Our Christmas Wish List at Work...

This is a little something I worked up for our advancement team.  It's kinda fun to see where $48 could go or $15,000... with everything in between:

Sponsor a GDT Alliance Discipleship Mission Training Program:

Africa: $1,876 (56 programs receiving grants)
Asia: $2,678 (70 programs receiving grants)
Latin America: $4,172 (4 programs receiving grants)

Sponsor one participant to be trained and sent on outreach through a GDT Alliance Program:
Africa: $264 (in 2009, we saw 1,422 trained in Africa)
Asia: $340 (in 2009, we saw 1,244 trained in Asia)
Latin America: $335 (in 2009, we saw 176 trained in Latin America)

Sponsor a GDT Alliance Director to go through Director’s Training:
$862.50 (proposed 137 to go through DT in 2011)

Sponsor a GDT Alliance Director’s Training:
$15,150 (8 Director’s Trainings)

Sponsor a GDT Alliance Director to attend the GDT Alliance Equipping Annual Meeting:
India: $48 (90 participants expected to attend)
Ind-nesia: $48 (35 participants expected to attend)
N-pal: $40 (35 participants expected to attend)
Uganda: $72 (20 participants expected to attend)
Kenya: $44 (35 participants expected to attend)
Ethiopia: $48 (60 participants expected to attend)
South Africa: $64 (25 participants expected to attend)
West Africa: $48 (15 participants expected to attend)
Latin America: $60 (20 participants expected to attend)

Surprise Blessings

I am continually convinced that God is all about surprising us, blessing us.  Right now, we are in the process of discerning God's heart in so many circumstances. 

As you know, I raise support and Nate works at a non-profit.  We have chosen to obey God even though that means making sacrifices.  It's not always easy, but we are so blessed.

Today, because God is good and He loves to surprise His children, a dear friend and coworker blessed us with a very generous gift - one that her church passed on to her and she passed on to us.

This is just a tangible example of God's love for us.  Thank you, Lord for providing for us - especially when we wonder if we're doing the right thing :)  Now we can get our car fixed!

One Year

Happy Birthday Baby Benson!!!

One Year ago as I begin writing this, I was in labor.  A suprisingly short labor considering I was induced.  From start to finish, just under 12 hours.  I was blessed.  I can remember the uncertainty of the day so clearly, it is incredible to think how much we didn't know going in - would our baby be okay, would be have any health issues?  How would the delivery end - would it end in a C-section?  God knew all along and that was our peace and comfort. You can read the journey here:  Benson's Story

Photo credit Kimberly Sanderson of Sanderson Images

One year ago today, we met my favorite little baby Benson.  He's such a sweet baby, so full of joy and spunk and energy.  He has blessed our lives immensely.  More than we would have ever known.  He's made this journey into parenthood so easy.  Sure, he didn't sleep more than a few hours at a time until nine months, but that was small compared to our relatively easy-going babe who just goes with the flow, loves people, enjoys smiling and dancing and clapping and eating.  He's a joy to be around and we can't wait to see all he learns an accomplishes this year.
*****
Benson, you are so incredibly loved.  Thank you for making our lives so full, so sweet, so amazing.  God has blessed us with your precious life and we are so incredibly grateful He has chosen us to care for you.  We consider it a privilege to experience all the great things with you - the laughter, the smiles, the new skills, the jabbering, dancing, and just living life - as well as the difficult things - you have a fairly strong will, which is a good thing!  It will serve you well in life is you learn how to corral it for God's glory.  We've enjoyed learning patience and perseverance right alongside you with the sleep(less) nights, the days when you were a bit less than your cheery self, and the times we weren't sure what to do to help you.  Through sickness, you have always been a joy even.  Smiling and snuggly.  You have taught us a lot about choosing joy and living life fully.  We appreciate everything you are Benson and we couldn't and wouldn't ask for anyone different than you for our firstborn.  You are a gift, a blessing, and we are delighted to be able to love you. 

