VBS 2008

Boy did we have a GREAT time on Outrigger Island this year at VBS. That makes THREE weeks this summer we will spend on an island (Outrigger, Dauphin Island this week on our mission trip and Isle of Palms on vacation). I taught 2-3 grade this year and Leah had a great preschool class. Doug did Rec (as always) and Lex enjoyed Ms. Lucille, Molly and Breanna in the nursery each night. Here are some photos from our final night where the kids "performed" our songs to their parents.

Leah playing her bongos!

The preschool row saying "REPENT....quickly, quickly!!"

And this is Lex and Gracie (Leah's friend) getting ready for VBS one afternoon. Gracie thought it would be cute to put her glasses on Lex....she was right!!

Job Update

Our interview went very well on Tuesday!! Now we're just waiting for God to work things out so that we can be in an apartment big enough to fit us AND Leah & Lex. This is the hard part for me...waiting!! Luckily, we're headed out on a mission trip to Dauphin Island, AL tomorrow morning for the whole week with our church. I'll post pictures/updates while we're there!! Thanks for your prayers.

Our Future...

Some of you already know that over the past several months Doug and I have really been praying about what's next in our lives. We both feel a call to ministry and the mission field (be it wherever we are). We have recently put our house up for sale and are planning on moving so that Doug can go back to school and "finish" his ministerial degree (we thought at Southern Seminary)!! But the more that we pray the more God is seemingly leading us back to a very familiar place. Last month we spoke with Bob Stotts about a Resident Director position at Campbellsville University (where Doug could "work" AND get his Masters of Theology).

Most people that we have talked to about it think we're crazy.....Doug leaving a very stable teaching position to be an RD for less than half the salary, moving our kids into a dorm apartment (nearly half the size of our house now), and going back to get a degree at CU as opposed to Seminary. It doesn't seem to make a lot of "financial" or "professional" sense to a lot of people. But it sure makes perfect sense to us! We trust that God knows what He's doing and we know from experience that He will bless us as we follow Him!!

We have an interview at CU in the morning!! Please be praying that we will be faithful wherever He calls!!

"Lex-a-mondy"

I realized after I posted Leah's video that our blog was a little "leah heavy" so I decided to add a few pictures of Lex!! He is growing like a weed.....he's nearly nine months old now and he still looks just like my brother (Justin)!! Anyway, here is Lex-a-mondy (as Doug calls him playfully)!!

Lex hanging out in the hallway - probably watching Leah from afar as she plays in her room!!

Lex and his breathing machine! He had a little bronchial thing and we had to do
breathing treatements during April and May but he's much better now!!

Bathtime =)

Going in for a kiss!! (He kisses like his daddy...)

Leah's YouTube Debut

Leah sang "All I Need" (by Bethany Dillon) at our church on Mother's Day!! She did an amazing job for a 4 year old. But she has always seemed to pick up on songs very quickly. Anyway, we posted it on YouTube to share with the world so I thought I'd upload it for you all to see too!!

The YouTube link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOW42vO-kPY

My FIRST Blog

Well, I have actually had this blogger account for sometime now as I LOVE to read and comment on my friends' blogs who are serving overseas. But I decided today that it was time to start blogging myself!! I mean, who doesn't want to hear about the exciting lives of the BRATCHER BUNCH, right!??!?!

Anyway, now that I actually have some time (seeing as school is out) I am going to try and keep our fans posted (pictures included) on our busy summer!! Already, Leah has turned 4 (birthday party and all), we've been to Kentucky Kingdom, we've visited friends and family in Nashville, Lex started crawling, and we celebrated Father's Day with Doug...
...and to think, the summer has only begun!!

Here are a few pictures of the things we have experienced so far!!

Leah's 4th Birthday

Leah's SUPER SLEUTH Birthday Cake!!

Leah & Mommy at Kentucky Kingdom

Leah's Birthday at Aunt Debbie's House (in Nashville)

Daddy, Lex & Roy (Lex isn't too fond of Roy =)