It's Starting to Look a lot Like a Wedding

Whew! This weekend we went to College Station to have about a billion wedding appointments, take engagement pictures, and go to the Aggie Basketball game with The Pickerings. It was a blast! We also got to hang out with many friends too, my sister Tyne, our dear friend Rachel, old roommates like Tyson and Ryan, and our friend whose "public name" is William.

And in leaving this was the typical comment we heard, "well, it was great hanging out, I guess the next time we will see you all is the wedding". What? The wedding? That's right, I was informed that our wedding is 7 weeks away, and at that moment, started to feel a small hernia form in my stomach. Trying to keep it in perspective and not appear like the world is ending, I usually responded with, "Yeah, it sure is coming fast" and a small smile, that was meant to mask the petrified fear and instant list of things to do that was flashing through my mind.

Marriage, so excited about it! Can't wait! Wedding, lots to do, slowly starting to see some of the pieces coming together, but still overwhelmed by the involvement of the details. But, as my good friend Katie pointed out, as much as we say this is the brides day, in all reality this is God's day. And our desire is that God will be glorified and his name proclaimed, and the gospel shared through the beautiful picture of marriage.

David

Just another cute picture of David! I am working on getting more pics so that you can truly experience Cambodia!

Wedding Flowers

To all of you who are married, you can totally relate when I say flowers are expensive! Today, I took a fun trip up to Houston with Kathy (mother in law to be) and Jen. Jen, is a good friend of Kathy's, very sweet (yet sassy), and a closet florist. So we met with Scott, the floral designer at Central Market, and went over the bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, and all that good stuff. Then, we started talking reception (Jen and her team are doing the arranging), and in the blink of an eye, its like I had been teleported to flowerland, and these crazy names were being discussed, little pictures drawn, words like omni (sp?) and yoko ono were tossed back and forth. They did a great job of repeating things in laymen's terms for me, and I totally trust Jen completely, so I know it will be beautiful!

Thanks Jen and Kathy for a fun afternoon and for all of your help in putting this wedding together!

Here is the vision:

Almost Home

Well friends, we are almost home. After a week in Cambodia, Michael and I are in the Seoul Korea airport and are about to head to LAX. We left Phnom Pehn at 12:15am Monday morning. Its currently 4:21pm in Cambodia, 6:21pm in Seoul, and 3:21am in Lake Jackson. My stomach doesn't know if its hungry and my body is confused as to if it should sleep.

All in all, it was an incredible trip! We got to see God work in some really cool ways. I am always overwhelmed when God allows us to be a part of His work and know that He is working on me in the process. It is so challenging to see the joy that comes from these kiddos, their joy surpasses circumstances and possessions, language barriers, and differences. They are one large family, helping to take care of each other, sharing their belongings... it was a real eye opener.

I promise to post more pictures with more details. But for now, check out:
bpfcambodia.blogspot.com

There are some new orphans that need some sponsors. And, you can meet them when you come next year :)

Cambodia!

Today was the day that we have been looking forward to for months now, our first day out at the Hope for Cambodia Orphanage! It started bright and early, in order to beat the craziness of rush hour traffic (which includes about 1,000,000 mopeds, a few police officers directing traffic, and TWO stop lights)...absolutely crazy, the only peace being that we were by far the largest vehicle on the road.

Before lunch we got to meet the orphans and play with some of the kids from the village that are participating in the Bible Club, it was so fun! Its amazing to see how much these kiddos really appreciated even the small things that we gave them, like coloring sheets, streamers, and bubbles. We took a break for lunch, the village kids went home, and the afternoon was dedicated to continuing the Pastors Conference, the water retention, hair design school, teacher training, and just hanging out with the orphans.

Ashley, led the teacher training, and did a fabulous job! We (Ashley, Amy, Lauren, and I) mostly found out just how primitive their school is, how it was run, and were stunned to hear the number of students. There are sixty, yes 6-0 students in the 3-5 year old class, how many teachers you might ask...one. It sure made me appreciate the resources we have back at home. But God is good, and though they are lacking in materials, the teachers have a great heart to learn and a whole lot of love for their students. God is also challenging us to be creative with the supplies and set up they have, and really showing me that no matter where you are kids are very much similar.

Difficult things:

1. the language - new sounds, new names, difficult to remember phrases

2. the food - I am not as adventurous as I thought I might be, just because I don't want to get sick and miss a day with the kids

Great things:

1. David - I got to meet David, the orphan that Michael and I sponsor. Michael got to play with him last year and warned me that he was super shy. David is about 2 years old and as cute as can be. He really started to warm up to us and by the end of the afternoon was coming to us and asking to be held!

2. Our translators - Such fun kids (college kids) They all have a really neat story to tell and are also very gifted with children, they have been a joy to work with!

3. Prices = cheap

4. Hugs from cute kids

Overall, we had a great first day! It was awesome to have the whole group together and to get to meet all the people I have heard about for a year now. Thank you for all your prayers! God is good and does good things and there is hope for Cambodia.

It's the Happiest Time of Year

Merry Christmas to all! After a relaxing couple of days up in Kentucky with my fam, and an uneventful and long night waiting on delayed flights, I am back in LJ. This morning we spent Christmas with The Pickerings, where lots of presents were opened, a delicious lunch was eaten, and many naps were taken. Overall, it was a perfect celebration to Jesus' birth!

Just like Oprah and her "favorite things" episodes, there was defiantly a theme or "favorite thing" this morning. Coincidentally enough, these items were designed by Martha Stewart, another famous and well known television celebrity. If you haven't checked out her kitchen collection at Macys, you are missing out!

Merry Christmas!

Soon to be...

Michael and I are going to be taking the plunge, tying the knot, getting hitched, saying "I do", or my personal favorite, buying the cow, this March. Let the countdown begin!

In a recent visit with my dear friend Summer, she suggested I begin blogging about all the fruitcake stories that come from planning, all the crazo people I encounter, and in general the ancedotes, that will soon be a distant memory. So here it is, no promises of constant hilarity, but for those of you who we love, it might give you a glimpse of what is going on in our lives, since not all of you are as fortunate to live in "The City of Enchantment".

Love you all!

***While on the topic of Summer, let me recommend her blog at stayathomepuppymom.blogspot.com well worth your time.