The Beginning of Going

Nicaragua. While I wait for God to reveal His plan for my involvement in Kenya, Eric and I bought tickets to Matagalpa, Nicaragua for July. This is the perfect opportunity for me to do an international mission trip for the first time. This trip is one week including travel, as opposed to 14-16 days required for Kenya. I am really excited about going, but I also feel the weight of this decision. This is the first time I have handed my health issues over to the Lord fully trusting that He will see me through this experience in a foreign land.
My health has been the ONE thing that has held me back since birth. Whether it be asthma, allergies, bone density, chronic hives, and now digestive issues,  my health has always dictated where I go and what my involvement with life is. I can't live that way. God does not say, "Follow me if you are 100% healthy."  He simply says "Follow me."  I have to believe the one I follow will never forsake me. The God who knows the number of hairs in my head also knows the sickness inside and the limitations this body can take. The God who healed me on July 9, 1989, will see it through. Healing doesn't stop on the pages of the Bible. He is still Jehovah Rapha and has not quit doing a good work in me. I am taking all the illness and all  the anxiety that goes with it to His feet and laying it down. I will be stepping out of that plane in faith.

Displaced Love

Ummm...yeah.  So obviously life happens fast after you have that tiny bundle of love.  I have jumped from Aiden being 6 months old to almost celebrating his 6th birthday in May.  Whoops!  Haha! To try and catch up on this blog would be quite ridiculous and honestly no one wants to read that much about the crazy life of Charlotte.  This blog has now taken on a whole new purpose for me anyway.  (Not that I don't love posting all the crazy antics and pictures of my child! He is a HOOT!)


I titled this blog "Displaced Love" because that is exactly what I feel.  A love that doesn't know it's place and purpose yet.  It all started in November when my Reckon group (small group of ladies I do life and Bible study with) met to discuss a lesson on service.  The lesson was so powerful and full of raw, emotional stories of women from my church who felt the call for international missions.  The night of our Reckon meeting, I was completely knocked off kilter  overwhelmed by this burden, heart pull, love for the people of Kenya.  Up until that moment, Kenya had always been Eric's thing.  He had taken a trip to Kenya two years prior to construct churches for the Masai people of Narok.  He was also preparing to leave for Kenya again in February (just last month).  Kenya was his missionary ground.  Not mine.  However, there was this unexplained love that completely washed over me for a country I've never been to and a people group that I've never met.  

The entire time Eric was in Kenya this past month, I did not wish for him to be home.  I longed to be there with him-- in the tin roofed school with the smiling, bright eyed children.  Every picture and video multiplied that feeling every day.  What do you do with a love like that? Where does it lead? Why is it there to start with? These are all the questions I ask myself when I  wake up thinking of Kenya and go to bed thinking of Kenya.  When Eric came back, he brought with him the name and picture of a precious Masai child named Musa that we have the honor of sponsoring through Compassion International. Maybe this love is for him now that we are literally invested in Kenya. If God has placed Kenya on my heart for the sole purpose of us praying daily for sweet Musa and his community, then so be it.  It is well with my soul.  For some strange reason though, I feel like it is bigger than that.  I have heard of displaced anger. But is there such as thing as displaced love? 

6 weeks old

Aiden will be 6 weeks old this week!  I know I have been way behind on updating this blog.  We had a horrible computer virus a few weeks ago and it took a while to get it back up and running.  Here are some pics of our sweetie pie.  He is a true delight- even at 3 in the morning when he is ready to get up for the day! 

Welcome to the World

 Aiden was born on Tuesday, May 3rd at 1:41 p.m.  He weighed 7 pounds/3 ounces and is 18 1/2 inches long.  He is the best baby!  We couldn't be happier.  When we look at him we are just amazed that God gave us such a precious gift.  ♥

Patiently Waiting

35 Weeks Down, 5 To Go!!

Here's our little bug from today's check up.  He is just precious!  He was moving around and showing off his cute little face.  He is definitely head down, ready to go.  My blood pressure was back up again today, so they are really keeping an eye on it and testing me weekly for preeclamsia.  But, he is doing great- great heart rate, practicing breathing, etc.  It won't be long now! ♥

Baby Showers bring May Flowers

We had a busy weekend March 26th with 2 baby showers back-to-back. Our first one was in Kingsport at Eric's home church.  The ladies are just precious and we had a wonderful turn out.  I could not believe how much stuff they got for our little man!  We literally filled mom's Trailblazer with the goodies.  He got his pack and play, stroller/carseat, activity saucer, Diaper Genie, crib bedding, TONS of adorable clothes, handmade quilts and hats, etc., etc.  It was just amazing. 
After that baby shower, we rushed to get back to Jefferson County for our other "all ladies" shower.  This was hosted by Stephanie, Jennifer, Misty, and Twila.  I babysat for Twila when I was just a teen and even changed her boys' diapers.  One of those boys is a freshman in college and the other is a senior in high school!  I was overwhelmed with how many little touches these ladies added to the shower.  They handmade decorations, candy for the guests, games, etc.  It was so precious to look around and see all the trouble they went to to make it truly special for me and Aiden.  We had so much fun sitting around laughing and reminiscing about our fun, crazy times together.  It was so good to see the faces of my dear friends Jessica, Alisha, and Nicole.  What a wonderful day!!