at the end of August I started a new post and never finished it... now it's October and every time I come to check blog updates I feel guilty of our lack of them and a little overwhelmed with writing one. So, here goes, while Everly is still taking her nap! (oh, and if you get our monthly newsletters then you are caught up on most of this! and if you want to receive them, just let us know!)
Some highlights:
Everly started attending a little pre-school here. It's at the Lutheran church and 2 year olds go Tuesday and Thursday morning for 3 hours. I kept her home today as she has been battling a cold for a while and I wasn't feeling well either... it was sad to hear her say "Mommy, I want to go to school"... she has so much fun there!
Ev on her first day of school
Aaron and I were able to getaway for an overnight in a nice hotel in the French Quarter. Aaron knew a man who worked at this hotel, so he blessed us with the room- a balcony and all!
A view from our room during our getaway
All has been well with the pregnancy. I have weekly check-ups now with less than 3 weeks until our due date! I am enjoying the last weeks of intimacy--being the only one to feel this baby moving around all the time :) I had started getting anxious about the delivery and not feeling as prepared this time (I had read sooooo much and gone to lots of classes including lamaze last time) but the Lord has calmed those fears as I have been praying! Our Dr. is great and each week she says something about our faith. She is grateful for the peace we have in our belief of a "Higher Power" to take care of things. I have started to pray for God to do something to reveal Himself to her through the delivery. With Everly, when my Dr. started pressuring me to be induced, I told her that I was praying for God to bring the baby by Friday- that was Wednesday, we had Everly on Thursday. I really wanted to have the baby soon because my parents were on their way to visit, but I hope this was a testimony of our God to this Dr!
at 36 weeks along!
In Ministry-
Aaron's one focus right now is the community center. Today we passed another inspection for our plumbing! Next week we are pouring concrete, and the week after a group from our home church is here (including Aaron's dad) to put some walls up on that new slab! so, pretty exciting, and challenging. this is teaching us lots about depending on God; aaron and I are growing in our faith together as we talk over his stresses, pray, and see God providing encouragement, His Word, and the means to make this all come together!
Aaron with Dave and a volunteer from Xavier on a recent workday
our church family is growing well too. We learned about Rosh Hashanah this last month and were challenged to really seek God for the ten days that the Israelites would have during this festival. then we came together to break bread, eat a meal together, and have a burning of sins that God had revealed to us during those days. it was pretty neat- Matt even read the prayers of blessings in Hebrew that they would have read.
We have also had work days at the community center and lunch in our homes afterward. We had a young couple just get married, so a bunch of us were cleaning and preparing their apartment while they were on their honeymoon. And of course, we're getting ready to celebrate a new baby (ours!)- so lots of family excitement.
speaking of family, most all of ours is going to be visiting us in the next few months! Aaron's mom is flying down the on the 25th to join his dad who arrives the 18th. They leave on the 30th right after my sister arrives from CA who will be here until Nov. 3rd. My mom (and other sibs/niece?) is coming around Thanksgiving, my dad is coming before and through Christmas, and Aaron's entire family will be here from Dec. 27th-Jan 2. So, we have a full schedule of visitors! And through all of this Aaron will be busy with the community center. Oh, and a new baby. I think we'll need a small vacation soon! :) But we are excited. Lots of blessings, challenges, and an awesome God to lean on!
Please be praying for us- your prayers mean so much to us! hopefully it won't be as long before we post again- maybe some baby pictures soon, huh?!
