Boy or Girl??????

I have heard time and time again that I "look like" I'm carrying a boy.  

Old wives tale??  

Can you really tell what sex a person is having by the way they carry?  

Big Sis took this picture of me last night.  

I was not standing up straight so the picture actually makes me look smaller than I really am.  

I think that is why I feel inspired to post :)  

Boy or Girl....we will know is 3-5 weeks.  

I can't wait!

Global Impact Celebration...SEND ME OUT!

 This was several weeks ago.  I have wanted to blog about it....but I needed to process it before I could sit down and write.  It was an amazing week at our church.

The Theme:  Send Me Out!  

Missionaries from all over came to Chapin to help us understand what they do and why they do it.  It started on Wednesday night and ended on Sunday evening.  Because of the busy nature of that week...our household should have been a mess.  Little Man spent the weekend before in the hospital.  I was exhausted.  Tuesday night was the big bingo event that I was in charge of at the girl's school.  Thursday night was my 7 year old's birthday.  So, to fit church attendance in 6 times, community projects for everyone except Little Man, and have a Missionary Family over for dinner should have turned my world UPSIDE DOWN!  Things like that usually do.  I'm not one that likes being overly busy.  But, it was not the case at all.  It was an AMAZING week that will (hopefully) impact our lives forever!

"Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God."

-a prayer by Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision

The Missionaries

I was in WOW mode when I had the opportunity to hear their stories.  I wish I would have taken the opportunity to know and talk to each and every one of them.  I wish I could have heard all of their stories.  We heard about missions that were local like food banks and women's shelters and we heard about missions that were far away such as unreached area of Africa and missions in Japan.  

For example: Oscar...he is a local missionary.  Years ago he got involved in drugs and eventually found himself living on the streets.  He was reached out to and saved.  He put his life back together, bought a house and a car and was living a productive life.  Although he was living a good productive life his heart was still broken for those who lived on the streets.  So, he SOLD IT ALL!  He now lives under a tree, in a park, in Downtown Columbia caring for and ministering to his fellow homeless friends.  Together with the help of local churches he offers Sunday worship every week with a meal to follow.  He helps them find recovery, job placement, clothing, personal items, and medical care when they are ready or willing.  AMAZING!!

Then there was this missionary that they called King.  He is a very large African Man.  Dark, gorgeous skin...and LARGE!  He reminded me of Daddy Warbuck's bodyguard on Annie.  (And with his strong thick African accent he sounded like him, too.)  You just felt a powerful presents when you were around him.  When he worshipped..... it almost took your breath away.  He would stand taller than most people around him and stretch his arms out into the air.....reaching.....praising....giving thanks....asking for help.  I wanted to watch him the whole time. 

Also there was the Quirinos, the family that we were so blessed to have to our home for dinner.  She was from Bolivia and he from Brazil.  They have two children.  Their mission is to reach Muslims in Africa.  They spend their time in Africa in the slums.  They set up and run sport camps, cooking classes, sewing classes and more to slowly introduce the words of Jesus to the people.  Their job can be risky.  I loved their stories.  I loved their passion and faithfulness.  

They asked me if I could see myself doing African Missions.

I said No. 

They asked why. 

I answered, "I know this may sound silly but I don't think I could handle the smells." 

Angelica responded, "I can't lie....the smell is something I can never explain.  I wish I could bottle it up so others could experience."  It made me feel like prissy....but it was the truth.  

We were inspired and blessed by their visit. 

The Children's Program

As always the church pulled off an awesome Children's Program.  The kids had a blast while the adults were busy.  The hallway of the Children's wing turned into a large airplane.  The kids had passports and plane tickets (that looked totally real!) and they headed off to experience life in other countries.  They had videos of taking off and landing and when they got off the plane they went to the different countries.  Missionaries would be there to talk about life, customs, beliefs, and they even had foods for them to try.

 THE KIDS LOVED IT! 

