Do you trust ME?

This past weekend, I felt my heart in a heavy state, wondering if life would slow down enough for me to ENJOY it again. Not that I haven't enjoyed my life, it just seems like there are a lot of days that are hard rather than joyful. It's been such a growing season, this having two young children, remodeling a home, moving/settling in, working, being involved at church/in ministry. All very good things, but I've still been feeling like I need more JESUS, you know? There are just so many areas where I feel like I'm not really doing my greatest...

So Sunday, as I felt my heart so heavy, weary, and well, a little dry, I knew I needed something different than a church experience in a building.  I love our Body of believers, but I just needed something different. I needed a fresh touch from God. Because really, going in and out of service to take our son to nursery, nursing Katelyn, etc., coupled with the whirl of getting ready to go to church, Sundays just don't feel very "restful" to me. So after praying and asking God for a fresh touch, I asked Nate if we could go on a hike for church. I was 99.999999% sure the answer would be no. Nate doesn't like to miss church (ever) and I'm grateful for his commitment to it. I really am, but this past week, I was really hoping my odds were somewhere in the .0000001% to be a yes. He said yes right away and I was shocked. God is so good. (Thanks honey!!!)

So we finished getting ready, and as soon as Katelyn was up and fed from her nap, we headed to a beautiful trail, a nice, solitary trail called Trout Run. I knew I needed something different, but I wasn't expecting to have a tantrum throwing toddler's instruction be what MY heart needed to meditate on.  As we walked, we stopped to throw stones into the creek. If you know my son, throwing stones into a creek is somewhere in the same sphere as heaven (he's all boy and 2). I am pretty sure in his mind, he'll be throwing stones with Jesus for all of eternity.

For me, I just closed my eyes, and the sound of the water carried so much stress away. The fresh air the crisp leaves, the water, in all of it, God was massaging away my tension. I opened my eyes and saw my husband and son enjoying throwing stones together and I felt so FULL.

The time came to move on, to keep hiking. Benson was NOT having it.

He was so mad and throwing a huge fit. Before I thought the words, I said, "Benson, do you trust us?". Nate was carrying him at this point and asked him the same question, then we said, "Can you trust that Daddy has something better for you?". Then it hit me. Do I trust that Daddy God has something better for me?  Do I believe the small creek and the small stones are as great as it gets or am I living trusting Him for all that He has for me?

As we walked we came to an even better place, with an island where the creek split and we got to the island where there were bigger stones and the water was so clear you could see the leaves/stones at the bottom of the pool we were throwing rocks into.

Katelyn's first hike... Sorry sweetie you're already 6 months old. We'll try to do this more often!



As we shared with Benson how much God loves us, how much we love him as our son and how he can trust us to lead him to better things, and that he can TRUST GOD EVEN MORE. God was ministering to me in so many ways. Nate knew there was an even better place ahead, and so we left this great spot for something even better. Benson, however, still didn't believe us and was pretty hysterical. So we asked him some more if he would trust us and then we let God minister some more to our family about trusting Him. I am sure I throw fits that to God look similar to Benson's that day, but I'm a bit better at hiding them from the public.

Then, we came to the BEST spot yet!  It had a rock about 15 feet above the water you could step out on and throw really big rocks into a pool below. Benson thinks he's superman sometimes and was trying to lift huge boulders (do you know grunting helps???).  Anyway, as he and Nate threw big rocks from the rock above the water, I was filled with praise to God for loving me so much. For loving us so much and for being so trustworthy. He wants us to experience Him fully, not only in the little things, but in the big things. He wants us to believe Him for delight, not just happiness.

Thank you God, for ministering to our family, for the beauty of Your creation, and for loving us so much to lead us perfectly... We trust You. We trust You.

Psalm 13:5 - But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Post where I nauseate you with kid stats :) Katelyn is 6 months old!

Katelyn Grace is six months old today!!! What a joy she is to our lives and our hearts. She is seriously SUCH A CONTENT AND HAPPY baby. We are in love. 

