I Know, I Know...

It's been too long. I do apologize! It's been the same old thing around here so I haven't been interested in writing. 

The boys are all still in school, barely. Haha No, they are all doing great! 

We took our weekend off about a week and a half ago. It was the best weekend and the worst weekend. Jon and I both enjoyed being away and it was a time of refreshment. I enjoyed seeing the many women from Western Hills at the Women's Retreat. We just had a great time. The hard part for both of us was coming back. It was just really hard. Not that we don't enjoy being here, it was just a rough week. Things are very much back to normal and it's absolutely wonderful living life with these boys. 

Please keep us in your prayers as we continue our ministry. It is a very difficult place to be, but I would never want to be anywhere else! There are days of discouragement and days that are just absolutely draining. There are more days of fun and enjoying these boys. As with any position of ministry it is just draining. Please keep us in your prayers, please! 

I will do my best to keep you updated more often.

Thanks for your support! 

In Christ Always, 

Whitney

Sickness, School and September Days...

As Jon and I rounded the corner to our third month we faced a whole new set of challenges. SICKNESS! The house came down with a pretty severe cold that some of us had turn into bronchitis. Jon and I had to switch off, on who was on duty for the day. There were days that I never left my room, while there were days Jon never left. Just when we thought everyone was getting better, I continued to run a 101 fever, couldn't break it. So, off to the doctor we went. I had to get better, Jon was having to do everything on his own, I was getting sick of being sick. So we paid the co-pay and got the medicine. I was finally coming out of it when one evening I felt what I thought was a cut on my leg, I didn't think anything about it and went on my way. The next day I noticed a little inflamed skin near what now looked like a bug bite. I told Jon and we both agreed to keep a close eye on it. The next day it had grown significantly, so we proceeded to the doctor for the second time that week. We paid the co-pay and received medicine. We were told to mark a line and if it exceeded the line significantly then we needed to go to the hospital. Sure enough, the next two days proved to show excessive growth. Jon and I were both a little freaked out. Back to the doctor we went, this time we were advised to just go ahead and go to the emergency room. We got there and ended up being there for 4hrs. They gave me an iv with meds and then marked my leg, told me to come back and they would check to see if it had grown. I told Jon, please don't make me go back! I can just tough it out. So, home we went to watch and wait. I was put on bed rest that only lasted a day, I had a Labor Day party to plan, there was no way I was going to stay off my feet. Thankfully, today my leg looks almost completely back to normal. I still can't shave, which is the worst feeling in the world. I just might compete with guys right now, because of how hairy my legs are. Oh well, things could be worse. I could be stuck in a hospital! I am grateful things are starting to look bright again for us. It was for sure a test of our endurance and strength. The Lord has not failed us, He was right there giving us what we needed when we needed it. There is still a cold going around, but it looks like we might be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I am praying that one of these boys doesn't bring home the flu!!! Please keep this house in your prayers as we approach the flu season and the winter months.

School for the boys is going really well. They are all making outstanding grades! It's a little weird to have five boys in MS and HS. I must say, I am grateful it's not homeschooling!!! haha Football games officially start tmr night, this house is extremely excited! We look forward to supporting Chandler HS football. If you are interested in coming to some, let me know. I can get you a schedule.

September is here!! Which means it's time to break out the fall decor. I am so excited!! I am learning to take time for myself in the midst of crazy schedules so that I can be refreshed and better equipped to serve Jon and the boys. One of those relaxing things for me is decorating for fall and Christmas. I look forward to this every year like a child.

We face so many difficult days out here, but nothing is more rewarding than knowing that you are right where God has you. I look around, I listen to the conflict, and even sometimes I am saddened at attitudes towards us, but there is no comparison to knowing that God gave each of these boys to us for a reason. Maybe this reason is to change Jon and I. Maybe one day we will see the benefits of our labor, but right now, I am content to share the light and know that my heavenly father put me here with Jon for a specific reason.

I am so grateful for what the Lord is teaching me, and grateful for the lessons I have learned from the boys; how to love unconditionally, how to show grace, and how to be a mom to boys :)

In Christ Always,
Whitney

P.S. Please keep us in your prayers!

The Goose is Getting Fat...

The boys started school! Their first day was Thursday the 15th. The change has been good, it's been a nice change to the crazy summer we had.

I am not sure the boys feel the same :)

This week Taylor and Joseph have been staying with us. They are here till Friday. It's been a nice addition to the ranch. It's a lot of fun to have them be a part of what we are doing out here.

Jon and Blake went to a duck blind drawing this morning with 300 other people. Naturally they assumed their chances of getting a blind were very slim. It was a grueling wait for the both of them, but to their surprise Jon's name was drawn!! They got to choose one of the few blinds left. They were surprised to find out that the blind was right behind our property about 50 yards!! What a crazy adventure! All that to say, we will be eating a lot of game this year, which excites me beyond anything else. I LOVE cooking with and eating any kind of fresh game. I better get the cook books out and find some good recipes. As they were finding their blind he also ran across a guy that will take him on a goose hunt (no pun intended, haha) Jon of course is extremely excited!! He says he can now just skip Christmas! HA! I love that he is so passionate about hunting, I find it absolutely exhilarating to think that we might be able to have a goose for Christmas! It's like the ultimate Christmas tradition that no one really upholds much anymore. It would be really cool to begin that tradition with our boys.