The Ministry

We had the opportunity to listen to two guest ministers throughout the week.  I have to admit at first I was disappointed b/c I love listening to Jody preach so much that I didn't want to hear anyone else preach to us.  But, that was silly b/c the two men brought their "A game".  One was from Indiana and the other was from Florida.  Their messages were excellent!  

Throughout the week listening to the stories, seeing the slide shows, and hearing what God has to say about caring for the poor, lost, and hungry broke down my heart.

Christ has no body on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which
Christ's compassion for the world is to look out;
yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good;
and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now.
-Saint Teresa of Avila

Okay, so the thing I heard that made my heart happy...
Compassion has almost a 100% success rate.  By feeding, educating, and giving health care to the sponsored children they are able to bring Jesus to them.  Not only are the kid's lives changed....but also their parent's lives.  What a great program!!

That excited me....we sponsor two Compassion children.  I loved hearing that information.

But, I guess b/c we sponsor two Compassion children I had THOUGHT I was doing my part to help those in need.  I guess writing a check each month from my 4 bedroom 4 bathroom home that is filled with food, clean water, and love felt like an accomplishment.  I was helping two children......millions of others were starving, lost, and alone....but I was caring for two so we are good to go. 
How I love my little comfort zone!
Oh, how selfish we are.
How God must want so much more form us!

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:16-20

What does God expect from me.  It's not a guessing game.  It's very black and white.
-We are to love God with all of our heart
-We are to love our neighbors like ourselves
-We are to go make disciples of others who will do the same.

We are commanded to do these things!  That is what God expects from me!
Jesus was very clear!

One of the ministers that preached that week told us a story about a guy who felt called to missions after he had a dream.  This guy was dreaming that Jesus was approaching him with a bowl of water.  Like Jesus did for his disciples, he bent down to wash this man's feet.  Jesus looked at his feet and then said to him, "Why are your feet not dirty?" 

My feet are not dirty.

SEND ME OUT!

It was an amazing week!

Oh...and from the week our parishioners pledged to give $303,000 to this years mission fund.
Last year's budget was only $75,000.  WOW!

And.....300 people committed themselves to mission work in the next 12 months.

Like I said, it was an amazing week!

The Big Party

 The big party was last weekend.  The "Moc Slumber Party" was a huge hit.  The girls arrive around 5:30 and they got picked up at 9:00 p.m.  It worked out just as I hoped.

The theme was STRAWBERRIES!  We had strawberry punch, strawberries dipped in whipped cream and sprinkles, and a Strawberry Upside Down Cake.  It was everything my 7 year old dreamed up.

The girls then got into their PJ's and opened gifts.

After gifts it was time for cake.

Finally, at the end of the evening we finished it off with a movie projected on the wall.  

Feature Presentation:  Mega Mind

It was a great birthday party for our Sweet 7 Year Old!

7th Birthday.....

Here are some pics from the evening of my 7 yr. old's birthday.  We had a nice family night that started at IHOP (birthday girl's choice) and ended with cake at home.  She said it was one of the best days of her life.  I wish I could be pleased so easily!!

This Friday night is her "friend" birthday party.  She is having a "mock slumber party".  I have no desire to have a small gang of 6 and 7 year old girls over all night long.  So, they are bringing their PJ's and pillows and we are going to pretend that they are staying the night.  (And then their parents will pick them up at 9 p.m. so everyone can get plenty of sleep in their own beds.) 

Healing

Happy 7th birthday, Sweet Girl!

I remember her birth the clearest of them all.  It was such a happy, happy time.  I did not have the fears that I had when I gave birth to her older sister....it was just happy.  I remember that I got to hold her a couple of hours after she was born.  I didn't want to let go.  I really thought she was going to be a boy....so I was amazed that I was given another little girl.  I couldn't stop smiling at her.  The nurses finally came in and suggested they weigh her and get her cleaned up.  I did pass her over...although I didn't want to.

