Laura Jean

Exerpts From My Diary: No Words

2011-12-12T17:01:00.000-08:00

There are no words to accurately describe motherhood. We try and prepare them--these young women and expecting mothers. We do our very best to paint a picture that includes the combination of love, joy, hard work, frustraton, anxiety, pride, anticipation for each new milestone, excitement over the smallest victories, and amusement we all feel (at the same time). But I have yet to hear a description that does the experience justice.

God says in his Word that we who love him cannot even fathom the great things he has planned for us. This is very exciting to me because I'm constantly amazed with his goodness already! He just knows me so well. When I got married, I couldn't believe how good it felt to be one with this incredible person--this most handsome, talented and exceptional man. To experience a sense of unity that is so pure and right, yet rather scandalous at the same time, is quite an adventure. And then, to face all the unknowns of pregnancy and the birth of our premature baby with the realization that anything could happen at any moment... it's nerve-racking to say the least! But that was just a preview into what it's like to raise a child. Because that is how motherhood has been for me so far--every second of it. It seems like I don't go a single day without a million little reminders that I'm not in control. It's amazing how little control we actually have, isn't it? In fact, the only way I can deal with it is through healthy doses of laughter, tears, and prayer. :)

Does anyone else so often feel like motherhood is this beautiful, surreal, thick fog? I am constantly not sure of what to make of this new reality in my life. Here is this amazing, innocent, sweet, small boy (the most handsome one around, I might add) locking eyes with mine, and we can't help but break into these big grins... we're simply in love with each other. He is so smart, and growing so fast--his independence is blossoming every moment as he discovers what he can do. His hair is like a shiny penny, his skin is soft and white, and his eyes are a warm brown that just exude his tender spirit. He's never in a hurry, but always very busy--analyzing his surroundings, taking it all in, touching each thing carefully. My friend Corrie says, "He's very wise." :)

How could I ever take credit for this complex and wonderful creature? I am simply along for the ride.
I can pray.
I can trust.
I can pass along what little I know.
But what else is there? He is the Lord's. And I learn more from him each day than he probably ever learns from me.

The challenge, I've found, is to be intentional. Isn't it always? Intentional about living in the moment and enjoying today, while still thinking about and planning for the future... Both must be done. And equally well. And being intentional about parenting is no different. Yet, at the end of each day, I must relax--because I am not in control of little Ben or his future. The Lord is. If you think about it... that is so refreshing!

So I'll do my best as a mother, a leader, a friend... and beyond that I have to trust that God sees what I can't, and he fills the needs that I can't. And in that, I know Benjamin will be just fine.

The Civil Wars

2011-11-30T14:54:00.001-08:00

I highly recommend this band--The Civil Wars.

These two artists, Joy Williams and Jon Paul White, have a rare and profound chemistry together. Word on the street is that they were just nominated for two grammy awards! I added a few of my favorites to this playlist. I hope you enjoy watching them and listening to them as much as I do!

LJ

Happy 1st Birthday, Benjamin!

2011-10-25T12:33:00.000-07:00

If you're like me, you can't believe it either... It's true. My sweet Benjamin Anthony turns 1 year today! I can't even put into words how good God is. His hand has been on little Ben since day one, and my gratitude abounds.

The following pictures show a piece of his journey from the early days in the NICU to now, standing big and tall. Born at just 2 pounds, 9 ounces, Benjamin came three months early and surprised us all. But he was a fighter, and just two months later, and two days before Christmas, he got to come home.

Always a good sleeper, always a bit feisty, and always perfect in our eyes.

His facial expressions will melt your heart!

A big, strong, cuddly, happy boy!

Who could ask for more?

LJ

The Universal Need

2011-10-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

"You've got to hear this one song. It'll change you're life, I swear." -Garden State

I'm kind of a music snob (in the words of my friend Neisha), and I often come across amazing songs I want the whole world to hear. So what better place than here! This particular one is a favorite of mine, and it truly reflects the heart of Christ. Just press play on the ipod at the bottom. Enjoy.

Everybody
by Ingrid Michaelson

We have fallen down again tonight,
In this world it's hard to get it right.
Trying to make your heart fit like a glove,
What you need is love, love, love.

Everybody, everybody wants to love,
Everybody, everybody wants to be loved.

Happy is the heart that still feels pain,
Darkness drains and light will come again.
Swing open up your chest and let it in,
Just let the love, love, love begin.

