Big News

Well, most of you already know...but Aaron and I are gonna have a baby!!!! Yes, we've waited a long time to tell anyone but the secret is out. I'm almost 18 weeks (4 and a half months for those that are not familiar with the "week" system). I'm due on March 31st. Seems like it's right around the corner. We finally told people a few weekends ago. Well, we told the Faro family when we saw them all for the boys games and then we waited until we were gonna see my parents in person.




To tell the Faro's we give ben a package od Uncle Ben's rice to see who would be quick enough to get it. We knew John would be the first but the rest of the fam really stayed in the dark. It was hilarious to watch Ben...he thought we just got him some rice to make in his room and was trying to act so appreciative even though it would've been so random if it were true! Finally, after John prompted him with "Ben, what would make you an uncle Ben?", he and everyone else caught on along with him. Good times. For my parents, we wrapped up onsies that said Grandma and Grandpa on them and had them open them as a surprise gift after they picked us up from the airport. The Faraci's were there too which was fun. Mom was so stunned that she just sat there with her head in her hands for what semed like an eternity before she started to cry. It took Dad all of 30 seconds to go to the neighbors back door to share the news! All the while, Grandma was yelling and Grandpa wasn't sure what was going on :-) Classic.
the happy grandparents to be!


It was a good weekend to start spilling the news because we were going to see quite a few people that we wanted to tell in person. The whole reason we were up was for Chris Rosario's wedding so we got to tell him and Jillian (who was also there for the wedding and is also pregnant!). Those two are my oldet and closest friends and it was great to tell them. Now, little Ian Green and baby Faro will be close in age! Along with those two, there were quite a few old high school friends at Chris' wedding so they all found out too. After the wedding we flew up to Boston to see the Crowell's and their new little addition. Jory was the best man at our wedding and we're now the godparents to Sam so it was good to spend time catching up and sharing good news. We had a great time in Boston and got a little glimpse of life with a 5 week old! I was pretty relieved to come home still feeling excited...I was nervous I would come home shellshocked and scared to death to start this aprenting journey. Below are some pics of our time in Boston...I'm still waiting for Jillian to share some pics from the wedding so when I get those, I'll share.

celebration dinner with jory, laura and sam!

aaron and i getting a little practice wawlking around boston :-)

After that momentous weekend we came home and started spreading the news here in Charlotte. We told our Bible study people and then thanks to facebook, nobody else around here got to hear it directly from us. It's been so much fun to ask questions of the professional moms around here and have our friends share in our excitement. The Academy kids were amazing as well. I've never had as many phone calls or texts as I did that morning. I guess when you share so much of life with a group of people, they feel like they're a part of everything for you too :-) So we've received a few gifts from people...some shoes, a blanket, some cute little onsies, a pregnancy jouornal...a whole new world of presents. Crazy stuff!

Just a little warning, I'm not posting "belly pictures" like most people do these days. Especially not before there's a recognizable bump there. I really don't understand the fascination and draw of following how large you get. Maybe for all you out-of-towners, I'll post some pictures when it looks more like a pregnant belly and less like a huge lunch and a lack of exercise. I have my ultrasound in two weeks so I'll put thos epictures up when I get them. No, we are not finding out what it is...much to the dismay of those trying to buy us presents. We're going with the surprise route :-)

Weekend Travels

True to our typical lives we've spent the last 4 weekend on the road. I;m not sure if that's by design or because we are gluttons for hours in the car and high gas bills. I'll start with out first weekend away. We went up to the mountains to get some solitude and try to work through some of our present decisions. We were finding it difficult to focus on seeking the Lord with our future in the midst of getting back into the swing of things here. So we went to Mitch's grandparents cabin about 2 hours away. They were gone for the weekend and were gracious enough to let us crash there for a few days. It was gorgeous weather and a great time to reconnecting and seeking. We would have liked to come home with some clariy on our decision but that hadn't quite happened.

