Un Año Loco! 2009 (A Crazy Year)

Last October we packed up our house and put things in storage, packed our bags and left for six months. It was crazy, amazing, hard at times, wonderful most of the times, a life changing experience. Andrew decided we needed to take a Family Sabbatical to South America. In Colombia we met up with a missionary family, Jorge and Ginny and their little girl Matilde. It was so humbling to see how they live every day life serving, being available, totally other'focused. Most of their ministry at the time involved reaching out to children in the neighborhood and orphans. We also were able to spend time with my extended family for a couple of weeks who lived a plane ride away from Bogota (where we stayed for our sabbatical). We spent last Christmas with our old friends who I had not seen for over 13 years! It was a quiet, sad, joyful, sweet and simple Christmas we'll never forget. When we came back in April we definitely had culture shock. I remember Josiah being SO excited for warm water to wash his hands :) Living in Colombia for six months changed our lives in many ways. We realized the boys were absolutely happy and content with the toys they had in their backpacks. They also found joy in sharing those with kids who had none. We were convicted about how busy our lives had become. We learned that God wants our family to live life, and minster to people as we go about our day. There are plenty of opportunities to reach out to others in very simple ways. To not just have stuff, but use it, take care of it, share it, or give it away. There are so many things we have some people wish they did, and we complain about it! We are forever changed by each person we met and all the wonderful things we were able to experience in another country.

Well around here the boys are usually playing pretend with their friends (aka stuffed animals), doing a craft project, wrestling daddy, or chasing each other around the coach in the family room. Javier was accepted to an Arts Charter School, he's in third grade now. He is still very much our 'artsy' child. He had his first musical this Fall and did awesome. Javi enjoys playing the piano, reading, writing, and drawing. He's a great big brother and very patient with Jojo who is usually following him around the house. I would describe him as sensitive, kind and sweet. Josiah is going to Preschool twice a week and loves it! He's very interested in letters and numbers and very much a hands'on type of boy. He likes to figure out how things work and doesn't like it when things are broken. Jojo loves playing with cars or his soft animal friends. I love that he speaks Spanglish ('Mamita, I want some lechita con chocolate please'). I would describe him as intense, thoughtful and energtic.

We want to end this newsletter by saying THANK YOU to all of our family and friends. For everyone who helped us pack and unpack, brought a meal, took us to the airport, watched our house, emailed us, prayed for us, helped buy bedding for orphans, visited us, met us somewhere for dinner, on and on...we are so grateful and blessed. Gracias y Feliz Año!!!

Four wonderful years!!

Boy how time flies when you are having fun! Seems like just about every evening Andrew and I are standing in our family room smiling as we watch our boys run around to music, dance, or play pretend. It is busy, full of energy, crazy and wonderful. God gave us Josiah to bring more laughter and joy into our lives! Just the other night he said, 'Jesus, let it be morning time, let it be morning time'...I asked him why he was asking for that, 'cuz I don't wanna go to sleep'....ahh, our Jojo. What is he up to lately? He's discovered letters and numbers. I love that when he spells his name he does it in Spanish. When called, he also answers in Spanish, and Andrew is known as 'Papito' and me, 'Mamita'. He calls Javier his 'best brother' and has a hard time saying bye to him EVERY morning we drop him off at school. Josiah also started calling us (his immediate family) 'wubby'. If you know him you know how much he loves cars, monster trucks, motocycles, and well, anything extreme! Oh yes, recently he's into mismatching his socks. Here are some pictures from then and now.

Josiah George weighed 9lbs. 2oz.!!

First picture with Daddy!

First nap with Javi, check out his smile :)

Mom came out to help care for him and me :)

Grandma Bec and Jojo, check out his socks :)

Josiah and his 'best brother' Javier....

Family Pictures

These pictures were taken last month at the Boise Train Depot. Our friend, Bridgette, did a wonderful job capturing 'us'. Things going on this Fall include: Javier going to Christine Donnell School of Arts and enjoying every minute of being 'artsy'. Josiah going to preschool twice a week and being schooled by mom the other days. Andrew working lots, brainstorming on his next new thing, taking care of all of us. I am trying to be purposeful this season of life getting projects done around the house. Oh yes and enjoying my Kitchen Aid. We are also finishing up paperwork for our little girl :) We still don't have a timeframe, but we are filling out the last package of paperwork called our 'dossier'.

