My mom did a sweet blog about us and what we are going to be doing next year! If you would like to read it here is the link:
http://mikeandjudy.blogspot.com/
Thanks Mama!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Busy! Busy! Busy!
I downloaded pictures on my computer on Saturday and now am just looking at them for the first time on Tuesday night (almost Wednesday morning)... that is how busy my life is right now!
This week is a bit crazy for Michael and I (to say the least). And why might you ask? Well let me tell you.
1. My summer nanny job which I started two weeks ago has turned into full time this week. My days have consisted of taking care of 4 year old TRIPLETS! But more about them later. So I am working 45 hours this week with for them.
2. We are moving out of our first newlywed apartment and in with Michael's parents for the next two months before we move out to Arkansas. We were trying to work out a deal with our apartment and just found out this past weekend that it was going to work. So we are packing up everything in our two bedroom apartment and trying to sort what we are going to need for the next two months or what we will just pack up for our big move across the country. So basically since I am working full time Michael is packing....
3. We are also trying our best to support raise full time this week too!
4. We also committed over a month ago to go camping overnight on Friday to celebrate our friends birthday!
So we need lots of prayers this week for extra energy, strength, and endurance!
And back to those pictures... last Friday Michael and I got to have lunch with one of my old college friends James! It was so fun to catch up with him. We went to go visit him and who would not want to work on the Warner Brothers lot! When he called me and told me that we just needed to go into the gate and park inside the studio I about died! When we first go there we accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up driving down the street that they filmed One Tree Hill on. We had lunch with him and then he took us to the stage of America's Best Dance Crew. He has worked for them and is now a Producer of the show!
This week is a bit crazy for Michael and I (to say the least). And why might you ask? Well let me tell you.
1. My summer nanny job which I started two weeks ago has turned into full time this week. My days have consisted of taking care of 4 year old TRIPLETS! But more about them later. So I am working 45 hours this week with for them.
2. We are moving out of our first newlywed apartment and in with Michael's parents for the next two months before we move out to Arkansas. We were trying to work out a deal with our apartment and just found out this past weekend that it was going to work. So we are packing up everything in our two bedroom apartment and trying to sort what we are going to need for the next two months or what we will just pack up for our big move across the country. So basically since I am working full time Michael is packing....
3. We are also trying our best to support raise full time this week too!
4. We also committed over a month ago to go camping overnight on Friday to celebrate our friends birthday!
So we need lots of prayers this week for extra energy, strength, and endurance!
And back to those pictures... last Friday Michael and I got to have lunch with one of my old college friends James! It was so fun to catch up with him. We went to go visit him and who would not want to work on the Warner Brothers lot! When he called me and told me that we just needed to go into the gate and park inside the studio I about died! When we first go there we accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up driving down the street that they filmed One Tree Hill on. We had lunch with him and then he took us to the stage of America's Best Dance Crew. He has worked for them and is now a Producer of the show!
He even let me DANCE on stage!
Loved catching up with you Mr. Producer!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Life Long Best Friends
In my lifetime I have had a lot of friends who walk in and walk out of my life very quickly. Growing up overseas there was one of my friends family that moved away pretty much every year of my life. I remember when I was in junior high I decided it was too hard to get close to someone and then just have them move away or I myself had to move away from them. I thought it would be easier for me to have surface relationships rather than let people come close and then have to say goodbye and feel that emptiness over and over again.
Well that thought didn't last for long... I have always been a quality time type of girl. Some of my best memories with friends have just been sitting and doing nothing but just enjoying being together and having a good conversation. My friends make my life feel brighter.
When I came to college I was ecstatic that I would be able to have the same friends for four whole years. That I would get to live right next to my friends and go to class and do everything with this close knit group of people. Saying goodbye was not a worry because I knew that it was a long long way off. I could forget about that pit that would form in my throat as I said goodbye because I had four years of freedom from it.
And now after 7 years of that freedom the goodbyes began today. Today I said goodbye to one of my best friends. I am so very excited about both of the new adventures we are getting to experience with our husbands and with being able to pursue ministry passionately. That we are following God with our lives and with what we are being called to do. Yet there is still sadness in my heart.
