Thursday, November 02, 2006

Winter is coming! November 2, 2006


Jaiden Claire Keeter enjoys her new slide!











The temperatures are dropping in Texas and we are beginning to enjoy (well, some of us) the cooler weather that the South has to offer.

We've been experiencing 40-75 degree days here in Coppell, TX and it seems to only be getting cooler. Praise God!!! (Are we all not rejoicing here?!)...

I love the feeling of waking in the morning and you actually hesitate to emerge from underneath the covers because as you start to lift the blankets,
a chilly breeze seems to find its way right to your warm body! I love it! (Until I realize that I actually do have to get up)!

There has been so much happening in the Keeter and Kent families. First, the Keeter side: Mr. Aden Sr. and Carol have purchased their Montana, mountain property for retirement! I was fortunate to be able to join them on their last trip out West and I got to experience firsthand what they will be doing for the rest of their lives. It was breath-taking. Oh, and a sidenote, they DO have an apartment attached to their garage...they do not know I am disclosing this information, but if you find that they do not return your calls while they are living amidst God's glory, well, just fly out there. I'll find out where the key will be hidden and keep you posted (he he he)...

Scott, Kristin, Chloe, and Emma are all anticipating the arrival of their baby sister/brother in April. Kristin is looking beautiful as ever and is finally getting a little relief from the troublesome morning sickness! She is continuing to try to keep her business up and running (www.cocoandems.com) during the pregnancy and is keeping incredibly busy with the girls (could we expect anything else from this incredible woman?!) Let's all keep that family in our prayers~

Miss Lisa is continuing her career in real estate business and seems to be doing quite well. She also joined us on our recent trip out west. She did officially name the mountain that Mr. and Mrs. Keeter own as "Mt. Lisa." However, I don't know if that city girl is going to be able to handle the mountain weather, so I'm sure she won't be stealing that aforementioned apartment. That's one less fist in the fight!

Now the Kent side: My sister Jenny has relocated to the Minneapolis, Minnesota area with her two girls. Please keep them in your prayers as they begin a new adventure in a new city. The girls will be cared for by a nanny which is a blessing for Jenny as she will no longer have to have them in a daycare setting. Jennah (the older daughter) is actually attending a prep school a couple of days a week and really seems to be enjoying it! While her younger sister Abigail is thoroughly enjoying spending time with her baby dolls. And as for Jenny... she's in love with one of my best friends, John Vande Castle. (Sure, she's going to immediately call me and reprimand me for saying so publicly!). She can call, but she can't complain; I'm the matchmaker after all! She is also in the start-up phase of her own little marketing company...stay tuned for details!

My twin sister Jessy has rapidly moved up in her company (Express Personnel). She is also becoming active in her church and has joined the choir (we can all make a joyful noise, right?!). Landon is doing well in Sunday school, too. He earned his first patch for memorizing Acts 10:38! His first Bible verse memorized with pride! He attends a class on Wednesday nights (called "Rainbows"). When he's 6, he will graduate to Religious Rangers. How sweet! Jessy and Landon will be coming down for a visit shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday. We are excited to spend time with her son Landon as well. Grandpa Kent seemingly has a calendar of events already scheduled for the visit!!! 5K races, parades, picnics...what else would you plan when it's going to be in the mid50's? (Insert sarcasm emoticon here please)...

My parents have been enjoying some of the benefits Leslie's job has to offer and have traveled a little together. Leslie works incredibly hard and is such an asset to her company, but is starting to finally be able to enjoy the flexibility of working from home. She's going to be in better physical shape than all of her kids...but more power to her, I say! Pops is continuing his Forrest-Gump-like lifestyle and seems to be running every time we turn around. He has another half-marathon this weekend. So lets cheer him on (and be glad it's HIM running this race and not us)! I guess he's got the right mindset, though, as God's word tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." Trust me folks, he usually takes home a prize, too! Even if it is a miniature 1st place trophy made out of plastic, that has a runner on top that resembles anything but a runner! Keep up the hard work, Pops!

We are continuing to search for our mountain property and are beginning to narrow it down to a few locations. It's a difficult decision to make; the entire state is gorgeous, I presume, and we are going to be retreating there for quite some time! We will be prayerful in our decision and God will more than likely reveal himself to us and His plan before we know it!

Well, as for now, those are the family updates. We are so truly blessed, aren't we?! 2 Thess-alonians 1:3 comes to mind when I think of my blessing that I have through each of you: "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers (and sisters), and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing."

I hope that through all of the new adventures and trials that may (and will!) come our way in the days/weeks/months to come, we all continue to keep our faith grounded in Christ. The holidays always seem to be a prime time for Satan to creep into our lives, families, and marriages. We are easily distracted by the ways of the world and dwell on the 'earthly matters' and hustle and bustle that occur during this busy time of year....and I believe this family has the strength to come together during the holiday seasons and keep the focus on what matters most.

I would like to challenge us all to personally take a step back and a deep look at ourselves, to see what we could do for the others that surround us. There is something special about this Keeter-Kent clan and I believe that God is up to something big and has a pretty impacting Kingdom Assignment in store for us!

Speaking of Thanksgiving, we will be going to meet with Aden's side of the family for Thanksgiving 2006. We have not been able to spend an actual holiday with his family the past two years. Scott and Kristin and the girls will be joining us for a meal as well. I feel truly blessed to share such a wonderful family. And I feel even more blessed that I have been able to keep perspective on what it means to be given this family as well. This year has been full of miniature acts of kindness that have been impossible to forget. I have seemingly grown closer to each of you and it has been such a joy and honor each step of the way.

Please, this Thanksgiving, enjoy your holiday time off, enjoy your friends and family. I pray that we all remember what we are thankful for and as we indulge in delicious and bountiful meals together, remember that 2 Corinthians 4:15 reminds us "All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." Let us all be an example, wherever we may travel, whomever comes on to our path. We are truly blessed!

I will continue to pray that we all will be a Godly family as described in Acts 10:2: "He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly." and Galations 6:10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." He has given us such a promise and I cannot wait to accept his command: "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17.

May God continue to use this family and bless it as well. The weather is getting colder, but I am excited to be a part of this warm and endearing family.

Warm wishes to you all~
Jods








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