Everybody knows the love,
Everybody holds the love,
Everybody folds for love.

Everybody feels the love,
Everybody steals the love,
Everybody heals with love.

Just let the love, love, love begin

Dare to Risk

2011-09-18T23:51:00.001-07:00

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach for another is to risk involvement.
To expose your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To believe is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The people who risk nothing, have nothing, do nothing, are nothing. They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live. Chained by their attitudes, they are slaves; they have forfeited their freedom.

Only a person who risks is free.

-Author Unknown-

The Need For Speed

2011-08-24T10:54:00.006-07:00

By Laura Davis

When Kurt and Alison Noyce saw their son for the first time, he stood outside alone amid a plethora of colorful wet clothing hung out to dry. All the other orphans were napping, but he had stayed up because he knew his new parents were coming to get him. Three-year-old Jemburu wore the Red Sox shirt they had sent him.

As soon as little Jemburu spotted his new mom and dad, he ran full speed toward them—and then straight past them, says Alison Noyce with a laugh. Finally, she scooped him up and hugged him tight.

“He kept leaning back to look at us…reaching for Kurt and then back for me,” Noyce says. “He wouldn’t let us interact with any other children. A little girl came over and wanted to hold my hand and I thought he was going to punch her. When we came home, he’d say, ‘Don’t look at my mom, look at your own mom’ in the grocery store. It took several months for him to let his guard down.”

Noyce and her husband have adopted two boys from Ethiopia—Mikias was almost 5 years old when they brought him home, and Jemburu was nearly 4.

“When I first took [Mikias] to the supermarket I thought he was going to pass out!” says Noyce. “He was throwing himself on the produce. I think it was a survival mechanism.”

“I think they were desperate to have this life,” Noyce says.

Four million children, just like Jemburu and Mikias, are orphaned in Ethiopia—around 12 percent of the total child population, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). These children face a host of challenges from the moment they are born. UNICEF reports that malnutrition is the cause of over half of all deaths among children 5 years old and under in Ethiopia, and the number of continually malnourished children remains considerably high despite aid efforts. Easily-treatable illnesses such as dehydration and diarrhea are responsible for roughly 20 percent of deaths in children under the age of 5. And the AIDS epidemic in Africa has hit Ethiopia hard. UNICEF states that half of a million Ethiopian orphans have lost one or both parents to the disease; 120,000 of them are living with HIV themselves.

Jody Britton is the mother of three biological children and one adopted child named Malachi; and she is in the process of adopting a second child. Britton and her husband finally brought Malachi home from Ethiopia when he was just over a year old. He had been found abandoned with no clue as to how old he was or what happened to his family. Judging by his teeth, those at the orphanage guessed he was around 7 months old when found, says Britton.

As more and more people learn about orphans in Ethiopia and the poverty levels they face, the number of Ethiopian adoptions continues to rise. According to the U.S. Department of State, Americans adopted over 2,500 children from Ethiopia last year. That is a 5000 percent increase in just over 10 years. But that number may drop significantly this year because of some legal changes.

To handle the flow, the Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA) was established to review each adoption case after the match with prospective adoptive parents, and after the final court’s approval for a new birth certificate and passport for the child.

Cory Barron, director of Children’s Hope International adoption agency, says because the number of adoptions has grown considerably, MOWCYA “didn’t have the resources to do the volume they had coming in—so they limited the number.”

This past March, when officials at MOWCYA announced they would process no more than five adoptions per day, they claimed they were doing so to improve screening methods and to extend their resources to children in need.

As a result, the Joint Council on International Services projected delays in the adoption process amounting to one or more years.

Hollen Frazier, the executive director of All God’s Children International adoption agency, says she hasn’t seen the process slow down that drastically, but waiting periods have increased.

Frazier says it is not yet clear how these changes will affect everyone involved. Families adopting through All God’s Children International this year have experienced between 18 and 24 months for the process to be completed from start to finish. But Frazier says the agency is preparing families to expect longer even though they haven’t seen an extreme delay.

“With the changes, we’ve added an entire year to the process at this time,” Frazier says.

Shortly after MOWCYA’s announcement and in lieu of growing concerns over ethical practices, officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services went to Ethiopia to evaluate the Ethiopian adoptions program. While they acknowledge that a single review of the program cannot give definitive results, they concluded that the majority of Ethiopian children adopted by U.S. citizens do, indeed, meet the definitions of orphan and are approved as such. In the briefing issued on April 6, officials at USCIS confirmed that they support the continuation of the inter-country adoption program in Ethiopia and agreed to keep sharpening analysis of each case that comes through the U.S. Embassy in efforts to help MOWCYA’s defense against corruption.