My 'Pit Crew' Rocks!

Yesterday was my second race. Unfortunately, Grandma and Grandpa are out of town so we had no help this time with the kids. Thankfully, it didn't rain this time. Andrew and I were trying to explain to Jojo in three year'old language what we were doing. Since we love CARS around here, the best way to explain it, 'pit crew'! Andrew told Jojo, 'we need to take care of mommy while she runs for kids who are sick. we will make sure she has water and things to fuel her body'...all of a sudden we had a very excited crew :) I cannot explain to you what it means to see them throughout my run. This time our run was in Fruitland, ID, about an hour away. We started packing Friday night, snacks, sweater, gloves, DVD player, not to mention all the stuff I need! But we did it, we were out the door by 7:15am. The race started at 9am, and I was done 2 hours and 16 minutes later! Since I only had six days to recover from my last half marathon, this one was exhausting. I did pretty good until the last two miles. I was tired. Also, I heard a song that reminded me of my brother and his fiance who are overseas, and forget it I lost it. After praying for them, I asked the Lord to help me. You asked me to do this, give me the strength to endure. I knew I could not walk or it was all over. God was faithful, I was able to run it all, and even finish 6 minutes faster than my last race. A big thanks to my 'pit crew', thanks for the cheering, smiling, for all the water, GU, jelly beans too, and just for being you. (Lightening McQueen would be so jealous).

We did it!!

'I did it!' that is what a yelled out, with my arms up in the air, as I crossed the finish line. Two hours, 22 mins. Sigh of relief. It was 40 degrees this morning and raining, not good. I prayed that it wouldn't rain, but it did. He doesn't always give us what we ask for in the way we ask. God was faithful to give me the endurance I needed to run the whole race and an incredible husband to help me do it. DRUM ROLE please...Andrew has officially won the 'husband of the year' award. Where do I begin, he set out all of my stuff I needed for the race and the boys. He fixed me a yummy baked potato last night for dinner and made sure I did the minimal amount of work around the house. He made signs with the boys to cheer me on. He even went to the store for me! But the sweetest thing he did, was run the last 1.1 miles with me. When I was totally exhausted...he cheered me on, made me laugh by chasing deer, told me that one mile was nothing for me and that I was doing great. It reminds me of a verse in Ecc. 4 that saids 'two are better than one, for if one falls the other will pick him up'...I am so thankful for someone who is willing to 'pick me up'. One race down, three to go!

Chapel Missions India

My first race is on Sunday. Ready or not?! Rain or shine (looks like it might rain). What would make me run a half marathon, something I never thought I was capable of doing...children who need it. Please take 3 minutes and watch this video. If you would like to sponsor me, please go to http://www.chapelmissions.org/ , donations will be accepted through the end of the month for Heaven's Gate. We will update the blog with pictures, time, and stories.

Four half marathons in four weeks what am I crazy!?!?!

This is what I say to myself every so often as I train for this intense challenge! If any of you know Andrew, you know that he has a passion for running. I, on the other hand have only done it in the past, well basically to keep off weight. I like the way I feel AFTER I run but I would not say I love doing it. I love eating chocolate, drinking lattes, daisies or shopping :) Yet, I couldn't resist the challenge when I saw it mentioned on our church bulletin. Since we got to meet some orphans face to face this last year I've realized...children are children, they just want to be loved and taken care of. How could I sit around and do nothing, so I'm doing something, a BIG something along with over 20 other people at Calvary. We are running for 'Heaven's Gate'....four half marathons in four weeks, it all starts in October. I covet your prayers! I have not ran one half marathon let alone four, yikes!! What better reason though. We are paying for all our race expenses and travels, so everything that is donated will go to children and parents in India with HIV'AIDS. Please consider sponsoring me, every dollar helps. It can be done online or snail mail. ALL donations must be in by the 1st of October. Thank you... For more info go to http://www.chapelmissions.org/