Many leaves falling....

Ok, so I am officially a terrible blogger! I realized recently that I only do a good job at keeping things like this up during crisis times! Isn't that opposite of what it should be? It is in the "normal", everyday moments that I can't seem to make time for things like laundry, cleaning out the cars, getting a haircut, and blogging! So, here is an attempt to catch everyone up as the leaves are falling in abundance and the house is getting chilly...

-We have been in Phoenix, MD over 6 months so far and love living here! Life has certainly not slowed down but the very act of driving home through fields and farms to our house among the trees just brings a sense of peace that we really needed. We see God's hand in bringing us here and getting the kids into schools that are meeting their needs. We are blessed. We just celebrated the boys coming to live with us. We are going on our fourth year with them! Amazing.

- Ben has been working hard as the Area Director for Young Life Capernaum Baltimore. It has been a challenging season for ministry as we have had many changes. It is new season for the ministry and he is the right person to lead and love it during this time. I have spent a lot of time putting my foot in my mouth, or trying hard to not open my mouth and let him run with this. I do feel like we are in a good place as I step out and he steps up (he was always in...). Please keep praying for finances for the area and for wisdom and strength as Ben leads this ministry ahead.

-I am working as the director of Disabilities Ministries at Grace Fellowship Church and am grateful to be there. I am finding my heart for families and desire to help the fabric of the church be changed from just including people with disabilities to infusing them into the church, have found a place to grow in this role. It is the first time since we got the kids that I am working part time rather than full and that has been harder than I thought! There is more to do when you have more time to do it!!

-Shane is turning 18 in three weeks!! He is doing well at his new school and loves his assistant, Toni! We are so grateful for the people who are working with him. Shane had an amazing chance to participate in the Baltimore marathon a few weeks ago and he is doing another one this weekend through the great work of Dave and his volunteers at Athletes Serving Athletes. I have never seen Shane so happy! As I think of the past year, I realize how much Shane has lost in mobility. He is no longer able to do much by himself, but he is trying and tells me all the time how he wants to do my housework for me!! I wish he could-for him and me!! Pray as he continues to wrestle with this terminal disability. God has used his Muscular Dystrophy, but we still wish it just didn't exist!

-Jesse started middle school this fall! He went through a bit of a bumpy summer as he is still struggling through his unique gifts and challenges that make him Jesse. He is getting involved in youth group and really wants to be a part of Wildfire (young life's middle school ministry) so we are grateful that he is seeking out places where he will be encouraged to grow. He is a strong boy who loves control and yet can be so soft. Pray as he continues to work through who he is and why he is here.

-Sophia started school in the fall at a three year old program where my friend is the speech pathologist. Her heart looks great and she is really just growing so much. She is getting in "trouble" at school for helping everyone too much! I am really starting to have flash aheads to her early teen years. Please start praying for our relationship now!!! Her and Jesse have been irritating each other a lot lately, but people keep telling me that is normal! She has been feeding Shane at dinner and that is so amazing to watch. Shane loves having her do it!

So, thank you again for your prayers, friendship and love. When we think of the 5 years it has been since we were married, we can hardly take in all that has happened. We can also see very clearly how God has used it to change us, draw us to HIM, and has given us eyes that see differently than before. We pray this might be true of us always....

The "Mortensons"!