Candace I first became friends when we were RA's together at college. Through our different girls meetings and RA Adventures we started to form a bond. We soon realized we shared a lot of the same passions for life. We also connected through both of our parents being missionaries in Thailand. We were able to share our feelings with each other knowing that the other would understand because we were in the same boat. We then decided to room together after that year and be roommates with our RA (Leanna). As everyone knows you must have a very strong bond with a friend to be able to live them and not come out of it without having lots of drama but rooming together only strengthened our relationship. After that the three of us girls decided to move off campus into a apartment. During that time we both were dating (our now husbands) boys that were also best friends. We both got engaged within 6 months of each other and then were both married also within 6 months of each other. Our life experiences brought us even closer together. Through both being married we were able to talk to each other about all the different things that marriage brings and our husbands did likewise. Now Candace and David are both moving to Colorado in two weeks because David has been asked to be a worship leader at a church.
This weekend they came out to say their goodbyes to us. We had such a great weekend getting some good quality time with our best friends. I tried to soak up every moment of it knowing that we are not sure when we are going to get to see them again.
Well that thought didn't last for long... I have always been a quality time type of girl. Some of my best memories with friends have just been sitting and doing nothing but just enjoying being together and having a good conversation. My friends make my life feel brighter.
When I came to college I was ecstatic that I would be able to have the same friends for four whole years. That I would get to live right next to my friends and go to class and do everything with this close knit group of people. Saying goodbye was not a worry because I knew that it was a long long way off. I could forget about that pit that would form in my throat as I said goodbye because I had four years of freedom from it.
And now after 7 years of that freedom the goodbyes began today. Today I said goodbye to one of my best friends. I am so very excited about both of the new adventures we are getting to experience with our husbands and with being able to pursue ministry passionately. That we are following God with our lives and with what we are being called to do. Yet there is still sadness in my heart.
Candace I first became friends when we were RA's together at college. Through our different girls meetings and RA Adventures we started to form a bond. We soon realized we shared a lot of the same passions for life. We also connected through both of our parents being missionaries in Thailand. We were able to share our feelings with each other knowing that the other would understand because we were in the same boat. We then decided to room together after that year and be roommates with our RA (Leanna). As everyone knows you must have a very strong bond with a friend to be able to live them and not come out of it without having lots of drama but rooming together only strengthened our relationship. After that the three of us girls decided to move off campus into a apartment. During that time we both were dating (our now husbands) boys that were also best friends. We both got engaged within 6 months of each other and then were both married also within 6 months of each other. Our life experiences brought us even closer together. Through both being married we were able to talk to each other about all the different things that marriage brings and our husbands did likewise. Now Candace and David are both moving to Colorado in two weeks because David has been asked to be a worship leader at a church.
This weekend they came out to say their goodbyes to us. We had such a great weekend getting some good quality time with our best friends. I tried to soak up every moment of it knowing that we are not sure when we are going to get to see them again.
Roomies! We ate lunch at Rubys diner at the Huntington Pier.
California girls
Best friends
Best buddies!
Where it all began....
What a good looking married couple!
We enjoyed a yummy pasta, salad and garlic bread dinner with Candace's sister Aubrey and her friend Joy.
We love you Candace and David! Thanks for a great weekend. We cherish the memories we have made with you and look forward to the vacations and visits with you guys in years to come. And for the next few months we look forward to our skype dates!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Vision Trip! Michael's Perspective
As I sit at a small snack shop in the Arkansas airport and think about this past week it is hard to put into words all the things that I have learned and experienced. Bethany and I went to Arkansas to see what our ministry is going to look like at the University of Arkansas next year and we are super excited to say the least.
It has been amazing to see God's hand at work in our lives. God's timing is perfect and we saw that this week as we had the opportunity to participate in team planning for next years Campus Crusade movement. I have a much better idea of what I will be doing this next year and I can't wait for school to start in the fall.
We got to meet the entire Campus Crusade team for next year and they are so awesome! After several hours of planning and a six hour canoe trip I feel closer than ever to the people I will be working with next year. On top of all the craziness of planning we also got to spend time with Jon, Marisa, and the kids. It was such a blessing to spend quality time with Collin, Summer, Hayley, and baby Nathan. We are looking forward to being the cool aunt and uncle around when we move out in August.
