A "see you later" to the Lees

The Lord was so gracious to give us these friends when we first moved to Minneapolis and they were some of the first evidences of fruit from our many prayers for us to have community when we moved. It was incredibly sweet to see God providing for us those first lonely months after moving. 

It all began here, two sides of the countries meeting in Minneapolis. Those two and us two, plus our curly headed 8 month old. We were ready to experience our first real winter together and try to make the most out of what these Minnesotans call "beaches."

West coasters and East coasters

I'll never forget getting back from Christmas vacation to hear that the Lees were expecting their first child. And a couple of weeks later we found out that we were expecting our second. Born six weeks apart, Noelle made her entrance in September and Hannah followed in October of 2009.

Steve holding Hannah; Jon holding Noelle

Our second Christmas picture

Play date with Noelle

I was expecting baby number three and we were in NC when we received a google chat video from Steve and Stephanie. Number two was on the way for them. And later we found out they were both boys! 

Almost 4 months apart. 

Dads teaching the boys to fist bumps.

Fourth Christmas and our growing tribes

Crazy times.

The girls

It's been over a week since Jonathan graduated, but this morning I felt the finality of graduation as we said goodbye to the Lees. They are the first of our BCS friends to set out on the next journey of post-grad school. 

I think of how the Lord answered our prayers for them about the next step in their lives. California? Pennsylvania? Thailand? And I think of how kindly the Lord answered our prayers for them in only sending them 7 hours away to College Church in Wheaton, IL. :)

Steph,


I am so thankful for you! The Lord did exceedingly more than I could of thought or imagined in giving me you as a friend. Motherhood has been sweeter doing it along with you and I've loved watching our children grow together. Your servant heart and organized spirit will be greatly missed here in the twin cities! I'm looking forward to the road trips and slumber parties that are ahead and to how God will use y'all to further his kingdom! 


Love you!

 

To my graduate

This evening you will walk across a stage and receive your degree. Four years of rigorous training completed. Four years of being in a new territory. Four years of Jesus honing your calling, growing your passion, and stretching you. You will walk across a stage with brothers who have encouraged, sharpened, and supported you. And in front of teachers who have invested, shared their lives, and pointed you to the beauty of the gospel.

And this evening we, your wife and three little children, will sit in a pew and watch you. Watch you close a chapter in your life that has been incredibly sweet and incredibly hard. Watch you bring all your hard work to fruition. Watch you with our hearts full of pride thinking of how you've grown, not only as a student, but as a husband and dad. We'll look on knowing we will be the main ones impacted by all the knowledge and shaping that piece of paper represents.

I'm so tremendously proud of you. Proud of your work. Your study. Of how you've balanced school, teaching TBI classes, leading small group, being a DG employee, and husband and dad.

Jesus has been so kind to us in these four years. Growing our family. Stretching our faith. Deepening our love. By grace, you've led us, loved us, and served us. And we look forward to the next season of our lives, remembering how faithful God has been to us during these seminary years.

You have been a tangible expression of the gospel. I know Jesus better because of your sacrificial love for me. And my heart is inclined to gratitude to God for giving me such an amazing gift in a husband.

We love you, forever, babe!

Micah: One Year

Minutes old. 

Hours old.

One week old.

One and half week old.

Two weeks old.

Three weeks. And going home.

June 2011.

July 2011.

August 2011.

September 2011.

October 2011.

November 2011.

December 2011.

January 2012.

February 2012.

March 2012.

April 2012.

May 2012.

At 12 months, you crawl. Not just any crawl, but you scoot with your knees and forearms. We call it your army crawl. You started pulling yourself up on the couch, chair, pant legs, and the other day you used the rocks on the chimney to pull yourself up.

Hannah is your twin. You like to chase her when she is on the floor sliding backwards from you. You giggle when she calls you "the Micah-beast." And you like it when she kisses you on top of your head.

Elizabeth is your safe zone. You like it when she reads to you, but you really don't care for her to hold you in her lap like she desires for you to. She makes you laugh with her funny, made-up words. And your cheek collapses in the palm of her hand when she strokes your soft face.  

