December 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

     We pray this letter finds you well and in the personal knowledge of Lord Jesus Christ.  We are all doing well and are grateful that our oldest four children have already placed their faith in Jesus as their Savior and that He reigns as Lord of their lives.  It is our prayer that each of you knows the joy, peace and grace of salvation found only in Christ Jesus!
             “I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation”          2 Corinthians 6:2

     We have had another busy year and anticipate the Lord leading our family in 2008!
We’d like to give you some highlights of 2007, share about each of us individually and give you some hints of what may be occurring next year.

2007:
February – Our family attended the Shrine Circus when it came to Louisville.  We even persuaded Lewis to come along, even though he doesn’t like these kinds of events :o)
March – Since living in Louisville, we’ve wanted to take the short trip to Fort Knox – we finally decided it was time!  The boys absolutely loved everything – especially the tanks that are displayed outside.  Since Marisa enjoys history, she also liked the many stories that Lewis shared as we toured the museum.
April – On a trip “back home” to SC, we took this opportunity to begin house hunting – in case God brought us back to this area.
May – Lewis graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary!
June – One of the hardest times this year was moving back to SC and leaving Nick in KY.  We moved to Clinton and he moved in with the Saltsman’s (which has been such a blessing).  The children enjoyed VBS at Hurricane Baptist Church and Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church.
July – Nick came for a visit during the week of the 4th. 
August – Our family traveled back to Louisville for a visit.  We were able to attend a homeschool fair where we saw lots of our friends.  Another whole day was spent at Six Flag’s Kentucky Kingdom’s Waterpark with Nick, Hannah and a few other friends.  We all enjoyed this day and want to go again this summer.  On the 25th of August we had a “Mann Kids Birthday Bash” for our six youngest at Gramps and Mama B’s swimming pool in Laurens – what a fun time we had!
Summer – Other summer fun included attending the free movies each week, park days, library events and lots of swimming at Mama B’s.
September – We moved to Spartanburg to be close to Lewis’s job at SEPG.  Our house is off of Reidville Rd and less than 5 miles for Lewis to travel.  We have all loved him coming home for lunch and being home again shortly after 5:00pm.  For the first time we have a swimming pool and are enjoying it very much.  We actually used the pool until mid-October when the weather began to cool off.  We also began visiting First Baptist Church and Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church (AMRBC) when we moved to Spartanburg.
October – We attended the Revolutionary War Reenactment at Walnut Grove Plantation.  Along with a local homeschool group we began going to plays at the Spartanburg Youth Theatre.
November – Nick visited for Thanksgiving.  We also attended The Twin Living Christmas Trees at First North Spartanburg and it was wonderful.
December – Nick visited again for Christmas and we didn’t want him to leave!  As our last day of homeschooling before Christmas break, we attended “The Nutcracker Ballet” at Furman.  We enjoyed Christmas having our children all together.

LEWIS:
Our time at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) came to an end all too soon (although we didn’t understand this at the time)!  Lewis enjoyed his classes and learning new things all the time while our family enjoyed “Seminary Life”.  Four of our children participated in and enjoyed Kid’s Fit twice a week, we always looked forward to Family Fun Days and the children loved Parents Night Out as much as Lewis and I did!  Another highlight for us was the huge indoor pool including the one foot infant/toddler pool – the kids really do miss that!  After 3 years of hard work and the Lord’s blessing, Lewis graduated May 18th.  We had surprise visitors, Rhett and Tracey Wilson, for the graduation – and how fitting that they were there since they have been such a Godly influence for our family.  I cannot express how proud I am of Lewis for this accomplishment and fulfillment of this part of the Lord’s calling on our family.
In April, Lewis was a part of the GAP team that went on a mission trip to Uruguay.  Thank you all who prayed for the work that his team undertook during those ten days. They were able to distribute some 5000 copies of the Gospel of John and had numerous opportunities to share the Gospel.
Since arriving in SC, Lewis immediately began doing some supply preaching.  As much as we enjoyed that, it was difficult for the children to be in different churches each week.  Lewis has finally completed all of the necessary paperwork to continue in the Air Force Reserve Chaplaincy Program.  In January, we should know the next step and Lewis will begin to prepare for a few weeks of basic training.  We are excited to see if this is an opportunity that the Lord will continue to lead us toward.

