Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are so thankful that God has given us two beautiful children and a wonderful family to help us raise them. Here are a few pictures of the last few weeks, we'll try to get a few more of the kids with their cousins up soon.

Goggle-y Bubba

Boxes! Packing! Yay!

Thank God for free boxes! Our local PetSmart has really nice boxes if you don't mind fishing them out of the recycling bin yourself.
The kids are even excited about it!

Hello!

The kids are still growing and each day is full of new imaginative scenarios and broadened understanding and screams and tears and giggles.

We had a snack at the square the other morning and Enzo enjoyed climbing on the benches. Neither kid would pose for a photo but they both had fun.

Things are moving along with our move and although no leases have been signed quite yet, God willing we will move in a few weeks! I'll keep you posted. Please be praying that out hearts would seek more of God above all else but also that all parties involved can communicate well and details are worked out smoothly.

Oh, I forgot to mention. Enzo now has a mohawk.

Life is a whirlwind lately.
Just a few weeks left of school.
Just a few weeks to finish the house before (God-willing) we move.
Just a few short months and Ruby will be three!

*exhale*

In my weakness God is proved strong.

I hosted a little make-over party for my friend and Mary Kay lady, Michele, and it was a lot of fun.
It's also almost my 1 year dreadlock anniversary. This year has been a blur, a struggle and a huge learning and growing experience.
Also, Chuck graciously replaced my broken-screened phone with the newest version of the Iphone and it has a self-portrait function so you can see the photo of yourself that you're taking. It maybe doesn't make much sense unless you see it.
Anyway, I say all of that to say, that's why I've included these photos. I'll post some cute-headed children photos soon.

Baby Hair

Enzo's hair is growing little by little and I just noticed today that if we buzzed the sides he'd have a full Mohawk. Right now it's really just a cute little duck tail.
What a sweet head.

Denver

Our last stop before driving home was Denver. We specifically spent time around the area where the REI flagship store is. We enjoyed shopping but really enjoyed walking around and eating in the little quirky restaurants.

Here's Ruby and I In front of some rapids. There were really nice walking and even kayaking trails. You can see the REI store behind us.

We'd enjoy spending more time in Denver someday and when the kids are older doing some more hiking and maybe even camping and kayaking!

Sweet Cowgirl

Little Cowboy

Spent some time in Golden

While in Co we visited Chuck's Gran and her boyfriend, Dick, in Golden. It's a cute little city just outside of Denver. There's a train Museum there that Ruby loved. We got to go inside train cars and even see an elaborate miniature train set-up with working trains. She thought it was pretty fascinating and could have watched it all day. The picture is her and I next to a huge engine. The wheels were so tall!

After the museum we did a little shopping (I bought some Vibram five fingers) and then we had dinner at Dick and Gran's. Chuck's Uncle's Randy and Robert were also able to join us and it was really nice to see them. We hadn't seen them since our wedding celebration!
Ruby's favorite part, however, was that Dick let her play with his little animal totems. They were made from different types of rock and were shiny and smooth and the perfect size for Ruby to hold and count and imagine with.

We all look forward to visiting again.

Misdiagnosing Normal: RZIM daily slice

Every day I receive an email from Ravi Zacharias ministries engines the "daily slice." Their description says it best:

"A Slice of Infinity is aimed at reaching into the culture with words of challenge, words of truth, and words of hope. If you know of others who would enjoy receiving A Slice of Infinity in their email box each day, tell them they can sign up on our website atwww.rzim.org/Slice"

I am often challenged and encouraged and I really wanted to share it with you. I don't think they'll mind. I also encourage you to sign up for the daily newsletter to be reminded daily that the gospel is not something that can just make you feel loved on Sunday, it's the answer to all of life. It's life saving and life giving. It's true freedom.

