
Monday, January 25, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
As A Bee
The trainer at LA Fitness worked me a bit too hard this week and I could hardly move my legs. My quads are still cramping up from all of the lunges. Literally. I think that I am going to try a new trainer. I can't work out so hard that I have to wait more than a week to workout again.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
SOLD!
As for our other news, the girls are healthy and doing well. Addy is sleeping well and we are falling into as much of a routine as you can be with such a little one.
Love you all.
Emily Ann
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Three Beautiful Girls
How is little Addison doing? Is she a good sleeper? What is her favorite activity? How do she and Alaina relate to each other? And.....how are you feeling? Hopefully, everything is going well. Pete, you must feel like a million surrounded by three beautiful girls. We are thinking about all of you. Love, Carol
Monday, January 18, 2010
Bob's birthday
We celebrated Bob's 55th birthday on Saturday. Faith helped him open his presents, as you can see here. Mom made a delicious German Chocolate birthday cake with caramel filling....yum. We even played some games. Lots of fun! Happy Birthday, Bob!!!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Freshly Ground Productions
2010 Genesis Live Worship CD Event Promo from Freshly Ground Productions on Vimeo.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
New Digs & Fa La La La La
Royal Oak attracted and still attracts a huge variety of people to its hip, funky, and fun downtown eateries, bars, and social hot spots. I really love my town. Anyhow, in 1999 we officially launched and we have had our services in many locations including a middle school cafetorium, 3 different high school auditoriums, a middle/elementary school gym, a black box theater, a comedy club, and Royal Oak's Music Theater. The latest location we were at for 2 years was Berkley High School where I work. We had a great relationship with the high school and the custodial staff was seriously sad when we left. They really were 'for us' which is a testament to God's power to use personal relationship's to make a path in the desert. In other words a church had a great relationship with a public school. Imagine That?!
Several years ago we had a building campaign called Epicenter in order to raise fund for a building. Our mortar team searched high and low and examined truly "out of the box" of normal options for us to find a permanent location. Properties in Royal Oak are extremely expensive in the downtown area and it felt like it was next to impossible. Perhaps God designed us to be portable? But God was working in the undercurrent. We had to wait and trust. Two years ago, we needed to find some space for some of our groups to meet for a 12-step program and the First Baptist Church of Royal Oak was ready and willing to let the group meet at their church building. The FBCRO was a church that was celebrating their 170th anniversary. They would be having the celebration at their church on Main Street in downtown Royal Oak - where their historical marker lies. Our church staff started meeting with their pastor, Dave Nickels, and as their relationship grew they realized that they both led churches who wanted to do the exact same thing in Royal Oak: make Jesus known, live in community that disciples each other toward richer and deep relationship with Jesus, and be a people who were the hands and feet of Jesus to those who many would turn their noses down upon. Soon after, our offices moved into FBCRO because of our expanding need for space. Finally, we could see that God was moving these two congregations together with the same heart. We had the same charge from God - we looked different though. First Baptist was a traditional community with a traditional building and strong core of people who had been members for more years than most of us cood imagine. One dear lady was a member for over 80 years. She is 96 years old. On the other hand Genesis the church was a non-traditional community with 2 trailers which could move anywhere to set up church. Genesites on average were about 33 years old and had growing families. We couldn't look any more different but our hearts sang the same tune.
Since the time that Pastor Dave announced that he would be retiring from his official position at FBCRO so that he could be a pastor - without the administrative responsiblities. His official retirement would take place at the end of 2009. In his last year of adminsitrative responsiblities, he and the Genesis Staff did something that most people were and still are highly skeptical of - they joined two churches under one name. As of January 1st, 2010, there is now one church meeting at 309 N. Main Street. The legal name is Genesis the Church formerly known at First Baptist Church of Royal Oak. Most will know us as Genesis the Church - we now have 180 years behind us! We know there will be many challenges for us in the future - but where we see mountains - God sees wide open avenues.
