18 August 2008

Isn't God Good?!



The Lord never ceases to amaze me how He gets my attention!!  I found myself in a bit of a funk last night.  I just felt like it was one of those times that He wanted me in that funk to bring me to His Word.
I’m in the middle of a study called “the Frazzled Female.”  I thought it would be very appropriate for this time in my life with 2 toddlers and a preschooler!!  Even though it is not specific to moms it has been just what I need.  Every time I open it up the scripture and the theme just blows me away as it always seems to be something I am struggling through.  Last night was no different.  I open up my study to read John 15 (The Vine & the Branches) and find the focus to be:

Loving others will become easier and more natural as I make sitting at the feet of Jesus a priority.

That is not to say that my funk had anything to do with not loving others, but I do struggle to find my place among some people(s).  Even so, that shouldn’t be my focus or I shouldn’t allow it to put me in a funk.  It’s about sitting at Jesus’ feet and making it a priority in my life.  I can’t say it is always a priority for me and could be another reason for that funk I was in.
It seems funny to be thankful for being in a funk, because it isn’t always fun.  But if it is a way that the Lord is going to draw me closer to Him and grow in Him, then I guess I am thankful.
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Posted by at August 18, 2008 No comments:
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16 August 2008

Gotta Love Skype

Daddy is on a trip at the moment.  This is a long one (10 days total).  He’s been busy the past few days, but we had a Saturday morning chat with daddy through Skype.  If you are not familiar with Skype...it is a great invention of being able to talk on your computer through the internet and you can do video chat as well.  The quality is incredible!!
So while I made muffins for Karis I put the computer where he could see Brennan & Reegan while they ate their cheerios (gotta love wireless too)!  It was pretty fun!!
The downside was hanging up with daddy and the crying that ensued.  Oh well, I would do it again in a heartbeat!!
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Posted by at August 16, 2008 No comments:
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God said "No."

For some reason Karis gets into some deep discussions before bedtime.  Tonight we got to talking about having babies and about her growing in someone else’s tummy, but that God wanted us to be her mommy & daddy.   Then she started talking about her having babies.  She then holds up her hands and says “I want this many babies.” (holding up 10 fingers).  Then she asked me if I’d give her 10 babies.  I proceeded to tell her that I couldn’t give her babies, but she could pray to God and ask for that many babies.  We finished up our bedtime routine and she wanted me to leave so she could pray. =) 
A little while later she got up to go tee tee.  I got her all settled back in bed and she told me she prayed to God (about this many babies) “and he said ‘no!’”  I about lost it with laughter because she was SO serious.  Trying desperately to hold my hysterics I told her that God must think she is too little right now.  To which she replied “I not little, I a big girl.”  I assured her she WAS a big girl, but God probably thinks and knows she is just too little to have that many babies yet.
I think I was able to appease her for the time being.  Kids say the greatest things!!!  Ha!
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Posted by at August 16, 2008 No comments:
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14 August 2008

I'm Addicted



 I’ve become quite addicted to the internet world!!  Blogging (reading and writing), facebook, and Hannah’s Prayer (infertility and loss forum where I’m on the Board of Directors) are easy distractions for me!!  A quote that nicely sums it up from William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”

“I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it.” (Act II, Scene IV). =)
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Posted by at August 14, 2008 No comments:

Loss...Change

This has been a good stateside!!  We still have LOTS to do and finish up before we head back, but I think we are all becoming more and more ready to return.  We’ve got 5 months to go.  Even Karis asks us on an almost daily basis when we are going back to Prague.
We were all saddened and stunned when we received word that a friend & colleague, Teri Tarleton had passed away from a pulmonary embolism at the end of July.  She’d been having some health problems and was soon to be getting checked out.  But the Lord had other plans.  We are sad for her families’ loss....for our loss.  But we know she is singing and rejoicing with our Heavenly Father!!!

In the last few weeks we have been hearing that change is in our future with our organization.  Jerry is,  at this very minute, with other media guys going over and hashing out a proposal.
Change is good and we think this could be a good one.  But change can also be a little sad too.  So much has changed since we left Prague.  We’ve had several colleague friends return home for various reasons.  They won’t be there when we return and we will miss them.  In this stateside time we have changed too, hopefully for the better.  Life and ministry never stays the same.  I guess that is what it is all about though.  The Lord wants us to grow in our walk with Him and the ministries that He allows us to be a part of.
As the development of these changes come about we will keep you informed to our future and whereabouts.
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Posted by at August 14, 2008 No comments:

13 August 2008

I ♥ You, A Bushel & A Peck!