"Almost everyday, we are beset with news of daily atrocities, murders, and tragedies that continue to shake us.  I sit in a somewhat curious state as I hear certain phrases so often repeated.  "They seemed like such a normal person."  "My kids played at his/her house regularly."  Then the reporter chimes in, "How could such a normal person do such a thing?" I guess what intrigues me in this constant replay from daily and weekly life is the surprise.  The reporters genuinely seem surprised (by the actions committed) and in joining in with the social narrative's rules, so do we!    Many centuries ago, the ancient writer Herodotus wrote, "The most hateful torment for men is to have knowledge of everything but power over nothing."  This is perceptive. The modern era was birthed in the consciousness of rational men and women in control of their own destinies.  It was the age of reason; we can and would figure everything out.  It was the age of man; no need for god, the gods, or superstitions of any kind.  It was the age of science; the new insights, techniques, and technologies would allow us to build our brave new world.  It was the age of progress, as many believed we would grow from good to great, and perhaps end up in (something like) Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek future, where all need has been eradicated and all live for justice and the good of all. The problem with this, and with all utopian dreams, is that they are illusions or delusions.  They are fantasy constructs of the very sort Schopenhauer and Freud attacked in terms of religion.  Despite promethean promises, guru advice, or our deepest sincere desires, wanting it badly enough does not make it so.  What kind of a world do we live in?  Who and what are we?  What is wrong in life and with me?  How can anything be improved?  These are world and life view questions. Back in the 90s, I was involved in several high level consultations on the condition of Europe.  We heard many informed and insightful people speak to Europe's spiritual condition, her drift, and many of the contributors to her current malaise.   After some time, one veteran Christian leader said, "The problem at the heart of Europe is the problem of the European heart."  He was citing the words of Christ.  "It is what comes out of a person that defiles.  For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come" (Mark 7:20).  Jesus pinpoints the human dilemma.  The issue is not merely heritage, biology, sociology, politics, or economics; it has a fundamental root.  As we learn from medicine, the wrong diagnosis leads to the wrong prognosis.  This brings me back to the news, to the surprise at the latest outrages, endlessly paraded on our ubiquitous media.  Are we misdiagnosing normal?  We all need heart surgery!  We all know (in our deepest thoughts), that there are things in life and within us, over which we have little or no power, and for which we have little or no comprehension.  The great physician, as our Creator and redeemer, specializes in the heart business.  Broken hearts, angry hearts, selfish hearts, greedy hearts, and all kinds of hearts, can find an answer in Christ.  All he asks is that we come to him and turn from our self-defined ways.  Thankfully, the power to change rests in the hands of one whose power and goal it is to change us."   Stuart McAllister is vice president of training and special projects at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.

Copyright (c) 2011 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM)

Whirlwind

Hello family and friends,
We made it to Colorado and back just fine and had a wonderful time. It was a bit of a last minute trip because we knew we wanted to visit in the spring but only planned on going over school spring break the week before. I've got lots of photos to post but not much time for "fun" computer time. I've only got 6 weeks left of school and still quite a bit of homework.

Here Ruby thoroughly enjoying riding a horse (I forget if it's Hank or Harry) at Granpa Mike's

Growing Kids

Here's a photo that documents the changes our kids are making. Ruby is digging and filling up buckets with dirt while Enzo has stood himself up without pulling up on anything and is saying "woof woof" while pointing at the neighbors dog. He also has dirt on his face from when he licked his dirty finger. Thankfully he only does it once for every visit outside but I'm also hoping he grows out of that soon because when the weather is nice we spend go outside at least once a day and the dirt will add up.

Ruby is really working on figuring out the world and favorite phrases lately are "what's the problem?" and "I'm just doing something." She also enjoys talking about everything we're doing and talking to Enzo. She tells him "you're so big!" as well as "no! That's not for you!" we're still working on the "love your brother more than your toys" thing.

Busy season with lots of changes

I'm learning about rest and patience lately. The first quarter of the year has already been full of changes and we foresee that trend continuing.
Here are a few of them:

We can no longer give Ruby "special" gluten free foods or deny her parts of meals so the whole family is going gluten free.

I've determined that Enzo has a reaction to dairy so he's (as of two days ago) dairy free. The rest of us are limiting our dairy but not eliminating it completely right now.

We're still working on getting our house remodeled to sell/rent it by this summer. The details are not worked out yet but we know that we want to serve God and out city more/better and for our family that means living closer to the center of town (probably in a smaller place like an apartment).

Along with gluten we're limiting grains, corn (which is technically a grain from what I've begun to research), sugar and soy in our diet (and no chicken for Chuck) because of allergies/sensitivities.

We are doing a lot of thinking, praying and re-evaluating this year because we want to be good stewards of our resources (that includes our bodies and our time).

Another big change that is occurring is the developing of the kids. They literally grow overnight! Ruby is learning so much and is sweet and Enzo is getting so big he's hardly a baby anymore.

