Connie

If you found yourself wandering around in our web site, than I suppose I should introduce myself and tell you a little about me. You probably already know that I am wife to Michael and the mother of four beautiful children, Jared, Myah and Caleb and Joshua. I love being a mother and a wife. However, aside from these apparent roles, I like to think that I lead a very exciting and everchanging life. This page will hopefully give you a glimpse of my world.

I am originally from Livonia, Michigan. Yes, I am a "northerner" (don't tell my southern husband!). I moved south at the ripe age of 18 and have settled here ever since. Most of my family still live in Michigan, except for my "smart" sister, who also chose to settle in Tennessee. We try to convince our parents to join us, but they still have their reasons for living up north. One of those is my little brother Matt, who is not so little anymore. In fact, he is a junior at the University of Michigan (GO WOLVERINES!).

As a mother, I have to be creative to find time for my own interests. Some of these I am actively pursuing, others I will eventually find time for.

I love music. I can play it, sing it, or listen to it. I have played the piano since I was very young, and the violin from 5th grade through high school. We recently acquired a piano "on loan" from my sister-in-law, who just didn't have enough room in her house for it anymore. I have begun to play again, and hope to begin teaching my children to play. On my last visit to Michigan, my mother let me take home all of my old piano lesson books, so I am ready to get my children started. I also came across a violin and play for our church orchestra (really a band with one violinist...). It is very exciting to play again, though 12 years away has me scrambling to keep up! As for singing, my husband and I plan to sing a song or two in church very soon. Music is an awesome way to worship Jesus Christ!

Christ is a very important part of my life. I love Jesus and am always looking for opportunities to study the bible. I am currently leading a bible study by Mary Kassian called Vertically Inclined for a small group of 10 women mainly from our church. It has been challenging and I pray will be a great time of growth for me as a Christian and a blessing to the women who are studying with me. The Lord has plans for all our lives that He continually reaveals to us...perhaps He is preparing me and I am honored to serve Him in any capacity.

On Wednesday evenings, our church has programs for our youth. My sister-in-law, Angie, and I lead the 7th-12th grade girls in the Acteen Program. Acteens is a mission organization that shows young girls how God works through missions and encourages their own spiritual development and participation in missions. This summer we are taking two of our girls on an Activator Mission Trip. We are preparing for the trip already, not yet sure where we will be going...the WMU will assign us where we are needed.

Over the years I have written lots of poetry. It is a passion that I rarely have time for so I tend to write sporadically. I will be displaying some of my poems on my Poetry page. I will update this soon, so check back regularly.

Last year in the spring, since I was not pregnant (a rare occasion the last few years), we did a lot of work around our yard. We fixed some drainage problemes, built a landscape timber wall at the edge of our driveway, and put in a flower garden. I planted my first flower garden and it was beautiful. We also planted some trees and prepared another flower garden area. This spring I am so excited to get back at it! I love my yard to be filled with pretty plants, trees and flowers.

I have a B.S. in Human Ecology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. I hope to get my Masters in either School Based Counseling or Community Based Counseling at UT Knoxville very soon. In fact, if I can take my GRE this spring and complete the application process, I hope to be enrolled in the fall semester. I love youth and want to work in the school system as a guidance counselor or possibly with troubled youth who are struggling with alcohol, drugs and pregnancy issues. My life experiences have provided me with a unique insight on the places these young people find themselves. I really hope that God will provide a way for me to minister to them.

I love my Country and take pride in being a free American. I also see the importance of letting my voice be heard. I am a Republican and we have recently reorganized in Rhea County. I am a member of the Rhea County Republican Party, the Rhea County Republican Women and also the Young Republicans. I am also the webmaster for the Rhea County Republican Party website and for our State Representative Bo Watson's website. My husband and I helped in Bo's campaign and since then he has asked me to be his District Assistant, for which I was honored to accept. This thrusts me into the political forefront of our community to an extent which I have never before been involved. I also believe in President George W. Bush as he leads our country and is an awesome example how a christian can lead this country effectively.

So now you know what my passions are. I believe that life if full of opportunities and the more we partake of it the richer we are!

The Arnold Aerie and all content within are © Copyright 2005 by Michael and Connie Arnold.