Promotion Sunday

  Today as I am off facebook, I see all the Jeff St kidos post about their first days at school. I cannot believe how fast the year has gone by. Chad and I have been working with the Jefferson St youth since summer of 08 and we've had a few promotion Sunday's to go through. It is hard every year to see them go into a new age group. These kids have been such an important part in our lives and we love seeing them grow throughout the year! It is going to be hard to move next year and leave Jeff St, but we are excited to start on our next chapter of our lives! 

A Game of Kill BALL!

Dustin, who will be leaving us to High School, we will miss him!

One of our original jr high kids...Love Elijah to death... he's volunteered to babysit when we have a kid lol

Chad and Steven! Steven as well is heading to Highschool

Jr High & High School Group Picture

Our original group minus Dustin. 

 

 

We sure love these guys!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Luck to all our kids in School, we are always here for you guy!

Family Sunday...

  Last week we were blessed with talking with the guy that Chad will possibly be doing his internship with. It is quite exciting to know that things are finally starting move forward. Chad and I have been waiting and praying, and to see some progress is so exciting. I've already started planning out how to pack and when to start. Yes you all might think I am crazy, but I'm going to make this the easiest move because I will know right where everything is. Chad's dad, Mike, thinks I'm a tad bit crazy. Other than that exciting news nothing new has taken place this past week. 

  Chad is finally done working everyday for the state fair, so he will be back on a normal schedule. As well he will be starting school tomorrow. It is his last first day of school, its a sad but exciting thing! This past weekend I've also not been feeling the greatest. I have a pretty sensitive stomach as is and with sinus and a stomach problems, well they didn't go well together. Despite a pretty rough weekend with my stomach Chad and I were able to spend a great Sunday with his Dad and Grandma. We visited with them over lunch as well at their house. I was able to spend the rest of the afternoon/evening with them while they were at work. I really appreciate them taking care of me while I was not feeling the best the other day. Chad's Dad and I watched NCIS and the sports center for most of the afternoon into the evening followed by the Cards/Cubs game. Its great to be in the same house with Mike and Grannie, Mike is a Cub's fan and Grannie is a Cards. They both bicker back and fourth about the game, and yes I love baseball but I could care less who wins, I just love the game. My loyalty lies with the Anaheim Angles! 

  Chad spent a late night at work Sunday night so I ended up staying there later than I expected. Grannie stays up late anyway (because of her long naps) so she stayed up and we had a FANTASTIC visit. Grannie has so many amazing stories about her life. She told me about her childhood, about the Koke family, and so many other amazing stories. One of the best things is she talked so much about Chad's Grandpa, Papal. It was great hearing about him, since I did not know him that much. I also told her about my own grandpa. It is so awesome to think the could have possible served together in the military. Our grandpas did so many things alike. It is great to reflect on the memories of those who have went before us. 

  One more thing about Grannie, as I stayed with her that evening she did something that I admire very much, I saw through her the Body of Christ! You may be asking what I am talking about well let me explain. She knows a family that is in a situation that needs some help from people. Situations that I pray you or I never have to face, but these people are facing them and they need help. Along with another lady, Grannie visits this family on a weekly visit or as much as she can. She as well took time out Sunday night to search phone books, and make phone calls for connections to help these people. Through her I see the church at work, reaching out to those who need it and taking the time out to make the effort to help another person. She didn't have to visit this family or help them in any way, but as apart of the Body of Christ she is helping them. I don't know if I could do what she does, she steps out and helps those who need a hand. I know I have been guilty of thinking, Oh Someone else will take care of that, or That is just not my gifting. Grannie displayed to me a prime example of how the Body of Christ should be working, seeing a need and fulfilling it in any way that they can. I pray that through her example, my own life will reflect how shes lives out hers. She has some Crazy Love for people...but I'll leave the Crazy Love portion for another post! 

That's it from the Koke house hold...until next time

answered prayers

A few posts back I made some summer goals, I am not happy to report that I did not reach 1000 miles on my bike, or finish all the chronicles of Narnia. I've had a few set backs being sick, busy with school, just life in general. So I decided to redefine some of my goals. I took a class in being a transformational leader and one of the things we've discussed is making goals, and sometimes we've got to stop and re-evaluate the goals that we have made, and tweek them to better fit our life style. I've made some little adjustments to these goals, they do not have a deadline, but are more of a daily goals. First I want to dedicate myself to reading. I want to broaden my mind, I want to read a chapter a day out of the Bible, as well as some other readings like CS Lewis to challenge the expansion of my mind. As well instead of setting 3 months to ride 1000 miles, I'm going to bike 30mins a day. Followed lastly by a physical goal, NO SODA. Now I am not much of a soda drinker but I go in spurts, no soda for me. I also wrote these goals on my white board in the kitchen to remind me daily what I should be doing. I think this will help me to keep focused. 

