Grato Animo

Peek into our lives {Setting}

2012-01-25T04:24:00.008-05:00

All bundled up, Joshua and I laid on our one floor rug. We hugged each other while wrapped in Joshua's red sleeping bag that is as old as our relationship. More than trying to soak in the warmth from sharing a sleeping bag, we both soaked in the moment of quiet to talk. We commented on how we would have never guessed we would be living in Cyprus. We thought we would be in Italy or even somewhere else. Like many people, I didn't know anything about Cyprus and the first time I tried to write "Cyprus", I spelled it "Cypress". We didn't expect a lot of our new realities including the cold (maybe more on that in another blog). But mostly I couldn't imagine what Cyprus would look like.

When I read that Cyprus was a country in the middle of the Mediterranean, I pictured it to be like Costa Rica, Puerto Rico or somewhere tropical. A week before moving to Cyprus I found out there was a mountain range where it snowed enough to ski! We flew in at night and got up early the next morning to find a place to rent. As we drove around Limassol, my first impressions of Cyprus were terrible. Had I moved to a desert? Everything looked arid. There were hardly any trees. Hills were rocky. Any American would be surprised at the amount of litter, or I should call it "rubbish" in this part of the world. There was nothing green for it to hide under. The city of Limassol seemed poorly planned, for example, homes on one block and tractor store on the next. Parks were rocky with no grass but an occasional parched weed. I wondered if I would ever want to take a picture of Cyprus. Then we started to drive...

Cyprus landscape is unique. If only looking at a hill from below, it looks dry, rocky and barren. But as we climbed up, we were able to behold extensive views because there are so few trees. The views and sunsets here are breath taking. Behind our house is a mountain where we can see the Sea and Limassol on one side and the Troodos range (highest mountain range) on the other. We can see our village and house nestled among grape vineyards and olive groves. Near Mount Olympus, we stood where we could see both sides of the island's sea coast. The quaint villages with cobblestone paths, old door handles and ceilings with hanging grape vines are a photographers dream. Lets just say, I love this place and am grateful for the opportunity to live here.

Gabriel - 11 Months

2012-01-21T01:30:00.006-05:00

Before Gabriel turns 1, here are a few snapshots when he turned 11 Months...

Little Princess

2012-01-17T06:15:00.005-05:00

Charis' birthday is always in the midst of lots of celebrating so I don't always find time to blog about my sweet girl on her birthday so here are some belated birthday pictures and thoughts...

I found myself a bit melancholy as I took Charis to bed at the end of her third birth day. I held her close to my chest as I walked up the stairs giving extra kisses...trying to soak in the moment forever. When I try recall her as a baby, those moments seem less vivid than I'd like reminding me to cherish each moment God gives me. Yet I wouldn't trade the unique girl she is growing into. One thing that marks this year is her discovery of princesses and in particular Cinderella. The old book she found at my mom's and claimed has been read countless times so that she has it memorized word for word. So I figured this was the year to do a princess party. But more than fun princesses and dress up the things that characterize Charis are her sweet spirit, her love of books & learning ("mama teach me" is something I hear often), her laugh, her smile that lights up my day, and her sensitive soul that humbles me. What a gift she is to us!

EVEN a cup of cold water...

2012-01-11T01:19:00.010-05:00

"And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Matthew 10:42 ESV

"Mama, I am thirsty" or "Mama, juicy, please" is something I must hear countless times in a day. Sometimes the requests come in not so polite forms "JUICE!!!" or with a baby's cry. And some days when I am weary or when I forget how much I prayed for these precious gifts, I am grumpy at any form of the request. I may not being healing people or moving mountains, but this small act of even handing water to my thirsty child is just as powerful and will not lose its reward. Yet if I don't do it "with love" and for my Savior, I am nothing (1 Cor 13:2). So as I read this today, I thought maybe it could be an encouragement to other moms, dads and caregivers as it was to me.

A New Prayer

2012-01-09T07:13:00.004-05:00

I can't count how many times I have started a One Year Reading Plan. Needless to say, I have read Genesis 1 almost more than any passage of scripture except perhaps a few of my plumb lines. This January 1st, I asked God for something new as I read this well worn passage... and I got a new prayer.

As I read about God creating, He brought to mind bits of wonders I have gotten to see of His vast world so far. Then as I continued to read, the verse "Create in me a clean heart" came to mind. I usually think of this prayer by the Psalmist only as a request to be washed clean to have a fresh start. Or when reading the creation events, I get excited that God has the same power that He had at creation to change me. What struck me this time was the word "create" and the image we are given of God's creativity in Genesis 1. Everything was void, and God created this amazing world we live in with bright colorful flowers, sparkling stars, blue seas, lush mountains, white crunchy snow... This same creativity could happen in my heart! So this is my New Years Prayer:

Lord, I want you to create in my heart a clean heart. I want my heart to be pure. Please make something new. Create in my heart the way You did at creation. Separate the darkness and light in my heart. Fill me with Your light. Sprout new lush vegetation so that seeds grow and I bear juicy fruit. May the soil of my heart be soft. May I sprout colorful flowers that show Your work of creation. Most of all may I fulfill Your design of mankind to be "in your likeness". Make me a reflection of Your glory. May my life magnify You. Help this year not be about a bunch of to dos, but about magnifying You, abiding in You, seeking and knowing You even in the midst of life... in the midst of the dreaded mundane. May I reflect You to all those I meet this year. Create a new wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend that is full of Your creativity!