I had the pleasure of leading worship our first service on January 3rd. It was a thrill - a mix of what I would called ancient and modern words that glorify God. Our set list was All Creatures of Our God and King, Dwell, Enter This Temple, Not To Us, and Glorious. The church was packed - even the balcony. But more importantly, our congregation was EXCITED - THRILLED - at the opportunity to walk together shoulder-to-shoulder striving toward God's purposes - doing His work - we hope for at least another 180 years. I am confident in this - for He who began a good work - will be faithful to complete.
And now onto the Fa La La La La La
In the midst of the holidays and moving into our new church the worship leaders, including myself, have been writing new worship music that we will record on January 29th. We are really excited - tired - but excited. We have been rehearsing late into the night. Last night we recorded our demos for the sound engineer. Here is a link to those songs. You will have to select the iDisk Public Folder (Graphite) and then open up the Folder that says 1-15-2010. They are RAW which means there is no editing and no mixing - so they might sound a little bit off at this point - but they will at least give you a glimpse of what will come on the CD. I wrote and am singing lead vocals on "Cry Out of Romans," I'll also sing background vocals on We Are Ready and Glory. I can't wait until the final CD is finished and I can give you a copy! Thanks for letting me catch you up on the latest. Love T
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Request for Emily
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Lennon Sisters
Monday, January 11, 2010
Motherhood
Sunday, January 10, 2010
What an amazing week!
Addison is just a picture of health and we could not be happier that our family is finally together after much anticipation. Alaina is adjusting to her new role as "big sister" very well, and likes to tell everyone which things around the house belong to Addy.
A big "thank you" to Emily and Paul for supplying lots of Nana time since Thanksgiving. Also, to Tracy who was "sick" enough to come visit for the birth and to take beautiful pictures to capture the moments together. It is always nice to have Aunt CC around--Alaina gets so excited.
My mom is staying with us this week while Pete gets back to work. The week following my sister is bringing up her computer and will work from our house so that I have help with Alaina. The last week of January, Pete will stay home from work again to give me one more week of healing before I have to try this by myself.
I am feeling better everyday regarding the pain, but still get tired very easily. I'm doing my best to help out with Addison and interact with Alaina without picking her up. That's been difficult on both of us since she doesn't understand why I can't lift her and I want desperately to be active in her day.
Please pray for continued healing, that we continue to have showings on the house, and that we are able to convey to everyone just how grateful we are for the amazing love they show us everyday. Sometimes in families such as ours, where the bonds are so strong, we forget that not everyone is so blessed.
Thank you to everyone again.
Love you all dearly.
Emily Ann
Thank you
I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has posted pictures of Addison and Alaina on the blog i think i can say this for everyone that we ALL enjoy it and it feel a little closer like we are there right along with you. Congrats and gods blessing to you and your family!
It doesn't have to be thanksgiving for me to think about all i am thankful for.....
Faith
My Family
My Friends
Good Health
The smile Faith brings to my face
Listening to Faith sing when she is playing and doesn't know that i can hear her
Have a great week!
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Take hold of my right hand
Isaiah 41:13
For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Lots going on
Thanks for all of the wonderful comments on the pictures. Aren't the girls beautiful? I have lots more photos but I am going to only post a few each evening. I'll be visiting Pete and Emily mid-January so I'll be able to shoot a new batch then!
I hope to write a longer post in the very near future about another something exciting! My church has moved into its "new to us" permanent location in downtown Royal Oak. It has been very exciting and I can't wait to fill you in on all the details - they are extraordinary in my opinion. That will be for another post though. Also, I will be recording one new song on our church's next cd in just a couple of weeks. I was hoping to record two songs but I just wasn't able to finish all the details yet on a song from Ezekiel 37. If you haven't read this passage I would encourage you to do so - it has become one of my favorites. The song I am recording is titled Cry Out Of Romans. I think this might be one of the best songs that I have written yet. My friend Jonathan is playing the guitar and Carol will be adding in piano. I'll be posting about the process as we move toward January 29th.
