a dab of paint

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2011-12-17T16:56:00.000-05:00

It seems like our time here is flying by...
We have lived in Massachusetts for seven months tomorrow... we have five left. I'm sad to think about that.

The weather has changed dramatically since we moved. Back in May it was 70's-80's, the summer brought warmer temps not rising above 95... ha ha ha- I still am amazed. October 27th we had our first nor'easter- how do I know the date? B/c it was Jonathan's birthday. A nor'easter is like a hurricane mixed with snow... aka a wintercane :) The weather has been fluctuating between 55 and 28 since- with a nasty, cold, bitter wind. This weekend the low is 30 during the day and 16 at night. Helloooo Jack Frost.

Enough about the weather... since moving in May, Jonathan lost 40 lbs and I've lost 33 (I still want to lose more).

July | My wonderful little sister came to visit us for the weekend of July 4th! We had a marvelous time beginning with an impromptu drive to Maine for "lobsta".

I had the "lobstah roll" - it was delicious.

Jonathan had a "lobstah dinnah". This is where you follow the "how to eat me" directions listed on the tray, but your tray is so messy and full that you have to read it off your neighbor's tray.

D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.

We chose to eat outside.
We dined between two lighthouses. This area is known as Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

This is how I dreamed living in Maine to be.

July 4th in Boston...

After enjoying a day in Boston, we followed the crowds of people down to The Esplanade.

Lionel Richie was supposed to be the entertainment of the night, but due to vocal cord straining
he was replaced with Martina McBride.

We chose to sit in the lawn b/c the fireworks are not visible from "the oval". Next time... I choose the oval.

This is two hours before the show begins...

Sarah had to get back to NYC before the show began.
She was able to enjoy the show 2 yrs ago when she was spending the summer in Boston.

We had a French lady on my left, and a Chinese couple on Jonathan's right - This is America!

Watching the fireworks over The Charles River.

Happy birthday, America!

July continued | Jonathan and I spent the last two weeks of July in Szigetszentmiklós (St. Nicholas Island), Hungary. Our trip was not a "missions trip" but a trip for us focus on the direction we being led to take, and to soak up as much knowledge and wisdom as we could from missionaries David and Linda Fannin. The Fannins have spend 18 years in Africa and 12 years in Hungary. The time we spent with them was absolutely priceless. From the moment we arrived to the minute we left they poured their wisdom and guidance into us. We went looking for confirmation and God gave us much more. Dave and Linda's friendship/mentorship is a blessing in our lives.

While in Hungary we were able to take a train down to Pécs to visit our beloved friends from last year. We took a 8:00am train from Budapest to Pécs. This ride was supposed to take 2.5 hrs... it took 4. Since we only speak English and we didn't have a cell phone we ran into a few snags. 1) We did not know how to read our train tickets...therefore we sat in the wrong cart on the train. *First class* We did not pay for 1st class seats, luckily we were not sitting in someone's seat (we later heard we would have been yelled at). One could compare riding in a train in Europe to flying... you sit in the seat you paid for. But, we did not find this out until we got back on the train to Budapest, thanks for Richie. Needless to say, going back we sat in our assigned seats. This explained why our train attendant punching our tickets was so addled with us. 2) We scheduled to meet our friends at 10:30am in the middle of the city.. but due to the train sitting on the tracks for extended amounts of time we would not make this appointment. I was in tears. The attendant kept coming by and writing a new arrival time on our papers... 11:15, 12:30, 11:50. We made it! Got of the train and there was a new hurdle... 3) we needed a map. We had to get to the center of town. As we were asking for directions... Richie rides up on his bike! All was perfect- they knew the train would be late and they WAITED for us! We were overwhelmed with the hugs and kisses. It was the best day! It was sad leaving, I wanted to bring them back with me. I'm so thankful they are in our lives.

Pictures from the train ride...

Arrived in Pecs!

Richie, Jonathan, me, Szilvi, Krisztina, and Laci :)

Budapest adventures...

Jonathan was asked to speak on Sunday morning at Szigetszentmiklós.