The next weekend we went the other direction, down to South Carolina. Two of the Academy guys had games down there and two others drove down from school to join us. So the six of us got a hotel suite, had a guys room and a girls room and had our little southern reunion! It was a great time to see them again, catch up on life, and pray for each other. After being so entrenched in each other lives, its hard to do it playing catch up!

The next weekend we went way north. Ben and Brett both had home games on the same day so we drove up Friday night to see the Saturday games. Friday we went to Philly, got some dinner with Ben and Linds and then went on to stay at Hayden and Michelle's house. It was a really long drive but wortht it. It was great to spend some time with everyone on a smaller scale too. Saturday we went to Ben's game and met up with the rest of the Faro fam to SWEAT while we watched. It was rather toasty outside...one of those situations where you stop worrying about how your look because you're too focused on the sweat rolling down various parts of your body. After Ben's game we drove over to Messiah to see Brett play. We had a little family tailgate action and then watched the game. There were tons of people at the game which was a pleasant surprise. We saw Em and Linds as well as some others. That night we went out for some post game Friendly's...just like old times. That night we stayed at Emily's and got to catch up with her and Nick. We went to Church as a fam the next morning and then saw two more of the Academy kids before we hit the road! Bowser and Neil met up for lunch to hang out for a little bit. Good times.

This past weekend we went down to Wilmington. Aaron had another triathlon...and of course he did well. This one was a sprint so it was quite a bit shorter than his normal races. Out of 1300 racers, he came in seventh overall and first in his age group. They actaully made people stand on a podium for each age group which was hilarious because it made him the center of attention. I don't have pictures of it but when I get them, I'll share. So while in Wilmington we stayed with Dave and Annmarie Miller. OK...they live literally ON THE OCEAN!!! What a pleasant surprise! Our room opened up to a balcony that was one row away from the beach so you could sit out there and look at the water and hear the waves. It was so nice to fall asleep to the sound of the waves. As a former beach bum, there is nothing more relaxing. Sadly, the weather wasn't great. It was a bit chilly and overcast. Not great beach weather but we hung out there for a few hours each day anyway.

We got back about dinner time Sunday night. On our drive home we got a text from Mitch looking for a family dinner. So we got home and had the Charlotte fam over for dinner! Never a dull moment. It was so good though because we haven't been all together in a long time. So Heidi, Sam, Mitch, Klotz, and Melissa came over for a little grill and chill. And Now we're back to the work week.

Shockingly, we're home this weekend! What will we do with ourselves??!?! Perhaps cultivate some friendships we regularly ignore here. It's not too long lasting though...the following weekend we're back on the road, up in NY for a wedding.

one more reason i hate dogs...

so i woke up this morning and my legs were really sore. i went for a jog yesterday but it shouldn't have made me sore so i was confused. then i remembered why i probably got sore from that run...i had a brief sprinting session. so let me tell you what happened. i went out for a run and was gonna go through our neighborhood before going across the street to run in theirs. i turn down the first cul-de-sac and get about one house in and i hear a dog go nuts barking at the end of the cul-de-sac. i keep jogging just thinking that it was barking...no, it was apparently furious with me for runnning on his street. so he is probably about 4 or 5 houses down and starts to book it towards me, all the while, snarling and showing his teeth. so i quickly realize that i'm about to get attacked by a dog and turn around and start sprinting back as fast as i can. it doesn't take too long to realize that much like most other people in this world, the dog is also faster than me. so i decide to run on someones lawn and try to jump their fence into their backyard. just as i'm about to hop the fence the dog comes to an abrupt stop about 20 yards away. at this point, i'm wondering why on earth he just sprinted the length of a football field only to stop right before eating me alive but i'm not staying around to figure that one out. what a way to start my run. i had already felt like i ran a marathon and it had only been a few minutes. so my brief sprint from death is why my legs are sore. and this leaves me with more hatred for people that assume their own dogs are friendly and think they can just go wherever they heck they want. all i wanted to do was get outside and get a workout...put your stinking animal on a leash!!!! or get an invisible fence!!! add this to the list of why i just don't like animals.

so sidenote, i tell this story to neighbors that came over to watch the olympics last night. and when they left to walk home, the same dog started to run afer them! so then some lady comes outside and says "oh, don't worry, i'm just taking care of him for my daughter, he'll be gone tomorrow". BULL...you are not "taking care" of him, you are letting him run loose and terrorize the neighborhood.

