Our Miracle....

Well it looks like God answered our prayers. We are going to have a baby! Our little girl is due January 28th. I had finally come to peace with God with our future and decided to wait on a baby and before the end of the month I found out I was pregnant! God does have a sense of humor. Needless to say there are days that I am overjoyed with a sense of priveldge that I am able to be a part of this miracle. Other days I am overwhelmed with all the uncertainty of parenthood and this new adventure Joey and I are embarking on. In the beginning of my pregnancy I had some problems and we were uncertain if I would carry this baby full-term, but God was faithful to me and calmed me when I realized everything was out of my control and in His perfect hands.
Jeremiah 1:4,5
" The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart; ..."
This verse got me through a lot of anxious nights and lead me to a much deeper understanding of my God. I am only her earthly mother but He is the maker of her life and gives purpose to her being! It's such a beautiful thing to be a mom!

A Fork in the Road...

(us on a bumpy road in Panama 2005)

Lately, Joey and I have been pondering, praying, and discussing decisions that we have to make in the coming year. July brings a new and last school year for Joey and then we will begin the interview process for Medical Residency lasting 3 years or taking 2 years for a foreign mission. Also talking about starting a family and how this will fit into everything. God has been teaching us seperately to trust in Him. It has taken me a while to give up this next step in our lives and put it in God's hands. "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritace....(5) You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.(11)" Psalm 15 This reminds me that life is a short but important journey. I can leave this earth satisfied with the life I've lead or leave wishing I had done more. God has a fulfilling, meaningful, and perfect plan for my life. I just have to trust in that. The funny thing is that everytime I've stepped out and really followed God he has enriched my life beyond measure. He has started a work in me that I have to finish. It's not easy thinking that God may call us to move across the country for residency or full-time missions, asking to leave behind our family and friends and all things familar to us. But the faith and trust in God and the experiences and people we will meet will fill our lives with blessings and joy! In the end, I'm the only one who stands before God to attest to my time spent in this life. I want to given my all to others because Christ gave it for me.

Always workin'

Every year SC has an HIV case management retreat. I have been for the past two years. It is normally three days long and all the HIV case managers in the state get together for fellowship and learning. This is me with my closes friends at work having a good time and enjoying Myrtle Beach.

Also, across the nation every year a fundraiser called "Dining with Friends" takes place. It is a nationwide effort to raise money for HIV care. People host dinners and socials at their homes and raise awareness and money for the cause. Greenville held it's closing party, "Red Party", at the Greenville County Museum. There was food, music, and a good time had by all. This is the girls and our dates at the Red Party. Last year we raised approximately $120,000! Federal Funding has cut our agencies budget by $60,000 this year but luckily no staff has been lost due to this. Across the state several agencies are losing staff. So, get involved and advocate for HIV care and funding!!!

Life as a Patrick

Joey and I have been in Greenville almost a year. Our first year of marriage went by too quickly. We have had so much fun learning to love and learn something new about each other daily. It is funny how many people told us the first year of marriage is one of the hardest because we have enjoyed every minute of it! We are truely blessed to have one another.

We are now preparing to go to Panama in June on a mission trip. This will be the second year of going to Panama. We will be there for 10 days and our group has tripled in size from last year! Please pray for safety and funding for the group as the group raises support for the trip.

Basketball...A Crazy Season

We had a good time watching the kids play basketball this year. Sam learned the humbleness of losing some games, Anna experienced the high of a Championship, and Kara felt the disappointment of an almost undefeated season coming to an end in the championship game. They are all really into basketball and it has been a great way to learn important life lessons!

Sunday school class

This is the College/Career Sunday school class at Hampton Heights Baptist Church. Joey and I are teaching mostly college aged young adults and are having a blast. This is us on a trip to a Greenville Growl hockey game supporting a fundraiser for a young woman in our church awaiting an intestinal transplant. We had a really good time that night.