Growing Up

Well, Ben and I think we found a house! (trying not to get too excited)

This is the house that we put an offer on February 7, the house that we keep hearing, "2 more weeks, 3 more weeks," the house that we found out we could have just as we were about to buy a house that was a little out of our comfort level, this is THE house that we have been waiting for.

I will now proceed to tell you the "boring" details about our new house! (hopefully)
-1000 sq feet
-3 bedrooms
-1 bathroom
-newly remolded kitchen and bath
-BIG living room (for this size house)
-beautiful front and back yard
-near downtown
-near trails and open spaces

We love this house for many reasons, one of them being that it defies this new "American" idea that the bigger the house the better. Ben and I want very much to raise our children for something greater than possessions and materialism, having a really small house will help with that. We are very excited for things to move forward and are simply praying that nothing gets in the way of our moving into this house. Ben and I love the flexibility this home will provide us (cheaper than our rent was), we are also ready to feel settled and like we have a stake in where we are living.

*Most exciting dreams for the new house
1. having a garden
2. starting our diverse and beautiful family
3. having a yard for Oliver
4. renovating
5. Ben's "man cave" in the 200 sq ft. basement (j/k)

Looking forward to sharing pictures and stories from our new home!

Still Searching

As many of you know, Ben and I are still looking for a house. I think, that during this time, I have learned more about patience than in each day of teaching. It is difficult when we are searching for something that we are not able to find. That is how I feel with Christianity, not God, but Christianity; I feel like I am always searching for something that isn't there, always looking for a church and place where I know I belong. We are beginning the search for a new church and I know that this will be as difficult, if not more so, than a new house.

Right now, life is so unsettled but I know that even in this, we are learning more about ourselves and the plan that God holds in this life for us.

Geography and proximity are not justifications for indifference.
-Jody Landers

Kind of blows the whole idea that "because I was born in America I deserve all of these things" out of the water.

Spring Break!

Over spring break I have several goals for myself... I hope I am not being too lofty by setting them in blog writing:
Goal #1- Spend uninterrupted time driving to Texas with my amazing, albeit, exhausted husband
Goal #2- Write 2 term papers, take a midterm exam, write lesson plans, and get caught up on all undergrad work (not likely to be successful here, but its worth a shot)
Goal #3- Not think about my students
Goal #4- Blog about this book, From Ashes to Africa, but Josh and Amy Bottomly.

"We don't choose the books we want to read, instead the books choose us. The question then becomes whether we will respect the book enough to listen to the secrets that it wants to whisper to us." ~Josh Bottomly

This book choose me, God has always placed upon my heart a desire to help the orphans of third world countries and the orphans of our own countries. Daily I meditate on the plight of the Fatherless and the Motherless all over the world and it breaks me.

I am broken by the injustice of poverty in children's lives.

I am broken by child labor.

I am broken by child soldiers.

I am broken because I know that I cannot sit by ignorantly while God's heart breaks for these same things.

How will I act? Will we adopt children from Africa? Most likely. Will we send funds? Definitely. But what will we do that is out of the ordinary? What will we do that pushes the limits and really says, "This is GOD's will and GOD's work and no one- no one is going to stop it!"?

How will we change the world?

Our African Dream

It is with a heavy heart but a peaceful soul that we are not going to Africa this summer. When we heard that plans were falling through, there was a sense of relief and rightness in both of our hearts. God is teaching us more about being missional in our community and seeking God's guidance even in our plans to further his kingdom. I will continue to post about our heart and feelings for Africa but right now... homework.

I have recently been reading "From Ashes to Africa" by Josh and Amy Bottomly and I am so anxious to share my heart and thoughts with everyone. For anyone who knows me, you know how strongly I feel about adoption and how passionately I am pursuing the fatherless children with my heart. So much of what I feel about adoption and the perception has been so revealed to me in this book. I cannot wait to share all of the great quotes and my thoughts about the quotes...

I know you are on the edge of your seats but you will just have to wait until I turn the last page...

Without Borders

Got this quote from another blogger and I love it... I want to live it...

“We are the rich of the rich. With that wealth comes a responsibility to give. The sooner we view the world as God does, without borders, we’ll be appalled at what people in this world go without. God provides more than enough resources for everyone. We’ve just got to do a better job of sharing.”

Schaun Colin