That last pic cracks me up because Noah looks so shocked.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Titus Meets Noah
Titus and Noah got to meet for the first time this week. It was super fun seeing them together. Titus is almost 5 weeks older than Noah. They just wanted to grab each other and talk to each other. I think that's a pretty solid foundation for a lasting friendship.
That last pic cracks me up because Noah looks so shocked.
That last pic cracks me up because Noah looks so shocked.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Pictures.
Here is Titus, sitting up like a big boy. The lighting on the shot is so funny. The computer lit him up while the yellow permeates the shot because we have 2 tiny little recessed lights in our gigantic bedroom.
Titus sitting in his chair. He wasn't unhappy, he just wasn't smiling.
But look at those cheeks. I love them.
This is Adam's fire. He has done so great making fires for us.
Look how rip-roaring this is!
Titus sitting in his chair. He wasn't unhappy, he just wasn't smiling.
But look at those cheeks. I love them.
This is Adam's fire. He has done so great making fires for us.
Look how rip-roaring this is!
Our First Church Gathering.
Sunday morning the TMC team showed up at our house at 9:30 to unload the truck. I was so excited to get things into our place. The truck was unloaded by 11:30 and we all went around putting boxes in rooms and starting to put things away. The team left between 2:30 and 3:00 - they were responsible for making the meal for that night.
Adam and I continued to put things away and began a search for clean clothes to wear to the gathering that night. It was a close call. Titus wore some 12 month clothes because that's all we had time to grab for him.
It was a full (school)house that night. I think there are normally about 60 people in attendance. The evening started off with a baptism. It was so encouraging. A local gal, who hosted an open mic night, and I would type her name, but I'm unsure of the spelling. Neil and Natalie began attending her open mic night and befriended her. They invited her to church and eventually she came. She said she hated the first sermon - It was on not filing lawsuits. =) But the Lord chose that she would be saved!
Eric gave a detailed explanation of what baptism was/was not before the gal shared her testimony. From what I've been told there are a good number of unbelievers in attendance so it was crucial for him to develop the concept of baptism. After her testimony and immersion and applause we had a time of singing. Loved it.
Titus was asleep in his moby wrap for all that, but as Eric began his sermon Titus woke up. I bounced him a little bit in the back, but about 10 - 15 minutes in I had to leave to nurse him. So, I ended up not getting to hear the sermon. But it was on the misuse of the spiritual gift of tongues out of 1 Cor 14. I need to listen to it online.
After the sermon, the tables were rolled out and the chairs placed around them and we all shared dinner together.
It's not my strong point to meet strangers, but being in a new church service meant that there were lots of strangers. I spent some time talking to people I knew, but also tried to talk to a few new people. I figured I didn't need to meet everyone all at once, but I also knew I shouldn't just stick in my comfort zone and talk only to familiar faces. Eventually I will get to know everyone. That will be nice.
Adam and I continued to put things away and began a search for clean clothes to wear to the gathering that night. It was a close call. Titus wore some 12 month clothes because that's all we had time to grab for him.
It was a full (school)house that night. I think there are normally about 60 people in attendance. The evening started off with a baptism. It was so encouraging. A local gal, who hosted an open mic night, and I would type her name, but I'm unsure of the spelling. Neil and Natalie began attending her open mic night and befriended her. They invited her to church and eventually she came. She said she hated the first sermon - It was on not filing lawsuits. =) But the Lord chose that she would be saved!
Eric gave a detailed explanation of what baptism was/was not before the gal shared her testimony. From what I've been told there are a good number of unbelievers in attendance so it was crucial for him to develop the concept of baptism. After her testimony and immersion and applause we had a time of singing. Loved it.
Titus was asleep in his moby wrap for all that, but as Eric began his sermon Titus woke up. I bounced him a little bit in the back, but about 10 - 15 minutes in I had to leave to nurse him. So, I ended up not getting to hear the sermon. But it was on the misuse of the spiritual gift of tongues out of 1 Cor 14. I need to listen to it online.
After the sermon, the tables were rolled out and the chairs placed around them and we all shared dinner together.
It's not my strong point to meet strangers, but being in a new church service meant that there were lots of strangers. I spent some time talking to people I knew, but also tried to talk to a few new people. I figured I didn't need to meet everyone all at once, but I also knew I shouldn't just stick in my comfort zone and talk only to familiar faces. Eventually I will get to know everyone. That will be nice.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Pictures From the Moving Days:
A triple shot of Titus and I sitting in the empty apartment. He has a cute face.
