I Love Africa in the Spring Time...

Okay, for those of you who don't know the song I love Paris...the title is just a play on the lyrics. Don't know why the song is in my head, but it is...so there you go ;).

Anyway, just received word that I may have the opportunity to return to Malawi with a visit to Kenya in the spring. Needless to say I can't stop smiling just thinking about it! As I am ready to pack and go, I do realize the need to take the time to figure out if this is something I should or can do. So let the praying, planning, and logistics of it all begin...

Please keep me in your prayers as I only want to go where God is leading...

All You Need

All you need for a great conversation and fun time with a roommate you hardly see because of busy schedules is....

a nice large pot of freshly made rice crispy treats and a spoon! It works every time ;)!

It is always nice to catch up with each other....Thanks Dina!

More Than Enough...

I have shared with many of you before my struggle with how I can be used by God. There isn't anything extraordinary about me...no real talent or skill that stands out. I am who I am, and though I accept and appreciate that God created me as I am, I often wonder how He could use someone small as me. What can I contribute or give?...and then I read 2Kings 4:42-44...

I have been studying 2Kings for a while it seems, and just am trying to work my way through it, but last night these verses really hit me. The story is similar to the feeding of the multitude with bread and fish, but as I read this scripture I really grasped that nothing is too small when God is involved.

2Kings 4:42-44 states, "A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. "Give it to the people to eat," Elisha said.
"How can I set this before a hundred men?" his servant asked. But Elisha answered, "Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over.' " Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD."

It was a small amount of food...a small amount that was given to the people. Elisha's servant doubted that this small amount would be able to feed a hundred men. But the Lord commanded that it be given to the people and as it was, there was more than enough. More than enough! God took something small and made it more than enough!

Why do I doubt God's power? Why do I question what He can use? I read this scripture and am reminded that nothing is too small to be used by God. When we give Him all we have...When we give Him all of ourselves...no matter how small we think it might be...

He makes it more than enough!

The First Sleep Over...

Okay, I admit it. I am probably not the first person anyone calls to watch their children. Not because I don’t like to or anything, but I am definitely not one of those ladies that knows a lot about raising children and just haven’t even begun thinking about such a responsibility…maybe that is just the stage of life I am in right now. But I absolutely love being an aunt. I get to see them everyday. I get to be the one who spoils them and lets them get away with things their parents might be a little strict on…shhh…Jess and Amos, skip over this part ;). But they have a piece of my heart and always will. I love to hear them laugh. I love to see them smile. I just love them...and so drum roll please….

I watched them both Saturday night so that Amos and Jess could go to his 10-year high school reunion. The decision wasn’t easy because to be honest I was a bit nervous. Could I handle both a five-month old and two and a half year old? I figured if Amos and Jess trusted me enough to watch both kids, then why not. So I accepted and even invited the two and a half year old to spend the night. I figured she was old enough to enjoy a sleep over with her favorite aunt.

And that is exactly what we did! It was a girls night, well once Tyler went to sleep. First, I must say, Tyler was great…pretty much ate and slept…what five-month old babies typically do. He must have known to take it easy on his favorite aunt.

While he was sleeping, Grace and I had the ultimate sleep over. I am talking, running around the house, football playing, pizza and junk food eating, cookie baking, movie watching, dancing, nail painting, stay up until early morning (yeah, church was the next morning…probably not too smart, but hey, I’m the fun aunt ;) sleep over. This will definitely become an annual event!
I of course documented this momentous evening with a few photos…enjoy!

And the junk food feast begins...with cheetos!

Followed shortly by pizza of course

Of course we had to mix it all around by playing football and

jumping on the bed

Dancing to Life is a Highway!

That worked up our appetite for some cookies!

Which we enjoyed right before bed ;)!

Bed time being after midnight as we had to paint our nails and watch Cars!
It was just a special night for Grace and me. We had some wonderful quality time together as we spent the night just making each other laugh. She is a special person and I hope I can teach her so much as she grows up...maybe not how to eat so much junk food all the time and stay up late every night ;)...but just how I will always be there for her...that I will always love her...and just how special she is.