I pray this will be true for you too this year!

December is a time for celebrating...

2011-12-31T13:22:00.005-05:00

Getting our Visas!

12 years of marriage

Charis turning 3...more to follow

Christ's Birth

2011-12-07T08:03:00.000-05:00

The washer hums...then stops abruptly. It starts again going the opposite direction. All the while the clothes aren't going anywhere. As I stare mesmerized, it hits me if I were the clothes inside, it would drive me crazy . . . Then, s.l.o.w.l.y. I accept . . . I am those clothes. My task oriented side cringes. I like progress. I like completed tasks especially the ones unlike laundry that are completed - - - FOREVER! I don't like to have to go back to the store for something I forgot and much less do I like having to relearn a lesson. I feel like it is going backwards. I dislike backwards. This tiny energy efficient washer today fulfills a greater purpose than washing my family's clothing. As it spins its fastest it becomes God's tool to teach me, life most of the time is more like being inside of a washer machine than in a car going forward. In this process of life turning I pray I am becoming more and more like God's son, Jesus.

What has consumed my world...

2011-12-05T04:01:00.003-05:00

2011-11-02T09:16:00.006-04:00

“What are little boys made of?

What are little boys made of?

Frogs and snails

And puppy-dogs' tails,

That's what little boys are made of.”

Gabriel turned 9 months on Sunday. I feel like each month flies by quicker than I want (except the sleepless nights). I hold him tight as if that will keep him a baby longer. His laughs and smiles fill our home. We all enjoy making him laugh, but I think Charis may be able to get him to laugh harder than anyone. Their relationship is precious. His eyes light up if he hears her voice or sees her. And she asks for him at times when she is sad. He loves people. People marvel at his smiles and friendliness.

Our little boy is full of energy and always on the go. He goes full force so that by nap or bed time his entire body and soul are begging for sleep. His adventurous spirit is the only thing that will cause him to slow down to inspect something which usually means putting it in his mouth. If he is not stopping to chew on something, he is crawling, pulling up, cruising, climbing or using his new little walking toys (my life savers right now). Gabriel celebrated turning nine months by letting go while standing. The next day he had numerous big falls as he attempted to get from one object to the next . Bathing him is like a work out for me to make sure he stays safe. He wiggles out of my hands so quick, pulls up on the sides of the bath tub or just dives face forward!

(caught eating a snail)

I recently went back and read what I blogged about Charis at this age, and I was struck with how unique God makes each child. Charis was just getting active and curious, but Gabriel has been an energizer bunny since 4 1/2 months. Charis said more words and sounds and did a lot of "tricks". Gabriel says only "dada" and "mama". He tries to say banana but only mouths it which probably won't change because he loves me laughing about it. His only "trick" is his piggy face. But the thing that made me laugh is that they both discovered at the same age somebody’s left over ice cream AND loved it!

Finding Sister's ice cream

(look close to see those top four teeth)

Fall Pictures

2011-10-27T08:47:00.001-04:00

Spots on My Apples

2011-10-19T07:57:00.008-04:00

I. love. fruit. I grew up being able to pick mangoes, grapefruit, tangerines, and many other fruit straight off the tree. Biting into freshly picked fruit and having its sweet or sour flavors spray in my mouth might be even better than biting into a warm gooey chocolate chip cookie. As a kid I remember fruit straight off a tree being so juicy that I had to keep the juice from dripping down my face. And I never thought about the spots...except to maybe eat around them. Maybe that is why I tend to want to buy organic (obviously funds don't always make this possible).

One of my sweet little joys of living here is, as we have begun to get to know people in our village, we have been blessed with the gift of fresh fruit. A lady who promises to help me learn Greek and who invited us to her sons wedding, brought us fresh grapes, figs and zucchini. Then two days ago the lady that cares for the upkeep next door brought me freshly picked apples. She apologized for the spots but explained they don't spray anything. I cut off the spots and took a crunchy bite of pure goodness. Lets say the store bought ones are still in my fridge and Charis now asks for an apple to snack on instead of a cookie.

Private Happiness?