And it seems the Ethiopian government is continuing to make changes on behalf of those efforts. On Aug. 3, the U.S. State Department confirmed the closure of several orphanages in Ethiopia because their practices were not up to MOWCYA standards.

Director Frazier says she “cringes” when she hears news reports of adoption process delays. She says just recently they received a child who had been abandoned shortly after birth and left alone under a tree between two rocks. “The need is huge,” she says.

“There are still orphans in Ethiopia,” says Frazier. ”Any time you say you’re going to just slow the process, that’s not a child-centered approach. To keep them even a day longer—you see that options get minimized and orphans suffer for it.”

With solid processes and requirements in place, along with little proof of fraudulent activity, it may be time to shift the focus toward the other needs of the children—such as proper nutrition, medical care, education, and a sense of belonging. Needs that can be met by waiting families.

Adoption Ministry YWAM-Ethiopia operates four different orphanages in Ethiopia and works with different adoption agencies to place children with families.

Administrator Becky Burns says while her agency welcomes careful scrutiny and concern over ethical adoption processes, children coming from Ethiopia—even the babies— have severe attachment and bonding issues.

“Our main priority is to get them placed,” Burns says.

Noyce, also a popular blogger, can attest to the bonding issues her own sons have from their orphan years. “Some of the children who have been neglected and shut away are so damaged and it’s heartbreaking,” she says.

“Jemberu often makes statements to me that he knows are not true,” She writes on her blog. “Most of them start with variations of…’Remember when I was a baby..’ My response goes something like, ‘Honey, you know I wasn't your Mumma when you were a baby’. Which leads him to say, 'Just pretend'. Then we imagine what he was like together.”

Sometimes bureaucratic decisions leave little leeway for negotiations, but there are other ways families and those interested in Ethiopian adoptions can influence wait times.

Director Barron says other variables—such as requests for a specific age or gender-- affect wait-times as well. “Parents who are more specific wait longer typically,” Barron says. “If a family is open to any child, the waiting periods go down.”

Britton describes her experience when she went to Ethiopia to get Malachi. “I saw firsthand the older kids that had no hope,” Britton says. “You would walk in and have every child pulling and tugging at you calling you mom and dad hoping that you’d pick them.”

In fact, babies are the most likely to get adopted. According to the Adoption Institute, 46 percent of children adopted are less than one year old, and 90 percent of children adopted are under the age of 5. This means that every passing moment lowers the odds of adoption for a waiting orphan.

As an adoptive mother, Noyce advises other child-seeking parents to broaden their criteria for orphans as much as possible.

“People should be open to those waiting,” Noyce says. “Don’t limit yourself. Consider children who are already waiting for families.”

###

Do you have a desire to adopt? Why or why not?

Not To Be Taken Lightly

2011-08-01T21:19:00.005-07:00

by Laura Davis

As she headed out the door on her way to a concert that night, Rachel Conner, 14, got a call from her classmate’s mother. Conner knew her friend was sick, but everyone thought her 65-pound weight had something to do with a digestive disorder. As it turns out, she was suffering from anorexia nervosa.

“I was shocked,” Conner says. For the duration of their middle school years, Conner says her friend often called herself “too fat” and didn’t eat much when they were together. After learning of the disorder, the doctor put her friend through therapy to help her gain more weight.

In the following months, Conner occasionally asked her friend about it. “Every time we talk about it she says she isn’t doing it to herself,” Conner says. “It makes me really sad.”

The second time, her classmate’s father called. Less than a year had gone by, and her friend was back in the hospital—weighing below 70 pounds once again.

With the first day of school just around the corner, many teenage girls are anticipating how they will fix their hair, what outfit they will wear, and how they’ll cover up that zit that just keeps coming back. There is an unspoken rule in the air—one that begs each girl to do whatever it takes to have the “perfect image” as Conner and her peers call it.

The Pressure

Lauren Hunter, an incoming freshman at Standley Lake High School in Westminster, Colo., says out of all the expectations facing teenage girls today, “being skinny” is the biggest one.

Hunter’s best friend and classmate, Hannah Lynch, agrees.

