new phones!!

Gone with the old and in with the new! We finally got new phones :) My sweet husband has a habbit of spoiling me with the better phone and the one I really want. When we got engaged, one of our first steps of becoming one was getting the same phone plan. Matt, got me the PINK razor I had always wanted. And now, he got me a great touch screen. Really, we are not big technical people, and so we stuck with the old phones for a while, but we are excited :)

mine



matts

Matt throwing his old phone onto the highway... just kidding ;)

Falling for Africa

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." - James 1:27

"For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing." - Deuteronomy 10:17,18

Adoption has never been something I really saw myself being interested in or wanting to do in the future. I had known many people who had adopted and had great storeis and a wonderful famiy because of it (my own cousin is adopted from Korea), but I always just wanted to have my own babies. Being a mommy is all I have ever wanted to do. But when I married Matt, he talked about one day adopting a little boy. I always said we would just see what the Lord did in our future. God's Word often talks about our job to take care of orphans and those who cannot speak up for themselves. One of the greatest promises in the Bible is that we are accepted as God's children, we are adopted into His family just as we are!! If we should be trying to constantly, moment by moment conform ourselves to the image of Christ, becoming more like him, then shouldn't that include adoption?? Extending the same love, kindess, and acceptance to those who need adopting just as our heavenly Father has done for us??

This summer at Kamp, there were many families who had adopted children from Thailand, China, and Ethiopia. Working in the nursery with many of them, I instantly fell in love. It was so unbelievable to listen to the families stories of how the Lord put it on their hearts to adopt and how they have been falling in love with their child since the moment they were matched with them through their adoption agency. After living with the Alexanders who have adopted Abe and are currently going through the process again, awaiting a little boy, I have developed a heart for adoption and all the waiting children. The Lord never ceases to amaze me in the way He works. He used these great families to change my heart to further obey his commands and grow in His likeness. Matt's desire to adopt was because of his best friend from high school, Chris Scharr who was adopted. Chris had been such a blessing in his life and if Chris' parents hadn't adopted him, Matt would be without a best friend, confidant, and unbelievable brother. How much more would we be without if our Heavenly Father had not adopted us as his own??

I don't know the Lord's future plans, and I do not know what He has instore for our future family. But, I do know that I would love to someday get the privellage to adopt a child. There are so many children out there, in our country and in the world, who are looking for homes. 147 million orphans in the world. It breaks my heart to think of all the children who do not have homes now and are just waiting. Through watching the Alexanders and loving Abe has taught me that the Lord can do so much through a little baby. He can grow and unite an entire family when they are following his call to faithfulness and obedience.

Avery really wanted to learn how to sew, so we made Africa shirts as our first project!

I dedicate this post to Abe... this sweet baby has defied the doctors and is a miracle. Look at his smile, he spends most of his day with a smile on his face and is just so happy. He can make just about anyone feel good about themselves! Abe, you are a blessing from the Lord, a blessing to your family, and it is such a blessing that we get the privellage to spend time with you!

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:5

my husband, my hero

When I was a little girl, I used to tell my dad that when I got older and got married, I wanted to marry someone who could make me laugh, could serinade me, and was just like my daddy! And now, I am convinced I have the sweetest hubby around... he is so sweet to me, so much fun, and so thoughtful. With Matt I am constantly laughing and have found someone who has a heart like my daddy's, to love the Lord and his family with all he has ... I even get serinaded once in a while :) We have been married for about 16 months :) and I have loved every single moment of it!! I still get those butterflies when I know he is coming home from school, and I get so excited to see him. My top ten list from the last year:

1. listening to him pationately talk about the Lord and his desire to know Him, and watching as he continues to be molded into the man of God the Lord has made him to be

2. taking naps

3. snuggling up in bed, eating ice cream and renting a movie

4. listening to all his accents (Borris the German, Randy the Nerd, William the Englishman, Scotty from Scotland, Johnny the New Yorker... there are too many to mention!)

5. watching him play basketball

6. dreaming together of our future... and babies to come :)

7. making him laugh

8. long car rides

9. going on walks

10. listening to him play the guitar

I am so thankful to have more than a husband in Matt, but a best friend. Everyday I am in awe at the blessing I am able to take part in because I have joined in this partnership with him. The Lord is so good to me, he knows all my needs and has poured out his blessing on me over and over again. He even listened to my requests from long ago. What a good God we serve!

Matt being lifted up after making a shot in K-Kauai's basketball gym... it was like he had made the game winning shot for some championship!

Matt dressed as a pirate from this summer... one of his many alter-egosThis is where I find Matt on most days... studying dilligently

This is a video of Matt from kamp this summer... just a taste of what I get everyday :)

Matt's parents came to Texas to join us for the week. It was a ton of fun and so good to see them. Everyday Matt's dad went to class with him (they were at Southwestern 35 years ago!) Matt's mom and I had a great time too... she helped me with school and we got to go shopping.