2011-10-12T15:08:00.004-04:00

God has used John Piper again... Well, let me back up. I was rereading a child rearing book, Don't Make Me Count to Three, and decided to jolt down some scripture for reference. In her third chapter she touches on 1 Cor 13 "Love is not rude". Wow, how have I forgotten this simple phrase is in scripture? I try to teach Charis this, but I should be taking her to God's Holy Word that doesn't come back void. As I read this section of 1 Cor 13, I was thinking "hmm, yes this is good for Charis...then I got to "it is not irritable or resentful". There were the four large ugly fingers pointing back to me. No, not this again! Once again I am confronted with my impatience and anger ...ultimately my sinfulness. Yuck. I hate my yuck. I reread the passage looking at my own heart. God's Holy Word doing what it promises - piercing like a sword. Then I remembered John Pipers blogs title "Love is patience" that had come up on my blog list several days back. I hadn't been able to read yet. I ran downstairs and grab technology. I open the browser:

"...Selfishness is the real archenemy of love:

Selfishness seeks its own private happiness at the expense of others. Love seeks its happiness in the happiness of the beloved. It will even suffer and die for the beloved in order that its joy might be full in the life the purity of the beloved (John Piper, Desiring God, 206-207).

Love is patient because patience is a dying to selfishness"

Then the Holy Spirit brings it all together in my heart. My irritability is because I want my own private happiness. The Holy Spirit reminds me of His recent revealing of my desperate need for a servant's heart. Being a wife and mother doesn't feel glorious lots of times, and I find myself grasping for my private happiness. This can be as insignificant as wanting dishes to be done. I find myself easily irritated when I am "interrupted". Being interrupted from completing my to dos or finishing a task as simple as hanging up the laundry is an assault at my private happiness. I don't like it. I find myself sadly uncompassionate when my tender baby is crying at my feet to be picked up or my sweet girl wants me to fix a bow in her hair that fell out AGAIN... but I. WANT. to. finish. MY. task. . . . just this once. If I desire to have a servants heart, I must give up even this idea of private happiness. My joy must be in doing the will of God instead of my own little will. Right now it is a fact that His will is serving with Love, 1 Cor 13 LOVE, my husband and my children. It means not being irritated when my plans are interrupted, my task is unfinished, my needs including sleep aren't met, when everything isn't just as I WANT.... Our society has fed me with lies that I find submerging from my subconscious....if I give into this TRUTH, I am doing to disservice to myself. I am humbled. When did I start believing the lie that I have to be my own defender, advocate, promoter...worrying about my own needs, wants, dreams, desires...me me me? Instead I am called to die to myself. To be like my Savior who "but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant" (phil 2:7). I am overwhelmed! How will I ever have a servant's heart? How will I ever love like this? Unselfishly? How do I expect to teach my two year old this when there is the same sinfulness in my heart? The Holy Spirit graciously lifts my eyes to the ink that hadn't even dried from a verse I jolted down just minutes before:

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence," 1Peter 1:3

Wish List

2011-10-04T02:02:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago Joshua's cousin asked for a list of things that people could send us in a care package. Here is a list of some ideas of things we miss or are very expensive here:

Starbucks French Roast Coffee

Pecans

Maple Extract (put in ziplock)

Chocolate Chips (put in ziplock)

Goldfish or Annie’s White Cheddar Bunnies

Teething crackers

Chocolate (Favorites: Chocolate Covered Raisens, Reese's Cups, Milky Ways)

Powerbars

Gatorade mix packets

Ranch Dressing mix packets

Instant hot chocolate packets

Dial Antibacterial soap (antibacterial bar soap can't be found)

Children’s books

Activity & Coloring books & Stickers

Any books =)

Stationary and greeting cards

Children's clothes - Gabriel 18m and Charis 4T

We love "snail" mail whether or not any treats are included.

Another walk to the village...

2011-09-26T10:35:00.007-04:00

Today we went for a little walk to enjoy some fresh air, stretch our legs and hopefully make it easier for daddy to work (he was wearing ear phones when we left). Last minute I ran back inside and grabbed the key to check our PO box for the first time.

I grew up going to a post office box to get our mail. Costa Rica didn't have the ability to handle mail the way the USPS does. In fact as children, my siblings and I were mesmerized by the American mailbox. At Nana's house, we would beg to be the one to get the mail even if we knew nothing would be for us. We loved opening that little black door and pulling out what could be treasures. I took countless pictures of Nana's mailbox (which I heard was recently replaced).

Now as I walked past the olive press museum with my chattering 2 year old, I remembered how the PO box had its own charm...

As we walked up to the aqua green post boxes, my friendly girl tried waving to a passer by and I pulled out the little key. With a bit of effort, I slid the key into the lock, lifted Charis to open it AND there was something in there! An address I knew well! I pulled out the manila envelope...

"Charis! It is from Aunt Kelly!"

I opened it right there. To make it even better there were drawings from her cousins.

"Oh and Susanna!..and Miriam..."