For about a month now (maybe a bit longer) she's been mobile. She has mastered the crawl, likes to stand on her legs with her hands on the floor, is starting to pull up on things, and can get just about anywhere. I think she knows to keep up with brother, she has to STEP IT UP A NOTCH OR 20.  I'm thinking at this age, Benson was active, but was sitting up with the help of a boppy, and definitely not crawling or anything close to it.

Unlike Benson, she doesn't like the nuk, so EVERYTHING goes in her mouth for exploration. I am baby-proofing much more with her much sooner!  She's really, really flexible and sometimes freaks people out with her splits in all directions. She smiles like crazy and LOVES it when you sing Jesus Loves Me to her. She's also "talking" a bunch now, making sure to make slobbering noises mixed in, too.

SHE SLEEPS!!!! She takes two pretty decent naps a day, and sleeps between 5 and 9 hours in a stretch at night (not consistent, but she sleeps for longer than two hours at a stretch, so I DON'T CARE! :)).

She and Benson are good buddies, only getting into fights when his blankie and Woody and his ball popper toy are involved. She thinks he's incredibly entertaining and he loves to give her kisses, share with her, and smile at her.

At her six month appointment last week, she weighed 15lbs., 13 oz. (54th percentile) and was 25 7/8 feet  tall (63rd percentile).  At this age, Benson was over 18 lbs ;) and quite a bit taller.

Katelyn at the doctor's office. This stance lasted all of .2 seconds before she was up and sitting/crawling. I'm sure the doctor wished she'd sit still!

 Benson is 26 months old today, talking up a storm, counting (1,2,3,8,9,10 - we're working on it ;)), pointing to letters on a page, busy, busy, busy - the boy can really kick a ball, shoot a ball, and is still athletic as can be. I'm trying to figure out the SAFEST sport for him to play. I think track is a good contender ;) ha.  Really, I can see I'm going to have to "let him go" when it comes to sports... If he keeps going at this rate, he'll definitely be a contender.

Here's our Benson at six months!

For please, he says "there you go" after signing please. Cracks us up. He's quite compassionate, when sissy gets hurt, he asks her if she's okay.  It seems like at this stage, each day I'm in awe of another thing he's talking about. I love it. He's a sponge!  I feel like if I could see through to his brain, I'd see things cranking, turning, spinning.  He is friendly as can be, saying hi to everyone at the store, and sometimes bye, too!  Katelyn and Benson make for one friendly cart anywhere we go.

Benson loves his daddy. As soon as I say, "Daddy's home", Benson's running to the door, throwing it open and waiting for him to appear. I love it!

Benson is also incredibly helpful. I can see a servant heart in him, wanting to help with so many things, so I'm trying to let him, even if it slows me down. I don't want to squash that gift!

We are all starting to feel a little more situated in our home now, Benson is especially happy with his new room. By 6:45 at night, he's headed to his room to read and hang out to settle down before bed. Nate is adjusting well to his new job, celebrating three months a couple of weeks ago. He had a really positive review, we're so proud of him! I'm still enjoying being plugged in at Global Disciples 10 hours a week. I think it keeps me sane :)  I'm so grateful to be able to be involved still, keeping my eyes on the eternal stuff beyond my little corner of the world.

I love seeing their similarities and differences. Many say they see Benson in Katelyn but I don't really all that much. They definitely look very different to me, but you can tell they are related in some ways. They are both so unique and so wonderful to parent. I would never ask for any different babies to raise and I thank God every day for the privilege it is to raise them! 

This is her usual expression. Eyes wide, taking it all in. Two fingers in her mouth. Doesn't matter which two as long as they're in there!

Home!

Well, it's official. After many, many long hours of work by us and by SO MANY others, we are moved in to our new home! This is our first home that we own :)  We feel especially blessed because of what this home represents. It's definitely more than a bunch of walls to us.

I'll let the pictures speak now.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150306938191262.337875.734601261&l=ddcf27ea76&type=1

Sorry, I'm too lazy (busy???) to upload to two places and FB is faster!

