- Last weekend, we traveled to visit the family who took Doug in when he was in a difficult situation in high school. His youth pastor offered Doug a place to live (at age 16/17) for several years, and he became a part of their family. It is so good to reconnect with people who have invested their lives in us!- - - - -
- While there, we also visited with a (relatively) newer friend of mine, Emily. This is a pic of our 2 families at a little pizza joint that surprised us all with pretty tasty pizza. Last time I saw her was just 3 years ago, and she and Phil were engaged. I was pregnant with Silas... so since seeing each other, we've had 4 kids between us. We now have 7 kids in our 2 families. She predicted that next time we get together, we'll have 11. I'm just documenting it here-- she said it, not me... and thus, the impetus is on her, and not me, to fulfill that tall order, right? :)- - - - -
- This weekend is our 10-year college reunion. It's been a wild and wonderful 10 years (really, for me it's been 10 & 1/2 since I graduated early). More than ever, I am amazed at the adventures that God writes for our lives. 12 years ago, I could not have imagined the life I currently have. He is good and writes different stories than we would write for ourselves, but it is so much better to have His will than our own. As one of my favorite hymns says, "has thou not seen how thy desires e'er have been granted by what He ordaineth?"- - - - -
We recently visited a museum that has a special "touch room" just for kids, filled with large climbable statues of fairy tale characters. Somehow, my husband got the rare, much-coveted picture: all five kids looking, smiling, and looking cute. :)- - - - -- Our return tickets are dated for January. And now we're in October. Our time here is wrapping up, but I'm actually getting a little excited. Just like what I wrote in #3, I know that God has this great adventure He's writing for us. I want to grow to be a wiser child of God who lives in the awareness that HE knows my needs better than I do. I want to walk in contentment and peace on the road HE sets out for me... even if it wouldn't have been the one I'd written for myself.- - - - -
- In the meantime, I'll enjoy backyards and bacon and root beer and family and good beef and Tex-Mex and speaking only English and bookstores and coupons and meet-ups with friends and amazing sales and being able to sing harmonies as loud as I want in corporate worship and Chick-Fil-A and not standing out in a crowd and holidays with relatives and continual opportunities for spiritual growth with other believers and, and, and... and I'll fight for contentment when those things are once again (mostly) out of reach.- - - - -
- I'm still loving Weight Watchers. One thing I really love about it is that it's one thing I won't have to give up when we head back overseas. Their online tool (e-tools) for tracking will still be fully available to me (yee-haw!), and so I can keep going with the program if I haven't reached my goal by the time I leave... and even if I have, I can keep up with the program in order to maintain. I'm pumped about it.
So what's going on in your world?
6 comments:
Currently we are enjoying the cool weather with a lot of baking up here in Maine :-) Although, this weekend it is supposed to be 80 again. Strange fall weather, so we may be out apple picking in shorts!
It looks like you have a great Christmas card picture! And even though I am not preparing to leave the country, #6 is a good reminder to be thankful for all the many wonderful things we do have.
You have a really great attitude, Jess. I wish we could meet up. I'm guessing this is the closest you'll be to Portland for a long time. If there's some odd chance you'd be able to, let me know.
Jess,
I'm always encouraged when I read your blog. As for me, I'm learning about contentment to. God has been showing me the need to enjoy this season of life for when I get to the next I'll be still looking for the next. Make sense? Instead it's important to slow down and see Him right where He has me now. This is the only time that my children will be the ages they are now. I need to savor these things and treasure them in my heart. He is good to us in the midst of chaos, lots of little ones, housework, and all other things "wife and mom"!
Jess: I haven't stopped by in a while- didn't know you are back in TX for a while! Are you doing any appearances? I'd love to meet you while you are here!
:) Hi there. I have thought about doing a blog meet-up at a Chick-Fil-A here in the metroplex or something. Let me give it some thought. I have some free time in the next couple weeks. :)
It cracks me up that you called it an appearance. I think of people like Oprah and U2 and Chelsea Clinton doing "appearances". Me? I just chaotically head to the next place. :)
Jess
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