By promoting everything from hair straighteners to mascara for longer eyelashes, “Everything in society breaks down everything original and sort of pushes you in a direction that will make you more attractive,” says 14-year-old Lynch. “As a community of girls, we strive to seem flawless…to be the main attraction.”

“Girls expect it from themselves when they see it everywhere,” Hunter says. “It’s all about acceptance.”

And it’s true that teenage girls do see it everywhere. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), nearly 70 percent of girls between the ages of 10-18 say their view of the ideal body shape is largely influenced by magazine pictures. However, the typical body image portrayed in the media naturally occurs in only five percent of American females.

High school freshman Cassandra Garcia says she believes fashion trends and expectations are set by celebrities featured in magazines.

“Skinny jeans are totally in, I think it’s because a lot of celebrities wear them,” Garcia says. “It makes us want to look like them even though they’re airbrushed.”

But it’s not just magazines that influence appearance standards for teenage girls. Hunter and her friends list other factors, such as boys, music, television, and even parents’ expectations that help form their perspectives of the perfect image.

Flatirons Community Church Youth Leader, Paul Andrews, has 28 years of experience working with teenagers and four daughters of his own. Although the pressure facing freshman girls is new to them, Andrews says the demand to look beautiful has always been there.

“Women are always judged first based on their appearance because men are naturally wired to see that first,” Andrews says. “And women deep down have an incredible desire to be cherished and loved by men. So the fastest way to get that is to dress or look the part.”

But because of the technology teenagers have access to these days, the problem is getting worse, Andrews says.

“They are being pounded on a daily basis… at home with 300 channels, even on their cell phones,” says Andrews. “It’s everywhere. There’s a constant feeling of inadequacy and how they don’t measure up. They are constantly reminded of what they are lacking.”

The Effects

Appearance pressures facing high school freshmen today can be devastating.

Khampiane Keoeonexay, a teacher at The Manning School in Golden, Colo. describes some of the ways these expectations affect her students and how some of the girls handle them.

“It makes their priorities shift—school falls by the wayside and boys become priority,” Keoeonexay says. “Cutting, bulimia, anorexia—I see that with girls as young as middle school, as well as being withdrawn and depressed.”

In fact, the ANAD states that “over one-half of teenage girls use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives.”

Youth Leader Andrews says one of the major differences he observes in teenagers entering high school is the change in priorities.

“Friends’ opinions begin to hold more weight than anyone else’s,” Andrews says.

He says he believes there is combination of factors involved. In middle school, pressures exist; but students are still closely tied to their parents. Upon entering high school however, students naturally begin to break away from their parents, Andrews says. Combine their independence with the pressure to be well-liked, and some girls begin to “sacrifice who they are.”

Lynch’s father, Michael, says he observes ways in which his daughter faces these pressures and how she handles it.

“I’ve seen her in different situations when she’s going to be out with friends,” Michael Lynch says. “She takes extra care in preparation. Just going to the mall she feels she has to be something more. I’ve also seen her with her parents alone and she has been depressed, feeling like she’s not accepted [or] beautiful enough.”

Watching his youngest daughter enter high school, Michael Lynch says he feels as though it’s a losing battle because, as parents, it seems “sometimes our voice is discounted because society has such a louder voice.”

The Solution

Teacher Keoeonexay says what’s important is “making sure they know there are more important things out there than being thin.”

“Kids need to build their self-esteem with better friends or events that inspire them,” Keoeonexay says.

14-year-old Conner says her parents and music help her remember what’s true about herself when she feels down.

“The music I listen to is rather self-empowering,” Conner says. “And my parents are really supportive. They compliment me and tell me I look beautiful. I don’t go a day without my dad saying, ‘You look so pretty.’”

Youth Leader Andrews advises parents with children going to high school this year to make sure they have other adult leaders in their lives to help reinforce what’s important.

“The more you hear the truth, the more you’re able to combat the lies.” Andrews says.

Hannah Lynch recommends that teenage girls look for the things about themselves they love. And if they can’t find any, she says they should talk to a trusted friend.

“You can find so many things wrong about yourself,” Lynch says. “But almost anyone else sitting there can come up with five more good things back at you.”

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The Need For Support

2011-07-15T11:27:00.003-07:00

by Laura Davis

His eyes fell to the floor and he let out a sigh as he heard those same words again. Inside he could feel his heart begin to beat faster and his temperature rise. Yes, they were broke. He already knew that. And he knew that he and his family were going to have to make some sacrifices. But when David Kruhmin’s father-in-law recommended that he drop out of college until they became more financially stable, he felt yet another blow against his dream.