We are so grateful for all the help we had on this project. For just over a month, we did a lot and we COULD NOT HAVE DONE it without so many extra hands. We are so blessed!!!!!!

Two!

Happy TWO YEARS our gift from God. We are BLESSED!

Benson, I am going to write this letter to you, others can read along, but it's really to you.

When mommy and daddy found out we were pregnant with you we were excited, joyful, and really, if we're honest, a bit scared, too. You see, we knew your life would bring lots of joy but also lots of big changes.  And we were right! 

You were a world traveler before you were even born. You've been to N-pal, India, Eth-opia, Kenya, and Switzerland.  This year, you will travel to Finland for Christmas and your Auntie Gretchen's wedding. You have also flown to Mississippi and California, and have been to Arizona, as well. We pray you will have a heart for the nations and a heart to see people around the world know Jesus. While we were in Kenya, at about 10 weeks in my womb, a missionary named Benson said I should name you after him. To make a long story short, upon our return to the states, we decided it would be so. Even though we wouldn't know for certain you were a boy until a couple of months later, we had in our hearts that you were indeed a boy. 

And we are so glad you are!  You are ALL BOY, too.  A strong, capable, intelligent BOY.  Your favorite things to do at this point in life are to play with balls. You prefer shooting baskets, dunking the basketball and hanging from the rim ;), kicking a soccer ball or any ball, playing catch, jumping - and you do these things well. Really well.  When I was pregant with you, I had a feeling you would be a gentle giant who was an athlete that drew people to you for your skills but won their hearts for Christ. I hope that is true, because I really see you have a lot of natural athletic ability. It's a little bit amazing, even. Even now, when I see you excelling in these areas, I ask God to help keep you on the level ground and use those abilities for His glory, not your own.

Eating his first sugary treat on his 1st birthday - banana cake!  Look at that moppy hair!

Even more amazing to me is your heart for others. You LOVE to share. All I have to say (usually) is "Please share with so and so" and you gladly forfeit your toy.  You love to be a helper and a servant. If I ask you to help me do something, you light up and usually do it right away. It's almost like it brings you great joy to help and bless people. I like that about you!  You LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to give kisses and be kind. You are so sweet, you share your toys with Katelyn, you lavish her with love, and you are so gentle with her! You adore your baby sister and I just know she will always feel blessed and cherished to have you for a brother, just as we do in having you for a son.

Photo Credit Kimberly Sanderson

Wearing mommy's flip flops and jumping (wasn't working out so well... but it was fun!)

You aren't talking a whole lot, but you say quite a few words and comprehend even more. When we ask you to point to objects in a book, you have most of them right away. You just prefer not to SAY the words!  You seem to be more interested in honing your athletic skills and I'm okay with that as long as you speak someday soon :) You do say many words, just not a lot. Your favorites are sun, sit, sorry (sa-Eee), please, thank you (gank you), eye, shoe, bubble, balloon (mamoon), moon, one, foof (some sort of counting), uh-oh (usually when you are doing something you're not supposed to, this is our signal to find you!), cheese, whoa, mmm, wow - these are my favorites :).  You still love your NUK, but are becoming less and less dependent on it. You love to eat cheese, bananas, mac-cheese/tuna/peas, milk, anything Italian, water, watermelon, peaches, and so much more. You love wearing our shoes to clomp around the house in. Water is one of your favorite play-things, especially splashing in puddles.

You live intensely, whether it be playing, loving, even when you are upset, it's INTENSE. You don't like to sleep a whole lot, in fact you never really have loved it. I think you'd rather live life and you definitely don't like missing out on being with PEOPLE if you can help it!  We're working on helping you earn perseverance and patience. You get frustrated if things don't work the way you want them to, but almost every time, if you keep trying, it works out for you!  If you can harness the intensity God has blessed you with, little buddy, it's going to be incredibly useful in your life. If you let it control you, it won't be useful. I think you will be a leader because of some of your abilities, and I hope we can help you in your intensity. I really do think you will be an incredible leader. And hopefully from what I've seen so far, you will be a servant leader (the best kind, because that's how Jesus is!).