Today while thinking about these goals, I've had other things on my heart. I've went back to Matthew, the Sermon on the Mount has been on my mind a lot today. It could be because I remember having to memorize it for a class, to recite out loud. It could also be because my last class I had to write a 10page paper on it. Or it just could be because the Sermon on the Mount is so applicable to our lives today. Matthew 7.7 is entitled in the NIV as ASK, SEEK, KNOCK (I'm only going to touch briefly on this)

 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

As many of you know Chad and I have constantly been asking for prayers for the next chapter of our lives, this scripture has been coming to my heart a lot lately. It is all about asking, seeking, and knocking. We need only to ask, we only need to seek for the answer and we only need to knock. How many times have we just expected things to happen for us, how many times do we think we'll God knows my needs, He says he will provide. How many times will we just let things slide by and let whatever happens happens. I know sometimes I've been guilty of just throwing things up in the air hoping they will happen. With Chad's internship I know my heart has been changed. Chad and I have been persistently seeking God's direction for our lives. I know we have felt at times that we were knocking and no one is answers, asking but hearing no response. I think God can teach us through this scripture to persistently seek God's will, don't just wait for something to fall into place. We must ask, and God does provide. So I guess my whole point is, all you have to do is ask because God does answer prayers. It may not be in our timing or in the way we want things answered but he does ( now that can be a whole different topic!)

God has answered a prayer for us, Chad has heard back from an internship we have been praying for. The answer is not yes, but the answer is not no. God is funny in those ways, never reviling the big picture all at once. But we have got in touch with this ministry in Indiana and making progress! Things are looking good, and we will keep asking God, for further direction! We're praying that the situation will pan out into our favor. We continue to ask for your support through prayer that doors will open as we knock! Not only for Chad and his ministry, but for my career path, and one day for our future child! 

Thank you again for all your prayers and support we will keep you posted!

Fall is right around the corner

This week the temperatures have been amazing. It has been the first time in a while that we have had the air off and the house open it has been fantastic! We are just getting over some horrible colds so having the house aired out has been helping a lot. Not much has happend this week so I believe this will be a pretty short post! 

Tuesday I finished up another class, still waiting to hear back on my grade and I started another class. I can not believe how fast everything goes. But I only have this year left and should be done by August! It is so exciting to be almost done. Chad starts back at school in a few weeks and he is really excited to be back in a routine. He is well is almost done. Finishing up this year and then heading out to internship. He has been working like crazy at Guzzardos. State Fair is this week so he has had to stay at the restaurant while others go down there to work. I have been missing him like crazy it is so weird not being able to see him on our days off. I guess we must get used to it because I will be starting soon working at the grain elevator and for the next few months I will be on a crazy schedule as well. 

Saturday we had a great rain storm, the clouds were crazy and there were beautiful rainbows. I wish I had my camera I would of had some awesome shots! I also saw my Uncle David, he came down for a quick visit. It was good to see him. Chad's dad and grandma took me out on a date that evening as well. It was fantastic to spend time with them. We ate at Ted's Garage in Clinton followed by Cowboys and Aliens! The movie was actually really good! I think we're going to make it a new tradition to have some date nights occasionally it was great! 

We start a new week this week, filled with homework and work! I can not believe how close it is to fall and I really hope the temperatures stay this way. 

There has been a song on my mind lately and Chad's as well it is called "While I'm waiting" 

Chad and I have been impatiently waiting to hear back from his internship. Internship determines where we will go the next phase of our lives. Once we figure out where we are going then I will be able to make a career change and start looking for a place to live. I am much of a planner and the fact that it is only 9 months away and we still don't know 100% for sure where we are going is driving me nuts. We both are excited to start a new chapter of our lives but waiting is the hardest part. We have been praying hard to find out where God is calling us. We fell in love with a church in Newburg IN and are praying that this church will open up for us to go. God has been teaching us to be patient and listen for direction. It's hard for both of us to stay quite and wait! But while we wait we will serve! We will be taking a risk by leaving, but we know God will take care of us. Please be praying as we continue as well for direction. We desire to start a new chapter and to start a family, but for now we are waiting. Will you pray with us?! 

For now that is it from the Koke household until next week........

