BABY Lowell (I love you)

   So I won’t go as far as saying that I am responsible for Beau and Grace getting pregnant because that would just be creepy, but I am fairly 100% certain that I played a part… For one thing, (not to make this all about me, but hey! It’s my blog) I’ve always wanted to throw someone a baby gender reveal party and for another thing, I was desperately wanting a friend to be pregnant with out in Cali.

   Some of our amazing friends Patrick and Courtney said that despite holding adorable Theo, they are not ready for a baby (probably because I couldn’t guarantee that any baby would be as cute as him). We also have these these other friends Kyle and Katrina that chickened out too, so that naturally left Beau and Grace…

   We were in the same marriage small group at Bethel and there is a whole big chuck of teaching about sex… there is even ‘homework’ (no details)… but before we were dismissed for the week, the leaders shared many testimonies of how the Lord had blessed couples with children during this time in the class (couples who did the ‘homework’ that is…) and they prayed over all of us that this would be a fruitful season of growth in everyones marriages (what they were actually saying: that everyone would get busy and have babies). Paul and I are over-achievers and had done the homework 7 months in advance and were ALREADY pregnant- very pregnant! During the prayer time Paul and I nonchalantly extended our hands towards Beau and Grace and they laughed assuming we were joking… I laughed too in order to throw them off my trail (I didn’t want them throwing up any counter prayers to what I was about to do). I  confess to you that I literally prayed one of my all-time best prayers that they would get knocked up and guess what?!? IT WORKED!!!!!!!!!!

   So yesterday was very significant as I got to host a gender party announcing the impending arrival of BABY LOWELL and revel in the fact that Bethel was worth every cent because God gives me what I want now ;) (jk).

Yay! LOWELL! you are a boy!!!! Theo's buddy!!

See that bump?!? I did that!- Well, no, but you know what I mean...

Empty Apartment

   Tis the season for furniture-less apartments. And by 'apartments' I mean our apartment. :) The only furniture we currently have is a bed and two camping chairs which are on our back balcony. The bed was very necessary after sleeping 2 nights on our defective air mattress which we had to repeatedly inflate during the night because it kept losing air. I feel like college students. We are enjoying cooking together and having no obligations :)
   We LOVE Redding! Granted life is pretty enjoyable when you have days on end to just be with your bestie, but we really really enjoy California living. We are both on the job hunt (which is why I am waiting to buy furniture). It can be a little nerve-racking to be living life without money coming in, but we feel we are supposed to be in Redding and are going to be faithful to look for jobs. HE will provide what we need. He has been so faithful every step of the way- I mean who finds an apartment and moves in the SAME day in a new town? Jesus is an extravagant Father and we are filled with hope.
  This last weekend was our first services in Bethel. Let me just say we are going to be SO spoiled. The worship is off the charts. I have never in my whole life seen a group of people more excited to worship than I have at Bethel. You can feel the electricity in the air. There is a sense of expectancy and joy. The teaching is wonderful too.. Friday night we heard Sherri Silk talk on the orphan spirit and how God decides our inheritance. It was anointed. Yesterday (Sunday morning) Kris Valloton spoke. His message was about whole restoration. The Lord doesn't just want to heal us physically, He has come to bring WHOLENESS to our whole being. 
  In addition to the services, Bethel has a beautiful 24 prayer room that we have been taking advantage of. Paul is actually there right now seeking the Lord about jobs and direction. If you think of it would you pray the Lord brings the right jobs to us? Thanks!

Whiskey town- where we go to swim and sun-bathe!

Not bad, huh?!

The water is really clear!

 

Travels, April 2011: San Francisco

   And back to blogging I go! I am just got back from San Francisco this afternoon from visiting Paul. He is on his 5-week long trip around Alaska and California running health clinics with his buddy Keith. Our friend Sean Campbell came out over the weekend too and we all had a blast seeing the sights and soaking up the San Francisco sun. I figured I should blog while everything is fresh in my mind...

This shirt was died with actual wine! But it's not true.. I would never sell Paul-at least not for wine ;)

3 amigos (actually 1, Keith is the only one who speaks Spanish)

Besties- at the Pier.

Paul being expressive.

Beautiful Golden Gate Bridge.

Another view of San Fran.

China town.

Me being expressive. I was trying to teach the guys how to appreciate art ;)

Boarding to take a day cruise to the famous Alcatraz Prison.

Yea- it's probably a little insensitive to be smiling in a jail cell...

The Prision.

A view from Alcatraz looking out.

     The trip was really good, but short. Another highlight (which we thankfully didn't photo document) was the 11 mile run on Saturday morning. We ran along the coastline and then all the way across Golden Gate Bridge and back. By 'we' I mean myself, Sean, and Paul. Sean and I ended up walking part of the way back because he had such huge blisters on his feel (TMI- I know). He pretended- err, I mean- was barely able to walk the rest of the day ;). Like a good friend, I stayed with him pushing him to complete the run (but really what other option did he have?). Meanwhile, ultra athletic Paul finishes the entire run! I was a little peeved that I have actually been training and he ran it cold turkey.