My little buddy, you have made my life so sweet, so fun. I'm DAILY so blessed by the PRIVILEGE it is to love you, know you, and raise you for God's glory. Even on the hard days, I thank God for you. I will always love you, you will always be wanted and accepted.  You are a joy and delight to our hearts, Benson.  Even when you are sick, or teething you are for the most part a joyful son. I'm excited to see where the days in your next year of life lead you. It's going to be awesome!

God has made you glad in the joy of His presence!

Mud Puddles, Fear of Man, and LIVING

If you're reading this, and you're interested in my son's love of mud puddles, it goes WAY back. You can find various pictures of him jumping in puddles, mud puddles, and LOVING every minute of it. He's a boy, he's a child, and I'm glad.  It's good, free, "clean" (if not physically so, at least spiritually so) fun.

But this post isn't about my son's joy of mud puddles, not really anyway...  They are just a cover for my heart. This post is really about the way I muddy God's love for me, for my child and how I let the approval (or disapproval) of others show me the way instead of living in reckless abandon and JUMPING in to all that God has for me and for those I love.

The other night we got together with a rather large group of people.  It was hot. It was muggy. It hadn't rained here in a long time. The grass is brown in these parts, which is weird.  Our son found one of the few places of water - brown, muddy, refreshing water.  Small as it was, near the drinking fountain, he LOVED it. Jumped right in, shoes, socks, white shorts and all.  Again and again and again.  I was enjoying watching him have fun and wishing that the puddle was bigger than one foot around, because I was secretly wishing to swim in it ;)

Some people made comments to me about the dirtiness, the mess, etc.and I explained that I thought it was great - a fun place to play in the heat.  Shoes and socks will dry, shorts can be washed.  A child's delight can't be bought, washed, dried. I guess it can, but not for the point of this post :)  He was exploring his world and enjoying it! I didn't know it at the time, but I do now, that people were also making comments to Nate. Comments to the effect of, "I would never let my kids do that" and other similar types of things. This post isn't meant to stir bitterness to the puddle haters, but to share the goodness and sweetness of the Lord when we miss the mark big-time.  It's also not about my husband's weakness, but about mine and how God used this one situation to minister, correct, and teach. I love Him.  Upon hearing these comments multiple times, Nate pulled Benson out of the puddle, much to his great dismay (a huge fit transpired, which was disciplined). While we don't approve of fits and ended up leaving shortly after for other reasons (I didn't know why Nate pulled him out of the puddle, I wanted to leave because I thought Katelyn was in distress from the heat and she was).  On the way home I asked Nate why he pulled him out when he was clearly enjoying himself (and hey, any time my son is occupied and relatively holding steady in one place, it's a good thing, right???).  He told me why and the revelation hit me like a mack truck.

We live in fear of man or fear of disapproval of man. In other words, we want man's approval and fear disapproval more than we fear God. Call it pride, call it fear of man, call it approval addiction, call it being conscious of others...attach any label you choose to, but I know at its very core, it's awful. It's SIN.  Plain and simple. I think this is something I'm learning more and more right now. I've been asking God to help me see people as He sees them, not through my filters. I think He's gracious enough to show me for mine, too. So many people think they don't wrestle with this problem, but I think most people do. Any time we fall to comparing ourselves to others (I wish I had nice hair like her or a big house like him), any time we worry that we said the wrong thing, any time we wonder if we are good enough, any time we replay scenarios over and over and worry if we've offended someone or worry that they don't see us as favorably anymore, on and on and on.... all of this is sinful if our pursuit is to be liked, admired, etc. It's sin.  Also, in our judgement, we don't allow freedom for others.

