Thinking of You Today

Dear "L", 

You have been on my mind and heart so much as this Mother's Day approaches.  And today is Birth Mother's Day.  I really wish we could be together today.  I would love for you to see the child that both of us love so much.  I would love for you to see his smile and hear his laugh and know that he is SO loved in his new family. 

I am so, so thankful that you chose Matthew and I to be the family for your son.  Again, I'll never know the things you considered or know fully why you chose us, but I have confidence that God led you to choose us to be his family.  


I don't know how you're feeling today, and I'll probably never know the journey of emotions you have been through this past year.  But, He does. 

L, I don't know your story.  I know bits and pieces, some pieces filled with hurt and pain and struggle.  I'm so, so sorry for the sad parts of your story.  But, I want you to know that you are Loved.  Not because you're a 'birthmom', but because you're a creation of the King.  God has a plan for your life, though you may not understand it.  He can make all things beautiful.  

Speaking of beautiful, I will ALWAYS treasure the picture we have of you with our son.  You and your mom.  Yet the sadness in your eyes haunts me.  I'll never fully know where it comes from, what led you to choose adoption for your child.  SO, when I see it, I pray for you.  I pray that you will one day be able to rejoice knowing the purpose God has for your life.  Not as a mother who placed her child(ren) for adoption, but as a Daughter of the King of the Universe!    

One day, I hope we can meet, and I can tell you about how He changed my life. How He changed the sad and hurtful and painful parts of my story into Peace, into friendship with the Creator of the Universe.  How He led me in this journey to being the mother to your son. 

Dear L, you are beautiful. You are loved.  You are valued, treasured, respected.  Your son will always know these things about you.  I promise.   And I pray that you know them too.   

Love, 
Tricia

His Name... Tyndall James

Our son has a name.  For a long time, we had been going back and forth between a couple of names, but we have finally settled on his name...

Tyndall James

Tyndall--Tricia's maiden name. We want our son to know he is fully immersed in our family, forever and for always.  We felt that giving him such an obvious family name would help accomplish that.  

The actual name 'Tyndall' is Anglo-Scottish and comes from Tyne-Dale... Tyne (Pronounced with a long 'i') is a river and Dale means valley. So, his name literally means "valley of the Tyne".   

Our verse we are praying for this name is John 7:38, "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."  We pray that Tyndall will know Jesus and that he will allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through his life. 

Also significant is the man William Tyndale. We have a movie called "God's Outlaw" that is about the life of William Tyndale.  He felt a call from God to translate the Scriptures into common English so that they would be accessible to all, not only clergymen.  For more about William Tyndale's life, click here.  We pray that our Tyndall will follow this example of allegiance to Christ, no matter the cost.

James--from the Bible, also a family name, also the middle name of Matt's college roommate, which is where we originally decided to use James.  James literally means "supplanter" which means substitute or replace. We pray his identity will be supplanted from one who was lonely to one who has a family!

Our verse we are associating with his middle name is James 1:1, "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ..."  We pray that as the writer of the Book of James described himself, that this would be true of our son as well. 

As more of Tyndall's story is able to be shared, we look forward to sharing even more special meanings of his name. 

LoveGave Hope

$100,000 in 58 hours?!

The LoveGave organization, which is awesome in itself since it's a collaboration of multiple churches in the Charleston area is taking on a cause that's dear to our heart this year... the fatherless. 

PLEASE take time to check out LoveGave Hope between now and December 8th.  If you're local, you can go to the West Ashley or Goose Creek Wal-Mart to be part of it.  You can also always watch online (always entertaining!) as they are live-streaming, and you can give online as well.   

Our goal is to raise $100,000 in 58 hours to provide hope for the orphans in our area. You know what?!
God can do it.  

Will you be part of it? 

A Prayer

⁵ Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
⁶ Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
⁷ My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
⁸ Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

^{~Psalm 62:5-8}

Lord, help me remember that YOU are my hope, where my soul finds rest.  As I woke up in a 'blah' mood, emotional and raw, I thank you for reminding me that YOU are my rock and my salvation, my refuge.  Lord, thanks for allowing me to pour out my heart to You. 

We've been officially 'waiting' 7 months today, Lord.  You know that.  You know what you have planned for us--the child, the birth mother and possible father that we will get to share our lives and Your love with.  I have NO control over any of this, so please help me to truly trust You and focus on all the wonderful things you've given us... the MANY things we have to be thankful for.  Help me not to wish away this time just waiting for what's next.  

