All is well, and they're having a wonderful time! Aside from the phone complications (none in the Bedouin tent and the system was down in the first hotel), everything has been great.
He absolutely loved Petra. And, yes, he did some climbing while he was there. Not on any of the important places and not on any rock faces. Actually, he said it was more like "scrambling" with hands and feet. Either way, he is having the time of his life!
He said that everything has been amazing so far. On the first night, he opted to take his sleeping bag outside of the tent and sleep under the stars. While at Petra he climbed just shy of the very highest point. He said he could see ruins all around. Tomorrow they're going to the Dead Sea. Beyond that I have no idea what's in store for him. All I know is that he's gung-ho and loving every minute!
Thanks so much for all your prayers!
Friday, March 28, 2008
A Text from the Holy Land
No, not some ancient scroll. A text. I got a text message from the Holy Land last night! It was 8am their time, but at midnight last night I finally heard from Zach. Essentially, "I love you. Sorry I haven't called. No one has been able to. I miss you. I can't wait to talk."
I'm not sure why no one has been able to call. Or why he was able to text but not call. Hmm. He'll have some explaining to do when he finally does call!
I knew they had arrived safely. One of the travelers started a message board, of sorts, before leaving. Yesterday she said that they were there and already having a great time. They'd slept in a Bedouin tent (she said it turned out to be more like a large hut), been for a ride on camels and had seen the Dead Sea. The next day (I've completely lost track of which day they're in and when they're doing what) they were on their way to see Petra and Jordan. Zach has REALLY been eager to see Petra, so I know he's going to have a great time. If you are unfamiliar with Petra, you'll have to look online. It's considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Great, huge walls of stone with elaborate entrances to a temple carved right in to the rock face. All I know is he'd better not start climbing the walls! I wonder if he'll be tempted?
I'll let you know when I hear more.
I'm not sure why no one has been able to call. Or why he was able to text but not call. Hmm. He'll have some explaining to do when he finally does call!
I knew they had arrived safely. One of the travelers started a message board, of sorts, before leaving. Yesterday she said that they were there and already having a great time. They'd slept in a Bedouin tent (she said it turned out to be more like a large hut), been for a ride on camels and had seen the Dead Sea. The next day (I've completely lost track of which day they're in and when they're doing what) they were on their way to see Petra and Jordan. Zach has REALLY been eager to see Petra, so I know he's going to have a great time. If you are unfamiliar with Petra, you'll have to look online. It's considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Great, huge walls of stone with elaborate entrances to a temple carved right in to the rock face. All I know is he'd better not start climbing the walls! I wonder if he'll be tempted?
I'll let you know when I hear more.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
A Mother's Nature
Guess what, guess what?!? Baby Owen slept through the night last night. Yippie!!! I laid him down at 8:30 and didn't hear another peep until 7:45 this morning. Now, of course, the goal has to get mommy to sleep through the night. At 3:00 this morning, I woke up and thought, "Hmm. He hasn't woken up yet. That's odd." But I was able to conk back out. But then at 6:30, I woke up again because he still hadn't made a sound and my thoughts instantly turned to, "Dear God, please, please, pleeeease let my baby be okay." It happens every time you're wanting a baby to sleep through the night, or even to fall asleep, for that matter. You pray and pray for them to sleep and then suddenly everything is quiet. Then you can't help but pray and pray that they make just the tiniest noise so that you can know they are okay. I laid in bed for a while at 6:30, but it wasn't long before I had to turn the furnace on for some "cover noise" and go peek. He was laying on his side, as comfy as could be, in his little sleeping bag and I could hear him sucking on his pacifier very contentedly. Thank you, Jesus! Now, like I said, the goal will be for me to sleep through the night again! Thank God it's close...I figure it's been about a year since I've had a solid, uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep.
