Oh yeah, Sawyer girl loves her some Cameryn!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Slumber Party...
Last Friday, Preston went on a men's church camping trip, so Sawyer had two of our best buds, Leah and Kendall, over for a little slumber party!
After we got the girls to bed, Leah and I (in true slumber party fashion) stayed up WAY too late talking... until 2AM to be exact. Five straight hours of girl-talk is my kind of fun, though we were BOTH feeling it the next morning!
I'm sure it wont be long before the girls are staying up WAY too late having some girl-talk themselves!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Last Sunday while Sawyer was napping, Preston and I cleaned up the house together, and as we cleaned, we talked. I didn't know (at the time) what prompted me to ask him this question, but I asked anyway, knowing full well I might not like the answer he was going to give me.
"If you chose to do mission work anywhere outside the country, where do you think you'd go?"
Without hesitation, he said, "Ive always had a desire to go to North Africa."
Well, that was news to me. We'd just never really discussed it before, so of course my next question was, "Why there!?!"
"Its just a different world there," he said, "Those are people who literally put their lives in danger for believing in Jesus, and yet there are some who still choose to follow Him. They could very well be killed because of they're faith. We've never experienced that here, so spreading the gospel there would be such a unique opportunity, and I'd really like to go...at least once."
I'm foolish, and I wasn't satisfied with his answer. I told him I thought he probably just wanted to go there because it was super risky (therefore, exciting to most men,) and I didn't think he was considering the fact that he had a family that needed him!
And with a smile on his face, and in the most calm voice, he said, "So, you think God could protect me here, but he wouldn't be able to protect me there?"
Of course, that shut me up immediately. I walked away to Windex the bathroom mirror, realizing that I was putting God in a (very tiny) box by saying the things I was saying. Who in the world do I think I am? My husband is telling me he feels a calling on his life to do mission work in a particular area, and I'm basically saying he's insane, and even worse...selfish. Conviction set in quickly, and I knew that was was really the one being selfish.
Our conversation didn't go any further that day. We went on with the rest of our week as normal, and to be honest, I'd soon forgotten all about it...until yesterday morning.
We sat in church together, listening as our associate pastor giving a few announcements, and I cant think of anything else he said except this, "Today is the last day to sign up for our summer mission Trip to North Africa! There are a few spots left to fill."
Ummmm...Okay, God! I hear ya...LOUD and CLEAR!!!!
I could feel my face turning red as I looked out of the corner of my eye at Preston. I knew he'd be looking right back at me because of what we'd just heard...and I was right. We ended up having lunch with our small group later that afternoon and after we ate, Preston said he needed to talk to me alone. I had a feeling this "talk" was coming, but I was going to let him bring it up.
I must have had a "look" on my face, because he let out a laugh and said, "What is it?!? You know I want to go on this trip. But I won't call, until you tell me you're alright with it."
Without hesitation I told him I knew he should go. He lit up, and within seconds he was on the phone, setting up a time that night he could go to church and fill out his application. I don't think I'd ever been so proud of my husband. He was so sure of this, so convinced this is what God wanted him to do...and he took an enormous step of faith, and acted on it, without fear or hesitation. I know Preston will make an impact there, because he already does now, just about everywhere he goes. He has a servants heart, and Ive NEVER met anyone else in my life who has such a love for others. He's SO incredibly giving of himself...he just loves helping people, even people he doesn't even know.
On our drive home, I could feel doubt and fear creeping in again. The realization that he was going to spend a week in a closed, Muslim country, distributing bibles, surrounded be people who hate Christians caused me to become terrified. What if he didn't come back? What if he was hurt? What about the money it costs to go? What if, about a million other things??????
But then, Psalm 121 came to mind and I could feel God telling me to just trust Him! He's so much bigger than all of those "What ifs!" He'd already worked everything out, down the very last detail! He'd planned this, before it was even a thought in my mind! He was in control, not me! "Let Go, Erica," I hear Him say, "Ive got this."
As I sit here typing this, the tears are flowing...I'm just amazed by God's goodness in planning all of this out and guiding us to make this decision.
I've prayed, asking God to give me a peace about this, to protect my precious husband, and to allow me to continue to surrender to his perfect plan for my (and Preston's) life...even if that includes a trip to North Africa!
So that's it, that's our big news...and I'm so excited to be sharing it with you guys! Please be in prayer for Preston and everyone else that will be going on the trip this summer. Pray for their safety, pray that we could raise most of the money to go, and most of all, that they would be effective while spreading the good news to those who have never heard the name of Jesus or held a bible!