She was so excited that she wanted to hold them on the walk back. We talked about the drawings and about doing ones for our cousins - How she would draw one and then mail one and then wait, wait, wait and on a day you didn't know there would be one back. I told her about pen pals. I told her how I was pen pals with my cousin Laura and how I loved going to the post office for letters from her. I didn't even get to tell her how that is how Daddy's and Mommy's story began. I guess the charm isn't in what box you pull out the letters from, but in the experiences you have with those boxes.

Gabriel's First Meal

2011-09-21T06:55:00.003-04:00

First Bite

Big Sister helping

Silly boy

αναλφάβητος

2011-09-16T07:19:00.010-04:00

When we prepared to come to Cyprus, I was told that almost everyone spoke English and that learning Greek wouldn't be a requirement (we were/are still planning on learning Greek). Well...what we have found so far is that there are lots of people that speak English, but it usually isn't the Cypriots. The majority of Cypriots that we have come in contact with don't speak English, or if they do, it is pretty limited. It probably doesn't help that that we speak American English and not British English. While there are some general signs in English that make it helpful, the details are not in English.

One area that this is difficult is grocery shopping. On top of the high prices and the exchange rate, I find myself struggling to know WHAT I am buying. I walk out mentally exhausted. I find myself staring at rows of can milk trying to figure out which is evaporated (our current substitute for half and half) and which is condensed. It didn't help that in Lidl (a German chain like Aldi) the evaporated milk was called condensed in English. The other day Joshua picked up some ice cream. As we took a bite, we quickly found out that “Kaimaki” isn't vanilla. The flavor wasn't anything our taste buds were expecting. I looked it up online and found it was either ground orchid root or clotted cream from water buffaloes or goats -think feta cheese ice cream. Sufficient to say I find grocery shopping challenging. And it hit me why - I am αναλφάβητος ... illiterate!

Starting over again...

2011-09-08T12:01:00.002-04:00

I walked down a cobblestone road with Gabriel on my hips to a tiny mail room. In the doorway I passed and greeted the lady from a local cafe whom has already invited us to her wedding. My eyes darting to and fro trying to figure out if the man to get my mailbox was here.

"So... you are the Americans who just moved here?" a British accent broke my thoughts. The question reminding me that we live in a small village and news travels fast. I hesitated and then answered "yes" as if I was unsure of the answer. Wondering where the hesitation came from, I was struck with how I am once again trying to catch up with where I am. "Yes" ... three letters, one word packed with so much meaning he could never know to his simple question.

Yes, just over three months ago I tearfully said goodbye to family, friends, and home. Yes, just two weeks ago we left Spain a country we were growing attached to. Yes, the last two weeks we have practically lived out of our car as we drove around in a sea of Greek and English trying to find the best place for our family to live and learning again the best places to shop. Yes, just one week ago we moved in with our four duffle bags and carryons into a 700 square foot house with two beds, two outside table sets and a few abandon dishes. Yes, just one day ago I woke up and our house now with a table, couch, and dishes is starting to become home for my little family - a home I love.

Ready or not here we go!

2011-08-24T22:08:00.007-04:00

This is my last post in Spain! We are on to our next assignment - Cyprus! It will be where we call home. I am excited to start this new phase. I am a bit sad too... Some of it is the things we didn't get to do. Mostly though it is that we have been here just long enough for it to begin to feel like home ... familiar. I don't know what Charis is going to do without her "Mercadona snack" (a local grocery store she loves) and her Nana. We will miss the amazing city of Granada with all its history to see. We will miss the sweet people we have met! Tonight we had a car that actually worked so our little family went up to the mountains and watched our last sunset. It was spectacular! The best part was watching Charis run free. She kept saying "this is our place". I didn't realize how city living has been hard for her too as she sobbed when we left "I don't want to go bye bye...I want to stay in the mountains". Even my sleep deprived Gabriel was giggling as I sat him on the ground. I am writing in a hurry as we are about to leave so will sign off.

city night

2011-08-21T18:10:00.000-04:00

Unjudged baby strollers late into the evening

Tapas

happy children's laughter from the neighborhood courtyard

cars zooming by

honking to open the car port

dogs parking

footsteps of a passerby

distant music

Water dripping from flowers on balconies

street lights

cool breezes after a blistering day

"One of my favorite things"

2011-08-14T07:48:00.006-04:00

6 Months of Sweetness

2011-08-07T16:08:00.009-04:00

Last week Gabriel turned 6 months. Gabriel was our gift in the midst of lots of change and hecticness. Through it all he has learned to go with the flow. He is a happy baby and usually is ready to laugh and smile if you make eye contact with him. Sometimes I see him staring at someone just waiting for them to look up and smile. I have especially noticed this with his daddy...almost as if he is looking for his approval already. Charis and he can get going laughing together - one of my new favorite things in life. He squeals in delight when he sees her. When he turned 6 months he got to sit on grass for the first time. It was funny to watch him. He usually smiles and laughs about everything but he had the most puzzled look on his face. He would look at us and then stare at the grass.

