Wednesday, July 29, 2009

our big news :)

if you remember my post a few back where I mentioned that God is just so full of surprises...well I can now spill the beans! Let me just interject here that I would not have posted that blog and made so many of you question what was going on if i actually knew we had to wait this long & jump through so many hoops. BUT now we can let it out!! Here is an exert from our latest newsletter explaining everything...

We have been praying for God’s guidance about what should be our next step in this journey to France and continuing to build our support team. We have both sensed over the past few months that God had some kind of significant shift in mind, but we were not sure what exactly that might be. Now after much prayer and consultation with our church, pastors and leaders, we are certain that God is leading us to move to the Chicago area in January 2010, and for Daniel to enroll in course work at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) with the hopes that it will be a springboard to new support raising opportunities. Rest assured this is not a change of plans, but a further unveiling of God’s plan and will for our journey to France. Needless to say God’s will is full of surprises and turns that we don’t expect, but we embrace them knowing what He promises and what He has done in the past. We anxiously await to see what He is going to do next!

The wisdom in God leading us in this direction is already becoming very apparent. It will open us up to a whole new area and group of people to share our passion and desire to minister in France with both in the community and school. Daniel will have a unique opportunity to build relationships with pastors and others in ministry and to share with them about France. We will, Lord willing, have the opportunity to speak in many churches about the ministry in France. It will also allow Daniel to gain further training for the ministry in France while at the same time continuing to raise support.


so there it is :) we are just beside ourselves right now & ready to see how God is going to use this move. Daniel will be in seminary while I stay home with sweet little Eli. It's not going to be easy moving away from our family & friends with a 4 month old, but we want the Lord's will most of all & this is our next step!
Also..PRAISE the LORD that Daniel got a wonderful scholarship which is really going to be beneficial! I am so proud of my hubby. Thank you Lord for always providing for us.

In other news...we are down to the last 4 1/2 weeks until our sweet baby boy gets here. We have had two wonderful baby showers where so many friends have blessed us with little gifts for Eli. His room is ready, our bags are halfway packed & our car seat is properly installed. Now we wait...
34.5 weeks
Our weekly doctor appointments start on Friday and maybe just maybe we will find out a little more about Eli's size. Pregnancy has really been wonderful to me, but as we get closer & closer to the very end i find myself wanting it to be over. In fact...last week as Daniel & I were walking out of wal-mart in the 90+ degree weather, i turned to him and asked him to remind me that i won't be pregnant forever. He quickly responded in assuring me i'm almost done! I want to embrace these last weeks & really enjoy them because i can't get them back!

I will leave you with pictures from our showers.
Baby Tea:

the beautiful cake that Andi had made & the precious diaper cake Ellen & her mom graciously made...it was just perfect!

the hostesses-THANKS LADIES!!
best friends from high school (Ellen, Myself, & Andi)
the food was AMAZING
our gifts

Laura & Michelle
i love you Ellie Mae
our second diaper cake... :) loved it too!
Jessica..thanks for coming girl!
Our couples shower at church:

look at this cake Leann made! How amazing is that? Her first baby shower cake...i was impressed!
Barbie & I chatting it up :)
Daniel & I
playing the diaper game
opening presents!
our WONDERFUL hostesses Kevin & Leann
soon to be...Granddaddy, Nana, DeDe & Special K :)
Shaffer, Lindsey, Daniel, Myself, Leslie (Lollie) & Bradford
Ok I think that is enough catching up for now! I have lots of thank you notes calling my name. Until next time...
Mae

2 comments:

Dana said...

LOVE the pictures! And 2 things:
1. You are one of the few pregnant women I know whose face is not swollen! You probably won't hate your pregnancy pics because you really look the same and
2. You would never know you were pregnant, you just have a little tummy! So cute!

Rhett & Valerie said...

I still can't express how excited I am that you get to move to Chicago! Good luck finding housing; I'll keep my ears open for you!

Much love friend!
Val