Pink paint and fake cookies

Here's a picture of what we've been up to, since the last blog. The nursery is coming along and looks just as I hoped it would. Olivier did such a good job in figuring out how to accomplish what was in my head! As we were painting I was really hoping that we are truly having a girl--if not, the boy will really have a unique personality because we're not doing this again!

Last weekend I hosted another craft group with the girls in the neighborhood. It was a bit more mellow than the past meetings have been. We made bracelets with cool beads and experimented with patterns. The girls seemed to really enjoy it. What they didn't enjoy were the fake oreo cookies I got them from Trader Joes. They were appalled that I would get them such a disgusting snack. The cookies were peppermint "oreos". At first their hatred was cute, but then I started to wonder why I do this?

This was a small incident that sparked a lot of thought for me. At the end of the day, I felt like I needed to be more grateful in my life. The process of gratitude is a battle at times. The process begins in denying your flesh so that you can inwardly praise and express to the living God gratitude for who He is and what He is capable of. The longer I delay gratitude, the harder it is to turn to God. I also realized how much joy it must give God to hear praises of gratitude from us. I know that I would have liked to hear a few, for the measley oreos I offered the girls. :) So the reason I "do this" group, is probably for me to experience negative feedback, to enjoy the laughter and to wrestle with it all day long. Usually I end up praising God for his incredible love--and that is the best ministry I could ever think of.

Wow, so it's been awhile!

I was skeptical of our blogging abilites! So sorry that it's been awhile!

Many things have happened in the last 5 months. One of the biggest events seems to be that I am finding myself 5 months pregnant! That's right, we're having a baby! Discovering the pregnancy was a bit of a shock and really rocked my world for awhile. I don't think there has been any other event in my life that has changed me so quickly.

Everything has gone exceptionally well! It got even better when we learned that we're having a girl. I was secretly praying ferverently for a girl and am so thankful! Olivier is operating like a true hero. He's been wonderful to me. I can't wait to see him with a daughter. She already has his heart, I can tell!

We are balancing the usual stresses of a baby like finances, locations and emotions. More than anything, I feel a close presence of the Lord. Never before have I felt like God is my friend. I've felt His gentleness and his authority over my life. I've given over all my trust and hope to him. Some days I feel utterly useless and other days I stand in awe of how He orchestrates my days. Olivier and I both agree that we are living in a miracle. As I type this, I feel our little girl moving and kicking. There are few words.

Here is the latest ultrasound picture. I promise to keep this up more regularly!

And that's what they thought of that...

This is a picture of my view during the annual Starfish Studios screening. These sweet little girls were sitting in front of us, whispering, spilling soda and giggling. I wanted to be annoyed but there was something really special about them. They took care of each other and enjoyed each other's presence. I don't even think they knew what they were watching, but they had fun. And when Olivier got up to receive an award...this is what I saw.

exploring chicago

Here's a a collection of photos that we've taken recently. We don't get to enjoy the city as much as we should! It has been our goal to get out! Chicago in the summertime is so wonderful!

We are also fascinated by weird signs around the city. Here's one that I see every day I drive home. It makes me laugh everytime.



This is a ticket booth from the World's Fair! Isn't it awesome!


This is a picture of Rick Bayless, the famous Mexican chef. He's one of my favorites. We saw him at a craft fair doing a cooking demo. I was in heaven, especially when we got to taste the cooking!

it's going to be a beautiful birthday...

This is a lovely photo that Olivier made for me. I thought I'd share it with you...

how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

Shortly after moving into the neighborhood, God put it on my heart to host a monthly group for young girls in the neighborhood. I started thinking of it because I overheard a conversation between a mom and daughter at Breakthrough. The daughter was telling her mom she needed to sew a costume for school. The mom laughed hysterically and said "no way, I can't sew". This conversation really got me thinking. How will these young girls know if they're good at anything? Are they using their hands, their creativity?

To make a long story short, God provided a team, ideas and 12 wonderful girls for the group. In May we hosted our first group. It was awesome. I really feel like God has a plan for this group. There is really something special about using your hands, talking and learning to be friends. We decorated flip flops and read the scripture about "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news". These little girls mean a lot to me. They have confirmed to me that God can use anyone. That he loves everyone and wants good for everyone. He never gives up. I am so humbled.

I have lots of dreams for us as a group, but for now I'm indulging in the blessing and gearing up to make toothbrush braclets! Praise God, he is so good!










Isaiah 52:6-8 (MSG)
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the messenger bringing good news,
Breaking the news that all's well,
proclaiming good times, announcing salvation,
telling Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Voices! Listen! Your scouts are shouting, thunderclap shouts,
shouting in joyful unison.
They see with their own eyes
God coming back to Zion.
Break into song! Boom it out, ruins of Jerusalem:
"God has comforted his people!
He's redeemed Jerusalem!"
God has rolled up his sleeves.
All the nations can see his holy, muscled arm.
Everyone, from one end of the earth to the other,
sees him at work, doing his salvation work.

I have a little something to add

I've been tempted to erase my last posting about the air conditioning, because i sound so materialistic. Here's the truth--i truly was upset about the AC, I felt vandalized and it's hot here. I've been praying for God to cleanse my heart of sins of racism, entitlement, etc. Obviously, He's been listening.

Well, I just have to add that two days after it happened, my good friend gave us a spare AC window unit. I looked at it and knew that it was straight from heaven. What you may not know is that I HATE being hot. Sometimes it even makes me panicky--so I knew God was being mindful of me.

Even though the situation is unpleasant, you must know how good, gentle and kind our God is. I have nothing to complain about.