A Year

It was only a year ago that I was EXPLODING with pregnancy.  I have this vague memory of all the discomfort and woes... mostly I just remember the sweetness, the joy, and the prize that is Shiloh.  I thought I would take a look at my post a year ago, ya know, to help me 'remember' all the not-so-glorious moments of pregnancy-land.  You can read that post from a year ago here.  

Okay, good.  Now I've delayed the urge to have another baby for a little longer.  :)

I can't believe it though.  What a year!  From this:

to this:

Shiloh is almost 1!  Can you believe it?  I can't.  Time NEEDS to STOP because I want her to stay little forever!

Her birthday actually falls while we'll be in Israel.  We'll have to find a unique way to celebrate... I am planning her actual party for when we return from the Pastoral Visits.

P.S.  To all my friends out there who are currently pregnant, or just had your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th babies recently... please stop being so darn beautiful and cute!  You are causing me to have itty-bitty-baby fever!  Note to self: Must.  Wait.  A.  Little.  Longer.

Serious Business

We took her to the park yesterday, and she hardly cared that we were there with her.  She was all about her own business.  Serious business.  You know, the kind that involves handfuls of sand, rocks, exploring.  See for yourself...

Sand.

Walking.

Squatting.

Discovering rocks.

Exploring.

Peering.

Laughing.

More exploring.

Waving her arms.

More walking.

Striking a pose.

Huffing and puffing.

Toddling.

Clapping.

 This lady has things to do!  Always busy.  Always doing something important.  I love this age.  Everything is so new.  Everything is interesting.  She is learning.  She is figuring out what fun is.  Its serious business people.  It makes me want to take her to the park every day... at least before she's running faster than me!

Offering

Last night we had an offering.  The two DTS Outreach Teams still needed about $2,000.  Plus Brandon and I still needed about $4,700 for our Pastoral Visit to see the teams.

22 YWAMers sat in the living room.  We worshiped.  We prayed and asked God what we should each give.  We listened.  And we gave.

The numbers of what was needed began to drop.  People's amounts began to zero out.  Wait------ did you hear that?  They ZEROED OUT!

Our number began to drop.  And drop.  And drop.

Brandon and I both had our eyes closed once our amount still needed was down to around $4,000.  We just closed our eyes and sat quietly in the Lord's presence.  People were still giving.

When the offering was completed we received a total of $2,189!  Amazing!  (I'll admit, I was crying.)

We knew the offering would be a blessing to help those still needing money for the outreach.  We knew that God would move people's hearts to give.  We NEVER IMAGINED that people's hearts would be moved to give so much!  In total, through the entire offering, $4,140.05 was given!!!

So as of today, we've purchased tickets for the Israel portion of the Pastoral Visit!!!  Whoa!  Thank you Lord!  And we only need $2,500 more for the tickets to Asia + the in-country costs in both countries.   I am so joyed to feel the love behind all that people have given us!  It really is an exciting and inspiring thing.  It stirs my heart.  And I know that God has big plans for our time with the Outreach Teams.

We're excited to have the tickets bought for Israel.  Brandon went there on his DTS outreach back in 2006....  and he's getting excited to return.  I just realized today that I don't know anything in Hebrew!  Guess I'll just have to buy and iPhone and use this cool app:



Just kidding.  But isn't it WAY COOL!!!!

Brandon and I both hope that as you read this, it blesses you in some way, maybe just in a tiny encouraging way... who knows how God will move and bless you!

Pastoral Visit {an update}

Brandon and I are seeing God's provision through you people!  A big thank you to those of you who have given to our Pastoral Visit!  In the last week, we've received almost $1,000!  That is a major hunk-a-chunk out of our needed costs!!!  It makes me want to do a happy dance.  :)  We've also had a sweet family offer to provide a travel stroller for Shiloh!  Yay!

Thanks so much to each of you who have given.  And thanks to each of you that have been praying for us as well!  Its really a wonderful thing to have God use you to pray and give to us, and in doing so to have you partner with this DTS, and this Pastoral Visit!