   We also had an interesting cab ride where the cabbie took us through a 'short-cut' that actually took FOR-EV-ER and cost like 20 bucks :( He dropped us off in a ghetto area where we ate larger than Chipotle sized burritos at a authentic Mexican restaurant and then all felt very, very sick (I'll spare you the details). 

  I have to take the opportunity to say that I was thoroughly impressed with the Starbucks in San Fran. I mean- they were everywhere! In one part of the city, there are 3 Starbucks within 2 blocks! So we took advantage and Paul and I went to coffee yesterday (Sunday morning) just the two of us, We had a really good time and enjoyed talking about our move to Redding in 2 short months.

  To be honest, Sunday night was a little rough and I was feeling emotional (surprise, surprise) about being apart for 2 more weeks and feeling sick (from my 'burrito incident'). My husband is not perfect (darn near close-jk!), but one thing he does excel at is helping me process my heart and emotions. So we powered through and had a great night. Sean, Keith, Paul and I went and saw a movie that night too. It was a good end to great weekend.
  Finally, I got home around 3 pm and my parents picked me up from the airport. I was feeling sad again and missing Paul. I got home and my dad had stacked the mail on my bed. There on the top was a letter from Paul that he had written almost a week ago and it arrived while I was gone. Talk about perfect timing! I read the letter and put it beside my bed to get me through the last 2 weeks apart. 
   Come home Paul. Come home.

Busy Busy

  EEEK! I have neglected this blog for a month! I feel bad, but we have been so busy! Paul is currently in Alaska and then will be traveling to California to run some clinics. I reallllly miss him, but am flying out to San Francisco in 2 weeks to visit. I will be honest and say that I probably think about Pablo 3 times an hour. We do everything together so it's hard to be apart for so long. The good news is we will have all summer in California not knowing hardly anyone which means LOTS of quality bonding time.

   Life is speeding by as we gear up to leave for Bethel. We have decided that we are selling most of our possessions so as not to pay for a storage unit. Couch, bed, table and chairs from World Market... all must go :( As sad as I am to sell my stuff (I'm nostalgic about all the furniture we bought together as newlyweds), it is very liberating! We are literally driving out with whatever our little Honda CRV can hold.

   We are planning on leaving for Cali the second week of June. We will take about 6 days to drive out and we are going to make a vacation out of it. I've always wanted to see Yellowstone National Park so we will work that into our plans. We are probably going to camp a lot of the way. When we get to Redding, we will drop off our small supply of stuff and drive 3 hours to Sacramento. From Sacramento we are flying to LA for a week of vacation with my boss and her family. Paul and I pretty much get to tag along and then will be watching the kids in the evenings if the adults want to go out. This will be the best job ever- if sitting by the pool at a resort is work sign me up!!! Then it's back to Redding to start jobs and transition for Ministry School. Can't wait!

   So I have been trying to take advantage of this time before we leave. I am also trying to make the most of the time apart from Paul. Last weekend I had a girls night with some good friends. The last few days I have enjoyed cooking healthy with my mom. We watch movies together a lot of nights (cousin Joy joined us on Tuesday night!). I have spent lost of time with family and friend- I know it's important to embrace these memories! Another good way to stay occupied has been training for my half marathon. I am training 5 days a week with my long runs on Saturdays. Last Saturday was 7 miles- this Saturday is 8. I'll try and update again soon...

Life Update: California here we come!

So a LOT had been happening the last few weeks, but I’ll cut to the chase: this summer Pablo and I are moving to Redding, California to attend Bethel’s School of Supernatural Ministry. Did I know 6 months ago we would be going?: no. Did I know 6 weeks ago we would be going?: NO! Life is crazy, but God is good!

   Basically, we have been sensing that the Lord has something for us this next season of life, but we just were not sure what. We teetered on the edge of putting down roots in Omaha (buying a house, Paul accepting a commercial real estate job, etc.), but didn’t feel peace. Some of my parents’ friends (the Franks) are out at Bethel and have loved it. My parents went out and visited last year and had nothing but amazing things to say about the school and everyone they encountered. Paul and I really didn’t think much of it when we heard about their trip, but everything happens for a reason. A few weeks ago Paul (in the midst of job interviews and entrepreneurship ideas) told me that he felt like we should pray about committing a year of our life to just developing ourselves and our relationships with the Lord. We decided to at least apply to Bethel and see if we got accepted. Two applications, multiple references, and a phone interview later and we were in! Turns out the school has limited openings so we are especially thrilled to have spots.

   The school is from September to May, Tuesday through Friday, 12:30-5:30 pm. Every student is also in a small group and attends service on Sundays. We will be moving out sometime this summer to find jobs and housing. The program includes Bible study, teaching on gifts of the Spirit, praise and worship, missions, the prophetic, signs and wonders, and hands on ministry. There are also guest speakers and teaching from head pastor Bill Johnson. Around 1,000 students attend each year and come from all over the world. This will defiantly be a stretching experience, but we cannot wait to see everything God has for us. We also are looking forward to meeting all our fellow classmates. Want to check out more info on Bethel? Their website is www.ibethel.org. You can go to “Schools” on the top tab and click on School of Ministry tab to learn more about what we will be doing.