Finally some snow!

It's been a fairly mild winter for us. So it's also so strange to hear about all the snow in the US, since we've had very little this year! But finally Saturday we got some more snow. Still not enough for a good snowman, but there's still plenty of time for more. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day.

Trying to eat the snow

The little princess pouting about something - I can't remember exactly what. It probably had to do with being wet or cold or Luke hitting her with a snowball.

2010 Reflections

I really do love new beginnings. In school and in college , I loved a new semester with brand new notebooks and a fresh start. I like new years as well . It's a chance to reflect on all the Lord has done in our lives in the last 12 months as well and hope and dream for the next 12 months. As 2010 came to a close, I had a morning alone when I reflected and prayed for 2011. Seriously for us, 2010 was a big one. Here's a snapshot of what we experienced in 2010:

• Our team left us and our last teammates had to abruptly leave due to medical reasons. In our context, team is really important to our work and life here.
• I had a late (16wk) miscarriage in March. I just traveled up to the capital city to see the American doctor and found out our baby had just died. I was stuck there for 9 days to see the whole process through.
• Our country went through a revolution and the president was overthrown. We spent several days at home , not knowing what would happen.
• We went to the USA and had a great time seeing our kids experience lots of 1sts. Our kids had a blast with grandparents. We got to see lots of friends and family.
• 2 weeks after being in the USA we found out that a major ethnic clash happened in our city. For the following 2 weeks we didn't know if our neighborhood had been hit - meaning if our house had been burned down or if our neighbors and friends had been injured.
  We walked around in a fog for June, having a hard time relating to American culture , which is all about bigger, better and more when the people in our city were losing their homes, all their belongings, and even some of their lives.
• I experienced loneliness in the US, as many didn't want to talk about our lost baby (or maybe didn't know how to) and also the troubles in our city.
• We made the faith-step decision to return to our city and got lots of unapproving comments from others ,and some encouraging words from others.
• Surprise! 1 week before leaving the US I found out I was expecting again!
• We returned to our home, now knowing what it was going to be like at all. We were pleasantly surprised. We started the fall feeling more productive and more fulfilled than ever before in this city. The last 4 months of 2010 were more fruitful and fulfilling than the 3 1/2 yrs before.
• We made it past the 16 wk mark with this baby and he/she is very healthy.

So 2010 ended a lot better than it started. But the events of last year marked us forever. I have learned to hold things loosely in my hand, knowing that only He is Sovereign. And He is GOOD and never changes. So He's no more good to me now (as I have a healthy baby in my womb) than He was when He took our last baby away.

I'm impressed if you've read all this. Maybe this was just a good chance for me to record a bit about 2010. Here are few prayers from Valley of Vision concerning the end of a year and the beginning of a few year:

" O love beyond compare, Thou art good when thou givest, when thou takest away, when the sun shines upon me, when night gathers over me. Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world, and in love thou didst redeem my soul. Thou dost love me still, in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust. Thy goodness has been with me during another year, leading me through a twisting wilderness, in retreat helping me to advance, when beaten back making sure headway. Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead; I hoist sail and draw up anchor, with thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past. I bless thee that thou has veiled my eyes to the waters ahead. If thou has appointed storms of tribulation, thou wilt be with me in them; If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation, I shall not drown; If I am to die, I shall see thy face the sooner; If a painful end is to be my lot, grant me grace that my faith fail me not; If I am to be cast aside from the service I love, I can make no stipulation; Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial, as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use." ( pg. 111)

So we entered 2011 we hopeful hearts. Only God knows what this year will hold for us personally, for our family , for our work here. But at least we know He is faithful to walk through it all with us.

One thing we are definitely looking forward to in 2011. This is our sweet baby's profile at 24 weeks.