A "Catch up" on the happenin's at the Lain house...

Hello all,

I'm terribly sorry that I haven't been more faithful with updating my blog. As most of you know (who've looked at my Mom's blog) we haven't had a computer for a while because it's been broken with a virus. Those nasty things get ahold of your computer and you can pretty much kiss it goodbye for a while. But now we're back in business and that's all that matters :D!
I hope that all of you have been well and that God blessed you during this holiday season. We were sorry that we weren't able to come "home" for the holidays, but we have another engagement next week in Lakeland so we will be coming down then. Our Christmas was a good one even though we weren't with all the family and friends that we wished we could've been with. It was good to have a good, quiet Christmas though. I hope that all of your Christmas' were as good as ours.

We are still pretty busy most days. Dad is out of school until the middle of January(here we come hunting season), but he still works as the custodian at FBC here in G'ville. He is also pastoring a small church in Hartford, AL. It is good experience. We are all excited about his upcoming graduation in May! Please pray for us as he will be taking (I think that it is) 16 hours.
Mom is homeschooling and ministering to everyone she comes in contact with. I'd say that my Mom's and my biggest ministry is the Piggly Wiggly here in G'ville (Mrs. Stokes, You have to come up and go to the "Pig" with us :o). For Christmas we made a tray of goodies for the workers. They loved it!!! It felt good to give something so small but have so much appreciation for the act :o)!

I'm kinda slackin' on the studyin' right now...with the holiday who wants to study??? (Especially Math and Science! Blah!!! lol). Pretty soon I'll be able to start training my horse, Taco to ride. He'll be 2 yrs. old in April and that's when I'll jump on him :D.lol. Next month softball season starts and since this is my senior year, Mom and Dad decided I could play. I'm excited and hope that I can share Jesus with my team mates. Please pray for me as I'm sure all of you know it's hard to stand against the world's influences and be strong for Christ. Oh! By the way! Tim Tebow is GREAT! And I hope that the Gators will win the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!! GO GATORS!!!( Sorry! I'm a Gator FANATIC!) (and a TIM TEBOW NUT!!!)

Hunter is always up to some sort of project. He's still loving the woods. Just the other day he shot a nice little spike. Every oppurtunity we get, us kids go outside and play football. (To keep Hunter in shape. lol) Our whole family enjoyed the football season so much! Hunter did good. The G'ville Tigers football season ended and they were 10-2. They made it to the playoffs but we lost the first round by one touchdown. Heartbreaking, but God's will.

Jacob is now following in Dad and Hunter's footsteps trying to be the deer slayer of the family. Just the other day he also, killed a nice little buck. We are all proud of him. He still loves to read and makes sure he takes a book every time he goes to the woods. Now a big 13 year old..."He's the man." lol. He also enjoys football (which of us Lains doesn't :D).

Hope is growing up and has spunk. We share a bedroom and sometimes she resents "older sisters" authority, but for the most part we get along pretty good. Hope enjoys playing football outside just as much as the rest of us. She's now begging Dad for her first "real deer hunt". Dad took the kids on a camping/squirrel hunting trip and Hope bagged her first squirrel. She was one happy camper.

Jedidiah is one tough little kid. When you put him on a task, he doesn't stop. He's very strong willed and determined. Jed, Mal and Hope enjoy being "partners in crime" and love to have those "giggle sessions." You know...when you just CAN'T stop giggling :D. Jedidiah loves to do anything outside and also, loves the game of football and he loves hunting. Jed also bagged his first squirrel on the camping/squirrel hunting trip.

Malachi is definitely the baby of the family and gets jealous when other little kids want Mom to hold them. He enjoys the "normal Lain hobbies" (hunting, fishing and football). He just turned 7 on the 21st of Dec. Ever since his birthday he's been calling Mom, "Mother". It's so funny to listen to because he is the baby and always will be, but he's growing up.

We now also have two dogs. Henry and Mandie. We bought Henry in July and then we decided that Henry needed a "wife" so we bought Mandie about 2 weeks ago. She is our cutest Christmas present ever!!! They are both Boston Terriers and the kids love chasing them around the yard. Henry gets jealous every now and then but I think he's decided he'll just have to love Mandie. lol

I don't know how many of you heard that I was given the oppurtunity to go to New York City on a missions trip this summer. It was a wonderful experience and I'll post pics and such soon. It was totally a God thing. I'll tell you all about it next time! I love you and I pray that God blesses you during this New Year that we are approaching! Whoa! 2009 already!

~Ashley~