You have a speed crawl that happens when daddy walks in the door. You aren't sure if you should laugh or cry with excitement at the sight of him. You always have an open mouth smile on your face when he talks to you. You think he is crazy for trying to teach you to swing a bat and throw a ball. And you love to offer him your forehead for him to plant kisses on.

You are my only baby at 12 months who still loves to snuggle. You nuzzle the back of your head into the crook of my neck. Then you pick your sweet head up to look at me and flash your bashful, flirty smile at me. You hold my hand while I feed you your bottle. And you are always eyeing me to make sure I'm not far from you.

I feel my heart swelling just thinking about you as I write.

Who is like the LORD, Michaiah? Who pardons our sins. Passes over our transgressions. Who does not retain his anger forever. Delights in his steadfast love. Who is like a lion. And a lamb. Who gives. And who takes away.

This year we have feared. We have cried. We have laughed. And we have marveled. Who is like our LORD?


May you taste the steadfast love of the Lord that never ceases. Feel his mercies that are new every morning. Trust wholly in the redeeming work of Jesus. And may your heart say along with your name, Who is like the LORD?

Micah's big boy tricks

Micah's first birthday is lurking around the corner, but I need no calendar to remind me that my baby boy is growing up. His new tricks are reminders enough...

 

  

Little Bitty Feet and Little Bitty Hands

A while back I blogged about the joyful simplicity of my (then) 2 year old, Elizabeth. The world to her was shapes and colors. She’s 4 now and is catching on to bigger realities. 

The other day Elizabeth and I were reading The Jesus Story Bible, one of her favorite books. And God used her to open my eyes to a pretty simple, but stunning truth. I'm not sure exactly which story it was, but after we finished reading, Elizabeth, sitting in my lap, looked up at me and asked:

Mommy, Je-je-Jesus has feet, just like me? 

Yes, sweetie. Yes, he does, I replied.

And wittle bitty hands like me?

Now holding back my laughter, Yes, and at some point he had little bitty hands like yours.

The rest of the day I couldn't help but to hold my little girl’s hands. And look at her little feet. God really dwelled among us. This incredibly simple observation dammed up the gnostic undercurrent that so forcefully wants to drag me away from the realness of God.

Jesus isn't merely this theological category that needs to be clearly defined. He is a person. A person who, in the fullness of time, God sent forth into the world. He really came. God made man. He lived a life I couldn't live. He fulfilled the law that I could only break. He died a death I deserved. He defeated the death that should have defeated me. He ascended into heaven where he is now seated at the right hand of the Father. He is victorious. He has brought me to God. To God, granting me access that I could never merit. 

This exalted King over everything is my savior. I am united to him. And by grace, abiding in him forever. This one who was God with us — who is now God in us.

It’s a bigger reality than shapes and colors. We’re talking little bitty feet, and little bitty hands.

I'm backkk...

"What has happened since the last post?" you may be wondering. Well we moved. Then Spring miraculously came early to the twin cities. Just as I was rebounding from the move, the kids got sick. Elizabeth had pneumonia from the RSV virus. Hannah had a bad cold from the RSV virus. And Micah got hospitalized from the RSV virus. I hate RSV.

Now we are all healthy and (mostly) adorable. My mom is flying in on Wednesday. And it's 70 today. My heart is liable to leap right out of my chest from all this excitement. 

Our awesome tree in the backyard that started to bloom in MARCH! 

 I know this picture is pitiful, but seriously, he is always so happy.  

Let's be honest. This is really for me. I can't WAIT for my mom to come!

Besides him being a model and all...

...He also turned 11 months today. Shut up!

Here's to hoping less crazy times and more blogging! (ok, or perhaps more successful nap times and a mom that ain't tired!)

The Tale Of Two Mornings

Or the tale of all mornings, really. Poor guy gets smothered with more kisses than he knows what to do with. 

Sunday, January 29.

Monday, January 30.

But he's not complaining.