Well, I'm now blogging as 1/3 of a new IMB missionary unit! Our "file" was presented to the Board of Trustees today and they unanimously agreed, without question, that we will be missionaries in Sub-saharan Africa! More specifically, Ft. Dauphin, Madagascar!
Despite the knowledge that the Lord has called both Chandler and I to be missionaries in Africa, we have always kept, in the forefront of our minds, that He can take us along another path at any point in accordance with His will for our lives. He has been so gracious thus far, allowing this process to be smooth and efficient. He has given us favor in the eyes of the IMB and we look forward to the journey ahead, working with the IMB alongside our SW Mada team!
He has also been faithful and gracious in the realistically small, but emotionally huge, aspects of this time in our lives. Of all the things I could have lost sleep over and worried about I often laid awake at night praying that our pup, Fenway, would have a "forever home" to go to when we leave in July. I cried when I thought of her being separated from us and the thought of her missing us and her home.
Fortunately, I can rest knowing that she will be going to a family who will love her probably more than we do (that's a lot!). She has stayed with them some when we have been out of town, spending 2 weeks with them when we traveled to Malawi.
I am thankful that He is faithful to accomplish the will He has set for our lives and I am thankful that He cares about the "little" things, showing me that HE is in control and HIS timing is perfect.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sort Of Interesting Fact.
Having watched hundreds of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episodes, as a biproduct of my daughter's insatiable obsession with the show and characters, I would consider myself an expert on the subject. When you watch the same episodes over and over, you quit enjoying the content of the show and start analyzing various aspects. For example, I often ask myself, "What is the moral of this story? What is Waverly learning? Is this an effective presentation of the material?" Seriously.
I got real hung up on a particular episode where Pluto and Mickey got caught in bubbles, floating into space, but have no fear, Daisy and Minnie flew their bi-plane to save them, putting rubber ducks on top of their bubbles to bring them back to earth. Totally lame and unbelievable. I can't believe Waverly falls for this sort of thing.
May latest obsession has been with the man himself: Mickey. I've had a feeling for a while that Mickey is from somewhere in the midwest. Isn't that so strange? I can guarantee I'm the only person ever who has thought this.
But I have family in Missouri; my dad's a good 'ol midwest boy, and they have a different way of talking. It's not as pronounced, always, as the southern dialect, but it's there. Trust me. So, anyway, I was getting this midwest vibe from Mickey Mouse. And, of course, Google'd it because, well, I love to Google stuff. I just like to know things, even if it's trivial and useless. Come to find out, Walt Disney was born in Illinois, did most of his growing up in, none other than, Missouri (!) and went to high school in Illinois! I was super pumped with my discovery.
But let's get real, the only person who will find this interesting, besides myself, is my dad. Quite frankly, I'm more impressed with my own intuition than the actual facts of the situation.
There you have it.
I got real hung up on a particular episode where Pluto and Mickey got caught in bubbles, floating into space, but have no fear, Daisy and Minnie flew their bi-plane to save them, putting rubber ducks on top of their bubbles to bring them back to earth. Totally lame and unbelievable. I can't believe Waverly falls for this sort of thing.
May latest obsession has been with the man himself: Mickey. I've had a feeling for a while that Mickey is from somewhere in the midwest. Isn't that so strange? I can guarantee I'm the only person ever who has thought this.
But I have family in Missouri; my dad's a good 'ol midwest boy, and they have a different way of talking. It's not as pronounced, always, as the southern dialect, but it's there. Trust me. So, anyway, I was getting this midwest vibe from Mickey Mouse. And, of course, Google'd it because, well, I love to Google stuff. I just like to know things, even if it's trivial and useless. Come to find out, Walt Disney was born in Illinois, did most of his growing up in, none other than, Missouri (!) and went to high school in Illinois! I was super pumped with my discovery.
But let's get real, the only person who will find this interesting, besides myself, is my dad. Quite frankly, I'm more impressed with my own intuition than the actual facts of the situation.
There you have it.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Happy 2!
My sweet girl,
I can't believe you turned two today! As quickly as the time has passed, I still haven't forgotten those 21 hours it took to get you here. I was clueless. Absolutely clueless. Young parents and a new baby. We thought we loved you then. Please. I speak for Daddy too when I say, our hearts have exploded with love for you these past two years. I love you so much, it literally hurts... in a truly awesome way, of course.
