Ever Growing...

I can't believe it's already been a month since I posted a new entry! Where is the time going? It's speeding along like freight train, but goes silently instead, never making a sound. Suddenly one day you stop to think about it and realize, WOW, it's been over a month!

Jonathan and I have been very busy. This is a season of great adventure and great stretching, all at once! We've had such joy visiting new churches, reuniting with old friends, and making new ones!

Isaiah is talking in whole sentences. He is a chatty little fellow, who is currently "taking a nap." I'm hearing a lot of gabbing going on, though. He's saying Oh, no! A BIG ball! (or bug, I'm not sure which - should I be worried?) Laughs to himself. Oh, boy! It's high! Now I hear the sounds of little feet jumping on the bed... Hmmm...

Anna is rolling over like a pro. She's only still when she's in a deep sleep! Since she'd rather be on the go, I've taken to putting her in a jumper (Isaiah calls it da baby swim) or a walker (da baby's car).

Now I'm hearing Mee (Monkey) ahs a boo-boo! Ah, no! On da nose! Yep! Mee (Monkey) tired! Yep! Someday, I'll have to post an entry specifically titled The Adventures of Monkey. That little fellow leads one incredibly exciting life!

Please pray for us when we come to mind! We continue to need strength, endurance, and grace. We couldn't do this without your love and support, and we are so grateful for you!

THANK YOU!!!

New Seasons!

Anna, three months old...

I remember back before Anna was born... I worried about how Isaiah would handle having a sibling. Would he feel left out? Having two children was untrodden territory for me. How could I possibly know what it would be like? I could only imagine!

Now that I have passed over the threshold from one season into the next, I would never trade the past for the present! I love having two children! Isaiah loves having a sister, and is much better off for it, too! I cannot imagine my life without our precious Anna!

Hugs and Kisses

All the time!

As Jonathan and I begin the itineration process, we sometimes feel the same way about leaving our present season for the next. What will Niger hold? We'll be leaving our family and friends, the comforts of home... Whenever I start to worry or wonder, I have an overwhelming sense of God's love and presence flood through my spirit. I think that, like when Anna was born, we will find that the next season will be perfectly tailored for us! Yes, there will be many difficult times, but the Lord has things for us to learn in it.

Isaiah loves his new-sister-season.

I think we will love our new season, too.

Mission Accomplished

This weekend we accomplished a mission of great proportion: family photos!

With two children under the age of two, this is no small task. I admit (now) that Jonathan and I overestimated our abilities to (in two hours) coordinate breakfast, baths for two little ones, three outfits for each family member (3x4=12), acessories for 12 outfits, a full bag of M&Ms all over the kitchen floor (What?! I forgot to put those away? I can't even remember taking them out! Isaiah's candy radar is absolutely incredible!), little fistfuls of dirt (What?! You just had a bath, Isaiah! How did you get into that dirt?! Noooo! Take it out of your mouth!), Baby Anna's hunger level (only Mommy can satisfy this and it is *not* an on-the-go activity!), unexpected boo-boos, and the list goes on! All chaos seemed to break loose and we had not even loaded up our van.

But we made it!

Thank you Andrew and Licia for all of your wonderful help taking our family photos - complete with props, bribes, and animation that deserves an academy award.

What did Jonathan and I take away from this day? That no matter how crazy things get, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. He enables us to see things in proper perspective. Instead of giving into frustration, I wish I just had sat down on the kitchen floor for a few minutes and enjoyed some M&Ms with my little Isaiah. Instead of wishing Anna would eat faster so I could finish getting ready, I wish I had cuddled her closer and savored the moment. These are the things that matter - not being on time or having all my ducks in a row.

Jonathan and I also came away having learned that laughter *is* the best medicine, and a sense of humor can save the day. I credit this lesson to my wonderful husband. If not for him, I may never have stopped, remembered what really matters, and made a choice to enjoy our day as a family.

As we prepare to transition to Niger next spring, I realize that we will have many crazy days. I'm asking the Lord to make this lesson stick!