Kruhmin is not alone. Many adult students choosing to continue their education lack support from their families or friends.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 44 percent of the nearly 3 million first-time degree seekers who enrolled in college in 2008 did not return the following year. There is no doubt a variety of challenges can unexpectedly creep up in the lives of students and interfere with their goals. In fact, numerous students struggle for years to find the strength they need to overcome these challenges--especially adult learners with many other responsibilities. But a solid support system can help.

Kruhmin attended college soon after high school, but following the first semester he dropped out. He says he lacked guidance from his parents and wasn’t sure what he wanted to pursue. Seven years later, married and working as a full-time operations specialist at Bank of the West, he decided to go back to college to pursue an electronic engineering degree with a focus in aviation.

In response to his decision, Kruhmin’s wife, Brianna, was frustrated and unsupportive. At the time, she was pregnant with their first child and says her initial thought was, “Great timing. You’ve had all this time and now we’re having a baby.”

Kruhmin says he understands some of the logic behind the discouragement his family gives, but for him, “It’s imperative to continue for two reasons: to provide for my family and because it’s a personal goal.”

Air Force wife Natalia Lewis, 26, has a similar mentality.

Lewis says she didn’t have the financial means to go to college right after high school, but four years and two children later she enrolled as a part-time student at the University of Maryland University College to pursue a degree in psychology.
Lewis also runs a full-time home daycare and says the hardest part about going back to school later in life is the time commitment—especially when her husband is deployed for several months at a time. She says all her responsibilities often overwhelm her and are making her college experience less enjoyable than she expected.

Despite those persistent challenges, Lewis says it’s important to her to press forward toward the goal. “How am I going to tell my kid to go to college when mommy didn’t?” she says.

“I’m the type of person that appreciates encouraging words,” Lewis says. “They help me keep motivated.” And it is in those overwhelming moments after multiple nights of only four hours of sleep that she thrives off of the encouragement from those around her.

Some students found the lack of support they received as teenagers affected their choices regarding college when the time came, and as a result, they did not pursue their dreams until many years later.

This past year, after a 10-year education break, actor Joseph Gibson enrolled in the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Calif. He says he wishes he would have returned sooner, and probably would have if he’d had the support of his family early on.

“My adoptive mom was very discouraging…It killed my spirit,” says Gibson.
As a result of his experience, Gibson says a good support system is necessary because the motivation, inspiration and encouragement from others drives people to focus on their talents.

Gibson says he realizes students aren’t “always going to have a good support system—there are always people who will stop the support when they begin to feel envious and threatened, but you have to push on.”

Karen Richmond, an adult outpatient therapist for Arapahoe Douglas Mental Health in Colorado, confirms that the more support people have, the more able they are to make significant changes in their lives.

“There’s a lot of research that’s shown that the more healthy relationships we have, the more likely we are to venture out and become successful,” Richmond says.
While some students rely on encouragement from friends and family less than other students, they still value social support.

Recent graduate April Summers, 25, says she doesn’t think “cheerleading support” from her parents and her husband, or lack thereof, had the biggest impact on her accomplishment. Yet throughout her college experience, she says she often wanted to give up. Ultimately she had to figure out what she wanted and get it done, but more support would have been nice, Summers says.

Similarly, Toni Sutton, a 25-year-old college sophomore and new mother, advises students to build support for themselves if they don’t have it. “Seek out the encouragement you need,” she says. “You have to find it. It doesn’t just fall into your lap."

The college environment is a perfect place to start looking for that encouragement says University of Maryland University College Advisor Alaina Keener. She advises support-seekers to connect with the others in their classes because those students are in the same position and can understand where they’re at.

Keener also urges students to stay connected with the academic advisors and career service counselors at their schools. Those people are there to help students determine and remember their goals if they are having a hard time, she says.

Therapist Richmond also offers tips for helping students develop healthy social support systems. If a student is lacking confidence, she recommends finding a support group within a church or other community of people.

“Www.meetup.com can be a great resource for finding a good support group,” Richmond says. “Utilizing the resources out there to foster support is a good way to go if students aren’t getting it from their immediate community.”

Kruhmin has done just that. With a group he calls the “Monday Knights,” Kruhmin says he has developed a strong support system of other guys—all of whom are now college graduates and are willing to be honest with him while still taking his goals and dreams as seriously as he does.

