An Update.

I'm feeling awfully productive this morning! My little guy woke up around 5:30 to eat and then quickly fell back to sleep.  I'm not sure if it was the Lord prompting/reminding me of my goal to wake up earlier or if I had "enough" sleep - it's amazing the amount of sleep I'm getting by on! - but I decided to get up early and have some quiet time with the Lord.  

Now that was refreshing!  Just being still and quiet before the Lord... no baby cooing in the background to distract me.  What a blessing to soak in the word of God and meditate on Ephesians 2:1-2.

I think I was running on ambition or something because I decided to make some bread.  From the smells currently wafting out of my oven, it's going to be delicious!  Add to that a shower and some computer time (I'm usually on my iPhone), and I'm feeling rather productive for 8:00 in the morning!  I'm sure I'll nap later, but it was worth it to wake up early today.  Plus my little dude is still sleeping, so I'm planning on enjoying a nice breakfast date with my honey... right in our own kitchen. :-)

Speaking of the little dude...

... he turned four months on Sunday and got all dressed up for a wedding on Saturday!  His first tux. :-)

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We've been home for a few weeks now and will be home for about two more before we head out for a month to continue deputation.  We had a meeting Sunday night and Monday night (a missions conference) and will have one next weekend in Maryland before we head south to the Carolinas. Nat and I just booked a stay at a bed-and-breakfast in Charleston, SC for the end of this month and we're very excited to spend some time in that city!  Plus we're finally using up a b&b gift card that was given to us for our wedding 2.5 years ago. :-)  Since we both share the same birthday, we don't do presents for each other but always enjoy doing something special together.  On our actual birthdays we'll be in the midst of a mission conference, so we decided to celebrate a few days earlier and I'm sure we'll have a good time. 

Now that we've turned the calendar, we are extremely excited that this is the year we plan on being on the field, Lord willing!  I'm sure the months will slip by and sometimes I get overwhelmed with the thought of packing up our apartment.  We've tried to be "minimalists" since we've gotten married, knowing we were heading to the other side of the world, but we've also had to live now so we've accumulated a few things. :-) In the months ahead, there will be plenty of times to be ruthless in sorting, saving, and throwing away!  

The Windy City.

Nat and I started the trip home on Sunday night, driving from Oklahoma to Indiana. We opted to drive through the night to take advantage of Paul sleeping. That turned out to be a great decision and Paul did so well! The last hour was the worst of the whole trip, but we made it.:-)

My brother and his family have lived an hour outside of Chicago for the last six years and have always said they would take us to Chicago. Despite the fact we've been out several times, we've never gone to the city. Since they are moving to PA this weekend, we thought we would break up our trip by being with them for a few days and go into Chicago while we are here.

We went in on Wednesday and had a great time. I was a bit concerned about Paul - being warm enough and nursing - but both worked out. :-) He was such a good little boy and only got fussy towards the end when we were eating dinner. He loved all the lights and feeling the wind on his face. In fact, he kept trying to eat it. :-)

Most of the day we spent at Navy Pier where there was an indoor Winter Wonderland exhibit. It was absolutely stunning with all the Christmas lights and decorations and there were plenty of rides and ice skating for the kids to do. The best part was since it was 12-12-12 the price to do everything was $12 instead of $20! My nephews and niece had a great time and we enjoyed pushing all the coats around on the stroller. :-)

Chicago is a fairly clean city and white lights make anything look better! We ended the day at the Grand Lux Cafe with another great view and some amazing Asian nachos. I love visiting big cities!

Tonight we're going to a Christmas banquet and then we're heading home! Let's hope Paul travels well one more time. :-)

Three Months.

My little guy turned three months today! He has really started to change, especially in the last couple of weeks. He almost rolled over today (but then decided it wasn't worth it:D), he smiles a lot (unless he's hungry), and loves exploring his hands. We've also noticed how he's better at being content and is able to lay by himself and play without constantly needing someone in his face all the time.

Paul has had two haircuts and two "trims" and continues to be my peanut when it comes to his size. It was a sad yet happy day when he outgrew his first outfit that he wore home from the hospital.

He has brought us so much joy and loves to teach us patience (or the Lord uses him to teach us!). He has spent most of his life on the road and has done fairly well for being such a little guy. Of course he's the star attraction everywhere we go - or I should say his hair is!!

Update From The Trail.

We've been on the deputation trail for the past six weeks and as you can tell from my numerous updates, I've been twiddling my thumbs with nothing to do.

