Vacation Part Three - Gorgeous Lanscapes

Harrisonburg, VA

Harrisonburg, VA

Jacks Shop Rd

Madison, VA

Ruckersville, VA

Hot Air Balloons in Charlottesville, VA

Vacations Part Two - Exploring....

Strolling through downtown Culpeper

Mommy tried to get a photo op with this wagon...didn't quite work as she planned

Mommy's favorite shop in Culpeper - Pepperberries!

Love my little lady

Turkey Time

Visiting the animals at Yoders...one of our favorite stops

Vacation Part One

We vacationed this year in Virginia visiting my family and friends. It was so nice and relaxing to be able to spend over a week and to not feel rushed. Eric and I really enjoyed watching Grace and Brock actually play with each other and enjoy each other's company. Of course the star of the show for Grace and Brock was PaPa! These two love their PaPa and can not get enough of him. If my dad was not in the room they were both asking, "Where is PaPa?" Here are some great shots of these two sweet cousins. Brock affectionally calls Grace "GiGi." While we are in VA, Grace is GiGi!

The American Dip

Tonight we let Grace discover ketchup. We gave her ketchup to dip her nuggets in. As you can tell she enjoyed it. She enjoyed it so much the papi even got a dip. I can not tell you how much we are enjoying every milestone with our precious daughter!

Favorites

Grace is 20 months old and thriving! With the move and so much going on we made it to her 18 month old appointment yesterday. Grace is in the 60 percentile for height and head circumference and 40 percentile for weight. The doc said she looks great! Below are some of her favorites right now.

• Tomatoes (yes eats cherry tomatoes like candy)
• Rice
• Grapes
• Fruit Snacks (which she calls snacks, snacks!)
• Pacifers (Grace calls papi's)
• Preschool/Mother's Day Out
• Twirling in circles
• Dancing any time she hears music
• Coloring
• Reading books
• Elmo
• Trains (choo choo's)
• Climbing stairs in our new house
• Pool (loves for daddy to hold her, jump in pool and go under water)
• Praying (especially saying Amen!)

Words With Friends

I had a conversation with a co-worker this week, and he shared with me how the Lord has radically changed his life in the past couple of years. He told me how he was going through a season of anger and how his anger was taken out on everyone around him. He was miserable going through the motions. He shared with me he came to know Jesus and not know religion at a church but a relationship with Jesus. He shared with me how he and his family joined and became active in a Bible believing church. He shared how one of the pastors has poured into his life in a mentor role. He went on share with me how he is using the strengths and gifts that the Lord has given him to bring Him glory!

I asked him how did he find this church? Were they fumbling through the phone book and came across it? Did they see a billboard and decide to drop in? Did they get a piece of literature from the church in the mail?

He told me...his son's friend father invited them to their church at football practice. As I was listening to his story I became very convicted of not inviting people to church as I should, so they can hear the words of life that can radically change their life as it has done for my co-worker and his family. Even if it is in a casual setting and you may never cross this person's path again.

This week Grace and I went through Sonic drive-thru. The cashier at the window was smitten with Grace, imagine that! I rolled down the back seat window and she talked to her. Of course after they see her, comes lots of questions and another opportunity to talk about adoption. It took a while for our order which gave us lots of time to talk. I told her we were new to the area and she asked me why we moved to Bryan. I told her about the church we were called to and I invited her to come visit. That seems so simple right? Why do I not take advantage and do that more often? I also had our church business card with all the info that I gave her. Eric has encouraged me to frequent Sonic drive-thru and work to build a relationship....that's easy....Cherry Lime-ade! :)

Today I had a very friendly dental hygenist for my dental cleaning. I think you probably know where this is going.....we talked as much as you can through my entire dental cleaning. Very nice girl right out of dental school, new to the area too and here's the question, why did you move to Bryan? As I was leaving I invited her to visit the church and said I would love to see her again.

As I am going about my day....these opportunities present themselves. It is not something I have to search out. God knows how He's wired me, social butterfly and always eager and willing to get to know people. I love it and thrive on it. My prayer is that I will be sensitive and obedient to the opportunities God gives me and use my natural gifts - engaging people and getting to know them to share the words of life.

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

Exploring Downtown Bryan

Reading Books



Grace wanted to point out his ears



Of course we had to take advantage of the photo op!



It's hot in TX

 

Real men carry diaper bags!



Yummy dinner at PaPa Perez



As Eric stated the stores are very Heidi-like! Love the downtown area!