Mike, Lisa, Lauren and Jeff came to say farewell, share a final meal, and give us that photo memory book I mentioned in a previous post.
Grammy hugging Titus goodbye. This picture makes me cry. Too much emotion in this shot.
Ye ole moving truck, with our donation to the curb of Newhall standing by.
Utah
Lunch stop in Salt Lake City
Wyoming
Mike, Lisa, Lauren and Jeff came to say farewell, share a final meal, and give us that photo memory book I mentioned in a previous post.
Grammy hugging Titus goodbye. This picture makes me cry. Too much emotion in this shot.
Ye ole moving truck, with our donation to the curb of Newhall standing by.
Utah
Lunch stop in Salt Lake City
Wyoming
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tips
New culture, new climate, new church gathering, new location.. These things require learning. Here are some tips that have been passed on to me. I eat 'em up.
1. We are at a very high altitude. Our bodies have to adjust to this. I think I seriously got winded singing "Jesus Loves Me" to Titus tonight. I've been told the adjustment can take a couple weeks and that we can get easily winded, headaches, and need to drink extra water.
2. When driving, if you see a deer (perhaps other animals as well) honk the horn. I haven't been told this one, but I've experienced it.
3. When driving on the roads, if I am going over 45 and there is an animal in the way hit it. Let off the gas to slow as much as possible first.
4. Kick your shoes on the side of the car door opening before getting in to shake off as much snow as possible.
5. It's a standard courtesy to take your shoes off when entering a house so that you dont track snow and mud through it.
6. When building relationships with the unbelievers in the community and they are conversing with us about their sinful behavior, say something along the lines of, "I hear ya.." rather than nodding or laughing or something else that could convey support for the behavior.
7. It is better to be overgeared (i.e. snow boots, jackets, galoshes, etc) than not.
1. We are at a very high altitude. Our bodies have to adjust to this. I think I seriously got winded singing "Jesus Loves Me" to Titus tonight. I've been told the adjustment can take a couple weeks and that we can get easily winded, headaches, and need to drink extra water.
2. When driving, if you see a deer (perhaps other animals as well) honk the horn. I haven't been told this one, but I've experienced it.
3. When driving on the roads, if I am going over 45 and there is an animal in the way hit it. Let off the gas to slow as much as possible first.
4. Kick your shoes on the side of the car door opening before getting in to shake off as much snow as possible.
5. It's a standard courtesy to take your shoes off when entering a house so that you dont track snow and mud through it.
6. When building relationships with the unbelievers in the community and they are conversing with us about their sinful behavior, say something along the lines of, "I hear ya.." rather than nodding or laughing or something else that could convey support for the behavior.
7. It is better to be overgeared (i.e. snow boots, jackets, galoshes, etc) than not.
The Humbling Parts of the Drive
Like I mentioned there were some humbling parts of the drive. I was expecting the move to be humbling, but you never know how it will all play out, you know? So, here are some accounts.
1. When we left the Sand Canyon In-n-Out I was behind the wheel so that Eric and Leslie could try and get some shut eye so that they could continue the drive later. I was wide awake and familiar with the land so it was a good option for me to drive. We had a caravan going; a jeep, minivan, saturn, moving truck and us, in a subaru.
Eric made sure I knew to take the 14 to Pearblossom (138) to Barstow. Got it. I had traveled the roads before. We pulled out of the In-n-Out parking lot a little bit after everyone else, so Eric mentioned that I could go ahead and catch up to and get in front of the truck. So I sped up to catch the rental. I passed them. And since I knew the way to Barstow I kept going. A few minutes later, Eric asked me if I could hang back to catch up with the group. I ended up passing them all. So I hung back waiting for them to catch back up and to make sure that Johnnyboi was in the front, leading. Soon the Pearblossom exit was coming up and the team hadn't caught back up and I knew I needed to exit. So I got off, but the ramp split and in the frenzy of my trying to hang back for the group, plus not come to a stop on the offramp I didn't know if I was supposed to go left or right (so much for knowing how to get there huh?). So I inched right and woke up Eric to figure it out and I saw all the team go right by me to the left of the offramp and up and over a bridge. NOOOO. Eric told me to take a left and hop back on the 14 and then get off and re-get back on the 14 to get on the Pearblossom exit the correct way, but as we went left the road - Praise God - turned into Pearblossom and we caught up with them team in about 5 minutes. Phew!
