Changing with the Season!

Not only are the leaves changing and falling from the trees this time of year but for us the last couple of months have been filled with changes in just about every area of our lives!

First, Emerson should arrive just about any day.  We are all super excited to meet her and welcome a new little one into this world.  Evan and Eden are both going to be great helpers with her!  Especially Eden, who already thinks her job is to mother Evan...can't imagine what she will do when Emerson is born!

Here is a picture of Miss Emerson at 35 weeks!

Second, Eric and I both have totally changed our career paths and couldn't be happier.  I am working as the Director at Heart of Hope Pregnancy Center part time and getting to spend lots of time at home with my kiddos.  As of August, Eric is the Lead Pastor at Shannon Oaks Church.  We are still in awe at God's plan for our life.  God has been working in our hearts for a couple of years and now to see it all come about is truly amazing!

Welcome to Shannon Oaks!

Third, we are back living in the city and could not be happier.  With all of our new changes we really felt God leading us back into town and into a neighborhood.  We want to be surrounded by our community, get involved with our town and get to know our neighbors.  Evan and Eden are enjoying living much closer to their grandparents, getting to spend lots of time playing outside and taking evening walks around the neighborhood.  Also, being just a few minutes away from most everything in town has also been a huge blessing!  

Our Country Home....right after it SOLD!  

Last, I thought I would include a few pictures of the kids over the last few months!  Just as everything else in our life has changed...so have they.  They are really starting to grow up!  

 Our trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama

Inside a Shark's Mouth (New Orleans) 

 Evan's 3rd Birthday Breakfast

 Halloween Pumpkin Carving

 Evan's First Duck Hunt

We couldn't be happier about all of our changes this Season!  We hope each of you enjoy the Fall Season and all the new adventures it will bring about!

Country Life

Sometimes when you live in the country...You find a slithery surprise on your front porch!

Thankfully, I have a brave husband who always comes to my rescue!

Change....Is in the AIR!

Lots of things are changing around here...

And we could not be more excited to see what God has in store for our family!

For the past 8 years, I have been an ESL Kindergarten teacher.  I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to work with these kids, see them grow, see them change and see their love for learning and life.  But, now it is time for me to leave teaching and move on to other things that God has planned for me.  With two little ones at home and another one due in December, I know the best place for me right now is being at home more with my little ones.

Also, Heart of Hope will be opening on June 4th and this will give me more time to devote to the center.  We will be open a few days during the week to assist women who are looking for pregnancy resources.  I am excited to see what GREAT things God has in store for the center and our community!

On a lighter note!  Evan got a little change too!  Check out his new haircut...He could not be more excited to have his haircut like some of his older friends.  We love your summer burr!

  

Eden's Easter Secret

Eden had a BIG announcement on Easter Sunday and from the pictures...it looks like she is not to happy about it; however, both of our kiddos are very excited about a new BABY! 

Eric and I could not be happier either.  We went to the doctor this week and saw the heartbeat.  I am 6 1/2 weeks along and due around December 4th.

God has blessed us already with 2 beautiful children and we are overjoyed to bring another little one into this world!  

Psalm 127:3

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.   

A Double Whammy!

Since January,

Eden rode in an ambulance from Mt. Pleasant to Dallas!

Eden stayed in the hospital for 3 nights!

Eden got a staph infection in her mouth...from a clothes hanger!

And...

Evan got his tonsils and adenoids out!

Evan stayed in the hospital for 2 nights!

Evan quit snoring at night since his HUGE tonsils were gone!

We have had two hospital stays since January but we have came home healthy.  

We saw and meet people who don't get to come home healthy and some who never come home again!

We meet nurses and doctors who LOVE what they do!

We were cared for by one of the BEST children's hospitals around!  

And we are THANKFUL to our Heavenly Father for protecting and taken care of our babies!  

Where God leads...I will follow

Want to know a new passion in my life?

Well, it has a lot to do with this...

A few weeks ago, I was selected as the director of Heart of Hope: A Pregnancy Resource Center.  

When I first heard about the center, I was very interested.  I knew God has been calling me to this for some time, but there was not a resource center in Sulphur Springs so I was not sure what to do.  You see, God has given me a heart for these women.   I want to show them He cares, I want to show them His love and, most of all, I want to show them that He believes in choosing life for their unborn child.  I want to help give them the resources to be a GREAT mom or the resources to CHOOSE the perfect adoptive family for their child.  Either option, I want them to know that God is the Giver of life and He has a plan.  Sometimes His plans are far different than ours but I want them to know that He is a gracious and loving God and He does want the best for them!  

Two and a half years ago, God had a plan!  A bigger plan than I could have ever imagined.  

Two and a half years ago we adopted our first child, Evan.

Two and a half years ago Evan's birthmother chose life!

Two and a half years ago she put her needs aside and chose life for my baby boy!

To her, I am FOREVER thankful!  She gave me one of the best gifts a mommy can ever have.  At her young age she was stronger than I will probably ever know.  She loved him more than I will probably ever know. And for me and my husband, she chose life!  She chose us to be his Mommy and Daddy!  And no matter where we are in life,  she will always be in our heart!  

So, now you can see why this center is so important to me!  

If you are wondering what we will do, let me give you a little information.  When a women comes in, we will give her a free pregnancy test and one free sonogram.  We want her to see the baby, see that the baby has a heartbeat and the baby is already living inside of her.  

Then, if the women is willing, we will offer several other services.

Parenting classes

Nutrition classes

Bible study classes

Financial Classes

Post Abortion Counseling

We will award the her with "Mommy bucks" when she attends the classes.  With her "Mommy bucks," she can take it and buy items for her and her baby at the Baby Boutique.

Our Center is not only for pregnant women.  We will have classes for Dads too!  We want the dads to get involved and be just as big of a part in this as the women.  The dads are welcome to join the moms for all their classes and also we plan to have a mentoring program for them as well.  Dads can also get "Daddy bucks" to buy items for the baby.  

We also want to reach out to the extended family whenever they are willing! 

At the moment, we do not have a building for our organization but we are praying that God will show us where He wants us to be.  We know He has the perfect building picked out just for us!  

If you would like to volunteer please contact me at mandylgodwin@yahoo.com

Right now...our biggest need is prayer!  Pray that God will show us where He wants us to be, pray that God will give us the financial resources to run our center, and pray that God will place other people in our lives who have a heart for our ministry!  

God is working and just like I mentioned earlier...God has a plan far bigger than I can imagine!  

...Under his wings you will find refuge. Psalm 91:4

4 Eyes

Doesn't she make one very cute little secretary?

She is doing what she loves...writing with a pen while eating sushi in her pretend glasses!

Gotta LOVE that sweet face!