Changes in Life

Its time to write again tho I don't know why I don't do this more often.

Well since our last June entry we have been on quite the roller coaster and for now I think we are off but now we are feeling all the dizzy effects. There is so much wrapped up in Roller Coaster ride, thrill, excitement, dizziness, puking, screaming, and we are just looking for the norm, you know the steady ground that we felt before the ride.

For those of you who don't know what I am talking about, Ricky lost his job in July and we moved back to our house (that was currently for sale) in Joplin, only to find that getting a job that was non-ministry to support our family and let Ricky go to school (2 years left) was not going to be possible. Through a process of getting down to the basic necessities and priorities,and giving any concerns to God, we decided that we wanted to keep Ricky in school and give our house back to the bank. (we are currently trying to short sale the house if you know anyone who wants a good bargin on a house in Joplin.)

We moved in with my parents in Seneca Mo. They live on 18 acres and have a 3 bedroom 2 bath house with large living spaces. My parents have graciously remodeled a previously enclosed 2 car garage by texture/painting the walls and putting in carpet. They also added central heat and air to the room. They did all of this so we could have a comfortable space to move into. We pay rent and Ricky does a lot of work around the house.

As a family we have been greatly blessed by the the family of God, since Ricky lost his job. Its hard to explain the blessing The Church has been because some of our deepest wounds have come from The Church. We have and are receiving financial, physical, and spiritual help. We have been attending College Heights and are in a small group. We are currently trying to build community tho we are challenged in what that should/ does look like. Friends are so important to us right now, but we are so needy, I worry that we will wear people out, or even so that we would choose not to go to them because we don't want to wear them out.

Ricky is taking 11hours of school. He has continued to teach for Virtuous Reality and is working 10 and 12 hour shifts, on the weekends, overnights at IHOP. We are trying to get the ballooning art business going and I have become a Mary Kay Consultant as well. Chrysanna started pre-school on Monday the 16th of Nov. after turning 3 on the 10th. Blayze has grown right out of all of his clothes (right on schedual) and he is growing in Christ everyday. He seems to have a heart for people who don't know Jesus in other countries. Dominic is climing anything that lends to it and everything that doesn't. His new favorite phrases are "I love you" and "I know". I am working on having a joyful heart and reaching out to others.

Life at the Harter house is still happening and we are so thankful for the support of our family and friends. They have certainly lessened the effects of this rollercoaster.

I am so thankful that God is our provider, our comforter and our strength.

The imagination of a two year old girl has our lives in a whole new realm. If you have never had a two year old girl than you may not understand how Chrysanna's imaginary friends could actually intersect with the real world. Allow me to give you a couple of examples. . .
Yesterday, while I was laying the bathmat on the floor I was franticly informed that I was covering "her" up. After I decoded who "her" was I picked "her" up off the floor and handed "her" to Chrysanna. Then I was able to properly place the mat on the floor. I have sat on many of Chrysanna's imaginary friends. Infact one time Chrysanna was feeding her dad pretend food, while he was working at the computer. He had no idea that she handed him her horse, so when he absentmindedly took a bite and said "mmm, that was tasty", he was suprised to hear Chrysanna say "You ate my horse. Don't eat my horse, daddy!"
The adventures never end in the imagination of a 2 year old, the other day she fell in love with a hard boiled egg that I needed for our dinner. The egg quickly became her new born baby. I told her that I was going to need the egg back for cooking and after prying it out of her hands, she said "no momma, don't crack my newborn baby." I quickly grabbed another baby in attempts to not tramatise my daughter. I think it worked because she ate dinner without mentioning it. She is so attached to her imagination and one of her most played with friends is, the sneaky fox "Swipper". This morning she was in the bedroom with us and her daddy said, "O Swiper, you just came right in our house. Would you like to play with Chrysanna today?" Then he turned to Chrysanna and said "Chrysanna swiper would like to play with you today." To which she quickly responded, "Ok! I will go get a book that I can read to him." And she ran out of the room, only to appear moments later with a book and ready to read to her friend.
I think that her imagination has certainly challenged our own. I love watching her grow.

One more thing

Our family has discussed the nessecity of cell phones and while they make life more convenient we are opting to get rid of them and have gotten rid of them. So our 439-1662, 396-9119 numbers no longer work, but you can call us at our house in KS.

I hope all of you are doing well today:)

Dominic's 1st Christmas

The Harter Family had a great Christmas. We woke up early the day after (when Blayze was with us) and the kids opened their books that were around the little tree upstairs. Then we followed the star with our gifts looking for the messiah, like the wise men did. Then we gave gifts to eachother. We had a great morning:)

Happy New Year!

The Harter Family had a great New Year Celebration at the Goads home with friends and family. Blayze was even able to be with us for most of the evening. The boys had a treasure hunt and we all joined in the karaoke. We watched the ball drop in New York City and then waited an hour to make some of our own noise when the clock struck 12 central time.



The Harter Family plans on living this year just like the last. . .
H.ealthy I Cor. 3:16
A.dventurous Matt. 28:19-20
R.eady I Peter 3:15
T.rustworthy Matt. 5:37
E.ducated I Timothy 2:15
R.espectful Philippians 2:3
S.aved Acts 2:21

We pray that we can keep growing closer to Christ and let our lives be a reflection of His Glory. We hope that all of you will join us in that.