God Answers Prayers

I love Sundays!! It is the one day we have plans every week. We are really loving Community Bible! This week we volunteered in the 1 1/2 year olds. The kids love Kyle because he is so animated. God has really blessed us with some great married friends this week which is a direct answer to prayer as we have been praying specifically for this months before the move. On Friday we went to eat with Sasha and Trey (Trey is Donnie's son.) After dinner they showed us their property. It was SO fun. Images I have literally dreamed about. Saturday we went to Cracker Barrel and a movie with Tatum and Michael Williams (one of Ed's boys) They are so awesome and we are looking forward to hanging out more in the future! We are continuing to learn so much during this time, and also just seeing God's Hand on us and knowing that He is going to provide for us. The pastor spoke on doubt this morning and how God uses our doubt to show us more about Him. We are SO thankful for all He has done thus far and excited to see what He will do in the future. If we have been praying for wisdom and direction, I can go in confidence knowing that He will give in His time. Please pray our patience will continue to grow and that we will have direction each day! Love you all!

Please pass the ice cream... And the tums

As I write a storm is brewing. I hear the thunder at a distance. Today has been one of those slow days, testing our endurance. Kyle had his phone interview this morning. Thank you all for the prayers! Please keep praying because this was only a screening interview. Thus the fruit of the spirit here is patience, coming from California, we have zero, so more growing for us. Storm is getting closer...thunder is louder.
I had an interview with USA Truck yesterday for a Human Resources position-background investigator. Sounds like so much more fun than teaching!! That was also a screening interview so I will wait to see if I get a call back. The most exciting thing we do here is EAT and eat some more. I've gained 10 pounds already for sure. Below you can see why. And take note of the picture taken at our local Walmart the other day. I will probably get sued for putting a picture of a child on the web without permission but it is way too hilarious to not share. The rain is here. I must go...and eat some more. Bye y'all!

We have such a huge praise!! Kyle has an interview for a great company on Thursday morning! Please pray! We want to surrender this to the Lord knowing that he sees the big picture. But this job has awesome potential!
This last weekend was filled with adventure... We went to The Williams chicken farm on Saturday where Kyle worked all day collecting eggs and dead chickens. They also fed us dinner and we were able to hang out with the boys and their wives. We have some new friends!! While Kyle was sweating all day I actually went to get my hair done. It was a scary experience but I think it turned out ok:/ Sunday we went back to Community Bible Church with Mike and helped him in the 5 year old class. The kids loved Kyle!
Everyday is definately a test of character so I stole that note from Amy Clarke from the sermon at Crossroads. I also read in John 15 today and want to abide in the Lord so that He will prune me in order to produce fruit. Sometimes I feel like he probably wants to throw my branch in the fire, but I know I'm a work in progress!! Love you guys.

A Lot to Learn

I am trying out a new app to post these pictures from my phone so we shall see if this post is successful.
I got a pedicure with Sherry, big deal these days because we are trying not to spend too much. We saw the bat mobile in Fort Smith the other day so that was weird. Wednesday I went to Bible study and heard Brother Bob at First Baptist of Alma. It was a very good message. Kyle and I went to Cracker Barrel tonight courtesy of my dear friend Sarah. My stomach is still full. It was too good! It was very hot today so we got 89 cent drinks at SAMs and went to Mikes pool. I had an interview with Starbucks yesterday and that actually went pretty well...I think...so we shall see.
The biggest thing I'm learning this week is to REALLY pray in faith and know that God is going to answer and give direction. He shall supply all that we need. And it doesn't matter how hard we kill ourselves trying to find jobs. He will provide what is best in His right time because that is what we have been praying. These seem so elementary like i should have learned this already... Im a little slow I guess. Good thing God still loves me. Oh and also I have learned that I am not very good at following I Corinthians 13:4-7 with my dear sweet hubby Kylo so to memory these verses I have committed. These experiences really bring out the good, the bad, and the ugly.:/ But therefore room for growth! Love everyone sooo much! Thanks for still reading!

It's going to be a great week! It's all about attitude!