Or not.

Traveling with a newborn has had its adjustments, like not driving for twelve straight hours. The other day we turned a five hour trip into eight hours. Not exactly what we're "used to" so we've had to reset our definition of normal!

We spent two weeks with my in-laws while we had meetings, which was good - especially for Grandma! We also spent several weeks in the Fort Worth area and that was a treat to spend lots of time with a church we consider our home away from home. :)

While in the Houston area, we drove the extra hour to Galveston and took a free ferry ride, saw some dolphins and enjoyed a yummy dinner on the Gulf of Mexico. It's always fun to check out the areas we're in and do the tourist thing!

We are currently hanging out in Oklahoma City before we head to the Texas panhandle for a few meetings. Last time we were in OK City, we went to the Cowboy Museum so this morning we decide to go to the OK City Memorial and Museum.

This Memorial was probably one of the best I've ever seen: gripping, informative, engaging, and yet serene. It was rather cold outside so we spent most of our time in the museum. It was well worth the $24.00 admission fee and was time well spent.

The biggest challenge for me on this leg of deputation has been not getting to talk with many people since I'm usually in the nursery with Paul. A dear friend from home reminded me that my ministry is Paul and sometimes I'm just not going to be able to visit with the ladies. So I'm learning to adjust and I am really grateful for those times I get to be in most of a service!

So that's a "nutshell" update... now that I can blog from my phone, hopefully updates will be more frequent!!

What If.

We've been on the road for the past two weeks "deputating" as one friend calls it. :)  So much to write and yet not enough free time to write, between taking care of a newborn and living in the moment.

We're currently in Fort Worth, Texas at a missions conference that has been very uplifting and convicting.  One thing stood out to me that wasn't during a preaching time or even a teaching session and yet it was so impacting.  During one of the "comments time" a pastor from Louisiana asked a veteran missionary about the man who led him to the Lord.  Now this veteran missionary, Milton Martin, is over 80 years old and has been a missionary to Mexico since somewhere around 1960.  Bro. Martin said the man who led him to the Lord was praying some 28 years before Bro. Martin's salvation and put his finger on a map of Texas and asked the Lord for a soul in that state.  Bro. Martin then said these words: "I was that soul."

I don't know if anyone else in the room got chills like I did when he said that, but I was thinking about the impact Bro. Martin has had on countless people around this world. Literally. But I thought about that man who came before Bro. Martin and was faithful in praying for lost souls and then witnessing to those souls.  What if that man hadn't prayed? What if that man hadn't been specific in praying for a soul in Texas? What if he hadn't opened his mouth to speak of Jesus? What if he was intent on doing his own thing rather than God's plan?  What if?

While I understand God will use someone else if they're more willing than you, I also know that Bro. Martin's impact on the people of Mexico can't be denied. In addition to the people of Mexico, there are plenty of pastors, missionaries, evangelists, Bible Institute students, etc. that have been impacted by Bro. Martin's ministry.

Nat and I personally have been impacted by his ministry.  In fact, Bro. Martin's the one who challenged Nat with the principles of missions and is the human instrument God used to put Nat into the ministry.  My heart was stirred when Bro. Martin preached a conference in 2006 and that set in motion the idea of me going to Thailand to help with missionaries.

But I think of the man who came before Bro. Martin and realize that his reward in heaven will be great because of being faithful.  What a legacy!  What a challenge to me.

It's funny what the Lord will use to teach me. In this instance, it was just an old preacher from Louisiana asking an old missionary to Mexico what an even older man did for the Lord.

First Month Musings.

I can't quite believe baby Paul will be a month tomorrow! To say that our lives changed is, in fact, an understatement.  Many, many, many people would say in the months leading up to his birth, "Life is going to change," but like most things in life, you become a believer when you experience it. :)

Now that we're a family of three, we're no longer a family of two. Shocking realization, right?  But it is amazing how much of the twosome mentality slips into the reality of being a threesome.  Things like planning out the day no longer just include Nat's and my busy schedule; now I take into consideration Paul's needs because that is my schedule now!

 (A close resemblance to Paul:D)

This first month has definitely had plenty of challenges, but many blessings as well!  We say Paul is a chill baby and a cry baby because when he is relaxed, he is completely chilled out! But when he is crying, well, let's just say he holds nothing back. :-)

Tomorrow morning we're heading out into new territory... we have a meeting in Ohio and it's our first "big" trip of 9 hours.  Prayers would be appreciated!