Throughout your first year, you have shown a capacity to learn and grow in ways that astound us.  You were born strong and smiley.  You loved to stand on your legs right away and you even liked to smile right away.  You grew and grew and grew - we can't wait to go to the doctor tomorrow and see how you've grown since nine months!  You love to explore, move, and figure out how things work.  We love watching you investigate and try to figure things out. Right now, you love to play with balls and roll them, throw them.  You love to bang two objects together and watch them fall to the ground.  For some reason, this intrigues you very much.  You love your lamb and your blankets. You love to smile at the baby in the mirror every time you see him.  He's good at smiling.  You LOVE books, you have loved to turn the pages since you were very little and even now, you'll open a book and laugh and laugh, even if nobody is reading to you.  You love animals - you are absolutely delighted when you see puppies, kittens, horses, cows, whatever.  You have a cute little laugh you do - perhaps you're trying to bark?  We're not sure, but it is very cute!  Everywhere we go, you have a strong desire to make as many friends as you can, laughing, smiling and squealing as we go along.  When we pray for you, we pray you would find favor with God and man.  We have big dreams for you Benson, but I'm sure they are nowhere near as big as the plans God has for you.  He loves you, little buddy.  He longs to know you and delight your heart with His presence.  He's such a good daddy and we hope we can be earthly reflections of His great love.

Thanks for being patient with us as we learn how to be parents.  We love you.  So, so much.
*****

Last weekend, grandma flew in for a ten day visit!  Benson got dedicated on Sunday at church, where he squealed and smiled and flapped his arms and legs!  Such a difference from when he wouldn't respond during NSTs during our pregnancy.  Ha - he's making up for his lack of movement now. He may have enjoyed being in front of people just a little bit.  Oh, boy! 

We had a birthday party for him Sunday evening, and really, we weren't going to have a big party - big parties for one year olds have always been a little weird to me - do they really remember?  But... as the day approached, we realized it would in fact be large, but that okay, because we can always use a good excuse to hang out with family and friends!  It got too large for our place, so we moved to the Hoover Homestead and it was such a great location - the kiddos could enjoy the trampoline and a few even rode the horse Micah!  Benson enjoyed his banana apple bread cake with cream cheese frosting, but didn't love touching it... So he just planted his face in it.  Ha.  He was spoiled and loved on with gifts, many arms ready to hold him, and so many people to interact with.  Thanks everyone for making his birthday so special!

We had to take his carrot away from him to try the cake... He didn't love touching it...

But he did enjoy planting his face in it...

Up for his actual birthday today:  just hanging out together - probably going out for a hike or to a petting zoo.  Benson will also get his first hair trim.  He is starting to have trouble seeing out of his eyes.  Oh, his long, curly hair!

On Travels, Homesickness, & "Mountains"

On Travels:

We went to Mississippi.  We flew.  It was like a service vacation and I'm glad we went as a family. It was a lot of work (mostly for Nate).  It was hotter than here in PA, which is a feat unto itself.  We met really, really, really nice people and reconnected with old friends.  Cute, little, adorable, generous older friends who are cooler than I'll ever be.  They have ferris wheels in their backyard.  No lie. 

Pics here:  http://picasaweb.google.com/nateandjenny.blogspot.com/MississippiJuly2010#

What was not so cool was that Benson was "warm" on the flights down.  By our first night, he was BURNING up with a high fever. This lasted for a couple days, I gave him Tylenol (well, whatever it is nowadays you can get that is "like" Tylenol).  It wasn't working.  I called our pediatrician who told us we could give him the larger dose now because of his weight.  This may have been helpful information before the illness, but live and learn.  She also told us that the fever would most likely last a few days, then disappear and a rash would appear.  That's exactly what happened!  How'd she know??? Amazing!  He had roseola and was all better for our flight home (minus the semi-freaky looking rash on his face and body). 

In some ways, it was actually kind of nice having him sickly.  Instead of spending my days chasing him all over creation, I was able to snuggle him and help Nate more with inventorying tool trailers and appliances and the like.  Seriously the one trailer was basically a labrynth of tools from centuries... Okay, years ago.  Do you have any idea what all you can fit in a semi trailer?  A lot.  You can just trust me on that.

