Last post before the Surgery

Currently, we are still on track to have Andy's surgery on Tuesday. Andy is healthy, and the girls are healthy enough to travel now.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about his surgery, but I know this is what the Lord has for our little man right now. I hate the idea of him being put under while he's so young, but I have confidence that the Lord will bring him through again. I praise God that Andy's surgery should not be difficult. Please be praying for Andy as he undergoes his surgery Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. Also, I ask that you pray he can ward off any sniffles or nasty bugs until after his surgery (and preferably after the stiches have disolved). Thank you for your prayers!

Now, on a lighter note

Uncle Rob -- Are you proud of me? Can you give me some lessons whenever you come visit?

Kara has developed a new fascination for JA's guitar. She has always had a love for music and instruments, but now that we finally have a real instrument in the house she is thrilled!


This is our mode of transportation for going to church. Andy seems to enjoy the sling, and that wagan is the fastest way for me to get the girls to church without chasing them out of the road :-) They also enjoy their ride.

I LOVE MY MAN!

I must tell all of you women out there who read my blog that I have the most wonderful man in the entire world. For all of you who are single, I guess you'll have to settle for the next best thing.

This week all of the females in our family were hit hard with the flu (I'm pretty sure it was the rotovirus - but no definite diagnosis). Kara started off the week by getting sick Sunday afternoon. Lydia got hit with it Tuesday night, and then I got hit with it late Wed. night. Thursday I was totally wiped out -- I couldn't even go up or down the stairs without collapsing. So, for majority of the week JA became the sole caretaker of Andy with the exception of feedings. I was so thankful for a husband willing to take his son to work with him so we could keep him healthy for his surgery -- of course it does help that work is right across the street :-)
JA even gave Andy his first bath in the bathtub today. Usually I put the kids in the bathtub as soon as their cord falls off because it is a whole lot easier for me than bathing them in the sink and I never wanted to spend the money to buy a baby bathtub. However, up until a couple of weeks ago Andy's belly button was still oozing, so I waited to put him in the tub until I knew he was completely healed.

Today my dad, and two of the men from his church -- Thank you Wes and Bart and Dad!!! -- brought up the remainder of our furniture. We had purchased some leather furniture for our living room. My wonderful tremendous detail-oriented husband spent about two hours tonight making sure all of our leather furniture was properly treated with the leather protectant. I'm so thankful that JA is so detail oriented. Too often I complain about him taking too much time on the details, but I know if he did things the way I typically do things, nothing would be done well.

I LOVE YOU JA

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who offered their advice. I hope I didn't come across to indicate that Kara is always terrible (although on certain days it may seem that way). The day after I made my previous post, Kara decided to be extremely sweet. Despite the fact that she was sick and wouldn't eat or drink much, she insisted on helping me to wash dishes.
Here is Andy's new favorite toy
Did somebody say Hawaii? Wait, let me get my purse.
Mmmm, Mom, this puppy chow is good. It doesn't taste anything like the puppy chow I ate at my great Opa's.

Pleading for Advice and prayer

Deut 4:10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.

I long to see my children grow up to know God, but sometimes I wonder about my oldest daughter. I know Kara is only three (well, almost), but many times when we talk with her or discipline her, she will either laugh us off or her eyes will look cold and defiant. Is this an attitude that is normal among children who are testing their boundaries, or are we in for the time of our lives with Kara?

Let me give you an example. Yesterday, we went to the grocery store. JA took Lydia, Andy, and the groceries out to the van while Kara and I stayed inside to pay the bill. Next thing I know Kara takes off and runs towards the parking lot. When I grabbed her and brought her back, I squatted down to talk with her. While I was talking with her, she just stared at me defiantly. Please Pray for her that she will come to know her need for salvation.

She totally refuses to acknowledge any wrong doing on her part whether it's lying or blatent disobedience. Instead, when punished she says "Mommy you mean!" or "Mommy, you hurt me" (even if all we are doing is holding her wrists to talk with her). I must admit that I find myself getting frustrated with her on almost a daily basis.

Kara, finally sleeping after spending the day with the flu.

Just a side note, Kara does have some moments where she can be extremely sweet. My heart melts when she comes up to me out of the blue and says "I Love You" or "I help Mommy"

Unpacking is loads of FUN!!!

