Just a little trip to Africa

Hello sweet friends!

It has been forever, but you guys... so much has been happening lately and hopefully I can capture a bit of our life to share with you. We feel truly blessed and just so full of joy that this life is ours. I really, honestly, wake up every day so thankful- wanting to soak up every moment I can with my two little loves and precious husband. 

That does not mean that when my 4 year old collapses on the ground and wails for 20 minutes that he does NOT want to wear pants and he just doesn't know why a mommy who loves him would be so uncool (a real sentence from my child) that I am not tempted to grab a cup of coffee and hide out in the laundry room.

It could be that a sweet little girl living in this house has been reduced to tears because I cut her strawberries up for her (like I have her ENTIRE life) instead of letting her bite them.

We are such a mess y'all.  Thankfully, we serve a savior who can use us just the way we are and guide us into the best version of ourselves along the way. 

This summer, we had an AMAZING opportunity to go with our church to Africa. For as long as I can remember, I have had this crazy love for Africa. I know God placed this on my heart as a child and I have been praying about it ever since. 

I could type a 30 page paper in all the amazing ways God confirmed for us this is what we were to be doing and then provided us the path to get there. Nolan is a teacher while I stay home with our babies. For right now, in this season of our life, it is import to us so naturally we have to make a lot of sacrifices revolving around money to be able to do this.

To be very very clear... this is in NO WAY a dig at hard working mamas, a cry for pity, or a "this is what you should be doing" stance. This is simply being stated so that God's awesome provisions can be fully seen. The biggest hurdle for me to wrap my head around was by far the financial portion of this trip.

I spent SO much time in prayer over the financial aspect of this trip after signing up. After two weeks of almost a nervous, anxious heart I was calmed and at peace with the prayer "God, please make it abundantly evident that I am suppose to be going, or very clearly shut this door for me." The next day, I got a call from the church that I was the recipient of the "golden ticket" in which our AMAZING Sunday school class had committed to raise the money to fully cover my way. I was blown away by how directly God answered my plea for assurance and how how faithfully our class answered.

Family and friends so selflessly, sacraficially and humbly donated for Nolan and I.  We were overwhelmed by the help we received. I only hope we could be as responsive to God's prompt as all the people who so cheerfully made this happen for us.

I could list hundreds more ways the Lord provided for us but I will get straight to the pictures. I truly hope you can see the pure, tangible love, joy, and Jesus in these pictures.


Our (fabulous!) team prayerfully heading out


At Naomi's village:















At the safe house (where I left a huge part of my heart!)










Cornerstone Preparatory Academy






(Meeting Kelvin, one of the children we are lucky enough to sponsor)





...and saying goodbye *so hard!*


Praying, worshiping and celebrating the "ground breaking" on homes for these beautiful, faithful people








Safari Day


















Just some of the other precious people we met along the way...














Obviously these are just a fraction of the moments and the people we met.
I cannot put into words how God used this trip shaped me, teach me, brake me, surprise me, and ultimately rebuild me in a way nothing else could. These cherished people have taught me more than I could even hope for and captured my heart.

I know I did not go into much detail as to all the events/places pictured, and that was purposeful. I don't have the words to accurately convey it, and it would take hours to write (and read).  If you have any questions or want to know more I would love to chat with you.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child from Naomi's village or Cornerstone Preparatory Academy I would love to talk to you about what a blessing this has been in our lives and how you can do it. Here is a link to learn more-

https://www.naomisvillage.org/Child/SponsorAChild

You will not regret it!

Hugs and Love from our family to yours.

Long time, no blog!

It has been a long time. Anyone who knows me, knows that is rather predictable. I SO value quality time-it is definitely my love language. When I have time to sit and type something up, I usually opt out for cuddles on the couch, books snuggled up with my babies, movie night with Nolan, or running around outside chasing two crazy children until it is just too dark to see. There is always something that seems more pressing, more precious. The truth however, is that blogging is such a great time of reflection. It is an amazing way to realize just how much my heart overflows with gratefulness. I truly have everything I could dream of in life (other than a lower health insurance deductible, lets be honest!) and I cannot complain. As Easter just passed, I reflect on the most precious gift I have ever been given, the gift of eternal life through the unbelievable sacrifice of my savior. With children, it took on this whole other meaning. There is this peace in knowing that he is there for them, that he will always be there for them, to the extent that he died for them, for my precious children long before they were mine. We celebrated our risen savior with family of all kinds and what a special day it was!

 

Clearly, I did not spend much time trying to get a great picture, but... it will do!

 My mom and I, (and Kenlee!) worked on making her a special easter dress this year. The buttons were my mom's when she was a little girl. *swoon*

 Again, this is just as good as it gets

 Precious memories with Nolan's family...

Sweet times with mine!

***

 What would an April blog post be without blue bonnet pictures?!? Sunday, while Nolan ran to pick up Kenlee from Awanas, I decide we MUST go take a few pictures in the blue bonnets while the weather was so pretty. The kids and my husband were such troopers and it was such a fun, giggly evening. 

 This is not her real smile, but I still think it is lovely. 

This series just makes me smile and warms my heart. At the end of the day, they really are so sweet to one another and nurturing that bond is SO important to me. I pray constantly that they are always there for each other, that they are the best of friends. I also pray they marry people who strengthen that bond and compliment it. 

 (my favorite! belly laughs)

Lately, the things that both of these two have been saying to me stop in my track, take my breath away, bring me close to tears and make me realize how "big" they are. The moments are fleeting and I feel like I grasp at them so frantically but in reality, I am so proud of the children they are becoming. I am enjoying every phase and while I tip my hat to the baby in them and my heart flutters when I compare pictures year to year, I welcome with open arms the big kids that are appearing before my eyes. Here are a few of the sweet moments we have had lately.

Kenlee- "Mommy, I know God has big plans for me in this world, but maybe this year it is just to be kind, every single day to ***** ( a little girl who is a bit of a bully to her). That is how she can see my light while I am 4." 

Is it just me, or is that pretty deep???

Kenlee- " I am so thankful Jesus gave me to you, because you are the best mommy ever. One day, when I am a mommy, I will know just what to do because you showed me what God needs me to know."

Emerson- "Mommy, I love you all de time. At night and when I wake up. I love you, I love you."

Emerson's prayer "Dear Jesus, thank you for my trucks, my shirts and my bed. Thank you for Kenlee, mommy, daddy and my room. UUUHHHMMMM, thank you for all my things. Amen. OH! and please let my food not be too hot to eat. Amen"

Kenlee at the end of a long day- "Thank you for showing me grace when I had a bad attitude. Everyone makes mistakes, but I know you always love me. I am sorry mommy. "

Emerson- "I sorry I fwew my car. I kiss your nose and I say sorry."

Kenlee- "What a beautiful day! What a beautiful world!" 

Of course they have moments where I think where in the world did my sweet babies escape to and whose crazy children are these?! But the good news is, we have reached a phase lately where the sweet outweighs and outlasts the ugly. They truly show a love for people, and a consideration for other's well being. Oh how that blesses this momma's heart. 

Happy Spring Friends!