The church meets in the town hall ... Christians were once questioned and persecuted for their faith here.

Sunday drive...

We visited with lovely sisters. Dave and Linda lived in their attic when first moving to Hungary.
Lovely hospitality and beautiful ladies.

We also visited Romania...

my favorite picture

The hotel we stayed in while in Romania...

Dave :)

Sunflower fields were everywhere... so beautiful.

as we left Romania.

Jonathan was asked to speak at Lake Balaton, Hungary.

Dave and Linda took us to a Serbian village outside of Budapest.

Jonathan and Dave

Dave and Linda

Roman Ruins

Jonathan's drink of choice... espresso :)

August | We flew from Hungary to NC. Spent a week in NC.

Sunni Skies!

Jonathan was ordained.

Returned back to Massachusetts and enjoyed Thursday evening cookouts with our Graham Hall family.

WHALE WATCHING out of Gloucester... we rode out 35 miles, saw 20 different whales!

Breaching.

August continues...

We took a bus down to NYC so I could take my North East Regional Dental Hygiene boards for MA in NYC at NYU (go figure). My patient was awesome...Uncle Charles. He flew up from NC and we all met Sarah in NYC- stayed with her in Hoboken.

While Sarah worked, Uncle Charles and I took the board, and Jonathan toured NYC...by foot.
Below are pictures he took ...

September | Jonathan started school. We had a huge clam fest on campus to start things off right. We went on our first apple picking trip with friends/families from the seminary.

Gordon Conwell's Annual Clam Fest- Kicking off a new school year!

I'm officially in love with New England Clam Chowder. (Campbell's Soup must have never tasted the real stuff)

Apple Picking @ Russell Orchards

Behold, the best apple I've ever tasted... Honeycrisp!

Pears.

Went inside and enjoyed fresh apple cider and cider donuts.

October | On the 10th a dear friend and mentor passed away, Missionary Dave Fannin. It was a total shock. He will be greatly missed. Please continue to pray for Linda and family.

Ms. Karron came for a visit! Jonathan enjoyed a week of no class. We love reading weeks!

Jonathan and Ms. Karron on a duck boat tour of Boston (I was at work).

We celebrated Jonathan's 26th Birthday! And we had our first Nor'Easter.

This photo was taken on Bridge Street (st behind campus)
For Halloween they go all out here. This is an example- every year this house uses haystacks and
displays a different Disney movie. This year... Alice in Wonderland. I was impressed.

November | I received my license in the mail certifying me to practice dental hygiene in MA!... after a long grueling process.

Reading week #2: James and Emmy came to visit. We all went to see Noel Gallagher in concert

at Wang Theatre in Boston.

Christmas is coming to Boston!

James and Emmy

The Old North Church.. found in Little Italy

The beautiful Wang Theatre

This was by far the BEST concert ever.

Thanksgiving Day | We spent our first holiday away from family. Thanksgiving morning we went out in pursuit of watching the annual Myopia Fox Hunt. We were not disappointed. For lunch/supper we went over to Andrew and Amy's home with another family. We had a lovely day full of Thanksgiving.

The crowd gathering... there as even more on the opposite side of the field.

Release of the Hounds...

Below is a link to learn more about the art of fox hunting...

No foxes were harmed in the event... they don't hunt for foxes, rather they follow the scent of anisette.
It doesn't make a lot of sense but it's tradition. A lovely site of tradition.

The first group jumped.... this is the second group. We followed them to another field and watched them parade around before meeting up with the rest of the hunt.

More great pictures of past hunts. and Here is an article from Wicked Local news source= great article.

December | Celebrated with a baby shower for Alison (our sweet Aussie neighbor). Jen hosted 20+ people in her apartment down on first floor. We had a blast.

Baby Girl Gerber is due Christmas Day. I can't wait to return to MA and meet her :)

Jonathan finished exams! Only one grade back so far... and it's looking good :)

Next stop.... NORTH CAROLINA! But, first... here is a little Christmas greeting from New England...