We bathed the kids (both due to muddiness and heat) and had our bedtime routine, all the while, I'm reeling, REELING from the reality of what happened.  I wasn't shocked at Nate's actions, pulling him out of the puddle, or even at people's words. I was shocked that we allowed people's disapproval steal JOY from our sweet son who was not doing anything wrong. He wasn't sinning, but we sure did. As we sang and prayed together before bed, I asked Benson for forgiveness for the times I stop him from living life because of my fear of what others will think. I asked for forgiveness for the times I haven't disciplined him as I should have for fear of what others would say. Basically for the times as a parent I didn't do as I should because of FEAR of what others would think/say/feel about me.  Nate and I had a sweet time talking and praying through this together, too. It's something we want to be free from, but also something we want to free others from in our lives.  I don't want my need for control rob those I love from full life.

The reason I'm posting this is not to point fingers or even to vindicate ourselves as cool parents ;) but instead because I want to share the glory of God.  Of His patience for us. And to remind us to PLAY IN THAT DIRTY MUD PUDDLE, NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS OF US. Go ahead, live. Live in the joy we have because He died for us to have LIFE. Amen.

And as a warning, we are probably going to let or son be dirty, have fun, and enjoy life.  I'm not sorry if that offends you. Eesh, typing NOT in front of the sorry was hard for me. We won't judge you for your children being clean. 

I encourage you to ask God the things in your life you allow other people's opinions to control (or how you control others with yours) when all should really be subject to God.  Then ask Him to help you be free.  It'll be fun.

As a side note, his socks are still dirty after being washed and I'm glad because it will remind me of this beautiful lesson.

23 Months, 3 Months, and a HOUSE

We must be growing up!

We are the proud and happy parents of a healthy, strong, fun, and lovable little boy who is going to be TWO in just under a month!?!!?! and a sweet, content, beautiful, cheerful little girl who is growing and chatting and smiling up a storm at three months old. I know it's cliche, but time is FLYING by with these two!  We got their passports the other day and it makes me laugh that they are going to be able to use these puppies for five years. I think they might look a LITTLE bit different then, don't you?

I had to hold Katelyn up - doesn't she look suspicious of the lady with the huge camera??? Benson held his hands to his chest and seemed to know this was serious business. Thankfully you can't see the animal cracker residue on his face ;)

It looks like we really are buying a house - we settle the end of August and we're pretty excited and spending some time dreaming of what we will do with the house.  Both in updates and construction terms, but also in building up of people inside (and I guess outside, too) the walls. It's exciting and fun and it feels less and less surreal to me each day. 

I also realize I haven't posted any pics yet from our family vacation to the cabin.  Here you go!

I think for Benson the FUNNEST part of the weekend was this mud puddle. He longed for it.

And this little stream with his cousin G. Somehow he found this spot quite frequently :)

And the pool.

And the lake - here he is mad at Nate for not letting him row by himself ;)

Benson really likes to be on my lap when I'm nursing or holding Katelyn. Here he is joining our party.

And this one is not from vacation, but isn't she so dear????

I've been struck lately by the fragility of life. I'm amazed that God knows all that will happen and how it will go down. I'm glad He knows all things and that I don't. I'm learning to be more content not knowing all the answers, not having the "right" words to encourage someone, and just being able to cry out to God for those in pain. I'm so grateful for those God has in my life who I learn much from on a daily basis.  So glad it's not all about me, that it's really all about Him.

I really like this verse today..."have not stopped praying for you...continually as God to fill you...":  Colossians 1: ⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^{[a] 10} so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...

You are loved,

Corn, tuxes, bellybuttons, and a weigh-in

Last week my friend and I had a CRAZY idea to take our 2 month olds and 22 month old (and her two year old) to Farm Days here.  Probably coulda used a double stroller, extra hands, but here we are still alive and laughing :)  I'm not 100% sure, but I think B could have played with this corn table all day long...

Benson's going to be a ring bearer in his Auntie Gretchen's wedding in December. Our friend Erin had a tux laying around so B tried it on and look how handsome he is!  He knew he was all spiffed up!