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It's Not About Comfort

2011-07-11T11:14:00.006-07:00

All 79 Airmen came decorated in their finest uniforms. Each one had endured a long and ruthless six-week training program that deprived them of sleep and time with their families. That $250 pay raise hadn't come easily. But all of them made it through and tonight we would celebrate their success.

Undoubtedly the most handsome man there, SSgt Mark Davis graduated ALS with the highest academic award and a distinguished graduate award. As he was making his way back to his seat with trophies in hand, multiple high-ranking officials made their way toward him to shake his hand and congratulate him with Air Force coins. I couldn't have been more proud.

I sat there in my new black dress and heels admiring these hard-working, humble men and women who serve our country with such pride. There is a specific environmental dynamic at every military event. Even though they all have a variety of jobs--from pilot to doctor to administrator--and everyone has their own beliefs and interests and friends, there's an overwhelming sense of unity. I'm often blown away by military members' willingness to sacrifice so much that I wonder why they're not all just walking around crying together and patting each other on the back. No, instead, it seems like they don't even think twice. The standard is what it is. The job requires XYZ and they just do what it takes to get it done.

The Air Force's core values are to hold to integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. Those are pretty intense.

Jesus Christ maintained those same values. And he asks us to follow his actions and uphold them as well. In that, I'm reminded that life is not about being comfortable. In my own life, my prayers, my decisions, my complaints, my desires all center around my comfort. I just mentioned the word "my" six times. Yes, that is a direct reflection of what I'm talking about. I mean think about it. Aren't yours? How many times have you prayed these prayers: Dear God, please bless this food to our body; Please help us get there safely; Please allow me a good nights sleep tonight; Please help me feel better...

I don't mean to discount these prayers. Our loving Savior is ecstatic when we come to him at all, and he understands our nature. My point is how often we're praying for comfort and ourselves. Our thoughts, our feelings, our prayers revolve solely around us too much of the time.

And so I'm forced to ask myself...

When is the last time I got up in the morning determined to have an attitude of servanthood? That I consciously chose to put myself aside to serve another?

When is the last time I truly set out to serve my husband? To pay close attention to his needs? To pray for him?

When is that last time I looked outside my little house with my little family and group of friends to see who out there in the world is hurting and needs... a servant?

Being a part of the U.S. Military is an honorable job. And even though I'm just an Airman's wife, I'm often reminded of how good it feels to be part of something big, something good. How much greater a feeling to be part of God's kingdom! While at any time the Armed Forces of the good ol' USA could pass away or become corrupt, there is a "something bigger" that will not.

Every time I see our service men and women gathered together like that, I'm inspired to be better. To live out the biblical command that says, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, 'children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.' Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life." (Philippians 2:14)

We are called to live for something MUCH bigger, MUCH better. The standards are high, but anyone and everyone is welcome and able with the help of Him who calls us.

Laura Jean

Simmer Down Now!

2011-05-15T22:16:00.010-07:00

Whew. Deep breath.

Okay. So we finally finished our move from Okinawa, our travel down to Arizona, up to Colorado, back to Arizona, and over to Las Vegas, Nevada. It took us about two months to get to a place where life is somewhat normal again... (Is life ever really normal?)

I've come to learn a few things. Life will not ever slow down. Over the past several years I kept thinking this very thought, "As soon as this part's over and things chill out a little, I'll ______." Well that never happens. In fact, it's only gotten faster! So until I'm much older and retired, I'm going to have to learn to balance it all. To say no. To prioritize. And to be aggressive in mastering time management and achieving my goals. A daunting task at times.

So where are we at? Well, we've settled (that's one of my least favorite words, by the way...) in a nice little apartment in Northwest Las Vegas. It's very sunny and although the air is dry, its a refreshing change from Okinawa's humidity. We've had a few visitors already. My parents and both of our brothers came out--with whom we had a FANTASTIC time. Miss them already.

Lil' Benjamin is growing so big! At our last doctor's appointment a few weeks ago, he came in at a whopping 13.3 pounds!

He's very strong. He stands for long periods of time while I hold his hands, and he's been doing what looks like crunches these past few weeks in effort to sit up. So cute!

He's all smiles when he's not hungry or tired, and he's beginning to make lots of giggly shrieking noises. My favorite!

I couldn't feel more blessed right now. Despite the hard work, the tiredness, the challenge to put my selfishness away, the testing of my patience... it's all totally and completely worth it. Who would have ever thought? :)

LJ

Scattered thoughts on LOVE...

