, she explained that she had just gotten word that her loan had fallen through.

"Not again..." I thought to myself. "Lord, I don't want to start this process over for the third time."

And yet, I felt God's peace.

I can't say what will happen from here. We are now left to put our home back on the market - yet again.

Sure, part of me is angry that God won't just allow this to be easy. But then I remember that not all of Abraham's journeys were filled with luxury hotels, perfect circumstances and ease.

The Lord remains in control.

Please pray for a few specific things.

First, pray for the Charlotte buyer and her daughter who have become friends to us. Pray for God to wrap His arms around them and give them peace. This is a very trying time for them and they are questioning many things right now.

Secondly, please pray for our kids. They have been through so much transition in the last few months and the house sale in Charlotte (and consequently our house purchase here) was the "normalcy" on the horizon. Pray for their hearts to be protected as we break the news to them that we will no longer be able to purchase the home here in NY.

Third, pray for stamina. I trust God and I know Him well enough to know that He orders all things. But today I'm tired...I'm sad and I'm waiting on a miracle of sorts.

But, this is the God we serve.

He remains steadfast and in the big picture of life...these are only small rocks.

This world is not our home...Lord, let us never forget it.

And this is what happens...

When you transplant a little girl from the South into the North.

A slightly confused child.

Home Sweeet Home!!

After months of looking and many, many prayers; we are thrilled to say that we've bought a home!!

Lord willing, we will close on our new home sometime in April and we just love it!

It's a cozy little 3 bedroom (that's really not as little as it appears from the outside). It was built in 1850 and has original hardwoods and a heating system that was initially coal (which will be replaced as soon as we move in).

It is truly one of the most charming homes I have ever seen! .. We feel so blessed! Of course, the best part was that we got it for a GREAT price and actually came in under our budget!

That’s just how good God is!!