Dinner the first night

Matt and his dad

Matt's mom and I cooked dinner for the Alexanders and all the kids helped... it was a Hunter family favorite - Lasagna!!
Hill
Izzy
Avery
Abe

Life Lately

I found my camera cord! I can finally post all the picture I have been dying to post. :) So much has happened I don't really know where to begin, but I will start with what has been going on lately with us!!

A New Home

Matt and I have officially lived in Texas for 3 weeks! I can hardly believe that we are here and that this is going to be life for a while. We both still kind of feel like we are on vacation... it just hasn't settled in yet that this is home. We are living with an awesome family, the Alexanders, and loving every single minute of it. They are the sweetest family and have been such a blessing to us. They have been the answer to many prayers and have loved us as if we were family from the second we walked through their door. I don't know what we would do without them... well actually we would be friendless, very lonely, lost most of the time, and hating Texas. But, because of them, we now have family here in our new home, are being blessed out of our minds, and are loving Texas because of the sweet families that have welcomed us. Alexanders, you are a blessing! Thank you for all you have done for us!!

Matt and I driving to Texas. We saw 79 Texas flags from the time we entered the state of Texas until we got to the Alexander's house! We were amazed! :)
Us with Izzy on her 8th birthday!

Matt and Abe chillin' on the couch... doesn't that smile just melt your heart??

The whole Alexander clan... Hill, Moody, Emily, Abe, Izzy,

Avery, and Wick (from left to right) Check our their

blog!

Us at our new favorite frozen yogurt place...Pure Bliss!
The girls and I playing solitaire on the computer...
we are definitely addicted :)

The school room

Matt on his way to class and me getting ready to teach

Texas Rangers Game

Matt and I have also gotten to spend some time with some sweet friends from kamp... Kelly and Drew. We went to a Rangers game with them and had a blast! I have to say that I felt a little guilty singing the Rangers ballgame song and not routing for the Cards. :( Kelly is going to school at TCU and is just the sweetest, most encouraging friend... I am so blessed to know her!

The ballpark
Drew, Kelly, me, and Matt

Kanakuk Family Kamps - K-Kauai

Matt and I spent our summer at Kanakuk's family kamp. It is a wonderful place for families to go to kamp together and enjoy fellowship with one another. It sounds like an odd dynamic of having the whole family together at kamp, but it was awesome. The kamp is more like a resort and there are so many great things for families to do together. There is boating, a ropes course, a water park, a pool, fun activities planned by the staff... its a great place for fellowship. Matt and I were privellaged to be working at this great kamp. Matt was head of the Kanaka program (Kamp's high school volunteer program), was the men's staff personnel, and also had the chance to use his great talents of making others laugh till they cry and being creative by being in many of the skits. I was working in the Ala Moana, kamp's nursery for babies 0-4 years old. I of course loved every single second of it... what could be better than holding a sweet baby or playing with a hysterical 4 year old?? It was a great time to be serving the Lord and families together. This was also were we met the Alexanders, the Saxons, and the Turners... all great families here in Texas! The Lord showed himself to be our provider this summer. I was so challenged at kamp to live outside my comfort zone and be a servant all day long. And it was hard some days! I definately saw my sin and selfishness more than I have before... so much of me, me, me and not enough of Him. It was such a great place to be. How good it is to be walking in his will! Check out K-Kauai, it is a great place for families. Your kids will be encouraged by the awesome staff and your family will grow in fellowship with eachother and the Lord!

The little yellow house we lived in all summer (we lived in the back upper room)

The Cunninghams (K-Kauai directors) Will, Cindy, and Wes. I just fell in love with this sweet family who has been dear to Matt's heart for years. It was so much fun to get to know them better and spend every 2-4 with them. Cunninghams, you are the greatest!! (Peter we wish you were with us in this picture)

Us on Neon night

My attempt to look like a pirate... I look more like a gypsy. Oh well

Matt with the other pirates during pirate story hour... he is the one inthe gold jacket. Black Beard.


Us at a sweet tea room in Branson, the Sugar Leaf


Celebrating Wes's 22nd Birthday!! The Cunninghams with their "plus 1" son Matt :)

Anniversary and Weddings

This summer Matt and I celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary. It was such a sweet time for us. We were at Kamp and I wasn't expecting anything really great to happen because we were in Branson. But, I shouldn't have underestimated my sweet, thoughful, creative hubby. He surprised me and took me to a great dinner at Big Cedar Lodge for dinner. At kamp we were brought out cookies that said "his and hers" and then our sweet friend Abby brought us breakfast in bed! What a treat!! :) It was a wonderful day. Matt, I love you baby! Thanks for always making sure I feel loved and cherished by you.
This summer we also had many friends get married. To the Auckers, Schirmers, Les and Walters, Congrats! We wish we could have been their to celebrate. But we were able to make it to my cousin's wedding. It was a great time to see our family, however left a mess! I was crying the whole time :) It is so hard to leave so many people you love!!

Us with my family at Abby's wedding.

My sister, Andrea

Matt and I stopped at our favorite place, Starbucks on the way home from the wedding... we didn't get back until after 1 am and were exhausted!!

Us at the Loop in St. Louis before the reception

Our anniversary at the Lodge

the restaurant