Do you know this song??  You can have a listen here.
I absolutely love this song, sung by Doris Day.  She is one of my absolute all time favorite actress’ and singers.  I love her movies!!!  They are always so fun, happy and upbeat.
Jerry tells stories before bed, but my thing is to sing.  I decided that this is MY song for my kids.  My dad had a song he sung to me every night.  Well, I wanted the same for my kinds and this is OUR song.
It completely describes the love I have for my kiddos, and now they even sing it with me!! =)
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Posted by at August 13, 2008 No comments:
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24 July 2008

What a Summer

Just to give a quick rundown of our summer, we celebrated Jerry’s grandaddy’s birthday in June,

 spent 4th of July with our friends Aaron & Kim Vann (swimming at their house),


I love seeing these 2 guys, college roommates, with their kiddos!


Love Brennan's face!!


  a trip to the Crowley Water Pad with friends,



a trip to the Fort Worth Zoo,




 and meet some friends at Grapevine Mills Mall where we ate at Rainforest Cafe, did a Build-A-Bear for Karis and rode the merry-go-round!!

Karis' bear, Anna.




We’re recovering nicely from eye surgery.  Jerry still has to get his other eye done (they had to do PRK and only do one eye at a time).  That won’t be done until September since Jerry has lots of traveling going on in August.
We haven’t had too many speaking engagements since Jerry’s duties at the seminary keeps him busy.  But he’s got 2 different trips to Richmond to our main office for different meetings.  So that will keep the rest of us close to home.
We’re hoping to take a first family vacation (as a family of 5) in September to the Texas coast.  I’m looking forward to that!!  The kids have never been to the beach!!
So, that’s about it in the life of the Barnwells in the US.
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Posted by at July 24, 2008 No comments:
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28 June 2008

I'm a Superhero! Or maybe a bug!


So Jerry and I went in for a LASIK (eye surgery) consultation last Tuesday.  Little did we know that they would want to get us in and done that week, let alone the following day!!!  Consult Tuesday, lasik Wednesday early morning.  Less than 24 hours AFTER our consult!!  Crazy!!  We were a little misinformed as to how EASY this procedure would be.  It ended up not being so easy for Jerry, especially.  He was not a candidate for LASIK, but PRK, which is much more painful.  And at the moment he cannot see very well, therefore cannot read or drive!!
We both have appointments today to check our eyes.  Mine have been inflamed, so they have been checking me every couple of days.  Luckily no infection and I can still function (read, drive). Jerry will get a lens taken off of his eye that is acting as an eye band-aid.  Hopefully he will be much better once that is taken off.  When they do PRK they only do one eye at a time, so in a couple of weeks he will have to do this all over again.  Poor guy!!
The picture is of me in my funky goggles we have to wear whenever we shower or are outside.  Jerry said I look like a superhero!! =)  I wish I felt more like one instead of looking more like a bug!! Ha!
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Posted by at June 28, 2008 No comments:

27 June 2008

RA Camp

We just got back from RA (Royal Ambassadors) Camp at Latham Springs Baptist Encampment just south of us.  We were all suppose to go from Tues-Thurs, but I had to go back to the dr on Wednesday.  My parents took Jerry on down on Tuesday to camp, then we went down Wednesday evening until Thursday.  We had a great time getting to know some of the boys.  We took Karis, Brennan & Reegan with us.  They seemed to have a great time and were exhausted those 2 days.  We did some swimming and a new thing for them was their first time fishing!!  The camp has a little lake that was loaded with perch and brim.  Karis caught 3 and Brennan & Reegan each caught one, with daddy’s help of course!  And you know the tradition of catching your first fish, right??  You HAVE to kiss it....YUCK!!!  I’m glad I wasn’t privy to that little tradition growing up, but all 3 kissed their first fish!!  And wouldn't you know, I didn't take a single picture.
Now we are back home and ready to rest for a few days after all the events of eye surgery and camp!!
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Posted by at June 27, 2008 No comments:
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28 May 2008

Hannah's Prayer

I wanted to share a little bit about an incredible organization, Hannah’s Prayer (HP) that I am so happy to be a part of.  Three and a half years ago after our first adoption loss I decided to google “Christian infertility.”  We had been trying to conceive for several years with no luck (you can see our full story under the heading “Infertility ~ Our Path to Parenthood” on our website) and had been in the adoption process for a year and a half when I decided to look for support online.  Little did I know that it would take me to this incredible online community of women struggling in the same journey of infertility as well as ladies dealing with miscarriages, loss, adoption, and the list goes on.  I was a little leery as I had never been involved in an online forum before, but I checked through the website and decided to go for it!! 

It has changed my life!!  I jumped right in and got involved in sharing/giving support as well as receiving support in my times of need.