We are full swing in week 3! Job update- I had a second interview with Tankersley for the accounting spot yesterday. The only thing the VP wanted to ask me about was why we wanted to move out here to Arkansas, and why I didn't want to teach anymore. I kind of got the feeling they are too baffled by my overall decisions to hire me. Well their loss. Sorry I'm in quite a sassy mood these days. We just got back from a job fair in Fort Smith. We were super excited when we heard about it!! We got all spiffy, and ready to bag us some jobs. Now I just have to say I don't understand why they even have job fairs anymore if they say the application process is all online and they just hand you a paper with the web address. "Would you like a resume?" "No you can attach that online with your application." So I don't get it, just an excuse to sit around all day and eat hot dogs from the food vendors and pass out pens I guess.

Sunday was my 29th birthday! Thank you those for the calls and gifts! You made me feel so special! It was a great day. We went to this AWESOME church with Kyle's cousin Mike called Community Bible. We want to get involved as soon as possible. After that, we went to Starbucks, went to a little sandwich cafe and had a lunch with really small portions. Then Mike invited us for dinner, and they made us a wedge salad with blue cheese, delicious steaks, potatoes, asparagus, and corn. It was sooo good! They have the cutest dog ever, little Chloe, a tea cup Chihuahua. It was really encouraging to hang out with the whole family, and Mike is really networking to help us find jobs.

I am still learning the hard lesson of letting go, being patient for God's timing, and trusting that He will provide. There is a little old lady who is praying for us at Sherry and Donnie's church. She heard we needed jobs and that we also want to start a family soon. She was so encouraging, and sent scriptures to remind us to pray in faith. Another passage to commit to memory. "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." John 14:13-15
Well, here is something I enjoy doing with all this free time, making food look pretty, and taking pictures of it. Below is a delicious breakfast scramble, something we like to eat at home. Then, we countrified it, with gravy! You can put gravy on everything ya'll!

And the last picture of the day... a little miracle flew into our car today when Kyle was checking the mail before the job fair. That was one of God's gifts to us, a cute little butterfly. Actually it wasn't little, it was pretty big and black. Oh so fun.

Happy Friday Y'all!

So our accents are coming in this week. Just kidding not really. We did accomplish a lot by getting our car registered and getting our Arkansas driving liscence! Below you will see pictures of the courthouse in dowtown Van Buren where we had to go. We had to get our vehicle assessed (whatever that means) and we have to do it every year. The second picture is where Kyle ended up last night...the jail. Ok kidding again, it was the old jail from a long, long time ago.

So Ron (Donnie's brother) came home today from hauling meat across country, and sometimes he has overages so he brought us a huge thing of roast beef and corn beef. So we borrowed their meet slicer, and divided all the meet and froze it in portions! So exciting!



I also had my first interview today!! It was for a company called Tankersley. They are a food distribution center and trucking company. They deliver to grocery stores and schools, things like that. I went in to interview for the receptionist position, and now I am being considered for an opening in accounting!!! I would really like to work for this company, I have heard great things! I am just praying for God's will. I will find out Monday or Tuesday. I definately had a turning point this week. It was Wednesday night, after we ate Braum's ice cream, we went to walk on the track again. It was about 8:30 p.m. and the sky looked dark and stormy. By lap 6 we started hearing thunder and seeing the storm clouds move. Then it started sprinkling...we kept walking. It started pouring, so we started running. It felt so freeing. I just want to let go COMPLETELY and let the rain wash away my worry, fear, control, desire to work right now, and choose to be joyful no matter what. It reminds me of one of my favorite passages I have yet to master, but I want to SOO bad. " But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought now to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord." James 1:5-7
Thank you all for your prayers! Love you all so much!!!

Exciting Cook Adventures continue.....at Subway

It has been an eventful past few days!!! I have had issues with internet connections so that is why I haven't posted lately. We are currently sitting in Subway, thanks to gift cards, and they have a great wifi connection. It is pouring outside! I have never liked rain, but out here it is just different. It has been so dry, so you realize it is such a blessing from God that makes all things green and growing! I just LOVE animals, one of the reasons I wanted to move out here. Below I am feeding one of the horses watermelon rinds, one of their favorites. They salvate a lot while eating them, and it is green, so AWESOME!