Lobster traps and buoys :)

Livin' on the North Shore

2011-06-26T16:17:00.001-04:00

It has been a little over a month since we moved to the north shore of Boston. We live in a very quaint area off I-95. 40 mins north of Boston- an area also known as Cape Ann. The big move was stressful, very stressful. It is not a drive we want to make again until it is time to move back home. We took two days to move, it was the best decision. We left Dunn at ten on Tuesday morning, spent the night in Trenton, NJ. Started the journey Wednesday morning at nine and made it to South Hamilton around four that afternoon. I'm so thankful for my dad, mom, sister and Jonathan's mom. We are so blessed to have loving and giving parents and siblings. From the start of it all to the end of the move they were there. My parents drove the Budget truck and the rest of us took the Camry. We arrived and began to unload...the nicest couples helped lighten our burden by lending their strength. It has been the best experience moving here, the people, the weather, the lovely scenery... the list is long.

Below are a sample of pictures from the move and the fun we have had...

(Our "last supper"... Homemade fried chicken at Jonathan's Granny's.. mmmm mmmm good)

(The packing... the sorting... and lots of crying...)

(I will never look at a moving truck the same way again..

Goodbye Cole Street...)

(Hello New York!)

(Lunch in Connecticut... a "local joint"- looks horrible but it was delish)

(Welcome to our building)

(campus)

(The men...)

(This was the sweet plate of goodies left at our door when we came back from a day full of touring!

- Thank you Mara and Jesse)

Although we sold half our our belongings prior to the move, I haven't missed a one of them. It is faces and food that we miss most. I brought my painting supplies and my sewing machine. I see several projects in the future, especially when the winter comes.

(Gloucester)

(Rockport)

(All the shops have window boxes with beautiful flowers)

Below are pictures taken during Memorial Day weekend... our venture in Boston...

(Thousands of flags placed in memory of fallen soldiers from Massachusetts)

(Freedom Trail)

(We stopped to check out the break dancers at Quincy Market)

Last weekend we ventured to Gloucester for the Dory Races- we didn't show up at the right spot, but this is what we saw instead...

(Lobster fishermen, it was so fun watching them retrieve the baskets and toss them back in)

(Row practice at Gloucester)

(My job)

Thank you for all of your prayers, we feel them and ask for you to continue. Stay tuned for updates...

Life's a changin...

2011-04-01T16:56:00.000-04:00

It is official... we are moving to South Hamilton, Massachusetts. (I have to spell check that everytime haha- seriously). Jonathan will be attentding Gordon-Conwell beginning May 23rd for a week long class. I am hunting for jobs. Sent in my first resume and cover letter last night. I would love to work close to our living quarters, considering the snow accumulation and driving hazards in the winter-spring months. BUT, we will be living within about 8 miles of the beach! I know, MA beaches are not NC beaches... but that's okay with me. If I can see, smell and feel the beach, I will be one happy camper. Another thing that excites me is the dialect, they say the word "wicked" a lot, I think that is so funny. (Wicked = really). Maine will only be 2 hrs away. NYC is only 4 hrs away which means my sister will only be 4 hrs away!!
Sarah was originally offered a position in TX but Bank of America had another plan and called her back and offered her NYC! She will be working smack dab in the middle of Manhattan! My poor parents. Currently, she's looking into living in Hoboken, NJ (Cake Boss is taped in Hoboken)!
Our last Sunday at The Journey is April 24th (Easter Sunday). Jonathan graduates from CUDS May 13th, Sarah graduates May 14th, we move out around May 20th.
So much going on... so much to do... having a great time in the process.
We know that whatever God has called us to do, we must do it... or else we will not be happy. And that is the truth.

Not enough updates...

2010-12-29T10:49:00.000-05:00

I have been absent from blogging. I am ashamed. I need to keep up with my blogging so that in time I can reflect back on what has happened in our journey. I think I depend on Jonathan's blogging to do this for me. But if I do not keep up with my thoughts, I will forget them.

