About Me

Hey there...My name is John Alice and I am happily married to my wife of 11 years Erin. We have five children; Tawna, Austin, Hailey, Isabel, & E-beth. I also happen to be the Pastor of Old Fort Church in the Northern Midwestern part of Ohio. God has done so many things in my life from being a church planter in a YMCA to fostering up to 14 different children in our house. There have been many struggles along the way with infertility, Isabel's Aperts Syndrome, and the challenges of raising five children. However, God has always met me in times of struggle and walked with me through these real life issues.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Moms

There is no way I could do the things my wife Erin does with the kids. She puts countless hours in with them during the day and in the middle of the night. She always seems to be there to help with homework, to offer correction, do the laundry, and cook a meal often all at the same time. She is amazing. Juggling the needs of 5 children and a husband that sometimes acts like a child, has to be a struggle. Erin really does deal with a lot...working with the kids behavioral issues while trying to accomplish all the other tasks that require her focus and participation. Often her days are filled with running the children to various counseling, doctors, and school appointments only to have to rush home to meet the rest of the kids after they get off of the bus.

It gets me to wonder how many of us do the thankless things that always seem to be behind the scenes where nobody can see them? This is probably what amazes me the most. Erin is lucky to get a thank you from me about once or twice a week. I am working on sharing my appreciation more with her and letting her know how good a job she does with everything in her life. Not only does she do well with the kids but she really supports me and all the work we do at the church. Her involvement in the past year has really been incredible as God is using her to change lives at OFC. What a partner I have in life. I thank God for her everyday.

I often think of all that my mom did for me and how she raised me in the name of Jesus Christ. She worked hard to instill values in me and guided me towards making healthy choices. She held me to a high standard that I had to strive to live up to. It stretched me and made me the man I am today. When I was looking for my future wife a lot of the characteristics my mother had were ones I was looking for. I was looking for someone with confidence, who believed in me and my pursuits. I was looking for someone who was caring yet was able to challenge and put me in my place. One more thing. I was looking for someone who would be a great mother to my children as my mom had been to me. Erin has been all of those things and so much more. She is this family's biggest supporter and cheerleader and spurs everyone one. I am thankful.

Don't get me wrong we have our struggles and disagreements. There are times where we get on each others nerves, but God has really done a special thing bringing us together. I am thankful for her and I am thankful for all the women God has brought in my life...my mom, daughters, Grandmothers, and especially Erin. I pray that today gives you a great perspective on just how important the ladies in your life are. Men let's not forget what they mean to us and to many others. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor

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