Hershey, PA

Well, we're out East again. We haven't even had our first meeting yet, but it feels like we've been here forever. I think it's all those miles in the van. The first day we traveled eight hours, the second day was twelve hours, and today was only around four hours. We had a fun day today. Last night we stayed in a Bed and Breakfast in Pennsylvania. The people who own it let missionaries and pastors stay there for free, so that was a special blessing for us. The only problem was that they don't have televisions in their rooms, and I really wanted to watch Thursday night TV. We brought along "The Bee Movie" from our Netflix subscription, so we watched that. It was a cute movie. So, this morning the lady made us a really good breakfast, and Andy was happy about that. We decided to spend our day in Hershey, PA since we didn't have to be at our overnight place until 5:00. I wanted to tour the Chocolate factory, but we couldn't see the actual factory where they make the chocolate. We went to Chocolate World in Hershey and learned all about Milton Hershey. He and his wife did a lot of great things for their community and for kids all over the U.S. We bought Paige and Patrick's wedding present today (!!!) and some other gifts. I got a sweatshirt that reminds me of Deb because I think she has one like it. After we were done there we went to the local Panera Bread and I told Andy that I love that restaurant! After that we decided to head for Glen Burnie, MD. We have a supporting church there and the pastor there is awesome! He's the one that took us to Ocean's 13 in the theater when we first met them last year. He and his wife and their kids are so much fun, and we always try to see them when we are out this way. Them and Pastor Jim Johnson, whom you will remember from a former post on this blog.

I have some pictures to share from Christmas and New Years. It was a nice Christmas this year. I was glad that I had Paige's homecoming to look forward to this year, and then I got to do some wedding things with her to, which was so fun. I usually enjoy New Years Eve quite a bit because it's more low key and full of games! A lot of us went over to Amanda and Greg's to play games. Of course in order to do that, we had to break into Amanda's hope chest to get the games. We were successful--due in large part to Amy's awesome hammer and screw driver skills. I thought it was quite funny that Greg stayed totally out of the whole process, presumably so that in case we failed to get it reconstructed, he wouldn't have to get stuck putting it all back together! :) We had a good laugh about that. But, we succeded, and the games were a sight to see as Amanda saw ones that she had forgotten about even! I included a picture of Steve holding the lock that he took off even though he had previously told Amy that we shouldn't take it off--just another sign that Amy was in charge of this project, and she was the reason we were succesful! :) HAHA. We played the DVD version of Trivial Pursuit on teams (Paige&Liz vs. Amanda&Greg vs. Steve&Amy). And...Paige and I won! I've become very proud of this fact seeing as how Paige and I had never played a complete game of Trivial Pursuit in our lives, having sworn it off as kids since it was "too hard and boring." So Amy would play with us and we would make videos or make snow cats! We should have done that!! Next year... I also included a picture of Andy and I on our 4th Anniversary at the Schwartzenburgs. And a picture of Erica and Alaina and Amy and James at church. James just started rubbing Alaina's back randomly and it was cute!

Pastor Jim

Everytime we come to the East coast, we spend at least one day with a pastor friend of ours, Jim Johnson. He is probably my second afro-american friend (behind Kniambi Jones in 6th grade, birthday March 3--haha) seeing as how there aren't a lot of afro-americans where I'm from--at least not compared to the East coast! Anyway, he is a lot of fun, and Andy and I really like him a lot. Tonight he took us out to eat at TGI Fridays. He said something really funny on the way there. He said that everyone should speak in third grade english so that everyone knows whats going on, "otherwise, things just kinda hang out there being all ambiguous and stuff." I thought that was funny, and true. So many times we can misunderstand each other in relationships and in everyday conversations. If we just talked like we would to a third grader, there probably would be more clarity in the world. This reminds me of my favorite word in the English language: nebulous. I remember teaching Paige that word after I discovered it. I don't know which teacher in highschool introduced me to that word, probably Alix P. Martin.

The last two days

Oh my word! The last two days have been so fun for me! Andy and I are out in New Jersey/Pennsylvania/Maryland/Delaware/Virginia this week and next. Yesterday we took a day trip to Lancaster, PA. It is well know for its Amish community. We got there kind of late in the morning, and it was kind of a crummy day as far as the weather, but we wanted to walk around the shops. We were able to go into many neat shops that have the nice Amish woodwork, quilts, jams, jellys, candy, etc. It was really fun to see the horse-drawn buggies, and the little girls running around in their dresses and bonnets. That afternoon we went to Sight and Sound. It was in one word--Awesome!! I can't even describe how much it meant to me to see this drama. This drama team performed the creation story in musical form. It was probably 2 1/2 hours in length. If any of you are ever near Lancaster, I need to tell you to go to Sight and Sound! While we were in Amish country Andy made up this song as we were going down the road. It was so impromptu, and it made me laugh right out loud!


The root beer I want to drink
The woodwork is hard to beat,
Oh! To be Amish!
Oh! To be Amish!

The jelly is yummy to taste
the salsa is even better
Oh! To be Amish!
Oh! To be Amish!

The Amish ride in little buggies
Until they get hit by a school bus
Woe! To the Amish!
Woe! To the Amish!


That song made me laugh so hard--especially since Andy doesn't usually sing. But it was a song just waiting to come out, I guess.

