Daisy and Jack

A little rambling about our duckies:

We have ducklings! They are the sweetest little dears in all the world. They are tiny and have the cutest little fuzzy tiny wings. We are so excited and can't wait to see them grow up. I don't know much about ducks, but have been told that if they're nurtured when young they make pretty good pets and will follow me around like a good dog. This will be fun to discover as they get bigger. They are living at Steve and Carol's right now, but probably Thursday night we'll go get them and keep them here with us in our bathroom. These are our first pets since being married... Maybe a little strange animal to start with, being our peers have started off with kittens or puppies....even goldfish. But this seems perfect - I love birds and these ducklings are the perfect gift. We think they're a mr. and mrs. but won't know for sure until they're older and their colors start to show better, but we're going out on a limb and have decided to name them Daisy and Jack. Nic tried to convince me on some of the more typical duck names - Daffy, Huey, Duey, Loui, Donald, etc. So I decided to compromise with Daisy and then go with a totally non-duck name...Jack for our mr.

Anyway, I only met them yesterday, so I'm really happy about our new little birds. And I can't wait to have them with us so that they will get more used to us...

QUACK ;)

Haiti

I'm going to Haiti on a medical mission trip in a couple weeks! I wish I were more dedicated to blog my experiences on here. Seems like it's just a place for announcements... I guess that's better than nothing!

Very soon after I arrived back at work after traveling to Ethiopia one of the doctors approached me about making a trip to Haiti "sometime mid-march" and didn't really expect that I'd be able to come, since I just got back in the country but hoped that I'd pray about it and I told him I'd talk to Nic. I took a week to pray about it and talked it over with Nic and decided that, after his enthusiasm about this incredible opportunity, I am going! It seems like a bit of a whirlwind trying to get everything ready, making sure that I have all the right shots before I go and antibiotics to take with me. But things are starting to shape up and I'm getting really excited! I'm not really sure what to expect, as the team leaders aren't exactly sure either, but I know that the Lord's hand is in this and I am really glad to be his hands to the people in Haiti that are so much in need, both physically and spiritually right now.

Last weekend I helped direct the Girls Retreat at LBC and we learned James 1:5 as part of the lesson my mom taught the girls. I am thankful for the reminder that when I lack wisdom I need only to "ask God, who gives generously without reproach, and it will be given to him." God is good! A praise from the weekend is that at least one girl, who we know of, made a decision to accept Christ as her personal savior! Hooray! :) Another sister! It was a fantastic weekend of fun and games, good teaching, ahem - camp food, and some exciting games of Settler's of Catan ;)

Ethiopia

The trip has been amazing, I'm sad I haven't blogged along the way too much... Well only once! But we have been kept SO busy with the final adoption procedures and the agency taking us around to see Addis. I have really loved it here. God is so good. I will enjoy writing when I return home. The memories will last forever in my heart. I've been moved deeply in so many ways.

I am so excited to see NIC!!! Eeeee :)

melissa

We made it!

I'm blogging here from Ethiopia - What a trip! Traveling was looooonnnnggggg and drawn out, but we're finally here and enjoyed a good night's sleep last night - thanks to the sleeping pills they had on hand ;) The Lord has been gracious with my heart so far, and I know he'll continue to be. I miss Nic like crazy and can't wait to get back to him, but I'm enjoying every minute of this experience. We will be meeting their son this morning, please pray that the transition for this child goes smoothly.

Perhaps I'll continue to blog throughout the week, I'm not sure how frequently I'll be able to use the internet....

I greatly appreciate your prayers. I am realizing that God has ....blessed.... me with homesickness. I thought I may have grown out of it, but nope! :)

Testing Testing

Will my e-mail actually show up as a blog post? This will be great while we're traveling!

Ethiopia Here I Come!

On the 30th of January I'm going to be hopping on a plane to Washington DC on my way out of the country - to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!

I blogged a little while ago about the possibility that we may be going to Africa - Well, that time is here! So sad to say that Nic will not be joining us, but I am excited none-the-less...

Our friends, Dave and Kami Oldenkamp are adopting a child. I am unsure how much I can post by way of details - this is sensitive with the government of that country; so perhaps more details to come!

The trip will be a little over a week long and I'm feeling totally blessed to be able to come "along for the ride" so to speak, but mostly, I am glad to be there to support these dear friends of mine in this life-changing experience.

I'm sure it's going to go by super fast when it comes - I can't believe it's only going to be a little over a week before we're leaving! I'll do my best to document the trip with pictures. My Mom, bless her heart, bought me a journal to jot down notes and experiences along the way. I have no idea if I'll have internet access. I hope so, at least to a small extent...so I can contact Nic! I'll miss him terribly! And so, I'll have to blog blog blog all about it with pictures when I return...

I am eagerly anticipating this journey with you, Dave and Kami!

We love you so much!

To God be the glory both now and forever.

Albertson's Doubles

Here's a deal I took advantage of with the limited coupons that I have (I haven't been collecting them too long since I'm new!)

Honey Nut Cheerios on sale for $2.49/1

IP - Honey Nut Cheerios $1/1

Double

Final Price: $.49 !!!!!

Crest Naturals Toothpaste on clearance for $1.64/1

$.75 coupon from 01/17/10 Sunday paper insert

Double

Final Price: $.14 !!!!!!!

So, with tax because of the toothpaste, I suppose, my total bill was $.69

I saved $7.15 - Incredible :)

I know that's not free for toothpaste, but basically it is...since I usually have bought toothpaste at Costco for much more for a 5 pack or whatever they come in... Yay for coupons!

And, THIS excites me so much more - My husband, Nic, was very impressed ;)

And I like him.