I rocked you last night, just like I did the night before your first birthday, only this year I willed myself not to cry. And I didn't. You were so, so tired and just wanted to be in your bed, but I snuggled you through your favorite song, "Away in a Manger." Then we talked about what your big day would hold: big fish, little fish, sharks, and penguins. You were pretty excited about a day at the Newport Aquarium, but, let's be honest, I was way more excited than you. I couldn't wait for you to experience the fish, reptiles, and amphibians up close. There is something so neat about watching you experience life.
We got up early this morning to make sure we visited the aquarium with enough time to do what we wanted before you started getting cranky. You were all smiles all morning, watching the fish in the tanks and taking it all in. You talked a lot about the sharks, but was less than fascinated when we actually met them face-to-face. It's fine though. (Duhhh-nuh. Duhh-nuh.)
Fortunately, we made it through the aquarium just in time for lunch at... Max & Erma's! Okay, so this was a treat for Daddy and me, but really, what do you care? After lunch we made aquick stop at H&M in Florence Mall. Okay, so this was for me and as long as we made it to the car for a nap, what do you care?
You're napping now, so exhausted from our busy morning. Secretly, I want to wake you up and squish you. You are a pretty wonderful two-year-old. Daddy and I are always amazed by you. Your vocabulary is quite extensive, including a few of my favorites, "Careful, Mommy", "Not go night-night anymore!", and always, "I loves you." And I'm not sure how it happened, but I am convinced we created the funniest child ever. You are charming, even more so than last year!, but stubborn as a mule. We foresaw discipline becoming a battle, so we taught you a Bible verse: "Obey your parents. It pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20". When you disobey, we remind you of your verse and talk you through what it means.
That may sound cheesy, but Daddy and I desire so much for you to know the Lord and His Word. We know there is no better relationship in this world than the One with our Heavenly Father. We pray for you constantly, that you will come to know Him in a personal way.
I have tried, but I know my words will never be sufficient to express my love for you. It is a love that you will not understand until you have a baby of your own (when your married at 40, of course). I just have to have faith that you receive it and know, on some level, that your Daddy and I love you more than life itself.
Happy Birthday, my love.
I can't believe you turned two today! As quickly as the time has passed, I still haven't forgotten those 21 hours it took to get you here. I was clueless. Absolutely clueless. Young parents and a new baby. We thought we loved you then. Please. I speak for Daddy too when I say, our hearts have exploded with love for you these past two years. I love you so much, it literally hurts... in a truly awesome way, of course.
I rocked you last night, just like I did the night before your first birthday, only this year I willed myself not to cry. And I didn't. You were so, so tired and just wanted to be in your bed, but I snuggled you through your favorite song, "Away in a Manger." Then we talked about what your big day would hold: big fish, little fish, sharks, and penguins. You were pretty excited about a day at the Newport Aquarium, but, let's be honest, I was way more excited than you. I couldn't wait for you to experience the fish, reptiles, and amphibians up close. There is something so neat about watching you experience life.
We got up early this morning to make sure we visited the aquarium with enough time to do what we wanted before you started getting cranky. You were all smiles all morning, watching the fish in the tanks and taking it all in. You talked a lot about the sharks, but was less than fascinated when we actually met them face-to-face. It's fine though. (Duhhh-nuh. Duhh-nuh.)
Fortunately, we made it through the aquarium just in time for lunch at... Max & Erma's! Okay, so this was a treat for Daddy and me, but really, what do you care? After lunch we made a
You're napping now, so exhausted from our busy morning. Secretly, I want to wake you up and squish you. You are a pretty wonderful two-year-old. Daddy and I are always amazed by you. Your vocabulary is quite extensive, including a few of my favorites, "Careful, Mommy", "Not go night-night anymore!", and always, "I loves you." And I'm not sure how it happened, but I am convinced we created the funniest child ever. You are charming, even more so than last year!, but stubborn as a mule. We foresaw discipline becoming a battle, so we taught you a Bible verse: "Obey your parents. It pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20". When you disobey, we remind you of your verse and talk you through what it means.
That may sound cheesy, but Daddy and I desire so much for you to know the Lord and His Word. We know there is no better relationship in this world than the One with our Heavenly Father. We pray for you constantly, that you will come to know Him in a personal way.
I have tried, but I know my words will never be sufficient to express my love for you. It is a love that you will not understand until you have a baby of your own (when your married at 40, of course). I just have to have faith that you receive it and know, on some level, that your Daddy and I love you more than life itself.
Happy Birthday, my love.
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