The last one...

Isa 9:6
6 For unto us a Child is born,Unto us a Son is given;And the government will be upon His shoulder.And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 3:17
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Well I have decided to stop using this blog site. I just can't seem to take time to write blogs on here anymore. So I have decided that this will be my last blog on here- at least for the time being. I do however still write and post blogs on my "myspace". So if your still interested in reading a blog written by me and keeping in touch, then go to: www.myspace.com/missionarynafrica

Have a great Christmas season!

Africa adventures part 1....

I titled this, part 1. Being as we live here, there will be plenty more adventures....especially with a very active boy....
The other day a young man came by our house and offered us a monkey to buy!! That doesn't happen every day :)
Anyways he said he catches these monkeys and tames them...ya right...and would be willing to sell us one for 50,000/= Ugandan shillings ($35.00). Doug and I talked about it- yes we actually did entertain the idea- I mean how cool would it be to have a pet monkey...Anyhow, in the end we decided No...who knows what kind of disease they carry.
But we did ask the young man if he could bring it by for us just to see (At the low cost of $3.50). So on Wednesday morning, in came this man with a monkey tied to a rope. He tied it to a tree so we could feed him banana's, guava's and biscuits.
Jotham LOVED it and was sad to see it go. But what an experience for him!! It's not every day you get to welcome the wild life around here into your compound. :)

Thank You Lord, for Your wonderful creation that You allow us to enjoy!
Amen

Peace...

I have come to realize (it took me way too long, and I am still not done learning) that peace in my heart, home and life is not always tangible.

Peace is not always a quiet, calm, picturesque moment.

I learned this earlier this year, when there was stress, much noise and conflict with in my home. I learned (and was encouraged by another women's blog) that peace is a person- Jesus- He is the Prince of Peace, and if He lives in me and in my home, then I will always have peace, no matter the storm that swirls on around me. I have always known this, but I just needed to be reminded-again.

I write this blog to you, while sitting in the "tangible peace and quiet" of my front porch.

The sun is shining, the sky is very blue, the mountains not too far in the distance- are clear and seem more defined and detailed in the clean air. The breeze is gently blowing and Jotham is quietly playing in the back yard...My feet are up and I am sipping juice in quietness (except for the hum of our generator running in the back ground).



Thank you Lord, that You are my peace and that You promise never to leave me nor forsake me. Thank you for this amazing view and quiet time-with You. Amen

Expecting...

Then:March 2nd 2005
Now:August 2nd 2007
I don't know how He designed us so perfectly...? Or how He chose this way to bring life into the world...? But I am thankful.

My husband and I found out this month, that I am expecting baby #2! I can't feel the baby yet, but it's a wonderful "feeling" to know you are pregnant- that God has blessed you once again with the gift, challenge, responsibility and journey of carrying another life with in.

My last journey started around the same time, three years ago...The end of the journey came before anyone thought and led us down a path I did not think I would pass on. My son, as most of you know, came 8 weeks earlier then "expected". Weighing only 3lbs 15oz. He was a tiny peanut, with a full head of dark hair. He was/is amazing! And to think he grew and was formed inside of me?!? Most men would never wish to be pregnant, because there is a lot of other "stuff" that comes with it; back pain, sleepless nights, vomiting, nausea, and the list goes on- and this is all before the birth and delivery :)

There were a lot of complications with Jotham's pregnancy and delivery, I never got to hold him right after he was born (or even the first, second or third day). But I will never forget the first time I laid eyes on him- I was there watching him take his first breath, his first scream and first movement out of the womb! And that my friends makes all the other painful memories fade into oblivion.

Being a mom, is something I would never change!



Thank you Lord, for this great gift and responsibility of bearing and raising up children. Amen.

8 random facts about me...

Tag...you're it! I've been tagged...here's the rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog or myspace (about their eight things) and post these rules. (If you don’t have a blog, email me)
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.________________________________________________________

*Eight Random Facts/Habits about Me:

1:Apprently, my eyes make noise when they blink...it drives my sister nuts!

2:I LOVE the movie "Signs" and I could watch it every day, if given the chance.

3:When I blow my noise IT'S REALLY LOUD! Some have likened it to the noise of a fog horn.

4:I love to vacuum (too bad most houses in Uganda only have tile).

5:I clean out from under my finger nails 3-4 times a day.

6:I hate washing the dishes.

7:I love infomercials.

8:I LOVE to eat ranch dressing with a lot of food- french fries, pizza and grilled sandwhiches, to name a few.

I am tagging: Charis, Charity, Summer & Brandi. (Sorry I only have 4 people tagged, but Aimee Jo tagged my other blog world friends) > :)

Grandma Warren & Evan

new little one

Aunt Destiny & Evan

New life

On February 21st, something happened even more exciting then the snow fall that followed. My younger sister Charis gave birth to her son: Evan Richard Calhoon. After 16 hours of labor this beautiful baby boy took his first breath. I will be forever grateful that the Lord allowed me to be here for this great event! Evan weighed 7lbs 10.oz & stretched out to 22 inches long! And for those of you who know my petite sister that stands at 5"2, and weighs 100lbs wet- this was a huge baby!

Lovin' It!

First time for everything...

This is Jotham's first time touching snow.

SNOW!

We have been praying since we got here, that it would snow. And finally on February 22nd our prayers were answered. It SNOWED! My parents house only got 4 inches, but that was enough to go out and play in. Jotham loved it! And when I showed him he could eat it, eat it he did. He even tried to catch the flakes in his mouth as they fell from the sky. He loved it, I loved it- it was a great day! Today it started snowing again- as of now we have 6 inches. And its suppose to keep on snowing through the night. So tomorrow I'll have more snow pictures. Hopefully we'll get to do some sledding this time.

Jotham and daddy feeding and watching the birds.

Jotham loved throwing the bread at the ducks and geese.

Feeding the ducks and geese.

This was taken(as were the other two pictures above) at a Calvary Chapel Bible College campus that we visited in January while attending the missions conference.

Jesus' gift

A good friend of mine here in Grass Valley has a photography business. And the Lord gave her a vision for portraits for this upcoming Easter. So she came to me and asked if she could use Jotham to advertise this vision. I love the results.

May you be able to take time this Easter and ponder upon all that He has done for you!

Four Generations

This picture was taken at my sister Charis' baby shower. Right to left: my mom, grandma, sister Charis & Evan, sister Charity and me.

On his quad

Jotham on his quad. For some reason whenever he rides his quad, he thinks he has to wear these protective goggles :)

Jotham

This is Jotham- enjoying a beater with chocolate cookie dough on it.

Starting out

This is my first post, on this new blog of mine. I have no idea what to begin with, or where to go with this blog. But we'll see how the Lord leads.

First off:
I am a child of God. Saved by grace.

Secondly:
I have been a wife of an amazing follower of God for 5 wonderful & adventurous years.

And last but not least:
I am a mom, of a wonderful, active, adventerous, adorable brown-eyed boy, named Jotham!