The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
-Psalm 121:8
~the special scripture of a dear friend of ours, given to her by our Heavenly Father on the very day she was saved, many years ago. She went to be with the Lord yesterday morning. Please keep her husband, family and friends in prayer. I know she’s in a better place, and so much happier now than she’s ever been.
-Kasie
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet”
Psalms 119:105
Isn’t it interesting how the Lord lights the way of our feet, and not the road that stretches out for miles in front of us? Sometimes we wish that God would just give us the road map of our lives – a chart that shows exactly where we’re going to go, and how we’re going to get there. But that would defeat the purpose of faith, trust in God, perseverance, and all other virtues that make up the Christian walk!
But in His wisdom, God has given (yea, perhaps even blessed us) with the unknown – to build our character, and increase our dependence on Him. Truly, life in Christ is adventure!
For the past few months or so, our family has been driving around in Tennessee once or twice a week. Although Dad is keeping the Virginia option open (and there is strong “extended family push” to keep us here), he still remains fairly convinced that TN is where we’re supposed to be.
The two obvious things that we need (wherever we end up settling) are housing/land, and employment for Dad. Resumes have been sent to numerous colleges in the Tri-cities area – we have not yet heard back. One college though, Tusculum College in Greenville, has an opening in their brand-new security dept., and are looking for experienced people just like Dad! Could this be the one?
The housing/land search has been much more entertaining. We signed on with a buyer’s agent realtor, and have spent many hours driving around with him in our minivan, looking at homes all over the tri-cities area. So far, none of the properties in our price range have suited our particular fancy. What usually happens is that we like the land, but abhor the house; or we love the house, and can’t stand the land! 
It’s been fun driving around, though!
We’ve also looked into the possibility of manufactured housing – you know, the homes you see being trucked along on the interstate. One model in particular has almost stolen our hearts, it’s so perfect for our family. 4 Bdrms, 3bths, sunken den, roomy kitchen with massive pantry, full attic, etc. It’s definitely a high-end manufactured house. Combine that with a couple acres of land, and we’ll have the new Willi home?
So there you have it. That’s the status of our search, as God leads us forward. We would appreciate your continued prayers, that we may be sensitive to His will, and lean on Him, and not on our own understanding!
God Bless!
From the Willi!
PS: Sorry to keep teasing you, but there really is an update on our house/job search on the way! It just got delayed a bit – you know, what with Christmas and all…
Remember this? link
Don’t ask. It’s ridiculously silly, I know, but for some reason this simple video made my family laugh until our sides hurt! (maybe I’ve just got to accept the fact that we’re just a weird family!) A few days after our first viewing last year, we showed it to all our friends and family and had quite a few laughs with them.
Even though I’ve seen this video many times since our first viewing a year ago, somehow Santa and his singing reindeer manage to get a few chuckles out of me every single time.
Anyway, have fun, and Merry Christmas Eve, Eve everyone!
-Kasie
This post is for those of our readers who have an interest in seeing the faces of all who we’re living with. (and in case you didn’t know, Jason is my oldest brother, and it’s with he, his wife and his seven children that we’re staying with)
As for those of our friends and family who’ve had the pleasure of meeting them before, haven’t the kids grown so much?
Jason and Karlyn
Jared
Justin
Katrina
Joseph
Julia
Kerrianne
Josh (or Josh-man, as we often call him)
And now for a family picture: (see if you can name everybody here!)
Isn’t that such sweet picture? Have fun y’all!
-Kasie
Congratulations Miriam! It is a well written limerick indeed – and proof that the JT400 lives on in our hearts and minds.
As the winner of our contest, Miriam gets to choose between two Vision Forum products. Enjoy, Miriam!
We’d like to thank the Vision Forum for making this giveaway possible. Quite frankly, it’s fun to give away someone else’s product without any personal expense! 
Seriously though, it’s been a blast, and we hope you all had fun! I know WE all had fun reading all your entertaining entries!
[coming up soon on the blog: info on how the housing and job search is going in both TN and VA]
Christmas is definitely in the air! One can hardly walk outside without being met by the sight of Christmas lights, Christmas trees, wreaths, nativity scenes and more. With only one more week until ‘The Day,’ excitement, fun and anticipation has been mounting up in the household.
But I’m getting carried away with myself. This post is about Christmas Trees, and not the Christmas season, is it not? That is another story altogether for a another time and post. For now I will entertain you with one small aspect of our holiday fun: the Christmas Trees.
Every year around this time, companies from the Roanoke area will each decorate a Christmas tree with their own unique little flairs and designs. All these are displayed inside the classy (and expensive!) Hotel of Roanoke for guests, visitors, and tourists to see!
Last night we gathered with friends, family, and took the opportunity to see these famed ‘Christmas Trees,’ since none in our party had ever been before.
What was it like? Well, it was very…treeish. Full of many, many different Christmas trees.
A little more specific? I thought as much. Lucky for you, I took lots of pictures. (lots) I snapped shots of almost every Christmas tree I saw! Take a look: (for a few pictures you may need to show picture list and click on the pictures in order to read my long descriptions)
Did you ever think before that there were so many ways to decorate a Christmas tree?
I hope everyone is enjoying this Christmas season! May God bless you!
-Kasie
Well the limericks are in, and let me tell you, there are some doozies out there! Before we vote, however, let’s lay down some ground rules…
Click the “more” link to read the amusing entries and vote! Read the rest of this entry »
It was on a Friday afternoon…
I was sitting on the couch with Julia, preparing to braid her hair. (a small delight I have been enjoying doing for my nieces of late) I love braiding, and who can refuse the opportunity to practice and request of a cute four-year-old? So a braid it was, but when I came to the end and asked her for a ‘hair band,’ she replied with a sigh,
“It’s not a hair band, it’s a hair thing. You always call it that.” she shook her head sadly at my ignorance.
“Oh, so it’s not a hair band?”
“Nope – it isn’t!”
“It’s a hair thing?”
“Yes.”
Slightly amused at her unusual reasoning, I asked her “So Julia, what is the difference between a hair band and a hair thing?”
“Well,” she cocked her head to one side in a meticulous manner, “This is a hair thing, but some of the other ones upstairs that Katrina has, those are hair bands!”
“Really?”
“Yep! That’s the way it is!”
Since all was now cleared up concerning the controversy over hair bands and things, nothing remained but for me to secure Julia’s braid with a hair thing, and send her off to get washed up for supper.
*sigh* What are little kids for but to make us smile?
-Aunty Kasie
Update: Please provide a VALID email address when entering your limericks. You will not be spammed, I promise!
Courtesy of Vision Forum, and their rapidly expanding Affiliate Program, we are holding our very own blog contest/giveaway!
The winner gets to choose between one of two Vision Forum Products. These, by the way, make great Christmas gifts!
The contest is very simple, and will prove to be quite entertaining.
We will begin a limerick, and you finish it in the comments section! You have until midnight, Sunday the 16th to craft your cleverest limerick, and post it in the comment section of this post. Then on Monday and Tuesday, you – the readers of thewilli.com – will VOTE on the best piece of poetic genius!
Note: You may post as many limerick endings as you wish, but only your most recently posted one will be voted on.
So are you ready? Here we go….
