Lost of News

Well, on September 18th my brother and his wife had a little boy...Lucca Angelo Veneri! So that has been very exciting for our families! (pictures to come later!)

**On another note........I just wanted to ask for everyone's prayers (and thank those that have already been praying)!!! On Tuesday my grandpa was having pretty bad chest pains, so he was rusted to the hospital. He got stabilized, but will still need to have open heart surgery. Right now they are waiting on his kidneys to get well enough for his operation....he is diabetic so that is why his kidneys are a factor. So, on Wednesday, Grandpa is going to have a quadruple bi-pass hearth surgery. Then, sadly, on Friday morning my grandma was having difficulty breathing while she was at my aunt's house in Greenwood. She was then admitted to the hospital as well. Grandma had a sever case of pneumonia. This actually put so much stress on her heart, that she had a slight heart attach. The pneumonia has caused her not to be able to breathe on her own, leaving her on live support (a breathing machine). The doctors are actually with her at this moment weening her off the breathing machine. So, hopefully she will be breathing on her own in only an hour or so! Last night grandpa was having more chest pains, so he was moved back to critical care at about 3a.m. He his stabilized again now....just getting ready for his surgery! With all that explained, I ask that you keep them in your prayers!

Home Sweet Home

So, Justin and I have now been in WI for a little over a week. We have been SOSO warmly welcomed! Being back in a small town has been nice....life is a little slower and nicer! For now we have been living in a small apartment, hoping to find a house to buy soon. It has been fun and frustrating at times to find a house that we want to invest in. We found a house that we really really liked in Fox Lake, but it is a little out of our price range. Even thought it is far fetched we are going to try and see what happens. Please pray....that some how we can afford this home, or that we aren't too disappointed if can't and have to continue house hunting. We will see! Well not much time, but I will try to post again soon! Oh yeah, we don't have Internet at home so, I can't update everyday, but I will do my best!

A Whale Of A Good Time

So, my granny flew up to Boston to make the long drive back to Indiana with me. While she was in Boston we wanted to do a few fun things. One of the most exciting things that we did was whale watching. I think that we were really lucky because we seen at least 10 whales. There were 4 mother-calf pairs....it was really cute because normally they don't interact so much with other whales, so it was almost like a play date! We say THREE breeches....it was awesome to say the least. Granny and I also went up to Cape Cod and had fun shopping and walking around. It was sad though, when we had to leave. The house that we lived at became like family...and it was sad to have to leave! On our way home, we stopped in PA to see some of our family there. When we were about and hour away from where we were staying, I had a tire blow on the interstate. I thought that we had road side service, but they would on;y come if Justin was there because it was in his name....so so stupid! Anyway, I was quite proud of myself because I changed the tire all by myself on the side of a crazy highway! Anyway we made it to PA and got it all fixed! Now I am in Indiana hanging out with my family...its really nice to be able to see my family every day! Justin is still in Boston...he has to work until August 19th. Then he will drive to DC to get our belonging, up to IN to see me and his family, and then finally to Wisconsin to our new home! Its so crazy to think that we are moving....we have experience so much in the little time that we have been together...yeah its been six years, but I have seen and done more in that time that anyone in my family. I feel so luck and blessed to have had the opportunities that I have! Well, I guess that is it, but I will update soon I promise!

BIG NEWS.......We're Moving to Wisconsin!

So, after searching and visiting several different churches in the country, Justin and I have decided to join the community at Living Hope Church in Fox Lake Wisconsin. We will be finishing up the summer here in Boston, then in mid- August, we will be moving all the way to WI. Although Justin and I never thought that we would end up there, we are sure that is where God is calling us to!

On another note, this past week has been very crazy! I spent a week with the Boston Project...the organization that Justin works for. Although Justin's job only requires him to work days, there is a staff team that spends all week working and staying with different groups of youth groups. This past week that staff was short a female staff member, so I jumped in to help. I spent the week hanging out with students, doing very difficult landscaping, helping the community, worshiping the Lord, and GETTING POISON IVY (AHHHHHHH)!!!! Even though I did get poison ivy, I really did enjoy the week working with the BP staff!

Last weekend our house had a pirate party. We all dressed up like pirates and had all kinds of fun....and watched Hook! I love just being silly and having fun....any time I have the chance to dress up and be silly....I try to take it! Well that is about it.....you can pray for Justin and I as we are figuring out housing and all that in Wisconsin! Please let us know if we can pray for you too!