ROXANNE:
I have enjoyed a fast-paced, but good year.  In Louisville, I served on the Board for a new local homeschool co-op and was in leadership at the location closest to our house.  I was able to use my gifts and abilities within the co-op and miss that very much – as well as my dear friends that worked along side of me.
In January my sister and her husband welcomed an unexpected baby girl into their lives.  Now that Lea is here none of us could imagine life without her.  Lea and our new little one will be 13 months apart so they should make great friends plus we’re right in season to receive all of Lea’s clothes!
In February, we received terrible news from our friends Anthony and Sondra Humphrey.  Sondra was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer, Stage IV and given 6 to 12 months to live.  We were all in disbelief.  We meet Anthony and Sondra shortly after arriving in Louisville and became friends quickly.  We were all in the same Adult Bible Fellowship Class at Highview Baptist Church.  Once Marisa and Lauren met, they were immediate friends.  They enjoyed sleepovers, playdates and just being in the same classes at church.  Katelyn became involved in their family as well when she became their baby-sitter.  Katelyn always looked forward to spending time with Lauren, Jonathan and Matthew – as well as those long talks with Sondra in our driveway after Sondra drove Katelyn home.  Sondra and I have attended a Women’s Retreat together, several Ladies Nights Out and she attended both of my Baby Showers.  Sondra fought hard by enduring many chemotherapy treatments, but none of that helped.  Early morning May 11th Sondra’s suffering ended as she entered Heaven and met her Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.  Anthony has shown tremendous faith during this last year and allows everyone along on his journey as he publicly shares on the CaringBridge website.  Even though both of our families have moved to different states, we’ll always have a special relationship with the Humphrey family.
My parents have been well this year.  My dad had knee surgery in August, but seems to be completely recovered.  I can honestly say that one of his most favorite things in the world are his grandchildren – all 11 of them (12 in February).  My mom has been having a lot of trouble with a goider in her throat this year.  She can easily be choked on food and could possibly suffocate in her sleep.  In November her doctor gave her a radioactive pill in hopes of shrinking the goider.  Two weeks ago, she was told that the pill did not work, but she already knew that as she could still feel it in her throat.  Also last week my mom received her scan results from her cancer doctor and it was revealed that the mass in her intestines has grown substantially over the last 6 months.  She will begin rounds of chemo in January.  The doctor has explained that she will probably be very sick because he will be giving her the “next level” in medicine.  Things need to be stepped-up this time to be more aggressive with combating the non-Hopkins Lyphomia.  Pray that she will tolerate the medicines well and endure during the lengthy treatments.
Since I am back in Spartanburg, I can once again have Dr. Carol Ketchen as my Ob/Gyn.  Dr. Ketchen delivered Olivia, Patrick and Quentin.  It is such a blessing for my doctor to be female and also a Christian!  When I was pregnant with Jax and again this pregnancy, I have pregnancy-induced carpel tunnel syndrome.  The first time (over 2 ½ years ago) the splinted wrist bands relieved enough of the numbness, tingling and burning that I made it through without medical intervention – but this time is different!  I’ve had way too many sleepless nights and finally asked Dr. Ketchen what she recommended.  She referred me to a hand specialist and I received a shot of cortisone in each wrist.  Since that day I haven’t had any of the carpel tunnel symptoms (which means I am getting my much needed sleep), but now I have pain all day in my right thumb.  Maybe a nerve was damaged somehow, but doing the simplest things (buttoning, zipping, opening anything, holding the hair dryer, changing diapers, etc.) sends burning sensations from my wrist to the tip of my thumb.  I believe this is the lesser of the two pains, so with only 7 weeks to go I am going to try to endure it.  Like I tell Lewis – I can go through anything to have this precious baby girl join our family! 
My latest hobby is maintaining our family website that Lewis created.  After several hours of training from Lewis I was able to take on the task of adding new items to the site as I find time.  I enjoy this very much.  Take a minute to check out our site and be sure to check back some time since I am still adding new things daily.

NICK:
Nick is doing well and continues in his relationship with Hannah.  They are such a great, young couple and we are excited to see what the Lord has in store for them.  During the Spring semester ’07, Nick only took a few classes as he was offered a temporary full-time job at the Ford plant in Louisville.  He was thrilled at the opportunity to be able to earn and save quite a bit of money.  After that job was completed, he was actually called back by Ford for another job, but had to turn that one down due to a much heavier course load at school.  Nick is now entering the Spring semester of his sophomore year carrying a 4.0 GPA.  He will soon apply to enter the Nursing Program; he is still on track to become a Nurse Anesthetist.  In October Nick underwent surgery for the varicose veins in both legs.  Recovery was a little longer than expected, but he seems to be completely well now.  Then in December Nick had an inflammatory nodule removed from his pinky finger.  The “bump” has been sent for testing, but the doctor is confident that it is benign.  We are thankful that Hannah was able to be with Nick for both surgeries since we are now in SC.

