Hi!!

So our life has continued to be crazy and we feel like maniacs running around most of the time. But we're striving to stay focused on the Lord and the joy that He gives us in abundance and look for ALL the things we have to be thankful for.
Update:
During Fall Break we went to the Cincinnati Zoo and had a blast. I think we could have done anything together and had a blast, because we were all four together...a rare occurence these days. Noah was very fond of the gorilla and got a stuffed one and named him Kickess!!! Tucker picked a polar bear and named him Roar!!! haha
We had a great Fall Retreat with our youth last weekend. Noah and Tucker went (a college girl went with us to keep them) and they loved being at CAMP!!!
We can't believe how big our boys are getting. Noah is getting taller and taller and actually thinning out (those of you that saw him at birth..almost 11 pounds...probably have a hard time imagining him as thin)!!! He's still doing well in school. He's learning so much about letters and numbers...how exciting!! Our new bible verse this week has been Col. 3:9 "Do not lie!!" So you can guess what our temptations has been lately.
Tucker is saying new words and sentences everyday. He loves the MooMoos and Neighs on the way to his friend's house everyday with dad. He's started singing along with Crowder and Shane and Shane in the car. He is now the one doing most of the tackling to his older brother (which really shocks Noah)!!! When this happens, Noah's expression is priceless!!
Matt and I are constantly fighting for time with each other amongst the busyness, but God is so gracious to give us the time we need.
All for now.....

Bathtime

We want everyone to enjoy the craziness that occurs at the Gurney house!!

Call me "Slow Poke"

So I did complete the 5k and no walking!!! That was my goal. I beat my time from summer of '06 by 5 seconds!!! Any improvement is good, I guess. I ran it in 32 minutes 25 seconds. I can't wait to train now for a better time. I think there's another race in Frankfort the end of October. Hope everyone had a great Monday...ponder God's grace and goodness today and enjoy His presence in your life!!!

I'm Back!!

Sorry it's been so long since a Gurney post. Unfortunately there's not a lot of time for the internet these days. Well a brief update on us....teaching is going well (just taking it a day at a time). Tucker loves going to Kristy's house Monday-Thursday. He's talking so much and doing so many new things. He mocks everything that we are doing, it's hilarious. He loves to read books, sing songs, and play with the "ba ball." (That stands for football, baseball, basketball, big ball, etc.). Noah is still loving school. He's learning his letters, learning how to write them, and learning words that start with certain letters. It's so fun to see him interact with his friends at school. He had another stomach bug thing this week. I'm beginning to wonder if it's allergies b/c this is what he did last fall. I'm just glad his "bugs" only last about 6-8 hours. Matt is really doing great things at Central. The youth group is growing in quantity and quality. The junior high ministry has gone from 6 to 25!! The senior high ministry went from 1 small group to 6!!! There are definite challenges, but that comes with anything. He continues to have a strong desire to preach the Word to these students even if others seem to want him to entertain them and babysit. Matt's suffering from a knee injury this week, so pray for that. I'm doing great. Actually running in a 5k tomorrow morning!! I have a friend that I've been running with for a few months and we're doing it together in downtown Lexington. I'm loving the small group of girls that I'm leading (9th & 10th graders). I'm really seeking to foster such huge accountability for them and a love and wonder for God's Word. I do feel quite chaotic most of the time with everything we're juggling, but, again, we take it one day and step at a time by His grace!!! Love you guys!!

Pain is relative

Life doesn't always turn out like you thought it would, does it. We all face struggles and pain a lot. We seem to keep hearing of so much that is happening in the lives of our friends. And for one friend in particular, it would seem that 19 years of life is the season that God appointed for him. Our friend and former student at Christ Covenant in Raleigh dove into Falls lake Saturday and hit (they think) a submerged rock. He was floating in the water for at least a minute face down, without oxygen. Without replaying all of this story, I am reminded again that death puts life into perspective. I have seen and believe I will continue to see God work in the midst of all this pain and suffering. He has definitely used it in my life. He has used this in so many others for His glory and to secure our joy in Him more deeply. We have friends that are struggling with kids, relatives that struggle with sexual sin, family members who have chronic pain and suffering. I bet most of you do too. This has been probably the most painful 2 months of my life and yet I am begging God for mercy each and every day. I am studying the Scriptures not for facts but for God Himself. I have seen my life is a vapor and I have been to led to a quiet place of dependence on my Father. This is not our home and I will not love this world more than the true one that God will bring about. May I suffer well for the glory of my King.

ONE WEEK DOWN!!

Thanks for all your prayers!! I survived my first week of full time preschooling!! Noah survived his first two days!! He struggled a little on the first day b/c he was so overwelmed. That was very hard for me to see the small fear in his eyes, but he adjusted and he actually cried on Friday afternoon b/c we had to leave school!!! Good grief....I can't win!!! :)
So after getting to spend two days at the most between meeting and such getting my room together I felt somewhat prepared when Thursday came. The first day with my precious class of 12 4 year olds was challenging and choatic, but all went well!! I would say dismissal was the most hectic part and then they were gone!!! Friday felt much better to me. I've got my daily schedule worked out and let me tell you, when you fit in two snacks, lunch, and a hour and a half naptime everyday, there's really not that much time to instruct them. And lesson plans for 4 year olds is much easier than 3rd graders!!! My kids are cute - 6 boys and 6 girls. Definitely lots of energy in the room that I will spend a lot of time focusing, but I think once we get in a routine I'm going to love it.
Tucker's care is still being worked out, but we have a couple of options. Pray that those details will fall into place and I would trust the Lord with them.
We do feel a little crazy taking all this on, but we think that things will settle and we'll get into a routine. Between Matt being in MS, 3 teacher workdays, 5 piano lessons, meet the teacher night, 3 different baby sitters, and matt preaching 3 times, this week has had a little going on. Not every week will be like that (right?), so while we adjusting keep lifting us up!! Love you guys!!

Tomorrow!!!

So school starts tomorrow for Noah and I. He will be in a 3 year old room. Ms. Wendy is his teacher and he's very excited. Going 5 days a week will be hard I'm sure, but I know he'll adjust!!! I have 12 4 year olds so far (can have up to 14). We had a "Meet the Teacher" night last night. It went well and my kiddies are adorable!! I can't wait to get to know them! I, also, can't wait for my routine with this job to really get going. It still feels alittle crazy, but God is most glorified in our weakness!!!!