Owen Speirs

Speirs is kicking around like crazy these days and loves to spend time in my ribs which isnt the most comfortable...but how exciting! Our time as a family of two is getting short! Our doctors appointments are every two weeks which makes time go by fast. I love going and hearing his little heart beat and anticipating his arrival. He should be here around Thanksgiving so we will be setting up some new traditions this year and staying in Greensboro for turkey day.

People ask me if Im getting anxious or scared of labor and I would have to say absolutely not. I think Im more anxious about not being completely informed on the decisions that Craig and I will have to make during our time in the hospital. So I have been reading the Birth Book and we have decided to deliver as naturally as we possibly can in the hospital for the health of Speirs and the experience. I am excited about how Craig will be able to play an active role in the delivery of our son.

Baptism

Craig was baptized yesterday down at the Yaaaaaadkin River along with Pastor Stephen and Bobby. The first baptisms of 1.21:) It was an exciting afternoon to say the least.


It was a bit rocky out in the river as you might be able to gather from the guys walking around.

Faith

Being in Greensboro has taught me a lot and put some action behind my words of faith. After much prayer and consideration, we decided on December 27, 2007 that we should move from Raleigh to Greensboro to help plant Passion and on the 31^st we were settled in to our new apartment an hour and a half from what I had known for the past 5 years.

Most of the money we had saved was shot on little moving expenses and just getting settled. We found out that I had a job lined up at Page High School and couldn’t have been more excited; however, I waited about a month before I could officially start (by the way you don’t get a pay check unless you are actually working). Craig on the other hand had a more difficult time finding a job, despite his hard work ethic. So it was really easy to feel like maybe we had made the wrong decision because things weren’t working out financially. It seemed like great jobs were being lined up in front of Craig’s face and then each one falling through; however, in March he began working for UPS after waiting months for an opening. The big disappointment however, came in May when I found out that my school would not be renewing my contract for the upcoming year. Much to the opposition of many of my colleagues and those in the educational field, I shared with the administration that I was pregnant and due in November. My thoughts were that if I shared with them and was honest about the situation and what my plans were as a mother, they would be willing to work with me. NOT SO. I was only an interim teacher meaning they don’t have to work with you on anything. This was just another blow that left my head spinning.

….All that to say that over the past eight months my faith has been refined and tested. I am not one that is great with having faith, although I like to talk like I do. My husband however, has been blessed to have amazing faith and has taught me so much over the past year and a half. I know that God is at work here in Greensboro and in Winston…not to mention in the West home. I am drawn to repentance daily when I think upon my lack of faith but how Jesus has already provided everything that this heart will ever need. So as we walk through this time of financial ‘hardship’ I am able to see God prove himself over and over and over again, even though he gave all the proof I will ever need on the cross.

Life Together

With much reluctance, we have started a West Family Blog:) I have no clue what I am doing...since...well...I don't blog. But I will begin by catching everyone up on what has been going on for the past year and a half (don't worry, I will spare you all of the details).

Married in May of 2007.
I (Brittany) graduated in December from NCSU.
Craig and I made a move in faith to Greensboro, NC to help plant PASSION church with our good friends and now family Stephen and Brooke Wagoner.
I began working at Page High School as a Biology teacher, which proved to be extremely challenging but it was a place where I learned a lot about myself and have met some amazing people.
Craig began working with UPS in March in addition to helping with the church. Although, waking up at 330 in the morning hasn't been the most delightful or enjoyable thing in the world for him, he's making it happen-He likes to say "he's livin the dream..." HA.
Also in March we found out that we are expecting! What a joyous and exciting moment in our marriage! The West name will live on in our son Owen Speirs West (but we'll be calling him Speirs). We will get to officially meet him around November 21.

Those are pretty much the "biggies" worth mentioning of life together thus far. Although, we have had plenty of fun little adventures along the way!