Six months after joining, Jerry & I had a planned trip to the States for a Central & Eastern Europe event which was the same time as a retreat that HP had planned and in the same area!!  I changed my tickets around for me to attend.  Then a day before we were suppose to leave we got a call on a little boy to adopt.  Jerry changed his tickets around to stay and finalize details and allowed me to go on to the retreat and then return right after to come home.  It was a 98% chance for us to get the little boy. I was excited to take this news with me to the retreat!!
But, over the weekend the birthparents changed their minds.  I came home to the news that it was not going to happen.  My HP friends were there to comfort & support me in this loss.
It was also the input of ladies on HP that I began considering and praying about IVF (in-vitro fertilization).  Jerry & I prayed about it and decided to seek this option to get pregnant.  The ladies on HP were there to pray me through and answer my questions about the procedure.
They were also there when a week into the shots (stimulation drugs to produce mass amounts of eggs for the IVF) we got a call on a baby girl to adopt. 
These same ladies saw me through bringing a baby home, egg collection procedure for IVF and transfer 5 days later.
But, it didn’t stop there.  Moms who had struggled with infertility were still around to help me through my pregnancy and my many parenting questions.

Last Fall I was asked to consider becoming a Forum Moderator for HP.  A leadership position that helped take care of the behind the scenes aspects of Hannah’s Prayer.  I was so happy to be asked. 

Even though we have gone on to be parents to 3 children my heart was/is hurting for those still struggling through the pain and isolation of infertility.  I felt that ministering to infertile women as well as educating the world on the pain of this diagnosis was something the Lord was placing on my heart.

And now, in just the last month I was asked and accepted the request to be on the Board of Directors for Hannah’s Prayer.  The Board of Directors is comprised of 9 ladies that oversee the decision making of HP.  I will serve in this role for the next 3 years.  It is such an honor and a fulfillment of a call that has been placed on my heart!
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21 May 2008

Marriage GetAway



Back in January when we went to Virginia for our debriefing, upon our return to the States, I was talking to some colleagues.  They began sharing about using personal development money (that our organization graciously gives on each stateside assignment and based on the length of your term) to use for marriage retreats and many other things.  One particular lady spoke of Glen Eyrie (pronounced air-ee).
Glen Eyrie is a castle owned and operated by The Navigators, a mission sending agency.  There are several other building on the grounds including NavPress, training facilities for their missionaries, and much more.  The Navigators own almost 1100 acres of beauty in Colorado Springs!!!  And it is just amazing how they are using these grounds to glorify Christ and take His name around the world!!!
You can read about the history of Glen Eyrie by going here. 
So, back in February I made our reservation at Glen Eyrie for our Marriage GetAway.  This is not your average retreat!  We are talking about a time to truly focus on each other and your walk with the Lord.  The group is limited to 8 couples.  Here is an idea of the schedule:

Thursday

    * 3-6 Registration
    * 5:30 Welcome reception
    * 6:00 Dinner by candlelight
    * 7:30 Fireside chat

Friday

    * 8:00 Breakfast in bed
    * 10:45 Castle Tour
    * 12:00 Lunch
    * 1:15-6:00 Freetime
    * 6:00 Dinner by candlelight
    * 7:30 Fireside chat

Saturday

    * 8:00 Breakfast
    * 9:00 Group session
    * 12:00 Lunch
    * 1:15-6:00 Carriage rides and free time
    * 6:00 Dinner by candlelight
    * 7:30 Fireside chat

Sunday

    * 8:00 Breakfast
    * 9:00 Prayer and share time
    * 12:00 Lunch

Each night there was a gift waiting for us on our turned down bed.  The first night was a picnic blanket. 




On our new blanket, eating away!!

 The second night left on our bed was the book “31 Day of Praise”, written by a Navigator missionary by the name of Ruth Myers.  Wonderful book!!  And the third night was Sparkling Apple Cider!!!  Each one of these gifts was accompanied by chocolate as well as little card with our names and a little message for us!!
Our breakfast in bed was a fun treat!  Eggs, sausage and apple-filled crepes!



Glen Eyrie has a wonderful chef who fixed us gourmet meals each night.  The first night was a scrumptious steak, second night we were served bass, and the third night was pork filled with sausage and cheese!!
As I mentioned before the group was limited to 8 couples.  There was also a returning couple.  One that had attended before and came back to help the leaders, so there were 10 couples total.  Because it was a small group, we grew close in those few days.  In our free time we got to go on a horse drawn carriage.  We rode with Steve & Susan and had a great time with them!!


 We saw a bear about halfway up the mountain on our ride!!  What a treat and not seen often!!


 We also used our free time to hike around the property.  My favorite spot had to be Dorothy Falls.  We had to hike through a narrow canyon, crossing the little river over rocks and tree limbs about 15 times!!  It was well worth it once we reached the falls!!


A little glimpse of our room.



 I was a little sad to leave this beautiful setting and the new friends we made, but I was ready to see the kids!! I will definitely have the life lessons, memories and pictures to remind me of this special time!!
And, if you and your spouse are in need of a getaway, check this out!!  It truly was above and beyond our expectations!!!

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Posted by at May 21, 2008 No comments:
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Deeper

  Deeper - adj. 1. extending or situated relatively far down from a surface: a deep pool. It's been a long time since I've ...