I'll do whatever it takes...

  We are so excited at how well the pregnancy is going! I'm halfway through my 13th week now and things are definitely starting to change and grow (my belly!!). I've seen my doctor a couple times now and have had 2 ultrasounds. The last ultrasound, the baby was bouncing all over, waving it's arms. It's such an awesome reassurance to see hear that little heartbeat (160 beats per minute). 

  On January 4th, I will be going to the hospital to have a procedure done called a cerclage. In this procedure they do a little purse string suture across the opening of the cervix. Mainly precaution for when the baby gets heavier and puts pressure on the cervix. With Miracle, her weight at 17.5 weeks was just too much causing me to dilate and deliver prematurely. This time around I will do whatever it takes to go full term. 

  I'm very optimistic! My doctor has done this procedure before and she is confident that I'll respond well. When I hit 36 weeks, they'll remove the suture allowing me to deliver naturally whenever God wants this little one to come! 

  Right now, we are preparing mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially for the baby. Planning showers and talking about registering for baby stuff is so much fun! I will wait a little while before choosing nursery colors and decor, even though it's so tempting to start now! I have some fun ideas that I'm looking forward to  trying out for the nursery! (Will post pictures!)

  DJ and I are taking it one day at a time, communicating when there are odd feelings or fears. Praying and believing for a healthy, active pregnancy and child. And just enjoying the pregnancy (as Nick Canuso prayed over us in October). Thank you for all your prayers, support, and encouragement! We are absolutely excited and cannot wait to meet this little one! God bless!!

Journey to Israel

       On October 23rd, we traveled to Chicago to start our journey to Israel. With a couple long flights ahead of us, we laughed and joked and prepared our hearts for what was to come. After arriving, we met our new group of friends, people that we would be seeing day in and day out for 2 whole weeks. Our group leaders, Dennis and Tirtzah, greeted us and we spoke shortly of what was to come for our trip. I went to sleep that night with great expectation and an empty camera card! The days started to fill up with amazing sights and Bible courses spoken in German. I enjoyed learning a new culture, but there was still something missing. After a couple conversations with group members, I came into a new light about Jesus, Jews, and Gentiles and how they come together. It's still something I need to learn more of, but there is no longer a big question mark in my heart when I think about Israel. A few of the trips we went on while in Israel: 

                                                                     

                                              Jerusalem

                        

  The Western Wall (The Wailing Wall):                        

                    Sea of Galilee

                                                                                                                                                         

                                                      The Jordan River

                                                                                                            Mediterannean Sea:

Caesarea:

Our fondest memory of Israel, was finding out that we are pregnant! God truly gave us an amazing gift and feel so blessed to have found out while on the trip! This picture is the day we told the group the great news. We had traveled to Mt. Carmel (which means "Fruitful") that morning and the group lifted us in prayer and declared life and protection over the baby on top of the mountain! We are so excited and will thank Him each day for this amazing opportunity! 

God Bless you, Friends and Family! We are so blessed by your prayers and encouraging advice! :)

Annabella

Let me tell you about a little girl I got to meet a couple weekends ago...Annabella. Anna means "Favor of God" and Bella means "Easy to love". She had dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, cute little button nose, and the cutest little smile you ever did see. Something about her resembled what I imagine our little Miracle to look like. Just beautiful, sweet, innocent...

The moment I saw her little face, I felt a warmth in my heart that brought me to tears. I got to hold her for a short time and even though my unpracticed arms fell asleep, I could almost not bear to hand her back to her beautiful mother. I heard the still small voice of God say,"Please don't be sad, keep your eyes on me, I love you..." 

I've managed to be strong and trust in Him through this whole chapter, but I have days that I remember Miracle and the journey that only just started when we lost her and it makes me sad. But I am hopeful and am clinging to His promises, that He is good. And just. And makes all things new. 

Annabella, thank you for giving me that moment to hear from the Lord and relish in His love for me. You are truly a blessing to everyone you come into contact with and God uses you, even now, as an infant! Mommy, please give her a squeeze for me...love you!

Be encouraged today that God has big plans and that He has great love for you!

Empty, but simple

It doesn't seem like very long ago we were saying goodbye to Iowa. But we are back and I must admit, it feels great to be home! A friend in California told me that we'd get home and have this new perspective on how we live life in Iowa...and as we get further along in time, I am seeing this to be true! 

We have been waiting for our moving truck to arrive with all our belongings today, it has been forever since I've seen my possessions and slept on my bed (although we have been able to sleep on a comfy air mattress- thank you Lynn's!) 

We've come to live simply the last couple weeks and after some conversation on the matter, we both agree it's been nice. (I see a garage sale in the near future!) Empty walls have been a little depressing at times, so I'm looking forward to filling them with some new photos. And I think mostly we are excited to house people in need of a roof over their head. We have the room and the Lord has really put it in our hearts! 

God has also been speaking to us about our finances and to let Him be creative in where we work and how He provides for us. We believe in supernatural favor and are trying to walk in faith to receive all that God has for us! We have felt like this is a new chapter for us and are looking forward to being apart of something very great! 

This summer I am going to learn how to can veggies and fruits and I'm looking forward to spending as much time as I can in my families gardens, earning all those veggies that I'll be canning! I've been searching high and low for shelving that people are not using anymore or getting rid of. I'm also checking Craigslist many times a day for "treasures" that are being given away! Currently we are looking for a desk for DJ, 2-3 wooden bookshelves, living room furniture (chairs and ottomans), a full size or queen bed for our guest room, a queen bed frame, metal shelving for my potential, growing pantry, and chairs for our dining room table! We had to leave so many things in California when we left that we are kind of starting fresh and believing for the Lord to provide! Spread the word! :)

If I can find the time this summer, I'll be posting my canning adventures---should be a lot of fun learning!!

God Bless and THANKS for reading!!