He is more active than Charis was at this point. He has been scooting and rolling all around since 4 1/2 months, but now he is doing an army crawl. This week he got even faster and loves his new found freedom. Squealing and laughing as he finds he can go to a different room. If we have barriers around him he attempts to get by or over them. He seems to be attracted to any wheels he sees. Otherwise He goes for the most gross or dangerous object around - shoes, wires, sister’s favorite toys. Yesterday he pulled 5 glass bowls on top of himself. By God's mercy he was okay and nothing broke. Today I was watching to see if he was going to repeat his mistake. Charis couldn't handle it and pulled him away as far as she could and then begged "mama please move him!"

Everything goes in his mouth...especially his fingers. And it seems he is trading in a paci for his fingers.

In the Shadows of the Alhambra...

2011-08-03T10:33:00.011-04:00

I sit in my parents non air conditioned row house. The ceiling fan above desperately trying to cool the 95 degree heat that seeps in. I feel like my emotions and brain are still trying to catch up with where my body is living. Joshua and I have always wanted to serve the Lord overseas. Although we had trouble narrowing our passion for different places in the world, the last 3 years we thought it was going to be Italy. We learned about Italy, prayed for Italy and attempted to raise the support required. Last fall after a focused time of prayer by many asking God to get us there, Joshua and I found ourselves asking "What do you want, Lord?".

One chilly December evening as Charis played carefree at a park, Joshua and I held each other and cried once again surrendering everything to God - going to Italy or even overseas at all. I had no idea the whirlwind that would follow. On Christmas day, God led us to talk to my parents about fitting in the organization they are with. Before the end of the year as an answer to a specific prayer, we had the confirmation we needed to move forward! This was followed by meetings with our pastors and elders, joining a different organization, building a storage shed at Joshua's parents, packing up our home of 7 years, and by FAITH with the money raised... flying off to SPAIN!?!

So here we are - temporarily in Spain and trying to take it all in before our next assignment. God has answered yet another cry of our heart: to be "goers" in the Great Commission. Our main purpose in Spain is for Joshua to strengthen his Spanish for communicating within the organization we joined. I am trying to figure out living overseas as an adult, wife and mother. I find myself inadequate and in need of God's grace, mercy and strength more than ever. Praise God that He offers them to us freely!

Birthday thoughts...

2011-04-05T15:13:00.004-04:00

I have always been someone who is cautious. It is probably part of what God has used to keep me from "getting into trouble". I tend to not like change. I like routine and constancy. In fact I get frustrated when I am not consistent…which more than I would like to admit. Yet I am entering a new season and instead of looking at it as if there were a sign that said "CAUTION ADVENTURE AHEAD". I want have a sense of adventure. I want a curiosity to learn. I want to not be fearful. I need to relax and be able to laugh at myself more while being diligent about what is important. I can't go into all the details right now but I am in the midst of LOTS of changes. This birthday…I pray I will learn to be BOLD for the kingdom and FULL of faith. I want to be more adventurous and be able to laugh at myself. I want to love deeply, feel strongly and yet be grounded in what is true.

Gabriel Peter

2011-02-08T08:13:00.006-05:00

On January 30, a 7lb 13oz; 20 inches long little boy entered our lives. He already made his distinction from his sister by taking a long 28 hours of labor to make his appearance. So far, like his sister, he has been a content and happy baby. We are loving being his parents. Charis can't get enough of him.

A couple nights ago as I held him and stared in his sweet face, I was overcome with tears. What a precious gift from God! I know I will probably bore people the rest of my life talking about how I didn't think I would ever have children, but I still find it unbelievable that I was blessed with Charis. So to be holding Gabriel, it is overwhelming. TO GOD be the Glory!

Our prayer for him is that he will follow the Lord all the days of his life. That he will be a like Gabriel the angel and be a messenger for God and proclaim Jesus as savior. Joshua made a picture book of Gabriel's first days and put this verse as our prayer for him: Psalm 22:10 "On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God."

Our little Lollipop

2011-01-24T22:08:00.000-05:00

Our little girl is now TWO!

For her birthday I did a lollipop theme because of her love for lollipops (see blog entry on 10.7.10). I had lots of fun with with this theme and even found some ideas online. I enjoyed getting to use the rusty creative side of my brain. I kind of wish I didn't have to try to fit in her birthday during such a busy time (Christmas parties, anniversary, Christmas...) because I had plenty of ideas that I didn't get to do. Here are a few things I had fun making...

I know every parent feels this way, but I still can't believe she is already two. After her birthday, I went back and looked at old videos of her first birthday and I couldn't believe how much she had changed. Even though at one, she said a lot of words and she didn't feel like a baby...NOW she talks in phrases, tries to recount events and communicates emotions (total girl!). As my first time going through this as a parent, I find myself staring at her in disbelief. How is she growing up so fast?