2. After fueling up in Barstow, I had to nurse Titus. That was taking a few extra minutes and the group was ready to head out so Eric sent the team on their way towards Vegas while I finished up with Titus. I was still awake so I was to continue driving. We left about 8-10 minutes after the team. Eric told me to catch up to them but to take my time doing it. The speed limit was 70. So I went 75 and was on the lookout for the team. Allllll the way to Vegas I never saw them. As we were entering Nevada we came upon a town full of glitz and lights. I was like, "Wow, we are already here." I was thankful because I was tired. I hadn't caught the team and I didn't know where to exit to meet them at the Flying J so I woke up Eric, told him we were in Vegas and that I had not caught the team yet. He told me that wasn't Vegas. Vegas was still 40 miles away. NOOO. I woke Eric up out of sound sleep for the wrong town! I continued to drive. As we entered Vegas, Eric woke up. I told him I still hadn't caught the team. He got in touch with JB to find out if they had already made it to the Flying J. He hung up the phone and said, "We are ahead of them." I was like, "Really?" and inside I was so horrified. How could I pass a jeep, minivan, Budget moving truck and saturn? How could I pass all those cars while I was on such a careful lookout for them? It was so embarrassing since I had already made a mistake at Pearblossom. Eric decided it would be best for us to make a freeway loop rather than exit to the gas station so that we could keep the babies asleep. We were like 20 minutes ahead of the rest of the team!! =( I apologized for not being more on my game and then Eric said to me that the group had pull off to rotate some drivers and it was at that point in the catch up game that I must have passed the team. Phew!
Those are my accounts. =)
Some other humbling has gone on as well. I will try and share soon.
1. When we left the Sand Canyon In-n-Out I was behind the wheel so that Eric and Leslie could try and get some shut eye so that they could continue the drive later. I was wide awake and familiar with the land so it was a good option for me to drive. We had a caravan going; a jeep, minivan, saturn, moving truck and us, in a subaru.
Eric made sure I knew to take the 14 to Pearblossom (138) to Barstow. Got it. I had traveled the roads before. We pulled out of the In-n-Out parking lot a little bit after everyone else, so Eric mentioned that I could go ahead and catch up to and get in front of the truck. So I sped up to catch the rental. I passed them. And since I knew the way to Barstow I kept going. A few minutes later, Eric asked me if I could hang back to catch up with the group. I ended up passing them all. So I hung back waiting for them to catch back up and to make sure that Johnnyboi was in the front, leading. Soon the Pearblossom exit was coming up and the team hadn't caught back up and I knew I needed to exit. So I got off, but the ramp split and in the frenzy of my trying to hang back for the group, plus not come to a stop on the offramp I didn't know if I was supposed to go left or right (so much for knowing how to get there huh?). So I inched right and woke up Eric to figure it out and I saw all the team go right by me to the left of the offramp and up and over a bridge. NOOOO. Eric told me to take a left and hop back on the 14 and then get off and re-get back on the 14 to get on the Pearblossom exit the correct way, but as we went left the road - Praise God - turned into Pearblossom and we caught up with them team in about 5 minutes. Phew!
2. After fueling up in Barstow, I had to nurse Titus. That was taking a few extra minutes and the group was ready to head out so Eric sent the team on their way towards Vegas while I finished up with Titus. I was still awake so I was to continue driving. We left about 8-10 minutes after the team. Eric told me to catch up to them but to take my time doing it. The speed limit was 70. So I went 75 and was on the lookout for the team. Allllll the way to Vegas I never saw them. As we were entering Nevada we came upon a town full of glitz and lights. I was like, "Wow, we are already here." I was thankful because I was tired. I hadn't caught the team and I didn't know where to exit to meet them at the Flying J so I woke up Eric, told him we were in Vegas and that I had not caught the team yet. He told me that wasn't Vegas. Vegas was still 40 miles away. NOOO. I woke Eric up out of sound sleep for the wrong town! I continued to drive. As we entered Vegas, Eric woke up. I told him I still hadn't caught the team. He got in touch with JB to find out if they had already made it to the Flying J. He hung up the phone and said, "We are ahead of them." I was like, "Really?" and inside I was so horrified. How could I pass a jeep, minivan, Budget moving truck and saturn? How could I pass all those cars while I was on such a careful lookout for them? It was so embarrassing since I had already made a mistake at Pearblossom. Eric decided it would be best for us to make a freeway loop rather than exit to the gas station so that we could keep the babies asleep. We were like 20 minutes ahead of the rest of the team!! =( I apologized for not being more on my game and then Eric said to me that the group had pull off to rotate some drivers and it was at that point in the catch up game that I must have passed the team. Phew!