What a mighty God we serve! I'm so thankful for all he's done, and will continue to do...I'm always amazed to see him at work, and this situation is no exception!
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done!
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts!
Psalm 105:1-2
"If you chose to do mission work anywhere outside the country, where do you think you'd go?"
Without hesitation, he said, "Ive always had a desire to go to North Africa."
Well, that was news to me. We'd just never really discussed it before, so of course my next question was, "Why there!?!"
"Its just a different world there," he said, "Those are people who literally put their lives in danger for believing in Jesus, and yet there are some who still choose to follow Him. They could very well be killed because of they're faith. We've never experienced that here, so spreading the gospel there would be such a unique opportunity, and I'd really like to go...at least once."
I'm foolish, and I wasn't satisfied with his answer. I told him I thought he probably just wanted to go there because it was super risky (therefore, exciting to most men,) and I didn't think he was considering the fact that he had a family that needed him!
And with a smile on his face, and in the most calm voice, he said, "So, you think God could protect me here, but he wouldn't be able to protect me there?"
Of course, that shut me up immediately. I walked away to Windex the bathroom mirror, realizing that I was putting God in a (very tiny) box by saying the things I was saying. Who in the world do I think I am? My husband is telling me he feels a calling on his life to do mission work in a particular area, and I'm basically saying he's insane, and even worse...selfish. Conviction set in quickly, and I knew that was was really the one being selfish.
Our conversation didn't go any further that day. We went on with the rest of our week as normal, and to be honest, I'd soon forgotten all about it...until yesterday morning.
We sat in church together, listening as our associate pastor giving a few announcements, and I cant think of anything else he said except this, "Today is the last day to sign up for our summer mission Trip to North Africa! There are a few spots left to fill."
Ummmm...Okay, God! I hear ya...LOUD and CLEAR!!!!
I could feel my face turning red as I looked out of the corner of my eye at Preston. I knew he'd be looking right back at me because of what we'd just heard...and I was right. We ended up having lunch with our small group later that afternoon and after we ate, Preston said he needed to talk to me alone. I had a feeling this "talk" was coming, but I was going to let him bring it up.
I must have had a "look" on my face, because he let out a laugh and said, "What is it?!? You know I want to go on this trip. But I won't call, until you tell me you're alright with it."
Without hesitation I told him I knew he should go. He lit up, and within seconds he was on the phone, setting up a time that night he could go to church and fill out his application. I don't think I'd ever been so proud of my husband. He was so sure of this, so convinced this is what God wanted him to do...and he took an enormous step of faith, and acted on it, without fear or hesitation. I know Preston will make an impact there, because he already does now, just about everywhere he goes. He has a servants heart, and Ive NEVER met anyone else in my life who has such a love for others. He's SO incredibly giving of himself...he just loves helping people, even people he doesn't even know.
On our drive home, I could feel doubt and fear creeping in again. The realization that he was going to spend a week in a closed, Muslim country, distributing bibles, surrounded be people who hate Christians caused me to become terrified. What if he didn't come back? What if he was hurt? What about the money it costs to go? What if, about a million other things??????
But then, Psalm 121 came to mind and I could feel God telling me to just trust Him! He's so much bigger than all of those "What ifs!" He'd already worked everything out, down the very last detail! He'd planned this, before it was even a thought in my mind! He was in control, not me! "Let Go, Erica," I hear Him say, "Ive got this."
As I sit here typing this, the tears are flowing...I'm just amazed by God's goodness in planning all of this out and guiding us to make this decision.
I've prayed, asking God to give me a peace about this, to protect my precious husband, and to allow me to continue to surrender to his perfect plan for my (and Preston's) life...even if that includes a trip to North Africa!
So that's it, that's our big news...and I'm so excited to be sharing it with you guys! Please be in prayer for Preston and everyone else that will be going on the trip this summer. Pray for their safety, pray that we could raise most of the money to go, and most of all, that they would be effective while spreading the good news to those who have never heard the name of Jesus or held a bible!
What a mighty God we serve! I'm so thankful for all he's done, and will continue to do...I'm always amazed to see him at work, and this situation is no exception!
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done!
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts!
Psalm 105:1-2
Friday, April 23, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
A New Way to Water Your Plants...
Yesterday, while I was grocery shopping, I picked up a little purple water gun for Sawyer to play with. I guess water guns are considered somewhat of a "boy toy," but what the heck...I thought it would be fun!
She LOVED it!!! As soon as we filled it up, she started spraying down everything in sight, paying special attention to the flowers I just planted...which got a BIG "You go girl!" from me. She watered the plants for a good twenty minutes while I followed right behind, cheering her on. She thought she was being such a big helper!