God is doing amazing things at the University of Arkansas! After meeting with several students who will be involved in the ministry next year I can see that this is where God wants us to be. I had the privilege of filming some interviews of students going overseas with STINT (short term international missions) through Campus Crusade and felt very encouraged and inspired to see that through Crusade these students felt God calling them to do a year in a foreign country to spread the Gospel. Crusade is truly training up leaders and sending them out into the world to make a difference for Christ.
All in all God has made it evident this week that he wants Bethany and I to come out here and use our talents to further His kingdom!
It has been amazing to see God's hand at work in our lives. God's timing is perfect and we saw that this week as we had the opportunity to participate in team planning for next years Campus Crusade movement. I have a much better idea of what I will be doing this next year and I can't wait for school to start in the fall.
We got to meet the entire Campus Crusade team for next year and they are so awesome! After several hours of planning and a six hour canoe trip I feel closer than ever to the people I will be working with next year. On top of all the craziness of planning we also got to spend time with Jon, Marisa, and the kids. It was such a blessing to spend quality time with Collin, Summer, Hayley, and baby Nathan. We are looking forward to being the cool aunt and uncle around when we move out in August.
God is doing amazing things at the University of Arkansas! After meeting with several students who will be involved in the ministry next year I can see that this is where God wants us to be. I had the privilege of filming some interviews of students going overseas with STINT (short term international missions) through Campus Crusade and felt very encouraged and inspired to see that through Crusade these students felt God calling them to do a year in a foreign country to spread the Gospel. Crusade is truly training up leaders and sending them out into the world to make a difference for Christ.
All in all God has made it evident this week that he wants Bethany and I to come out here and use our talents to further His kingdom!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Canoe Trip
Yesterday we had a all day team bonding canoe trip down the buffalo river! I was determined not to tip the canoe but that idea changed very quickly. :-( It was such a beautiful day (when we weren't fighting the rapids) and very relaxing and fun to just be in the sun.
We LOVE our team that we get to work with next year. It has been so cool to see as we have been planning that years their 5 year plan included a desire to start a media team. That God has not only been preparing our hearts for this step but also the University of Arkansas team for us!
We are very sad to leave tomorrow. Tonight as I said good night to my nieces and nephews I hugged them extra tight. I am so happy that we we know it is only going to be for a couple of months this time.
Sadly we only got one picture from the day because of non of us wanting to take our cameras in the water. Here are the girls ready to fight the rapids!
We LOVE our team that we get to work with next year. It has been so cool to see as we have been planning that years their 5 year plan included a desire to start a media team. That God has not only been preparing our hearts for this step but also the University of Arkansas team for us!
We are very sad to leave tomorrow. Tonight as I said good night to my nieces and nephews I hugged them extra tight. I am so happy that we we know it is only going to be for a couple of months this time.
Sadly we only got one picture from the day because of non of us wanting to take our cameras in the water. Here are the girls ready to fight the rapids!
I found this picture online and this is what the scenery was like for most of our trip on the canoes! So beautiful! It was so nice to get out in nature and see how great God is!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mothers Day
I have been so blessed with such an amazing mother in my life. My mom does so much for me. She encourages me, she is honest, and she loves with her whole heart.
As Michael and I have started to think about family and what it is going to look like for us someday there are so many things that I am grateful for. My life was so amazing growing up because my mother (and father) instilled so many great life lessons in us. I am thankful that you taught us to store up our treasures in heaven and not on worldly things. I am thankful for my Mom (and Dad) giving Michael and I both a heart for ministry because of the example that you live everyday through that.
Mom -thank you for being willing to sacrifice your time with us because you believe in Gods greater plan for the world. I hope and pray that someday I will be as great of a mom that you have been to me.
My mom loves pictures... so I thought I would add some of us from the past couple of years together.
I love you mama!
As Michael and I have started to think about family and what it is going to look like for us someday there are so many things that I am grateful for. My life was so amazing growing up because my mother (and father) instilled so many great life lessons in us. I am thankful that you taught us to store up our treasures in heaven and not on worldly things. I am thankful for my Mom (and Dad) giving Michael and I both a heart for ministry because of the example that you live everyday through that.
Mom -thank you for being willing to sacrifice your time with us because you believe in Gods greater plan for the world. I hope and pray that someday I will be as great of a mom that you have been to me.