Blog Slacking Again!

Hopefully you have been tracking what we're up to on the Summer Academy blog instead of this one so you're not totally in the dark. We've had some amazing times here this summer and its hard to believe there's only a few weeks left. It's gone so fast...probably because we're so busy we can't even think straight. That being said, we'd like to make a public apology for all our loved ones we've been ignoring since May. We know we haven't been good keeping in touch with family and friends. Honestly, I don't see how we could've done it any differently, but I'm sure you don't know that. It's been pretty difficult here to even grab a few minutes alone for quiet time, forget about talking t people outside the ministry here! Please know that we do miss you and would love to be talking to you all if we could...a few weeks from now we look forward to catching up witha ll of you and filling you in on all you've been praying for...just know your prayers are felt and its been amazing!

Readers Digest version of our summer so far...

Brazil was great. The first half boys and girls were separated and did ministry in different cities. It was a great chance for me to get in deep with the girls and have some quality time before the boys came in and distracted them all (which was inevitable). Aaron had the same with the guys. In fact, we all loved that time apart so much we didn't want to reunite in Rio! While we were excited to see each other, we loved the places we had been at and didn't want to leave. With that, some people got in a funk in Rio and had a hard time adjusting. It was still a great time but it felt a little different. By the end of the trip, it was good to have spent time in multiple cities and do really different ministry in all three areas. The people there are wonderful and we were well taken care of!

We got back and had a few days rest and preparation for camp season. We had one week of inner city camp an then team week with no camp. Inner city camp was interesting because its the most unorganized thing we do. The neighborhoods and churches involved just operate under different life principles than we're used to in middle class suburbia. It was a great week overall and I think it was good for everyone to get a taste of what some people live like. One campsite was across the street from homeless shelter and had some drug paraphenalia present along with the homeless people sleeping onthe benches next to our field. Quite the picture of a different life than we know.

Team week was a great recharging time after that. We camped out on the dunes of lake Michigan for two days and had a great time of games, worship, campfires, devo's, beachtime, mission clarification, etc. Most of us didn't want to go home! Later on in the week we celebrated the 4th. People really do it up here. We held our own "amazing race" down in Chicago on the 3rd (which is when they do all their festivities). The race was a blast! It was basically like the tv show in that we were split in 5 teams and were given a scavenger hunt list of things to do and video's/pictures to take in front of various places downtown. So all 30-something of us were running all over chicago for about 3 hours taking random pictures and making rediclous videos, using people on the street to complete out lists. We followed the race with devo's by the lake and then the city firework show.

This week we're back to camp. Half of us are down town again and the other half are in a wealthy suburb up north. Both camps are going well and the staff is loving it! It's been so much fun to be living downtown. We're staying in the Moody college dorms which is right downtown. So after camp we walk down stairs and walk around the city to see the lake or get dinner. Good times!

Last night we all met up in the middle at the lake again and had small groups and worship. This small group was different in that Aaron and I were put on the relationship "hot seat". Our relationship has been on display for all to see this summer and it has been a major source of questions and discussion for all the students (both to us and behind our backs!). So we decided to put it all out there and let them ask whatever they want all together. It was actually a really great time to share all together and encourage them to seek God's best in relationships. They are all so concerned with this topic at this point in their lives and has probably been our greatest ministry to them.

Next week we go straight up to Wisconsin for two more camps and the following week we're back in Wheaton for the last week of camp. Then it's making the trek back to reality! Some notable moments to mention...Brett came by to visit for a few days and it was great to see him! The Sanfords have also been here and were a wonderful encouragement to us. Even though we're so tired, and haven't been alone in months, I can still say this is exactly where God has us this summer. Its been so much fun to serve side by side.

