Thursday, August 25, 2011

An Update. A Quiet Season.


Does anyone even read here anymore?!

I haven't posted here in so long! I haven't had much to say, honestly. Of course, lots of things happening but just a season to be quiet. To grow. To take in life and changes and grace. Good things and necessary for widening my view of Jesus in every area of life. But I do miss posting photos, daily happenings around our house and life stuff. I forget much too quickly the sweet little things when I am not writing and documenting. Which is why I am opening a NEW BLOG. If you'd like to follow you are more than welcome to. We are definitely into the swing of a new season and back into life here in the States. Praise the Lord for his mercies. I can't say the season has been without it's challenges. And yet, we have never looked back since our decision to come home and God has affirmed and provided in too many ways to mention here.

I thank you - if your still following enough to read this - for your care toward my family.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Opposites.

These two opposite girl cousins reunited has been precious...

One is a beautiful brown.
The other is a pretty peach.

One has curves and shape.
The other is lanky and long.

One is outgoing and goofy.
The other is shy and silly.

Both love playing babies together.
Both love clothes, shoes and dresses.
Both are daily reminders that grace comes in friendships.
It is sweet to see both together again, enjoying being opposites.


Notice their shoes? This is how I found them the other morning playing on the porch. Felicity had on the set of purple crocs and Elyse the set of pink jellies. Then they decided one shoe on each of them would fit just right. They thought this up on their own and doesn't it just go with all their other opposite ways? Their opposites couldn't fit more perfectly in cousins, I love it.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Belly update.



I can't believe my baby is the size a sweet potato already! I obviously haven't even had time to post belly pics but I had to and let me tell you, this baby is growing! And I want to remember what was happening when with this pregnancy. Of course, we know little about this sweet babe yet but are hoping to see this little one and find out more in the next month. I had only had one ob appointment in Thailand at 7 weeks. I am 18 weeks and feeling pretty good. I am really tired but I think thats just from moving across the world and readjusting to life! I have also had more nausea with this pregnancy than the others. That has mostly tapered off and since we've been back I haven't seemed to have any problems eating Bojangles :) I would say I've just had cravings for foods with intense flavors like hot sauce on lots of things, cheese and olives and vinegar potato chips. Felicity saw my belly the other day and said "wow mom! I can see your baby sticking out there!" and I overhear the boys telling their cousins that mom's baby is as big as a orange now. It's so sweet that they are so excited too. I am truly blessed to be pregnant with this little life and as things get more normal for us here I anticipate planning and preparing more for baby #4. I have already started a cloth diaper stash from craigslist and can't wait to see if we are looking out for a boy name or a girls this go around - naming is one of the funnest parts of pregnancy for me.

Here's the belly shots...

14 weeks and a few days. Taken before we came back home:


17 weeks:
Decreasing lap picture:

18 weeks:

Friday, May 13, 2011

Odd blogger problems.

I had created a long update on our lives since we've been back entitled "hanging on and looking up". I posted it two days ago but for some reason it's gotten swallowed up in the blogsphere. It's missing. Hopefully it will return sometime soon as I always write to bare my soul and my journey on here! But for those of you who missed it, the tall and short of it was that God has been exceedingly kind to draw us near and encourage our hearts in our return. We have felt so much affirmation upon coming back that this is indeed where the Lord has us and where we can honor His priorities for family life. I feel the life being breathed back into my weary heart and anticipate true transformation as I keep processing the last year of my life at the feet of my Savior. We look forward to lots of growing and refreshment in the days ahead even amidst the difficulties that come with starting over.

My other post revealed that I don't know how often I'll post on here and plan to close it sometime soon. For those who want to stay in touch my email is: redlanternfamily@gmx.com.

Like I said - hopefully my post will reappear! Thanks for lifting us up and loving on our family through this season...

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Good News & The Bad News.

So sorry I've just been missing in action around here the past few weeks. There's good reason. I don't quite know how to share this news so I'll just try to share my heart and as always what Dad is doing in the midst of my life. It's all I can do, right? So...we will be heading back to the States in just a short time.
This probably comes as a real shock. But this has been brewing for some time now. The main reason is that I feel I can't focus on the needs of my family like I think the Lord wants me to. This job of being here, and being an "employee" has had some real challenges to doing homeschooling, homemaking and being a wife and mother WELL. And I say well because I believe God's word when it tells me my job is serious stuff and it's to revolve around my husband and children in this season of little ones.

