They Are Back!

The ladies are back up and sewing.

From Heartline...

"Today our sewing ladies started to sew for the first time since the earthquake on January 12th. They refused to work in the house or even on the upstairs porch. So we set the sewing machines up in a neighbor's yard and put a tarp over the area so the ladies will be out of the hot sun."



Don't these women bring joy to your heart?

Can't wait to celebrate their lives, their work and pray for their country on February 15. Please join us!

When a Doorbell Means Good News

Look what just showed up on my door step!

The purses from Haiti for the purse party.

They are here! A TON of them!

Is it weird that I went through the box examining the bags with tears running down my face?

Hard to hold them and wonder...is the beautiful woman who made this bag still alive?

Are her children?

I wonder where she is living?

I'm eager to share these purses with you...and for us to pray over Haiti.

More details about the party here.

Hope you can make it.

Something Bigger

Some days I need a little perspective.

You know, when things like spilled orange juice and a lost Language Arts book about ruins my day.

It's good to step away from my little, laughable life and listen to the things God is doing around the world. My problems seem like a funny joke.

If you're needing some inspiration today...a big breath of miracle filled air...here are some links that have left me teary eyed this week.

These stories have moved me and caused me to get up from the computer, take a good look around me and thank God for refreshing perspective...where spilled orange juice is not the end of the world, it's an opportunity to show grace and a lost Language Arts book is not cause for crap to hit the fan in this house...it's a reason to ask forgiveness and share the gospel with my kids.

Confession of my brattyness to a loving God is always good for my soul. When God opens the window and lets me look outside of my own kitchen, that's also good for my soul.

Thought I would share the view in case you find yourself with bratty insides today in need of some fresh air.

Enjoy!

Kisses from Katie. Have you subscribed to her blog yet? You'll be blessed, promise.

Remember the story I shared a week ago on this blog about the Iveys waiting to bring their son Amos home from Haiti? He's home! Take a few minutes to soak up the goodness of the Lord through the pictures and stories on their blog.

Amos

Ryan sent me some other great links to some Haitian adoption-related blogs.

A few days ago all these babies came home. Read about how God gave the fatherless a father...the pictures alone will mess up your mascara.

Frankie

Kembert

Naomi

Sammy and Gino

I love this story....

Apparently, this couple's child was supposed to be on the same plane as the children united with the families above. But he wasn't.

So...

The husband grabbed a back pack, loaded it up with some underwear and a few snacks, hopped on a plane and went to Haiti to bring his son home.

Who has a big knot in their throat?

You can follow their story here...and maybe let them know you're waiting with them for God to do what He's famous for...the impossible.

Ah...

Doesn't perspective feel nice?

Great Video and Adoption Update

I don't want to forget Haiti. I know you don't either.



If you haven't seen this yet, please take some time to watch it.

I watched this video in short spurts today in between lots of other things going on around my home.

Chilling

Sobering

Convicting

Inspiring

_________________________

Noel Piper mentioned this link on her blog.

If God is moving in your heart about adopting a child from Haiti down the road, this is an excellent post to read with lots of useful information.

Not A Movie You'd Watch In Sunday School, but...

Aaron loved it.

He can't stop talking about it.

Remember this movie?

No Impact Man?




Well...

We want to watch it with friends.

If you're available on Monday, February 1 at 7 p.m. (and live here locally, or nearby) a group of us are watching this movie in the Cambridge Movie Room. Here's a map to the location.

The movie will be free.

We can have up to 50 people.

Aaron went ahead and watched it to see if it was any good (and to count how many "f" bombs explode.) I told him I didn't want to watch it until I was surrounded by friends. I want to experience it with others.

Several...and I mean several times while he was watching the movie, Aaron called me and said, "This is incredible. So many things worth talking about are brought up in this documentary."

And Aaron wasn't talking about the environment.

He didn't leave the film with a new desire to save the planet, at least in the way the man in the movie wanted to save the planet.

Maybe one of the last words I'd use to describe Aaron is "environmentalist" much to the chagrin of his organic eating, bread making, recycling wife.

Instead, Aaron said he walked away deep in thought about life, what it looks like to live radically different from the world around us, the importance of community and how incredible it is to see anyone living out their convictions.

Our plan is to get together with friends, watch the movie, and maybe have some great discussion afterward about some of the many brain jarring topics addressed in this documentary.

A warning:

The people in this documentary are not people you'd find leading up the preschool department at your church.

I'm just guessing here, but I'm pretty sure the wife has never done a Beth Moore Bible Study and the husband has no idea who John Piper is.

They live in New York City.

Their language is quite spicy.

The documentary is a little rough on ears that go to church every time the door is open.

Obviously our kids aren't going to watch this movie. Monday night will be a date night, not a family fun night.

Normally we don't go out looking for movies like this to watch, and sheesh...when we do, we keep it a secret and don't tell anyone or recommend the movie. We know how to play the Christian game...if you try to "take us," you'd totally lose.

But this is different to us. It doesn't have to be different to you, but it is to us.

This is a documentary of a family's life. These people are real. They are honest. They are themselves. They are a lot like many of our neighbors, co-workers and friends.

It's amazing how truth is truth. It's sort of beautiful to see that this family has stumbled upon some strong, hard, God-written, kingdom filled truths.

Aaron felt pretty privileged to have been given the opportunity to be a part of this family's journey.

Next Monday.

February 1.

7:00

Cambridge House

Movie

Friends

Great discussion about the environment, our motives to care for the earth as believers, humility, stewardship, living in community, and living out our convictions in every area of life.

Spread the Word!

Come on...you know you're dying to know what this couple used for toilet paper for an entire year without making any trash. I have a list a mile long of all the questions I want answered in this movie, but they are too gross to mention on a blog.

We need you to RSVP by either commenting or emailing me. Really...if for some crazy reason 50 people want to watch this movie, we need to know when to announce "all full."

Purse Party to Help Heartline in Haiti

My friend Melda sent me the neatest idea for helping Haiti. Melda's oldest son was adopted from Heartline Ministries. Heartline is the orphanage connected to Aaron Ivey and the Livesay family.

Here's Melda's oldest son:

Here's Melda...

I know..

It's creepy how much they look alike.

Okay...enough of that.

I was THRILLED to hear how something simple we can do in the US can go to the orphanage and women's center that Heartline Ministries runs.


A Purse Party.

What is it?

Well...we get together and buy purses that are handmade by ladies who are loved and cared for by Heartline Ministries.