Thank You, Lord, for knowing the beginning and the end... for being above time.  Thank You for not being affected by earthly timelines and expectations.  Help me to remember Your timing is perfect... 

*I don't normally write blog posts in prayer form, but I felt led to leave it this way AND actually hit "publish" on this one.   God knows the parts of this prayer that went unwritten as well, but I hope and pray there's a reason I'm sharing this.  Maybe it will be timely for others as well.   

National Adoption Month, Day 7

Infant adoption is only part of the picture.  It's a part that gets a lot of attention, but foster-care adoption or state adoptions have been tugging at my heart as well.  It's not out of the question for us.  

What about you?  

This link is helpful when it comes to thinking through different fears people have about adopting from foster care.  

Today I found out about the SC Heart Gallery.  Pictures and descriptions of over 300 children in South Carolina who are currently waiting for their forever families. 

Would you take a few minutes and pray for these children?  Pray that they are safe in their current situation.  Pray for their forever families to find them soon.  In the meantime, pray for them to be loved!

Home Study Legit, Again

Technically, when we moved into the new house, our Home Study was no longer accurate.  Had we been picked by a birth mom in the transition, it's something that could have been taken care of quickly, but after 3ish weeks in the house, we wanted to be 'legit'.


This past Thursday, our social worker from Bethany (we'll call her "E"), who is now more like a friend, came by to check out the new digs.  It was SO great to see her again in person.  We hadn't seen her since June 2011, but we've exchanged lots of emails and phone calls.  After she checked out the new house, we sat down and just talked.  We had lots of questions for her, and she was such a good sport to answer what she could.  

Ever since she left, I've been soooooo thankful that we are where we are.  We truly love working with Bethany, especially in our part of the State, and we truly trust that OUR baby will be arriving at the perfect time.  

Now, our attention will soon turn to fundraising again.  The thought of getting the call that we've been matched but not having adequate funds is a little intimidating.  

Here are a few specific requests we have for now:

• Pray for those who are facing unplanned pregnancies
• Pray for God to work mightily in the hearts of these ladies, for them to choose Life for their children, whether through Parenting or Adoption
• Pray for those who have chosen an adoption plan to have comfort and wisdom through the process, for picking their path (agency, attorney, open vs. closed, etc.)
• Pray for OUR birth mom specifically
• Pray for us to have wisdom with our fundraising.  We don't want it to be all about us but a way to help raise awareness for adoption, for orphans, and for God's heart for the fatherless.  
• Pray for the grants we've applied for.  We're currently waiting to hear from Caroline's Promise, Gift of Adoption, and Help Us Adopt

Praying for This...

Source: pin4fun4666.blogspot.com via Tricia on Pinterest

As we rejoice with TWO families we know who have been united through adoption in the past couple of weeks, we look forward to when it will be our turn.  In His time.

Until then, we pray...

...And tear-up when I find heart-tugging things on Pinterest.  

Do you have anything to add to my Pinterest Adoption board? 

P.S.  You can read about one of the families here. 

What's Happening Now?

Somewhere, today, she just found out she was pregnant.  And this is not good news for her. 
Somewhere, right now, he just found out that he's fathered a child... and he wants nothing to do with it. 
Somewhere, this week, she has decided to get an abortion. It seems like an easier option right now. 
Somewhere, a pregnancy counselor is showing her that there are other options, and adoption is one. 
Somewhere, he has decided he can't be a proper father and will ask her to consider adoption.

 

There are so many of these scenarios playing out all over the country (and the world!).  Daily, we are praying for those in the situations above and any others that will lead people to make choices for adoption.  Unfortunately, not every girl is presented with adoption as an alternative to abortion, and many lives are lost.  

Source

For those who choose adoption, there are many different paths they can choose.  They can choose a private agency, an attorney or even a state agency.  They don't even have to choose before the birth.  Some make the decision for adoption after they give birth.  They can choose to have some kind of relationship with the adoptive family or have none.  

Each situation is different, and each birth mother and birth father have different stories which have led them to this point.  It is SO important for us to remember that during this season.  We aren't just waiting for God to bring us our child.  We are waiting for Him to work His plan in the lives of ALL those who will be affected.  