Since Sunday I have been steadily trying to unpack boxes and discover what was in each box. Unpacking has been a bit of a challenge since the house was not completely ready for us yet. The painting in the kitchen was not finished until Tuesday (the same day our refridgerator was delivered). However, the kitchen is the one room I have completely finished (other than mopping the floor). Here are some pictures of my kitchen.
The windows look out into our fenced in backyard (hurray -- great for small children). You can see the front of the fridge. When we purchased the fridge, I didn't realize how big it would be!

I am really excited about having a double oven. So my food can all be warm when I need to set it on the table.



This last picture shows you a more realistic picture of the colors in my kitchen. The red is very bright, but I was so tired of white walls that I wanted to keep my house bright. The theme of my kitchen is a coffe theme! The one appliance I am the most excited about is a dishwasher. Now I don't need to use a straw to clean out all the little crevices in the sippy cups.
These dolls belonged to Oma, so I am thrilled to be able to have them up in my home. Someday I'll pass them on to Kara and Lydia so they can remember their dutch heritage (something I am very proud to be).

A Long Trip

Well, we have completed our traveling (at least for long distances) for hopefully a long time (or at least until Phillip's graduation). I am sorry it has taken me so long to update, but we just connected to internet last night. I will probably create a new post everyday for a few days in order to update everything.

Our first stop on our trip to move was at my Opa's house. It was wonderful being able to see him and my uncle again. My Aunt Billie stopped in to visit also.



As you can see from the pictures above, Opa was a big hit with Andy and Kara. Tuesday morning, Opa found a cartoon channel for Kara. So, Kara found the most comfortable seat in the house -- Opa's lap -- for the entire morning. Lydia was too interested in playing with the remote or chasing the dogs.
I enjoyed having Billie stop in for a few minutes to chat. I woke up both of the girls so she would have a chance to see them.

As much as I enjoyed this visit, it was also a very emotional visit for me. I know this poem that follows is a bit long, but I think it covers the whole gamut of what I was feeling.

Where Were You

Today we stopped in for a visit

Like we have done so many times before.

I had so much to tell you,

so much has happened since we last talked.

I came to show you my son,

And listen to your stories of parenthood.

Yet something was missing

We visited with Opa at dinner

and ate his hamburger spinach.

Kara and Lydia shyly played

and chased Crystal and Bobbie.

Aunt Billie came by

And we talked like we had in the past

Yet something was missing.

We sat down with Opa to play

The games we’ve played in the past

And then I looked up

to watch you sleep in your chair.

I discovered then what was missing

The chair sat empty in the corner

You are what was missing

How could I think this visit was normal

As though nothing had changed.

Of course things were different

For you are no longer on earth.

I could not show my son

Nor converse as we had done before

You were missing from here.

Emotions came rushing about me

I still don’t know what to feel

To sort out my thoughts

And understand this confusion

Reality finally hit me

I finally am forced to admit

That you are no longer with us.

Confusion tumbled about me

Why did things have to change.

My heart has so many questions

Yet I know my place not to ask

Disappointment came down upon me

As I realized my dreams unfulfilled

My son I brought with me

Your eyes were not to behold

Sorrow about o’er whelmed me

When I realized your life has been passed

On earth I never would see you

And then tears touched my eyes.

As quickly as the emotions came

rushing and sweeping about me

my heart was uplifted

As Christ brought fresh to my mind

Yes your life here is over,

But you are not gone

For In Heaven you live.

Comfort than touched my heart

At the thought or you in Heaven

Walking without pain

Loving without hinderence.

I rejoice at the thought of my Oma

Walking upon streets of gold.

Singing with voice uplifted

Praising my Savior and hers.

For you pain has ended

Sorrow has ceased

For in Heaven you live.

I can picture you now up in Heaven

Gathering the children around

making them baskets of yarn

Filling them with the candy of love

And now I must trust to my Lord

The Oma I have adored

For with Him you now live.

My Oma I thank you

For all you have given to me.

You’ve taught me to have courage

And to trust with my heart not my mind

You’ve given me a heritage

That I must now pass on

For you have given me love.

I Love you Oma

Moving Day is Coming

This is my last post for a couple of weeks. Friday we will be moving out of my parents house, and next week we will be at Northland to move out items in storage. We are looking forward to visiting with our friends. Please continue to pray for us as we make the transition -- especially for the girls. Andy's surgery has not yet been rescheduled.

Kara is excited about her new house. She's been telling everyone who will listen about her purple room.

We are also excited about preparing to minister to the people in Smith Center. Great is the Lord and Greatly to be praised. His thoughts are higher than my thoughts and his ways greater than my ways.