I actually looked into Haitian Creations during the time when we were trying to educate ourselves about fair trade. What a great way to know where your purse is coming from, who made it and to use our money for good. If you search the website, you can see actual pictures of the women who are sewing the bags you order. What beautiful work Heartline is doing! Loving people in tangible ways and sharing the hope of the gospel with the women and children in their care.

Right now, the women can't work because the room where they normally sew is being used as the clinic at Heartline Ministries. So...if you are following the Livesay's blog and Heartline's blogs then when you see pictures of the people in the clinics...that's where the women who run Haitian Creations are normally sewing their purses.

Thankfully Heartline still has a lot of inventory. There are lots and lots of purses available to sell.

Every cent goes to help these women and children. Even the lady who called me today to organize the party is a volunteer.

From Heartline:

"Each week over 100 women come through our center as part of our various programs. These women live day to day just trying to make it through and feed their children. Many are just trying to survive. Our program changes that. Women who have never earned a dollar in their lives are now earning money as they sew. Women who had no parenting skills are now taking better care of their children. Women who could not read and write are now learning to. Women who have had no prenatal care are getting the attention they so desperately need. Women light up when they hear the sound of their baby’s heartbeat for the first time."

I spoke with a woman from Haitian Creations today. They are excited about our ladies here in College Station hosting a purse party! They will be shipping us a box filled with purses next week.

Then we party it up. Some sweet friends have offered to help get this party started.

We'll meet, look at the purses, purchase our favorite bag and be blessed that we get to give in such a sweet way.

The purses range from $20-$50.

We'll also have a time of directed prayer for Haiti, specifically focusing on the orphanages and women's centers. Thankfully people from these incredible ministries update their blogs regularly, which means the night of the purse party we will know exactly how to pray for these people who are hurting.

I think this will be a fun night of shopping, prayer and maybe we'll even have a guest speaker. We're still working on those details.

Here's what I need to know for now:

I'm thinking we'll have the party on Monday, February 15.

My house can hold about 50 people if we don't all have to be in the living room.

If more than 50 women want to come, we will need to find a bigger location...which is fine, but I just need to know beforehand.

So...

If you think you'd like to come to a purse party for Haiti on Monday, February 15 please let me know. If you want to help host it, let me know that as well. Hosts will probably just bring a dessert or snack to share.

Maybe you could ask someone who loves you to give you a Haitian purse for Valentines Day! I will most definitely be dropping some loaded hints to Aaron and my boys. Not really. I'll just come right out and say I'd really love one of these for Valentine's Day.

Please spread the word. Invite your friends. And let me know if you plan to come so we can make sure we have room for everyone. If you live here locally (or in nearby cities) we'd love to have you!

If you don't live here locally...

You can help this ministry by buying a purse online or by having your own purse party! If you have a party, you better send me pictures of your fun get together!

No Impact Man

Can't wait to watch this!

What a huge undertaking.

No trash for one year.

Can't even imagine.

We Hendricks are trash making machines.

This trailer has a yuck word in it. Maybe wait till your chillin's aren't around to watch it.



Seems like this family was changed forever.

Beautiful.

Wish there was a way to get a big group together to watch this.

Looking into it...

For the locals...

"David Mebane, Class of ’98 and owner of Spoons in College station, is donating every penny in sales he receives {today} (Thursday, January 21st) to the American Red Cross. If you haven’t been there, the yogurt is awesome. Let’s see if we can assist him in breaking record sales while helping those less fortunate." (Copied from the Spoons Facebook group)

If you haven't checked out Spoons yet today is the day!

Ross King wrote some funny funny things about Spoons...

"So a couple of days ago, Staci and I decided to take the kids to this new locally-owned yogurt shop here in town. Everybody's been making a big deal about it, and it's basically ice cream that lets you pretend you're not a gluttonous double-wide lardo, so of course we thought we should check it out."

To laugh a little harder, read the rest of the post here. If a land flowing with sweetened condensed milk doesn't sell you on eating at Spoons today, then hopefully the dire need of the Haitian people will.

Unknown Void

"B-64, N-22, I-15"

Rachel called out the numbers in a much louder voice than I'd ever heard fall out of her mouth.

"G-78, O-52, B-1"

Shriveled hands attached to shriveled, non-gently used bodies, slowly reached for tiny plastic circles.

It was Bingo night at the nursing home.

We sat and watched the residents play.

The boys each had a card.

I was a little surprised at how eager Hayden was to totally smear the elderly at Bingo.

"We'll talk about that when we get home." I made a note to myself and kicked his chair under the table when he talked trash too much.

I wonder if anyone can leave the elderly without something "not quite right" sitting in their chest. I can't sit with someone who is 98 years old and not have monstrous, tangled thoughts mulling around in my mind on my drive home.

I'm no mother Teresa. This isn't a post about "look at me, I went to the nursing home." Rachel, from our church organized the event. I wanted to go, but it's a hard place to be. The "old folks" are precious, sweet and kind. But you have to yell at them so they can hear you, and that's weird. Talking loud makes my face hot. The elderly tell the same stories over and over like a record that needs readjusting. That can be awkward for some reason even though you're the only person aware of the spin cycle the conversation seems to be caught in.

There were times, I'll admit that one of them would cough and I would think, "What if they died...right now. right here."

I asked Aaron if he wanted to go with me and he paused. "What?," I said with a teasing head tilt. "Yes. I'll go," was his response. I stared at him...deep into his face. "Do you want to go? You don't have to go. I'll take the older boys and you can stay home with Hudson."

pause

"There's no good reason I don't want to go, so I'm going" was his answer.

Just putting all that out there because I don't want to tell our story and jump straight to the noble parts leaving out the all the yuck.

We want to care for the elderly. We just stink at it.

Nursing homes are a hard place to visit and a hard concept to think through.

It's difficult, I think to sit face to face with reality.

We're all going to "get old."

Our parents are going to "get old."

No one likes to think about the last dance or the last day of vacation.

I found myself looking at the sweet men and women

thinking

"Who were you way-back-when, before a mob of days slowly, diligently pecked away at your outsides?"

Were you stunning?

Were you brilliant?

Were you loving?

Were you kind?

Did people want to be around you or avoid you?

So weak, so frail...

But there was a time when your son thought you were a mountain.

We were blessed last night to sit with these hidden treasures.

As I tossed around in my bed last night I couldn't help but wonder...

Surely we are missing something.

Some crucial ingredient has been lost.

