October Update

October was a great month for us!  Thanks to our generous and amazing friends and family, we found out we were fully funded for our upcoming trip to Swaziland!  We cannot express how thankful we are for the support we've received- not only financially!  We prepare to got to Swaziland knowing that this trip has been completely bathed in prayer for months.

We took a quick trip to Missouri for Mizzou for 100th Homecoming!  Fun fact for the day: did you know that the tradition of Homecoming originated at the University of Missouri?  Our gracious friends Josh and Annie hosted us for the weekend, and we had an awesome time not only just spending time with them, but also participating in many of the Homecoming traditions.  Unfortunately, we didn't have tickets to the game, but it was incredible how many of our friends we ran into throughout the weekend!

Jenny and Truman at the Columns in front of Jesse Hall...



Part of one of the floats at the parade.

Annie and Josh at Chipotle...we always have to eat Chipotle when we're in Missouri!

Us and the Greers!



Some of the friends we ran into at housedecks...



A few weeks later, we simply had to return to Missouri when the Cardinals were in the World Series!  When the Cards were in the World Series in 2006, we drove to St. Louis and watched the final game outside Busch Stadium with thousands of other fans; they actually let us in for the final inning, so we got to see the final outs!  It was such an awesome experience.  We weren't planning on driving to St. Louis this time, but after that ridiculous Game 6 where the Cards refused to leave, we determined we couldn't miss Game 7!  Besides, it was a good excuse to spend some time with our friends Ryan and Lendy who live in St. Louis.  Wonderfully, the Cards won their 11th World Series and again, we joined the thousands of other fans who watched the game from just outside Busch.  It definitely wasn't as cold as 2006- but it was still tons of fun!

11 in 11!

Lendy and Ryan watching the presentations on the big screen.



A sea of red!

We are thrilled we made the drive to St. Louis to see the Cards win again!



In other news, Isaac worked a ridiculous amount of hours this month and studied like a mad man.  Work is going well for me, but I had the joy of developing yet another sinus infection (oh, Ohio Valley...).  But I am very blessed to live in the age of Z paks and a doctor at the seminary clinic who will prescribe one for me!

We're looking forward to our trip to Swaziland very, very soon followed by some family time over the holidays!  The next few months should be great!

Twenty-Nine Reasons

Today is Isaac's birthday, so instead of posting a recap of the previous month (although that will be coming shortly), I thought I'd do something special in honor of my husband's 29th birthday.  There are so many things I love about Isaac and I'd like to share with you some of the reasons why he is simply the best husband in the world (don't argue with me, ladies).  Some are silly, some are serious, some you may might strange.  But they're all reasons why God gave us to each other.  (Oh, and they are in random order- how can you categorize the reasons why you love someone?)  

1) He is an amazing man of God.   

2) He lets me be myself...as in a large child.  If you know my mother, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

3) He is hilarious... and he uses this to his advantage when I'm beginning to get mad at him.  Because then I start laughing, and I can't be mad when he's making me laugh. 

4) He does more than his share.  He works a lot and goes to school, but somehow he still manages to help around the house.  I hate mopping, and he does it for me.

5) He knows my passions and encourages me in them.

6) He is so thoughtful.  He drove to Memphis one time just to get David Eckstein to sign his new children's book for me.  I cried when I opened that Christmas present.

7) He puts up with my experimental and often sketchy cooking. "It was all right... I don't know if I'd eat it again" Direct quote, friends.  On more than one occasion.

8) He is supportive of my career choice; it's pretty stressful, but he understands what makes it worth it.

9) He does the best imitations.  Period.  Just ask him to do an impersonation of pretty much anybody, and you'll be on the ground in stitches.

10) He's a good student.  He studies very hard and truly wants to learn and be the best student possible.

11) He's going to be a great father one day.  I cannot wait.

12) He has a heart for the world, the downtrodden, and the oppressed.

13) He can take a hint.  "Ooo, Isaac, look at these cute hounds tooth flats.  Those are sooooo precious." Three months later, I'm opening the shoes as a Christmas present.

14) He can make this awesome sauce for chicken sandwiches that tastes just like the sauce from Jay's in Sikeston.

15) He watches children's movies with me without complaint. 

16) For that matter, he'll watch Jane Austen and other period pieces with me with little complaint.

17) He'll brush my hair or scratch my head...every night if I ask him.  Glorious.

18) He values family.  I love that he calls his parents and sisters randomly.  And that they call him.

19) He'll read classic literature when he's not reading his brains out for class.  He's reading Treasure Island right now, and that's so hot.  

20) Speaking of hot, he is.  Not temperature-wise, but attractive-wise.

21) He'll make the bed.  This alone is amazing.  I hate unmade beds.

22) He can be spontaneous.  As in, "The Cardinals are going to game 7 in the World Series?!?!  Heck yes, let's drive to St. Louis and have a repeat experience of 2006 when we partied outside of Busch with thousands of other fans!"

23) He works really hard to provide for us.  He already has two jobs, but he's willing to take on extra work in order to pay the bills if needed.

24) He can sing, and play the guitar, and play the cello.  And by golly, one day he will teach me how to play the cello.

25) He likes ethnic food.  I think we're going to eat Thai food tonight.  Yum...

26) He is patient.  I'm not so patient.  It's a good match; I'm learning from him.

27) He is creative, although he wouldn't think so.  But he is.

28) He constantly reminds me that he loves me and that I'm the girl for him.

29) He is a gentleman.  He always opens my car door, won't let me carry a bunch of stuff at once, and when we're walking, he makes sure that he's on the outside closest to the traffic.  (Take note, young ladies.)

So happy birthday, my love!  I can't wait to spend many more with you!