Speaking of Christmas... I am so ready! I love the feeling of the cooler weather, the ability to bake, bake, bake and the endless possibilities of decorating! I can't quite bring out the Christmas music, but trust me as soon as Thanksgiving ends the music will be blaring. Okay, that might be an exaggeration but I think you get the point. hehe

Life is going great, Jon and I are learning so much out here and have definitely taken to parenting very well. Or so I think ;)

Please keep us in your prayers!
In Christ Always,
Whitney

It's Been Awhile...

It's not because I forgot about my blog, or that my life is just too busy to post anything ( although, now that I think about it, it's been pretty crazy ). I would say the biggest reason I haven't posted is because every time I think about a post, nothing comes to mind. There are only so many times you can post pictures of the scenery out here, and life right now is pretty much the same. 

The boys start school next week. Jon and I are both excited and ready for the new adventure the school schedule will bring. We have boys in track, football, archery, and one even going to votech. The summer was a great way to jump in and build relationships now it's time to live life with them. 

All that to say, that's not what I wanted to post about this time. 

My thoughts lately have been about the fact that Jon and I are completely different people out here on the ranch. I am constantly amazed by the new discoveries that happen every day. I am constantly finding that I have changed. My heart is different, my thoughts are different, my personality has even shifted some. Being in a different place, with different people and in a position of authority to teenage boys has a tendency to do that to you. I'm a mom. I take care of five boys, boys that aren't my own. I feed a family of seven now, sometimes even more than that. I am no longer sitting behind a desk or defined by the work I do in the church. I am on my own, with my husband. I am a wife to a man that is a father. We are young, yes, but nevertheless we are parents. I am a woman that has to prioritize my relationship with God, my husband and now these five boys. We have to work through tough issues as a family. We laugh together, cry together and are just down and out right goofy together. I love being a mom! I wouldn't trade where I am in life for anything! 

The ranch has changed us. We've grown up. We are different people now. I am amazed by God's plan for our lives. It's so incredible to see Him work it all out for our good. 

In Christ Always, 

Whitney

My Man...

My Man is: 

Protector

Defender

Provider

Lover

Spiritual Leader

Father

Friend

This man is beyond amazing, but there is one quality that most men do not have, and that is the ability to love boys that are not his own. It takes so much more grace and patience, love and endurance. I have seen him correct and guide in love, a deep love that does not come from Jonathan Werner, but from Christ alone. This ministry out on the ranch may or may not bear much fruit, but there is NO doubt that these boys have seen Christ! Jon is and continues to be the example of what Christ was all about. I am brought to tears even now as I sit here and see him interact with love. This love has been present throughout our marriage, but it has manifested itself in a whole new way. I see him spend hours of the day with these boys and even through all that, he still manages to take time to ask me how I'm doing. 

"Jon, there is no way anyone can tell you that you don't love these boys, or that you aren't loving your wife as Christ loves the church, because I see it and feel it everyday. I love you so much! Like I said in our vows, I will gladly follow you to whatever ministry God has called is to." YOU ARE LEADING OUR FAMILY WELL!

In Christ Always, 

Whitney

Home

This last month I've done a lot of thinking... Mostly about what it means to have a home. 

So many times growing up I would get home sick when I stayed with other people. I am such a stay at home person, be with the people that mean the most to me, and be in a comfortable place. Even when I got married and moved to my new home I was very uncomfortable for quite sometime. It was a hard adjustment, so hard in fact I remember waking up just thinking I want to go "home". 

It wasn't until our house flooded and we moved to the ranch that it all started to click. Our move as some of you know was hastened due to the flooding. Because of this I felt I didn't have adequate time to say goodbye to my first house with my hubby. We made so many memories together there it was hard to leave it behind. As everything was changing the Lord kept reminding me that this world is not my home, and through the transition I found myself desiring to be in my permanent place of residence; heaven. I realized that "home" is not a place, but it's where the Lord has called us with the ones we love. 

I am so grateful to be here on the ranch, serving the Lord alongside my husband, waiting to go "home". 

The move to the ranch was hard, but it was much easier than I thought it would be. I now think of this as my comfortable spot, it's where I feel at home. I desire to be here now more than anywhere, of course not so more than heaven. 

Until that day, I will wait here patiently enjoying where He has placed me. 

In Christ Always, 

Whitney

Second Week, Break and a Movie...

This was our second week out here on the ranch. It's amazing that we have had the boys two weeks now! We have finally settled into a new groove and the boys are getting the hang of how Jon and I guide the family. 