Titus 2:4-5 says:
"These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the Word of God."
And 1 Timothy 5:14
"...to marry, bear children, and take care of their own homes. and give the enemy no no occasion for reproach. "

I can clearly see that a woman's core (or primary or main) job should be caring for her family and giving them her best, not her leftovers. If she does not do this well, it actually brings shame on the Word of God. And gives the Devil a chance to slander it. Now this doesn't mean she can't do things outside the home, take on other tasks or work on language study. Please hear me on this. But it should mean that these things should not misdirect her greatest energy or care away from the sphere of the man and little people she was fit to help/serve. We can clearly see the Proverbs 31 women was busy! But her home and managing that well guided her tasks and filtered them.

Some women are able to find more balance, have less expected of them or choose not to school at home. And for us, schooling is not an area where our family has felt directed to change anything, as our passion for schooling at home for the little years remains strong. But for me - in my personal situation and with moving overseas, and with my children's ages alongside the specific requirements I have while being employed here has hindered my care for my family. I have re-ordered schedules many times, reduced my language hours as much as I'm able for the expectations upon me, and aimed to throw my heart into my family. But alas, with homeschooling two next year and adding another sweet baby I know my world will look even fuller (and I'm thrilled about all that). I will be the first to be honest enough to say I'm not okay with sacrificing that season because I'm trying to stay afloat with things I believe are far too heavy for a season of young mothering. God gave mothers the powerful description above to guard their minds from looking elsewhere, to ease their loads. And to give them boundaries with which to pour in all of their creativity, gifting, care and heart into the season of shaping little people who will grow up and be gone before they know it. I have had to remember that He is the one who designs me as a woman and sees how I will fit best in His economy. I can't go outside His design, even for "good things" and expect the same results. And one day (soon enough I know) my "free" time will return, I will have so much more time to devote to language study or relationships or crafting. These are all good, even glorious things that bring the Lord honor. But I must have them in the proper order. For me, they can't remain in proper order if we remain here.

Letting those words just typed sink in...it hurts to even say that because I so wish it would work. I say that with heart wrenching sadness because I've enjoyed life here. I love the people here. I never thought this would be our situation, leaving so early. I've learned so many things walking near the Lord here and seeing with such different eyes than I had back in my comfortable United States. That's why I named this post The Good News and The Bad News. Because this feels like bad news no matter how you slice this thing and it's hard, really hard. Yet my family has felt such leadership from a loving God in this decision. We have desired to bring Him glory in the way He chooses, we have sought counsel from our leadership and taken our time to map out our vision for healthy family life. We have arrived at this choice with much confidence that as we stand upon God's Word and trust His provision we "will see the Lord's goodness while we are here." (Ps. 27:13) And that is Good News! We are broken, needy sinners who can't possibly see to the end of every outcome. We can't possibly plan for years and keep ourselves afloat. We are weak. We are people who need a Rescuer in every sense of the word. And God remains true to us, just as true as the day our last item was sold and driven away in preparation to come here. I see Him in all of it and praise Him that He alone can get glory from things that feel broken and seem broken.

We leave with no shame or regret but we do leave feeling like people who are torn over their reality of living in a broken world where things don't turn out as you expected. I have dwelt upon Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world."

Thanks for wanting to always keep up with us, sharing this journey with us and I pray you've heard our hearts through this post...Please keep our family in your prayers.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Back Home. And keeping it real.

Here's the kids in the Airport. They did awesome with all the traveling.

We are back from our fun filled vacation. I hope to go through all my hundreds of photos taken to post a few on here soon because my descriptions won't do the beauty justice. Thailand was wonderful and our trip to a small island in the south was awesome. Incredible people. Incredible views of natural beauty. Elephant rides. Seeing sweet baby on ultrasound for the first time. Snorkeling. Philadelphia cream cheese. Relaxing in the pool or on the beach. But the best of all was that MY PARENTS were with us! To hug whenever I felt like it, to laugh with, to enjoy watching the joy being sparked in my kids as they played with their grandparents. And from my perspective I think I'd forgotten just how comfortable I get when surrounded by people who know me so well and love me so deeply.

