Follow the Leader

So i was thinking a bit about our hiking trip. Well specifically about hiking for 2.5hrs in the dark down an unfamiliar trail. If it wasn't for Dallas, we would be royally lost. I'm sure God was watching over us too. Looking back it was kind of stupid to do that, I guess. But it did make me think about following the leader. I was behind Dallas, without a flashlight. I had to trust where Dallas was going, and whenever he'd say something like "rock", or "tree", or "mud" I knew i had to watch where i was going. I'm sure it saved me a sprained ankle or a booter. I've also been reminded how much Brooklyn likes to lead me and Faith around. If she wants to go somewhere, she'll come to me, grab my hand, and get me to follow her. She craves our attention so much, she'll do almost anything to get us to follow her where she wants to go and show me something. I was thinking about how God leads. Do I trust him, and follow, like I followed Dallas in the dark? How about like I follow Brooklyn. Do i allow God to take my hand and show me all the things that bring joy to His soul?
It was very good food for my thoughts anyway.

Hiking Pictures

Final Destination: Marion Lake



Caribou Lake Beaver Dam



After 1hr of Hiking



Hike complete 6hrs of walking later

Physical Torture!?!

So, last weekend, Dallas , A.J., and myself went on a hiking trip. We hiked part of the Mantario Trail, which is in Whiteshell Provincial Park. We each carried about 35lb packs and hiked about 20 kms in on Friday, relaxed and recouped on Saturday, and hiked out on Sunday. The weather was gorgeous, with all the fall colors, and almost full moon, and clear skies. It was amazing to see the creativity of God. It was also very peaceful and quiet. (Do you realize how much ambient noise we have in our everyday lives?) I should say it was quiet except for the CN train that we heard every couple of hours, and the 10 other people that showed up at our site Saturday night. Anyway, it was an adventure worth experiencing, and something i'd wanted to do for a long time. I would do it again in a heartbeat. (Maybe i should get a new backpack though, eh, Dallas?) It was covered in duct-tape, and i had to put it on as if it were a pair of pants (the buckle broke). Here is a map and some pictures of where we were.

So Proud of Myself

Today I took Brooklyn to Anna's House for playtime. I am so proud of myself as it has taken months of trying to persuade myself to go. So thanks to some accountability from a friend we went together. For months I have noticed that it would really benefit Brooklyn to be around more kids, and to learn to play with them. I am one who is nervous to meet and talk with other moms. Yesterday I realized if I can't even do this in my own language where I am familiar, how will I ever meet other moms when we are in Mexico? That is one area I feel like I can minister and reach out, but I really need to get a bit more comfortable with it. So we went and it was fun. Mostly fun to see Brooklyn play around other kids her size and know there are others in the world like her. So hopefully now I will make more of an effort to go.

For those of you who haven't heard of Anna's House I'll explain a bit so you know what I am talking about. It is a family focused place moms can go, mostly for kids 0-5 years, to meet other moms and get great tips, advice, and resources. They have a few different programs for kids 0-12 months, and other programs offered every now and then for older kids. And for pregnant women like me they give out milk coupons and vitamins. YEPEE:) And every Thursday morning they have Playgroup where anyone can bring their kids and let them play with others, and enjoy a snack together. That is where we went today.

General Update

I've been trying to think of something new put on our blog, but couldn't really think of anything. We've had quite a busy week, so we haven't even had much time to write on here anyway. This last weekend LeRoy went hiking into the Whiteshell with my brother, and a friend so Brooklyn and I were left at home. Thankfully we were kept quite busy. One day we made perogies with Tara and Carter, and another day I baked (microwaved) pumpkins to freeze with my mom and sister. Thankfully none of the guys were too hurt on the weekend, and to tell you the truth, LeRoy hasn't really felt sore at all. Sorry Dallas and AJ.

This week I have felt more exhausted again and a bit sick after a minor gall stone attack, but today I have more of my energy back.

Brooklyn is still working on her third eye tooth, it's been swollen and sharp for about a week and a half already, but just doesn't want to poke through. She's definitely getting more and more of a toddler with her attitude, switching her moods with the snap of a finger.

Baby #2 is moving more and more this week which I love to feel as it makes pregnancy a lot more exciting.

If there is anything new with any of you, we'd be glad to hear about it.