Maybe next, I'll teach her how to help me dust the furniture :)
A Funny for Your Wednesday...
A few nights ago, Sawyer and I were chasing each other around the house, and it was getting a little wild. We ran and screamed and tickled for a good 20 minutes...until I plopped down in the floor, tired and almost out of breath. Of course, Sawyer was nowhere near finished playing, and this is how our conversation went...
Sawyer: C'mon, Mom! I'm gonna chase you!!!
Me: Oh, goodness...I need to rest just a minute, girl.
Sawyer: Well, You can chase me if you want!?!
Me: Give me just a second, I'm pooped!
Sawyer: (in the sweetest voice) Oh...You need me to get you a wipe, Momma?
Sawyer: C'mon, Mom! I'm gonna chase you!!!
Me: Oh, goodness...I need to rest just a minute, girl.
Sawyer: Well, You can chase me if you want!?!
Me: Give me just a second, I'm pooped!
Sawyer: (in the sweetest voice) Oh...You need me to get you a wipe, Momma?
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Happy Thursday!
I've gotten a lot accomplished this morning...Its just noon, and Ive run a few errands and planted ALL of my flowers in our front porch pots and hanging baskets.I gave Sawyer a little hand shovel and she enjoyed helping me, but I think she just liked digging in the dirt the most! We were both filthy by the time we were finished, so I gave her a bath when we came inside. She ate a big lunch, and went to bed just a little while ago...I'm thinking about taking a little nap myself...yawn.
Sawyer and I went to the zoo with Jordan and Cameryn yesterday and we had a blast! I decided to buy a zoo pass this year, and I really think we'll get a lot of use out of it...especially with that awesome new water park they have!
Preston and I only have 3 weeks until we leave for Florida, and we can't wait! It'll be so nice to have a whole week to just relax. The only part I'm nervous about is being away from Sawyer, but I know she'll have fun with Mom and Dad. I'm just gonna miss her! I'm so thankful we're able to take this trip, and even more thankful we can leave Sawyer without having to worry about her while we're away. I cant wait to dip my feet in that ocean...
Sawyer and I went to the zoo with Jordan and Cameryn yesterday and we had a blast! I decided to buy a zoo pass this year, and I really think we'll get a lot of use out of it...especially with that awesome new water park they have!
Preston and I only have 3 weeks until we leave for Florida, and we can't wait! It'll be so nice to have a whole week to just relax. The only part I'm nervous about is being away from Sawyer, but I know she'll have fun with Mom and Dad. I'm just gonna miss her! I'm so thankful we're able to take this trip, and even more thankful we can leave Sawyer without having to worry about her while we're away. I cant wait to dip my feet in that ocean...
Thursday, April 8, 2010
We're Still Here...
I know...Ive been a bad blogger lately. We've been busy around here, so I'll try and catch you up as best I can!
-We FINALLY got Sawyer's new bedroom suite. It came in last week, and we LOVE it. We re-painted her room, bought her comforter, and picked out some pictures and wall-words to go on her wall. Now, I just have to make the curtains, and add a few decorative pillows for the bed. I'll have to post pictures a little later when its all finished. Sawyer has transitioned to her big girl bed beautifully! She hasn't gotten up in the middle of the night (or during nap) one time...she also hasn't fallen out, which is even better!
-We've been ENJOYING this beautiful weather this past week. I've taken Sawyer to several different parks and we're LOVING spending all this time outside! We went to our favorite park on Tuesday (when it was almost 90 degrees outside) and Sawyer got to sit with me on a huge rock and put her feet in the creek, which of course she loved. There were a few other kids playing near the creek, and two of the sweetest little boys who caught a baby snapping turtle were beyond excited to show us.
Our Yoshino cherry tree (we planted when we moved in here) is just beautiful this year. It's FULL of these white blooms, and while they only stay a little over a week, they're still glorious!
Preston and I had a GREAT date night last Friday! We ate at the always-yummy Chick-Fill-A, went to see a movie, and then headed over to the Summit to walk around for a while. The weather was so nice, we ended up sitting out on the patio and talking until 11:30 that night! I love spending time with that man...
I did something totally out of character last night and bought a coupon (just 29 dollars for an unlimited 2 month pass) to Jazzercise! Ive never done it or watched anyone else do it, but I heard its great, so, why not? I need to exercise...bathing suit season (shudder) is almost upon us.
The pictures I posted are totally random, just like this post. They're just a few I took over the past week or so. Hope ya'll have a great weekend!
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