My family is really close and my parents have always fostered this open, loving, fun family culture within us that has only grown deeper as we've become adults. This has bled into many intimate, daily life moments among all of us so to have just a slice of that dailyness I miss so much, was bliss. I mean from the bottom of my heart that my siblings (and their spouses and kids) are some of my favorite people in the world. Let me be real honest here and say that the daily closeness suffers when you live on a different continent. You totally share as much as you can and let other's experience your life (and theirs to you) in words typed over computers and grainy cyber images but the little moment stuff gets missed much of the time simply because we can't call each other when the kids say something hilarious (I would wake one of my family members in the middle of the night!) or bring over a latte when my sister's had a hard day. Like those off the cuff conversations that leave you thinking that happen when dinner plates have been pushed back or the sharing of a friend's heart at small group that just meets you right where you needed it - that all looks different being miles away. So for me leaving my parents this time was much more painful than when we moved here .... and yet the time was that much sweeter.

I think when we moved there was such unknown about how it would be to live so far away and there's a certain amount of anticipation that's been building about living in your new place. But for these past 8 months we've experienced the feelings that go along with missing loved ones, the reality that we weren't there for big events and, well, that life goes on without us. Of course we knew that in theory, but walking through it can be much different. So I think this time I said goodbye knowing to a degree what I'm missing, yet being fully confident this is where we are meant to be. I was deeply encouraged that God is indeed working in me in ways he simply could not by being in close proximity to my family members or having my old life back. That to me, though painful, is exciting.

-I want the goodbyes to be hard because the richness of these people in my life have been so precious to me.
-I want to be able to sacrifice short term joys for things that are lasting and eternal.
-I want to dwell on the fact that a gift is something received with open hands, not mine to demand or a right I "must have" to be happy. Thus experiences, people or places are not mine to demand.
-I want to realize all the amazing moments I've had in my life up until now are but dim reflections of the joy God offers me. That's why they are true graces. And I can be hopeful because near them or not I always have the fountainhead of that joy - God Himself.
-I want to let flood in fully all the emotions that go with this ride of living overseas, knowing the sadness is not sin but has a purpose. And letting those feelings lead me to God. The joys and the sorrows.

These are just a few thoughts floating around my head this past week being back and being so thankful for the refreshment that came with the vacation. Hopefully more "fun" picture filled posts are to come ... always trying to keep it real with where I'm at...

Help me to see how good thy will is in all,
and even when it crosses mine
teach me to be pleased with it.
Grant me to feel thee in fire, and good, and every providence,
and to see that your many gifts and creatures
are but thy hands and fingers taking hold of me.
-Valley of Vision-

Friday, February 18, 2011

Here's to growing belly's...

I have gotten a few emails because I don't have comments on the blog. This blog was designed by a friend and at this point I don't even know how to get the comments open! So I'm sorry for announcing such exciting stuff on here without letting other share in the comments!

I am just 6 weeks along with precious little #4. We are so excited as a family to welcome another little life and I'm beside myself to think of rocking, nursing and enjoying a soft kissable cutie pie again. But I am also humbled. I want to receive this little one with intentional thanksgiving for something so obviously undeserved. Thank you Jesus for being a creator of living, growing persons with souls. Wow. Takes the breath away....

So far I'm feeling awesome. I did not have much sickness with the boys so I am hoping things go smoothly again so that I can fill up my tummy with Thai food over the next three weeks without adverse side effects.

So here we go, here's to a growing belly...

The above photo looks like washboard abs sit nestled below my shirt... Just so you are not deceived, here's the belly I've worn for quite a while that has some signs of inflating and deflating with two boys that were totally worth it:

And for those of you interested in hair cuts here in Asia - oh my! Let's just say I had what I like to refer to as my "chullet" (Chinese mullet) cut off two days ago. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, as long as my "party out back" was gone :)

To new life and chullets be gone!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Felicity wants to tell you something...

Her face sums it up for all of us - thrilled!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Running Aground.

We've had a full and crazy past few weeks. For a while we have been having mold issues but they've gotten worse and worse. We have been looking for a new place for the past couple weeks. And it's been an adventure for sure. There was a point when I felt really low during one of those weeks. I wish I could say I was full of peace and trust through the trouble of it all. No. I can't say that at all. But I can say my Father's always at work in me to show me how much more precious it is to have a Savior at the center of your world with which to fall on. Far better than a created thing, a gift or self to look to. Things were looking rough: every room in my house was full of mold, the prospects for another house were not looking good, there was drama with the landlord, I was missing fellowship and I was getting discouraged. The Lord kept reminding me that all these things are meant to show me how little I can actually do in myself. How little I control. How dependent I really am. This is a theme with the Lord and I (read previous posts!). And how much I really do love my life (in a "put-my-hope-in-it" sort of way).