I believe God created us to learn from every stage of this journey called life. I think He created us to learn from every "member" every "season" of our church body...even the weaker elements.

The church is molded in some ways by how we consider children, minister to them, and accommodate their special needs.

We learn things from babies, whether they are our own or someone else's.

I think of who I was before I had children. I am not the same person. Having my babies in my life has molded me into someone else. someone different.

The way I think and process information has changed because I am a mother.

The way I relate to God, know Him and read the Bible is not the same today on this side of motherhood.

God has used these tiny beings, God's sweet creation to teach me about the gospel and given me opportunities to live out the gospel in my life.

I can't say the same for the elderly.

I'm never around them. They are a part of the body that is removed from me and I from them.

And so I find myself wondering...is there a void in my life? Is there a black hole in my thinking, in the way I process information?

If the elderly are no longer included in the life of the church, is the church hurting? Are we missing out on God's desire to teach us through the lives of older saints?

Would we be a different group of people because of the way we cherished, cared for and made accommodations for the elderly? Would we be a more radiant bride?

After only a short time, I left that group of people last night with a clearer perspective.

An hour and half in their presence, and I was changed.

I literally felt it.

In the middle of bingo numbers being yelled (and repeated several times) I found myself sitting with Jesus

confessing...

So much of what I do every day will not matter one day.

asking...

Help me live for what is eternal.

begging...

Help me to leave a legacy of faith and love.

wondering...

If something big is missing in my life and in the life of the church because the "old people" are no longer there.

My Arm Pits

Well, I write about everything else around here so why not?

In case you don't know this about me, I think I have cancer about every four months.

Don't laugh.

It's for real.

Is there a fear of getting cancer? I'm sure there's a word for it. Well...I have that. It's not life consuming or anything, but I must acknowledge that it's there. I know I shouldn't live in fear of cancer. I'm not saying it's right. I'm just admitting I do and have been known to say to the Lord, "I'm sorry I am always afraid of cancer."

If I have a headache I think it's a tumor and find myself regretting that I haven't been more diligent about scrapbooking and then brainstorming nannies for Aaron to hire when I die. And yes. Multiple nannies. That's how many I think it would take to keep things afloat around here. A lot of pride comes out during these imagined near-death experiences. At some point (usually during the imaginary nanny interviews where I coldly dismiss all "the others" and hire Mary Poppins) I stop myself and realize how dumb I'm being (about the cancer...not Mary Poppins. I totally know she'd come here.)

If one of my children's lymph nodes are swollen it's straight to the Amazing Doctor Bacak they go. Pretty sad when your doctor knows the first thing he needs to tell you after examining your son's neck is..."It's not cancer." I've gone to the doctor for suspected leg cancer, eye cancer, esophagus cancer..you get the gist.

I don't think anyone in my family (blood related) has ever had cancer, so I'm unsure why I jump to the cancer conclusion so quickly. I'm not a hypochondriac in any other way. Promise. My kids rarely get sick and go to the doctor practically never (except when I'm sure they have cancer). They also don't go to the dentist very often either (something I need to change). Aaron thinks the dentist is a bunch of hoo-do, so he doesn't help in my need to be more responsible with teeth cleanings.

Cancer scares me. Maybe I've watched way too many lifetime movies. Who knows.

Part of my fear of cancer is silly. Part of it may not be. Because of the way people eat these days, and how our food is grown I think we may have some real reasons to be careful. Maybe it is wise to want to get back to eating healthier foods the way God created them instead of eating food a business created in a factory (exhibit A: Velveeta. What the crap is that stuff? I'm pretty sure Velveeta was a failed experiment for the space shuttle program that some Nasa Scientist in "product recovery" added cheese "flavoring" to giving the block of "what in the world is this" a new purpose. Goodbye lab. Hello grocery store.) I just read recently that our generation is the first generation predicted to not live longer than our parents and grandparents. Crazy!

This will make you laugh:



I think it might be wise to want to get back to doing things with an acknowledgment of the way God created our world to run (as best we can). It's probably good to want to honor God by how our food is grown, and the way we eat. I'll admit that I'm growing more and more cautious of big business (particularly the food industry). We probably need to be cautious of anything fueled by greed and money. The Bible teaches us how corrupt we can become if we're pursuing personal gain.

I want my "fear of cancer" to be more than silly fear. I want a healthy fear of God and the way He designed our world to work and our bodies to run. I want to honor Him as Creator who knows more about what our bodies need than we do or big business probably does. I'm just not completely there yet.

Food aside, Kirby has thoroughly freaked me out recently about my antiperspirant.

So I made the switch.

Lynsey gave me some of the deodorant pictured above.

This deodorant does not contain aluminum (an ingredient that may possibly cause cancer or Alzheimers). I guess if you could get cancer and Alzheimers that might not be so bad. You'd forget you had cancer, I guess. The problem is I don't think you can guarantee you'll get both cancer and Alzheimers so I want to be careful. I shouldn't joke about these things. That one was just too tempting.

To some people an antiperspirant without aluminum may mean it's a deodorant without anything in it that actually works. So far I am pleased to announce that I haven't been e-stinky (say that like Nacho Libre) but I'm not sure if it actually keeps me from sweating. It's winter. I'm freezing. The summer might be a whole new world with my new non-cancerous arm pits.

Before I agreed to make the switch and sweat like a man, I read a lot online about whether or not antiperspirants (and the aluminum inside them) is linked to cancer (specifically breast cancer).

The studies are inconclusive. Many studies found a definite link. Many others were not so sure. Everyone in the cancer field seems to agree more research needs to be done before antiperspirants can be ruled out as carcinogens.

"Inconclusive" has always been enough to sway me towards being more cautious.

Just wanted to personally vouch that this deodorant works in the winter when I'm not super sweaty. That's all I know for now. It's the same price as name brand antiperspirant. I'll do an armpit follow up mid summer, okay?

I've heard you can make your own deodorant out of vodka. You better believe I'm looking into that. Any legit reason to buy vodka sounds cool to me. Then I can have Vodka in my bathroom like skanky Mrs. Hannigan.

dream. come. true. (eyes rolling)

Make Over For Me and For You! A Give Away!

If you're checking out this blog in your reader, head on over here in real life and check out our new "do!" I'm so excited!

My friend Kirby redid her blog and then I whined and complained and threw a fit so she helped me with mine.

Here's the fun part.

Kirby and Charlie recently turned in all their paperwork to New Life (the adoption agency we used while adopting Hudson). The Apels are officially in the process of adopting! How exciting! Kirby will write more about this soon on her own blog so stay tuned!

