Moni (hello!)

You know about 2 months ago Jay & I and two other couples finished up a six week bible study on margin in your life. We agreed that when our lives are so full and scheduled everyday that there's not much room for God or what God wants us to accomplish. The idea is to say no to the unnecessary things that just gets us crazy and let God do His thing in us and thru us. Spend more time with him in the bible and be still and let his opportunities come to us. When we're so busy there's not much time for him to work because we've got our days so crammed with "stuff!". We finished the study and I felt pretty good about our schedule. We had quit tae kwon do 3 nights a week and we had softball with Sophie and occasionally boy scouts, but our life seemed settled.

Anything would seem settled compared to the lightning speed we're running now. There is no room in our busy schedules for ANYTHING to go wrong. Jay has accepted a promotion so we're moving this summer. I'm going to Malawi with Hallie. Hallie is going to college. We bought a house in 5 days and are preparing to move out of our old one. THings are busy. I'm so busy that I don't think I've really thought about moving and leaving my friends; that's probably a good thing. I'll probably fall apart after we move and things slow down. I keep telling myself that this is not forever. We'll be back and we will stay in touch with friends.

Did I tell you I'm going to Malawi? I'm leaving this Friday morning and arriving in Malawi Sunday afternoon; that's a long travel time. I don't like to fly; it's definitely not my favorite thing to do. So, why am I going around the world? I've always been intrigued with Africa. I've been reading books on the plight of South Africa probably 20 years ago. You have to read Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane; it will leave you speechless thinking about how some people have to live. As a young boy, Mark dug for food at the dump. While looking for food, he found the corpse of a newborn baby in the garbage dump. It's heartbreaking. I just want to help in some small way. All of us were given talents and if each of us used our talent to help those less fortunate, then I believe there wouldn't be so much suffering. I don't believe we can all do the same thing or that we're called to do the same thing, but I do believe we are called to do something. So, although I'm nervous I'm also excited to be part of something great! I know God is going to do some miraculous things.

love the beach

I love going to the beach with my family! It's the most relaxing vacation we go on. And, one night always ends in family pictures on the beach.

Sophie & Hallie are getting ready to give Christian a kiss and no one can stop laughing.

Hallie & Christian kept calling Sophie the princess during the whole vacation, so this picture seemed appropriate!

Too cute!

Aghhhh!

I know it's been a long time since my last post... sorry! So much is going on. We're moving to the Indianapolis area, I'm still going to Malawi, we just got back from Destin, Florida. We're in the place right now where nothing can go wrong or our schedule will totally be messed up. I don't really like being in this tight schedule. We're constantly working off of lists for each day of things we have to get done. This week we're buying a house; it makes me laugh to think of it! I'm pretty sure my grandparents would have spent months buying a house and try to decide if it was a good decision. My dad is the most layed back person you'll meet and hates a schedule. So, how did I become this hectic list making person? I think it's part of our generation and partly because I like being busy. And, maybe because where there's stress there's faith. Faith is the only thing that can get you thru the stressful times. Really, in all seriousness, I feel at peace with what's going on. I'm so excited to be a part of this mission trip and especially how things were orchestrated so that I could still go. I feel God's hand in it. And, our move, well, it's a little crazy, but I can still see God's work in it. I feel good and my hope is that when we're actually moved and our kids are beginning school and a little anxious about it that I will still have this peace that passes all understanding. I'm sure the bad days will come and I'll be in a pit, but that's when I'll have to call my Friday prayer girls and get me out of it!