Developing Personalities

It is so much fun watching different personalities develop and come out of little kids. Of course I never really paid attention to this aspect of kids growing up until Brooklyn. We see so many sides of our precious daughter and wonder where did this come from. Some days it feels like we are living with a 13 year old already, and other times still a young baby. I would say she can be a strong willed child already when she wants to be, and then other times such a goof. Lately the goofy personality has been out a little more again. That giggle she gives us when she tries to run away when needing a diaper change, or trying to hide from us when she knows we want to brush her hair. And I never knew that some things and routines have to be just exactly how she wants them, otherwise plug your ears. For example when we are getting her ready for bed, she has to have mommy hold her, or at least by her while she drinks her milk. LeRoy has tried over and over again, and it just brings more screaming. At least he can now actually put her to bed. That is an improvement.

I never knew that something so fun could be hidden behind the couch. But as I write Brooklyn has pulled out her diaper bag (she loves filling it with diapers), another backpack, and our laptop bag. Who needs toys when there are so many things to discover. I think I am learning to discover things through Brooklyn's eyes and trying to think of ideas of how to encourage her more and keep her mind going. It's definitely a struggle for me as I am not at all creative, but a struggle worth battling.

New Pics

Check out our picture link to the right for new pictures.

Church Support

Yesterday evening at our church's Membership Meeting, we were given the opportunity to share about going to full time missions. We shared about how we got to the point of making the decision, how we felt God calling us, and to ask for prayer as we continue in that direction. After we and 2 other couples shared, we were sent out of the room so they could discuss us. There were 3 couples in our same position so it took a long time before they told us we could come back into the meeting. We were starting to wonder if they had forgotten about us. We were then told that they were giving us their full support. To LeRoy and I that is always an overwhelming thought, of having so many people giving us their support and prayer as we continue on preparing to serve in Mexico.

Please continue praying with us for a team to come together. Thanks.

Two Feet & Two Hands

We had our ultrasound today and it was so reassuring to see two arms with two hands, two legs with two feet, and face with two eyes and a nose, and especially to see baby's heart pumping strongly. As far as we could see our baby looks perfect and healthy. So I am telling myself that really is how things are. But I will only feel 100% confident in that fact once I hear it from my midwife, since the technician today can't tell us anything. It sure made my day to see our baby, and to see the little miracle that God has blessed our family with. We were not able to get pictures yet, as we were in a bit of a rush afterwards, and it works a little differently at the Health Sciences with that, but hopefully in the future we will have some pics to post to show you all. I was tempted to put some up that we have of Brooklyn and just say it was baby #2, but decided to rather wait till we have this baby's real pictures. Thanks to God for protecting our little one.

#14

That's how many teeth Brooklyn now has. She cut her 2nd eye tooth this night. Last night she went to bed 3 hours later than her normal bed time, and that is not usual for her when we're at home. But now I understand why she didn't want to go to sleep. She's done that with some other teeth as well, so it now all makes sense. Only 6 more teeth to go. YAY:)

Little girls

Two of my cousins have had baby girls in the last few weeks and I can't see either of them as they are in Alberta. Jessica Raine was born August 20 (Holly is that right) to my cousin Holly and husband Scott. Holly and I are really close and when Jessica was born, I was so tempted to fly down for the day. Risa Danae was born yesterday to my cousin Jared and wife Dwylla. I think when others' have little girls, I can relate a little since we have one for ourselves. I don't know what it is like having a boy, maybe we'll find out soon, but there is something special in a little girl. Maybe boys are the same way, but I tend to think they are special in a different sort of way. Girls are sweet and just have a way of touching your heart the moment you lie your eyes on them. It seems all little girls especially grab their daddy's hearts and have their daddy's wrapped around their little fingers in no time.


As my pregnancy goes on, I think about this baby and what he/she will be like. Will we have another one like Brooklyn, or will this be totally different? Is he a he, or is she a she? We have an ultrasound next week, and I am so excited. We are not going to find out what sex this baby is, we want it to be a surprise. To us that is half the excitement. We just have to wait and see. What will our baby be?

A LOOOOOOOOOONG weekend

Today I am so thankful for friends and family. Why? LeRoy is working all weekend, so it isn't even hardly a weekend for us. He worked late last night, tonight, tomorrow (Saturday) and even on holiday Monday. Yes it is hard knowing you won't see your husband as much, but thankfully I have a few friends and a sister who are helping me with Brooklyn and helping to keep me busy. Yesterday 3 girlfriends and I went swimming in the afternoon, went for supper and then came to my place for the evening. This helps pass the time so well, and it is a little easier to take care of Brooklyn when there are other people around. Today my sister Lisa is coming over to babysit Brooklyn while I go to work, then staying the night, and watching Brooklyn while I work again tomorrow. So I guess I am thankful that I can work this weekend too, since LeRoy isn't home anyways. But I am very excited that it is my last weekend working although it feels weird knowing I will not be going back to Hull's after this next baby is born. Anyway back to the weekend thing. Sometimes it is so good to keep busy, so I don't have to think of the fact that I have Brooklyn more to myself this weekend. It's tiring running after a toddler. And I know Brooklyn will be really excited to see her daddy again tomorrow, as she hasn't seen him since Wednesday night. All in all it should still be a great weekend, because we're going to make it a great weekend. And weekends like this make me thankful for such a hard working husband as LeRoy is. We sure do love him.