John 12:25 says :
He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

I've just thought a lot about dying to self lately. What does it look like to lose my life and hate my life in this world? I don't think it means just to always do the hard thing but I do think it means being uncomfortable, often. I do think it means I praise for the gifts but want The Giver more. So much more do I want Him that it can seem like hate toward other things, even "good" things. I also think I should expect it to feel like death at moments. I think the Lord allows us to "run aground" with things sometimes just to reveal how quickly we transfer worship from Creator to created (self included). Elisabeth Elliot's quote brought this home to me this morning:

Heaven is not here, it's There. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for. "Running aground", then is not the end of the world. But it helps to make the world a bit less appealing. It may even be God's answer to "Lead us not into temptation" - the temptation complacently to settle for visible things.

How much I have to learn of this.

But for this moment I will apply a bit of truth to a bit of my life right now. I will rejoice in the new house He's provided for us through all the searching! I will anticipate good things that He's doing. I will thank Him for provision and care unseen by my cold heart in the bleak moments. I will keep training my heart to humbly depend on God in all things needed for growth. And I will hopefully be learning to respond more quickly next time in trust.

And of course - I will continue to get excited about our vacation coming up in just a few days!!! There will be lots of packing to move when we return so I will enjoy the rest to be sure.
Here's our suitcases ready to go:



Glad growth is a continual process...

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Learning from my kids.

The kids and I started C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia books this weekend. I read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe last year with Job but now all three are very intrigued ... so we begin again, hoping to all see things in a new light and learn. I often find the Lord speaks to my heart in the middle of my parenting, from the way I interact with my children or the things they are learning themselves. I love this part of parenting, how we take the position of humility and see the Lord in fresh ways through our children's lives. And how freeing it is to me that I never come to this parenting thing having learned it all but am certainly in process right along with them.

As we began at the part when we start to read about the White Witch speaking with Edmund, Phin started to cover his ears. I asked him if he was scared but he said no, that he was just preparing himself for the bad White Witch. He uncovered them and continued to listen with intent. Then later on when we arrived to the part where Beaver tells them "They say Aslan is on the move - perhaps already landed", there spread a huge smile over Phin's face and he exclaimed "Yeah!!! I just love that Aslan, He's so much bigger than the Witch! He's going to get her!".

I love how little moments with your kids teach your own heart. I should often remember how much bigger Aslan is than the lies the enemy whispers or the defeat I can feel from a world of sin. He is at work and He's already defeated the worst of my enemies, though the battle feels vulnerable. May I be as excited as my boy was when he realized "Aslan was on the move"...

Can't wait to see what else we learn together as we read these books!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

The Aftermath.

No wonder the noise was non stop and so loud...









And here's what the garbage crew's using for clean up...


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Ringing in our second New Year.

Here's what my bedroom looks like this morning:


Because here's what it's been looking like at 10 or dare I say 11 at night the past few nights:

Three little munchkins tucked in watching their favorite all time movie The Prince of Egypt. If you could hear hear the soundtrack to this you would hear the movie volume way up and loud booms of fireworks going on outside.

This week has been a ginormous celebration week for our neck of the Woods. You may have heard a little something about it... three little words called: Chinese New Year. Otherwise known as don't-even-think-about-sleeping-well. Last night was the big celebration where everyone puts off fireworks for hours upon hours. I'm telling you I've experienced nothing like it in my life. We kind of hyped it up and and made it fun for the kids (why not? they weren't going to sleep anyway...). We told them we'd have fun, play and stay up late. We've been hearing some fireworks for a few days, note my use of the word some. Ones that remind me of 4th of July back home but nothing like last night. We had a front row seat..er room... to the displays over our neighborhood. These aren't like ones in the States. They are serious, dangerous and huge ones that your average joe can buy and use. I'm thinking of the ones The Mirage set off when I lived in Vegas....



Really cool and the kids were mesmerized. We ate dinner, watched a loud football game, played wii and enjoyed the show of lights. No kidding there was a 3-4 hour span where there was not 30 seconds- 1 minute without hearing them. We all went to bed around 12:30 AM. Felicity fell asleep at 11:30. It's the latest we've stayed up as a family but there's just no way we would have been able to sleep with all the sounds. So we finally hooked up our noisemaker to our loud speakers and dozed off but the fireworks lasted all throughout the night.

It was crazy. And fun. And such a memory. I mean we get to say as a family we experienced a huge part of the culture we're living in.

Here's the kids last night, ready for an all nighter!

I hope tomorrow to post the aftermath pics I took this morning...but for now a nap sounds really good.

Slices of life...update style.

Drinking: Mama Ray's Southern Sweet Tea. Love this lately! Reminds me of home...