In May, Jonathan and I, along with 3 other Campbell University students traveled to Hungary for a missions trip. Our destination was Pecs, Hungary (3 hrs south of Budapest). We would be working with high school students helping in English lessons/conversation. The students are not only Hungarian, but also Roma (Gypsy). The high school was formed about 15 years ago just for Roma students. The name of the school is Gandhi Gimnazium (text is in Hungarian). I would like to direct you to Jonathan's Blog- "Notes From The Journey". Below is the post from August 19th... it is a great place to begin so you will know where we are in life up to this point.

"Updates"

If any of you have been checking this blog, I apologize for the lack of updates. The past few months have been a whirlwind, to say the least, but I hope to begin writing consistently in the near future.

The latest item of business that one might consider newsworthy is related to my and Anna's mission trip to Pecs and Budapest, Hungary this past May. Our trip, which lasted approximately ten days, was an eye-opening venture in which we felt God's presence like never before, saw injustice first-hand, and were moved to the innermost of our beings with a compassion to serve the Gypsies (Roma). Having taken three months to process this experience, we are publicly acknowledging the possibility that God might be calling us to serve in missions.

Of course, this would be a major relinquishment for us, our family, and friends. We would be living thousands of miles away in (possibly) central or eastern Europe. Neither Anna nor myself have ever lived a significant distance away from relatives. Before this trip we planned to stay in North Carolina and serve a local church. But we have seen and are continuing to see that we are mere vessels in the hands of God. We are not telling him what we want nor are we saying "no" to his leading. Our answer has been and will continue to be "yes!" by God's grace. We are not saying that this turn of events is set in stone; we are letting you know so that you will be in prayer with us. Please pray that God will continue to lead us, stretch us, and use us in far greater ways than we can imagine. Pray that he will pour out our lives for his glory. That is our wish, whether in North Carolina or abroad.

So where does that leave Anna and me now?

I will finish the MDiv program at Campbell University Divinity School in May of next year. As I have planned for a great deal of time, I hope to continue my studying for one more year by earning a Master of Theology (the seminary/divinity school at which I will study is yet to be determined); however, I will likely concentrate in missions to prepare more fully for the task that might be ahead of us.
In the meantime, if you would like to help the Roma in Pecs, Hungary, you can do so by ordering a documentary featuring many of our friends. The proceeds will be donated to Gandhi Gimnazium, a one-of-a-kind residential school that gives Roma what they so desperately need: an appreciation of who they are.

Posted by JHAltman

Before Thanksgiving Jonathan received his letter from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary accepting him into the Master of Theology program at GCTS in South Hamiliton, Mass. I am very excited about the idea of moving to the "North Shore", but today I am also emotional, thinking this could be the last Christmas everyone lives in NC. I say this b/c my sister, Sarah, was offered a job with Bank of America in Texas. She accepted. Both Jonathan and Sarah will be graduating in May with their Master degrees!

I have researched to see if my NC RDH license will be accepted without having to retake a state board, and... it looks like all will transfer! This is a blessing. We are thankful that both our families are praying and supportive of our journey. This means more to me than I ever thought.
We are on the brink of a decision, praying fervently and daily that God will reveal HIS plan to us.

Uncle Kenneth

2010-04-12T06:46:00.001-04:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

Thankful and merry, with a chance of snow

2010-02-06T14:42:00.000-05:00

I have not blogged in several months. Shame on me! I am trying to use my blog as a journal and just for fun. I am including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and our January snow fall into one blog.

Since before Christmas I worked on a portriat for my Dad's clown character, Whitle-Do. Whitle-Do has been in my life for the past 16+ years. He is a seven year old "boy clown", and so much fun!

(above) This is Whitle-Do (as an elf) and me during Christmas.

...work in progress

final product!

I was so happy to be able to give this to the one man that has taught me everthing. My dad is so special to me, I honestly do not think he has a clue as to how important he is in my life. I am so thankful to have such a special, unique and loving father. He is not just my daddy but my friend. My Mother, Sister and Husband were all in on the secret. We had him to close his eyes so that the "gift" could be brought in. He had noooo idea... He kept saying, "No one has ever done this for me before!" haha. Yeah that's why I did it! :)

This Christmas was so joyful! Family gatherings to keep us busy all through the month of December. Jonathan and I had so much fun, two beautiful nieces and a handsome nephew (all under the age of 3), sisters and brothers, cousins,aunts, uncles and grandparents; who doesn't love family?