Surgery Cancelled

For those of you who have been praying for Andy's surgery this coming Monday, his surgery has been cancelled due to his cold. As soon as he is over his cold I can call and reschedule his surgery. I'll let you know when it is once we've rescheduled. Thank you for your continued prayers. We appreciate them very much.

Let Me Introduce You

I would like to introduce you to the new pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Smith Center, KS. Sunday afternoon, the church voted to call JA to be their new pastor. We are excited about our new ministry. J.A. is absolutely thrilled to be the pastor.

The girls were excitedly running around their new home this weekend exploring every nook and cranney. We are hopeful that we will be able to move into the parsonage in a couple of weeks and JA will begin pastoring full-time.

We are also excited that we will be ministering in a church only a few hours from my parents, so we will be able to visit them more frequently than we did when living at NBBC.

I want to praise the Lord for His goodness towards us. For the past two years we have been praying and searching for a ministry. Over the past two years I have learned many things about trusting God and taking steps of faith. When JA and I graduated this past May, we had no idea what we were doing next. Than we were told we had to move out in two weeks. At that point we decided to drive up to Canada to work with Jason and Amy Cochran for the summer. The Lord blessed that decision by providing us with a new van, and providing everything we needed for the summer. At the end of the summer we had no idea what to do next (other than have Andy join our family). Since we had no where to go, we drove down to Kansas and moved in with my parents. Then, two weeks before Andy was born we were told he was going to have a birth defect - his cleft lip - and they were unsure of how it would affect his ability to breathe and eat after he was born. Praise the Lord he was born with only a minor cleft in his lip which will be repaired next week if he gets over his cold. In both of these situations, we had to take a step of faith and trust the Lord to clear the path before us.

Ps 37:23-24
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Thank you Lord for the lessons you have taught me during this time of waiting upon you.

Ps 34:1-4
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Potty Trained????

I have been trying to get Kara potty trained since she was about 18 months old. Two months ago after a intense time of trying to force her, I gave up and decided to let her set her own timing. Yesterday just out of the blue she came up to me and told me she had to go potty. After she went potty I asked her if she wanted her diaper back on or her new Curious George underwear (Christmas present). She choose the underwear. She stayed clean and dry all day yesterday, and all day tonight. Her pull-up was even dry when she woke up this morning. The question on my mind now is, has she finally decided to be a big girl, or is she going to wake up in a day or two and decide to be a baby again. (Previously when we were potty training she would tell me she was a baby). I guess only time will tell.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!

We are excited about the many blessings God has bestowed upon us over this last year. He has given us many opportunities to rejoice and praise his name. We are also excited about this upcoming year and we are eager to discover the path the Lord has for us this year. Many of you know that we are waiting to hear about a church we may be ministering in. Because of the snow and ice storms here in Kansas, we have another week to wait before we have an answer. We rejoice that we have another week to bask in prayer and seek God's direction for our lives.

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Happy Anniversary My Love

Five Years ago today I married the most wonderful man in the world. I am so thankful that the Lord brought JA into my life, and allowed us to get married despite myself.
The top ten reasons I am thankful for JA are:
1. He loves the Lord more than anything else in this life, and He wants to serve the Lord in every possible way that he can.
2. JA has demonstrated God's love towards me in many different ways, and He is always directing me back to the Scriptures and our Savior.
3. JA loves his children, and puts in a lot more work and time with them than most men that I know (including the changing of dirty diapers).
4. JA loves to read and would rather us read books together as a family than watch television.
5. JA is willing to do whatever job he needs to in order to provide for us, even if it meant working fast food (which thankfully he's not had to do).
6. JA spoils me with a lot of things that I like even if I don't need them.
7. JA is a peacemaker and rarely gets upset with me.
8. JA cares enough about our children to discipline them when they are being disrespectful.
9. JA enjoys planning things for us to do as a family.
10. JA saved his first kiss for me.

Christmas Fun

We had a wonderful Christmas. JA, Andy and I drove up to Smith Center where JA was able to preach on Christmas Eve Morning. The girls stayed home with Oma and Opa. After lunch, JA and I drove down just to make it in time for the Christmas Eve Service at my dad's church. Below are the girls in their Christmas Dresses.
After the Christmas Eve Service, we drove home and everyone changed into their pajamas, fixed up a plate of snacks, and then we met around the Christmas tree to open up majority of the presents. Unfortunately, Lydia did not make it through the evening. After opening a couple of presents she was so grumpy and sleepy that we had to put her to bed.
All of the kids enjoyed their Christmas presents (us adults did also, but the kids like their toys). Andy's favorite seems to be his wrist rattles . He likes watching his arms now as he waves them about. Kara likes her new safari animals from Uncle Rob and Aunt Julie. She has only painted the elephant so far, and as you can see from this picture she has a very colorful elephant {green, black, and blue -- sounds like a bruised elephant :-)}

Here is Andy and all of his wonderful presents.