Frankie

A group from our previous church, CFC, went down to Nicaragua this summer. Some of the girl we know took pictures of Frankie for us....they were cute so I thought I would share. This is a picture of Frankie is a Boston hat that we sent down. I think that it is good for him to make personal connections with us, so I sent down a picture of Justin and I in our Boston gear, along with his Boston hat. When I saw this picture of him in his hat.....it put a big smile on my face. I

think that she looks so so cute!

Life In Boston

I just realized that I haven't posted a blog in a while.....got lost of catching up to do! Well, I have really enjoyed my time in Boston thus far! Justin has really enjoyed working with the Boston Project and all the youth groups that come into town. I think he likes the fact that he gets to work outside and use his hands! He has also had the chance to hangout with one of his good friends from college. Matt, Justin's best man in out wedding, lives in New Hampshire, but is often in Boston to see his girlfriend. This has given Justin the chance to hang out with him a few times.

I have got to know the people that we live really well....and have actually became pretty close with a couple of the girls in the house. The friendship with the girls has really made my time here more fun! Just yesterday Christina and I took Opal to the beach. It was so funny to see my dog swim in the ocean. Every time that I made her get out to go chill for a bit, she cried and cried until I let her go back in. After a couple of hours a park ranger said that I couldn't have her there during the day because it was hazardous to the children. I think that all the parents liked having Opal there because she was like a mini babysitter....keeping all the children occupied! I was actually happy that we had to leave because I got SO burnt! LOL, I guess I didn't use enough sunscreen.

Justin and I have had a lot of fun supporting the Red Sox. Justin has loved them for years, but now that we actually get to go to game....its crazy! I actually went to my first game last Wednesday....it was a blast! We had standing room only seats, but we wiggled our way into some actually pretty good bleacher seats!

I think that thing that I have enjoyed that most about this summer is my time to relax. I guess that is one of the good things about being a teacher....you get summers off!!! With my free time I have really been trying to paint more often. I actually finished one painting and have began a new one. Here is actually and picture of the one that I have finished.

Justin and I still are not sure what plans that God has for us in the fall. Its hard to still not know, but the one thing I am certain of is that God is faithful...and in His time, he will show us His plans! With that said, Justin and I are flying in to WI on Saturday (July 5) to interview at a church. We are excited and hope that if this is the place for us, that God will lay that on our hearts and on the hearts of the church! Who knows....

After getting burnt yesterday, I now get to look forward to taking a group of Middle School girls to an out door water park. Though I am excited to hangout with the girls....my sunburn is not so excited about being outdoors all day again!

Well that's about it for now, but I will be for sure blogging again soon about the 4th of July and about our WI trip! Tata for now!

Justin Always Seems to Luck Out

Last night was the NBA final game for the Lakers and Celtics. Justin really wanted to go to the game, but he didn't have tickets. He was just planning on going near by the arena and just watch the game in a local place and then head over to the arena WHEN the Celtics won. Then at about noon yesterday, I got a call from a family in the church we used to work at, saying that they had an extra ticket to the game for Justin if he wanted it. I knew that Justin was planning on going anyway so I insisted that they save the ticket for him! Finally at like 3, Justin got the message and was freaking out! He was so so so excited. So, my husband is a very luck man. Not only did he get to go the the NBA finals, he sat in the 16th row...all for free! It was an amazing blessing for him. I might have him blog more about it so that you get a real understanding of what it was like to be there when the Celtics made history.

It Already Been A Year?!?!

Time has flown by, and Justin and I actually just celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary. Justin had a very romantic evening planned out for the two of us. We we to a really nice restaurant in Boston. It was so fancy that I didn't even really know what half of the stuff was....LOL. But all the food was great, dessert was my favorite. I had this Italian chocolate ice cream with espresso poured over it! YUMMO After dinner we walked through a local park and just talked about the last year. Little to my knowledge we were walking with a purpose. In the middle of the park there was a lake the went through the city. When we got the the lake there was a gondola waiting to pick us up for a romantic tour of the city! It was a great evening. The next night we planned on having a romantic dinner on our balcony, but it was all rainy, so we opted to just hangout in our room. We had our yummy cake from our wedding night (who ever though of that.....yea lets eat year old cake :) ...lol) But, really the cake wasn't that bad at all! This past year was definitely full of new adventures for Justin and I.....it makes me think that God is preparing us to be very active servants of his, probably on the go a lot, in the years to come.

We Made It!!!