But for now, we wanted you to know of a great way to get your blog made-over and also be a part of funding an adoption.

Kirby has offered to give other blogs a face lift and 100% of the profit will go into their adoption fund for their baby!

Check out Kirby's blog. It's beautiful! Go on over and "ooh and awww over it."

For $40 Kirby will create you a new header using pictures you have selected and make minor "tweaks" in your layout so it all matches.

You will love your new blog!

I'll admit it...I can't stop looking at mine! Surely this will wear off, right? I have things to do besides sit and look at these cute pictures of my kids! (Thank you Lynsey for the pictures and Kirby for making my blog so stinkin' cute!)

What a great way to be a part of adoption. I know not everyone is called to adopt, but we are all called to help the orphan in some way. Maybe this is one way the Lord will lead you to join in His work of caring for the orphan through adoption.

Your money will go towards bringing a new Apel home. Get excited!

_______________________________

To get the Apel's adoption fund up and running we are going to do something fun!

Kirby is going to give away one blog makeover for free.

To be entered into the drawing for a free header, please do the following:

1. Email ten of your friends who have blogs and tell them about what Kirby is doing to raise money for their adoption. Include Kirby in your email (kirbyapel@gmail.com).

2. Then come back here and leave a comment.

You can have an entry for every 10 friends. That means if you email 20 friends you are entered twice and so on. Each friend you email must have a blog.

For other ways to get multiple entries....

3. Blog about what Kirby is doing! You can link to this post. After blogging about it you can leave your comment here on the blog with a link to your blog in the comment.

4. Facebook this give away. Tell your Facebook friends about the blog make over (linking here). Then, leave a comment telling us you did so.

For right now, your blog needs to be hosted by blogger. Kirby is checking into whether or not she can work with other blog hosts, but for now...you have to be a blogger blogger.

Even if you don't have a blog will you help her spread the word? Maybe you can give away the makeover that you win to someone you love as a gift!

Husbands...this makeover would make the perfect gift for your wife's birthday or Valentine's Day!

We'll announce the winner on Friday.

If you want to have your blog remade, please go ahead and contact Kirby (kirbyapel@gmail.com). I am hopeful that there will be many who want to give towards adoption in this way. I recommend getting your name on her list so you don't have to wait as long for your make over. Obviously if you win the give away your header is free.

I can't wait to see all the new blogs. After a few weeks, I'm going to feature all of them on our blog in a post so we can go see the new looks!

Blueberries and Babies

Yep.

It's just that random around here.

First...because blueberries and sour cream are on sale at Kroger this week (at least where we live) I thought I'd share a yummy blueberry muffin recipe.

I made these the other day from the Family Supper Club blog. Delicious.

Muffins are a great and easy snack. I usually make a ton. After they are cooked, I freeze them in large freezer bags. Then when the kids want a snack, they get one out of the bag, pop it in the freezer for 30 seconds and wah-lah...a homemade snack made with real live ingredients. Gotta love that!

_____________________________

Second...babies.

Several of you have emailed me or left comments wanting to know about reputable adoption agencies in Haiti.

I feel like I need to define reputable. Forever, when I was looking into international adoption I would say, "reputable" when in fact I meant "easy" agency. From hearing so many stories of international adoption I think we all have to be honest and admit there is probably no "easy" way to adopt a child from another country. It's hard. It's complicated. Things come up. There are usually going to be complications. Good thing people adopt because God has called them to it instead of adopting because it's a walk in the park.

Now, when I say reputable I mean agencies that have a good reputation for adopting out children who are in fact orphans, or whose parents are willingly relinquishing their rights (not being paid to or forced to). "Reputable" to me now means, if you start the process and money has been handed over, you're coming home with your child.

I've talked to several people from Haiti or who have recently worked in Haiti and have connections there right now. They say that many adoptions have been postponed because the government buildings have collapsed. People who run orphanages and facilitate adoptions are expecting many adoptions that are already in the works to be delayed. This is heartbreaking for so many families who I'm sure already feel like they have waited forever to bring their child home.

Even though the adoptions are up in the air right now, I've seen on the news that there are in fact lots of babies and children being brought to orphanages (that were already overflowing with babies prior to the earthquake). Something in my heart tells me that although it may not happen soon, or be a possibility to adopt in the near future with all that is going on right now in Haiti that long term, there will be babies and children that need to be adopted down the road.

Yesterday my friend Megan and I contacted some adoption agencies and orphanges in Haiti. I want to share what I found in case you and your spouse want to begin praying about whether or not the Lord will have you begin the process now or soon to help Haiti and possibly adopt a child down the road as the country hopefully begins to heal.

Three agencies I contacted:

Heartline Ministries
This is a great website to browse. It will touch your heart.

Here's the page you go to in order to request information about adoption.

This is an orphanage and their blog is being updated with daily needs. I love having names of people to pray for.

The Livesay family works with Heartline Ministries. Do you know about them? If not their blog will blow your mind. I love these people. What a precious family, living in Haiti...you will be inspired. God will grow your faith through this family. Seriously...dump something off your reader and add this blog to your list. Feel free to give mine the boot.

Remember those t-shirts I was telling you about yesterday? 100% of the proceeds go to 3 organizations in Haiti. One of those organizations is this orphanage, Heartline Ministries. (The other two organizations are Compassion International and Real Hope for Haiti) Have you bought your shirt yet?

_____________________

NewLife Link

You can read their adoption information here.

Here's the contact: newlifelink@yahoo.com

When emailing them you must answer these questions in your initial email to them:

1. Do you believe in and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord ?

2. Are you active member (s) of a church ? If yes, please name the church, provide its address, explain to what denomination it belongs, and describe your involvement.

3. Are you single, married or divorced ?

4. How old are you and your spouse? ( if you are married ) How long have you been married ?

5. How many children do you already have at home? their ages ?

6. What gender and age range of the child you hope to adopt ?

___________________________________

God's Littlest Angels

This orphanage was featured on the news yesterday.

Their adoption information can be found here.

Here's the contact information: JBell6549@aol.com

Dixie, who runs the center has a blog she is keeping updated through this disaster. It's interesting, and a great place to stay in the know from someone in Haiti.

What did we do before blogs?

___________________________________

That's where we are...we've contacted these places and are waiting to hear back.

Want to be ready...just in case.

Kind of scares the crap out of me, but oh well...away we go.

This Just In from Aaron...