Since she has turned two she has gone to sleeping in a "big girl" bed and wanting to drink from "big girl"cups. Some days I feel like she wants to do all the growing up at once. Tonight she asked to go on the potty (not successful but hey I'll take her being interested) and wanted to wear big girl undies. She reminded me to get my phone as we walked out the door and later spelled her name. My baby girl is slipping through my fingers!

No Greater Joy...

2011-01-06T18:55:00.004-05:00

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" John 1:4

During breakfast I have been reading to Charis a Children's One Year Bible that her Uncle Steven and Aunt Cameron gave her. It is a little old for her age but she has even started to ask for me to read it if I get distracted with other things. This morning she wanted me to go back to the story of the "snake". While finger painting later today, Charis began talking to herself. I love listening to what is running through her little mind. She began to quote her memory verse "Children obey" and then paused "...Adam, snake, apple...obey". My heart jumped with joy. To the mother heart in me, this was thrilling. I desire nothing more than Charis learn to WALK in The TRUTH. Here she had made on her own the connection between two Bible lessons. She was meditating on them. Oh how I pray that this takes deep root in her heart and produces eternal fruit.

"Blessed is the man....his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he mediates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither..." Ps 1

Fleming Flamenco

2010-11-05T15:20:00.006-04:00

My cousin, Jamie, who is a missionary in Spain sent this to Charis.

(Check out her blog on my blog list)

Charis' Fall Pictures

2010-10-29T16:07:00.015-04:00

My little pumpkin - I love being her mommy!

Candy Land Walks

2010-10-07T19:23:00.009-04:00

Charis has been introduced to the world of lollipops. It hasn't taken her long to figure out that these wonderful sticky treats can be found at drive thrus at banks and when we visit her Nee Nee at work. There was even some at "Daddy's" work the other day! She calls them "pops" and has learned to make the exaggerated *slurping* sound of licking a lollipop.

Another love that has grown over the past few months is going for walks. Long gone are my sweaty workouts around the neighborhood with her in a stroller. These walks can hardly be considered exercise for me, but I am sure they are great for her. She wants to be out and about. This passion for walking grew beyond control when my family was visiting this summer because there were plenty of hands to hold and coax to go with her on a walk. As we walk she likes to use her words and tell me everything she sees or wants to see.

The other day while we were on one of these walks, she excitedly pointed and tugged hard on my hand. I was confused by what she was saying "pop, pop, pop!!!" What did she mean by "pops"? I tried to keep her walking but she was winning this tug of war. Then I focused in on this "POP". It was a shinny red reflector by a mailbox. To any connoisseur of lollipops, this one must be sampled! I burst into laughter and tried explaining that it wasn't a lollipop, and it wasn't ours (a word she has learned on our walks). She was sure I was wrong on this one, but finally gave into her mothers desire keep walking. This happened several days on our walks. Finally I decided to let her give it a try. *Crunch* I heard the sound of her teeth against the hard plastic. She looked at me in disbelief. *Crunch* Maybe she hadn't bitten hard enough?... Sadly she moved on with her walk...no longer a candy land walk.

Our Son

2010-10-04T17:12:00.009-04:00

Smiling at us =)

Joshua's mom said he looks like him

Last Wednesday we found out we are having a boy!!! It is a good thing we wanted to find out because as soon as the ultrasound was on my belly the screen revealed even to an untrained eye that we were having a son. We are excited and can't wait to meet our little boy.

Growing Gratitude

2010-09-14T10:15:00.005-04:00

When I first started blogging (although I can be so sporadic that you can hardly call what I do blogging), I wrote about Psalm 113:9. This verse to me is like a sweet and sour dish. I know the sour and almost bitter side of it all too well - "the barren women", but God graciously answered the cry of my heart allowing me to taste the sweet side of this dish - to be a mother AND to also be able to stay at home with Charis. Deep down even while I was pregnant with Charis (which is the Greek word for "grace" - "undeserved mercy") I wondered if I would ever have this undeserved mercy again. Fifteen weeks ago today, I began to suspect it. The next day to Joshua's and my complete joy, we found out we were expecting again. I am almost 20 weeks, and it is hitting me that with the busyness of a toddler and a summer full of family, work and fund raising that it hasn't soaked in that we are going to have another child. Maybe that is why I stare at my ever growing baby bump as if it shouldn't be there. I want to treasure this pregnancy more than I have so far and soak in the little movements in my womb. As I anticipate this new precious face, I realize that God is answering every part of that verse that I prayed: "He settles the barren women in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD." Please join with me and praise the Giver of Life.

19 Weeks

My growing girl

2010-07-16T15:45:00.000-04:00

18 Months

Remembering Last Year...

6 Months

Springing to Life...

2010-05-11T15:49:00.002-04:00

Here is a copy of our most recent update (just click on it to enlarge).

A prayer from a missionary

2010-03-17T07:39:00.000-04:00

Joshua first introduced me to this prayer years ago when he read "How the Irish Saved Civilization". Many know it as Patrick's Breastplate (I especially love the bolded phrase):

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Little Valentine

2010-02-25T08:46:00.000-05:00

Charis 1st Valentine

She has always been our happy girl

Our Valentine has grown!

