Happy New Year!

As 2008 draws to a close, I am doing what I love to do...hanging out with my babies (Jody, the "old man," has already retired for the night). They are very excited to go outside and bang pans to ring in the new year. (which for them will come two hours early...)

Like most people I ponder the year past as the new year begins. This year was a good year. There were some challenges and losses, but overall it was a very blessed year. God has done big things in me this year, and I am so thankful for His faithfulness.

We are one week away from leaving for Africa. I am excited and nervous. This is such a milestone, one that we have been waiting for for quite some time. God is faithful and His timing is always right. We are starting this year off with an adventure that is right in the center of His will. That is the best place to be.

May each of you begin your new year in the center of His will. May His blessing reign in your life all year long. Happy New Year!!

Anniversary

Tomorrow is our Anniversary. We have been married eight years. I can hardly believe it! It has been eight wonderful years full of adventures--both good and bad, but all of which have only brought us closer. I love him more now than ever, and am so thankful for the wonderful marriage God has blessed us with.

Happy Anniversary, sweetie, I love you!!!

Election Update

The elections in Ghana are not over yet. The two main candidates did not reach 50% of the votes, so they are doing a re-vote, which will occure on the 28th of Dec. Please continue to pray for the right man and for peace.

The Snow is Falling...

Yes, it is snowing outside. I love snow days. You never out grow snow days. There is just something about a snow that says "be lazy, have fun, and do nothing of importance." We had a fun day with our family and kids. They love the snow, and are so excited it will be sticking around for awhile.

We are a little less than a month away for Africa. So exciting. We have raised all of our funds, THANK YOU, LORD!! And thank you all for supporting us.

We are down to the small details of getting everything ready. The final big hoop is our visa's which have been applied for and we are awaiting their return. Now it is a matter of getting everything packed and in order. It's a good thing I LOVE this part! ;-)

And with all that, there is Christmas around the corner...only 3 more gifts to go! And, also, Jody and I will be celebrating our 8th anniversary next week!

One thing for certian, we have a busy few weeks ahead of us....

One Proud Mommy!

I love my kids. They are good kids. Sure, they drive me insane some times, and some times they can be really naughty, but I think that goes for all kids. And like all kids, they have a tendency to be selfish. They even throw tantrums once in awhile when they don't get what they want.



For the past few weeks they have been after me to go through their clothes and toys, so that they could give some to the African kids that do not have any. The clothes part is easy--if it's too small it goes. The toys, well that's a whole other subject. But, today, Son and I went through all of his toys, and he gave away quite a bit! He looked at every car, one by one, and gave away over half of his collection. He kept three of his rescue heroes and gave away the rest. He gave away one of his little buzz toys, saying he had another one like it that was blue.



The biggest suprise to mommy---he gave away a stuffed mater. (Malachi LOVES his stuffed animals, and he especially loves mater. He has one that he sleeps with everynight--along with about 10 other things!). That one was a little tough. He thought about it for awhile, and said "good bye". I told him (like a hundred times during this process) ,"you don't have to give away anything. It's up to you, but you don't have to if you don't want to." He said, "No, I want to." I asked him "why?" He said "because, some kids don't have any stuffed animals at all, and I have my other mater."

Elections December 7th

That's right! Election day is coming this Sunday---in Ghana. Please pray for the right man to be elected, and for a smooth, fair, and peaceful election. And even more importantly, for a somooth and peaceful transfer of power.