So Justin and I are both now living in Boston. Justin came down last Sunday, while I finished up teaching. Then today I drove up (that's weird to say because when I lived in Indiana I was use to saying down) to Boston. When I got here I quickly unpacked somethings, took a shower, and then was off to a BBQ to meet some of the people that Justin is working with. We played games, ate food and just had fun! Tomorrow we have church at 11 (yes, we get to sleep in!), and then on Monday Justin and I have our 1 year anniversary on Monday. I am very excited that Justin and I are marking our 1 year...and I look so forward to all the man years we have ahead. Justin is planning all kinds of secrets for Monday. He will say to me, "Don't check the CPU history, or you can't look at this paper....). But I don't want to know what he is up to...I like being surprises, and it's kinda hard to surprise me, so I am trying my hardest to NOT find anything out about his plans. Well, I think that is about it, but I will let you know Monday night....well maybe Tuesday morning ;)....what all Justin's secret plans were. For now, goodnight!

When God Says Move....You Move!

So it looks like Justin and I have chosen to relocate to the Boston area for the summer. We are going to be working with a Missions organization until mid-August. This opportunity will give us the chance to continue to search for the place God wants us to live more permanently. It is going to be an adventure for sure, but I am excited about it. Justin is heading down about a week before me, I have to work. He is heading up there in June 8th and Opal (our dog) and I will follow on the 13th. God has really orchestrated things....I can see it so clearly! In Boston we will have our housing provided, which is such a blessing because we will be able to keep the apartment that we have without having to move out our furniture. Then our apartment will be rented out....which means that we don't have to pay the full price of rent! Plus, because I am a teacher, I get my salary all summer. Man, I can just see how God has been planning all the little details out so that Justin and I can completely dedicate ourselves to serving Him this summer! God is good, and I am so grateful that He is in charge of our lives, not me (because I know I would mess it all up)!

Massanutten :)

This past weekend Justin and I had the opportunity to go to a resort in the mountains of VA. It was a beautiful place to spend the weekend. We had lots of fun! I could only stay until Monday and then I had to head back for work. Justin was able to stay the rest of the week. After I left one of the sons of the man who gave us his time share came down to hang out with Justin the rest of the week. Since I had to leave early and Justin was staying longer, we basically did everything that I wanted to do, and my hubby just tagged along. Lets just say....crafts aren't his thing, but he did it to make me happy. We were able to go horse back riding, to driving range, racket ball, learn how to solder stain glass, learn how to chemically etch glass, mini golf, and lots of other stuff! It was a nice trip and fun to just get away with my hubby!

When I got back to work, my class had to work hard because we were preforming a 45 minute musical play for grandparent's day. We practiced basically all day on Tuesday (in addition to the weeks prior) and had our performance on Wednesday. They did AMAZING and they had so much fun doing it!

So right now it looks like we only have 9 days of school left.....I know that I am ready and I am sure my students are too!

Justin had a job offer at a missions organization in Boston. If would only be for the summer, but it would be a great opportunity and it would allow us to use the summer to continue our search. We will see what happens.....still praying and searching for God's will in all of this!

Hope that you all are doing good....feel free to send us a comment or email me and let me know what is happening in your life and how Justin and I can pray for you!

email: douglas.brittney@gmail.com

Massanutter Get-A-Way

So this weekend Justin and I are going to the Massanutten Resort near Harrisburg. A family in the church has a time share there, and are unable to go. Fortunately for us, we can go! I am very excited about getting away and having a relaxing weekend with my husband. We have been a little on edge with searching for jobs and graduation, so this is going to be great! The resort is really nice and has lots of activities like: music shows, crafts, nice dinners, skiing, horse back riding, spa..and the list goes on!!! I am very excited and thankful for this family....the have blessed us greatly!!!

Time Flies When Your Having Fun

So this weekend has been both fun and relaxing! Friday night we attended the CF&FS (the school I work at) athletic banquet. Justin coached the basketball teams, so it was nice to celebrate all their hard work. The Middle school team won the championship, and they got presented with a banner to hang in the gym. It was a good evening!

On Saturday I slept in....thanks God! I always have a hard time sleeping in because I get so used to getting up early, so i was stoked to be able to sleep in! Then, Justin took me to see Prince Caspian!! I love the Narnia books, so it was nice to see the movie. I still like the first movie better, but this one was good too! After the movie we were suppose to go the Justin's basketball game (he plays on a church basketball team), but he got the times mixed, so we just chilled at home for the evening.