As I read what I just wrote, I think I was a bit jumbled with words today. But that isn't so unusual for me, so hopefully it at least made sense. Have a great sunshiny day:)

Keep on Praying

We wanted to say thank you to all of you who prayed for us last week as we met with Uncle Ken regarding missions stuff. It went really well and our nerves settled quite quickly as we began to visit. Although we do not have 100% affirmation yet if we are accepted (we'll find out in October), we were given more affirmation that things look good. Our references need to get their papers in, and then the board of missions will discuss us, and we'll have an interview with them in October. And then we'll know 100% what our future lies. Or at least whether we are for sure going or not. What we do know pretty much for sure is that once we're accepted and have done a year of language school, we will be living somewhere in the Chihuahua State area of Mexico.

We ask that you would keep on praying along with us as we are not wanting to go alone. EMC Board of Missions really would like to send a team, but as of yet, we are the only ones who have applied for Mexico. We have been told there is some interested but still not 100% sure. We would really like to go with someone, as it would be a little less scary. So we are praying that someone will feel God calling them to Mexico with us, to serve in some way down there.

That is really all we know up to this point, so please keep us in your prayers.

The Gift of Giving

Some of you may have already heard, but last weekend Faith bought me the most extravagant gift ever. It was something that I'd had my eye on for a while, and we went and looked at it while it was on sale, but i had decided that i was okay with not buying it. It was a new camera. For one thing, I thought it was quite selfish of me to ask for a new toy, when I knew that wasn't exactly something that Faith would prefer to spend money on. AND even though it was on a great sale, it wasn't cheap. I was just telling Faith a few days earlier that I had come to terms with it, you know, we would be wiser to save the money, or spend it on more important things, not so selfishly. Personally, I sometimes struggle in this area, and maybe some of you do too, that when you set your mind on something you want to buy, or see, or do, you find a million different ways of justifying it in your own mind, even when the conscientious, or sensible side of you says otherwise.

Anyway, back to the gift. Actually no, the gift-giver. I have been marveling this week about Faith's wonderful gift of giving gifts. She loves to do things for others in this way. The way that she so unselfishly outdid herself by surprising me, well it amazes me. She wanted to see the joy in me, she said, when I saw her surprise me. You know how sometimes, or is it often, how our experiences with other people can color and change our perception of God? Well in this case this experience made me think about how unselfishly God blesses us with His gifts, some which we take for granted daily, just so that we may acknowledge Him and bring Him joy. Wow, I need to take time to be more thankful for what God has given me! It also again brought me to ask the question, "Am I an unselfish individual, willing to give of myself for others?"

And yes, on a lighter, less philosophical and theological note, I have had an awesome time taking pictures with our new camera. Faith says she was helping me fulfill a dream of mine, and yes she has.

Nerves....

I'm amazed at how nerves can control a person's day. Today I (Faith) am full of nerves about our future. I find it strange how a person can feel extremely nervous but also excited all at the same time, about the same situation. If you have no clue as to what I am refering to, I am meaning our future in missions. Tonight we are sitting down with Ken Zacharias (my uncle but also the head of EMC Missions) to find out what and how steps start to happen. I am so nervous about this meeting, but I'm not totally sure why. I guess it probably has to do with what our future exactly holds to get to the point of going on missions outside Canada. We are hoping to have some questions (we're not sure what those questions are exactly) answered, and just be informed as the progress of our application. For those of you who hadn't heard or read earlier, we handed in our application early July. So hopefully after tonight we can answer some of the questions we've been asked by others, a little more clearly. One question I think we can answer quite confidently is that we are hoping and planning to start language school at the Rio Grande Bible Insitute in Texas in August 2008.

