Thursday, August 20, 2009

Goodbye, My Friends


Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to another set of friends, Jess and Billy Streu. We've grown close to them throughout college and our "young adult" lives through our Westminster community and are super sad to see them go. However, they are off to do amazing things. Billy and Jess have a heart for world missions and felt the Lord leading them to serve in Bosnia. So, they joined forces with a great organization, Operation Mobilization, and off they went! They left yesterday and arrived safely in Amsterdam where they will remain for a few weeks before heading to Bosnia for about 2 years. PLEASE keep them in your prayers...I can't imagine what it's like leaving everything you know behind and starting life in a new part of the world, especially in a country that is so desperately needing God (not that ours isn't, just in a very different way). We have a link to their website that I encourage you to check often in order to stay up to date on their prayer requests and to see how the Lord is moving in Bosnia! Even though we are so sad to see our friends go, we are so excited to see what "bigger and better" things God has in store for them. 

That brings me to my next point. It seems like God has brought so many people into our lives that call Lubbock home only for a season before they are called off to do "bigger and better" things. It seems as though this is just a stepping stone for so many people; it could have something to do with the university or the fact that we're just in that age range where people aren't quite "settled" in one place just yet. Whatever the reason, it's hard for those of us who are left behind. Or at least it feels like we're left behind sometimes. As I set here and run through all the friends who have come and gone on to "bigger and better" things, there are many that come to mind. So many in fact, it sometimes makes me wonder what we're missing. Did we miss a memo at some point that said "hey, life's happening over here!"? Is the fact that we're still here a negative thing? We've seen so many come and go that it just makes ya think a little bit. What will be our "bigger and better"? 

However, what if staying in Lubbock isn't a bad thing after all? What if God calls some of us to live life here, in little 'ol Lubbock, with mediocre jobs, in a quiet little neighborhood, driving modest little vehicles? Not doing anything drastic or changing the lives of thousands of people overseas? What if our "mission field" is our own daughter, and not lost souls around the world? What if we don't feel called to sell all our belongings and start over? I think that's just what God has in store for us. What if our "bigger and better" isn't quite as big as say moving across the world is, but instead is investing in the lives of those around us, on a much smaller scale, and doing God's work in our home, in our workplace, amongst our family? I think that would be OK. I've felt God move in our family and I know He has great things in store for us. Right now, it may just be getting to set on the back porch as a family and watch the sun go down while singing Itsy Bitsy Spider. But down the road, who knows? He may have other things in store for us...new/different jobs? More kids? Relocating across the world? Who knows! But all I know is that God has called us to be right here right now and I couldn't ask for anything better. My life is truly blessed and I feel fulfilled. 

So, in the meantime, we will support our friends who are doing God's work across the world, pray for them, and maybe even visit them. We will make new friends and probably watch them go, too. We will be thankful for what the Lord has provided for us, right here in Lubbock, TX,  and will be excited to see what our "bigger and better" will be, no matter how small and average. 

Sorry for all the rambling :o) 

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

The big 6M!




Wow, does time fly. Our lovely lady is now 6 months old! I know I say this every time, but it really is hard to believe we have been parents for 6 months now. But oh what a great 6 months it's been!! 

We took Mollie in for her 6 month well check today and here's her stats: She's 25 in. long (25th percentile and an inch taller from last time!), and 12.2 lbs (which is like the 12th percentile and only a few ounces more than last time!). Her head is still growing well and in the 75th percentile...hehehe. 

The doctor was a bit concerned with her lack of weight gain this time around, so we're going to try a few things. Part of it might be from how much she spits up, and another part of it might be that she's not getting enough milk. So we're going to play around with increasing the milk supply, eating more (or more often), or supplementing with formula. He wants us to go back in a month for a weight check and see how she's progressing. However, even though she hasn't gained much weight, her development is still right on track and she's doing great things for a 6 month old!! 

Here are 6 things our sweet girl is up to this month: 

- Rolling both ways!! We worked with her the whole time we were in Shamrock a few weekends ago, then when we got home she decided she could do it all by herself. We're so proud of her, but it's the first step towards true mobility...yikes! She's even put her knees up under her (as if to crawl!) I have video of her rolling, but am having technological issues...I'll put it up when I figure it out! 
Tummy time...

- Fine tuning those fine motor skills...She's been doing lots of practicing picking things up, passing it from one hand to another, putting it in her mouth, and so on. Her favorite object to practice with is her pacifier, which she's figured out how to locate, pick up, and put in her mouth (or use as a chew toy as she sometimes prefers). 

Hands at work...

- Almost sitting up...She's getting to the point where she can sit with her arms down (like a tripod) for longer, and is needing less and less support while sitting up. She even tried sitting up from a lounging position to upright (can you say crunches!?) 

Sitting up in the bumbo enjoying some cereal...note the excitement in her eyes! 

- Teething...which means droooooooollllllll all over the place! She's seriously soaked all the time, and soaks those of us around her with her combo drool/puke. It's lovely. Unfortunately, it's started breaking her skin out in little bumps, and it's like fighting a losing battle trying to keep her wiped off and dry. We'll keep trying I suppose. No teeth yet, but you can see them emerging from under the gums a little more each day and boy does she like to bite down on things to relieve some pressure. Stick your finger in her mouth sometime a give it a try! hehe

Munching on toes...

- Eating cereal...and she loves it! We've only been doing this for a few days, and she's already doing better with figuring out how to keep it in her mouth. Oh the messy fun it's been, though! 


Once it hits your lips...

- Being social...Mollie loves other people! Especially babies. I love the look in her eyes when cousin Maddox comes up to say hello or when her friend Natalie is playing nearby. Her eyes get so big and she smiles and watches their every move. Nothing makes her happier than when someone will come and have a heart to heart conversation with her...she loves the attention and may even share some thoughts of her own via baby babble :o) 

I think that's about it. We are very thankful for this beautiful, healthy baby girl that we get to call our own. Oh how I want her to stay a baby forever!!! But I know God has bigger plans for her, so on to the next 6 months we go!