He is so worth it, though. Here's a pic of my little party animal from his Uncle Dave's Birthday dinner on Monday night:
And what is big brother Caleb up to this morning? He is continuing in his never-ending pursuit to entertain. I wish I had the camera (Zach took it with him) so that I could take a picture of his outfit this morning. He's been dressing himself and lately he's taken to layering his clothes. So what did he choose for today? He's got a t-shirt with a long sleeved shirt on top. His snow suit. His snow jacket. And his snow boots. Once he topped it off with his backpack and his Uncle Dave's paint ball mask, the look was complete. He looks like the Michelin Man...quite round. I told him that his snow clothes were for, well, when there's snow outside. Boy, was I wrong. I got "the look" and he said, "No, Mom. This is my motorcycle riding suit." Oh...
He is so worth it, though. Here's a pic of my little party animal from his Uncle Dave's Birthday dinner on Monday night:
And what is big brother Caleb up to this morning? He is continuing in his never-ending pursuit to entertain. I wish I had the camera (Zach took it with him) so that I could take a picture of his outfit this morning. He's been dressing himself and lately he's taken to layering his clothes. So what did he choose for today? He's got a t-shirt with a long sleeved shirt on top. His snow suit. His snow jacket. And his snow boots. Once he topped it off with his backpack and his Uncle Dave's paint ball mask, the look was complete. He looks like the Michelin Man...quite round. I told him that his snow clothes were for, well, when there's snow outside. Boy, was I wrong. I got "the look" and he said, "No, Mom. This is my motorcycle riding suit." Oh...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
A few hours down...
...only about 275 to go. Ugh! Perhaps it's too soon to start counting the hours until Zach comes home. Did I really agree to this? Stop the plane. I want my husband to get off.
His plane left Albuquerque at 8 o'clock this morning. From here he goes to Atlanta, then New York and then all the way to Tel Aviv...Israel!!! I'm praying that this trip continues to be the complete and total blessing that it has been from the beginning.
Please keep him in prayer while he's gone. Pray for his protection and safety from any sort of harm. And, if you think of it, please say a prayer for the boys and I, too. Zach and I have never been apart for more than 3 or 4 days. So, this 12 day trip feels like an eternity. I have a particularly hard time sleeping when he's gone. I'm thinking I may steal one of Caleb's teddy bears to snuggle with. Hopefully that should help usher in peaceful sleep and help keep the blues at bay!
And, in the mean time, thank God that Caleb is here to cheer me up. We spent a little while this morning having fun with the computer camera. He thinks it's hilarious. And, come to think of it, it really is:
Thank you, Jesus, for safe flights and for silly faces.
His plane left Albuquerque at 8 o'clock this morning. From here he goes to Atlanta, then New York and then all the way to Tel Aviv...Israel!!! I'm praying that this trip continues to be the complete and total blessing that it has been from the beginning.
Please keep him in prayer while he's gone. Pray for his protection and safety from any sort of harm. And, if you think of it, please say a prayer for the boys and I, too. Zach and I have never been apart for more than 3 or 4 days. So, this 12 day trip feels like an eternity. I have a particularly hard time sleeping when he's gone. I'm thinking I may steal one of Caleb's teddy bears to snuggle with. Hopefully that should help usher in peaceful sleep and help keep the blues at bay!
And, in the mean time, thank God that Caleb is here to cheer me up. We spent a little while this morning having fun with the computer camera. He thinks it's hilarious. And, come to think of it, it really is:
Thank you, Jesus, for safe flights and for silly faces.
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Beginnings of a Bucket List
So, there's a movie in the theaters called "Bucket List". I haven't seen it, but I liked the idea...two guys trying to do everything on their lists (the things they wanted to do and accomplish) before they kicked the proverbial Bucket.
It made me wonder what would be on my so-called Bucket List. When I was young-er, I am pretty sure I was convinced that life didn't really begin until you reached twenty-something. I admittedly had a very real fear that we would all be raptured before I was ever old enough to be a wife and a mother. If you would have asked me about a bucket list when I was seven, or twelve, or eighteen, it would have been to be a wife and a mother...in that order. I've gotten that far, thank God! So, what's left? (In no particular order...)