"If you can find a good deal on a Haitian baby, Heather...we'll talk."

Rock on!

Touching Story and T-Shirts

There are lots of terrific links in this post. Please take time today to visit each of them. You'll be blessed...cross my heart, promise.

Photo above and story copied from this site:

Austin family away from son in Haiti

Son is alive, but thousands of orphans in need

Updated: Wednesday, 13 Jan 2010, 7:18 PM CST
Published : Wednesday, 13 Jan 2010, 5:51 PM CST

• Matt Flener

"AUSTIN (KXAN) - An Austin family is one of hundreds with ties to the poor country of Haiti, but their story took a dramatic turn Tuesday when a major earthquake hit the country.

Singer and songwriter Aaron Ivey and his family live in Austin. They recently adopted a 2-year-old girl from Haiti named Story.

"She came home a couple of months ago," Ivey said. "She embodies this great story; this story that's going on all around the world where orphans find a mom and find a dad and find a home."

Yet his newly adopted son, Amos, 4, rode through the earthquake in Haiti. Amos was still waiting to come to the United States. The Haitian government delayed his paperwork in 2009.

Through a blog post at the rescue center where Amos lives about 20 miles outside of the capital Port-au-Prince, Ivey learned his son is alive after the quake.

"I think about Amos today who is in the middle of all this devastation," said Ivey. "My heart breaks for him I wish I was there as a father."

Ivey leads worship for The Austin Stone Community Church and released a song called "Amos Story" earlier this year about his struggle to adopt his two children from the impoverished country.

"There's a lyric in the song that says 'Another sunrise hits the ground. It's another dark lonely night. I'll find a way to get you here,'" Ivey said. "[There's] this picture of the sense of darkness that's come over the people there. But there's just this picture of hope going on right now and God doing great things in the middle of this tragedy."

Meanwhile, his wife Jamie has stayed connected to constant updates on the internet about the country, including the rescue center Real Hope For Haiti . "There are just tons of kids that need help," she said. "Our prayer is that they would want to speed up the [adopted] children out." The Iveys still do not know what happened to the building where Amos' paperwork is held. They pray they will learn soon what will happen to their son. They are still in constant contact through the rescue center's blog. They are also keeping people updated on Amos' situation at Ivey's blog ."

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DO I REALLY NEED TO GIVE?

Can you imagine your child being caught up in the middle of this devastation and not being able to get to them?

The kids and I just listened to President Obama update us on the Haiti situation. The US has promised 100 million in aid.

100 million in aid? That's a lot of money. It might be easy to kick back and think, "Wow. 100 million dollars going to Haiti. I probably don't need to give."

Well, right after Obama's announcement was made another person was interviewed that mentioned giving to faith based organizations in Haiti is the best, most effective way to get money and supplies to the people who need them the most. Apparently government stuff is a lot more tricky. Giving to faith based organizations guarantees our money goes directly to the place we want it to go and helps with these needs immediately.

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T-SHIRTS FOR HAITI

The Iveys (mentioned above) have created a t-shirt to help with the efforts in Haiti. You can buy the t-shirts here.

From the Ivey's blog:

"100% of the profit of each shirt goes directly to two organizations we also believe in and have a long-term relationship with. Real Hope For Haiti and Heartline (which is where the Livesays serve in PAP). Both of these places are getting critically low on supplies. We had already sold 100 shirts after having the shirts available for just a few hours. Keep spreading the word. And if you’re a ministry, church, band, apparel store…you can purchase these shirts in bulk at cost to help raise funds. We’ll get these funds directly to these ministries swiftly so they can begin to use the money to purchase those necessary relief items."

To keep up with the Ivey's adoption story and know how to pray for this family (and Amos) check back at their blog often:

Ivey's blog

Also, I have been looking at this blog:

Real Hope for Haiti

It's easy to read this blog, look at the pictures and know how to specifically pray throughout the day. Look at all those babies asleep on the ground. Can't look at it without crying.

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Jaime Ivey said something in the article above that stuck with me.

Something about wondering if the Haitian Government will speed up adoptions because of this earthquake. Let's pray that they do. And...my heart is stirred. What if more babies from Haiti will need homes?

It's one thing to say I will adopt again, but if I'm not ready to adopt again then do I really mean what I'm saying? If I've never contacted an agency or actually "done" anything my "willingness" to adopt is probably a little skewed. Babies don't fall out of the sky. No one is going to call me on my cell phone and ask if I'll take a baby from Haiti. I have work to do.

I'm using nap time today to figure out how to be ready in case a child from Haiti needs a home.

In the meantime maybe we can all buy a t-shirt!

It would also be helpful if we all spread the word about the t-shirts through email, facebook and blogs. Maybe your church or organization will want to buy some shirts in bulk.

Looking forward to how the Lord is going to use His people to be a blessing to Haiti.

Haiti

photo credit

I was going to write about deodorant today, but that seems real dumb when their was a huge earthquake in Haiti yesterday. (Writing about deodorant may be dumb any day, but especially today.)

If you're like me and have a hard time staying up to date about current events, hopefully this will help you to be informed today. I remember thinking, "The news should totally stream below Sesame Street or Blues Clues. Then I'd know that huge things were going on outside of my insulated existence."

From BBC's website:

The extent of the devastation from a huge quake in Haiti is slowly emerging, with President Rene Preval saying thousands of people are feared dead.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon said the head of the UN mission in Haiti and his deputy were among more than 100 staff missing.

The 7.0-magnitude quake, Haiti's worst in two centuries, struck south of the capital, Port-au-Prince, on Tuesday.

The Red Cross says up to 3m people have been affected. Port-au-Prince's Roman Catholic archbishop is reported killed.

A priest at the Saint Jacques Missionary Centre in western France told Associated Press news agency Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot had been found dead in his office by fellow missionaries.

Parliament has collapsed. The tax office has collapsed. Schools have collapsed. Hospitals have collapsed Haitian President Rene Preval Haiti: LIVE NEWS In pictures: Haitian earthquake Worst of places for a quake Haiti: How to help

In his first interview since the earthquake, President Preval told the Miami Herald newspaper in the US he feared thousands of his people had died.

Describing the scene in the capital as "unimaginable", he said: "Parliament has collapsed. The tax office has collapsed. Schools have collapsed. Hospitals have collapsed.

"There are a lot of schools that have a lot of dead people in them."

Read the full story here.

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Haiti is the second poorest country in the world. An earthquake obviously adds insult to injury.