It's Been A While

I was reminded by a co-worker that I have not updated the blog in a while. I know some of you do not do facebook, so if I do not update my blog you do not get updated on our life. I will do my best to share the high points in the past couple of months over a couple of posts.

We moved to TX about 10 weeks ago and it has been BUSY! We have been blessed to stay in a missionary home as we were waiting for our house to sell. In July after 6 months of our house on the market and not much activity. We did alot of praying and decided to put our house for lease and see what would happen. This was not a decision I wanted to make initially. After many prayers and wise counsel, we believed that this was a good option for us. Within 5 days, we received 3 rental applications and lots of activity. The Lord provided quickly and we had our house leased within a week. They signed a two year lease and we got exactly what we needed for the rent. We had two weeks to get back to GA and move all our stuff to TX. With the help of alot of people, 1 big moving truck, our SUV, and the movers (Eric and Heidi). We got all our stuff to TX. Our church body helped us get our stuff into a storage unit. While this move was going on Eric received a call from the church that owns the house we have been staying in and they said they were going to need the house....which meant 30 days for us to find a place. God provided again....we found a house to rent in about a week and we will be moving again August 26 - 27.

The church (Living Hope Bryan) God called us to here in Bryan, TX is INCREDIBLE! Eric and I are overwhelmed and blessed to be apart of this body of believers that live out their mission statement -" Love God, Love People." As hard as it is to move away from family and friends, we know beyond a shadow of doubt that this is where we are supposed to be! Eric is serving as the Lead/Teaching Pastor, as his wife it is humbling and amazing to see Eric doing what God called him to do 12 years ago..."to preach His Word." We have so much to learn in ministry, however, our prayer is that we are obedient to Him in all. 

Most of you who read our blog are friends and probably know I am pretty much an open book about our lives, adoption journey, etc...I hope what I am about to share can encourage you wherever you are in life. I would love to say that the decision to come minister in Bryan, TX was easy and we never had any doubts if I did I would be lying. Living out obedience to the Lord in your life may not be easy, it is WORTH it! It is in those difficult and challenging times that we draw near to Him for His strength, peace and guidance.  In some my darkest moments in the past 10 weeks, I could not have done without my Jesus and my loving husband reminding me of His promises even when I did not want to think on those promises. We as believers have been given God's spirit to help us push through tough times. Romans 8:37, reminds me, ^"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." Other versions say "more than conquerors" or "surpassing victory." Take heart and be encouraged we have the surpassing victory!

Slide Time

This is what Grace woke up to today after her nap! She loves slides. We can play with it inside or outside. After our first week in TX being super hot....we are glad for the functionality of the slide. Grace does not like swings. I do not know if she feels like she is out of control or what. As soon as we put her in a swing or we hold her on a swing, she starts crying and wants to get down.

One thing I would love for Grace to learn at a young age is that we have control of nothing as much as we like to think we do. God has all control and authority. As believers we are called to trust and believe His Word. My prayer is that Grace sees her mom as a woman who lives out her faith and belief in God through her actions, words and lifestyle. "what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe according to the working of His mighty power." Ephesians 1:19


Today Eric preached in John 6:60-71. One of the last verses of the text in verse 69 Simon Peter says "We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ the Son of the living God." In the verses before 69, Jesus asks his disciples some tough questions and He asks us tough questions too. He does remind them from verse 65 that He is the initiator of life, sustainer of life, author of life and He is sovereign over life. May Grace see in Eric and I that our lives reflect more than just we believe in God but that we know Him!

Blessed by our Friends

We have been blessed by our creative friends who have expressed their love for us in some parting gifts. One of our friends threw a "Going Away" party and thoughtfully made a cake all about TX and might I add the cake was delicious, I think it was 5-6 layers of yumminess! She also made little TX state cut-outs chocolate chip cookies.
Our other friend who I personally think is a creative genius...gave us this adorable decorative cow hide box with a TX star, farewell Yeehaw card, bandanna and all you can see is the "E" but there is every letter of our last name - EVJE that we can hang and decorate when we find a home.
Our FBCB family threw us a going away reception. Eric and I were blessed by cards, gift cards, love gifts, home-made cards from the kids (those were Eric's favorite), food and encouragement from so many. We can not thank you enough for you love, support and prayers. We have so many incredible friendships from FBCB I know that will not be hindered from mileage. God has been so good to us and we praise Him for it! To all our friends you always have an open standing invitation to come visit us any time in TX!