Take Heart

We've been very busy lately but I hope to update everyone this weekend.

This morning, however, It's clear I'm avoiding writing an art history paper.

I repotted the cactus and made a mason jar soap dispenser. Granted they only took a few minutes a piece, it's telling that I did them now instead of weeks (months) ago.

Also, I'm battling my urge to control my life so I'm trying to be productive in little things while surrendering our location, vocation and time-line to God.

I am grateful that Jesus already conquered the world but somedays the angst to be free from it stings more than others.

Helping Papa Don

Enzo helped Papa Don take apart our bookcase.

Papa Don's Visit

My Dad generously volunteered to help us remodel the house to get it ready to rent. We're still asking God to give us wisdom and show us the best way (His will) to do things.
Chuck and Papa Don have already pulled the paneling out of the living room, re-insulated it, sheet-rocked it, changed wiring, added switches, knocked out a wall, built two walls, did more sheet-rocking and insulating and wiring.

It was such a blessing to have some nice weather so we could leave the doors open to haul things out and in and help with the dust.

It's also been a blessing that we've had two snow days (today is #2) so Chuck worked from home and had more time to work on the house too.

I'll post a bunch of photos today. Here's what's going on right now. Havin' a snack with Papa Don.

Chuck got back from his trip to London last week and we got back into a manageable routine just in time for school to get in full swing and change our routine again.

Chuck and I are both taking 9 hours (3 classes) this semester. Chuck's are all online and thankfully two of mine are too so that saves us time and energy that we can focus on studying and assignments.

We're doing a lot of waiting on God but we've also made some big decisions. For the time being, we won't be selling our car but are getting our house ready to rent (and/or sell). By this summer we'll move into a smaller place probably closer to the center of town. I want to be able to walk more places (like the library, post office, etc) and Chuck wisely suggested that it would be good to live in a more urban setting since we plan to live in a large urban area in Europe. Right now our house is most definitely suburban.

We still plan to move to Europe and are thinking right now that we'll own a business or something more along those lines that being traditional missionaries. Moving is at least a year away if not several but we're not at all stressed about it. We feel at peace about the moves we are making (Ruby's in a big girl bed, the kids are sharing a room, we're planning to move into a smaller place, etc.).

Speaking of the kids making changes, Ruby is bigger than ever and very much trying to exercise her autonomy and influence on the world. Enzo is interacting with us more and more and is a lot of fun. He's not walking yet but Ruby didn't walk until 14 months and I'm really not worried about it. He crawls well and gets into plenty as it is.

We found homes for our kitten and puppy so we're down to one dog, Vinnie. I didn't realize how much stress I was feeling with so many little beings in the house. I no longer have to clean the rug daily, make sure no one snatches food they shouldn't at all times, etc. and I'm very glad about it. 

Well, I hear the sound of kids getting into something they shouldn't and am reminded that my life is not completely incident free but I am so grateful that God is revealing more of Himself to us as we continue on our journey and while He doesn't promise an incident free life He has promised to give me His strength to get through it.

Quick Update

We're all doing really well and these last few months have been busy and exciting! We're going through lots of refining and refocusing and praying.
We know that we will either go (Matthew 28:19-20) or send (provide financially for others who are going) and in order to do that we are making changes like selling our car (if you're interested in it let us know!) and selling our house (it will hopefully be on the market soon).
While we have only just recently made these big decisions they feel like they've been a long time coming.

Please pray for wisdom that we would make wise decisions and that we would find our strength and peace in Christ and seek God's kingdom over ours.

More details to come.

Moo-hoo-ha-ha

Ruby is so funny in how she connects things and remembers things. After making a juice mustache at breakfast and then a bean mustache at snack time she decided she'd like a real one so we drew her a "real" one.

She's also getting better at her mischievous laugh.

Happy Birthday!

Enzo turned one today! Chuck is in Vegas so we're staying with his mom and didn't plan a birthday party. She still bought some mini cupcakes so Enzo could have a celebratory sugar rush on his big day. He was very serious the whole time and only smiled near the end. He's pointing at the others asking for more but we'll pretend that he's telling us how old he is today. What a big sweet boy.

Ruby Loves Music

While playing at a friend's house, Ruby discovered she likes to play the harmonica.