We Speak to Nations

I don't know what it is about this song...well actually I am starting to discover it....but it evokes such emotion in me every time I hear it. I can't get it out of my head, and I am drawn to listen to it whenever I get the chance. I know this is the case b/c this morning Karys asked to listen to "speak to nations" She is even starting to walk around the house singning the words that she knows. We watched a video online this afternoon that was set to the song. In it it showed ppl from all nations and walks. I started explaining the different pictures to the girls..."He wears a turban b/c that is part of his culture." "His skin is a beautiful brown." "They don't have a bathtub so they are taking a bath in a bucket." "They don't have any food so they are eating dirt." There was a moment during this time where I wondered if I was sharing too much with the innocent little girls next to me. However, God showed me the power of the love that lies in the heart and the naiviety of a child.
"How do you think we could help them?" I asked
Karys was the one who gave the replies in words...My little Gracie just brings me to tears when I look at her. You can see the compassion on her face and the beginning of tears in her eyes. She couldn't even speak her eyes were just tightly fixed on the pictures on the screen.
KARYS-"We could send them some of our food, mommy. Our cupboards are so full and we don't even eat it all."
"Do you think you would ever want to go and visit them. Make some new friends?" I asked.
KARYS--"Oh yes! That would be so fun. We could bring them toys and if one of them didn't have a house we could bring them home to ours b/c ours is big."
GRACIE--"It should be a boy though b/c we don't have a brother."
KARYS--"When can we go mommy? We don't have school tomorrow how about then?"
"Probably not tomorrow, baby...but someday..."

WE SPEAK TO NATIONS

Hear the sound
The sound of the nations calling
Hear the sound
The sound of the fathers crying
Who will go for us
Who will shout to the corners
Of the earth
That Christ is King

CHORUSWe speak to nations
Be open
We speak to nations
Fall on your knees
We speak to nations
The kingdom is coming near to you

Oh we speak to strongholds
Be broken
Power of darkness
You have to flee
We speak to nations
The kingdom is coming near to you
We speak to you
Be free be free

Hear the sound
The sound of the nations worshipping
Hear the sound
Of sons and daughters singing
We will go for you
We will shout to the corners of the earth
That Christ is King

chorus 2x

Painting the Ding Dongs

It was pretty late in the evening, 6:30/7ish, Rob started doing some painting in the girls room. We always have ongoing projects so you have to capitalize on any moment you have free time or feel so motivated to work on them. In order to keep the girls involved as well as wear them out before bed time, he gave them the task of painting the "ding dongs". They got such a kick out of renaming the door knobs to all of their cupboard doors ding dongs ;)Since we are doing a stripe theme in part of the room, we decided to paint the dongs a variety of colors so Karys painted the blue, Gracie painted the purple, Daddy painted the green and we later painted the pink when we got the color we wanted ;)Karys cheesing out for the camera while she painted hers. The girls also loved the fact that Rob went into his closet and found them "paint shirts". They thought it was so great, as did mommy b/c the paint then stayed clear of their clothes =)Gracie holding out her ding dong....You did so great Gracie! The paint did however find its way into Gracie's hair...hopefully this is the only time that her hair is ever purple!
It is so exciting to not only watch their room slowly come together but to also watch them be so excited about it and wanting to show it to EVERYONE who comes over!

The white stuff...in OCTOBER!!!

This was what I awoke to on Monday morning, the 13th of October...and this wasn't even the first snow! Seriously God, I am living in Iowa...one of the best things about being back here in the midwest is having the four distinct seasons-of which fall is my FAVORITE! If everything is covered in white this early I am not even going to be able to see the leaves change colors lit alone fall to the ground. In all fairness...it was a BEAUTIFUL snow! The big flakes that cover everything and give it such a fluffy look ;) And another benefit...it was all gone by late afternoon!Love this tree across the street! Love it even more when I can see it change colors ;)Another benefit of this day was to see this van outside my house. This is the van that Grant, Amy and Jaydon drove over to our house. They came in about 3 hours after the comforts left that Sunday and stayed the night with us. We shared a great meal with them and had fun catching up and seeing Jay-Bay ;) He is such a BEAUTIFUL boy and I just can't believe how big he is getting! God's faithfulness is just so evident in this family! We had a great Sunday night too staying up and playing the card game "Hand and Foot" with Amy and Grant. We played best out of three, and after getting beat the first round Amy and I went on to win the series! That's right....Girls rule, Boys drool!!!