Looking forward to catching up with you all soon! Sorry I don't have pictures up here...I need to perform a mass picture steal from everyone and show you another time.

Praise the Lord

Good News!!!! After an interesting day yesterday...the passports are in our hands! Yesterday was quite the rollercoaster. So I had been checking the tracking number all morning like the consulate lady told me to and the record showed nothing all day. I tried to call her again during the one hour you're allowed to call the consulate and wasn't ablt to get through the whole time. So now I'm freaking out again after having an encouraging day the day before. I checked at 7, right before dinner and it still hadn't been sent according to the internet so I went to dinner pretty shaken up. We had a time of prayer there after dinner for the 5 passports still missing and truthfully, I really wrestled with the transition from the good news the day before only to be let down afterwards. I was pretty angry (which presented itself in crying much to my dismay).

Anyway...we got back to the hotel at about 10 and I had a homework assignment due at 11 so I went to the room while everyone else played games downstairs. I felt like I wanted to check the tracking number again but talked myself out of it because I was tired of bad news. So I finished my homework and before I went down to join the group for the late-night games, I decided to check. AND AT 10:45PM THE TRACKING NUMBER SHOWED UP ONLINE AS BEING SENT! I can't even tell you the sense of relief. So I got to go down stairs with great news of answered prayer for those kids that had been praying for and with us. Now we just needed to see if it was approved. Rick wasn't at the hotel for our news and had the surprise of getting them at the post office this morning. He quickly drove over to the hotel to deliver our passports, with visas stamped in and approved. What a whirlwind!!!!!!!!!

Through all this, I'm sad to say I wish I had more faith. There was no other way this would've happened if it weren't for a string of miracles....all the way from our delivery date being posted earlier than we sent it, to the consulate actually bending the rules for us, to the late night post office update, and a one-day delivery back. I wish I could say I expected it instead of just hoping for it. Anyway, thanks so much for praying...you prayed us into Brazil!!!!!!!!!

VISA UPDATE

well...there might be some progress. i'm trying not to get our hopes up but we got some good news today. as of this morning we were missing 8 visas (all of which were mailed to miami). we've been in serious prayer about it here corporately and other people have been praying as well. all week we've been trying to call and they were closed monday and tuesday, and yesterday "all circuits were busy" and we couldn't get through. the same was true today until about an hour ago. i finally got through and talked to a lady that appears to be really helpful. the first helpful/nice person i've talked to in the last two weeks. they weren't processing our mail day yet and she said she didn't think it would happen...so i started to tell her our situation and she actually listened!!! i asked if there was something she could do to help even though i know she didn't have to. she actually got off the phone and went to the mail room to find our envelope. when she got back on the phone she said she found it, she would process it today, and mail it out tomorrow!!!!! obviously, we still need her to follow up on her promise but i'm just grateful she took the time to listen and actually was willing to help. so when i check our tracking number tomorrow at lunch time i should know if she followed through on her word. please keep praying these visas through from the consulate to our p.o. box!!! we need this miracle to be completed!!!!

Visa Trouble

Ok...

we need some prayer for our visa situation...badly. as of right now we won't get our visas back in time to go to brazil with the group, or even at all. based on some bad info about sending them out (ugh!) we didn't send them with enough time to process. apparently each consulate has different processing times. so at best, our visas might get to us three days after the group has already been in brazil. so we need you guys to pray that someone at the consulate gets tired of taking our phone calls and rushes our processing. at this point, i was told..."sorry, i don't think you're gonna make it". when i asked if there is some fee we could pay to rush it, they said no. thats not what i was looking for at all. at this point i'd pay a lot of money to have this resolved. so please pray that god wants us to go to brazil and he takes care of whatever needs to happen in the consulate to make that happen. thankfully, he's bigger than consulate formality and regulations. i'll keep you updated if anything happens!