First box of chocolates

(Don't worry I didn't let her eat all of them)

Our sweet girl

Full Steam Ahead

2010-01-11T18:45:00.000-05:00

I updated our website today and thought that it might be good to share this here too:

As the new year begins, Joshua and I are ever more passionate to get to the mission field. Besides the usual prayer for new financial partners, please pray with us for the following upcoming events that need to take place to make it happen:

Joshua presenting his ordination paper to our church elders (probably by the end of this month) followed by presenting his paper to an ordination committee.
We are aiming to attend the final training required by TEAM in February.
Wisdom about selling or renting our home and when we should put it on the market.

"In this world you will have trouble..."

2010-01-05T20:08:00.001-05:00

This is something I wrote down on the back of a crumpled Starbucks bag as I was overwhelmed with some of the hardships people around me are facing mixed with things God has and is teaching me....

We all have troubles. None of us want them. Most of us don't pick what our encumbrances or struggles will be. Some of us couldn't have imagined what "it" would be - like for me, I never considered one of my afflictions would have been the unquenchable fire of infertility. And yet for some, "it" is their worst nightmares coming true. Since we will have troubles, the question is what I do with them. As exhaustion clouds our vision or bitter numbness begins to settle in at shattered dreams, there is a soft and gentle call "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest...rest for your souls."

Time does not stand still...

2010-01-02T21:37:00.000-05:00

Every time I write 2010, I can't believe it! It feels like I have gotten to this place in time too fast. This especially hit me when Joshua and I celebrated our 10th anniversary.

Yet I am excited about what 2010 holds! We hope this is the year we get to Italy. One prayer this year is that the Lord would order my days. While I have so much I need and want to get done daily, ultimately I want my focus to be what He would have it be. I want to walk in His freedom and not in the overwhelming shadow of "to do" lists. I don't want to be consumed by things that are trivial but have an eternal perspective on all aspects of life.

Since 2009 has come to a close, I would remember some of what God did: wonderful care for Charis while I worked full time, a pt time position from home so I can stay home with Charis, special gatherings with family from all sides, new financial partners, celebrating our 10th anniversary, and celebrating Charis 1st Birthday.

With that I will sign off with a couple pictures since I last blogged (I had planned on them being separate entries)...

We got to be all together as Flemings for Thanksgiving.

What a sweet unexpected treasure!

Charis 1st Birthday

Our 10th anniversary - A Special Day

(This was taken when we walked down to the chapel we got married - it was very COLD! )

Christmas Day

Charis turns 11 months!

2009-11-20T00:24:00.000-05:00

I can hardly believe that Charis turned 11 months today! So much so that I didn't realize it until late this evening since we had a busy day running an errand for daddy. Fortunately since we were in the car most of the day, Charis was so excited to be home that I was able to catch a couple pictures of her before going to bed. I love my happy girl!

Charis at 10 Months

2009-10-24T14:25:00.001-04:00

10/19 - Charis turns 10 Months

The many expressions of Charis

Our Happy Girl

Going for our Morning Run

Music to My Ears

2009-10-16T19:52:00.001-04:00

Charis has been saying "mama" for a week now! I had always thought that I would blog about it the day it happened, but I was waiting to see if it was the real deal. She had done it before a while ago, but it was more like she was practicing the sounds and then stopped like she has done with several words/sounds. I wasn't sure if what started last Thursday was going to continue, but IT HAS! And I love it! She probably loves it too because when I hear her say "mama...mama" from her crib, I practically am running to go pick her up. I guess all that cuddling paid off!

Cuddles and Peek-A-Boo

2009-10-10T14:54:00.000-04:00

As exhausted as I have been this week from being a working mom, support raising with Joshua for Italy and trying to be a good, creative and energetic wife and mother, I have had some sweet treasures:

Last week I was telling some family and friends how Charis doesn't cuddle much. She gives cute little hugs and will occasionally cuddle, but she seems always ready to move on to the next thing. I don't know if she overheard me ;) or telling others made me more aware, but she has been extra cuddly this past week. A couple times she has laid on my chest for over 20 min. I have absolutely treasured it and am trying to soak it in since I feel like she is growing up faster than I can take it all in.

Also this week peek-a-boo became her favorite game. She has always loved it when we play peek-a-boo with her and had even picked up on how to "hide" a while back. However this week, she seems to find anything to use to play. I have found her using her own dress to hide and playing when no one is watching. At times only part of her face gets covered while her little eye is peaking out generating lots of laughter from her dada and mama. Her squels of delight are priceless!

Trouble Brewing…........... the best kind!