SUCH a PRECIOUS family! WE LOVE THEM!Grant and Jaydon...boys will be boys ;)
The happy couple
CANNOT believe that Jay is already 1!!! What a journey...God is faithful buddy, GOD IS FAITHFUL!

Thanks for coming to hang out with us guys! We Love you!!!

Uncle Seth and Auntie Heather Visit

We always look forward to visits from the Comfort's! They are so intentional about making trips up to spend time with the girls (and us ;) and we just LOVE that so much! The girls talk about the trips long after they are gone and so look forward to them coming!Daddy and Addyson eagerly awaiting Heather and Seths arrival!Karys set straight in to brushing Auntie Heather's hair before bedtime...Heather loves to have her hair played with and good thing b/c these girls LOVE to brush hair.Uncle Seth is such a great guy! He tickles, draws great pumpkins, helps learn letters, and does an AWESOME job painting! WE LOVE HIM!What a girl, what a girl! Auntie Heather loves to play beauty shop, read books, rub backs, and play babies...what little girl couldn't love that!Sat. morning it was Gracie's turn to do Auntie's hair...Heather wasn't so sure about the new styles Gracie was introducing her to ;)Seth and Addyson having an intense tickle fight...pretty sure Addy won ;)We all just hung out on Sat. after I got back from my XC meet and the boys spent the day painting in Gracie and Karys' room and watched the Hawkeye game. I think it was their 4th win in what is now an 8-0 record!!! Addyson was even singing the Hawkeye fight song by the end of the night ;)Addyson and Seth waiting to head off to church! I love this picture they are both all smiles!After church, the comfort's and the girls had a coloring contest to see who could draw the best pumpkin. The girls LOVED this! They had never had a "drawing contest" before and thought it was the coolest thing! The pictures are still up on their door =)"Auntie Heather and Uncle Seth can draw some good pumpkins" --GracieThe girls changed out of their church clothes into some interesting combos...KJ had her little mermaid nightgown, Gracie had a summer dress with a black shirt and pink leggings and Addy actually had on matching clothes ;)
The girls love to sit all together in the big chair and hold Addyson...they all got up from here to go and wave goodbye to the comfort's. We had a GREAT weekend!!! We are so grateful for Heather and Seth and the way they love our girlies so well! Wish we were closer but definitely cherish these times we do get

Picture Day!!!

So it was a crazy Tuesday morning...Karys was having school pictures that morning, neither Addyson or I were feeling very well, and b/c of that I was told on the phone that morning that I prob had H1N1...yeah, quite the morning! So I forgot the money for Karys pictures, something normal that I would totally do ;) and ran it back quick...I must have just missed KJ having her picture taken. My friend Tanya later told me later that Karys would absolutely not smile for her picture! Tanya said she and Tyeson were both in there trying to get her to smile...Tyeson was even singing her happy birthday, making silly faces, etc and FINALLY she made one of her cheesy smiles. I am still looking forward to seeing them!Tried to get some pictures of her when she came and she was still not so keen on having her picture taken.Some GREAT smiles came out at lunch today!!! So at least we got some good shots just in case the preschool ones come back with the silly smile!We all know you can say "Cheese!" with the best of them!Addy girl just happened to be looking super cute too right before we were going to head out the go see the Dr. and find out if we had swine flu! She just had this cozy jumper on and it was chilly out so I slid this hat on her and she was happy as could be. Nose all stuffed up, low grade fever, and happy as a lark!She was laughing and all smiles as we snapped away!Not so sure about this whole deal...I am supposed to be sick....Smiling with big sister GracieCover your cough ;)She is just such a happy baby!!! She is about 4 months in these pictures...time is going so fast and can't believe how big she is getting!!! She weighed in at 16'6" at the doctor today. Look at those big baby blues! Melts mommy's heart daily =)

Where to start?

My last post was Embracing Reality....that is what I am doing too ;) Can't get overwhelmed when the blog is behind, just have to take the time you have and post what you can!

So when I look back, these are the first pictures that I haven't posted that haven't already been transferred off the computer to the hard drive. They were taken one morning before church...Sunday mornings are always interesting b/c the girls are now both now in the stage where they both pick out their own clothes for church. Of course I can never get them to wear any kind of matching outfit no the same color scheme even...but I LOVE so often what they come up with!!!
This was a dress that the girls got for Christmas last year...so crazy how much shorter they are this year! Had to match some tights to it just so we didn't show so much leg ;)Waiting for Daddy to come back home and get them to head off to Kingdom KidsHope there are many of these sister pictures for years to come!And they are off! One of the last nice days we have had this fall...what a GREAT day to walk to church!

