Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Hello Cheeseheads in the great state of Wisconsin, oh wait a minute, if you go to Journey Church you will get that inside joke, if you don't, well, you should go to Journey Church, obviously!

Seriously, I did not send out the traditional Christmas letter this year so thought I would do it via my blog. 2008 has been a very eventful, and blessed year for the Mooney family. If you know us very well, you know there is rarely a dull moment and this year is no exception. As I mentioned above, we are attending a new church in Fernandina Beach FL. Let me just say that God is alive and well (and definitely kicking) at the Journey Church. We have made many new friends and are starting to get plugged in there. We are so thankful for God's leading us to this awesome church. Our other big news is the building of our new house. We had hoped to be in by Christmas, but it looks like we missed it by about a month. We are looking forward to moving and settling into our new home. (See posts below for progress)

Patrick's business Island Kitchen & Bath remains busy, thank you God, there is no lack in God's economy. He moved into his new 2000 sq. foot showroom/shop this past summer. He is slowly, but surely getting everything set up the way he wants it. We are hoping to do an official grand opening in the Spring. He is about to do his most exciting job yet, the cabinets in our new house. He says the homeowner is a pain to work with, ha.

Kaley has had a very busy year, as usual. She left her job at Old Navy in July and went to Gander Mountain as the apparel/footwear manager, in addition to going to school part time at Florida Community College of Jacksonville. In a new turn of events, she has decided to quit her job, and go to school full time. She doesn't have too many hours left to get her associates degree so she has decided to concentrate on that this semester. She will also be working part-time in her dad's showroom working with his customers and lightening his administrative load. In addition, she is praying about God's will concerning future mission opportunities. Please pray for her as she seeks His perfect will for her life.

Jordyn has been homeschooling for her senior year and turned 18 earlier this month. One of the highlights of her year was auditioning for American Idol this summer. What an experience we had! (To read more go to her blog page at: wokemeupagain.blogspot.com) She has become very involved with the music program at our church playing keyboard and singing on Wednesday nights for 250 youth and she has just begun playing/singing for our 3 weekend services as well. God has truly gifted her with musical talent as well as a real heart for worship. She is still looking forward to attending Hillsong College in Australia in January 2010. I believe God is really preparing her heart for a life of ministry. Also, please continue to pray for her as she seeks His perfect will for her future.

Colton is homeschooling again this year. He is a junior and just turned 17 years old. He finally got his drivers license and got a car. He is also very involved at church, with the technical side though. He is helping to run the lighting for both the Wednesday night youth service as well as the weekend services. He is looking forward to a mission trip to Mexico this summer with the youth group. Nothing to report on the girl-front as of now, I think his sisters have scarred him for life, ha. Those are some difficult girls, but he loves them in spite of it. What an awesome young man of God he has become, please pray for him as he pursues whatever God has in store for him.

As for me, not much has changed. I'm still at home full time taking care of my children. Just because they are adults, doesn't mean they don't need their mom. I also try to help Pat with the business as much as I can. Beginning in the new year, I will start spending some time at the new showroom greeting customers and answering the phone. I still try to volunteer as much as I can with projects at church and in our community. I am so thankful that God has given me the opportunity to be at home with my family all these years.

As we celebrate Christmas we pray that you will remember that Jesus came, not for the manger, but for the cross, and that through a personal realtionship with Him we can spend eternity in Heaven with our Father.

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year,
the Mooney family