One Year Ago

I can not believe that one year ago Aug. 4th I married the greatest guy in the whole world. I can remember a time when I was little saying that I would never marry! Now I am one year through marriage. I can say this past year has been an adventure, learning about one another, living on our own, working, and all those other fun things that include growing up. I would not trade them for anything, but for maybe milk and a nap from kindergarten! Chad and I took Thursday off to celebrate our anniversary. I am so glad we did, we totally needed a day off. We spent the day by sleeping in..hahha yes that is a highlight, watching movies, then going to dinner at Distils in Bloomington. It was fantastic! After that we hopped over to Cold Stone for some Ice cream!!! Followed by walking through ToysRus (that's our store) and Barnes and Noble (since it is the paper anniversary). We planned on seeing Captain America that night as well for a late night showing, but the theater was having technical difficulties which resulted into a late run to family video and watching Star Trek, the new movie!  It was sad to go back to work this week after a great day off! 

Cutting into our 1 year old cake

All dressed up to hit the town!

 

 

Getting ready for Captain America at ToysRus

 Besides all the excitement over having our anniversary, Chad had to go back to work, even though we have both been visited by horrible colds. Friday evening I took my little bro to the Logan co. Fair with his friends, while I enjoyed some time with Chads dad and grandma. We ate Pazons, and watched a baseball game it was a good time. 

 

Awesome Job guys! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday my two cousins participated in the St. Jude Run to Peoria. They both have known a little girl from their town named Jessie that lost a battle to cancer. That one little girl has united a town for a great cause. Unfortunately Chad and I were not able to make it out to see them run, but I did steal a few photos from my uncle. We are so proud of Allen and Aaron for doing the run, and Chad and I have both looked into getting involved with St Jude. We'll be participating in a bike ride next year called Miles for Smiles for St Jude, and maybe we'll one day try to get in on a run! 

This week we will be preparing for Chad to go back to school, I've been going all year around but Chad starts back up in a few weeks. We're in the final stretch! Please be praying with us as we complete our last year and move on with internships. We are still patiently waiting to hear back to where we will be re-locating to. Pray for patience for us, open doors, as well for financial peace. We know of some students that will not make it back this year because of financial reasons, we are so close we pray that nothing will hinder us from completing our degrees.   Pray as well that God will provide housing and job openings that will fit our families needs. Thank you for partnering with us in this time of transition. We're excited to enter into the next phase of our lives.

Playing Catch up on blogging!

So much to say, I am so far behind. Since Chad's birthday nothing new has actually been going on. It has been a similar routine. Last week was our last week with the boys. Crazy how fast summer goes. We decided to take the boys up to Miller Park Zoo to spend the day, then to the splash park next door. The boys had a great time seeing all the animals and playing in the water! 

The boys ready to go into the park!

Wyatt and Chad watching the Seal

We had a fantastic trip with them, and life has been a little boring without them lately lol!

My brother Seth just returned from his mission trip to Joplin Mo. He went with the Atlanta Christian Church youth group and they worked with a mission called, Mistis Mission. It is a really awesome ministry. You can look her mission up on facebook to see what it is all about. On top of working there, the group also got to see Narnia live on stage...AWESOME...as well he went to a chocolate factory! I'm so proud of my little brother. He even came out to talk to our Leaders In Training about his trip! He also will be working at the State fair for the Guzzardos. I don't know what I am going to do, while he is working lol! 

Our freezer is now full with corn and green beans thanks to my mom. The past few weekends we have been out with her snapping beans, and shucking corn! Even though its a pain, it was well worth it, the fresh vegetables are delicious.

School is right around the corner for Chad, he is all set with some new school clothes, thanks to Old Navy! And I am so proud of him of how much weight he has lost, I had to buy ALL new pants and shorts, and shirts! We've also had to get stuff for the office. Books keep piling up all over the floor I don't have much room to walk. So another book shelf we purchased as well as a new desk for me. Still need to pick up some pins and other school supplies for him, but he is all ready for his last year! Pray that we hear back from internship. We are learning patience and its a hard lesson!

Our Anniversary is Thursday so we've been making plans. Since we could not get a vacation in for the summer we have planned it for Christmas. It is going to be 6 whole days of Christmas vacation for us and we have tons planned! Everything from a colts game, the Christmas Carol Play, visiting the Creek for Christmas service, and shopping! This will be a later anniversary present for us. But this Thursday we will be going out for stone oven pizza followed by ice cream then home for some 1 year old cake! I can not wait! Look for pictures this weekend! 

Until next week that is it from the Koke household!