Those are my accounts. =)
Some other humbling has gone on as well. I will try and share soon.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Journeying
Friends,
We're safely here in Wyoming. Here is how it played out:
Friday we got the rental truck and Uncle Kelly -aka Mr. Coudsy - and Lisa - aka Pizza - showed up to help us begin loading. Lots of trips up and down the stairs. More friends arrived throughout the day and the TMC team showed up about 2. The truck got loaded but we did have to leave a few things behind on the curb in Newhall. You know, things like, our couch and a filing cabinet and an end table and a box of clothes. =) We felt no heartbreak about leaving those things behind. I was really purposing in my heart those final days of packing to just be as unattached to my things as possible because there was a chance that boxes labeled "Fragile" could be dropped or my favorite pieces of furniture could get gouged or our truck could spin out and tip over.
Friday evening our dear friends the Cornelius's and the Holmquist's came over for a final dinner. We sat on the floor of the empty apartment 37. They also put together a precious photo memory book starting from the beginning of our friendships. We stood in a circle looking through it and at the end tears were shed as we hugged each other goodbye.
My parents came over to say a final goodbye. Mom could barely even talk because she had so many tears, but she was full of hugs. My dad prayed for us and Adam promised them he would take good care of me.
We then headed to Master's where the team was gathering and from where we would depart. Some prayer and some tears later. Titus and I were packed in the car with Eric, Leslie and 16 month old Charlotte. One final stop at In-n-Out in Sand Canyon and we were on our way.
I drove the first stretch of the journey because I was awake. On a bit of an adrenaline rush, I guess. We stopped in Barstow to fuel up. Then in North Las Vegas for gas again. Then in St. George for a quick breakfast. Then at somewhere else. Then in Salt Lake City for lunch. Then in Evanston. Then a quick stop to work with the headlights of the rental truck. Then we arrived at the Davis home in Jackson.
The journey averages about 16ish hours. It took us 21. The Lord gave us good weather. We ran into a little bit of rain/snow but that was about it. There were some humbling things about the drive which I would like to write about in a later post.
But for now, we are here, we are safe, we are warm, we are filled and we are thankful.
We're safely here in Wyoming. Here is how it played out:
Friday we got the rental truck and Uncle Kelly -aka Mr. Coudsy - and Lisa - aka Pizza - showed up to help us begin loading. Lots of trips up and down the stairs. More friends arrived throughout the day and the TMC team showed up about 2. The truck got loaded but we did have to leave a few things behind on the curb in Newhall. You know, things like, our couch and a filing cabinet and an end table and a box of clothes. =) We felt no heartbreak about leaving those things behind. I was really purposing in my heart those final days of packing to just be as unattached to my things as possible because there was a chance that boxes labeled "Fragile" could be dropped or my favorite pieces of furniture could get gouged or our truck could spin out and tip over.
Friday evening our dear friends the Cornelius's and the Holmquist's came over for a final dinner. We sat on the floor of the empty apartment 37. They also put together a precious photo memory book starting from the beginning of our friendships. We stood in a circle looking through it and at the end tears were shed as we hugged each other goodbye.
My parents came over to say a final goodbye. Mom could barely even talk because she had so many tears, but she was full of hugs. My dad prayed for us and Adam promised them he would take good care of me.
We then headed to Master's where the team was gathering and from where we would depart. Some prayer and some tears later. Titus and I were packed in the car with Eric, Leslie and 16 month old Charlotte. One final stop at In-n-Out in Sand Canyon and we were on our way.
I drove the first stretch of the journey because I was awake. On a bit of an adrenaline rush, I guess. We stopped in Barstow to fuel up. Then in North Las Vegas for gas again. Then in St. George for a quick breakfast. Then at somewhere else. Then in Salt Lake City for lunch. Then in Evanston. Then a quick stop to work with the headlights of the rental truck. Then we arrived at the Davis home in Jackson.
The journey averages about 16ish hours. It took us 21. The Lord gave us good weather. We ran into a little bit of rain/snow but that was about it. There were some humbling things about the drive which I would like to write about in a later post.
But for now, we are here, we are safe, we are warm, we are filled and we are thankful.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Hi
So I have my computer on the corner of the table that gets internet. I'm thankful for my little spot. It does drop the internet several times a day, but lately I've been able to get it back within a few minutes. It just runs pretty slow (i.e. no Grooveshark for Erin). But who cares? I get to check my email and see what's up on Facebook.
This is my 1 square foot spot on the table that gets internet:
Rather than trying to come up with some super relevant post though, I just need to get back in the swing of more consistent blogging since I am no longer without internet. To kick it off I just thought I'd share a couple pics of what is going on in Apartment 37 right this moment.