And then in January... IT SNOWED in DUNN, NC!

Coming soon is an addition to a family that I love so dearly! London Carter Hinson is due any day now. His mom (Jessica) and I have been friends since we were in 6th grade. We lived right next door to one another, went/go to the same church and were in the same classes in school. She married a wonderful man, Kevin. I am happy to say that now the four of us are best of friends. We can't wait to meet little London!

Give it plenty of room in your lives

2009-11-22T09:12:00.000-05:00

I love this verse from the Message Bible.
"Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."
-Colossians 3:15 (The Message)

growing up with a little less

2009-09-09T21:29:00.000-04:00

This week I had a patient who was new to the office, he recently married a current patient of ours and needed to have a regular six month cleaning. I introduced myself, welcomed him to our office and directed him to my operatory. Before he sat down he took out an upper and lower denture. This shocked me because this gentleman is only 41 years old. He has eight remaining teeth, 3 top and 5 bottom. I take them to the ultrasonic bath in hopes the years of tobacco stain would be removed. I hurried back to my room to finish up his x-rays and began his cleaning. (Yes even 8 teeth need cleaning).
This man was so humble and kind, his 6 year old daughter joined him today and waited patiently for him in the corner chair. As I clean his teeth, I find out that he grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountians of NC, his parents were both alcoholics. He lost most of his teeth within the past 10 years due to poor health care, both dental and medical. Oral cancer was removed twice from under his tongue and upper right gum tissue. He began smoking at the age of 10, currently smokes about 1/2 pack per day, has cut back from 1 1/2 packs per day. He was brought up only taking a bath 1 x per week, brushing his teeth 1 x per week, and wearing the same clothes for more than seven or eight days. What ever he wore to sleep in, he wore the following day to school and so forth. He knew that's not what other kids did, but his parents were not able to take care of him nor his siblings. He currently works/lives in the Garner area working a full time job. He moved from the mountains in order to provide a better life for his darling little girl (whose mother left when she was only 2 wks old). All of this tugged on my heart that I could not put in to words how I felt. As I cleaned his teeth I silently prayed for him and his daughter not knowing where or if they went to church then out of the blue, at the end of the appointment he told me how good God has been to him and his daughter, blessing him with a wife and her a mother.
Just another reminder to me how faithful God is.

"May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us." Psalm 67:1

2009-08-27T17:24:00.000-04:00

Check out Campbell Divinity's new Butler Chapel. It is so exciting and beautiful.

raindrops

2009-08-22T13:25:00.000-04:00

This is a quote I heard one morning last week while I was driving to work.
"A fruitful life needs the rain just as much as it needs the sun."
I shared this with my facebook friends, but I also want this to be in my journal so that I can reflect back days, weeks, or years to come. We all need to be reminded that there is a time and season for everything. God does not make mistakes. Nor does he assign you someone else's role in life. Be obedient and allow God to use you where you are, He knows where he placed you. We must trust and obey.

1 For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

standing on His promise

2009-08-16T16:06:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, August 8th, Jonathan (my husband of one year) became a licensed minister in the International Pentecostal Holliness Church (IPHC)! This was a very exciting day for both of our families and the other 10 couples being licensed. Dr. Doug Beacham prayed over us as well as spoke into our lives. As he asked the new ministers if they were committed to this work he then said, "You now live in a glass house, your windows and shades will always be up, and your doors have been made wide open." I know this is true as I was raised a preacher's kid.
When I was in high school I knew God had a plan for my life, and I felt strongly that I was going to be a minister's wife. As of 8/8/2009 I am a minister's wife. Jonathan is in Divinity School at Campbell University, earning a Master of Divinity. As well as pursing ordination through the IPHC. I could not be happier knowing God has us in the palm of his hand. He is daily walking beside us. Although some days we may not feel Him; I know He is there, guiding and protecting.