Possibilites for the Future

Jon's brother George is really trying hard to get Jon on a new drill ship called the Ascension..It's being built in Korea, and if Jon gets this job, he will have to go to Houston for classes, then over to Korea to ride the drill ship back to the gulf of mexico. He'd probably be gone for about a month and half. I know that the Lord has something bigger and better planned for Jon and I, and I believe that this past year has been a season for us to draw closer to the Lord. I am stronger now than ever, and I know that if Jon gets this job, it is God's will. Going to Korea would be an awesome place for Jonathan to witness to so many lost souls, not to mention the lost souls on oil rigs! We should hear something this week. I ask that every person we know, pray that God's will be done in this situation, and to prepare Jon and I for what lies ahead.

Progress

I am happy to report that so far I have lost 4 lbs. and Jonathan 7. Our diet is going extremely well. We are both being very careful about what and how much we eat. I have high hopes for 2010. It seems like the last week, Jonathan and I have really dug into our Bible studying, and I feel so close to the Lord. It's amazing how different you will feel when you really focus on Jesus and not worldly things. Jonathan and I both look forward to getting home, getting comfy and opening up our bibles and starting our "talks".

*Thank you Lord for my husband and for the conversations we carry on about You. Thank you for allowing us to draw closer to you more and more each day.

Feeling the Effects of getting older

I think Jon & I are starting to feel what it's like to get older, especially since we started this diet and workout plan...Our diet has been going great...so far...We started on Friday, the 1st, and this weekend was full of good, healthy foods...The hardest thing for me has been the no Dr. Pepper and the snacks late at night. I love to have a bowl of cereal or something snacky right before bed. Jon has a problem with this too. And since we've been taking in smaller quantities at meals, his tummy has been growling big time...But he's stayed strong, and we are both doing well. I have decided to follow the food pyramid for our diet...The USDA has an awesome plan you can do online, that allows you to do meal plans, etc. They also have recipes for you to print off.

Exercising as a Neal = swollen knees and pulled back muscles

We have went walking almost everyday and we have turned the old barn pad in the pasture, into a basketball court. We played yesterday afternoon with Sheridan, Trish, Matt & Carrie Jo. Jonathan hurt his back, and I hurt my knee (the one that I have a torn ACL in) it is swollen today.

Happy New Year

Well, it's finally here...The last day of 2009. This year has passed us by so quickly! I always wonder what everyone will be doing for new years. We will be going to Nashville to my cousins house to celebrate Christmas & New Years with my dad's family, The Cogburn Bunch...We have done this for the past 5 years I know for sure...It's always a great time! We'll probably head back to Kirby before the New Year rings in. I hope that everyone has a great and blessed 2010!

The Blessings Of A Big Family

The blessings of a big family
are only seen by a few
A few of the chosen ones
that God has given this blessing too

The blessings are so numerous
it's hard to even start
to number or to name them but
they all hold a place in the heart

The heart of every person in a
big family is unique
it's uniqueness makes us special
and should not be critiqued

The memories that are made
are more precious than gold
from babies to weddings
from young and to old

From grandparents to grandchildren
and everyone in between
the many special relationships that are built
and could have never been foreseen

Thank you God
for my big family I will treasure
through the good times and bad
the memories could not be measured

Thank you God
for birthdays, simple get-togethers and even the tears
for I pray that these blessings
last many, many more years

To have a big family
can be a lot of work, not just play
but life is too short
so I THANK GOD FOR MY BIG FAMILY TODAY!

Looking forward to 2010

I have decided to start this blog for 2010 to help me get some thoughts and ideas off of my brain. 2009 has been a very interesting year for us. First, in February, Jon lost his job offshore and was laid off for 6 months. The Lord provided for us in ways we could never have imagined during this time. Then in August/September, Jon got a job at the rock quarry south of Kirby. He got laid off from that job the first of December. It has been rough, I can't lie about that, but we have both found that there are things that we can do with out. It's hard letting go of those "material" things, but we have done it. I have found for a fact, that when you start living your life for the Lord with your whole heart, things start to get tough. Satan doesn't like it when we surrender our all to Jesus, so he does everything he can to weaken our faith. Right now, we are trying to find Jonathan another job offshore. We are praying that it be God's will though. If offshore isn't where God wants Jon to go, then so be it. We are leaving it up to the Lord to show us the way.

I know that people wonder all of the time "why haven't Jon & Katie had a baby yet?" Well, that's another thing that we are putting in God's hands. We want children more than anything right now, but we also know that we have a God that knows what's best for us. I know in my heart that I am destined to be a mother.

Something big that's coming up for 2010 is a goal of weight loss. Jon and I both need to drop a bunch of weight. We have a plan and a goal. Starting January 1st, we start our challenge. My big thing is giving up Dr. Pepper & other soft drinks. I do not have a problem eating healthier. I actually love it, b/c it makes me feel so much better. I like cooking healthier too. It challenges me (since most meals at the Neal house consist of taters, gravy & fried deer meat).