This was Saturday, later that day, we got our first spat of rain. Kyle learned the hard way that people just do not use umbrellas out here. He took our umbrella out to meet his distant cousin Taylor to move a tree branch that was blocking the road. The lady neighbor totally made fun of him.

Poor little Beau, the dog, doesn't like the sound of thunder. We loved the name Beau for a baby, hhhmm maybe we will reconsider, or maybe not, he is a pretty cool dog, after he gets a bath. Above you can see a tree branch that fell on the porch from the storm, lucky bikes, just missed em!

Here is Kyle, I think he just looks like he belongs here doesn't he?! So we have been making friends, family mostly, some married couples, and Kyle's 19 year old cousin. The pictures below are our off road adventures in his pick up truck. He took us through some backwoods to show us some creeks. Of course we rode windows down...until I got hit in the face with a tree...ok it was some back back roads...so much fun though! And of course, loaded rifles and shot guns hanging out the window ready for a kill. I guess it really is like they show you in the movies!!!

The sound of the bugs are quite a comfort now, and last night the thunder sang a sweet good night lullaby. It was so awesome. Below you can see I made a new friend that found himself in the washroom. I totally would have kissed him if Sherry didn't tell me they give you warts. I don't think I would get a job with warts on my lips so I guess I made a good choice.

Sunday, we decided to head to Fayettville to check out the big mall. It did bring some of the comforts of home for me, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, so of course Kyle didn't feel the same. Kyle bought me a tank and sandles...for my birthday. Of course they were buy one get one for 1 cent. No joke, I love that sale!

This has been quite an adventure! Kyle is always so happy and has been such a rock. When I can get past the battles raging in my mind, I totally can't believe we are here, it is just so beautiful. This is definately a time of growth for me as I try to let go off control, which I HATE. But, God knows I need to give him the wheel. I'm so glad Kyle loves me through it, I guess he kind of has to because we are legally bound! HAHA. No really, he is such an amazing leader for our family. We have so much to be thankful for. New goal- enjoy being unemployed because that is where God has us today. Oh one last picture, last night Donnie and Kyle had to get on the roof to remove a big tree limb that fell. Donnie is pretty skilled with an axe on the roof. Love you all!

Hey All! We are still surviving the heat, but barely surviving being unemployed! Aaahh scary! We have one car and get to spend ALL day together! I figured Kyle would be sick of me by now, but he says he is loving it. Below is a picture of what I see when I walk outside each day. So cute!

For 4th of July, we went to Lake Fort Smith and enjoyed the scenery. It was pretty hot so we only sat outside for about 2 1/2 minutes, long enough to snap these photos.

Thursday and Friday, we have spent the best part of the day at the public libraries, using their Wifi and computers to apply for jobs and print applications. Below is a picture of us working hard at Fort Smith Public Library.

Today, we decided to check out the Alma Public Library because it is in town, and we are not wasting as much gas. It was a bit smaller, but we got the job done. Downtown Alma is very charming! Unfortunately Walmart has run out some of the small businesses. :(

Besides applying for 100 jobs a day, we do things like walk around the middle school track down the street, and get Braum's ice cream. Sooo good.

Another thing people told us about were the bugs...well the other night we had a close call. As we were driving home from the track. Kyle chuckled and said, "hey is that bug inside or outside haha." He proceded to point at the bug and realized it was inside. Kyle jumped so high his head hit the ceiling of our Yukon. He was about in my lap by the time we got home. I called him a wimp, but later we asked Sherry what kind of bug it was, and she said those kind actually bite. It was hilarious.

This is not the actual bug, this is a dead one we found on the track. I had to get the killer bug out of the car because Kyle was traumatized. We sure love everybody and hope this finds you doing well! Thank you for your prayers, please continue to pray that God would give us direction as far as career paths and just where specifically to settle. God is so amazing! I still can't believe He has allowed us to follow this dream. We definately go through moments of panic and fear, but God seems to make one of us strong when the other is weak. What a great team mate I have! GO TEAM COOK!

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21