Our flight home was actually a blessing.  We found out the night before we couldn't fly when we had planned due to a cancelled flight.  No problem, they assured us, they'd gotten us on a flight 45 minutes later, with two layovers still, but instead of the layovers being 30 and 40 minutes, they were 2.5 and three hours.  Um, no thank you!  So I called Delta and they were so nice.  I nicely explained we were traveling with an 11 month old and asked if they could help us out.  So cool story is that we got to sleep in (we would have had to get up at 4am and drive 1.5 hours), we got to go to breakfast with our new friends, work some more, and leave in the afternoon from the airport 10 minutes away.  With only one layover.  Yeah!!!  The only bad part is that we got home at midnight.  But considering layovers are my nemesis, I was happier than I would have been otherwise.  Something about international flights and six hours stints in Frankfurt or London or Dubai.  Shudder.

Sunday evening upon returning, we had the July/August family birthday celebration.  Happy Birthday to Ang, Saraiah and Benson!  I love these girls in this picture (and the little boy, too).  Of all the close family members of Nate's - they were the hardest to get to know and fall for and I love them so very deeply today.  Isn't that so cool?

On Homesickness and Sickness:

We tried to find mountains, waterfalls and big rocks.  We found big rocks and some trees. I got a pretty crazy something when we returned home from MS.  Funky tummy, sore throat, killer headache, hit by truck feeling, but I was not about to let that deter me from being in the trees and hills of PA.  We drove around a lot.  No one knew where this "waterfall" was that we found online, but didn't seem to exist.  I got a horrendous bloody nose that left me weak and tired.  But it was still nice to get out into the wilderness.  If anyone has a private jet and would like to fly us to Montana or somewhere, our bags are packed. :) Just kidding.

This is Benson wondering why we kept driving around trying to find this waterfall.  "mama, can we just be done with this driving all over creation."  If he could talk, I'm sure "are we there yet???" would have been flying :)

On "mountains" and what God is teaching us:

I thought the mountains I was looking for were of the physical kind... But perhaps God' heart was more the Spiritual kind.  Many of you know, I raise support and Nate is a missionary of sorts, working for a Christian non-profit.  To say we're not swimming in money is an understatement.  But we sure do have more than most of the world.  In the past few months, two long-time and substantial supporters have pulled out for very good reasons (God calling them on and family stuff).  I love how God calls people to go, people to pray, people to send, people to encourage, and I even love it when He asks them to do something else.  Strangely, we are okay.  Somehow, on what we make, which really is not much, we have been able to replace a car engine, buy two newer cars, have a baby and all that entails, and we are really almost debt free (we do have a little from the cars).  But I think Nate figured it out and we've put a lot out in the past year on car stuff. More than makes human sense. Incredibly generous God we serve.  And incredibly generous people surrounding us. 

We've heard it all: "if God's in it, you'll have more than enough money", "maybe this means you're supposed to move on"... I understand those comments, I do.  I would by lying if I said I didn't struggle through those very same questions. 

But at the end of it all, am I sure of my calling?  Yes. 

Am I sure God has us both where we are right now for His good purposes and plans?  Yes. 

Do I have peace that transcends all understanding?  Yes. 

Would I like more money?  More earthly security in that sense?  Yes.

Is it hard sometimes?  Yes. I wish I could say I've passed this test with flying colors, but I haven't. 

Would I trade earthly money/peace for an understanding that God is working to get us to the mountaintop?  No way.  I like being here.  Not because it's easy.  But because God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. 

We may never have perfect cars, a big house, clothes, fine things, date nights and vacations.  But we will (if we keep our eyes fixed on Him) hopefully understand more of what Paul was saying when he said he learned to be content in plenty or in want.  Oh, the amazing day that will be.  I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to being content, not because of our circumstances, but because we are blessed and God is good.

(And again, I recognize we have SO MUCH MORE than most, so I'm not whining, just stating the facts)...  All I have to do is think of the people I serve and work with. Some of the most God-loving, God fearing, encouraging and real people I know, surviving on very little, because they love Jesus.  Maybe someday I'll be cool like them.  I can only hope.  (And also, this is not a dig on anyone who has a big house, goes on dates, has nice clothing. I believe God calls us all to different things.  For this season, this is our thing.)

