Open House, Open Heart...

I've been avoiding my blog knowing I should update it. Things have been really hard for me here In CR and I just dont want to turn this post into a sob-session or the place where I turn into a mega negative nancy. So i'm going to keep this as positive as humanly possible.. my humanly possible that is. Caleb and I have had stomach issues on and off for about 2 weeks now.Whether  it be cramping, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting - you name, we've had it. I'm so over being sick. I've had a really hard time with my gluten/dairy intolerances and have had a hard time finding enough alternatives to where i'm still getting the amount of calories I need to be nursing Axel. I'm always hungry it seems. I've lost a generous amount of weight and am not super excited about it. On the upside- we are finally getting a little more into our "positions" here on base. It has taken longer than we thought due to never feeling well. Caleb has had to help me with Axel ...

We've had so much go on in the past 2 weeks. It was a time with family and a time of transition . Unfortunately, earlier this week Caleb got food poisoning and was sick for about 2 and 1/2 days.  My Mom, Step-dad and Sister Rachel flew in a week ago today. They spent the week with us- visiting some different spots in Costa rica. We tried yummy food. Breakfast at the base! Bananas, plantain and a mango! the bananas are so tiny! This is what they call "Casado" which is their typical meal here. This was by far my favorite food yet! It was served on a banana leaf and wooden tray! Relaxed. Took Axel to the Ocean for the first time! playing in the sand of course. Went for a VERY long hike to see a beautiful waterfall. (Caleb carried Axel in his hiking back pack the whole way. it was about 8km of mountain terrain. probably one of the most difficult hikes i've ever done. It was nice to have family here because it really helped me feel more ...

I'm going to work on this post over the next couple days. Our last 2 days in Minnesota, our day of traveling and some of our first days in Costa Rica. Bare with me folks, this could get rough. Saturday 3/8 : Today is our going away/birthday party for Caleb and his Dad Kendy with the Parker Clan. We are finally all closer to being completely healthy. I am not finished packing, not ready to say goodbye, not ready for a crazy Monday/drive to the airport. Just not ready. I'm not ready to unload all our bags at the airport and say a tearful goodbye. I'm not ready to speak in Spanish, not ready for my pale skin to be exposed to the hot sun, but thankfully, today is not Monday. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." -Deuteronomy 31:8 Monday 3/10:  I survived!! I made it to Monday. We are currently on our flight to Denver. Goodbyes were hard but God is faithful. We ha...

OH. MY. WORD. 5 DAYS! I can hardly believe we are 5 days away from moving! I have Axel and I's bags packed. Caleb has all the camera and sound equipment ready to go. Now we just have to get the little last odds and ends before we leave. I think I got sick from Caleb. We are all 3 sick now. Axel is going back to the doctor tomorrow so they can listen to his lungs. I am nervous about traveling with him sick, but am praying for healing! I wanted to share a few photos we took of Axel about a week ago while in New Ulm.  We never got pictures of him in the snow so we ran out and sat him on a sled at Sheri's house. :) Can't leave Minnesota without pictures in the snow. He is sick in these pictures. Kind of crabby, boogers, has a cough, but happy. Enjoying the snowflakes and proud of sitting up by himself. I wish i could show you the wiggle he does when he sits up by himself. So precious. Such a little peanut. His (fake) grandma Sheri knit this blanket for him. She...

I'm writing for a lot of reasons but mainly because I have so many things going through my head that I just need to sort them out via blogging.  Today has been a long hard day for our family in this big transition. Last night was our final night in New Ulm. Today we worked out the final touches, packed up our cars and Caleb sold his truck. I am sad to see the truck go after watching Caleb put so much into it and not getting a chance to enjoy it much. I'm once again learning how these stages in life that we live, or what I would call seasons ... can be so challenging. Today I said goodbye to one of my best friends Sheri. She kindly opened her home to us the last couples days since ours was nearly empty and without a bed. She has encouraged me, loved me, been patient with me and most of all loved my family. I know without a doubt that the past 6 months of Axels life has gone so much smoother since she has been SUCH a help. Packing our stuff to leave as she sat in the kitch...

Sometimes I look back and wonder how i survived nearly 20 some years of life in this tundra I call home. I mean, Really? Its SO cold, I dont get NEARLY enough sunshine and im just as grumpy as they get these days.  Ok so I'm Kind of stuck in a rut. I am not good at seeing things through, day by day. I am ready to just just country and be done with it. These blustery Minnesota days are killin me.  But apparently God has something more to teach me.  I cannot let my character be determined by my circumstances.  Rain. Snow. Sunshine. Or no Sunshine. God is faithful.  So I am working on.. Patience. Endurance. Strength. Conquering my.. Mind. Thoughts. Fears. Doubts. Insecurities. One day at a time. But I cannot lie. I CANNOT wait for 70-80 degree weather. Lord knows Im so over this dreary winter. In the meantime I will continue taking a zillion photos of my sweet boy.  Stay Warm.  B

I've been holding off on sharing this for awhile now, but I suppose it would be good to share since we are now 39 days away from moving. INSANE. In 39 days our family will be loading a plane to Costa Rica. Caleb is resigning from his current position here in New Ulm and taking an opportunity through YWAM at the San Jose base. photo rights to YWAM SJ* Together we will be working with their communications department and focusing on a ministry called Freedom Street . You can read more about this ministry here.   There is a link to their blogspot on that page however it is not currently working. I am personally hoping to help update this blog and keep it up to date! This is an exciting time for our family. We feel blessed that God has called us but also challenged to "let go" of the here and now. Its amazing how quickly life changes. Caleb will be heading the Media and Communications department. They are hoping to grow the ministry via different forms of media to r...