Recovering:... From Moving to another country almost 7 months ago! Still growing and grasping every day I'm here to embrace, shift, stretch and be uncomfortable all that I may make much of Jesus here in my corner.

Reading: Still enjoying fiction. A LOT. I've mostly been a deep christian book reader but this move here has really caused me to enjoy reading great fiction books. The ones that blend theology with life questions, show you the reality apart from God, haunt you with the knowledge of a hurting world, amaze you that God created the gift of writing OR make you laugh, cry and rest. The last two I read were mystery types and both were good The Thirteenth Tale & Secret Adversary (free on Kindle). About to start Cranford (again free!). Also making my way through Instruments in the Redeemers Hands...It's certainly NO secret that I love Paul Tripp!

Linking: A great idea for us overseas, my sis and I plan to follow along with THIS BOOK CLUB.
Thinking about some intentional ways to make my husband and kids feel LOVED on Valentines Day. Nothing huge... but if your anything like me it's difficult to remember the importance of planning to shower love, laugh and show these 4 precious people in my life that they are my first priority.

Watching: Fairly Legal & Table For Twelve.

Listening To: Amos Lee. WOW, he's an amazing artist. Still hearing fireworks going off from the Huge Holiday we celebrate here this week. Insanity...seriously.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

The 12 Project.

I loved this idea I saw on a blog a bit back. I will take a photo of our whole family once a month (somehow! somewhere!) and then post it with a recap of our month. At the end of the year, I will put a digital scrapbook together for our family. I love the idea of having a year's worth of change documented into a tangible memory. How quickly days pass in the season I find myself in. These sweet days of being in a new country and days at home with precious little people is worth the remembering.

So though it's a bit early, here goes month 1.

January 2011

We began this month getting to enjoy the first "big" snow we have experienced here. It was beautiful and we loved enjoying the view of white covering the ground from 9 floors up! Breathtaking. The kids were so excited and wanted their huge curtains open in the mornings to watch it come down. This is the most snow they have experienced. We got them out to play in it quite a bit. They made snow angels, played football and tried to make snowmen. We all watched as the locals worked with routine to clear the snow from roads, sometimes only using brooms made of straw to push massive piles around.

Schooling the kids was fun as usual. We finished Little House in the Big Woods. They all loved it! The boys couldn't believe all the stories Pa tells about hunting and bears, Felicity loved all the talk of cooking and dresses. They called it the "Laura and Mary Book". Job continued to excel in reading. He started practicing more by reading a short reader to the whole family before bed, it was amazing to hear him sound larger, longer words and simply marvel that my boy's growth means a whole new world is open to him of ideas and lives because of his ability to read well. He could read basic things last year but this year is much more cohesive and he can pick anything up and sound it out for himself in a natural manner. I love that.

We began looking for another tutor as ours will be going back to his hometown. We have bonded so closely with him, it will be hard to not see him each day. Your tutor becomes a person you grow with, simply because of how often you see them. The Lord provided another great teacher and we began meeting with her. She really works hard not to speak any english with us which is a huge help! It's more difficult but we are encouraged that it's going to bring a lot of growth in our language. There's many days we're very encouraged at what we can understand with just 5 months of language. Other days it seems like a mess in my brain or I don't want to focus enough to put it together. And of course, it's a slower road to speaking with ease than to comprehending.

I had some sweet, sweet talks with my sister this month. I haven't bragged enough about her on the blog yet. She's like my other half, my 2nd soul mate. We are 15 months apart and our walks with God weave in and around one another tightly. This has made for a sweetness to our friendship. Go HERE to read her latest post. Prepare to be challenged. In so many ways being away from her is my greatest pain in being here and yet my greatest intimacy and support come from her.

We started counting down until our vacation in February. I made a huge calendar with a pocket for each day and the kids open an envelope to find a prayer for my parents. They will get to hug and kiss those parents of mine in a little over a month. Blessed.

A good month.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Slices of Life.

Here's what could be seen at my kitchen table this morning:


Two sweet boys doing schoolwork. Phin isn't actually in K yet but he's certainly always learning. Lately he likes to listen in on Job's lessons or help us do math or trace letters. I love the way Job's sitting in the above picture. He can usually be seen sliding or tapping or stretching during schoolwork. It's not a bad thing, it's just that the sweet boy's got so much energy. It's what makes him my Job. It just means sometimes we do jumping jacks in between math and phonics :) ....