So yeah.  And a God praise.  A couple days after we found out the second set of supporters was pulling out, we received a contribution from someone I hardly know.  They know Nate.  I've only met them twice, I believe.  Once at a barn party and once at our wedding.  I'm sure we've exchanged roughly 50 words max, but I hope they can someday understand just how much God has used them to bless and encourage my heart.  They must really hear God.  Because everytime they've given, it's been just in time.  Just in time for God to remind us He is in this.  And that He loves us.  It was strangely close to what we're behind in our contributions.  Close enough for us to know it was all God. 

More than anything I can "have" on this earth, I'm so incredibly grateful God gave me to a husband like Nate who loves God and wants to serve Him, even when it's hard... and grateful that God gave us such an amazing baby boy to raise for Him. We are so blessed.  So, so, so blessed.

On my heart these days are people in comas, with loved ones earnestly praying for their full recovery; mamas and dads with empty arms, waiting for their sweet blessings to come to them, waiting and waiting... People with nothing...  People who don't know Jesus.  2 billion of them.  That's too many.  Way, way too many.

____________________________________

This has nothing to do with the post, but Benson really loves "uncle John" and enjoys playing with him:

Up next: 

Date night Friday night (thanks Ang!)

My mom visits this weekend for 10 days

We become Members at our church

Benson gets Dedicated

We celebrate his FIRST BIRTHDAY!  What???

I leave you with this adorable pic of Benson and Nate swimming in the pond at the Hoover homestead:

Love you all,

Jenny (for Nate and Benson, too)

Special Video for Baby Benson from Big Benson in Kenya

We are blessed and humbled by this...

Home(sick)

Home for me (Jenny) growing up was a relatively loose term... I was born into a family of American Gypsies, or perhaps hippies, or perhaps a mom who gets the itch to move more often than anyone else I know (she's moved to two different states in three years). 

I was born in a farm community in Iowa, but at nine months, I moved to this place:

Then to here when I was four:

Then to a place where we saw a lot of this when I was eight:

Then to a slightly more boring, flatter, less interesting place in CA for a brief time, then we moved here when I was 11:

Where I spent summers here:

Then when I grew up, I moved to this pretty little place:

And about five point five years ago, I moved to a much flatter place, that I now call home :) I guess I've come full circle to the farm "roots" I had. But boy, do I miss those mountains.

While Lancaster County is one of the most beautiful places on earth, I must admit -- I'm a little -- okay a lot homesick for white water, mountains, lakes, and wide open spaces.  I'm a bit homesick for rodeos, fly fishing, boating, wave running and even the atmosphere of the western US.  What I wouldn't give to spend some time in the mountains, to breathe that fresh air, to be in nature and experience that again.

Nate, Benson, and I are going on an adventure today to try to find some hills of some sort, some trails, some waterfalls, and hopefully, I can breathe enough mountain/tree air into this sick nose of mine to feel like I'm a bit at "home".

What about you?  What makes you feel most at home physically speaking?

Three weeks worth of stuff.

Is it me, or has it really been roughly three weeks since our last post??? I'm not even certain where to begin...

I think it's safe to begin with the short vacation we took with Nate's family to the Deerwood at the end of June.  It was a beautiful, hot, humid, but fun long weekend!  It's a lively group with six kiddos and one on the way (Nate's sister is due shortly after Benson's birthday in August). 

We enjoyed a Sunday church service outside... It was a refreshing time, sharing where we are at in our relationships with God.  I definitely feel like God has me in a time of refinement.

Sunday afternoon, we took off to a local lake Blue Marsh.  Nate and I went early to scout places to sit and took two of our nieces with us - aren't they cute?  I got stung by a bee for the first time in probably 20 years.  It wasn't so horrible, but I could wait another 20.

Benson took his first canoe trip!  He did great, even danced on the way back.  He's been dancing a lot lately.  It's pretty fun.

The place is called Deerwood and we finally saw two fawns on Monday morning. 

We also got to celebrate Sheila's birthday and Annika's birthday!

A family picture...

Grandma with two of the youngest ones.