Embracing Reality

The reality of it all is....

• I am now a mom of 3 BEAUTIFUL girls...under the age of 4...who I am PASSIONATELY in love with and devote myself to them knowing the love of God, the call he has for His kingdom, and the part that they will play in that
• I am the wife of a youth pastor with whom I share a HUGE passion for youth and for others to know the love of Christ
• I am an assistant cross country coach to over 40 runners with whom I share a passion for running
• I am a lab instructor to over 60 students with whom I share a passion for the body and for science
• I am a passionate person
• I don't shower everyday...don't have time
• I don't sleep as much as I should
• My house is a disaster 4/5 days of the week
• I don't take time to sit and be but rather pray as I multi-task and cry out to God often for strength and mercy
• I don't know how to say no very well
• I fall short
• I CANNOT BE ALL THINGS TO ALL PPL...was recently very reminded of this ;)
• I am becoming a LITTLE bit more of a morning person
• I cannot catch up on the blog...I just need to embrace it and move forward-now would be a good time right?
• I am thankful for each and everyday...God grant me the strength to meet every situation with strength, grace and positivity...give me your eyes Lord, give me your eyes

Swinging with Bailey (6/17)

Between all of our vacations and trips we really tried to spend as much time with friends as we could. it was a beautiful afternoon for the park and Bailey was just really starting to get into swinging. The girls LovE pushing her...we had to watch so she didn't get going to high but we really enjoyed spending some QT with Ang and Bailey...Bailey girl loving the swing!!! Look at that sweet smileGracie takes a turn pushing Bailey...Karys is all smiles for her chance...Addy even got a chance to try the swing out...she was obviously not as thrilled as Bailey was ;) Everyone loves a GREAT day to swing and play at the park!

What do I know of Holy...Addison Road

These words have really been speaking to me lately...I can't get enough of listening to this song! It is just so convicting for me and evokes emotion in my spirit...I had to share it =)


I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

(CHORUS 2)What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

A Woman of Noble Character- Who can find?

This summer has been quite an adventure for our family to say the least. Looking at little lady number 3 arriving, vacation, mission trip(s), school, and throw in an unexpected funeral!

Through all of this and still to come, I have been and will be gone from my family for 25 days and nights. This all in the midst of welcoming Addyson Grace back on May 28, having a 2 ½ yr. old, and a 4 yr. old.

Basically, I've left my wife high and dry for these 25 days as she allows me to do ministry in my work context as well as continue my education for the ministry that I love. All the while taking care of our 3 little ladies, herself, and a dog! J Which brings me to the words from Solomon in Proverbs 31 that she has truly lived out and continues to live out!

I give thanks for my woman of noble character that I have truly found! Thanks God!

10 A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

three months ago already....

So for all of you who follow our blog you haven't had much to follow the past two months ;) Things have been so busy and crazy that I am just not organized enough to keep it going. However, I am hoping to bring you all up to speed a little bit and get back on top of it, b/c as good as it is for you it is also so good for me. It causes me to be reflective and gets me thinking about the days and capturing the things that happen throughout them that I don't want to lose track of...those moments you write on your heart.

So thought I would just start off with this...found this draft in my posts folder...must have uploaded the pics and just never finished it from there. Since they were already in there thought I would post them seeing as it has already been three months since Addy's birth...wow! I can hardly think of our family without her in it! What a blessing and a joy she is to us and hopefully you will get to see that throughout the posts to come...Gracie holding Addyson when she was just a day oldIt was hard word and she worked up an appetite ;)Good thing Addy is too little to be jealous ;) It was a cookie party!Look mom...no hands!Cousin Leah takes a turn with AddysonThen the nurse came in to give her a good going over and just make sure all was good. The girls loved watching this!Daddy actually gets a turn, while Karys gets excited to have Addyson grab her fingerQuite the crowd for the diaper change...hope he is doing it right ;)SO BLESSED! to have my friends Rachel and Ang drive all the way up to Sioux Falls to see me! Look at all those babies....we went from three bellies to three babies ;)
Meg Mulder gets to spend sometime with all three little ladies