Monday, June 29, 2009

Wise Words

Sometimes it is hard to express all that we feel, and experience living in a foreign land, serving as a missionary. As we will celebrate our one year anniversary of living here next week....these words written by missionary Amy Carmichael pretty much sum up our experience over the past year. 

"a door was opened for me into a new life and I took the first step in...Today as I thought of all that has passed since then, of the little little one has learnt or done or been, I felt as if one has not taken even a step into the land which opened out before one ten whole years ago. Tonight in my evening reading this verse came: "In His quiver hath He kept my close." I never noticed it before. It is the revised version of Isaiah 49:2. Is it not beautiful? And does it not fit into the verse linked always to me with September 23, 1886, "able to keep you from falling"? Dear friends, I don't often write of these inner heart things in my Scrapperies, but to the glory of His name let me witness that in far away lands, in lonliness (deepest sometimes when it seems least so), in times of downheartedness and tiredness and sadness, always always He is near. He does comfort, if we let Him. Perhaps someone as weak and good-for-nothing as even I am may read this. Don't be afraid! Through all circumstances, outside, inside, He can keep me close."

amy1.jpgT

 

Thursday, June 18, 2009

All Smiles

Here's a little Avery smile to brighten your day!!


Thursday, June 11, 2009

One week old

Its hard to believe that at this time last week little Avery was about to come into the world! This first week has flown by, and she is growing and changing so much already. We have had a great first week! Our love for her grows by the minute. 

Look at my chubby cheeks....I'm a really good eater.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Conocerla


Well, we've been parents for about ten months now, but it's hard feeling like a parent when you haven't yet met your child.  About 5 days ago we had the privilege and joy of meeting our daughter, Avery Elizabeth Drake, when Linds gave birth to our precious, 6 1/2 lb, 50cm little treasure.  She's absolutely beautiful in every way, and we can't wait to know her more and more as she grows and develops.  

Our little 5 day old ladybug!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

I'm going to miss being pregnant.



I guess thats a pretty rare thing for someone to say one day before their due date. But, in the DR, pregnant women are treated like celebrities. There is a common phrase that everyone says..."pregnant women don't wait in line." So, I don't have to wait in line to use the bathroom, order food, pay our cell phone bill, check out my groceries, etc.....it's great! As soon as I get in line, the person in front of me will turn around and push me to the front of the line. At first, I was a little shy and would stay put, but then I realized that I better take advantage of the royal treatment while I could. Elliott has milked the "pregnancy privileges" as well. We will be out, and he will ask to do something and then throw in, "my wife is pregnant," and immediately the person will throw up their hands and say "claro, claro," (of course, of course). So, while I will not miss carrying around a watermelon, the backaches, the heartburn, and all of the other annoyances that come along with being pregnant, I will miss being a member of the pregnancy elite!!!

Please pray that little baby Drake will grace us with her presence before my dad has to go back to Orlando early Saturday morning.