My mom loves pictures... so I thought I would add some of us from the past couple of years together.
I love you mama!
Girls in Arkansas together- Christmas 2008
In the mall- Christmas 2009 in Thailand
Mom and Dad visiting me in California 2008
On the subway in Thailand 2007.
I am also so thankful for my amazing Mother in Law Debbie. It has been so nice to have another mother that is so close to me since my parents are so far away. She is so giving! She has been the greatest mother and has trained her son to make a girl very happy.
I also am so thank for my sister Marisa who is such an amazing mom to her four kids. It has been so fun to be around her and to learn from the things she is doing with her kids. I have always looked to Marisa and that admiration has only grown even more since she has become a mom of four!
I am thankful for the amazing women in my life that have mentored and poured into my life over the past 26 years! Thank you to Anita Farr, Natalie Hewitt, Priscilla Schubert, Stephanie Matheny, Rachel Oblon and so many more!!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Family Time
It has been so great being able to get family time. We are so excited that next year we get to be so close to Jon and Marisa and their family! They took us out for a fun meal tonight that we had with just adults.
It is so nice that Jenny and Ben will be so close too. Jen and Ben came down for a quick trip for 24 hours to see us. So fun to have sister time!
Sister time but missing Lori!
It is so nice that Jenny and Ben will be so close too. Jen and Ben came down for a quick trip for 24 hours to see us. So fun to have sister time!
Sister time but missing Lori!
Marisa and I at a great restaurant her and Jon took us to tonight! We love you both!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Team Planning
We wanted to take a trip out to Arkansas to see more of the campus, meet some of our team members, and research our housing for next year. After we had booked our trip we found out that the exact same time we were going to be here was also the same time that our team was going to be doing all the planning for next year!
We have loved getting to hear about what they did this year in their ministry on campus and being able to help plan and help with goals for next year. We totally feel that God wanted us to be here so that we will be able to share more effectively with our friends and family who desire to be apart of our support team about the ministry on campus because we have been here this week.
We have loved getting to hear about what they did this year in their ministry on campus and being able to help plan and help with goals for next year. We totally feel that God wanted us to be here so that we will be able to share more effectively with our friends and family who desire to be apart of our support team about the ministry on campus because we have been here this week.
Us all doing a project in our meetings today.
Our staff lunch at a Mexican restaurant in the sunshine!
Our car stalled today and so we were stuck on the side of the road for a while and so thought it would be a great picture opportunity.
Ben and Jenny came down for the night tonight and we are so happy to get some extra time with them! Wish it could be for longer. :-(
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Arkansas Adventures
Ever since we got married in September of this past year we have both been praying that God would use us, that he would use our personal stories and life experiences to help others and that we would find careers that we would being using our gifts and abilities to better the world that we live in. Michael had been working at Marvel and I have been working retail and we both were feeling discontent in our jobs.
We have never experienced Gods perfect timing more than in the past couple of months. Around this time of feeling discontentment we received a call from the Campus Crusade director at the University of Arkansas campus. He expressed a desire to start a media team and that their campus needed more women to disciple girls.
To make a long story short we are now officially a part of University of Arkansas Campus Crusade team! We are raising our support for the next three months and then moving our to Arkansas in August of this year!
This week we are in Arkansas doing a vision trip and we get to be apart of the planning for next year and we are so excited with what God is going to do on campus next year!
A huge blessing in us moving is that we get to be so very close to my two sisters. Marisa and Jon are on full time staff with Campus Crusade also and Jen and Ben live just an hour and a half away.
On our way out here we stopped and got to see one of my childhood friends from Thailand and her cute daughter! Loved catching up with you Kristen!
If anyone would like to come and visit us next year allegiant air has great ticket prices. :-)
Loving my new little nephew. This is my first time meeting him. He smells so good and he loves to cuddle. I am one happy auntie.
Hayley is just a character and has so much spunk! Loving seeing her personality form at this age. She also loves to snuggle.
Collin is growing up so quickly. He is in kindergarten and he is just so smart already. He is definitely all boy.
Uncle Michael has been enjoying reading books and telling stories and jumping on the trampoline with his nieces and nephews too. Here he is reading them a night time Bible story adding in his different voices. I love the kids faces and how they are so into it.
Good night kisses for Aunt Bethany.
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