She’s learned her first real word.  

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“Hi” 

And it’s the cutest thing coming over the crib rail first thing in the morning. 
She is such a joyful delight!

– Adore her so. 

Sometimes I look to this next step with a bit of anxiety. Maybe we’re asking too much of them. Maybe we’re requiring them to stretch too much. I mean, I know they’re adaptable but we are asking them to adapt in great extremes. What if it’s too much? What if they can’t find friends? Deep, real friends. And then I hear this from the back of the van.

  
And I realize that it’s not my responsibility. 

HE is the Giver of community. HE is the binder of hearts. 

He will continue to be more than enough. 
– Thank you, Lord, for the reminder through their giggles.

This morning my oldest, Rachael, decided to make Abi a birthday present. She sat at the craft drawer for a while brainstorming. She gathered her supplies plus a few extras just in case. She sat at the table for a half hour compiling her gifts while Abi sat bright-eyed saying, “I love presents.” Rachael carefully spelled out her words in vibrant first grade markered fashion. And pieces fell all over the place as she fabricated a “birthday girl” button and board game out of craft scraps. Abi say quietly, viewing the final product. 

I immediately got a little nervous that materialism might creep in and crush Rachael’s heart through Abi’s disappointment or unrealistic expectations. But instead this little voice of amazement arose as Rachael pinned on her shirt the fabricated button with a colorful paper clip. “This is a GREAT present,” she partially whispered in her excitement. 

I love their little hearts. It was a sweet moment of affirmation and love to see on both of their faces. Such light in their eyes. Such delight in something so simple.  

– Thankful, grateful and beyond blessed by our Lord.

Eden had her first Twinkie while on the missions trip.

  
I think she liked it. 

  
Eden ate Stuart. He looks less than thrilled about it. 

🙂

  
Eden’s not sure why anyone could ever like pineapple. 

  
Ever.
Hehe. She sure was surprised. 🙂

#sonothappening

#definitelynotatallhowshethoughtitshouldtaste

This morning I woke up and my heart beats for Africa. I saw a picture and the yearning burned deep. I want to go, Lord.   

 
The titles don’t scare me as much today. This one was about Ebola continuing. I’m not careless. Or fearless. But I still want to go, Lord.
After spending a few days with the cousins, it hit me that soon this luxury of closeness would be gone. But I still want to go, Lord.

This application has been killing me. 400 character box after 400 character box has dragged on as I’ve keyed in my doctrinal beliefs in what feels like a never ending document. Yes, Lord, I still want to go.

I’m packing us up again. How much stuff can four kids possibly need?! We’re joining the youth group on the missions trip for 3 nights and four days. We’ll be shooting from the hip to get the opportunity to serve with them – with my 11 month hitchhiker and all. It’s not going to be easy, but it’ll be an adventure. And it makes me hungry to go, Lord.

I feel You priming my heart, Lord. L’Afrique. Beautiful, dry scorching Africa. It’s worth it. We’ve counted the cost. In Your timing. In Your way. J’adore L’Afrique, mon Dieu. Mon coeur brûle en moi pour L’Afrique. Envoyez-moi, mon Seigneur. Envoyez-nous. 

(I love Africa, my God. My heart burns within me for Africa. Send me, my Lord. Send us.)