life as an ostovic

I flew back to Michigan this past weekend to work on the house. We worked our butt’s off painting and pulling stuff into the garage for the forthcoming garage sale.  If you know anyone looking for a good deal on a house, you know where to send them. Above you can see our imporvements to the curb appeal, and in the bottom pic you can see the color we just put on the walls.  (Why did we not do this sooner so that we could enjoy it!?)  Oh well.

Someone else will get to enjoy it instead, and I am fine with that if it means we can sell the house.  So come on by, it will be a good deal and a nice place to live.

Derrak

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This post is way overdue, but the past three weeks have been not only some of the longest of my life, but also packed full of tremendous amounts of change.  Let me try and recap things for you.

Four weeks ago: My mother came into town to be with the boys while Melanie and I flew down to Atlanta to interview for two positions. We were gone for 5 days, meet some amazing people, and had a great time.

Three weeks ago:  After 6 very tough months of praying, searching, and listening, God has very clearly led us to a place we never would have picked on our own . . . Florida!!!!!   I accepted an offer to be the Service Programming Director for a North Point Strategic Partner Church called Anthem Church (No web site yet, but soon!) launching in Gainesville, FL on October 5th. That’s right, I am moving form one Ohio State rival to another! HA! Can’t get away from them.  Anthem Church is supported by and modeled after North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, GA.  Our mission is to help lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Our Sunday Worship Environment (or service) is designed to be a place where people can be real, relevant, and feel like they are accepted no matter what.  Melanie and I can’t believe where we have landed.  Anthem really is an answer to prayer.  This church resonates fully with who we are. We feel at home here.  And on top of that, we are right next to one of the largest universities in FL (The Florida Gators) with over 50,000 students!! Again, I can’t believe we have been given this opportunity.  Who am I to be used b God in this way.  It is sooooo amazing.

I drive by palm trees all the time now, and can’t believe I am here. God plans are so much better than our own. The tough part is letting go and following.

One Week Ago:  We moved fast!  In less than two weeks we packed the whole family in the pontiac and headed south on I 75 for over 1,000 mies. Two days and one Pecan Nut stand later we were in Gainesville. After 4 days together in our new city, Melanie and the boys flew back to MI while I have stayed back to begin working for Anthem. 

One day ago: Today was my first full day on the job for Anthem. I absolutely love it.  The people here are awesome, this city is awesome, and our new church is awesome.  God is so good to us.  I know these next few weeks will have their challenges while I am down here and Melanie and the boys are in MI working to sell the house. However I have no doubt that we will look back on this entire time and see how God’s hand was with us all the time, and be so grateful for what we learned and who we became through these experiences.  Heck, I already see this!

Since I have more time these days, expect to see more posts. I want to document this new season and transition in our lives and intend to use this blog as the primary means to do that. 

till next time . . .

Derrak

P.S. Now if we can only sell that house! : )

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Today is Evan’s birthday! He is now one year old and too cool for you! I can not believe it!  For more pictures of the little man and a look back at his first year, click here.

Derrak

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Recently I started some contract work for a really awesome video production company called Epic Motion, owned by a my friend Ryan Koral. 

He has become a great friend and teacher of video editing and all the skills that come with it. 

Epic Motion does many different kinds of event driven projects, which includes a lot of weddings. Now, these are some the. . . no they are the best wedding videos I have ever seen.  Absolutely amazingly done, very creative and professional.

Anyway, I recently edited a video for him that he calls a “Love Story”.  This is a video of the couple that tells their story, and is usually played at the wedding or reception.  the video I worked on was for a couple that had one of the most powerful stories I have ever heard.  You have to take a moment out of your day and check it out. You can watch the video by clicking right here. Then come back and tell me what you think.

While your there, check out some of the other stuff at Epic Motion.

Derrak

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Check out this video melanie caught of the boys getting into mischief together!
Evan is throwing Cheerios on the floor at Jacks command. It is pretty cute.
Click on the link below.

Jackson and Evan getting into mischief

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I made a post on my blog circuschurch about a church in Simi Valley, CA that is taking seriously what the bible has to say about what it really means to be a Jesus follower. This has drastically effected their understanding of what a building campaign should be and how they should be as a church.  Interesting stuff. YOu can check the post out by clicking here.

Derrak

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I took this picture on our first bike ride of the year.  It was also the first bike ride with both of the boys. Actually it was Evan’s first bike ride EVER!  That’s a lot of firsts for one picture. 

Who knew you could have so much fun playing with diaper boxes while your naked!! (Actually they had their diapers on, but the story is more fun if I say they were naked.)

OK, she may be embarrassed by this but I am so proud of Melanie. She and I started a diet last October and to date I have lost 23 pounds which is a nice accomplishment.  However, Melanie has lost 65 pounds!!! Isn’t she smokin hot!!

Last week, while Grandma Bottger was visiting, we pulled the pool out for the first time of the year. This was Evan’s first pool experience and I think it is safe to say that he LOVED it!  Both Jackson and Evan play so well together, and they had a great time swimming.

Over mother’s day weekend I was looking out the front window of Melanie’s parents house (Grandma and Weepa) and saw these guys drive by.  It was so funny because Jack was chillin big time.  They did many laps around the house, and the whole time jack relaxed like he was at the spa. “Weepa, when is my full body massage?” Fun times with Weepa!! 

This is Evan with Tori. Tori is one of the Zarbaugh’s, a family that has become very dear to our hearts here in MIchigan.  SHe absolutely loves playing with Evan and Jack.  I thought this picture was just too precious to not share.

I love this picture of Jack.  I bet he is thinking, “Daddy, look at me in my big truck PJ’s. Can I wear them all day?”

Melanie and I continue to press on in our journey.  I am still looking for a new position at a church. Recently I have had some great potential leads that we are very excited about.  For us it is all about focusing in on wanting only one thing,  to be exactly where God wants us.  This has proven to be VERY difficult becasue it means we have to surrender everything to him. But, he has proven to us that he is in this with us and no matter where he calls us and what happens,  he will still be there with us. I can not imagine why he cares for us in such amazing ways, but he does.  How awesome is his grace!!  We will keep you posted on the journey.

Derrak

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