Finish my book on Christian childbirth and have it published.
Get my nose pierced.
Have a daughter. (Or, if another amazing boy is in my future, be the darn coolest Auntie a little girl could ever have!)
Learn to really like eating broccoli. (I've already taught myself to like bananas and tomatoes!)
Become a licensed childbirth educator.
Learn how to dance.
Learn how to make all sorts of amazing ethnic (especially Asian and Indian) foods.
Travel.
Do something really brave...something that takes a lot of courage.
Learn how to swim. (That's right, folks. I can float, but definitely not with any style or finesse.)
Get into shape so that I can run more than one mile at a time.
Okay, first things first. Before I can do that, I'll probably need to get into good enough shape so that I can run more than two blocks before I pass out on the curb!
Have my hair cut really, really short. (I've done really short before, but never SUPER short. I'm going to have to give it a try, or else I'll always wonder...)
That's all I can think of for now. If I think of any more, I'll let you know. And if I get any of them done I'll let you know, too! I think I'd better get busy...
It made me wonder what would be on my so-called Bucket List. When I was young-er, I am pretty sure I was convinced that life didn't really begin until you reached twenty-something. I admittedly had a very real fear that we would all be raptured before I was ever old enough to be a wife and a mother. If you would have asked me about a bucket list when I was seven, or twelve, or eighteen, it would have been to be a wife and a mother...in that order. I've gotten that far, thank God! So, what's left? (In no particular order...)
Finish my book on Christian childbirth and have it published.
Get my nose pierced.
Have a daughter. (Or, if another amazing boy is in my future, be the darn coolest Auntie a little girl could ever have!)
Learn to really like eating broccoli. (I've already taught myself to like bananas and tomatoes!)
Become a licensed childbirth educator.
Learn how to dance.
Learn how to make all sorts of amazing ethnic (especially Asian and Indian) foods.
Travel.
Do something really brave...something that takes a lot of courage.
Learn how to swim. (That's right, folks. I can float, but definitely not with any style or finesse.)
Get into shape so that I can run more than one mile at a time.
Okay, first things first. Before I can do that, I'll probably need to get into good enough shape so that I can run more than two blocks before I pass out on the curb!
Have my hair cut really, really short. (I've done really short before, but never SUPER short. I'm going to have to give it a try, or else I'll always wonder...)
That's all I can think of for now. If I think of any more, I'll let you know. And if I get any of them done I'll let you know, too! I think I'd better get busy...
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
A Solicitation for Ideas...
For the last several months, I've really wanted to get a website going to advertise my doula services. Specifically, though, I want it to be a tool for outreach. I've been working on a book that will, someday, be a key component to my ministry. It is my prayer that this book will be an "eye-opening introduction to what God has to say about conception, pregnancy and childbirth and an instruction manual for how to take these promises and let them take root in your heart - allowing you to experience these profound events just as God intended them to be - full of life, joy and triumph."
This is my passion and my calling. And I know that it's time for me to get off my **** (rear) and get this ball rolling. When I finished my doula training, the instructor had a little graduation ceremony of sorts, really just for fun. When she handed me my certificate, she whispered, "Now, get out there and do it." Hmm. It's amazing how God speaks sometimes. Even then, He knew that my "busy-ness" would be the biggest obstacle to getting this ministry going.
So...I feel like getting a website established would be a great step in the right direction. The problem? What the heck should I call it? Playing the domain game is no fun, because everything good is already taken! My favorite so far has been divinedelivery.com. But, it's taken. I'd prefer to have a .com rather than any of the others (.net, .info, etc.). I'd also like it if the name has something to do with my specific ministry - God's role in childbirth.
Am I too picky? Probably. That's most likely why I haven't been able to come up with anything so far. If you have any ideas, though, I'd love to hear them. Thanks for your help!
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