I must say that it has been a blast. Not to say in the least that it hasn't been hard, but I know that we are right where God has us and I am overjoyed. 

This last Wednesday I took my first grocery trip into town by myself! It was quite the adventure. I was able to get all my groceries purchased and loaded by myself. I thought the trip went off without a hitch... That was until I got on the highway and had to sit in traffic for over and hour. It was exhausting to say the least. What was supposed to be the perfect timing turned into the worst timing ever. I didn't make it in time to fix dinner so the boys went to church on an empty stomach and I ended up having to skip altogether because I needed to make dinner. It was a rough day, but here's to hoping next shopping day goes much better. 

Thursday and Friday was our first weekly break. It was weird, but great! We both needed it. But as soon as Friday came around and it was time to go back to the ranch we were both extremely ready! 

Before we left on Thursday we told the boys about taking them to see Man of Steel, they were all extremely excited and looked forward to our return with great anticipation :) When we got back we also received our new family van. And boy was that an excitement of its own, we no longer have to ride in a van with no A/C. On our way we went, we drove 45min to go to Harkins to enjoy the city life and show the boys some of the places we used to hangout before we moved. It was a fun night! 

(This is the van that doesn't have A/C, and this was also my awful shopping trip)

You know, it still hasn't set in. The whole idea that we are out here for good now. Pretty crazy, and at the same time it feels like we have been here forever! 

We both love these boys to death and couldn't imagine being anywhere else! This is our life now and it absolutely fits! 

In Christ Always, 

Whitney

First Week...

Jon and I have been on the ranch for one whole week! It's our first official week. We have been unpacking and prepping our new house. It's been a lot of work, but a lot of fun as well. 

Life out here is not like living in the city at all! First off, there are way to many bugs! And I hate bugs!!! But, on a serious note things just seem to move at a slow pace. There's no need to rush here or there, it's simply live life minute by minute. I am really having to learn to enjoy the slower pace, I have lived in the city all my life and it's always been go, go, go. 

We are both loving this life so much! Tomorrow night will be our first official night as full time house parents, and boy are we ready. It's been a long hard transition. I am grateful for this transition though, it's been good as well as hard. 

The Lord is teaching both of us so much, and I am sure that Jon and I will grow and learn more than the boys will. 

Please keep us in your prayers! 

In Christ Always, 

Whitney

P.S. Here are some pics you might enjoy! 

The day we arrived on the ranch. 

Took our boys to the lake on Tuesday. It was a lot of fun!

Our first grocery shopping expedition for the boys. 

We were finally finished and heading to the check out. 

The aftermath of the shopping trip. 

Deacon even helped unload :P

Still On Our Way...

Life on the ranch hasn't begun for us yet. Jon just finished up his last day of work on May 23rd. My last day of work is May 30th. These last few weeks have dragged by for the both of us, which in some sense is a great thing. In others, it just feels like the days are crawling by.

I am both extremely excited and very anxious. We've visited the Ranch twice now, but I am still unsure what life will look like on the Ranch, especially these first few months because of summer.

Packing the house has not been officially started. We are trying to get a few repairs finalized on the house in order to rent or sell. We haven't decided what is best for us to do at this time.

We have about a week to get to the Ranch. As soon as I finish with work, my gears will switch and I will be ready to tackle the large project of packing everything up.

I will post more once we finally get out to the Ranch.

Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to make some pretty big decisions regarding the house and what our future will look like.

In Christ Always,
Whitney

Welcome!

Welcome to the blog of Jonathan and Whitney Werner.

We are two people falling head over heels in love with each other daily. Our life together started on May 25, 2012. It was a year to remember. We have enjoyed every minute of this year and the challenges it has brought along with the unforgettable times we have had together.

The Lord placed a boys ranch on our hearts back in February of this year. Since then life has been an incredible journey we never thought would happen this early on. Jon and I both knew God was calling us to the ranch. That for us was very clear. It's been bumpy and slow going but we know it has all been the Lord's timing. I am so grateful my God takes care of us.

We now have a start date for the ranch. We have been to visit the boys and begin the relationships, it's now time to pack up our things and head out. Our start date is June 1st. The packing process has slowly started and we are preparing the house for sale.

The both of us are extremely excited but at the same time we are both so unsure of a lot of details. I am trusting God for those little things. I know that in the end everything will work itself out. We are going to miss so many of our friends and family! We will be leaving our home church that we both grew up in. I am leaving a job that I have been with for at least 5 years. I love OKC, it's our home and will always be our home, but God has called us on to a different place in life. We are both excited to be following our Savior. I would much rather be in the center of God's will than out.

This blog is here for our family and friends to keep up with our life. I know some will want to know every detail and others won't care so much. Either way, stop on by to find out what is going on in the Werner's corner of the world.

Keep us in your prayers as we strive to live a life that pleases the Lord.

Stay tuned for more from the Ranch!
In Christ Always,
Whitney Werner