Then today we spent all afternoon with the Gazaways: Jerry, Barb, and Aidan. That was so fun! We met them at Houlihans in the Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, NJ. We had a great time talking about our trip, Aidan, memories, etc. Then they took us to Tom and Mel's house (which they weren't there because they are on a cruise). We talked for awhile, and then Jerry wanted to take us on a "who cares tour" of Camden--except he said that we would care! :) It was disturbing to see the condition of that city--named the second worst city in America, besides Detroit. It just revalidated the need for missions in North America to us! There were a lot of fun times with Jerry and Barb, and we laughed A LOT! It was so fun! But the best line of the night came at supper (at Olive Garden) when Andy asked Jerry when he usually leaves for California in the winter and Jerry said "oh, somewhere between the 31st and the 1st." (meaning 31st of december and 1st of January.) Oh man! Barb and I both laughed! It was one of those times where I could not stop giggling about it--and I felt bad for laughing, I didn't want to make anyone feel bad, but it was so funny!
These last two days have been wonderful. Thank you, Jesus, for family and friends who are as close as family. What a blessing to me at this time!

Memories of August 28, 2007

One month ago today my sweet son Collin was born. I remember him today as I go through life's normal activities, but it doesn't seem normal to me anymore. I remember waking up in my hospital room. I felt awake, and I was surprised since I had to take a sleeping pill to get to sleep the night before. Dr. McCarville came in to do an ultrasound and we found that the fluid had not reformed around Collin. Dr. said that I could induce labor, or wait it out. If I wanted to wait until I naturally went into labor, then I would have to wait at the hospital in Des Moines. I did not want to leave Marshalltown! I had a peace in my heart that everything was supposed to end at home in Marshalltown. Andy and I spent a long time together talking and crying. At 10:00 we met with Pastor Hirsch, Nancy Pins, and Andrea Terrones. We talked to them about what we should do. Should we induce labor, or go to Des Moines? We decided to wait it out and go to Des Moines, even though in my heart I wanted to stay in Marshalltown. After they left, I lay in my bed and contemplated what would happen next, but I noticed that I was starting to get more and more uncomfortable. Nancy informed me that my pain was a significant change, and she told Dr. McCarville. The Dr. checked and I was dialated and starting labor. We decided to induce labor and speed the process along. Time went really fast after that. I don't remember a lot about who I talked with or who I cried with. But I know there were people who came to pray and to wait with me. I remember hearing that Deborah was coming to see me, I was so thankful, I cried. The pain got worse and Dr. Dowell came in to check on me. He told my nurse, Kristi, that I was ready to deliver. The labor went quickly and I do not remember a lot of pain. Collin was born at 3:20pm. Andy and I got to hold him and look at him. We shared him with our parents and family who were there, along with some special friends. We loved looking at his mouth, ears, hands, feet, nose, shoulders...everything. We have great memories of admiring Collin. We took pictures to help us remember him wrapped in his green blanket. I had no idea how I would ever give him up to the nurse. I dreaded having to let him go. To this day, I don't know how I did. People say I was strong. I know it was God-supplied strength. Right now I feel weaker. So many memories of that day flood my mind now. I hope I never forget.

1 month ago today....

One month ago today I sat at work, 5 months pregnant. It was a Monday and I was feeling tired. We had gotten home that morning around 1:30 (I think) from a long drive home from the Chicago area. I remember being at work and seeing people that I knew. Linda Holvick gave me a hug and congratulated me on my pregnancy. It was the first time that we had seen each other in a long time. I remember sitting all day beside a lady who had a bad cold, and I prayed that I would not get sick because I didn't want to harm the baby. I remember saying to her at the end of the day..."I think we're all ready to go home tonight." I was tired. I went home like normal and Andy and I decided to have pizza and watch a movie. Our Monday nights used to be pretty much useless since we were so tired after presenting on Sunday and driving all night on Sunday. Then my water broke. I did not know what was going on. I was so scared. I called my sister...not home. I called my mom...not home. I finally decided to call 911, and without them confirming my fears, they told me that someone would be out to my house to pick me up shortly. I rode to the hospital with Andy in the back of an ambulance. Mom followed us in her car. I was so scared, yet I felt confident in God's ability to take care of me. We sat and waited for the nurse to take us to a room. We cried. A nurse finally came and we followed her to a procedure room. They still did not yet confirm my fear that my water broke, although Andy and I were both pretty sure that is what happened. After doing some labwork, it was still not conclusive to the Dr. whether my water had broken or not, so they transferred me to the OB department. A new Dr. came in and we did an ultrasound. Our worst fears were confirmed...my water broke and short of a miracle I would go into labor sometime within the next 48 hours. I remember having a soothing peace that if it was the Lord's will, that He would cause the fluid to reform and I would carry the baby to full term. The Dr. said that sometimes happens. We prayed. We wanted everyone to pray. I felt the most calm when others were praying with me. It all happened so fast. I went into the hospital around 7:30, and before I knew it, it was 10:30 and they were asking me if I wanted help getting to sleep. We prepared ourselves to spend the night there; Mom stayed with us. I laid in bed thinking about everything, not able to slow down my thoughts or my heart. I prayed that if it was the Lord's will that He would reform the fluid and that I would not go into labor. August 27, 2007. A day that ended much differently than it started. I will remember this day forever.

Questions.

Why me?

What do I have to learn?

What do You seek to teach me?

How will this change me?

Will I be okay?

How will I go on?

What's the next step?

I can't go back to normal.