Thursday, February 21, 2013

And then the princess turns 5

Not going to say it's not true, but she thinks she's a princess. Okay, she knows she is. She'll often tell her baby sister that she can be a princess when she gets a bit older, too. So, it seems only right that all she's wanted to do was have a princess party for over a year now. Last time, I talked her into pompoms and pancakes, but it's getting a bit more difficult to persuade her of birthday themes each year. (Shocking, I know!) I did get her to narrow it down to Snow White.

So, don't be surprised when if you see this in your mailbox soon... you know who you are! We're looking forward to celebrating her special day!

Friday, February 15, 2013

Our Valentine's
















Hope you had a great Valentine's Day... we had a crazy, busy day but it was full of fun. Eliana and Jesse had a lunch date. And Jesse and I had the chance to order take-out from a favorite Thai restaurant and watch Jane Eyre (which Jesse got for me and had somehow not yet seen). He also brought me flowers and picked up the afghan for me because I happened to spot it in a thrift store window driving by on my way to Krispy Kreme with the kids. I love the colors and was pretty excited to see it in person since I'd seen it in such a blur before! So thankful he was willing to go thrifting for me... that's true love there! 

Saturday, February 9, 2013

And so we've been up to...

For the past month or so, I've had to keep things under wrap. Keeping this exciting news of how God is moving and using us. And how blessed we are by His grace and goodness to us.

How despite the illness: the stomach flu, and earaches, the RSV and oh, yes... did I mention yet that I have shingles? How through this we see the enemy attacking but we also see God surrounding us.

We've seen Him covering us. Keeping us in the midst of the craziness.

This whole thing kind of snuck up on us. I suppose somewhat like my son's shark teeth. "Woah... what is that inside your mouth?" I asked. "When did that happen?" We knew that it was getting close to time for Diego's permanent teeth to appear. But we were expecting the long, drawn out wiggling and wriggling of loose baby teeth first. Instead of a surprise! "We're here but not in the place you expected!" they seem to say as I look at them in awe.


Much like that, Jesse's job appeared. We knew that Jesse was called to ministry and would one day start occupational ministry. But, we thought it would be a long road. That he'd have to teach for a long time, eventually start seminary and then one of these days... maybe around the time he turned 50? He'd start ministry. I helped Jesse fill out application after application for teaching jobs. I submitted my heart to helping him fill out applications for places that were further and further away from my family and a church family that we've grown to love. Trying to do what we thought God might have for us.

And then right before our eyes, God performed a miracle. And now, Jesse is in ministry (and gets to study simultaneously!) right in our church! A miracle, a huge God thing that we couldn't dare to ask or even dream... far, far better than we had ever hoped for. Our God is big and merciful and gracious to us... and although we feel like the enemy is putting up a big, stinking fight--he's losing and it's so apparent, it makes me smile.

We've all been going around singing Tomlin's "I know who goes before me, I know who stands behind, the God of angel armies is always by my side." And it's true! And He is holding us in His hands right now.

That's not to say it's all easy. It's not, it's been a rough past month and a half with all the illness. But we have a confidence in Him, and we can turn to Him for help in our ever present need.

So, Jesse is now the Deacon of Service Outreach at Journey the Way. And we are excited about that and still learning all of what that entails. But long-term, the goal is to plant a Spanish-speaking branch of Journey. Right now, we are working with a lot of people who are so very dear to us but many of them are struggling. Through Christ, they are victorious and I so admire their strength and determination to cling to the cross in the midst of  great trial. They are such a blessing to count as my brothers and sisters in the Lord and we are so grateful to Jesus for allowing us the privilege that we have. Please, if you think of us. Pray for godly wisdom, protection for our friends and family, and boldness, love, and humility while sharing God's love. 

Friday, February 8, 2013

Tengo Cinco. {Friday Favorites}

Eliana is turning 5!!! this month. How can that be? So, I've been perusing Etsy for her.


In unrelated news: I'm about fed up with our current Spanish curriculum and am looking for something else. (Right now, the curriculum we have is just a poorly recorded classroom setting where the students often give the incorrect pronunciation--who can blame them?--they are still learning themselves. And the instructor rambles on about things that are totally unrelated to the lesson.) Help! Please?