________

On July 1, Benson, two of my coworkers, my boss' daughter and I embarked on a journey to Philadelphia to take part in the kickoff/launch of Doug Moyer's Run Across America for Global Disciples.  While it's true I think this man is a bit crazy for wanting to run 3000 miles in 60 days, I have to admit, I'm amazed, too.  The sendoff was an emotional one.  His heart is to raise awareness of the 2billion who have never heard the Gospel.  What a blessing to be a part of it.  My job was to round up people for the press conference.  I made Benson help me. People are a lot more likely to agree to something when there is a cute baby involved.

After Doug took off running, sprinting really through the streets of Philly, we walked to a market for lunch and drove home.

I love this:

Doug in front of the Liberty Bell

On July 3, we had a sendoff for him in Lancaster, as well... a bunch of people ran with him for a little bit, including Nate and Benson.

_______________________________________

We moved Nate's grandparents into their house on July 1.  This is the house the family and friends have been building next to mom and dads for the past number of months.  It's incredible to see it finished and everyone did a great job!  We hope they enjoy their new space!

Grandpa and dad moving in...

The living room

The wall I helped frame and put boards on... Nail guns scare me. And I wanted a pic of this wall in case it ever falls down... You can blame me.

Grandma in her new dining room on moving day

Friday after we moved grandma and grandpa in, the husband of Nate's cousin, who helped with the build, serving as contractor, was in a serious motorcycle accident.  It's safe to say my faith has been stretched as we believe God for a miraculous healing.  You see, two weeks prior to the accident, he told his wife he thought someone would have to be raised from the dead for people in our region to recognize the power of God.  His wife thought it would either be him or her.  So when the accident happened and they declared him brain dead, she knew not to give up hope.  Isn't God so sweet, to give them the head's up on it?  It's been incredible to see God at work in this situation and to think of the lives that will be changed for His glory!  He's already showing signs of improvement and they changed his status from no chance of life to 50% brain function someday.  We are hoping he has all he needs to live out the calling God has for him!  His wife is due any day now with their fourth child.  Would you please pray for them with us?

It's also been a time of realizing what faith looks like and how I need to grow in this area.  I wrote a devotional for work yesterday to go with the Third Friday Prayer and Fasting list.  In Mark 6, it says that Jesus didn't perform miracles in a place, but just healed a few sick... He was amazed at their lack of faith. I hope He's more amazed in the days to come at my faith than my lack of faith...

_______________________

On July 5, we moved Nate's sis and bro-in-law and niece into their remodeled home next to mom and dad's farm.  We hope they love it there and we're okay with not having any building, remodeling or moving in our immediate future :)

______________________________________________

We have been blessed to be able to enjoy down time this summer, too. 

Swimming with friends...

Kayaking with Benson...

Relaxing on the porch swing at mom and dad's...

Putting monkeys on our son's back to see how long it will take him to notice.  He never did, but enjoyed chewing on the leg every once in a while.  Kinda like a traveling teether foot.  Weird.  Can you guess who did this to him?  Hint: it wasn't me.  Shocking, I know.

______________________

This past weekend, my sweet friend Sarah hosted a surprise Grandma shower for our dear friend Carla.  Carla thought she was coming to babysit a toy throwing one year old, hence the helmet.  She kinda wishes she would have been dressed more nicely, but it makes for a super fun memory!  The ladies blessed Carla with gear for the baby, since her daughter, son-in-law and soon to be born baby all live in NY.

Okay, I think that's all for now... Sorry for the length of time between posts.  I'll try to be better at keeping up :)

Up next:

Possible trip to Mississippi to work for Mennonite Disaster Service to prepare for fall projects rebuilding homes.

Hopefully a beach trip with our dear friends!

My mom will visit us to celebrate Benson's first birthday and his dedication!

So excited!!!

We leave you with this parting image, because really, how awesome is this???  Yes, ladies, if you run out of styling product, just use sunscreen!

And this one, in case that last one will give you nightmares...here's a kinder, gentler picture.

Okay, and one more, because he's fun to look at, in my opinion...

Be blessed and we love you!

The Hoovers