Seems as if the rain is slowing.

The weather is a great superficial subject to talk about. It's comfortable and easy. When I sat down to write this blog and the whole week since I wrote last, many subjects have run through my head. Most of which I will never blog about. Moving on...

So it's official we know where we're moving next. Huge praise because we are certain this is where the Lord is leading us for the next 2 years. If you want to know the city and more specifics just ask. Our goal is to leave here within the next 3 weeks. We're excited about working with a couple whom we admire and have a lot of wisdom. Also we're super excited to be working with some wonderful national brothers and sisters.
Currently we are learning about the specific neighborhoods that we have been advised to live in or around.

Two more things:
One, I've been looking back at 2010 and ahead at 2011 these past few weeks. The hardships of 2010 are behind me and concurred. The biggest one being the fear of learning a language. After the first 6 months of struggling each day and being extremely tired I actually enjoyed learning. To top it off I actually achieved the language level to "graduate" language school in 9 1/2 months. Only by the grace of God, because I wanted to quit so many times.

2011- I am trying a new Bible reading plan for this year. The one I tried to do last year did not work. Obviously I know I was the problem. However, I am much more excited about this layout and think I can actually complete this one. Lord give me daily desire!

Crib Advice Needed

First, I failed at my attempt to stay awake last night... I made it until 2am- a little into the 3rd quarter. It was exciting this morning to watch the highlights.
War Eagle!

We are finally needing to purchase a crib for our "baby" aka toddler. Our lives are so crazy... Karis is almost 15 months old and we've never owned a crib.
All the stores here carry the models that the side drops down, but it makes me nervous to purchase one of those. Is this a valid concern? I think companies in the USA can't even produce these?

Also what about the convertible style? Is this a good idea? What if God gives us another baby and Karis is already sleeping in the crib that's been converted into a bed? Is it cost effective? Or could we purchase a crib and little girl bed for the same or cheaper than a convertible?

Thanks in advance for advice!

An Attempt to stay up WAY past my bedtime.

ponytail
molar
box of goodies
ready for the game
War Eagle!
Auburn University's (American) football team is playing the Oregon Ducks. The game is being played in Arizona and starts at 11:30pm my time.
Since I'm an alumni I really want to watch the game! Oh man, it's so late though... I drank some coffee earlier, but I think I'm going to need more to make it through the whole game.

Christmas and New Years

Since we are so far away from our family in the southeast we knew we wanted to celebrate with our family here. Christmas eve we drove to the big city to spend 8 nights with our dear friends. The big city life is fun and exciting especially when most people who normally live there are gone to the beach. So we kinda had the city to ourselves. Except for New Years Eve when 2 million people came out to ring in the new year on Avenida Paulista. Thankfully we were not there, but with some fellow brothers and sisters. We were having so much fun we didn't even know it was midnight until we heard the sound of millions of fireworks. So cool to see the vastness of skyscrapers being lit up by beautiful flashes of colors.

Don't judge yet... my new hobby

I know like I have time for a new hobby... I don't even have time to blog. So don't judge yet because I am starting from scratch. Drum roll... my new hobby... iiiissss... taking pictures of Karis. Oh, but I've been doing that for over a year now. Right, but now I have a sweet camera to make better pics with. Really I need to work on editing. So there you have it. A blog nothing about Christmas. Except for now I would like to say that I am happy it's Christmas!

Advent: Remembering the Past-Looking forward to the Future

Gordon-Conwell Theology Seminary Advent Devotional

JOURNEY to the MANGER: Advent 2010

PSALM 61
Karen Mason

The Holy City

I grew up in a community of Christians who eagerly anticipated the return of Jesus Christ. So when Advent season arrives, my attention is drawn not only toward the past but toward the future. John sees a new Jerusalem where God will dwell with his people, where every tear will be wiped away and where death will be no more. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, will make all things new.

Following Christ daily is a challenge. As Christians, we are not immune from sickness, personal and financial setbacks and the effects of living in a world infected by human depravity. In the midst of those challenges, we can live with hope because we know that Jesus Christ will return and we will live with him in a new heaven and a new earth. The risen Christ has conquered death and there will come a time when Jesus Christ will appear. In that instant, sin and death will be completely destroyed, and his followers will enter into the new Jerusalem of his eternal kingdom.

We do not know when that will be, but we still live with confident hope because the sovereign God of the universe is Lord over time and eternity.

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Christmas Time?

So much emotion is expected and hoped for during the "holidays". Listen to the music, listen to how people talk, watch the parking lots at the malls... strange, but glad to be experiencing things a little different this year. In fact, I've had to find Christmas music online because I never hear it otherwise. No 24/7 Christmas radio channel or even one song is to be found. We also don't have any of our decorations... which leads me to the next issue.

I started a wreath making project a month ago and it's still not done. I keep making it and taking it apart because it's just not right. So any help or advice is welcome. In the meanwhile I'm sticking to baking and going back to my strict policy of only crafting when absolutely necessary.

PS- I will be starting a new hobby Saturday. Stay tuned... I think you're going to like it.

Merry Christmas!