She was a super happy, smiley, beautiful baby.  She loved her big sister and I could carry her on my hip everywhere I went.  We were living in Dwight, IL during her early years.  In those days we didn't leave the house much.  We would stay in our PJ's most days and just play. 

But then she turned 3....she was not as blissful.  She was snotty, opinionated, and her temper tantrums were huge.  She could be a very emotional little thing and most of the time it was best you didn't mess with her too much.  Once her brother came along she was a "typical middle child".  Life was not fair and she was going to let you know.  Her temper was HOT!

Then she went to kindergarten.  What an amazing change took place when she got a little independence from me and her sister.  She bloomed.  She has continued to bloom.  She is happy, smart, and wanting to please.  She has wonderful manners and loves to snuggle.  She is nurturing with her brother and other little ones.  I can almost always count on her to help me out when I need help.  Her downfall....she is a slob.  I did not know that until a few months ago.  I always blamed the girl's disgusting room on her older sister.  It was not until they separated into their own rooms that I learn Little Sis was the messy one.  To further the issue....she doesn't care about the mess and has no desire to pick it up!

But, that is okay.  I'll take the one bad with all of the good.  (And...I hardly set a shining example on how to keep things clean.)  My sweet second born is such a joy.

This picture is from today.  

My little fashion diva laid her clothes out 2 days ago in preparation for today.  

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!

Much better night...and random thoughts UPDATED

UPDATE:  We got out around 10:30 am and are now home.  The doctor did not have the results they wanted from the cultures (still inconclusive) but they let us go anyway.  Some cultures take 48-72 hours to grow.  We will be following up with him early in the week.   The rest of the post is from earlier this morning. 

We are still  in the hospital.  The cultures from his surgery did not grow fast enough to give them the info they were looking for.  They won't let us go home until they feel comfortable to send him home on oral antibiotics.  Sleep last night was much, much better.  I slept with little man in his bed.  It was 1000 times better than the pull out couch. 

I hope we can go home today.  Everyone is nice here....but there is no place like home!  Plus, I can't wait for Jonah to move around and not have tubes to get tied up in. 

I'm so sad I'm missing church.  What a treat that we go to a church that you don't want to miss a  single week.  But....I think I'm just going to have to catch the service online this week. 

I just made coffee in the hospitality room and it was like something off of Laverne and Shirley.  Water was pouring out and I was very flustered.  I eventually figured it out, but they really should post some directions. 

Hubby and I were supposed to have a special date Friday night.  It was supposed to be a celebration.  Obviously we had to cancel, but I still want to give a shout out to someone who has changed the way we look at finances.....Dave Ramsey....you are a hero! 

Speaking of finances....when we got rid of our TV service I thought we would be missing out.  But, as I flip through channels over and over again I realize that I don't miss it at all.  There is so much junk on TV.  I did watch half of an episode of Cupcake Wars.  That was fun.....but not worth paying for each month. 

I have been watching a lot of Scooby Doo.  Little Man can't get enough.  The hospital has a pretty extensive collection of DVD's.  Annelise at this age was still watching Mr. Rogers and other PBS programming.  You can tell this boy has older sisters.  His programming taste is much more mature.  Not a good thing.....but the truth.

Praying today that the cultures will show something that can be treated with oral antibiotics and we can head home.  Worst case scenario (that I know of) is that this cannot be treated with oral and he will have to get a PIC line put in and he will go home on an IV.  I really can't image that.....but I guess that still puts us at home. 

This is a crazy busy week for our family.  Tuesday night is the annual Bingo night at the girl's school.  Guess who is the chair for that event.  Yes....Me.  I think we are ready.....but I have not been thinking about it much the last two days.  I need to evaluate soon.  Then, this week starts Global Impact week at our church.  This is an exciting event where missionaries and their families from all over are coming to our church to get together and share their experiences.  There are events from Wednesday-Sunday that we will be participating in.  Thursday night we are hosting a missionary family at our home for dinner.  Oh....and did I mention that Thursday is also my daughter's 7th birthday.  See....we need to GO HOME!

We shall see.....