I don't know if I have ever been so full of different emotions all at once, with the exception of waiting for Brooklyn to be born. Fear, nervousness, excitement, anxiousness, clueless, etc. These make me think back to when I first felt "called" to be a part of missions. It was before LeRoy was in the picture, back in my second year of college. It happened quite quickly, one morning. I woke up after a short night of sleep, and I was all of a sudden extremely excited to get out of Canada to spread the Good News. I started looking for orphanage's who needed help, Haiti was my dream. That dream ended once LeRoy came into the picture, but he also had a huge heart for missions. So together after years of pondering, praying, thinking, thinking, thinking, we felt that God wanted us somewhere else. A new dream. To live somewhere outside Canada, using our gifts to minister to the Spanish. So our journey and adventure has begun.

I am terrified to bring our little family to a place we've never been, to leave our family and friends, but at the same time extremely excited to begin a new adventure in a new land. To give what we've been giving here, to people out there. We've been shown over and over again that God takes care of our every need, and because of that fact I know God will be with us every step of the way, before we even ask for His help.

Please pray for us as we continue on this journey.

Memories

It's amazing how much time passes by since the last time LeRoy and I have just sat and talked. Yah we talk everyday, but the deeper stuff only comes out once in a while. Thursday was that day. LeRoy decided we were going to sit by the fire once Brooklyn was in bed, with some hot chocolate and catch up with how each other was doing. Well of course that type of situation makes a person talk. So we talked and talked and got a better understanding of where we were at individually and as a couple. We definitely need to make it more of an effort in the future.
Saturday was fun filled day of harvest time helping my parents. LeRoy drove the graintruck all day, back and forth from the field, while us girls hung out in the house, and joined the guys for supper on the field, a harvest time tradition. Here is a couple pics of Brooklyn enjoying the time on the field.




Yesterday was another great day with my family. The guys (Dad, LeRoy, AJ) went to Teulon to enjoy the tractor pull. LeRoy had never been which is foreign to our family as we use to go every year. Us girls took in an afternoon of shopping and supper. It's great to be able to make memories with family, to go out and do stuff, instead of always just sitting around visiting. It was a nice change.
We hope you are all doing well enjoying your summers as much as we are.

Camping

I (Faith) now know I hate setting up camp for only one night. That is what we did this last weekend, but it was not planned that way. This last weekend was our annual SBC camping trip, for whoever is around from our classes to come. The plan was to go to Birds Hill on Friday evening but because of a huge storm that went through there the night before, they had to close the park till Saturday. We were so dissapointed as we were almost out the door. Understandable though as trees were uprooted and they had a huge mess to clean up. Saturday morning came, and they almost didn't open then either, but finally decided to let us come. So we left late morning and got there shortly after 12 to make the most of the day. It ended up being an excellent weekend with friends, hanging out and just having fun. Brooklyn did so well (this was our first time camping this summer, so we weren't sure how she'd handle it) we are hoping to go at least one more time yet this summer by ourselves.
This week is just another week, hanging out at home. With the exception that I get to go shopping tomorrow with a friend. YAY:) A much needed outing for me.

Miracle

Yesterday we heard our baby's heartbeat for the first time. It was so exciting to finally hear it, to know there really is a baby in there. Thankfully the heartbeat sounded healthy and strong, along with some kicks. I first felt baby kick Monday night, and now every evening I can feel he/she do a dance for us. What a miracle babies are. Even after having Brooklyn, this baby feels just as much a miracle. To think that God created this human being, using me in the process to give it a home, and in 9 months a baby is formed and ready to enter this terrifying world. Amazing.

Pickles and other sour things

It has been quite a week, almost a sour week, that being the reason we haven't written. When you come back from holidays you hope for a quiet week, full of nothings at home. That was not the case for us. Brooklyn got sick with some kind of viral mouth infection which also came with a fever. She was miserable all week, and finally today is back to herself. She had canker like sores all over her mouth, inside and out. This made her feel horrible as it was painful to eat anything. She also had a hard time sleeping, the pain kept waking her up. Through all this she is also teething all four of her eye teeth. I am so thankful for health and glad this last week is over. This week was harder than when she had the chicken pox.
On a more cheerful note, I was so proud of myself last week. I canned pickles and peaches for the first time ever using LeRoy's great-grandma's recipe. It is so quick and easy that I had 4 jars of pickles canned in half an hour. Yes that is from start to finish. For those of you who have no idea why that is impressive, it is known to take hours. And yes they taste great.
Yesterday (Sunday) LeRoy and I went on a long overdue date. We went to see Bourne Ultimatum. What an awesome movie. We loved the first two, and this one was even better. For me it made the first two movies make a lot more sense.
I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend as much as we did, and have a Blessed week.