Today

Today... Today was a good day!  There are so many moments in this life that I cherish and remember fondly and today held a few very special moments that I intend to treasure always.

As I was holding Cade earlier today, I asked him something I ask him often, "Give mommy kissy faces,"  which is my odd way of asking Cade to give me a kiss.  Now, Cade has serious things to do - play peek-a-boo with EVERYTHING, imitate our every move, and crawl with intentionality as we follow on hands and knees - but today, he looked up at me and gave me MULTIPLE kissy faces!  Oh, the JOY!

Later, while we were eating dinner with my parents, Cade continuously leaned over, stretched out his arms and gave me the SWEETEST little man HUGS.  Each time, he would lay his head on my shoulder and hold onto my hair to keep me snuggled close to him.  Again, what JOY!

As if the earlier moments of my day weren't enough to stop and thank our Lord and Savior - there was more...  When we began to look through the mail, a very important piece of mail drifted to the top.  It is an invitation that I have been awaiting for a very long time.  You see, when we were 5 years old, my best girl friend and I made a pact - we would be one another's Maid of Honor upon finding "Mr. Right."  Almost 5 years ago, I married my "Mr. Right."  And in just a couple of months, she will marry hers!

Tonight, when the day had already been so filled with sweet, God-given moments, I opened our invitation to the blessed event - Anna and David's WEDDING!  And again, such JOY!  I am thrilled to be a part of this special event in which my best girl marries her best guy.  [The greatest fan(s) of your life!]

Today was a great day!

Light

For many months now, Cade has been reaching his chubby little arms out and pointing to things.  He usually accompanies his point with a, "DOH!"  He gets so excited to see things up above - ceiling fans, pictures hanging on the wall, and LIGHT.  He LOVES light!

I must admit, it makes this momma PROUD.  I am thrilled that our son is DRAWN to light.  That he is EXCITED to see light.  That he RECOGNIZES light.

And my PRAYER is, just as he is excited to see light now, he is DRAWN to the ULTIMATE LIGHT, Jesus the Messiah!  And that God would use Pete and I to demonstrate HIS love, HIS grace, HIS mercy, and HIS LIGHT as we continue to raise him.

And my HOPE for our life in INDONESIA is that our NEIGHBORS and FRIENDS and COWORKERS and ALL would be ENCOURAGED TOWARDS JESUS!  That despite our shortcomings, differences, and failures, others would SEE the LIGHT of CHRIST in us and DESIRE HIM.

I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.

John 8:12

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

Proverbs 4:18

You are the light of the world...Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

Cupcakes

As I sit here writing this blog I am consuming my second (shhh, please don't tell anyone) celebratory cupcake.  While these cupcakes were originally made for Cade's special 1 year family birthday party, I am now eating them as we celebrate hitting the 50% mark of our ongoing support needs.
That's right, I said 50%!!!

Over the weekend Pete and I were notified of another precious and generous gift that puts us right over the 50% mark.  Praise the LORD!  We are so thrilled to be celebrating such a sweet milestone of His faithfulness and provision and are looking forward to the 100% cupcakes, as well!

For our precious friends, family and generous supporters and partners in ministry - go enjoy a cupcake and give thanks to our loving and caring God who is faithful to equip the called and make straight the path to Him!

Monkey Turns 1!

It doesn't seem possible that our little man has lived outside the womb for over a year now!  While we were in Texas visiting some very wonderful friends, we took the opportunity to celebrate Cade's big birthday. 

We had a blast celebrating "Sock Monkey" Style!

 Cade's friends came to eat cake and play.

The cake was so yummy!

 And got red frosting ALL OVER the Cade-man!

The boys standing around.

Opening gifts was fun, too!

 Thank you to everyone who came to Cade's 1st Birthday Party!  

We loved seeing you and are grateful for your friendship.