Here we are the other night at our friend's house.  The conversation between Benson (22 months) and Tobias (3 yrs) went something like this:  B: "eh, uh, eeeh, ooh, oejapjg;pjpdigjh.  T: Uhhhhh. (Probably thinking why isn't this kid speaking normally???)   B: (pointing to his bellybutton), grunt, eeh, oooohhhhhh!!!, eeeeeh  eh?  T:  (pointing to his bellybutton) giggles.  I think they decided on that point alone (they both have bellybuttons) that they can be friends forever.  Sometimes I wish I was blind to the things in other people that make me hesitate to be their friend.  What if all it took for me to be someone's friend was that we both had a belly button?  That would be pretty sweet, eh?

K's stats from our 2 month today - she's healthy!

weight:  11 lb 10 oz, 70%;

height: 22.5" 55%;

head in 70th

An Update and Dreams

Hi all!  I'm not even going to apologize for the long delay because I've been living life and that's okay :)

I have had it in my heart to update everyone on the happenings in our life lately. I was reflecting this morning or middle of the night or sometime I was awake with some quiet in the house that this seems to be our season (or year) of transition.  And I just LOVE that we can trust God to lead us as His children.

Photo credit Thomas Hacquard (Sister's fiance)

Last night, we had some time alone with God during our Bible Study. As I laid on the blanket in the yard at Julie's house, I was resting with Katelyn on my chest. I put my hands up in the air, fingers open, and had this thought: God's hands hold that sky. My hands are so tiny, they are mere flecks in the vastness of it. But He holds all of it. Every single bit of that sky, the earth, the heavens, all of it. He even holds us. I think I'll let His much bigger hands handle ALL things in my life. He's definitely BIG enough, capable enough, and loving enough.   Psalm 8:3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Katelyn Grace has been a wonderful and dear addition to our family. For every reason I was terrified to have a baby girl, she has given me hundreds more to enjoy having a baby girl.  Those fears are (mostly) gone.  I have been enjoying being a mommy to two and I laugh often at the fact I thought one was hard but two doesn't seem as difficult. I guess the transition to two has been easier than the transition to one. 

Photo credit:  Kimberly Sanderson of Sanderson Images

I think the biggest reason for that is I'm not working from home anymore!  I'm so blessed to be able to attempt to do my job in 10 hours a week at the office (you can pray for me as I try to accomplish this calling and do it with excellence).  I think I'll be a better wife, mom, worker this way. I was a stressed out mess last year feeling like I was failing Benson for working from home and not solely focusing on him. I trust that was God's plan, though, so I trust He'll protect Benson from long lasting effects... 

The ministry continues to be fruitful and the multiplication is intense - sometimes so much so I get nervous!  Ha.  The number of programs in the Alliance continues to grow and grow and grow... We're over 250 now.  That's pretty incredible when I think of the fact there were 25 just six years ago.  Which, PRAISE GOD, I've been here SIX + years!  That's six years of God's children selflessly supporting this ministry so I can work here. It STILL amazes me that God blesses me to do this.  And that He uses His body of believers to "send" me so I can.

We are blessed to have Nate's mom who will help us out with our babes on Thursdays so I can come in to work.  We're praying and looking for help on Mondays for a couple hours in the mornings... Nate has been able to fill that slot for the past couple of years, but won't be able to anymore in July... Which leads us to a really big transition!

Nate's going to be switching jobs in July!  This has been a really neat God-story in our lives and I want to share it with you. 