These are some of the boxes we have packed so far. My goal is to eventually get them stacked on that wall behind the table where the tree branch picture is currently hanging (see above pic):
This is the pizza dough rising for dinner. I am making Adam a BBQ chicken pizza:
And these are my lovely Valentine's Day flowers and balloon from Adam:
This is my 1 square foot spot on the table that gets internet:
Rather than trying to come up with some super relevant post though, I just need to get back in the swing of more consistent blogging since I am no longer without internet. To kick it off I just thought I'd share a couple pics of what is going on in Apartment 37 right this moment.
These are some of the boxes we have packed so far. My goal is to eventually get them stacked on that wall behind the table where the tree branch picture is currently hanging (see above pic):
This is the pizza dough rising for dinner. I am making Adam a BBQ chicken pizza:
And these are my lovely Valentine's Day flowers and balloon from Adam:
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Internet and Titus Pics
So I haven't been able to blog lately because we barely have any internet connection. I hate that the blog is suffering. But tonight there is a faint connection so I thought I'd say Hi and relate a brief story.
Last Friday, Adam and I went out to Red Robin to use a gift card we had. After dinner we spent a few minutes walking around the mall, but it was getting to be Titus's bedtime so we headed toward the mall exit. As we passed by the photo taking store one of the employees came running out to us and asked if they could please take pictures of our baby. Adam asked if it was free and she said, yes. So, we ventured in. Remember it was the end of a long day of a long week. Titus was in comfy clothes and had drooled and spit up and it was way past his bedtime by the time we started taking pics.
BUT... here is the link
Passsword: titus1
They also gave us a free 10x13 of picture number 2 since they chose us for pictures. So we have a giant adorable pic of Titus to frame.
It was totally unexpected and rather encouraging. =)
Last Friday, Adam and I went out to Red Robin to use a gift card we had. After dinner we spent a few minutes walking around the mall, but it was getting to be Titus's bedtime so we headed toward the mall exit. As we passed by the photo taking store one of the employees came running out to us and asked if they could please take pictures of our baby. Adam asked if it was free and she said, yes. So, we ventured in. Remember it was the end of a long day of a long week. Titus was in comfy clothes and had drooled and spit up and it was way past his bedtime by the time we started taking pics.
BUT... here is the link
Passsword: titus1
They also gave us a free 10x13 of picture number 2 since they chose us for pictures. So we have a giant adorable pic of Titus to frame.
It was totally unexpected and rather encouraging. =)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Wife's Responsibility
I recently saw this Piper video where he answers the question: What is a wife's responsibility in resolving conflict in marriage?
I thought it was a great response. Sometimes when Adam and I have a problem or a fight I will sulk and think in my heart, I'm gonna stay this way until Adam comes over and apologizes and in the mean time I'm gonna make him feel as bad as possible. It doesn't get our marriage very far when I have that attitude and it doesn't preach the gospel inside of our marriage when I behave that way. I know it's a wrong attitude but I will let it happen because it feels good to be mad in the moment. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit goes to work and convicts me and as Adam knows - I can't stay mad. Sometimes I try hard to stay mad, but I can't. I want to do my best to reach out in love even when my feelings are hurt or when I want to pout on the couch. I know the right thing to do, and when I watched this video it compelled me and encouraged me to keep moving forward. Without fail, what I hear in my conscience is: "Do unto Adam what you would want him to do to you." I would want Adam to come apologize and give me a great big comforting hug. So biblically, I know, I need to do that right away.
As a disclaimer, I would like to just say that Adam and I have a great marriage and I love him to pieces.
I thought it was a great response. Sometimes when Adam and I have a problem or a fight I will sulk and think in my heart, I'm gonna stay this way until Adam comes over and apologizes and in the mean time I'm gonna make him feel as bad as possible. It doesn't get our marriage very far when I have that attitude and it doesn't preach the gospel inside of our marriage when I behave that way. I know it's a wrong attitude but I will let it happen because it feels good to be mad in the moment. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit goes to work and convicts me and as Adam knows - I can't stay mad. Sometimes I try hard to stay mad, but I can't. I want to do my best to reach out in love even when my feelings are hurt or when I want to pout on the couch. I know the right thing to do, and when I watched this video it compelled me and encouraged me to keep moving forward. Without fail, what I hear in my conscience is: "Do unto Adam what you would want him to do to you." I would want Adam to come apologize and give me a great big comforting hug. So biblically, I know, I need to do that right away.
As a disclaimer, I would like to just say that Adam and I have a great marriage and I love him to pieces.
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