We watched this video in chapel today at school.  I’m glad I was sitting in the back, because I cried through most of it and I’m kind of glad all my students weren’t staring at me.  

It can’t be denied that Jesus Christ changes lives every day.  There is power in his name!

Cardboard Testimonies

*Made use of about a million nuts, bolts, and screws.

*Had a number of water fights.

*Got hooked on appletizer.

*Heard the future president of South Africa speak at our church service.

*Made some lifelong friendships.

*Ate at a five star restaurant and it was incredible! I LOVE salmon:)

*Watched an elephant flap its ears from 15 feet away.

*Got some serious tan lines.

*Fell asleep at lunch everyday (who knew construction was so exhausting).

*Pet adorably furry lion cubs.

*Went to a little market where we were accosted by every shop owner there.

*Got to see where God changes the lives of hundreds of kids every year.

*Built a custom playground set…mainly because we didn’t receive all the pieces… 

*Grew closer to my husband who is more amazing than originally thought…

The beginning:

The End

Sorry, poor blog, I seem to neglect you so often.  We have been busily preparing at my house to do some missions work. 

For quite some time the song by Downhere called Here I Am had been stirring in my heart and I didn’t know why. 

We received a call from a friend of Rob’s asking us if we wanted to go with him and his wife to South Africa to help do some building at a childrens’ camp.  To make a long story short, everything fell into place from the time off from work to the finances. 

So we leave tomorrow at 4:30 AM and head to South Africa.  The Lord is doing something big and we aren’t sure what it is yet, but I can’t wait to tell you when we get home!

Literal translation: my half of an orange

Spanish meaning: my soulmate, other half

He is so easy to love.

Rob quote: (right after walking in the door from work)  “Sweetheart, love is like socks.  It takes two and they have to match.  Will you be my valentine?”

My poor poor neglected blog.  It has been far too long, but I must admit that I am glad it is my poor neglected blog and not my poor neglected husband or my poor neglected home…  Things were crazy during Christmas (three jobs is far too many), but that isn’t why I haven’t posted in forever.  And we went on a vacation with our family and enjoyed some sunshine, but that also isn’t the culprit. 

Every time I sat down to my computer and read your lovely blogs, I realized that I had nothing to say.  We’ve had the worst winter in a long time around here, but even worse than the freezing cold temperatures outside has been the temperature inside.  I’ve just been cold.  My heart has been cold and my joy some how managed to sneak away sometime in November and I just hadn’t been able to find it again. 

My pastor’s wife encouraged me to find a scripture that I could cling to and so here I share it with you.

Isaiah 43:1-3  But now, oh Israel, the Lord who created you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name, and you are mine.  When you go through deep water and great trouble, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up.  The flames will not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, your Savior.  You are precious to me, you are honored, and I love you.”

I have been seeking and seeking and finally last week we had three days that felt like spring.  But even more important than the temperature outside, was the temperature inside.  The Lord gave me spring.  A spring that warmed my heart all the way to the middle.  And he topped it off with the most amazing sunset I’ve ever seen just as his little way of letting me know he was there. 

I don’t know what God’s plan is.  Some days my life feels upside down, but he has given me a new verse.  A new promise.

Psalms 29:11  The Lord gives his people strength.  The Lord blesses them with peace. 

I am truly a blessed blessed woman:)  Love you guys!  Thanks for making your blogs a bright spot in my day!

Spring…welcome back.

Don’t you just love getting a sweet gift?

But you know what’s even better?

Spending the time to make the perfect gift…

and then watching someone open it…

I think it must be the best feeling in the world.  I have a little something up my sleeve, but I can’t tell you just yet what the secret craft project is…  I might just burst with excitement before I get to give it away.

Is there anything better than a really good secret??

Wowza, who fell off the face of the earth?? That would be me.  But I had to share with you all my new all time favorite soup recipe before I forgot to and that has birthed favorite things friday (now lest you think I don’t know how to capitalize. I just spent three class periods teaching kids that days of the week/months are not capitalized in Spanish and have been unable to turn off the Spanish brain as of yet).  Hopefully the prospect of a weekly post will at least guilt me into posting more often, no matter how busy life gets.

Chicken and Wild rice soup

Ingredients 

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 2 cooked, boneless chicken breast halves, shredded
• Cut up carrots
• Cut up celery
• 1 (4.5 ounce) package quick cooking long grain and wild rice with seasoning packet
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cups heavy cream

Directions

The recipe was originally found here.  Oh how I love all recipes:)  I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed with this soup (provided that you are a chicken and wild rice soup eater:)  I like it better than most restaurant versions!  Enjoy:)

Some of my favorite results from this weekend:

My grandmother is second in from the left.

My great grandparents.

We never did find out who these two were, but isn’t the picture stunning!

What a weekend we had.  Five of my moms six remaining aunts and uncles showed up to talk with us and look at pictures.  I think only one of them was under 90.  Aunt Elmira, who hosted the event, made us lunch complete with homemade doughnuts, buns, and egg salad.  I hope I’m that spunky when I’m 94! 

I think my favorite part of the whole day was when she explained to me that now a days 94 really isn’t that old.  I’m so glad we went and she was so kind to share all her pictures with us:)

On other news, if you haven’t stopped by this lovely lady’s blog yet, you should.  Today is her birthday and she is doing a birthday give away!   She was one of the very first bloggy friends I made a few years back when I started on this adventure.  I think all the time how it lights up my day to stop around to all my sweet bloggy friends’ sites and see how their days are going.  Chelle’s site will now doubt light up your day.  I’m sure you will become a frequent visitor like the rest of us after just one peak! Enjoy and HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHELLE!

We have been crazy working people at my house lately.  Mom and I spent two nights getting these all canned.

Rob’s 30th birthday is coming up next Saturday. So I have been sending out invitations, planing menus, etc. (OOooo this is going to be fun! I’m so excited for it:)

I am getting ready to have a little weekend get away with my mom.  We are driving to Minnesota to visit my moms 94 year old aunt.  We are going to scan all the family pictures and get all the information about  them from her.  Along with any stories etc. that she feels like sharing.

And in amongst all the crazyness, God likes to send me little messages like stop and smell the flowers…literally.  This was a special delivery at work the other day.

My absolute favorite flower.  Stop and smell the flowers today, okay. It’ll all get done, I promise.