Andy and Pamela: Change...lots of change

"Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change."

MARY SHELLEY, Frankenstein

Thank goodness, our changes have not been of Frankenstein proportions, but we are sure facing a lot of them in 2012! The good news is, most of our changes have been positive, with a few challenges thrown in between.

I (Pamela) had a major job change in January 2012 and am now working as an independent contractor for VisionQuest Alliance doing everything from graphic design to grant administration for many different ministries around the world. I love what I'm doing--truly love it--and look forward to working in my home office (with all of my kitties) everyday. I'm blessed to work on a wonderful team with Steve & Lynn Hoffman and Zach Sparks--I'm learning more and more and have spare time in the evenings to refine my design skills in some new programs. It's a blessing to be able to serve the Lord in ministry and still be able to do work that I enjoy every single day. Please pray with me that I will be able to continue working with them as long as possible. It's wonderful!

Another job change...Andy is still in the National Guard, but no longer has a full-time job in the National Guard due to the gigantic CO Guard budget cuts. Just when you think the Army provides stability, they lay off a bunch of soldiers...However, it's been a good change in that Andy has an opportunity to reevaluate his career and figure out what God wants us to do long-term. We're not sure yet if he will stay in the military (options are quite limited for Active Duty) and his National Guard enlistment is up in August. Active Duty and OCS haven't been viable options due to changes in age restrictions and the military downsizing. Please pray that he will find a good job that he enjoys waking up to go to every day...this may mean he goes back to school, stays in the military in a different capacity or begins to forge a new path in the civilian world...who knows what God has in store for us, but we can sure His wisdom right now!

Other changes...my step-dad, Vic, got a great job and is now temporarily living in Sweetwater, Texas. My mom visits him often and we're hoping to head down to visit sometime this year, as soon as we can afford to do so. Andy's dad is also taking a job out-of-state and will begin working in Missouri for a few years, starting the beginning of May. We may need to make a "Dad" roadtrip to visit everyone here soon...it's hard to think of them both so far away! We're grateful for email, Skype and cell phones to help bridge the distance.

On a happier note, as of April 12th, 2012, we will be married for 4 years!

AND we have two new fuzzy little additions to our family! TWINS!! (Yes, it is Rath tradition in our generation.) Meet Ivy and Lily, our three-month-old rescued kittens from Happy Cats Haven here in Colorado Springs. The shelter is amazing and I highly recommend it for any of you in the market for a cat or kitten. (They're also a no-kill shelter which I super appreciate). Yes, this means we have 4 cats. Yes, Andy agreed (and actually was the one who convinced ME to get two). Yes, the other cats are mad at us, but we're willing to take however much time we need for all of them to adjust :-)

Lily & Ivy


Ivy enjoying her bookshelf

Calypso (Daddy's little girl)

Our little Easter Lily


Maui (Mouse)

Below are more pictures from this past year :-)

Andy @ training in Indiana


All of the Rath twins are growing up so quickly! (Jeff, Gizmo, Heather, Lincoln (2), Riley & Ella (6), Neva, Art, Presley (2), Andy & Pamela)

Trip to Mexico in January

Dad & Cheryl in Mexico with us and a wonderful group of family friends

Whale watching--Nuevo Vallarta in the background

Bucerias, Mexico

Pool at the Grand Luxxe

Infinity Pool & the Beach

Andy's College Graduation - Dec 2011

Vic & Mom - Christmas 2011

Pamela & Andy after his college graduation

Me & Julie Foster on top of the ancient fortress around Istanbul, Turkey

Andy & Mikey Foster climbing the fortress in Istanbul

Aunt Mary & Uncle John visited us several times last year!
In December, they took all of us on the "Santa Express Train" through the Royal Gorge (Neva, Art, Mary, John)

Bearded Andy and Isaac shopping at the Asian Pacific Market

Michelle & Chris Moore--hanging out before his deployment to the Middle East

Our "famous" bobcat hanging out on our fence

Andy's 30th Birthday - Keith, Andy & Max

Andy Turns 30 - Matt, Isaac, Andy & Max

Andy's 30th Birthday - Andy & Jeff

My last day of work @ Entrust, everyone dressed up in orange and made a wonderful lunch buffet of orange food =0)

Neighbor's house fire from our bedroom window

Our neighbor's house after the fire...they lost everything, but made it out safely. Thanks to God working miracles and some incredible firefighters, our whole neighborhood didn't catch on fire in the 70 mph winds & extremely dry conditions.