Daddy's Trip to Belize

Look at these handsome boys that I get to call mine! I love them more than words can say. The Lord has truly blessed me beyond measure. I love how Jonah is smiling so big. Someone asked me, "Does he just smile all of the time?" because I seem to get lots of pictures of him smiling. He is a very happy baby, and he likes the camera I think! I love that they are wearing "matching" shirts. We took this picture just before taking Daddy to the airport to go to Belize.

Brian went to Belize with Pastor Ted and Chris Pirtle for a few days at the beginning of November. They went to make plans for doing a church plant there. The Lord has really opened up a lot of doors in Belize over the past 5 years. I am really hoping that I will be able to go next year, and possibly even take Mackenzie along. This chapter of my life has been very consumed by taking care of our children. Which I love and wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Sometimes though, I feel a little bit removed from ministry. I often have to remind myself that the greatest ministry God has given me right now is right under my nose...raising our children in the ways of the Lord. Also, because I do that, Brian is able to go out and do ministry in ways that wouldn't be possible if I weren't at home caring for our children. I never mind him being gone, but I do miss him terribly and am always so glad when he comes home! Especially this time...this was his first time away since we added Jonah to our family and our "4" became "5." Everything is harder with 3 kids, especially when I am on my own with them. We spent a few days in Newcastle while he was gone, but then had to come home so that Mackenzie wouldn't miss school. Grandma Baldwin came to stay with us, and that was very helpful! 

I don't sleep well when I am at home and Brian is gone. For one thing, I don't feel as safe. The other reason may have something to do with this... See that diagonal space between Jonah and Mackenzie's blanket? Yep, that's my spot. I didn't get much sleep, but I was a happy momma because I had all of my baby birds in the nest with me!

Sweet, sleeping little angels!

G-Ma went on the Ladies trip with WHBC while Daddy was in Belize. They stopped at Tulsa Hills on the way to Branson and on the way back home, so we went to see her for a few minutes. Mackenzie was just heartbroken when she had to leave both times. That girl does not like saying goodbye, ever.

 Everyone was happy to see Daddy when he got home! He brought the girls each a fancy notebook from Belize, which may be their favorite present ever from him. I'm not sure what was going on here, but apparently Mackenzie thought Jonah was stinky! One more thing I wanted to add was that the 2012 Presidential Election took place while Brian was gone. We were hoping and praying for a Romney win, but Obama was elected again. Our nation has taken a hard turn away from God. It makes me sad to think of what things will be like for my kids as they grow up and become adults. I take hope in that regardless of who our President is, God is still God!