Catching up...

What better time to revive a blog than a new year? So here's to blogging a bit more consistently, and catching you up with our life these past 4 months.

Charlotte & Espen at the State Fair. One of my favorite memories!

Charlotte & Daddy at one of our favorite breakfast spots.

Foofah.

MyGym. Charlotte's loves her class & her teachers.

Paris getaway sans enfants (without kids).

One of the highlights- spending it with Scott & Diana.

Cheering on Uncle Shane at the White Rock Marathon.

Family Date.

Charlotte & Santa.

Christmas at Papi & Lulu's.

New Years.

New Years Day at Grandma's!

Answered prayer. Twins coming June 17, 2011. Praise God for His goodness to us & these gifts of life. We are full of hope & anticipation for this year!

Lesson in love.

Here's what I've learned: I am loved. This time last year...Caleb surprised me with the trip of a lifetime to celebrate my 30th. We went to London to go see Coldplay (+ Jay-Z). It was the perfect trip (recall all of the photos & glorious details here). Not only did we go to see one of my favorite bands in one of my favorite cities, my sister & brother in law surprised us with my little niece Iris. The whole trip was amazing...Caleb knows me and loves me well. It was more than I could have asked or imagined...in his human love Caleb loves me well, thinks of me, plans dream-like experiences for me...I am grateful beyond words for my husband.

Caleb's love got me to thinking on God's love...in his human-ness Caleb planned something amazing for me. God says in 1 Corinthians 2:9 that:

"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him."

If Caleb in his human-ness can love me so creatively and thoughtfully...how much more does God? Caleb's love is only to be a shadow of what God's love is like... In my mind and with my personality: planning = love. You might call it my love language. My finite mind cannot grasp the wonder that God has planned for those He calls His children. I long to live for this Truth, for the eternal, and for the things of God. Lord, help me to remember that you are orchestrating beautiful things for Your children. You are good.

Caleb, thank you for being a sweet picture of how God loves me. You bless me.

Blessings & Writings

The Lord is good. I am more & more keenly aware of his blessing in my life. He has given me some beautiful & godly women to walk with...One of those is my friend Donna Stuart. Well, if you don't know Donna she's a disciple of Jesus, loving wife to Ben, writer, singer, artist, visionary...she's also an encourager.

So grateful to my friend Donna for encouraging me to write more and giving me a chance to put to paper what God has been doing in my life. You can read it on Donna's site: Butterfly Blog

Family Camp-ing.

We just got back from Family Camp with the Village Church (our favorite people in the world). We spent a refreshing week at Shepherd of the Ozarks camping, swimming in the creek, riding horses, canoeing, hiking, & paintballing (Caleb & Scott)...and simply enjoying God's creation. The children loved every second! We loved getting to meet new families and having fun adult hang out time after the kiddos went to bed. Sign us up for next year!

Charlotte & Beckett meet Bambi.

What the...

Where did we sleep? Bunk beds of course. Fort style.

Day trip to Mountain View. Of course we had to visit here...

Best Milkshake ever.

Charlotte & Ella.

Post dinner madness.

Family pic.

Chilling creek-side.

My girl.

Adult hike to Indian Bluff.

Douglass fam.

Carruth fam.

My beautiful girls.

Charlotte & her BFF- Milkshake.

Jesus Came to Save Sinners.

Lovely.

Until Next Year!

Home is Where My Heart is...

I am going to be staying home as a full-time mom & wife this next year. I am thrilled and terrified, but mostly I feel peace. I know that this is a specific season of life & that the Lord has spoken clearly to me about staying at home. I've always been in school, working, teaching, counseling, and now I have the privilege of using every gif that God has given me to pour into my daughter, my husband, and our home. It's been a long road of my own opinions, pressures of the world, fears...but I finally see with clarity and have confidence that being a mother is one of the primary roles that God has given me. Will I struggle? Yes. Will I fail? More than likely on several occasions. But my confidence doesn't come from me...it comes from Jesus and who He is...He is changing me and I am grateful. I will not get the instant gratification all the time of seeing the fruit of my work at home, but I can trust that God will be faithful in all of the unseen and that is enough. Home is where my heart is because that is where God has called me...

Sudan Day 7

Today was the last day full day in The Sudan. We finished up with the pastor's conference and teaching at the orphanages. The week has been great and a full success. God has been so gracious to us in allowing us to do his good work here in The Sudan and be a part of the ministry of the EPC. Tomorrow morning we fly out to Entebbe, Uganda - then on to Nirobi, Kenya and then on to Amsterdam.

The orphanage team. I'm not sure why they are standing at attention. Apparently I'm a pretty demanding photographer.

The last teaching in The Sudan this week.

The comforts of home.

Jason dances during worship - Sudanese style.

Papa Moses asks a clarifying question to Jason and Michael.

Jason and Michael excited to have finished out the week. They are mentally exhausted.

Bishop Taban thanks Jason with a gift.

Bishop Taban thanks Michael with a gift.

Bishop Taban thanks Collin with a gift.

Bishop Elias Taban and his sweet wife Anne Grace.

Michael prays for one of the pastors at the conference.

Bishop Taban shares his life and testimony.

The team is honored to lay hands on and pray for Bishop Taban and his ministry.

Sudan lightning storm.

Village Sudan Campus anyone?