There are two main ways that our agency places children with families.
1.  The expecting parent(s) will choose the adoptive family for their child.  This is usually done by looking on the Bethany website or at profile books (like ours) in one of their local offices.  The time varies.  Sometimes there are still months left in the pregnancy but sometimes only days.  The birth parent(s) and adoptive parents usually get to meet before the baby's arrival and form varying degrees of relationships with one another.  Sometimes the adoptive families get to be in the delivery room when the baby is born. 


2.  The expectant parent(s) will want the agency to choose.  In this case, the agency sends out an email to all of the Waiting Families that give basic information about the Expectant Mother, the Expectant Father (if known), medical info, due date, and gender (if known).  Waiting families are usually given a few days to respond, then the expectant parent(s) are asked to choose between those who responded.  If the expectant mother still does not want to choose, the agency will select the family who responded who has been waiting the longest.        


From this point forward, we will not be sharing too many details if we are in the process of being considered for a child.  We want to be respectful of the expecting parents that we are getting emails about, meeting with, or talking with.  We also want to honor the fact that when we get our child, he/she will have a special story of how they came to be with us.  We are not sure how much of that story we want 'everyone' to know.  

Please continue to ask us how things are going.  But please be understanding when we answer generally.  It just means that it's not the time to share what may be going on behind the scenes.  :)  As always, we thank you so much for the many ways you are walking with us through this journey.  And we covet your prayers as this journey continues...

Because Orphans Matter

Last night in our James Bible Study, my heart started beating a little faster when we read James 1:27...

Source

Orphans matter.  Widows matter. And we can all play a part in these things.  

I have seen this woman's blog posted several times, but I've only skimmed it.  I knew if I read much of it, then I would feel like I needed to do something. I knew my heart would break for these children.

Last night in our James Bible Study video, Beth Moore shared a similar story.  Just because we are afraid we will get convicted, get hurt, or get burdened, doesn't mean we can be callous about something.  We can't turn away and pretend it's not there.  This woman's blog came to my mind when she shared that story.  And, of course, there was another post this morning from Holly on Facebook.

Please read this woman's blog.  Please donate to bringing home Hasya.  Even if it's just a few dollars, it all adds up.  And join me in praying for the other children at this orphanage.

Current Giveaway!

Family, Friends, and Friends of Friends,

Thank you so much for the ways you are supporting us through this adoption journey.  It has been challenging at times, but it is growing our faith in ways we couldn't imagine.  We know that God is a loving Father and has called us to adopt.  He has commanded believers to care for widows and orphans.  We all play different roles in that command. Not everyone is called to adopt, but everyone can be part of caring for orphans.  You can pray with us.  You can help us by spreading the word.  You can even give financially.  We are adopting domestically.  If you want to be part of an international adoption, support our friends here.

We currently have a Giveaway going on which you can enter by sharing about this Giveaway or donating towards our adoption fund.  

 

Here's an update on the rules (more ways to enter!):  

How do you enter?  
You can enter the giveaway by either donating towards our adoption or sharing about this Giveaway. Entry for the Giveaway will close at 5pm (EST) on Monday, February 13th. Winner will be announced at 8:30pm (EST) on the same day. (Might make a great Valentine's Day gift if you win!) 

Details: 

• $10 donation = 2 entries
• $25 donation = 5 entries (so $50 would be 10 entries, etc.)
  ($100 donation is 25 entries.)
• Email your contacts. = 1 entry per person emailed. (Copy us flaglersadopt(at)gmail).
• "Share" the Giveaway (Photo or link) on your Facebook wall = 1 entry (Must use Facebook "Share" option so it can be tracked. ) (Limit one per person, per day.)
• Comment on this blog. = 1 entry
• Blog about the Giveaway = 7 entries (Make sure we see this by emailing link or commenting below with link.)

How do you donate? 

• Donate with credit/debit card through our "WePay" page.  (You can also click the "Donate" button on the right of our blog.)  Please make sure we have your contact info and reference the Portrait Session Giveaway.  
• You can give by cash or check to us in person. (This saves us the website admin fee.)
• You can mail us a check. (Contact us for mailing address.)  

Adorable!

Who can enter?

• Anyone can enter.  Enter if you have a heart for orphans or adoption.  Enter if you love Valerie's photography.  Enter if you love the Flaglers. Enter if you just like entering giveaways and like having a chance to win something! :)
• We understand not everyone is able to give financially, so you also have an option to win by just sharing about this Giveaway! 
• It would be best if you live in the Charleston area, but Valerie Schooling travels often across the US and even internationally.  You do not have to live in Charleston to win her mini-session, but you will need to work out with Valerie when she will be in your area and if there are any additional travel costs. 
  

