What We've Been Up To...

O my! It has been quite some time since I last posted; but, I do think about it often. Life seems to be flying by. In the last month we've moved to Montrose (woot! woot! - such a blessing!), went on a anniversary trip/babymoon to San Fransisco (pictures and separate post to come, I promise), and all sorts of other work/high school ministry/seminary related things. And now we are about to venture off to Gloreitta, New Mexico for our high school summer camp and then a week after that, head home to the East Coast!! Living the good life :)

So, Montrose is this adorable little city that's sort of tucked away in some hills. It's so quiet and quaint and residential - so not North Hollywood where we just came from. And, although we loved our old location, the Lord has blessed us with so much extra space and amazing neighbors here in our Montrose apartment!

As far as high school camp, it's an insane, high-energy, total blast of a week with some of the greatest high schoolers around, and then like 600 other ones, too. This year there are going to be about 900 kids at CampRegeneration, hosted by Grace Church and our 180 youth group! There will be 12 teams (I think), and the competition is super fierce. This year it is Heroes vs. Villains, and I honestly have not seen girls go at each other like this, ever - it's so crazy...the sweetest little tiny high school girl is rolling around in the mud fighting over a blown up crocodile and then diving into a kiddie swimming pool and running around with a refrigerator box on her head - o camp! John MacArthur, Rick Holland, and Austin Duncan will be speaking, and it should be amazing! But, I've left out the best part! Me and this giant belly of mine will be riding on the bus...for 18 hours!!! So, honestly I'm not looking forward to that, because I know it will be uncomfortable and hard to sleep...but the Lord will give grace! Pray for me, please, if you think of it. Thankfully there are bathrooms on our bus!!

And then going home! O my goodness, I cannot wait to go home! We haven't been home since Christmas, so that's over 8 months! I haven't seen my mom once since I've been pregnant, so I'm really looking forward to spending time with her and the rest of the family! Also, I should be having 2 baby showers, one in NoVa and one in DE - so I'm very excited about that! Bring on all the cute baby gear!

Baby Maggie is getting so big and she's becoming more and more active, which is really fun! We hit 24 weeks/6 months this past Sunday! I cannot wait to meet her!! Getting fatter has been a little rough for me. I've always tended to be more self-conscious about my weight/appearance...and adding 12lbs so far to this little 5'1" frame has bummed me out at times. But, it really is like all belly so far, so that is kind of the Lord. And, it's humbling to remember that not only is my body not my own since it was bought with a price by Christ at my salvation, but it is also being used by Him to grow another life at this time! Also, I am just so thankful that she is healthy and growing right on track! Pregnancy is such a miracle...it's super weird and full of emotions, but God is such a Master Creator! It really is awesome! I can't wait to see her beautiful little face, and pinch her little fat rolls, and kiss her forehead, and all that good stuff! Ahhh!! Just 15 and a half more weeks!! Thank you Lord!

Ps. 72:18-19 - Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!

Currently...

I am at a loss for super interesting updates.

I really want to start writing a book, but can't quite think of something good enough to write about. Any ideas?

Robert is in a summer class that literally requires 300+ pages of reading a night :/

High school Bible studies are coming to a close, but I'm going to start meeting with my girls during the summer and going through Fundamentals of the Faith with them!

The baby and my belly are growing, growing, growing! And I'm so excited! (I'm going to do a post soon of some pregnancy cravings, wishes, and what not...)

We are looking for a bigger place to live. (keep praying! and let me know if you hear of anything!!)

I have 141 days left of work at GTY!!

I'm so excited to go home in August! I bought our plane tickets yesterday!!

And, I'm equally excited to go to San Fran, June 29-July3 for our 2 year anniversary and BabyMoon!! Ahh! I can't wait to be alone with my sweet, sweet man for 5 days straight!

I am a happy girl! So blessed! My God is good!

Update

He said no... But, we know that God is so good and He loves us! And we are so hopeful for our future home; both in this life and the one to come! Yes, I cried. But I am so blessed, and good news - the gospel is still true! So, today I am praying for a little extra grace, and rejoicing in the sovereignty of God.

Thank you for those of you who prayed with us!

Apt. #1

It's so appropriately named, because it truly is the best apartment in our complex! Apartment #1 has just become vacant in the building we manage. Currently we are in apt #9, which is a "cozy" one bedroom. Apt. #1 is a spacious 2 BEDROOM...with a REAL KITCHEN (it's like it's own separate room with more than 1 counter!!), and 2 storage spaces/closets!! Wow! Sounds to good to be true, haha!

But, I'm writing all of this to ask you (Kristen and Marie and whoever else might read this) to please pray with us, that the Lord, who is rich in mercy, would allow us to move in and manage from apt #1! It would be a HUGE blessing with the baby coming in November, and being something we can actually afford! Really, we couldn't imagine a more ideal situation. We've been waiting a little over a month to hear the ruling of the property bosses as to whether or not it's an option. It's been discouraging to say the least. But, also it's been awesome, because the Lord has exposed my faithlessness. O me of little faith. The Lord can so provide this for us, and totally glorify Himself in the process. Or, He can say no - and totally glorify Himself in that process! But while we wait, I'd love for you to pray as well; that way you can rejoice in the outcome as well, knowing that the Lord hears our prayers and He loves us!

Lastly, please read this if you've ever struggled with faithless prayers. It was SO convicting and encouraging! The Lord really used it to rejuvenate me!

And double last, my baby is the size of a lemon! Wow, huge!!