Go Bonnies!

On Tuesday evening, we all went down to St.Bonaventure for a basketball game. My older brother, his wife, and their two little boys were heading to my sister-in-law's hometown for Thanksgiving and so we thought it would be fun to see them before, especially since I am leaving for Oklahoma in just a few days. 

Playing cars with Grandma.

He sure loved his pretzel!

The guys watching the game.

Micah loves his Aunt Kiah!

Bonnies win!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families and friends!

Thanksgiving 2014

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, 

and His courts with praise! 

Give thanks to him; 

bless His name!"

Psalm 100:4

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. This is one of my favorite days of the whole year. A day spent with family, good food, and a day to be thankful. After being overseas for the last few years, I don't take for granted the blessing of being home for the holidays.

We had a white Thanksgiving this year!

And of course Thanksgiving day wouldn't be right without watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. 

My brothers are obviously thrilled about me taking their pictures.

At least Kiah cooperated!

Dinner table all ready!

The appetizer table.

This picture cracks me up. My Grandma's dog, Cody, just waiting for my Dad to drop some turkey.

He never did.

The family!

Yes, so much to be thankful for this year. I have a family who has loved me and supported me through all of my adventures, I have my dream job starting in a little over a week, and a new adventure in Oklahoma starting next week!

Praying you all had a wonderful day of Thankfulness.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord,

for He is good,

for His steadfast love endures forever."

Psalm 107:1

Whirlwind

What a whirlwind it has been around here. After months and months of applying for jobs and waiting, applying and waiting, these last few weeks have flown by and it can S.L.O.W. D.O.W.N., that would be fine by me!

On October 9th (just over a month ago), I applied for a position at Dillon which I saw posted just 2 days prior. On that same day, I received my first call/phone interview with them. On October 23rd, they offered me the job. On October 27th, I accepted. And life has been going non-stop since then. My first day of work will be December 8th (!), and we are leaving here on December 2nd to move me to Tulsa. All that to say there is a lot to do before then, plus there is a holiday (hooray for Thanksgiving!) thrown in there!

Yesterday was a productive day. I spent most of the day going through my belongings and deciding what is going to Tulsa with me and what is staying here for the time being. My mom, sister, and I also did some shopping last night and my kitchen has a pretty good start so I can do some cooking once I arrive. I had saved a few of my gift cards from last Christmas for this very purpose. Merry Christmas (from last year) to me!

I also think that I've found a home! I have been searching for apartments the last few weeks and called about 9 or 10 different places on Monday. I have a book full of notes and just trying to make a decision. After sitting down with my Mom, I've decided on a place. Applied online and paid my application fee. Now it's just waiting to see if they accept me! It looks like a great apartment, safe area, and the best part? Only 2 1/2 miles from my office! Please pray with me that this will all fall into place if it's meant to be.

How am I doing emotionally? For the most part, I have been holding it all together. But I'll be honest, it's very bittersweet. I'm so excited about my new job, the people I'll work with, and most importantly the mission of the agency, to help bring sweet children home to their forever families. I am also excited to move to a new city and experience a new adventure. But, it's been SO NICE being home with my family these last few months. Spending time with my family, attend my siblings sporting events, help out where I'm needed, see my nephews, and just being near family. Leaving again is going to be so hard. But, I really feel like this is what I am supposed to do and so I'm holding onto that. But yes, I'm scared.

"Being confident of this, 

that He who began a good work in you 

will carry it on to completion 

until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:6

The Latest News

"God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day."

Psalm 46:5

(A verse the Lord laid on my heart a few months ago)

I know I have been pretty silent these last few weeks. On October 22nd, I asked for prayers for some big, upcoming decisions I might have to make, and I did indeed, have to make them.

I arrived back in the United States on July 19th. It has been about 3 1/2 months since I have been back on US soil. When people ask me if there was a specific reason why I left China, the only answer I can give is that "it was time." It was. I loved what I did, I still miss the children and the staff, and yes, I even miss China (mainly the food!) from time to time. But, never once in the last 3 1/2 months, have I yearned to be back. And that means, that it really was time for me to leave.

Since arriving back in the states, I have been praying and seeking direction as to what the Lord has for me next. And I loved my two years in China and I know that those are memories and experiences that will stay with me forever. But I also knew that those two years were not going to be the highlight of my life. Yes, they are up there alright, but I know that just because I have left China doesn't mean that the Lord is going to stop using me. And so these last few months have been spent praying for the new ministry, the new journey the Lord has me. This summer and fall, doors have opened. I interviewed for several positions all over the country, and time and time again, those doors closed. All along I have been praying for the Lord to make it very clear to me, when the right door opens.

I will share the entire story lately (I'm working on it!) but to make a long story short, this one particular door opened in early October. And stayed open. Many of you already know this news if you are friends with me on FB or follow me on Instagram, but for those of you who don't know, I wanted to share. On October 23rd, I was offered a job and on October 27th, I accepted it. I have been hired in the adoption department at Dillon International adoption agency in Tulsa, Oklahoma! After spending 2 years in China, loving on precious orphans, I now get to play a role in bringing them home to their forever families! Is God good or what? I couldn't be more excited (or scared!) for the next journey the Lord has me on. I will be moving to Tulsa the first week of December. Right now I am researching apartments and trying to find one from 16 1/2 hours away (which is a little difficult although not too horrible with google earth and other internet resources).

Although it is exciting, it's hard too. I'm  moving away from my family and friends, again. And even though it's not as far as China, it's still far. But it just feels so right and so I am walking in faith and know that the Lord will see me through. Won't you join me in prayer as I move again in a month and adjust to my new home in Tulsa?

"We live by faith, not by sight."

2 Corinthians 5:7

Pumpkin Carving Fun

This year we bought a white pumpkin. 

We bough it on our way to Houghton to visit Tage for Family Weekend the first weekend in October. It has developed a few bad spots on it, but it was still very carve-able.

Kiah didn't trust me with the nice (for some reason) and so she decided to do it.

Goodness, she is so photogenic...

Cleaning out the "pumpkin guts."

And my favorite part... the pumpkin seeds!

Sometimes things get a little crazy around here!

My job... separating the pumpkin seeds from the "guts."

The finished product: meet Jorge, the pumpkin!

This was the first Halloween that I can remember when we did not have anyone trick-or-treating. Tage was home for the weekend and he and my Dad were at the playoff football game so Kiah and I decided to make popcorn and watch movies. It was a different but fun Halloween!