2009-09-29T20:10:00.000-04:00

9/19 - 9 months

Charis turned 9 months a little over a week ago. We can tell that she is on the verge of becoming “trouble”. She is crawling, standing up, and wanting to explore everything. She is a curious little thing so she is figuring out how to open cabinet doors and press the open button to the dvd player. I know my life is on the edge of getting more exciting as I try to keep up with my busy little girl. The other day I was working on the computer as she played near me in the living room. To her delight she found daddy’s leftover ice cream cup and managed to get the last little drops out of it! No wonder she says “dada” first! Her other favorite word right now is dog, and she loves pointing to them in her books. She has a fun bubbly personality and already shows a love for people. She of course likes it even more when they are interested in her repertoire of tricks (waiving, kissing, shaking her head, making a piggy face…). She loves to laugh and make us laugh! Of course with all of this, also comes her testing her boundaries. We would love your prayers for wisdom as we train Charis and help her become a woman after God’s own heart.

8 1/2 mths - 1st time stood up on her own. She was very proud of herself.

Finding Daddy's icecream - yum!

Family Full Summer

2009-09-03T20:28:00.000-04:00

The brisk autumn air that greets Charis and me for the past morning runs reminds me that fall is at our doorsteps. Living in the US for 12 years has made me appreciate all that comes with fall – FOOTBALL :), beautiful leaves, cool weather, pumpkin desserts…. Yet it is with a bit of sadness I say goodbye to a wonderful full summer.

The end of May, Kelly and the girls (Joshua’s brother’s family) came to South Carolina. Later Gabe joined them and we had our Fleming family reunion. This year Joshua, Charis and I piled in with Gabe’s family at Dad and Mom’s house for the week. Hannah joined us with Michael David and Jonathan every day (Jon – her husband – had to work that week :( and joined us in the evenings). It was a house full of children noises and activities with 6 children 4 and under! We had a great time visiting, making little outings to shop, and going on walks. The boys made it out to golf – Joshua’s first time to get to do that with his brother and dad. To his surprise he loved it! With that much activity and four Cannon SLRs there were plenty of pictures to remember our time including Charis meeting her Aunt Kelly and Uncle Gabe for the first time. Below is the family picture that we always dread taking but are always grateful in the end we did it…this time it was in the midst of SC summer heat!!

At the end of June, my mom and brother Samuel flew into SC. This was the beginning of my family trickling in and out for the summer and with them the family events. Since there were too many events and activities to write about, here are the highlights: my mom being in my home when I was at home, my dad meeting Charis, my three younger siblings meeting Charis, Samuel getting his driver’s license, Luke & Soraya announcing they were pregnant, spending time with Sara and her family, Andy & Rachel’s wedding creating a family reunion for my mom’s side, going to my dad's family biannual reunion, and having our own little family reunion. My family got to be all together for barely 3 days, but packed it full with putt putt golf, a day at the Lake (Thanks to Kelly’s parents!), and a bright and early morning for pictures. Yes, Sara and I made our family take pictures at 7am before Joshua left for work (see below)!

I wish I had the time to write about each of my nieces and nephews and what a blessing to spend time with each of them. What a joy for Charis to have cousins on both sides! What a joy to have Charis’ aunts and uncles, great aunts and great uncles, cousins and second cousins meet her for the first time! What a wonderful families Joshua and I have been blessed with!

Heartfelt Gratitude

2009-07-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

"He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD." Psalm 113:9

I will never forget the first time I read this verse. My eyes swelled up. The world around me stopped. This was too close for comfort...and ooh, too painful! I felt like the ugly word "barren" was tattooed on my forehead. I knew that God could bless us with children, but would He? Joshua and I had already been asking the Lord for children for years and had gone through the pain of a miscarriage. What if His answer to me was simply "no"? That thought at times was to heavy to bear. Yet there were times I felt brave and would pray this verse back to the Creator of all, asking Him to remember us.

On December 19, 2008, Joshua and I welcomed with tears of joy our sweet daughter, Charis Noelle. Our hearts overflowed! A friend teased me after Charis was born that I couldn't stop smiling. I couldn't believe and some days still can't believe that He granted me my desire to be a "happy mother"!

This week marks another answered prayer for another part in that verse - "settles...in her home". After Charis was born, I needed to go back to work. While the Lord provided amazing daily care for Charis from her Nana (my mom), Aunt Hannah (Joshua's sister), Great Aunt Cameron (my aunt) and other wonderful people, I begged God to allow for me to care for our own daughter. Leaving her every day was one of the hardest things I had ever done in my life. The Lord opened some doors and this week I am working part time from home - settled in my home as the happy mother of Charis.

Joshua and I have absolutely loved and enjoyed being parents. That is why we have created Grato Animo which means "with a grateful mind; heartfelt gratitude". Even though we have a website (www.JoshuaandJoanna.com), it is more about our future ministry. We wanted to have a place to share with our family and friends about Charis' milestones, about our family, and about things we are learning.

To complete the verse, we would like to "Praise the LORD"and ask you to join with us!