How do you win?

• Each entry will be assigned a number.  We will contact you with these numbers once the donation has been processed. With Facebook/blog posts, we will assign numbers every couple of days.  Contact flaglersadopt(at)gmail with any questions.
• At the end of the Giveaway (5pm EST February 13th), we will use a random number generating website to choose the winning number.  
• We will announce the winner on this blog and also personally contact them (provided we have contact information) at approximately 8:30 pm on February 13th.  



• Winners should contact Valerie Schooling Photography by the end of February to work out details for the mini-portrait session.   

Questions?  Contact flaglersadopt(at)gmail.  We are SO thankful for your participation in our adoption journey.  Thanks so much to the many who are walking with us on the road to give a special child a loving home!    ~Matt & Tricia

Adoption and Cattle

The latest theme in my spiritual life?  Cattle.  

I've recently been overwhelmed, even frustrated, with the cost of adoption.  In my day-to-day life, I get annoyed when I realize that finances are all that stands in the way of us becoming parents.  (Well, that and God's Sovereignty, but from a practical point, ya know...)

This week, all over the place, I have felt God whispering to me "I own the cattle on a thousand hills... you think the cost of your adoption is too much for me?".  Yesterday, when meeting with a good friend, I was telling her that God keeps reminding me of the verse, but I couldn't remember where it was.  Here it is:  Psalm 50:10.  Read the context too.  God's reminder to me that He holds all of this in His hands--financially, timing, and otherwise. 

I KNOW that God isn't disturbed by the cost of adoption, as reminded by a friend on Facebook.  I KNOW that the frustration of finances (to me) isn't frustrating for God.  He knows the beginning, middle and end of this story, and all I can see is the right now.  I KNOW all these things in my head, but my heart is having a hard time recently.  

Seeing this post tonight from our friends helped: 
We are $6,549 away from reaching our adoption fundraising goal of $32,000! Amazed at God's provision with 3 months (hopefully) to go. We have raised $25,451 in less than 10 months. I just read through all the donors names in my little adoption book. What a joy it will be to one day show our son everyone involved in helping get him home. Amazing. Simply amazing. Please never let finances interfere with giving a child a family.

Did you catch that last sentence?  Good reminder for me today.  God's perfect timing.

Photo Source

Tomorrow, I will talk with our social worker and revisit our home study--mostly about finances.  Would love for you to pray with us. 

Home Study Meeting #2

Last Monday, we got to drive up to the Myrtle Beach Bethany office to meet with our social worker. This meeting was a little deeper than the last. We talked more in depth about the families we came from and who we are, our strengths and weaknesses, and our struggles and successes. Even though there was more sensitive material, it still felt as though we were sitting down and talking with a friend, instead of a formal interview. I'm really thankful that Bethany (well at least our social worker) takes this approach. It's so much easier to be honest! The drive up and back was fun in itself because we got to have that quality time together. The driving time was longer than our meeting time. My interview with her was about 45 minutes, and Matt's was about 20 minutes. After our interviews, we went to Broadway at the Beach and walked around for a couple of hours. We also had a special celebratory lunch at Hard Rock while we were there. This process has brought Matt and I so much closer than I ever imagined. It's been a huge gift that our relationship has grown so much more special these last 8.5 months since we decided to pursue adoption. I'm soooo thankful that God gave me Matt.

Our social worker comes back to Charleston tomorrow for our final meeting in the home study process. Prayerfully, after this meeting, we will be approved and we can start applying for grants. Also, once we receive final approval, it's possible that a birth mother could pick us at any time.

Please pray with us as the time factor starts to become more of a reality. On so many levels, we are VERY ready to be parents. Of course, there are other levels where we still have a few things to figure out. I imagine that people are never FULLY prepared for parenthood, but we want to be wise and responsible as we enter this journey. Thanks for sharing in this process with us!

Excited for My Mom

Matt's Dad and Grandpa are currently in Romania working to build meeting places for churches there. And my Mom is planning on being part of a mission trip in July.

We are thankful to be part of families who value making Jesus famous in other countries.

Here's a letter from my Mom about her trip. (You can click on the image to make it larger or email me for a PDF version.)

Would you consider praying for her and her team and also giving financially if you're led?

2011: We're Adopting!

