I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while-I will do that in detail later.

I would like to ask for your prayers regarding a beautiful young Christian wife and mother and her ongoing battle with cancer. Suzie Graves (or as I call her Miss Suzie) is someone I have so much respect and love for. Not only was her family incredibly supportive to mine during our move from Atlanta, but she has continued to provide strength and love for all of us, especially for Marissa who still lives there. She is the epitome of a lady, and is such a fantastic example to all of us who desire families of our own someday. My heart breaks for her husband Shane and their 4 girls-the oldest girls, twins Emily and Caitlin, are only 18, the same as my sister Kaitlin. This situation puts everything in perspective. It reminds me of our loving God and Savior, and our hope of eternal life with Him without pain and heartache. We are so blessed regardless of circumstance-young and old, rich and poor, healthy and ailing. Please pray for Miss Suzie and her family-may the Lord's will be done.

Miss Suzie, I love you.

-Lauren

I know I haven't updated in more than a year, but I've been busy and today warrants an update. Our family has had our share of crises during the last year-the move to Virginia, my grandmother losing her mind, me and my various issues with medications (those of you who know me best understand what all that entails), I lost my job and haven't found another one in going on 5 months, etc... It's been challenging, to say the least.

Everyone probably knows about this, but if not, Marissa's car was stolen last Friday from the carport behind our old house at the Embry Hills church building. They caught the guy, who was drunk and decided to pick up a chick that night, then dumped the car when it ran out of gas. She just got it back yesterday and unfortunately was in a bad wreck tonight and totaled it. It wasn't her fault-a guy in the left lane decided he wanted to turn into a parking lot on the right side of the road and turned without braking in front of her-she plowed into his passenger side. Her airbag deployed and the seatbelt caught her, but it's causing her a lot of pain. They thought they'd take her to the hospital, but the EMTs checked her out and said she was fine-after the shock wears off on her body tomorrow, they'll decide if she still needs to go from the bad pain. Apparently she wasn't meant to have that car.

Earlier I found out from Kaitlin that on her way to school this morning, a kid in a Chevy truck rear-ended her while at a red light. It cracked her bumper and dented the back of the car including the trunk. It's enough damamge to need body work done on it, so she'll be without a car for a while, too. WHAT ELSE?!?! I've decided I don't want to drive anymore and will get a horse and buggy for transportation-hey, it's definitely more economical due to the high gas prices, not to mention safer. It would be my luck, though, that the horse would go beserk and trample me or something. Guess that wouldn't work after all-at least I tried.

The situation with my grandmother is quickly getting worse-she's almost completely lost her mind and gets more combative every day. She's mostly bed-bound and can't walk. Everyday's a battle.

And I still haven't found a job yet, so this is going on the fifth month without an income-which means I'm needing help in that department, in turn making my family's situation worse. Thankfully neither wreck was the girls' fault, so insurance should cover damage but not enough to replace Marissa's car.

We're so thankful God took care of them and nothing worse happened. I didn't think I could admire my parents' more after watching them deal with each crisis by deepening their faith in God and each other, but they continue to awe me with their optimism and love for God. If I am blessed enough to have half of their marriage and love for each other I'll die one happy girl. Isn't God amazing?! We've had our share of difficulties, but we've never been closer-I of all people don't deserve God's love but through His grace, I have the privilege of knowing He's taking care of me and my family, no matter what. We'd never have gotten through this without Him-it's as simple as that.

Please continue to pray for us-prayers don't have expiration dates and we need all we can get. Thank you to those who have supported us along the way-you can't put a price on the love of family and friends.

-Lauren

one of my best friends, joanie, will have a c-section at 3:30 p.m. today; i'm so disappointed i can't be there, but seeing as i'm sick they wouldn't let me hold baby jack anyway; i am so excited i can hardly stand it; joanie and i are really close (i was maid of honor in her wedding)-i know she and will will make great parents and raise baby jack (and any other little ones they have along the way) to follow God; please keep her in your prayers as she's understandably nervous

i'll write more when i get more info

-elfy

this feels so bizarre that i'm actually living in auburn, alabama; erin and i decorated the living room first-i'm really excited about it-she did allow me to have an elephant candle on a shelf; i'm glad we are able to compromise :); we went last night to the rec center and exercised on stationary bikes for whopping 1.5 hours (yeah i can't believe it either but considering my rear is killing me i know we did it)-we watched gilmore girls and part of the state of the union speech; i watched the rest of it when i came home; (side note: who else doesn't like nancy pelosi? it made me want go gag seeing her glaring at bush during his speech) we're planning on going back to the rec center tonight after church and meeting there everyday after i get off work; i hope we can stick to this-i actually enjoyed going altho we had to park in the boonies b/c of a basketball game

today was my first day of work; i did practically nothing but i enjoyed it; our office is going bowling next week-that should be interesting considering i stink at it but i'll enjoy getting to know these guys and gal a little better; i'm trying to find my way around; on monday lacey tried to get me lost showing me to the interstate but i easily turned around and figured out where to go-and was incredibly embarrassed but oh well; it happens

i miss you two so much-and you too; but i really like being here; it'll definitely be an interesting experience and i hope a good one! i love you 3 so much!

my work day's almost over; cheerio for now!
-evy

howdy; pretty sad day today-my last day of work at my office that i love, with great people, great bosses, great location (and our new flat-screen tv and ping-pong table-i'm not kidding that we have these in our office)...thankfully i'll still be working with the company and will be in daily contact with this office; one of the girls here got me a set of soft, white towels and had her mom embroider my initials in black b/c she remembered how i told her my bathroom will be-they're so soft; now with the towels my mom got me for x-mas, i'll have plenty for anyone who visits-hint hint to some of you...tomorrow's the biggest packing day; all the last minute stuff (umm pretty much everything) will get done tomorrow-happy happy joy joy blah

i wanted to send out a formal thank you to those who contributed to the incredible gift card and address book; i truly appreciate and am honored you would think of me; it will allow me to buy things i needed that i couldn't afford so thank you again

see everybody tonight! cheerio!
-elfy