Many of you who come here are connected in some way to ministries in Haiti. Many of you know missionaries there. Will you please keep us updated on how our brothers and sisters are doing in Haiti as you get word? Will you let us know specifically how to pray and how to help?

I'm thankful for the church at times like this. Watching the news this morning and seeing the pictures my heart is heavy. How can I help? What can I do? Thankfully God has already placed brothers and sisters in Christ right in the middle of this situation. They are already there. They know the needs and know the people.

I'm guessing they are going to need our prayers and our money.

Let's all pray and talk to our spouses (if you have one) about how we can help.

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One great way to give is through Compassion International.

Meredith, a girl who goes to church with us is very involved with Compassion.

She received this email from the Compassion staff:

How can you help?

*Please be in prayer for our staff, Compassion-assisted children and families in Haiti. We currently partner with 230 local churches, reaching out to more than 65,000 children and their families…2200 CSP moms & babies, and almost 100 LDP students in this country! Pray that God protects them from harm. Also pray for the government and leadership in Haiti as they respond to this disaster.

*A gift of $35 will help one family receive emergency supplies of food and clean water for about one week…$350 will help 10 families, and so on."

Go here to pay online through Compassion International. It's $35. We can all do this.

Meredith also mentioned that a family is designing some t-shirts to help raise money for Haiti. I'll pass along that information once I get more details.

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What a great opportunity to grab our kids and a globe. Show them where Haiti is, and pray with our children for the people of this devastated country.

Just found out the Red Cross building is totally destroyed.

Let's pray!

Our lady boy

Mom Hendrick decides to do the Shred.

Has to buy some arm weights.

Meet the arm weights...


Look like regular ol' arm weights, right?

Well, not to Hayden.

He comes walking into the kitchen last night and announces...

"Look Mom! I'm a lady!"

Meet the boy lady:


Mom Hendrick is speechless.

Look how he's holding them.

Terrible!

I didn't know whether to get onto him, suggest a good bra or laugh.

The laughter just came out, so I rolled with it and said...

"Why don't you go show daddy?"

Boys, boys, boys.

Coupon Class and My New Obsession

Don't forget...

The coupon class is coming to Cypress (Houston) this Friday night (January 15).

We'd love to have you!

Kirby and I will teach you how to save lots of money on your groceries and toiletries. We'll send you home with recipes, and hopefully you'll have a lot of fun too.

Go here to read more about the class and find out how to sign up.

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This girl.

Oh this girl.

Her name is Katie.

She's the white one in the picture.

It might be neurotic, but it's true.

I love her.

I've never met her.

I pray for her.

I think about her.

Yep. Super weird.

Click on the picture. It will enlarge. So will your heart.

I believe movies will be made about Katie one day, and we'll read books about her life.

Her story is that inspiring.

You can read about her young life on her blog.

This excerpt will get you started. Copied straight from Katie's blog: It's long. Oh get over it. This will change your life today!

It is my 16th Birthday and I am eating sushi at my favorite restaurant with my parents when I tell them that I would like to explore the possibility of taking a year in between high school and college to do mission work. This is unheard of in my family and they say they are not sure and will think about it. I am nervous, but somehow I know it is right. He changes their hearts.

I have just turned 18 and find an orphanage online. I beg my parents to let me visit over break, just three weeks. A month later I am on a plane. I am so excited. I am so scared of being, but I know He is going with me. I fall in love.

I graduate high school having made the commitment to teach Kindergarten for a year at a school in The Middle of Nowhere, Uganda. In August I get on the plane. I’m apprehensive and I cry most of the way because I miss my Mommy and my boyfriend. I am eager, but so uncertain. I trust Him. I teach 138 children how to speak English and to love Jesus.

It is October and I am just not sure I can do it anymore. I live in the smallest room I have ever seen in the back of a pastor’s house. I am more uncomfortable than I had bargained for. No one understands, not people here, not people at home. I am tired. But I am prideful and I am not going to quit. I don’t like this. But I know He has a plan. I learn, I grow, He is there.

It is December and God has spoken very clearly about opening a ministry that sponsors 40 of the orphaned children in the village where I am working. This involves moving into a different house, ALONE. It is big and I cannot imagine how God will fill it up. I am lonely and I am anxious. But I am still trusting. He fills the house, and we now have 400 children sponsored.

It is January and I am looking at a little girl, crushed under a brick wall with no one to care for her or her younger siblings. I offer to take the three home with me until we find them a better placement. I am not really sure what to do with them, but I know they are God’s children. They stay.

It is three days later and the littlest looks at me and calls me mommy. My heart might break in two. Something clicks. I am even more scared than I was the day I stepped on that plane, but I KNOW. Today I have 13.

I have to deliver a baby, give a boy stitches, pull a tooth, give and injection. I am petrified. But no one will do it if I do not. He is present, He holds my hand, they are all fine.

It is August and I must get on a plane back to America to go to college, as I have promised my father. I do not remember how to be a teenager or what it is to be normal Brentwood, Tennessee. I will have to leave my babies. I will have to make new friends. I am sad and I am terrified. He wraps His arms around me. He puts just the right people in just the right places, and they help me and they make me feel at home.

First semester is over and He speaks clearly to me that I cannot serve two masters. “Go HOME,” He says, “and stay.” I am uncertain, but I want to be obedient. He squeezes tighter. I am thankful.

I have to look at my loving parents who have given me everything and tell them that I will not go to college right now, because I feel God wants me to be in Uganda. I know how disappointed and how angry they will be. I am more scared than I was when I got on the plane and more scared than I was when I took my first children. But I know that this IS the Plan. They love me anyway.

It is February and my daughter’s biological father comes to take her away. My heart breaks in half, and I am not sure I will ever be able to get out of my bed again, let alone foster another child. I am more than devastated, but I want what is best for her, what He wants for her. She comes back and her biological father learns about Jesus.

It is March and a lame little girl is brought to my gate. She is undoubtedly mine, but I am still anxious. What if I can’t do it? I don’t know what to do with a special needs child, especially as my 13th child. I am criticized and ridiculed. I wonder. I trust and praise God for her sweet little life. She starts to walk.

I find myself in a village full of starving people that for some reason seem to want to kill me. God says to serve them anyway. I am not sure how it is going to work, or if it is safe. I can’t figure it out, but I know He can. 1,200 Karamajongs, the poorest of Uganda’s poor, are now served hot meals daily.

We keep taking in more children until there are 400 in our program. There is no way we will raise enough funds, but by now I have stopped worrying. He has always provided. Blessings rain from the sky, and all 400 children go to school.