Our second batch of life-changing news for 2011: Matt and I decided to pursue adoption last September! Several people know and have been so encouraging these last few months, but since it's becoming more and more real, we have decided to make it truly public knowledge.

Adopting has been something I've wanted to do ever since I attended Focus on the Family Institute in 2003. I talked about it with Matt before we were married. He didn't seem to be into the idea, but it wasn't a deal-breaker for me. In Thailand, the idea kept coming up for me again, so we talked about it a little. Matt was still not interested.

As God would have it, he placed us in a Community Group last May with a couple who adopted a beautiful baby girl last January. And I've been having some (female) health issues. Though we still don't know for sure that we'll never be able to have biological children, it seems like a possibility to consider.

We've both longed to be parents ever since we were kids. I think Matthew will make an excellent Daddy. And I'm soooo looking forward to being a Mommy. I asked Matt about a year ago to start praying about adoption. He was still not thrilled with the idea. But as we got to become closer with Mark and Lauren (who just adopted baby Allie), he got to see more how adoption worked. He got to have real conversations with Mark about some of his fears. And God started changing his heart (and mine) in preparation for this journey. :)

On September 5th, Matt said that he was ready to start pursuing adoption. I don't remember the exact words, but it went something like, 'well, we want to have a big family anyway, so we may as well start with adoption.' And, we had just found out that we were going to be an uncle & an aunt. And the thought of giving Baby Peterson a cousin was so very exciting.

We've been having conversations with family & friends ever since then. And we've received mostly positive feedback which is always encouraging considering that Matt and I have been a little gun-shy about big decisions-- based on some of our past experiences.

We're in no rush, which is a good thing with the adoption process. However, even in the last 5 months, God has placed a seed of anticipation in our hearts that grows bigger each week. Daily I find myself praying to be an excellent Mom. I pray for our marriage as it is going to be evolving into a family. No longer will we be husband and wife, but we'll be becoming Daddy and Mommy.

Even when we went to the marriage conference in December, it was great reminders for us about the priority of our marriage currently and also great preparation for some of the challenges we will face when we become parents. It was perfect timing to make sure we were serious about the adoption thing.

We did our initial application in September and went to an informational meeting in November. Currently, we're finalizing the formal application (which is intense!). As long as we have it completed by February 18th (also moving day!), we can move to the next step in the process which is another meeting on February 25th. We will definitely keep this updated and would appreciate your prayers along the way!

We're going to be parents... someday! :)

Unreached People of the Day --->

Please notice the unreached people of the day widget today. I've had the opportunity to visit Kyrgyzst@n and see what God is doing there. He is truly at work, especially this last year since there has been a revolution and some ethnic violence. Honestly, please take a minute to pray today.
And pray for all of the people who live there in order to share about Jesus, including some very special friends of mine. Thanks!

(And you can click on the link above or on the picture beside this post for more information on how to pray.)

2011: We're Moving!

So, as predicted, in this post over a year ago, 2010 was a year where we stayed put. We didn't move in 2010. The first year since we've been married, and the first year for me with no moving at all since 2000!!! In fact, the condo was the place we've stayed the longest (almost double!) than any other place we've lived in our married life. We enjoyed some of the stability. But...
... as I wrote about in this post last June, we have been wanting do the the Cares ministry in Charleston. This week, things have been finalized for us to move into Bolton's Landing here in West Ashley in order to be the Cares team there! We'll be moving over there on February 18th. We're so excited! It will be quite an adjustment as we learn to change our schedules around to focus more on our neighbors and building relationships with them. This is one of the reasons I am taking a break from grad school. We'll be planning about 3 events per month for our community and doing visits to neighbors when they move in, when they are close to being out of their leases, and also if we hear someone is sick or in need of some company.But, we feel like this will be a great fit for us, and a great opportunity to meet lots of new people and hopefully for us to be able to invest into people's lives.

Two Years ago This Week...

... we moved to Thailand.

Been missing it some lately. Been missing these kids a lot.



The video is about 8 minutes. Pray for these kiddos as you see them. Pray for how God is working in Thailand.

Grad School?

My Facebook status currently says: Matt and I may or may not have applied for grad school last night. Got some interesting responses already:Well, we did. Not sure if we're ready to spill all the beans because let's be honest: Matt and I can be pretty fickle people, and we tend to jump into things pretty quickly.

