Full of Joy

I've only been able to attend services with our new church community a few times, and it's been a hard transition for me.   But the service yesterday was quite different. Chuck and I are learning that LWCC has many pretty cool traditions during the holiday season.  Yesterday was their annual Thanksgiving service which included "Cardboard Testimonies".  I have seen this type of testimony before and found it extremely moving.  Yesterday was no different.  Our wonderful, dear friends Ben and Jess visited us for the weekend so they were watching the testimonies with me.   The three of us were a crying mess together. I was VERY encouraged and VERY inspired by the vulnerability and courage of the people who shared.  I began thinking of my own cardboard testimonies in my head.  It really got my mind kicked into high gear  for this week of Thankfulness.  It also got me thinking about all the family and friends I have and all the good ways God ...

Our little "Healer, strong man, born of God" is one week old today!  I absolutely love the meaning of Jase's full name.  God has used this boy to bring healing to our hearts since the moment we found out we were pregnant with him.  I look at him and marvel at how he got here.  Only by a miracle from God.  Jase is a miracle! I am working on writing out our labor and delivery story in my own private journal.  Strangely, my right hand and arm has been going numb off and on since the end of pregnancy and has gotten worse since giving birth.  A nurse told me that is a normal side effect, but it sure limits my journaling.  I hope to be able to write a little bit of the story on here at some point, but we'll see.  I'm trying not to pressure myself into anything these days.  Chuck and I are facing a ton of pressure with all the changes we have going on and really have to work at being at peace on a daily basis. Today I want to give glory to ...

There is so much happening, but my body has put on the brakes in the last few days and I feel like my energy has completely halted.  It's sapped.  Gone.  I was in the middle of my shower today, and just had to bend over to catch my breath.  I know, I know- showering is so difficult.  Yesterday I got up at 10am, had several naps, then went to bed by 11pm only to sleep until 10am again.  Granted, I did wake up at 3am with some contractions for an hour, but nothing to report.  After a bowl of cereal I was good to go.  And so we keep plugging along.  Or not plugging along- it's more like... and so we keep sitting on the couch....

House B! Thank you for all of your thoughts and suggestions.  I had so much FUN reading your comments.  Today we paid the deposit on our favorite choice.  It's a little disconcerting because the house will not be available until September 13.  =(  Yikes.  Either baby will be coming at any second while Chuck is trying to move our stuff up from VA, or baby will already be here.  Lord, please don't let my man miss the labor and delivery!  We are trusting God one day at a time with this incredibly strange timing.  On Sunday I was quite encouraged by a family friend who said, "God's timing is ALWAYS perfect."  We just keep reminding ourselves of that.  Especially when Chuck and I are apart a couple days each week (for his new job) when I am just weeks (days?) away from delivering.  I don't enjoy this uncertainty that hangs over our heads at all times, but I AM enjoying life, enjoying God, and enjoying the daily blessings He pours ...

Welcome to our housing dilemma.  Now that Chuck has a job, we are moving forward full blast in trying to find a rental home.  We have put holds on two different houses, and are torn between them.  It's really hard to know what the wisest decision is when we don't know the area at all.  We're both leaning towards one, but I'll try not to give it away.  Truth be told I'm really writing this post to process my own thoughts about these two houses, but feel free to weigh in. A A A Exhibit A.  This house was our first love.  After visiting several properties, we kept going back to this one in our minds.  We actually visited it twice, took a tour of the model home, and were really excited about it. Cons -I could not walk anywhere besides the development because it's surrounded by corn fields - Jovie (dogs) is not allowed to be on the walking trail/park behind the house: that's a major reason why I walk -With only one car, I'd fe...

What a journey it has been!  And what a journey it continues to be.  We want to thank you for joining with us in so many different ways.  Thank you for your outpouring of love and care for us over this past year, and thank you so much for praying us through this.  Earlier today, Chuck accepted the role as Sr. High Director at Living Word Community Church in York, PA.( http://www.lwccyork.com/ )  There are some complicated factors that need to be worked out, so if you're still interested in praying for us, we would love that!  Mainly, we have decided it would be best to deliver Baby Boy here in Scranton.  He is due in 5 weeks, so for at least the next month and a half Chuck will be doing a commuting type situation.  We have spent a load of time looking for housing, but are still asking God for wisdom about this.  In the meantime, our stuff (including some items we need for Baby) remains in VA.  Chuck will most likely stay wit...