Then today, we went to church and then went to a going away party for us. The kids in the youth group had us a party! It was a nice time to just hangout one last time as a group. A few of the kids out together a slideshow and a painting with messages on it! I love those kids, and they have blesses my life so much!

SURPRISE

One of the best things about being a teacher is all the love you get from the kids. I took off two days that week to spend time with my family and to walk at graduation. Well, when my cooperating teacher found out, she planned me a surprise party! I was totally shocked! I have never had a surprise party, so I felt very honored!!! They had me gifts, cards, and cake!!! WOW, the love of 28 students is amazing!!!!

After a crazy weekend, Justin definitaly deserved a little time with the boys!!! Tonight he is going to the Boston/Baltimore game with a couple of kids from the youth group! He loves Boston, and he love spending time with students, so I am sure that he is having a great night!

We still have not heard anything for sure from any churches, so please continue to pray for us, as we are seeking a new place to do God's work. We hope that God will show us soon the place He has for us. I am not going o lie, it is so hard to wait and let God work, I guess it is my personality to want to "fix" and "solve" the situation, but I know that God's plan for Justin and me will be better than any plan I could ever dream up! Thank you all for your prayers!

PLEASE PLEASE email us and let us know what is happening in your lives!!!

What A Wonderful Weekend!

So, this weekend was definitely action packed!!! I took Thursday off to get my hair done and then to welcome my family into town. It was so nice to see my family again, especially my grandparents! They are so precious to me and I just cherish every minute to get to spend with them!!! My dad and his parents arrived around 6 and them we had dinner. Then around 9 my in-laws arrived and we welcomed them. They have been such blessing in my life and I love them! i could not be blessed with better in laws, that's for sure!!! Then on Friday we went to DC!!! It was a good time, even though it rained and rained! I am not going to lie, I was bummed that it rained, but my family were real troopers!!! That night my mom and grandmother came into town. We had the chance to grab a quick bit to eat, and then I had to drive down to LU (I had to be then so early that I stayed at my wonderful friend Lauren's house. My family left early the next morning to come down. Saturday was such a BEAUTIFUL day! I had the chance to see some old friends, hang out with my wonderful family, and hear CHUCK NORRIS speak!!!! Yeah, Chuck Norris was my graduation speaker....how funny is that?!?! Anyway, Justin and I had a good weekend, but we are looking forward to a bit of relaxation tonight! Well, that's about it for now, hope that you all are doing good! Feel free to comment us or email us any time!!!!

I Love Being A Teacher!!!!

So this week is teacher appreciation week and my kids have gone ABOVE AND BEYOND!!! On Monday, the all brought me in a flower, then on Tuesday that all gave me fruit, and today I got coffee and cookies! This kids are great, and they totally make it worth it!!!!! My family is coming tomorrow :) I just hope that it does not rain.....right now there is a 60% chance, so be praying that it doesn't because Friday is our DC day and Saturday is my graduation (& its outside ahhh). Well, that's it for now, but I'll be writing again soon!

I Am Blessed!

So today was a good day at work.  We took our class to mini golf and they loved it.  It is always fun to see the kids smile and laugh :)  After a good day of work, I came home from work to my wonderful husband!  Its always nice coming home to him, but today was even better!  He had cleaned up around the house (which as you know from my last blog, was on my to do list) and then turned our office into my very own art studio. He moved his desk into the living room, so that I could have my own personal area!  He is very sweet, and ya know....its the little things like that, that really makes me know how much I am loved!  Not to mention this is teacher appreciation week, so I am getting extra love from my students too!  
 Justin and I are still searching for the next step to take, and where that its going to be.  So, continue to keep us in your prayers because we have a lot of decisions coming up!   Well, I think that's about it for today!  
ttyl
Brittney

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!!

Well, many of you know that I technically graduated in January, but unfortunately because Liberty only has one ceremony a year, I didn't get to walk then. The good news is that I do get to walk this weekend!!! Since this is kinda a big deal....my family (both, my old family and my new family)are coming into town!!! I am so excited to see them because I have not seen them since Christmas :) My Dad, his parents, and Justin's family are coming into town on Thursday evening. Then on Friday morning we are getting up early and showing them around D.C. Friday afternoon, my mom and Grandma are coming into town. :) Did I mention how excited I am?!?!?! Well with all that said, I have lots to do before then......I have to CLEAN (LOL), finish a painting for a friend, and plan out our D.C. trip!!! But, I am taking Thursday and Friday off work, so those days off will help me get everything done! Well for now that's it, but keep checking back because I am going to try and update this about every couple of days!!!