Making plans

Life in the Gilbreath house is always busy. It seems as if something is always going on, often we are preparing for something big or just getting over it. I’ve tried to convince myself that things will slow down, but I know I am just kidding myself. Recently, Larry and I decided we were going to make some big life changes.

Larry has been kicking around the idea of going back to school for his Doctorate of Ministry for over a year. We spent some time in Wake Forest meeting with the director of the department. For those of you interested, a D. Min is a 32 hour program with a 3 year minimum. It is a doctoral degree that focuses on an area of ministry, Larry’s area of focus will be on leadership. Larry has to maintain a full time pastorate while in the program. It’s a wonderfully practical program that will help him become an even better pastor.

We assumed that the D. Min schedule would coincide with a traditional school schedule. Well, we were wrong. It starts in May or January. We talked it over and decided that January would be a good time for Larry to start. Over lunch the Department chair was impressed with Larry and offered to waive the program fee (it’s a lot) if Larry would go ahead and start in May. He has an opening, and he wanted Larry for the position.

To say we are overwhelmed is an understatement. The scholarship he offered Larry is a huge deal for us. It was as if God was saying, I’m in this with you. It will be hard, but I’ll make a way for you to do this. So for the next few weeks, we have to get paperwork and applications filed. Larry has a ton of work to do to prepare for the First class. He’s overwhelmed and excited!

And can I just say, I love Wake Forest. It was so nice to be back. There is a sweet spirit there. If I can plan well, I hope to be able to take the kids and visit during the time that Larry is in School. So for those of you, who live in Wake Forest and would like to host us for a night or two, please let me know. We will be in Wake Forest this May 21-25, January 2013, May 2013, and January 2014. It’s crazy we have plans for 2014 already!

And if that wasn’t enough to keep us busy. I’ve decided it’s time to move my hobby into a profession and start a photography business. The major thing I’ve done, or plan to do is invest a lot of money into a new camera and lenses. I have signed up for a class to help me with some editing software and have been busy practicing  at weddings lately.

How I’ll add opening a business on top of Larry’s busy schedule, home schooling Eden, caring for Josiah and Titus, keeping our home running, and not loose my mind is still an unknown.  But I know that the Lord has brought us to this point. He will guide our steps and make a way for us to accomplish all of our dreams!