(Written yesterday, Monday.  Didn't feel like changing the tenses to fit today. =) Yesterday Chuck asked if I wanted to take Jovie to the dog park we had heard about.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous (low 70's, no humidity!) so we were anxious to get out.  I was so impressed by the beautiful dog park Clarks Summit had to offer.  Wow!  It was a huge grassy area and Jovie had the time of her life.  We were thrilled as puppy parents because the dog parks we're used to are usually just dirt or rocks.  When we've taken her to those types of places she comes home gritty and filthy, and so do we.  This place was just so beautiful and serene! I wish I had brought our new, fancy camera, but the IPhone worked OK.  Hopefully you can catch a glimpse of the gorgeous sky with the mountains and sunset in the background.  Growing up I didn't think much about living in a place surrounded by mountains, but it really is so beautiful here.  I k...

For the past two weeks I've been able to volunteer at TLC (Teen Leadership Conference: my college-BBC- puts it on every summer).  For years my Dad directed TLC, so it's been apart of our family since I was in Jr. High.  It was so much fun for me to be able to help with registration, and to sit at the help desk during the conferences.  I got to see many old friends, and make some new ones, too.  Plus it gave me something to do every day to change up my pretty boring life routine around here.  And to top it off, whenever I volunteered a shift, Chuck and I got to eat a meal there.  That means I've had to do a whole lot less cooking and grocery shopping, which has been amazing. Because I spent a lot of time on campus, including attending some sessions and hearing some good speakers, regular life stuff hasn't happened too much.  Today has been a great day of doing productive things.  For starters, Chuck and I took Jovie on her walk.  Although, I...

Many people say they fall deeper in love with their spouse with each passing year, and I  too am experiencing a huge love growth spurt for this man of mine more and more all the time.  This year for us has brought about some of our deepest sorrows, but also some of our greatest joys together.  Chuck is a man, and I don't take that for granted.  He takes the responsibility of me, and our son very seriously.  So much so that he's slaving away day after day in this unbearable heat just to provide for us.  He is a wise man, who listens to God's leading, even when he has a fearful wife by his side.  I am so grateful that he is the head of our home, and not me. I love how Chuck tenderly cares for me.  When I'm sick, he brings me toast perfectly toasted at just the right color to our bed.  Also when I'm sick, he'll sit in bed with me and work on his computer while I sleep .  I love just knowing he's next to me.  I love how we laugh toget...

I have never been one to enjoy musicals.  I have been known, in fact, to fast forward the songs during musicals.  Musicals are not my thing live, nor in a movie.  In fact, I tend to fall asleep if I'm watching a play that includes scenes where the actors break into song.  Not my thing. BUT, I have discovered that the community library here in PA has a fantastic DVD section.  Our library DVD section in Reston was absolutely terrible.  Here, it's like going to a Blockbuster- the kind of Blockbuster that doesn't exist anymore- only it's all FREE.  They have new movies, a blu-ray section, old movies, and more options than I'll probably have time to tap into. So, in my quest to watch decent, wholesome movies that aren't filling my mind with fear or sex, I have begun a new hobby that is actually enjoyable.  Old movies-including musicals (*gasp*)- have been my target.  So far I've watched, "A Star is Born" with Judy Garland.  It's the first...

Chuck got the call earlier this week from the NJ church.  They kindly shared with us that we are not "the ones" (my interpretation) for their youth ministry.  The next day we were informed by a church in NC we were not selected to move further in their process either.  I suppose to say we are discouraged is an understatement.   Last Friday I had my final OB appointment in VA.  I've never left a doctor's office feeling so cared for by the staff like that, and also feeling incredibly sad to leave.  We dropped off my files with an OB here in PA, and are waiting to hear if I've been approved as a patient in their office.  Thank you for praying for wisdom about this big decision.  One of our praises right now is that I tested negative for gestational diabetes.  Thank you God! Chuck has an interview tomorrow morning with a landscaping company here in PA.  He also continues to work on the website at my parent's church.  He's done ...

