Catching Up

We've been quite busy this spring with visiting family and friends. Jayna's mom came out from Oregon in April, and shortly after she departed, Kurt's sister and brother-in-law, Kristin and Buck, came for a visit with three interns from their ministry, Teens for Christ. Just after Mother's Day, Kurt's mom came for the week and had her hands quite full as we were in the middle of house-hunting. We were so thankful she could be with us and was such a help and blessing with Madeline! Here are some pics of recent visits:

Maddie shares her Bible Story book with Uncle Buck and Salim

"Salim, save me from Uncle Buck!"

L-R: Kristin, Jayna, Madeline, Kurt, Buck (Bobo the clown called, he wants his pants back)

L-R: Salim, Madeline, Jayna, Katherine, Kurt, Simon

Auntie Kristin and Madeline have one last cuddle

At the WWII Memorial

Grandma and Madeline

Madeline has quickly mastered the art of running

See Madeline? As you can tell, Grandma is a natural teacher

Grandma, Madeline and Kurt

Grandma, Jayna and Madeline before we have to say good-bye :-(

We almost have a home!

It's amazing how quickly things can come together when God is in control. At this time last week we had seen about 16 properties in one day, but nothing was right, which was a bit discouraging as we are in a time crunch. On Monday our friend and realtor, Jesse, took us to another property within DC limits in a neighborhood called Deenwood, and we seem to have found our house! We started negotiations on Tuesday, and the seller finally accepted our bid on Friday. The house was inspected today, and though we will be asking for a certain dollar amount for a few more immediate fixes, it shouldn't be too difficult to nail down. You can be praying with us about that! A closing date hasn't been decided, but we will probably be moving within 6 weeks or so. We won't have pics in the immediate future, but here are some details:

• The house was built in 1947 (just 5 years after Jayna's parents were born!)
• It is a semi-detached brick home
  
• Living room, kitchen, dining room, and family/play room on the main level
• Fully finished basement with a full bathroom, laundry room, and bonus room
  
• Three bedrooms and bathroom upstairs
• Fun fact: The current owner has a baby boy, so our next baby's room is painted and ready to go!

Yes, our machine of change is picking up speed. Kurt finished his last day on staff at CHBC on Monday, and he starts his new job back on the Hill on Monday. Forward we go!!! As Jayna likes to say, "We're just riding the wave...."

P.S. Would the Snyder men like to come out and build our 'dream garage'?

Fond Memories of Lousiville, KY

We've been back for a week now from our roadtrip to Louisville, KY. We had such a great time of fellowship, mainly with Aimee and Steve W., and Brad and Erin W., along with their great kiddos! We were greatly blessed by their hospitality, and hugely encouraged on many different levels. Below you'll find pics from our time there

This pic is of Madeline sleeping on the way to Louisville. We wish we could say the 10 hour drive back was so serene

Louisville Memories: Aimee and Steve

Double Date Night with no kids! An evening to remember from our entertaining waiter, a violin serenade, and the world's best icecream at Graeter's! L-R: Aimee, Steve, Kurt and Jayna

Fun on the swings!

Maddie's friends: Graham and Zach

Zach poses with the Bible of Charles Spurgeon

Kurt and Steve with the kids at SBTS

Louisville Memories: Brad and Erin

Brad and Page with a local fire truck at Starlight Custard. Brad's dying for his turn to sit in the driver's seat.

Page, William, Madeline, Maggie

Madeline's first REAL haircut at the Cookie Cutter!

William loves his blanket so much, he eats it...

Don't mess with Erin on the scooter, she's serious business

Let's go find some ducks!

The ducks have been found!

Mama Erin and William

Where are we now?

After much prayer and many closed doors, the Lord has seen fit to keep one door open, and we have decided to walk through. Kurt will start a new job with a congressman as Press Secretary starting May 22. The change has happened quickly, but we continue to trust God in His goodness and direction. As soon as he is registered and able, Kurt will also begin classes through Southern Baptist Theological Seminary online, along with classes on a satellite campus at our church starting Jan. 2007 (Lord willing).

Our greatest concern (and prayer request) is finding a place to live. We are able to stay in our current residence through July 2, but we are on the house hunt now. We are praying for wisdom as whether to rent or buy, and where to even do one or the other. The commute can be pretty bad out here. We just happen to live in an area in competition with New York and California for highest cost of living. If one tries buying on Capitol Hill, you would be looking at $500,000 for a fixer-upper, for example (we definitely won't be trying that).

As of right now, Kurt has committed two years with his new job, and then we'll see where to go after that. We covet your prayers as we wait to see how God will help us work through all the logistics!

Buckle up everybody. I've got a BABY BROTHER on the way!