Oh, so thankful!

So, today was Thanksgiving. We didn't travel, didn't get to see lots of relatives that we haven't seen in a long time, didn't do much more than what we usually do with my family when we come in on a Sunday for lunch. My dad's family got together, as they do for most Sunday lunches, had Thanksgiving food, and just spent the day together. It may sound like a boring Thanksgiving to most people, but actually, it was great. It was such a good time to reflect on what I am thankful for -- something I never really took time to do on past Thanksgivings. But I feel that I am so thankful for so many things this year. Here are a few:

I am so thankful for...

Being with family on such a wonderful holiday instead of half a world away from them.

Even though I wasn't able to be with my mom's side of the family, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to see them this Christmas.

My family, for all their support, encouragement, and prayers those 18 months that we were away...far, far away...

Tristan, who will be here in March -- having a doctor tell you it will be hard to get pregnant, then being pregnant within 4 months -- what a blessing!!

My husband, who takes care of me everyday, makes sure I'm resting enough, feeling good, and who loves me more than I ever imagined possible.

Being blessed by people around us -- a couple lending us their truck for 3 months, a church for allowing us to stay in their missions house for however long needed, a camp for letting us stay in one of their houses to set up home for little Tristan...I could go on!

Being cold outside, but being able to walk into a warm house -- such a precious gift.

Clean water!!!!!!!!!!!! Not having to worry about getting giardia from my water, vegetables, or fruits!

Living in a country where people speak my language -- amazing feeling, that's all I can say.

Living in such an amazing (not perfect but amazing) country -- it's a honor to be an American.

Ok...I could go on and on, but I have so much to be grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Kids and Pregnancy

So, I think more kids at school know about me being pregnant than actual teachers. It's so funny how amazed and interested kids are about pregnancy. There is not a day that goes by that my Deaf ed students do not mention me being pregnant or ask questions regarding it. They have asked me when it will be born (March 10 -- which to them is such a long time away!), what I will name it (I've been told by two of the Deaf ed 1st graders that the name should be "Sam" -- "s" at the temple), why am I not fat yet (that time will come), how does it grow, and "You are just joking...you're not pregnant!". Then, during lunch duty, I've heard it from the hearing students as well. Today, one 1st grader girl tattled on another student, saying that the other student said I was having a baby. Well, to her surprise, I told her, "Well, I AM having a baby." You could hear all the kids just gasp. Humorous, I thought :) I have a feeling I'll be answering a lot more questions as time goes on!

Pregnancy Photo

So, on Wednesday, I will be 22 weeks (I'm not sure why the little pregnancy gadget is always a little ahead). I've had several people ask for a picture, so I thought it was about time to post a picture. It's a lousy picture, so forgive me, but it will have to do for now :) Starting to get that baby bump...

Trip to Arkansas

Nathan and I had the opportunity to come to NW Arkansas for the week to have a chance to relax and think things over concerning our future plans. Shawna's aunt and uncle have a beautiful lakehouse that they let us stay in. It was so wonderful to have a huge place to ourselves! On Wednesday, we went out and toured some of the attractions around the area. It was such a beautiful day, just driving around on the beautiful AR roads was enjoyable. Here are some of our pictures of the week:


The lake were the lakehouse was located. It was so relaxing there.


Nate and I posing on some rocks.


This is at the War Eagle's Mill. We were the only ones there under the age of 60 probably, but we enjoyed it just the same! The land around it was beautiful. Inside the farmhouse, they had a store full of organic grains and goodies(we bought some blue cornflour and some pancakes mixes), a gift store, then a small restaurant at the top. Very neat :)


Here is Nate's lunch -- cornbread turkey sandwich, chips, and coleslaw.


Here is my lunch -- good ol' beans and cornbread with coleslaw.


The river at the mill -- just beautiful with the sun glistening on it.


Thought this was a beautiful picture.


This is at an chapel in the woods -- absolutely beautiful and incredibly peaceful. Definitely worth going to see. The sides are mostly glass windows, so you see woods all around you while inside.


Looking at at the front of the chapel.


Looking at the back of the chapel. I told Nate that if we ever renew our vows, we are doing it there!

My thoughts on the subject

I figured since I was asking everyone to leave their thoughts on the subject, I would as well.

"God whispers in our pleasures, but shouts in our pain."

Uncle Jeff used this saying when he was talking to us about things we have learned while overseas. When we are happy and have no stress ("our pleasures"), then God whispers, meaning it's hard to hear Him because we are not focused on Him, so we rarely learn anything during that time. I mean, why would we? We are happy and all is going well, so why try to learn anything (so we think)? We forget to rely on Him.

However, in our pain, God shouts at us, meaning it can be so easy to hear Him if we just take our hand off over our ears and listen. Usually, this is the time that we finally turn to God and ask those hard questions, when we learn those hard truths, when we grow in our faith. No one truly grows in their faith until they have a reason to, until there is no other way out of the situation than to have trust and faith in God and His plans for us. It's hard, not any fun whatsoever, but can be so worth it in the end.

Just wanted to share my thoughts! Thanks for reading!

Thought for the Day

We ate dinner last night with some of my mom's side of the family (we are vacationing at the lakehouse in AR this week). It was really enjoyable. Went to a nice mexican place, then went to Braum's for ice cream. There, my uncle was talking to us just about some of our experiences overseas and things we have learned. One thing he said really stuck with me:

"God whispers in our pleasures, but He shouts in our pain."

I started thinking about that on the way back to the lakehouse yesterday. I started thinking about how often God shouts to us to teach us during our times of pain and suffering, but how often we cover our ears to this. Maybe because we don't feel that we should be "teachable" while we are in pain. Maybe other reasons. What are your thoughts on this statement and perhaps about the idea that we "cover our ears" during this time? Just curious your thoughts!

Finally!

I'll begin by saying I apologize if I offended anyone with my last blog. It's completely just my opinion, whether it's right or wrong. So, anyways, to my blog!

Well, I hope it's a "finally" -- I've never experienced it before so I am guessing :) I've been feeling that "bubbles" feeling in my stomach today. I wasn't hungry, so it wasn't my stomach growling, so I'm guessing it's little "Tristan" moving around! It was really subtle, so I sat there a while thinking "did I really feel something?". Then, I could have sworn it felt like he completely turned over, although again...it was very light. But, I'm sticking with my gut feeling and gonna say today was my first day to feel him move! I think I expected it to be more of a "wow" moment, but I think that when it happens, it's more of a "oh, so that's what it feels like...if that was it...". I am excited though that I am feeling him, which mean that I'll be feeling him more and more as time goes by!