We received an incredible gift from good friends recently- a new camera!  Chuck and I have been longing for a nice camera.  This surprise gift blew us away, and we are THRILLED!  With every picture our current camera captures, it includes a black spot.  Not anymore!  Our baby can now be well photographed, as well as  video-ed.  This past weekend was oh-so-special, and we had many opportunities to use our groovy new toy.  I am learning to use it, and learning how to get pictures on the computer, and am now about to attempt posting some of our new camera shots.   Spending time with his BFF's in VA This makes me laugh- I was practicing the zoom feature, and you can see how thrilled Chuck was with my learning curve. More to come on our journey home to VA these past few days!  For now let me just remind everyone how much we love it there! 

A couple weeks ago my Aunt Keren and Grandma came out East, stayed with us, and then we met up with my Mom's side of the family for my cousin's wedding in NJ.  After the fun wedding festivities and a few days at the beach, they came back to my parent's.  One of the nights we had a fire bowl, and sat outside talking for awhile.  Grandma was really missing her pup, so she scooped Jovie up.  That night she wanted nothing to do with sitting on my lap, but she cozied right up with Gram.  It was super precious.  I love this picture of the two of them together. Right now Jovie is actually sick and it breaks my heart.  I get so worried about her, which I know seems goofy because "she's just a dog".  But she's my baby girl and I hate seeing her lethargic, and puking.  The other bummer is that the vet is expensive, so we're trying to take the cheapest route, and are praying she gets better within the next 48 hours.  Poor little thing.  Th...

I'm hungry right now, and typing "The Big Apple" as my title has made me hungrier.  I don't know what to do about my constant hunger.  Mom made lasagna, broccoli, and bread for lunch today. It was a wonderful feast!  To top it off Chuck and I shared a piece of yummy chocolate cake that I saved from a shower yesterday.  Before even leaving the table I knew I was still hungry but felt ridiculous eating MORE.  At my last doctor's visit she said I had gained too much weight- 14 pounds total since the beginning.  She also told me I should only gain 25 pounds total for the whole pregnancy.  Please lady.  I'm hungry and I know it!  Anyway, that has absolutely nothing to do with the actual post for today.  Moving on. We had an all-day interview at a church in North Jersey earlier this week.  Well, since it's Sunday, technically it was last week.  The time with the people there went well, but it was exhausting.  Thankfully they p...

It's been almost three weeks since we left our dearly loved friends, and home in NOVA.  Though a little late, I still wanted to post some pictures of our finals days there.  God gave us some really special times with really special people.  I wish I had pictures of all our loved-ones, and all the things we got to do, but these pictures will do.  Such warm memories. Last Sunday morning with our teens.  They gave us a framed verse signed with many, many thoughtful notes from students and staff. A time of prayer for us on our last Sunday. We went into DC to watch our friend ride in Rolling Thunder and unexpectedly ran into more friends!  Hangin' out with our great buds Joe and Heidi- the star of Rolling Thunder! Some of my precious girls that came to our Open House. 

It's been a looooooooooong new beginning for us.  We've been on this journey since October, and now only have 3 nights left in our adorable, quaint little house.  3 nights!  Chuck and I both feel pretty at ease.  Though we have so much to organize, most of the leg work is behind us.  Come Tuesday and Wednesday we will be going crazy with busyness! I have to say, we have been filled up and are overflowing with the love we've received from our NOVA friends, and church family.  It has been incredible to experience such an outpouring of grace and support from our people.  I was talking to my Aunt today, and she commented that I seemed joyful and upbeat.  I don't typically think of myself in that fashion, so it really meant a lot to me.  I told her it was absolutely the Lord giving me that extra grace during a great time of need. Tomorrow Chuck and I will be giving our "farewell" talk to the teens in the morning.  Feels surreal.  I r...