• On January 6-7 I prayed for Nate to have a different job, or not travel as often.  I wasn't really looking forward to being a working mommy of two with a hubby traveling.  I knew Katelyn Grace wasn't coming until April, but early prayers are good.  :) Ha.  I didn't pray long and laboriously, just asked God to do it if it was His will and best plan.  And even though God knew it was the desire of my heart, asking Him for it was freeing for me :)
• On January 8, Nate received two emails for possible jobs (he didn't know at this point that I had prayed what I did)
• On January 9, we had a date and I confessed to him I'd prayed for a new job for him (I figured it was only fair as it was a possible BIG change for him if God so chose to answer that prayer).  He didn't say anything to me about the emails (Stinker)
• Sometime mid-January Nate told me he was meeting with an old high school friend about a possible position with a local bank.  He met with his friend a couple of times, then met with the supervisor in the Agricultural lending department.  All these meetings were happening as some instability was happening at his current job (there were some layoffs, but he wasn't one of them). 
• In March, after much prayer and me telling him I really wanted him to choose what was best, he accepted the position at the bank.

So here we are, in the middle of June, preparing for a big change for us in July.  I know Nate will do a great job at the bank, his degree is a business ag one, so this will fit.  Can you please pray for him?  It's always so tough making big transitions like this!  We are really excited and I'm already so grateful to God for this opportunity. From what I can tell, the friend from high school he'll be working at is a really solid guy (we also met his really wonderful wife).  It also seems like there's a great work environment there. I have so much hope in my heart for Nate's life as he moves to this new role!

Another big, BIG transition is that we made an offer on a house the other day!  We find out tomorrow if it's a go! We have been so blessed in our current home, so it's not like we're feeling tortured or anything and we weren't really actively looking.  We walked through a house last year and then this one.  Just kind of getting a feel for what was out there, asking God to do whatever He wanted and what's best - we haven't really been pining over it, either, just trusting God for His plans and waiting for His leading. It's a bit surreal to me as it's a lot more stability than I've ever known.  It's surreal, not in a bad way, just in a really, really different way.  One of my favorite things about the house is the potential to bless others with it.  It's on .85 acres, has a daylight basement already plumbed, wired, and set for an apartment (the apartment was finished in the 70's so needs to be updated).  We have dreams of turning it into space for ministry or blessings someone who needs a place to live (or both - depending on the season and what is needed).  God has kept us with open hearts to this process and neither of us are so tied to it that we'll be devastated if if doesn't work. We trust it's in His hands!  I've gotten to talk to the really cute 92 year old woman who owns it now.  She's a treasure of a woman and really wants the house to bless whoever is blessed by it next.  Nate sensed in worship last week at church that God wants to bless us.  So whether it's this or something else, I'm excited!

My friend Julie and I have been leading a women's Bible study together.  We did an inductive study on Philippians first, now we are reading Crazy Love and next up is an intensive study on the book of Acts.  There's so much I don't understand about God's heart for His church. I'm looking forward to learning more!  The women God has blessed us to minister to are more incredible than I could have asked for.  So many weeks I feel like we hit on such intense stuff that I can't believe it! Most weeks I leave asking God to continue to refine me. For a newer group who doesn't know each other really well, it's incredible. 

My heart is full - I feel like there's been a lot of healing in my life recently and I can see so much of God's plan for my life unfolding.  Having a girl has been healing, as well as enjoying Benson and all the fun he brings to the mix! 

I continue to learn and grow in my heart towards God, towards Nate, the kids, and the ministries He's blessed me with. I'm hung up on the verse in Philippians 2 that says, "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves..."  I've found that focusing my heart on that verse daily, I've been a lot more apt to give than to expect to receive.  It's hard not being selfish :) and looking at what YOU want and "deserve". There's so much more freedom and joy this way! I'm so grateful for a really patient and selfless husband who models this lifestyle to me :) 

How about you?  What has God been showing you, answering for you, or challenging you with?

Photo credit Thomas Hacquard (Sister's fiance)

We love you all - you are such gifts to us...

Pictures

Our amazing and talented friend Kim Sanderson (Sanderson Images) blessed us by getting some great pics of our family and our precious daughter when she was just over a week old. 

We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Our hearts are so full of gratitude to God for His blessings to us!

Update and reflections on all God has done in our lives (especially mine since I moved here SIX years ago to work for a smaller than it is now ministry (hopefully) coming soon. :)  God is more than GOOD.  He's incredible.