I am 20 years old and have 13 children and 400 more who all depend on me for their care. Who are all learning to love Jesus and be responsible adults and looking up to me. The reality of it all can be a bit overwhelming at times. However, it is always pure joy. There is a common misconception that I am courageous. I will be the first to tell you that this is not actually true. Most of the time, I am not brave. I just believe in a God who will use me even though I am not. Most mornings, before I even get out of bed I am overwhelmed with His goodness, with His plan for my life; I stand in awe of the fact that He could entrust me with so much. Most days, I don’t have much of a plan. I don’t always know where this is going. I can’t see the end of the road, but here is the great part: Courage is not about knowing the path. It is about taking the first step. It is about Peter, getting out of the boat. I do not know my five year plan; even tomorrow will probably not go as I have planned. I am thrilled and I am terrified, in a good way. So some call it courage, some call it foolish, I call it Faith. I choose to get out of the boat. To take the next step. Sometimes I walk straight into His arms. More often, I get scared and look down and stumble. Sometimes I almost completely drown. And through it all, He never lets go of my hand.

There's a lot of junk on the internet.

I can waste a lot of time online (even at this blog some times).

When I read Katie's blog I get up, look at my life and think "There is more than this. Bigger things. Deeper ways to depend on the Lord. Deeper ways to know Him."

Katie's life makes me hungry to find those ways.

Today I deleted a ton of stuff off my reader.

If I'm going to be on this here internet, I want to be inspired. I want to know how to pray. I want to be challenged and convicted. The decorating/crafty blogs got the boot.

For me personally that junk seems sillier and sillier the more I read about things going on around the world.

The more I read about Katie's story I feel ashamed about the things that fill up my day when I've gotten a glimpse into her days.

Enjoy Katie!

My friend Connie introduced me to her. Now I'm introducing you to Katie. That's what friends do.

Pray for Katie.

I want to sell things and send her the money.

Let the pictures of those children sit in your soul awhile.

I'm asking God for faith like that of this young girl.

I also whisper to Aaron, just about every day....

"Let's move to Uganda and help Katie."

If I ever go missing, you'll know where to find me.

www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com

Anson

He only threw up once.

It wasn't a virus.

So I guess I poisoned him.

He may never eat pork loin again.

When you have a large family as soon as one person yacks, this feeling of absolute doom hits you.

"It's coming. We're all getting this."

No matter if you immediately implement a quarantine...stomach bugs are more powerful than closed doors.

I think my kids sneak into the "off limits" areas and lick each other.

These boys would throw up all day every day if that meant they could play video games and watch TV, one of the only luxuries of having a stomach virus around here.

No matter how hard I try to contain "the crud" in this house, people usually start dropping like flies and making messes that make me cry while cleaning them.

After the "doom" sets in and the quarantine is set up I immediately begin thinking of what I can eat, and what I can feed the non-sick children that won't be so bad coming back up.

Not salad. That's the worst.

Not a milk shake. Death seems like a better option than revisiting a milkshake.

I have learned from many stomach viruses and terrible pregnancies* that the following foods should be eaten if you think you're going to have to see them again real soon:

Pickles. They taste exactly like pickles the second time.

A package of Certs. Do they make those anymore? Really...if you can eat a whole package of Certs before you throw up, it makes the whole horrific process kind of nice, if that's possible.

A smoothie from the place in the mall. Makes throwing up borderline delightful.

Any others?

*I don't talk about the five months of throwing up (several times a day) very much. I don't want to scare young women out of having babies.

Throw Up, Broccoli and My Soul

Anson threw up earlier. Hoping it's not the virus that is wiping out our town. Maybe it was just the left over pork loin he ate for lunch. I don't want him to have a virus, but I also don't want to have poisoned my child. Throwing up is the worst. Poor baby!

I posted some of my favorite broccoli recipes on the Family Supper Club website. Broccoli is really cheap right now at the grocery store. Check out the recipes. We have loved them!


Deep breath.

It might not be "well" with my soul, but things are definitely heading towards "better" instead of plummeting towards "worse."

I could never begin to untangle the web of hurt, frustration and bitterness in my heart well enough to adequately describe it.

Maybe you've been there before where you can't quite figure out where "it" all started, or really what "it" is but you find yourself sitting in a big pile of "it" whatever "it" is.

That's been my life this semester, and I'm ready to get out of the fog.

A lot of the issues had to do with school. Things have been terrific this week with our new schedule. This is working. Hudson is getting all the attention and discipline he needs (or that this sinful mother can give him). The things on our lesson plans are getting accomplished every day. Huge sigh of relief. I'm feeling more productive as a teacher and mother. Not perfect...but at least like I have a fighting chance to do the things I know the Lord has called me to in this home.

A lot of the issues had to do with church. The church I'm in and the church I left.

I could never pretend to understand all that has gone on with two new churches starting out of one. I wish with all my heart I had a bunch of super spiritual things to say to explain the reasons behind starting the new churches and the way in which the churches began. I remember there being good reasons. But no matter how great the reasons were, I don't think I was prepared for how much I was going to miss the people I love...who have loved us...who have watched Aaron and I grow up, been there through every birth of the Hendrick children...seen so many of our days.

I don't think I was prepared for how much faith this was going to take, or how much hurt was on the horizon, or how much I was going to have to submit and follow Aaron. I had no idea how much I would doubt...how much I would doubt Aaron's leadership...maybe all leadership.

For sure...I had no idea how much changing churches was going to affect every single other area of my life. Maybe that's a good thing. If you've ever doubted the "church thing" I'm here to tell you that connection like you read about in the Bible still happens today. Until now, I wasn't sure how much "church" meant to me, or how much a part of my life it is. Now I know. The church means so much to me that when things are yuck, or off, or hard, or broken, or difficult it affects how I wash dishes, how I speak to my husband, whether or not I want to get dressed in the morning or get out of bed.

I know these new church starts were not supposed to feel divisive. There was not a church split. We started two new churches, but in many ways (for me personally) this has felt like a divorce. It has felt weird, awkward and hard. Relationships that weren't strained are, and relationships that were once close are not any more. There has been a lot of insecurity, a lot of wondering if the church we just poured 10 years of our lives into even cares if we left or misses us like we miss them, a lot of wondering if we will ever fit in to this new place where God has us. A lot of wondering why I'm here and what on earth I'm supposed to do in this new place that seems so foreign to me.