On a totally separate note, we had our first decent snow here in Detroit and I was thrilled to use my yooper scooper. I was able to clear the entire drive without breaking a sweat in about 10 minutes. I love my scooper. Even better, a neighbor down the street hooked up a plow to the front of his ATV and plowed the sidewalks up and down our entire block - it was such a gift to come home to after a long day at work! Oh and my Dad was telling me today that there might be snow in Atlanta tomorrow. Since there "might" be snow accumulation up to 1 inch they have cancelled school - of course, he said, there are all of about 10 snow plows in the entire state of Georgia. He he he - Ha ha ha! My students are dying for a snow day but I have assured them - we will have school tomorrow!
Dad, You Woke Me Up!

Double click on this photo to see it up close!
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Beauties
Sweet Cheeks
She's a sweet bundle of joy. I am sure her sister will love her and her parents are bursting with joy.
Hope to see you this summer.
Love,
GiGi
Mom, Dad, and Addy's First Pictures
Our Shooting Star is Here - Addison Jane
sent us her first picture!
and has beautiful blue eyes!

It's Time - 0 DAYS TO GO
Monday, January 04, 2010
A New Little Star
Friday, January 01, 2010
Link to the SparkTeam
http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_individual.asp?gid=38661&gcode=XC6Y9G44UU
When you make your personal spark page, you can choose to only share information with your friends. That way you can keep things as private as you'd like. Let me know if you need help setting things up.
Love you all. Thanks!
Emily Ann
Our nativity scene

New Year's Wishes

Happy New Year!
This year christmas was a little unusual for me being so under the weather. Thanks to all my family for helping out with Faith during such a busy time! I also want to say thanks to all for the wonderful gifts and thoughtful things for Faith!
This year i have decided not to make a resolution and just take the time to do things i have wanted to do instead of just pushing it aside saying i dont have the time. Try to do it too, it might be fun. I think everyone thinks of things of oh i should do that, or wouldn't that be nice to help out doing this.
This year i do plan on.....
1. getting back on track with my healthy eating and going back to the gym but this is a life style and not a fad.
2.doing some community service of some kind maybe habitat for humanity??
3. Donate blood, why not, i have it dont need it all and it can save a life!
4.being the best mom i can be
5.keep on doing crafts throughout the year
6. Going camping with all of the family :)
7. Planting a garden
8. Enjoying everything i have in my life to the fullest!
So thats whats on the agenda for me this year!! I think it would be fun for everyone to post what they are thinking or planning on doing for the year.
I love and miss you all! It was wonderful seeing those who were here and we really did miss you pete and emily!
( i hope that i did this right and sorry if there is any spelling mistakes it is really late at night he he)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Enter This Temple
Verse 1
We are saved in a world that's lost;
all our hope rests in Your cross.
God of strength, our weakness shows,
we need You, we need You
Chorus
Father, enter this temple,
come touch Your people
we need to be where You are.
And children, living as their Father,
washed in pure water,
we need to be like You are.
Verse
We are searching for Your presence.
We are knocking on Your door.
Let Your wings cover us with promise
for communion, for communion
Chorus
Father, enter this temple,
come touch Your people
we need to be where You are.
And children, living as their Father,
washed in pure water,
we need to be like You are.
Bridge
To be like You are, to be where You are,
And Father, come touch Your people
To be like You are, to be where You are,
And Father, come touch Your people
Written by Leeland Mooring & Jack Mooring
Performed by Leeland on the Opposite Way Album
Happy New Year!
It has really hit me that the last few years have been very busy, (very blessed, but very busy) and I have let my health slip through the cracks. So...I had an idea for a family project. I was thinking that anyone who would be willing to help support me--or join themselves--could get onto Spark People and start a healthy living team.
Spark People's website lets you choose whether you'd like to do a weight loss program or a healthy living program (no weight loss tracking). You get points for logging on, tracking the amount of water you drink, tracking your exercise minutes, etc. It's really a great way to encourage friends and family for making great life changes and to lift each other up when you make bad choices (like chocolate binges...hehe) or hit a plateau.
