Rainy days are for puddles....

Deuteronomy 32:2-4 Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. 3 I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! 4 He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.

We have been walking, talking, and growing... The days have been filled with moments of sunshine, hours of downpour, and times of learning God's faithfulness....

With rain, comes food for plants and animals... It settles dust, calms my home, and leaves plenty of down time for movies...

It brings teachable moments... curious hearts.... questions that leave me in awe of my beautiful children....
"Where is God?"
"Is Jesus crying?"
"Is Jesus the sun?"

I love days like this.... I dread the endless list of things to do after days like this, but for the moment, I relish....

My soul marinates on His word....

My kids ask more....

I smile at the joy that even the mention of His name brings.... My kids, not yet believers, still smile the moment His name leaves their lips....

Jesus......

In the rain I remember His faithfulness.... His promises...

He is truth...

At the Coex Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea

Passed out on the way home... Eyes and mouth open...

Lily's first time puddle jumping..... She loved it!

Mike loves the rain...

Kayden's new pose.....

Some of the gardens behind our home....

On our nature walk.....

Some of the rice patties growing....

Roly polys.....

Bug hunting...

Doggie waiting for crumbs.....

At the indoor pool on another rainy day!

At lessons....

Kayden and Michael at their swim lessons....

Lily loves to eat

At the waterpark....

Michael

Welcome Home……

Welcome Home……

Psalm 84:3
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

The day was here… The LONG awaited day to receive our furniture from home… We were ecstatic, to say the least!! The boys were beaming with excitement… Their Wii was coming, what more could two boys need? You could see the energy welling up inside…… The 2.5 month wait was over…

The time was set….

Our temporary furniture was picked up…..

The loaner coffee pot and knick-knacks were sent back to their home…..

Today we were getting OUR stuff!!!

Yippee!!!

As the packers begin the tedious job of unloading and assembling all of our luxuries, the reality of our new home sank in… We are here… in Korea… This will be our place of residence for the next few years…

With the borrowed furniture from the base we felt, well, borrowed… Like we were here for a short while.. Not permanent, but temporary dwellers in this home… Although our place is beautiful it never felt comfortable…

I am sure most of my comfort comes from what my dear friend calls “creature comforts.” The things you don’t really need, but now make it difficult to live without…. The recliner… the squishy mattress…. The bread pan… the trash baskets… the soft pillow cases… Things that make life more enjoyable…..

The type of enjoyment that one can begin to rely on… The comfort that friends bring….

As I unload the boxes… I began to realize how close my "home" really is.....

In the pillow that reads “A Granddaughter is sunshine, flowers, and rainbows.” I think of my Grandma...

*Smile*

In the clay french onion soup bowls that I display in my china cabinet, I see the shoulder that gave me strength when my kids were pushing me beyond myself… My dear friend Amy Barnes…

In my bright green hospitality plates that read “I find my rest in God alone, He is the One who saves me.” Psalm 62:1…. I think of my best friend Lanessa, who LOVES the color green.. And not just any green, but the vibrant sage…

In the Scentsy that fills my home with the sweet aroma of honey pear cider… I think of my sister in love, Jenna…. Who knew just what I would need to make my home feel warm and inviting…

The Willow Tree figurine of a mom with two young boys, will forever remind me of my greatest confidant Amanda…. She could encourage my darkest days with her soft voice and beautiful prayers for strength…. Today it sits atop our kitchen mantle…Forever reminding me to love like Jesus…

My sewing machine…. Well… giggles of excitement and jokes rumble through my head… My machine will forever remind me of my 3 best friends, Amy, Jennifer, and Allison… I am reminded of the wife of noble character in Proverbs 31…. For these 3 have taught me by example how to serve in my home and laugh at the days to come…

From the art work to the couches, the fake flowers to the frames, I begin to realize why I sent everything we own…. The thought of my family brings me joy…. The thought of my friends make me giggle… The memories that surround each item are emotional…

And I am a very emotional person….

Just ask Mike….

Now, I know the memories are tucked away, and that they are not in the things…. But for now… I un-wrap the boxes, clean the shelves, and reload Wii remotes… The memories surround me…

I move forward… More memories will still be made…. Many more will laugh on these couches… more nail polish will be spilled on our table, and more joy will come through our new doors….

This is now, officially, our home….

Welcome to our home….

God bless our home, and all who enter…..

The plate that reminds me of Lanessa........

My scentsy that reminds me of Jenna

The shakers that remind me of my greatest mentor.... Jeannen

My Amanda memory....

The picture that reminds me "WWAD?"... what would Angela do?... Reminds me to be mission minded..

My grandma.....

My Megan.....

My Amy....

Kitchen....

Living room

Mudroom at the entrance of our home....

Boys room....

Master vanity and bathroom with large soaking tub...

Master

Playing with the neighborhood kids and pets....

Soooo fast!Whatcha looking at?

Team Stafford

People you begin to resemble your dog after awhile... So true....

The volcano we made with our science kit from home...

my little chemists...

Your hands, Your feet

Just when I needed it, a woman walked up, tapped my shoulder, and gave me a gentle reminder, a small word of encouragement to keep me pressing on to the ultimate goal…

Salvation…

I have been in daily prayer for my children… especially these past few weeks… Not just the type of prayer that you do at meals and bedtime, but the minute by minute prayer… The constant dialogue for strength and endurance..... The type of strength that it takes to combat the difficult demands of parenting a preschooler… I have been ending my day with left-over’s, my mind has been wrestling with the days happenings; what I should have done or what I could have done… The anxiety of my skills leaves me paralyzed… Do I have what it takes to do this right?

I pray for my anxiety….

I pray for direction…

I look for a light that will surround the answer… To be an immediate fix to a difficult 3 year old.. An instantaneous transformation… You, God, can do that…. Please reveal to me what will work… What will make the screaming and whining come to an end?

Then I get a tap…

“It is nice to see a mother who is raising her children in the Lord…” the woman says….

Wow!!!!!!

Thank you God!

I know You sent her… I know You are using her to be Your hands and feet… The light You are revealing to me is not an instant fix, but instead a reminder to press on… To keep the course… To lean on You! My instant fix will come with Your return…… Sin will be no more… and You alone will transform….. Give me the guidance to show who You are, to be Your hands and Your feet… In your time… I will wait….

I say a prayer of thanksgiving, for you always answer….

What happens when daddy feeds Lily breakfast... In his defense, he gave her sausage and pancakes first!

Sweet blue eyes!

Covered!

Smile!

The new "cheese" What happens when I tell Lily to smile!

Daddy is the best!