KATELYN:
Of all the children, Katelyn has adjusted the most quickly to moving back to SC (not that she wouldn’t move back to Louisville in the blink of an eye!).  Shortly after arriving in Spartanburg, we received an email about a Homeschool Bible Study for teens.  I talked Katelyn into going and she hasn’t missed a study since. She immediately began making friends.  One of Katelyn’s highlights this year was completing a Driver’s Education Class, many hours of student driving and receiving her license.  She enjoys going on any errand, taking the younger children to Chuck E Cheese, taking Marisa to the library and just about anything else that gives her the opportunity to drive her car!  She still loves music and going to concerts to meet the bands.  Katelyn has found a love for cooking and trying new recipes – she is actually great in the kitchen!  She has her own unique style and loves to fix anyone’s hair!

MARISA:
Marisa joined the double-digit age group in August when she turned 10.  She is such a delight and growing into a wonderful young lady.  She is an avid reader, enjoying series such as Life of Faith, American Girl, Boxcar Children and many other great books. Her favorite part about Spartanburg is that we live less than 2 miles from the library.  Marisa also likes Hannah Montana and knows several of her songs.  Since being here Marisa has been able to join an American Girl’s Club at the library.  She enjoys this time and looks forward to it each month.  Since sharing a room with Rowan, he has become “her baby”.  Marisa misses her friends in Louisville very much and writes to them often!

LUCAS:
What can we say about him?  He is now 9 years old and in the 4th grade.  He still would trade doing his school work for anything he can create with his hands!  His favorite things right now are Legos – Star Wars and Mars Mission.  Over the past several months he has bought several sets and put them together by himself.  He has quite a collection now and enjoys playing with them and displaying them in his room.  He says he wants to become a Lego Brick Master!  Since September Lucas, Patrick and Quentin have been apart of the homeschool Lego Club.  This is an opportunity to build different assignments and show them to their teacher and classmates.  Marisa and Lucas have also joined a homeschool gym class.  They both enjoy the fun and exercise that the class offers.

PATRICK:
Wow – what a year for our PatPat.  In January he underwent a heart cauterization which lead to his heart surgery on February 14th.  We are very thankful that we were in Louisville to receive the excellent care and for the support given by our church (Highview), homeschool community (especially our co-op), SEPG, family and friends.  Patrick is doing fine as his heart defect was completely correctable.  He is 6 years old and in 1st grade.  He has always enjoyed doing “school” and is quickly learning new things each day.  Patrick’s favorite things are watching “Tom & Jerry”, riding his scooter and writing notes for his Daddy each day.

QUENTIN:
Quentin is our curly hair 5 year old.  He is also in the 1st grade with Patrick.  He likes school, but would rather be outside any day than in the school room!  He loves swords and light sabers and is our protector.  His favorite movie is probably still “The Chronicles of Narnia”.  He enjoys playing tennis, riding his Power Wheels and shooting his bow and arrows.  To be so “rough and tumble” he is a very sensitive and loving little boy.

JAX:
Jaxon is a bright and energetic 2 ½ year old.  His vocabulary is vast and he surprises us with many of the things he says.  His favorite thing right now is “Barney”.  He enjoys watching those videos and also going online to Barney’s website – where he can listen to music, print pages to color and play games.  Lewis is teaching Jax how to use the mouse – isn’t that amazing?!  Jax also had an outpatient procedure in November and he has completely recovered.  He usually follows along in whatever his older brothers are doing.

ROWAN:
Rowan is now 16 months old.  For Christmas he got his 2 front teeth!  At 15 months 3 days, Rowan’s top 2 teeth finally broke through the gum.  Since he was without teeth so long, we still think it’s funny when he smiles to show off his teeth.  Rowan is an absolutely wonderful baby!  He has the brightest, most laid-back personality and still loves to cuddle.  He enjoys going outside, snacking all day (although he’s the smallest of our children at this age) and playing with any of his siblings.  We are continuing to visit Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church and attended a preschool play group there in December.  Rowan enjoyed it very much and I hope to continue to go to these play times with Jax and Rowan.

BABY “S”:
It’s a GIRL!  We are delighted to be adding another blessing to our family and were doubly delighted when the ultrasound technician announced the gender.  We have lots of pink around here now!  All of the children are excited and ask often when she will arrive.  My estimated due date is February 22nd, so we expect her to be born between February 8th – 22nd.

2008:
To be very honest, most of our family misses Louisville very much.  We miss Nick no longer living with us.  We miss our homeschool co-op and our wonderful friends there. 

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,  because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death…”                   Romans 8:1-2

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”                                             Ephesians 3:14-19

Grace and Peace to you and yours in 2008,
Roxanne for The Mann Family