Where did this come from?
1) Matt loved teaching in Thailand and really thinks it might be what he would like to do as a career, as scary as it sounds to commit to a whole career.
2) If he does decide to teach, he needs to get certified.
3) He would want to teach overseas again.
4) If he is a teacher overseas, I would like to go with him.
5) It's easier for him to get a teaching job overseas at a school which will hire me too if I also have a teaching degree.
6) Though teaching in Thailand definitely had it's wonderful moments, it mostly drained me and I thought I didn't want to be a teacher anymore, even that's what I thought I would want to be from middle school forward (besides a wife+mom!)... BUT we think if I have training and more prep time, I will probably feel more competent and enjoy it more.
7) We have to do something we love and that makes a difference for eternity.
8) Recently, I got a letter from one of my fourth graders that made me cry and I had one of those "ah-ha moments" when I realized that though it wasn't always easy, it was a place I saw God working.
9) Aimee was a teacher, and in her shortened life, there were sooooo many lives God used her in as their teacher, who have come to know Him as a result. Pretty inspiring!
10) The application was free, and we'll only be charged if we actually enroll. ;)

What may be the result?
-Masters of Teaching, with concentrations either in Elementary Ed, English Ed, or Special Ed.
-Majority of coursework done online but 3 classes on campus.
-Nationally (and Internationally) recognized teaching certification for the both of us!

Now what?
1) Finish the applications. (Transcripts to be exact)
2) Get financial aid, LOTS of it.
3) Get started. It's only 12 classes, but they all have to be completed within 5 years.

What do you think? Really.

And, it probably goes without saying, but we'd really love your prayers for this next (possible) step and for financial aid to work out because we are not sure if we will follow through if we have to take out student loans.

Matt's Friend Aimee

We found out last night that one of Matt's college friends was killed in a car accident. It's really hit me as I think about how sudden it was and how no one was expecting it. It's making me think about how fragile life is. And how I want to make a difference in whatever time I have. Like Aimee did.
Read this article about her death--and life.

This video talks about how prayers were not answered for her healing. We will never understand why not, but knowing Aimee, I know she's with Jesus. And she's much happier there than here.

And this video shows the car and tells more about her. I cannot imagine how her students and friends and family must be feeling. Please be in prayer for them.

On her Facebook page, this is what's written in her profile box: One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

When we were in Thailand, her class and mine were penpals. I looked forward to her letters as much as my kids did to the letters from her kids. She was so genuine, and her love for Christ and trust in Him radiated in everything she wrote, even when sharing things she was struggling with.

I feel confident that she didn't know when getting ready that morning, she would be in the arms of her Savior within hours. This is so stunning yet peaceful at the same time.

Join us in praying for her family and friends in the sadness and grief of missing her as well as the joy and celebration that she's with her Beloved Creator.

2010

Just looked back on last year's New Year's post and thought it seemed like just yesterday. This year (as in 2009) FLEW by! Matt said the same thing.

2009 was quite an exciting year with the first few months in Thailand. We were finally getting the hang of life there when it was time to go. Transitioning back home was weird, and the last part of the year has just been hectic. I can't think of a theme for 2009, so I'm thinking I'll do a wordle, which are the word pictures I like to keep track of things.

2010 looks to be the first year since 2000 that I will not move, at all. That's only because we're in a lease until next January (not that that's stopped us before), but this time, we will not be breaking a lease early. Maybe I'll even stay with the same job(s). At least one of them.

I don't do resolutions. I gave up on them a long time ago, which is probably because I was never good at keeping them. I subscribe more to Valerie's philosophy of everyday is a fresh start, so if I ever feel super compelled or convicted to change something, it can happen anytime. I definitely have some goals running through my head though. (haha, that's probably the same thing!) Maybe I will take the time to put them in my journal so I can at least look back on them. (One of my goals, by the way, is to find my journal, which I haven't seen since around August.) Sad.

One of the things I'm really hoping will happen is a missions trip to be part of Mercy Ships and get a taste of Ginger's life there. She was able to visit us this past weekend but will soon be heading back to meet up with the Africa Mercy for a 2-year commitment with that ministry. I'm so excited for her and ask you to pray for her financial support and upcoming travels! You should follow her blog too. Hopefully she'll get to update it more.

Another one of my nonexistent resolutions is to be in better touch with loved ones. One of those ways will be through this blog. Even though life isn't as adventurous as when we lived in Thailand, writing is definitely an outlet for me that keeps me sane. (Hopefully it's not mundane or boring to you all though! :) )

Here's to 2010 being a joyful year!