Abigail's Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day from my sweetheart Abigail Norah!

She is 9 months. She took her first step this month on the 6th. 

Abi likes to play peek-a-boo with her blanket too. It's the sweetest thing. 

She has stolen John's and my heart. 

She is turning 1 in April if feels like it's coming up so soon. 

I am so thankful she is healthy and growing strong. She babbles and I know she wants to talk- she also loves when I read to her. This is so precious she will even turn the pages.

I sent this postcard out to our family members. 

Dayton Urban Nights

Abi, Mama, Jerica and Hannah at Urban Nights.

This is a fun shot of the Refuge girlies I hang out with. They are so supportive and loving to our family.   Urban Nights is a downtown event promoting downtown life + events. The local food vendors serve yummy food and there is live music. My mother was able to come too! Abigail is getting so big. She turned 7 months yesterday. She loves using things to pull herself up on. She crawls really well now and intentionally will crawl if you enter the room. The joy of being her mom is such a gift from God.
My aspirations were to finish several books this year I think I only did three-or four. I finished Paul Miller's book, A Praying Life. Learned there is no reason not to offer up a prayer to our Maker and Author of our life. He already knows what's going to happen but we also want to do his will as Jesus also did his Father's will. I especially like the idea of praying scriptures for people, my husband and others. There is so much to be thankful for everyday. Jerica is a nursing student at Cedarville University and Hannah is in my Girl Talk group for discipleship and accountability, newly married she is very teachable and excited to serve Christ.
Tuesday we will be getting new family photos taken and hopefully will be posted soon.

Both happily married

BFF

My friend Ellen got married! I was so happy to be there with her and listen to my friend share her vows with her beloved husband, Richard. We have shared many good times together and watching each other grow-up essentially. Her wedding was so romantic, elegant and simplistic. I have always loved Ellen's style-n-taste. We are at the opposite states of the country. Her life in Oregon and my life in Ohio. This will never separate a friendship like ours though.

Sorry blog world. I have not disowned you. I just got busy with this little girl! Abigail Norah Pope. Which means, "Father's Joy". We love her so much. Thank Father for putting in her in our family...

I started a new Moleskin journal

Why? You ask. Well because I am currently writing to my Dear Little One. John and I are expecting a baby Pope in April 2012! My first ultrasound is Tuesday. I am so excited. I took two home pregnancy tests and one while my parents, or should I say grandparents-to-be were visiting us. I keep looking down at my belly and thinking really? God planned this Little One to be in our lives as early as 2012. I am so blessed. I am so thankful and even more perplexing to me was finding a doctor but He is faithful and I love the staff and doctor. So, boy or girl?

no looking back

Recently, I have transitioned from being a full time nurse to feeling unemployed in some ways. Another new adjustment is when John and I signed a lease for our rental downtown. In many ways there have been times where I have enjoyed this season and sometimes like yesterday, I had to tell John I was bored. Mind you I've done the usual things like get in the Word in the morning and then I even did a sewing project. I heard Beth Moore speak about being prepared by getting in these promises ingrained on my heart for those seasons of desert and spiritual battles. I desire the realness of knowing God like when I pray with John, there's a God who loves the people of Dayton more than we could ever love them. He can care much greater for their hearts and souls than we could ever imagine! God is using us for his purposes and we want to give Him our all. I love that TCC is an established church and it cares so much for it's members and right now I know that I cannot compare our new beginnings with something that God has started. He is at work, I will be going with Him. The members still remind us of His goodness from time to time and it is amazing to hear from them. True encouragement comes from the Father, and I pray I will run to His tender arms of mercy and run to His loving embrace. May my comfort always be seeking out my Savior and not the safer and the familiar things.

Refuge

John and Dave have worked really hard putting together a promotional video for Refuge City Church check it out.