Baby News.

My little baby is resting contentedly in his swing right now and I'm finally sorting through and catching up on e-mails... and blogging.

~Three days before baby day~

~Five days after baby day~

Little Paul Nathaniel was born September 6th after a very long day. Several things took place differently than I had expected and anticipated, including an emergency c-section. As they were wheeling me into the operating room, a nurse leaned in close and said, "all that's going to matter is you're going to have a healthy baby at the end of all of this." Such comforting words!

I'm still recovering from the surgery, but I'm pretty amazed at how the Lord has given me my strength back! My doctor was even happy when I saw her yesterday. :-)

Every time I look at baby Paul, I marvel at what a little miracle he is. Thank you, Lord, for my precious son!

Eviction Time.

Sometimes our ways just aren't God's ways. And I'm really grateful for that!

Our little Peanut was due almost two weeks ago... but that just wasn't God's way or timing. Now that I'm coming to the end of that two week waiting period, I can look back and see how the Lord's timing once again worked out.

Our local fair was all last week and Nat and I were hoping to be a part of that since our church was having a booth at the fair. I got to go up twice and he got to go three times and we were able to talk to several people about what the Bible really has to say about missing the mark with God. Now that wouldn't have worked out so well if we were having a baby, right?

In addition to participating at the fair, Nat was able to spend three different occasions with a man who is dying of several types of cancer... and this man had questions about eternity. In one short week, this man's health quickly declined. I'm thankful for a husband who is sensitive to eternity's values. I doubt Nat would've been able to spend all that time with this dying man if we were in the hospital. Hmm.

My heart was also encouraged and refreshed from the Sunday morning at church. My small group discussion was very uplifting, the song service put my focus back on the Lord (after all, how do you think about yourself when you're singing, "Crown Him Lord of All"?), and the message reminded me to have my delight on the Lord. If Peanut had come last week, I would've missed the service Sunday morning.

So the Lord really knows. Whether I remember the fact that He knows or not is another thing! But His timing is perfect.

Tomorrow morning we're planning on going to the hospital and inducing this baby. I'm still praying that I go into labor on my own tonight, but that just might not be God's will. He's given me several reminders recently that His thoughts and plans are higher than my own and I take comfort in the fact that He is in control.

I also take comfort in the fact that no one has been pregnant for ever, so this baby is coming!

We Have Been Blessed!

Nat and I have often mentioned to each other how blessed we are to be a part of a great church family! This past Sunday evening we were reminded of that again. Rather than having a baby shower with lots of things and items that we would probably have to leave behind in a year, our church family generously gave us a money tree fellowship. It was so sweet... especially since it was a cupcake fellowship. :-)

We got a big kick out of the messages people wrote on diapers... I have a feeling we're going to need those laughs when it's time to change a diaper at 2 AM in the morning!

These next two photos are a little blurry; sorry about that! Anyway, they had these cute little pins for us to wear that said, "Mommy to be" and "Daddy to be" with an elephant on it and a peanut, of course!

Nat also really enjoyed the fact that we got to take home some leftover cupcakes. He's been diligently eating several a day, quite cheerfully I might add!

So we're all set for Peanut to arrive, at least --- we keep telling ourselves that! Today I finally packed a bag for the hospital and we grabbed some snacks while we were out tonight, so now we just wait. :-)

Friends And Bargains.

Two of my friends are expecting so it's been fun to go through pregnancy together:). We were talking two weeks ago about taking a picture and we finally got around to doing it last week!

(Paula ~ November, Saritha ~ October, Anne ~ August)

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In addition to being due within a few months of each other, Paula and I also share a love for yard sales. This morning there was a huge one in a local development nearby, so Nat and I got up early to see what we could find. As a side note, I'm quite impressed with myself for willingly waking up before 7 AM three Saturdays in a row! Each week has been profitable and made it worth getting up early on the only day of the week to sleep in. :-)

Last evening Nat and I were praying for some specific items to find at a yard sale today and the Lord answered that prayer. It always amazes me how much the Lord is in the little details of life. In fact, He delights in doing so!

Paula snagged a dollar deal for me on a booster/high chair seat for Peanut. Since we'll be doing a lot of traveling, I've been keeping my eye out for things that will travel well and I'm grateful she found the seat... that's going to be a life saver on the road!

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We are now two weeks out from Peanut's due date, although I'm thinking I will go late. In fact, I'm planning on going late. :0) If Peanut arrives early, I will be very surprised!!!