And here's what could be see in my kitchen on any given Wednesday. Felicity helping May make our weekly applesauce. May only talks to her in the local language and they have so much fun. May is so patient with the kids when they want to "help" and I love that. She slows down enough to enjoy my kids and interact. I'm blessed to have her....





I have realized recently things are normal for me that were not "normal" 6 months ago. Like my kids being totally capable of eating with chopsticks. They actually ask to use them for lunch or anytime we are eating Asian food.

Phin in action:
Here's a snapshot of one of today's lunch dishes. May cooks twice a week for lunch. Today was carrots and also eggplant with spicy green peppers, cooked in a wok with yummy seasonings.


Sunday, January 9, 2011

Conversations with Felicity...


Mom (while putting lotion on my girl): Felicity your skin is so beautiful ... do you know why your skin is such a beautiful color?

Felicity: Yeah, it is beautiful.

Mom: Because your Ethiopian. Do you know what color that beautiful skin is?

Felicity: Brown.

Mom: Yes, because your African! Ethiopians have beautiful skin and eyes and hair...

Felicity: Yeah, I love that color on me.


Saturday, January 1, 2011

Investing in the New Year.

I thought I would pass along some resources that have encouraged me in my desires for 2011.I know my idols well and control is one of them. Doing more and relying on myself. Goals can serve my idol of control (and still appear quite "holy") or I can allow them to be a means used by the Lord to bring about heart change. I can hold them with a loose grip while making them a servant to my walk with Jesus. As I plan and pray I want to remind myself that without God's continual grace I will bear no inside, real heart change (the ultimate goal).

What is man's word? An earthen pot broken with a stroke. What is your own resolve? A blossom, which, with God's care, may come to fruit, but which, left to itself, will fall to the ground with the first wind that moves the bough.

Charles Spurgeon

It can seem overwhelming because there's so many areas I want to see growth that I may avoid any discipline. But I know if I can choose to focus and bear fruit even in ONE area this year that's more than before. Don't feel the need to use everything below but maybe just pick ONE thing to read or listen to. Don't be mistaken into thinking I will be making my goals around each of these resources (though they whet my appetite!) but I hope these things spread a bounty for you to reflect and see the "focus" place Jesus wants for you.




This has been a nugget of a book. It's short so I read it in one evening and it's super helpful because it's not just about doing your schedule. It's about reflecting on where you want to grow and what your most important priorities are and making SURE those are getting the attention they need before other, lesser things. Especially for me this was really huge because we are busier and more easily distracted than other seasons. I needed to see my "roles" in the proper order right now: Child of God, Wife, Mother and Student.

Sermons worth your time:




Be Not Weary in Well Doing (by an incredibly wise woman regarding mothering priorities)

Blog Posts worth dwelling on:





May we press into Him more in 2011!

Christmas at our place.

My view from Christmas morning:



We had a great Christmas. Sorely missed our dear loved ones for sure but are blessed to have them at all in our lives. Missed my mom's amazing pies. That sweet feeling you get being around people who know you so well. Missed hearing cousins laughing with delight as they play together. Mamaw's peaceful and glowing living room during Christmastime. Meal and outfit planning with my sister's. Candlelight service and making gingerbread houses with friends. These things didn't make me sad but overwhelmed me with memories that I never deserved at all. Thank you Jesus for giving us these gifts in years past! You built each of those relationships and memories for our joy and your glory! They are precious but You are overwhelmingly better than your gifts!

We saw new gifts in sweet memories this year...
We began a new tradition of making a bed of blankets and sleeping under the tree together on Christmas Eve. I got the space by Phin where I was half off the rug, half on...a bit uncomfortable but oh so worth the memory made. We woke up together and skyped with Paul's family while we opened their gifts. Did I mention both our families sent wrapped and ready gifts for us? We are so blessed. We talked with my parents and family. We enjoyed our gifts, ate a big breakfast and read books. It was snowing so beautifully outside. We relaxed and played the whole day and then enjoyed an all american dinner (King Ranch Chicken Casserole). Sang some carols, read a few stories and the night wound down. It was a good gift of a day here.

We also celebrated our first birthday in Asia - my sweet hubby's. It was fun and he got a crazy candle that opens up like a flower and has a "Happy Birthday" ring to it.


I am so thankful for a time of celebration this year. We are through our first set of holidays here in Asia and God's grace has been abundant!

May the New Year bring much more joy in You Father. May our lives reflect you more this year, may we faithfully plod and put to death and strive to treasure you most! May our hope be less in ourselves and more rooted in who You are.