I have to wait for 6 weeks to be cleared by my OB after surgery to exercise, but I will be starting my healthy eating changes as soon as I come home from the hospital. I'd appreciate some company, since I do better when I'm accountable to other people :) If you're interested, let me know and I will set up a team.
Happy New Year to everyone! I hope 2010 is full of good health and happy memories.
Emily Ann
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Hello! I made it to the blog!

Hi everyone,
So glad I figured out how to make a post. I have been following the blog for a while and glad to be a part of it. I will post more pics soon, but I thought I'd share this funny one that reminded me all of the knitting going on in our family!
Love, Sara
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Blog Updates
Please make some comments and give me your best taglines!
Tracy
Question for Tracy
Memories!
Pete and the boys: ) I think they just got done wrestling in the middle of the pizza party!
Playing a video gameShe's a woman of mystery . . .
She lives in the far off land of Wyoming.
She appeared on the cover of a magazine.
She likes fruits and vegetables.
She is a lover of the outdoors and is an environmentalist.
She loves her two dogs.
She loves to sing and perform.
She is a talented model and she was in the latest Title Nine Catalog.
Cousin Sara . . . glad to see you over Christmas break. Can't wait to find out what exciting adventure is next for you.
Love, Tracy
(p.s. you left your phone charger in Grandma's upstairs bedroom & I'm so sorry you had to look at that awful 8.5x11 senior picture of mine - I hope it didn't give you nightmares)
News from Debbie
It was great seeing everybody! We missed you Peter and Emily but thanks for sharing Alaina with us. She is a very happy girl! We can't wait to meet Addison.
I still have not found my camera so I don't have any pictures to show. So I hope you all share your pictures.
Paul had the idea that next year we should try to collect all the pictures from Pizza parties past. So if you have pictures from the past bring them with next year. I wonder how many years it has been going on?
Here is the new Christmas Exchange List for 2010.
CHRISTMAS 2010
Paul buys for Isaac
Emily Marie.....Susie
Tracy..... Ken
Tim.... Bob
Peter N...... Paul P.
Emily Ann.... Ryan
Alaina .....Debbie
Addison..... Sara
Carol ......Peter C.
Ken ......Faith
Sara .....Alaina
Ryan..... Addy
Joy..... Winter
Isaac .....Lindsey
Adam..... Peter N.
Linda .....Tim
Bob..... Addison
Debbie .....Tracy
Peter C. .....Joy
Winter..... Aunt Emily
Lindsey .....Emily Ann
Addy .....Linda
Faith ..... Carol
Paul P...... Paul N.
Susie .....Adam
Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Debbie
Nativities
- My childhood nativity - it's made from wood and has lost a few parts - but Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus are still in tact. I have just been placing pinecones in the holes for the missing folks.
- My glass nativity from my friend Deedee. It is made out of frosted glass pieces and sits on a 4x4 inch mirror. It is really beautifull; especially when I place white lights next to it.
- My newest nativity is from Mom and Dad. It is a single piece of olive wood that is cut out into Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. I think it is REALLY beautiful.
- My African nativity set which I just adore. It was handcrafted in Africa out of banana leaves. I think it is hands down my favorite purchase (souvenier) that I have brought back from Africa.
Call me crazy . . .
I would like to break the number of posts that we had last year of 115. Right now we have just a few days left and 102 posts made this year. The next year I would like to increase the number to at least 150. There is so much to share!
Anyhow - Here are a few of the posts that I would like to make before the end of the year:
- Portraits
- Cousin Sara
- This Year's Bread Pudding
- Favorite Gifts
- My Nativity
- Tim's Nutcrackers
- Mackinac Dressed Up For Christmas
- The 12 Days of Christmas Video
That's 8 posts that I would like to make. Now for the rest of you :) What are you going to post? Linda is all set to make some posts and Addy and Sara should be able to too! Someone urge them on - we want to hear from them!!!!








The boys loved Faith from the first time they met her! Look at those cute cheeks!


