Our Family
Jesse- Husband and father of 5, attended Harding University with a focus on preaching. Stopped when first child was on the way and have been looking for God’s direction ever since.
I spent a year selling vacuum cleaners after school. This taught me a lot about long hours, rejection, and determination. We have been in South Carolina for nearly 6 years now where I have been a manager for a tire and brake shop in Charleston. Here I have learned tenacity and the value of hard work.
Usually somewhere around mid July you are mentally done wanting to work on cars outside in the sun, but in South Carolina cooler temperatures don’t come until October.
We have also had the blessing of great church home that is as much like a family as you can ask for when you live 5 states away from your nearest relative. I have had the pleasure of working with the youth group, teaching some adult classes, and have been able to fill the pulpit a few times as well.
Amanda- Jesse’s wife and the mother of 5 wonderful children.
I graduated from Harding University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Bible. I continued at Harding University and earned my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.
After graduation, I began the best job in the world: stay at home mother! I have been blessed to be home with my children and to be a full-time wife and home school mom.
Hannah- 7 years old, the best big sister a parent could want. She is excited about moving to the Philippines, the new baby and she has Skittles.
She has already has a goat name picked out, Andrea Joy Joyce. We are not sure of all goats will have a first, last, and middle name, but the first one she gets to name will.
Hannah loves art. She can color, draw, and paint impressively well. She is learning to sew and recently made a dress for her favorite doll. Hannah is learning to read and loves home schooling.
Katie- 5 years old, make no mistake she is a big sister. However, she is not upset if Hannah gets to do something she can’t. We think she has figured out that she will get there soon enough.
She is getting more comfortable sharing her voice outside of the house. (In the past, we have had more than one Bible class teacher never hear her speak) James 5:13 (NLT) 13 Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.
If you have never felt like this verse applied to you, that might be because she was singing for you. She sings for joy all the time. Recently her little brother was crying, so she made up a song for him.
It’s hard to be a baby
Sometimes it’s hard to obey
It’s very, very hard to not suck your thumb
She has a knack for changing the words of a real song into a new song. Katie is a joy to be around and her singing is a real treat if you ever get to witness it. Sorry she does not do requests.
Elijah- 3 years old, “My son with whom I am well pleased” He is all boy. He loves his car bed sheets, his toy cars, especially the ones that he can fit in his pockets, and telling you stories with all the excitement and facial expressions of a sales person on an infomercial. Of course when a 3 year old does it, you only catch every couple of words. This is one of our favorite phases with our little kids.
John Paul- 2 years old, he has just hit the age that every father waits for. When he finally believes that dad is way cooler that mom!
Nothing washes away your troubles of the day then walking in the front door with a toddler running up to you as if you were the prodigal son returning home.
John Paul is our most outgoing child so far. Whereas the older children are slow to warm up to people and situations, John Paul enjoys every minute. He wants to know everyone and be in the center of the action. He’s a delightful child and we are so thankful that God blessed us with him.
Daniel- born April 2o11. If you think he looks chubby in this picture, you should see him now. He is taking after his big brother Elijah and packing on the weight early.
Daniel has been a fun addition to our family, all the kids enjoy having another baby around. John Paul has been the most protective of his new brother. I once had him in the tub taking a bath, and when John Paul couldn’t find him on the bed he started crying for “baby” and even looked under the bed trying to find him. All was okay when the two were reunited.