Taco Night

We started off as friends, but family is the best way to describe our relationship. I am pretty sure the group of us girls and our families have been unofficially adopted by Randy and Susan. And once again we are able to meet up for a delicious taco dinner topped off with an incredible cheesecake and a lot of laughter!

Randy, Addie, Jess, and Tyler enjoying some salsa...Jess seemed to hover around the salsa bowl ;)

Brad, Addie, Ang, and Tyler...Addie getting used to another baby around and she did a great job!

Aunt Dina...pretty much one of the best aunts around. Who else laughs as much as the kids?

Amos and the kids...I think Amos was learning more playing with the puzzle than Grace and Addie...just kidding!

Someone loves tacos!

Susan was lucky enough to be so close to such a special kiss!

Addie getting ready to have her own journal!

I just want to send my thanks to these special people in my life for showing so much love and hospitality. They are another wonderful family I am very blessed to know...blessed to be a part of! I love you all!

"Whom I Serve"

How can I serve You, God?


Last night I came across 2Kings 3:14 "Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or even notice you." And as I read that verse I couldn't help but think about the phrase.."whom I serve".


I wonder, am I able to say that phrase? have I served God? Do I serve God? What does it mean to serve? How can I serve?


...with time...money...with all I have...with all of me...


I want to be a servant, to have a life of service...not just moments, but a life of service to the only One who is worthy and deserves nothing less than all of me.

Ahhhh....

Last night I met up with some great friends, sisters, of mine. Jess, Ang, Dina, and I try to meet up as much as possible. It is amazing how hard it is for us to actually get together. Three of us live in the same area, while the other lives less than an hour away. Yet, with our busy schedules we find it somewhat difficult to get together. We do keep each other updated through emails and blogs, but last night we were able to just spend time together. As I sat there with my girls, I couldn't help but feel a nice sigh at how nice it was to just be together, laughing, eating ;), and enjoying the company. We are each so different, but it works. It is a great group of friends who is always there to encourage, comfort, and rejoice. And as I sit here and think about the wonderful night I sigh once more at just how great life is....

Ahhh....

Note to Ang and Dina: No need to comment ladies, I know how busy you are ;).

Touchdown!...Another 6 Points...

Though I am a Bears fan, I do enjoy a good Colts game and found myself rooting for them in the opening game last night. I put on the old jersey and cheered for the Colts and watched as Manning kept scoring points for me...yes, for me as I was lucky enough to draft him in my fantasy football league. Don't worry, I drafted the Bears defense too...so all is well ;).

What day is it?

Just a random post to share...

Well, it was another wonderful, yet busy, labor day weekend. And I can't imagine spending it any other way than with family and friends.


First, there was Saturday...


I joined some lovely ladies in Mishawaka to order bridesmaid dresses for a wedding coming up this winter. It is always great to see these ladies, not to mention it was a fun afternoon with lunch and shopping as well.


Then Sunday came...


After a wonderful church service, I met with another group of ladies for lunch and a couple hours of indepth football discussion...also known as...the fantasy football draft. The teams look good and we are all ready for the season to begin. There is nothing like sharing the joy of the football season with friends ;). Good luck ladies!..and I must say..."Go Bears!"



Following the draft, Jess, Grace, Alicia, Kelli, Jamie, and I took the boat out on lake Syracuse while the boys were still finishing up their draft. It was beautiful weather and the water was warm...well, after you swam for a bit ;). After spending some time by ourselves, we picked up Amos, Danny, and Tyler and enjoyed a fast and somewhat rocky ride around Lake Wawasee. The rest of the evening was filled with some time spent in the hot tub dodging mosquitos and games such as around the world table tennis, which wore us all out!



And Monday...


I had an amazing time meeting up with Kelli for lunch at probably one of my favorite restaurants (though there are many)...Panera! And then I did a little more shopping on my way home...only to get one item that probably everyone I know has been pushing me to get...and I finally caved. Yes, I finally bought a new pair of athletic shoes. I call them athletic shoes, because I am pretty sure they weren't really designed for any particular sport...they were the cheap ones ;). But hey, I guess it is better than running in shoes that I have had for 10+ years. What a great pair of shoes...ahhh..memories.

It was a great weekend and I am excited for what the rest of the week has instore. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well and that you take the time to appreciate the wonderful relationships and opportunities we are all blessed with every day!