It’s been a long time since we posted, so I’ll not try to do it all at once. I just wanted to announce some good news. Last week I accepted a position as a web developer with Adair Creative Group, which is a relatively young design and media company in my native Arkansas. The company was founded by David Adair – a friend of mine who I worked with six years ago at JBU and with whom I’ve done several freelance projects since. I’m really excited to be part of their team, because of the quality of the work they do and the talent of my coworkers-to-be. It will be nice to be excited about my day job again.
I’m also excited because I’ll be able to focus more attention on what’s going on here (which is a lot, but that’s a post for another time). Since my former employer died last November, things have been pretty stressful in the work department. I’ve learned and grown a lot, but I’m ready to get back to having a steady paycheck and a reasonable amount of work. This position is the same amount of hours I was working for Tom before he died, and will allow me to continue to work from over here.
So I’m thankful for that. And I’m a little biased, but if you need web or print design (or a number of other things – branding, video, etc.), you’d be wise to check out ACG.
Peace,
Mark
Is anyone else having trouble believing February is almost half over? I sort of think time started moving a bit faster when 2009 hit. Maybe? We’ve been keeping good and busy over here. And here’s what with…
- Mark has been working 2 jobs since mid-November. That has been madness for him accompanied by a strong dose of stress. Last week he finally decided to quit one of the jobs and is now only working for Firm57. It’s seemed to be stabalizing after a traumatic fall/early winter, and we’re really thankful for that. Mark’s actually starting to have time to do the things he wanted to do here rather than sit glued to a chair in front of his computer. (the computer is rather beautiful, but come on!)
- I’ve been continuing to thoroughly enjoy my class. I’m becoming good friends with one gal in particular, but getting to know everyone much better. I’m making lots of things, trying out new patterns. And I’m attempting to refashion and repurpose clothing from charity shops. I’m particularly loving that!
- We’re spending good time getting involved with some ministries in town. Mark continues to do Night Light and I’ll be joining up forces with them once they start up again after their winter break. Mark’s also been doing a prayer walk on Wednesday nights with a small group of folks. Wednesday mornings, I’m helping make/serve breakfast to a group of alcoholics that are forming a little community together. We’re helping lead a Freedom in Christ study (based on 2 Neil Anderson books) at the Methodist church on Sunday nights. There are some good things happening in Newcastle.
- The Lord’s been doing some really neat things in Mark and I individually, too. Our eyes have been suddenly, it seems, opened up to some areas of stronghold/sin in our hearts in recent weeks. Emotionally, it’s been sort of an up and down time, but it’s really exciting to be walking towards the Lord and experiencing what a good Lord he is. Pray that we would continue to push through the rough spots and not give up on being made like him.
- We bought bikes (a great deal!) from our neighbor, Sarah. It’s still a bit cold and windy to take them out, at least in my opinion. And I’m going to have to get a different helmet because I apparently have an unusually large head. But I’m excited to get out and about on those. This is a little surprising to me since I’ve never totally recovered emotionally from my nasty bike wreck in 6th grade…
- We continue to meet with our “house church” weekly as well as regular times of Bible study and worship and prayer with close friends. While it’s been rough in some ways to cross an ocean and start a new life, God has been so generous to us with deep fellowship. We’re so thankful for these times to get to know Him and each other better and fight for Newcastle and the whole of Ireland together.
- I’m trying, once again, to learn to draw. We’ll see if it takes this time.
- I spent 2 weekends ago on a women’s retreat with a group of gals I do a monthly Bible study with. It was refreshing to be making new friends and spend some time out and away from home. I’m a total homebody, at least in the winter, but it’s good to get forced out of the house!
- Mark’s going to do his first bit of preaching a week from Sunday. He’ll be filling in for our friend, Ross, who pastors 3 Methodist churches in the area. That should be exciting! Mark misses teaching and I miss hearing him, so this will be a treat.
That’s a bit of our news. I am trying to get pictures of our house since it’s been made our own taken and posted. I’ve discovered that I’m not very good at taking pictures of whole rooms. We’ll see what I can come up with, though. I can’t wait to show you our space! Hopefully it will entice some of you to hop on planes and come see it for yourself. We think of you all often and with much love. We miss you and are so thankful for all the support and interest you send our way (even if you send bossy notes telling us to post more!). We just might have a song to put up soon, too. For now you just get bullet points and some eye candy (keep scrolling). Here are a few pictures of our beloved Ireland.
the prettiest candy
a foggy day. the sea is out there, somewhere.
driving through the mountains. it looked like we were approaching the edge of the earth.
a lovely view of where we were headed.
our mini, irish alps. aren't they lovely?
