#3: July 7 & 8 SANDUSKY OHIO

Ok so...Ohia (as Layla says it) was a blast! Jerry and I drove up there on Monday the 7th. We left the house at the same time Cody and Katie did. It was a rainy beginning, but relaxing. Man when we showed up at the Kalahari resort we were blown away! Huge water slides coming out of the sides of this HUGE building. And of course, for those of you who know me, we said hello and then all went straight to the pool. So much fun! After swimming, we came back and showered and changed. Dave and Jen had a dinner with Agrigold so Jerry and I took Layla on a date...

Let me tell you what...at almost 3 she knows how to make us melt! As soon Dave and Jen walked out of the door, she looked at me and my purse and said, "Ok Jaime. I need some lipstick and some gum." Of course, being as smart as I am, I quickly told her gum is for when we are 3 and that isn't until August and here is my lipgloss. Soon we were out the door, in the car and on our way to eating and shopping. While at the resturaunt, the first question was, "Jaime since mommy is not here can I have some of this pink stuff (sweet-n-low)?" Of course the answer was yes. We are suckers. After eating the noddles and butter and getting all over our clothes, we headed to look at shoes. After trying on about 6 pairs of shoes, we headed to Wal-Mart. And that, is where the fun began!

The whole trip she kept asking when it was her turn to look. We did our shopping and then went to the toy isle. Layla went home with a new baby named Cooper, a pretend camera, and some silly gooey stuff Jerry showed her that makes tooting noises. And of course, as we were walking past the DVDs we saw a Nick Jr. one so we had to get that too.

When we returned to the hotel, we all got our jammies on and went to sleep. It was only 8:30. (Of course when Dave and Jen got back we had to get a hand of Rummy in - and as USUAL the girls wooped up on the boys)

On Tuesday, we swam and had lunch. Then were on our way home.Driving home was another adventure - 60 mile/hour winds and tornadoes...lets just say I was happy to be in bed when we got there.

The whole trip - all two days of it - were a blast!

#2: July 3-6 CODY & KATIE VISIT

Ok so here is the second post in one day! This is a record - and for all of you who have said I don't keep up with this blog thing!

Well July fourth was a blast! Cody and Katie came to visit us in good 'ole Brown County. We BBQed alot, took a 3 mile hike in the State Park, dragged the boys swimming multiple times, went shopping, saw Hancock (good movie), and oh so much more! We kept them busy! Of course, that is the Tipton way - staying busy. I tell you what...the fireworks took the cake though! I wish I had a picture to show you when Jerry set himself on fire or when they shot a bottle rocket on the roof and Cody had to get out the hose to put it out or when Cody had to climb on the roof to get it off and almost broke his leg or when Katie and I squeeled like two little girls when the bottle rockets flew our way and I could seri0usly go on and on.

I tell you what, we had so much fun! If you are looking for some comedy or just a fun time you should come out and visit in Brown County Indiana!

#1: June 23-27 YOUTH CAMP

Hey people! Well here is the first blog of three to catch up...

So, after only meeting the youth here two times we took them for a week of intense camp at Lake Erie Resort in Ohio. It was eye opening to say the least. It allowed Jerry and I to realize that we needed to be in Iowa for a season to prepare us for here. We learned so much at First Baptist that it has allowed us to tackle things headon here. The students here struggle so much with day to day life and the hardship of being a teenager. Things that Jerry and I never struggled with as youth.

God has opened so many doors to minister in the last month! We feel so completely blessed! We are pumped about the year to come! Keep praying for us that God would reveal all the areas we need to grow in and we would have devine encounters with God, adults, students and leadership here at New Life Community Church.

LOTS OF NEWS

OK so we are here in Sandusky with Dave and Jen...before this we were at youth camp and then with Cody and Katie...crazy summer! So here is the deal I have SO much news to tell you all that I will just start with this...our house (kind-of) sold (lease to purchase)!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it? I can! God is so good! It was only on the market for 4 weeks with a for sale by owner sign! We had about 5 lookers and more calls even after we sold it! And the thing is - sorry realtors - we made SO much more money! God knows how things need to work out!

So there it is - a teaser - we will blog this week though with pictures to keep you up to date on all that is going on...

Love you all!

Hey be praying I get a job...

We are MORE than CONQUERORS

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose.

Well...through all of this rain, the buyers of our house backed out. 3 inches of water in a basement will do it every time. At first the feeling is disappointment and discouragement...but God works ALL things together for the good! Jesus knows. We trusted and believed for Supernatural attraction to our house. And we believe that God will bring that! We currently have taken it off the market with the agent and are selling for sale by owner. We know God will bless us and all that will hear this story.
When Jerry told me yesterday that this was happening, my first response was tears...lots of big wet tears, but then we stopped and we prayed and then I felt peace. My heart felt pressed to open the Bible and when I did, this is what I opened to:

Psalm 34:17-19
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

God knows. He cares. There is NOTHING too big for Him. This is all part of the BIG picture.

We now have a well trusted renter for the house. It is on Craigslist and in the paper.
Please be praying with us...because it is still true... EVERYTHING GOD TOUCHES TURNS TO SOLD...

Good Lord willing and "The Creek Don't Rise"...

Well, well what to say about our first full weekend in Indiana. As many of you I'm sure have experienced the enormous amounts of rain here in the midwest, we were no different. This sure brings new meaning to the phrase "If the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise". The creek definitely rose here in Brown Co. Indiana. In fact I'm pretty sure many creeks rose. At one point 2 of the 3 roads leading to our carriage house were flooded, and many families lost their homes or apartments. We are making plans as we speak to help those in need around us. That is just the beginning of an epic first weekend...This saga will continue but as for right now I must run. God bless, continue praying.

Jerry and Jaime

Well...here we are...

After 18 looooooooooooooong hours of moving...I won't give you the details. Jen Handsaker told the story very well in her blog (http://www.handsakerhouse.blogspot.com/). All I have to say is Uhaul broke down we waited for hours. Jen and I went ahead and left and got stuck in tornadoes. Arrived in Nashville at 2 am. Enough said.

Anyhow...the closing date on the house is tentively June 27. They buyers want to move it up sooner...hopefully they can. Today is the day of the assessment. I know it will go well. It did when we bought it and the house is is better condition now than it was then.

And we are living in a carriage house in Nashville. Jerry and Jen told me I cannot call it an apartment. It is about 800 Sq. Feet. It is pretty much like a studio apartment. We also have a huge storage unit for all fo our other junk that is not in the carriage hosue or Jerry's office. I tell you what, we thought we sold most of our stuff in the yard sale - Boy where we wrong! We completely filled a 26 foot Uhaul. We will more than likely live there until August and then move to Bloomington - about 15 minutes from Nashville - and rent an apartment. And for those of you who know me well I am PUMPED about getting a dishwasher!! :)

And for those of you wondering, Buc is doing great!! Considering he got to go to Nanni & the Rev's house for a few days and aggrivate Casey. They only live 3 1/2 hours away now. So we will definately see them more than once every 6 months. In fact, Nanni is coming to see Buc tomorrow!!

Well, here are a few pictures that might interest you. And have a fabulous thursday!! (One more thing, we are changing our cell numbers today so we will text and email you all with the new ones.)