No one needs to remind me that this all sounds horribly selfish. I know. Believe me, I know.

No matter how great your imagination is, a new church is hard to imagine. Anything new is. There is a lot of good in this new place, but it's nothing like what I thought it was going to be. My reaction has been anything but godly. Lots of idols have been revealed in my heart. Lots of things not like I thought they would be, not the way I like them, not the way I was imagining and as a result I have shut down. All the way down.

On top of all that gunk, I didn't realize that I was going to need to grieve the relationships we left behind. I felt pushed to move on, and maybe no one meant to do it, but I truly felt like I was made to feel guilty for hurting...for longing for what used to be, and for the relationships we had.

Usually I love meeting new people. I love getting to know them. It's been difficult at our new church to even conjure up the desire to connect with the great people God has brought our way. I have felt horribly guilty for not being more willing to jump in and "make friends." That's really unlike me. Maybe I've been selfish, or maybe I had not fully grieved the loss of the people I left behind. Honestly, I think I've had a hard time making new friends when I still wanted my old ones. My mind is still busy trying to figure out a way to get back to that other place where everyone was together. Our old church feels like home to me, but not without Aaron leading worship and now when I think of "Pastor" I think of Allen Duty, and lots of the people I love are at our new church, and lots of good stuff is going on there...so where does that leave me?

Wanting something that does not exist...dealing with the fact that things can never go back to the way they were. That's good, but doesn't make it any less weird or painful.

Like I said...I know that there were good, gospel centered reasons for starting new churches, and maybe one day like a good girl I'll be able to regurgitate those reasons when asked to explain all has transpired this year.

But right now, it is what it is and I'm weary of pretending.

I love a lot of things about this new place that the Lord has us, (honestly...we left bunches of friends behind, but lots of our friends are here too), I love the vision of this new church, but no matter how much I love all that, it does not change the fact or make up for in any way that I have hurt over the connections that were lost. My children have grieved lost friendships, and their grief...so open and honest inspires me to be real with myself. I've caught myself dismissing their grief, chanting to them the reasons why we started new churches. It's good to remind them and myself why we're in this new place, but it's also okay to acknowledge loss and let ourselves feel it. I've had to apologize to my children for trying to turn them into robots when I have failed horribly at being one myself.

God is big enough to heal our selfishness and big enough to heal our hearts from the hurt over losing people we love to do the things God is asking us to do. I don't want to minimize those truths to our kids. All of it can be true...the selfishness, the need to share the gospel, and the pain...but most importantly the healing and sufficiency of Christ in our time of need.

Last night all three churches came together for a huge worship and prayer service.

Aaron led worship with musicians...precious people we love...

We saw so many people we had not seen in a very long time. I had tears in my eyes the whole evening.

It was incredible. It was moving. There was something so healing about being with the people we love, seeing the gifts God has given the body on display...

I haven't been in a worship service so worshipful in a long time.

Don't know why exactly or how...but I left that place changed.

I felt like I had been home. It felt like a tiny drop of heaven was visible in that room.

So that's where I am...

Throw your stones if you want. But it has been good to ask God to take me back to where "it" all started and stitch up all that has been bleeding.

Besides...I'm tired of feeling guilty for missing so many people we love. If we had been able to leave a church where we had served for 10 years and it not hurt, how jacked up and dysfunctional would that have been? No thanks. I don't want to be that kind of person. God may have called us to leave, but not because it would be easy to throw everyone away who meant so much to us. It's been hard, and I think I'm finally okay with admitting how hard it's been.

More than anything God has given me so much hope over the last few days.

Hope that He will heal all that is hurting in me.

Hope that the gospel means God is at work in me through these trials.

Hope that no matter how much sin and nastiness these trials till up, God is faithful to sanctify me and has already paid for everything lacking and offensive in me these trials are sure to uncover.

Hope that God will knit my heart somehow, someway with this new group of people in a way that would make me sick with grief, unable to function well for awhile if we ever had to say good-bye.

Hopeful that this stuff is coming to an end so that I can start participating in the things God has called the church to do...make Him known.

He has brought joy in my heart towards the church once again...the church we left behind and the church we find ourselves in.

The Shred

Lynsey recently introduced me to this new work out with Jillian Michaels.

I like this work out because:

1. running is not working for me right now in this season I'm in with kids the ages they are.

2. it's cold. Working out inside is nice. I'm a winter weenie.

3. running is great and helped me maintain my weight, (and obviously is great for cardio) but I've noticed my body needs some muscle tone. Running is a wonderful thing but leaves some areas of your body unattended.

4. the workout is 20 minutes. I was skeptical at first. Can I get a good work out in 20 minutes in my house? Yes. It is killer. There are three levels. Level one made me unable to walk. Love it.

5. I want to boost my metabolism and toning muscles is one way to do that. Who knew? I need some strength training and Miss Jillian provides that.

6. The exercises are super simple. Basic movements are great for people voted "Least likely to be on a drill team." I never got lost once.

After doing the work out several times here are my thoughts:

1. While she's not as mean as she is on Biggest Loser, Jillian is a pretty scary lady. She's sort of like a pretty man....a pretty, intimidating man.

2. She makes me a little afraid. If I saw her in real life, I might get my cardio in by running away from her. Either way, this makes her a great personal trainer. I only talk trash to her, mock her and grumble about the workout while she's safely confined inside my television. In real life, if I did any of those things I'm pretty positive she'd punch me in my teeth and then give me a wedgie.

3. I had no idea real people could have abs that look the way these lady's do on the video. After doing the video a few times, I checked out my own abs hoping to magically find new ones. Nope. Mine still look like I'm wearing Mrs. Doubtfire's fat suit. Heaven, not Jillian may be the only cure for those.

4. This video makes me sore in all the places where I look at my body and think, "What has happened to me?". That's a good sign, I think.

And now for a warning...

This video is one of those that makes you so sore you no longer "go to the potty."

Instead you fall on it.

But it's 20 minutes! That's it. I feel like the time flies by, and I'm not even having fun.

Bragging On My Mother-in-law

Look what Aaron's mom gave us for Christmas this year!

Treasure! She is so talented.

She has drawn all of my babies.

This year it was Hudson's turn.

Incredible!
I can't get over how "just like Hudson" this picture is.

What's even more special is these were drawings of pictures that my sister-in-law, Lynsey took of Hudson. What a sweet blessing my family is. God has richly blessed them with such talent, and I'm so grateful to be the recipient of God's goodness through these ladies.