Kara and Lydia also love their new Dora pirate ship.


Tradition Suggestions What are some of your favorite Christmas Traditions? JA and I are wanting to start some Christmas Tradions with our kids next year.

Christmas Greetings

This week has been an exciting week for us. We are prayerfully awaiting to find out if we will be moving soon (We will find out after December 31). We have also been preparing for Christmas. Elizabeth and I have decided to kick mom out of the kitchen on Monday, and we are going to make the meals. So, we have been busy deciding on a menu.

Andy has been growing steadily. He is now over 10 pounds. I scheduled his surgery this week, and he will be having his surgery on January 15 (as long as he doesn't have a cold or a fever). We have a lot to do before then. I want us to get our family photos done before his surgery because he will most likely have a bright red scar for the next year after his surgery. That, and I have really fallen in love with his lip, and I'm actually going to miss it.

Merry Christmas to you from us.

Lydia enjoys playing with her little brother. So much that in this picture she knocked over the activity gym. He is growing so quickly! He is reaching for his toys and waving his hands to bat them. Last night he was trying to reach for me while he was laying on his daddy's lap. I was excited about that!

Andy has also began to smile. He smiles best for his Aunt Beth (she's the only one who can get him to smile for the camara). We are having so much fun together as a family. Have a Merry Christmas, and

Remember to thank the Lord for the most precious gift of all -- His Son Jesus Christ and the incredible gift of Redemption.

I LOVE DATING!!!

Mom and Dad gave us an early anniversary present this week. For the first time in almost a year, JA and I were able to have a date (with no kids!!!). They sent us to the Prarie Rose Chuckwagon Supper Club and Opera House. We left the house early so we could go visit the Hopalong Cassidy Cowboy Museum & Theatre. The museum wasn't that great, but we did enjoy walking on the grounds. I took this picture as we walked.Before the dinner bell rang, we were able to take a train ride and enjoy the outdoor holiday light display. The dinner bell rang, and we sat down at a table ready for an enjoyable evening. Before they served the food, everyone stood and said the Pledge, and then they said grace over the meal. How many dinner shows do that anymore? The show involved four men playing their instruments and singing cowboy songs. It was great. Their jokes were clean, and they interacted well with the audience. In fact, the singers were the same men who served us our delicious dinner of briscut, sausage, beans, potatoe salad, and a biscuit followed by a wonderful peach cobbler. These same waiters/singers have sung all over the country, including Carnegie Hall (twice).

The best thing about this night was that JA and I were able to be able to spend an evening enjoying each other's company without anyone fussing, complaining, or begging to eat :-)

Please Pray

Please pray for JA as he preaches this weekend in Smith Center. He will be candidating for the position of senior pastor. Please pray that the church will have wisdom, and that we will also have wisdom in making the decision.

Setting up the Christmas Tree

These pictures are from about two weeks before Thanksgiving. We set up the Christmas tree (or rather, Elizabeth, Opa, and JA set up the Christmas Tree) early because Opa was going to be in Belize for Thanksgiving.

God is Faithful

Praise the Lord, He is Faithful.

The last few weeks have been a bit discouraging at times, as JA and I desire to be serving full-time (or even part-time right now) in a church. It really seemed as though we had no prospects. Because I have felt a tendancy to want to question God, I have had to turn more earnestly to His promises.

With God's Word, I have confidence that we are seeking the right path-- God's Word states that "He who desireth the office of a bishop desireth a good thing."

With God's Word, I have confidence that He is in control -- "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways."

With God's Word, I know this period of waiting is to better prepare us for a permament ministry -- "All things work together for good to them that love God."

With God's Word, I know we can be faithful and serve right where we are -- "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."God has shown himself faithful to us over and over again. This past week, JA has received contacts from three different ministries. This Sunday, JA will be preaching at a church that is looking for a pastor. We are praying that he might be able to candidate for the position the following weekend. But we know that our path is in the hands of the Lord, and His way is perfect.