third posting of the new year

if you have been following the saga of ben and chelsa then you will be happy to hear we have successfully completed our travels across the great state of iowa, across the country, even across international borders to our now home state of north carolina. although, it wasn't easy... and some times it wasn't even fun. however, we did manage to enjoy ourselves thoroughly as we caught up with "old" friends. i'd now like to give a shout out to shane and tara of ywam dayton and to lucinda a cute pregnant woman.
once in north carolina we were happy enough to take off our snow pants and jackets so that our skin could enjoy the vitamin d we now receive on a daily basis.

both chelsa and i have been as busy as bees during these first few weeks. i have been in-processing into the 82nd airborne and chelsa has found us an apartment, organized the apartment and is now in the process of buying herself a car. today we lugged our queen sized mattress up a gazillion flights of stairs; our new apartment is beginning to look like home.

i guess now is as good a time as any to make a huge (literally) announcement about chelsa and i... we are soon to be an aunt and uncle. my sister jocelyn and her husband gilby are pregnant with their first of ten children. congratulations you two! please pray for them as they transition into the world of dad and mom.

chelsa and i have a few prayer requests of our own. if you can only pray for one thing pray for us to reconnect with god. we have been distracted from him and can feel it physically, emotionally, and spiritually.


2. that we would find a church family that would help us grow closer together and closer to god
3. chelsa could find a car to fit her needs
4. ben as he attends airborne school in feb
5. that we would have an impact here in north carolina

New Year's Resolution

While I have never been into making a resolution I was excited for what the New Year might bring. My excitement was thrown out the window yesterday. My brother and I drove to the Cedar Falls Rec Center so that we could enjoy a man killer of a workout. To our surprise, and downright disbelief, the Rec Center was closed due to mechanical failure.
How about that? For all of you who were discouraged yesterday with the lack of facilities to get that beach bod you have always wanted I want to encourage you. You can break out of the Holiday eating funk you may have been in. You can shed those unwanted pounds. You will be able to see your toes again and climb that flight of stairs.
But if you are waiting for motivation to workout you will never get it. I promise you that day in and day out you will not be motivated to workout until you are actually working out. Enjoy the free advice and have a wonderful 2008!

And We're On the Road Again in 2008!!!

Hi Friend's & Family!

CHELSA : We had genuine intentions of sending out a Christmas 2007 update to you all, really, seriously we did. For those of you who braved trying to keep track of us and even sent us your Christmas letters in the mail....THANKYOU we loved getting them!!! I know we've passed out too many addresses in the past 6 months to keep track of......sooner than later we'll have a more permanent (we use that term lightly) one YAY!!!!! Today we are packing up and are ready to "pop smoke" (I think that's army lingo for leaving here). But Ben - being the great guy he is - had you in mind first! He said we couldn't get on the road until we first did this update :)

BEN : I guess when I said, "We can't leave until we do an update" I meant, "We can't leave until you do an update." Alas, I am finally writing on the blog.
After a long hard drive to Iowa from Texas we were finally ready to have some R and R over the Christmas break. We spent Christmas at my families house and enjoyed every minute with my Mom, Dad, Siri, Jeff (her boyfriend), Jocelyn, Gilby, Danny, and Samson (Gilby and Jocelyn's dog). We also had guest appearances from my Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle David, Aunt Nancy, and her two daughters.
Heading into the New Year I was a groomsman at Brian and Kate's wedding. Their wedding was awesome and was a great chance to see all my friends one last time before Chels and I leave for the NC. (look for their pictures soon on Sacred Moments!)

CHELSA : The above picture is of us & Danny in the middle of dancing, hence the crazy lights and even a bit of sweat on Danny's brow....Kate and Brian your wedding rocked our socks off!!

BEN : And that brings us to today. We are leaving for NC and we won't be back for awhile. It is exciting and scary at the same time... mostly we can't wait to be there.
I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and New Year. Until next time...