2011-04-14T18:42:00.003-07:00

Love. It’s a beautiful thing. I’m not sure many people experience the depth love has to offer. Not only does it bring butterflies and fast heart beats, but its very core brings a true calmness of the heart. The comfort of love negates the anxiety and craziness that life brings. It releases people to be who they really are, free of inhibitions and selfishness. It encourages us to give and be appreciative. It leaves us with the desire to be kind and open. It ignites tenderness and softness in our hearts. Love’s house harbors no walls, no bitterness, no insecurity. This is perfect love and it only exists in Christ.

One of my most favorite things about love is that its capacity has no limits. A great friend of mine recently posed the question, “What does it mean to put my husband before my child? Am I supposed to love my daughter less?” But this question implies that we only have so much love to give… a meter that can be emptied. Another friend of mine recently had another child. She told me that she wondered beforehand how she could possible love another child as much as she loved her first. Again, this mentality implies that our ability to love has limits.

Priority and love are two different things. Time and love are two different things. The truth is, we don’t have enough time for everything, and everyone cannot be our highest priority all the time. So we must be intentional. Intentional. We must live our lives purposefully if we want to have successful relationships, friendships, careers, lives.

Another friend of mine is trying to figure out if the man she’s with is the right one. They like each other. Sometimes. They want to love each other. They are trying. Why isn’t it falling into place? Why isn’t he pursuing her? Why doesn’t she feel safe with him? My question is: Should it really be this hard? I don’t think so. True love is passionate. It chases. It longs to give. Not every day, no. Because we are flawed. But most days, yes. We must never resign to living to please the self. That is a dangerous path that leads us further and further from love. One that leaves us alone.

But is it even realistic to live intentional, love-filled, selfless lives? If you look around the world and see all the devastated marriages, abandoned children, angry women, hurting men… one may say it is not possible. But I say it is. There’s a secret ingredient though. A key to unlocking the mystery of how it’s done.

Perfect love only exists in Christ.

No matter how badly we want to be the best mother, the best wife, the best boyfriend, or the best son, the reality is that we cannot do it alone. We simply can’t. We ARE selfish. We ARE flawed. We’d rather be chased than chase. We’d rather be served than serve. So we must learn how. And we must be intentional about doing so because it does not come naturally or happen by chance.

A friend of mine posted this on her Facebook the other day. “If you want to be loved, be lovable.”

Brilliant. I suspect Christ was lovable. In all his humility and strength, people flocked to him because he didn’t condemn or demand. He chased others no one would chase. He served others no one would serve. He never demanded to be served. Not once. He wasn’t prideful. He didn’t feel the need to prove himself or desire to shine. I can’t say the same for myself most days.

What a lesson in love we could learn by his example.

Trip Down Memory Lane

2011-02-01T04:58:00.010-08:00

We went to the doctor today for a check-up. Benjamin weighs EIGHT pounds! I was so happy I could have jumped up and down right there in the office. :) Silly as it may be, there is something about each ounce and pound he gains that makes me feel proud. You see, I do my very best to keep my milk supply up and stuff him full at every opportunity.They told me that weight gain may be one of Benjamin's biggest challenges resulting from his prematurity. At times, this feels like a daunting task... like it's all I do. I exist to produce milk and feed it to Benjamin... So, needless to say, I cherish these moments of weight gain news.

After his appointment, we went upstairs to visit the NICU for the first and last time since he graduated over a month ago. They were so happy to see him again, and that made my heart smile. We pulled him out of his carseat and and passed him around, spreading the joy that only babies bring.

I came across this clever poem months ago while I was reading a book on premature infants. I'd like to share it with you as its perfect words echo the very thoughts and feelings that Mark and I experienced. Enjoy!

When I first saw you, kid, you were tiny and thin
And slimy and red and your head was mushed in.
I said to your mother, “He looks kind of sloppy,
And two pounds four ounces ain’t big for a crappie.”

But something about you, the look in your eyes,
Said you fully intended to grow to full size.
They slapped your backside and you let out a cry,
And I said, “We will keep him, at least we shall try.”

Some babies are born in nine months, by the clock.
Some babies are born, and they sit up and talk.
Some babies are born, and no doctor is there.
But some babies come in on a wing and a prayer.

Poor little fetus as big as your hand.
Poor little fish thrown up on dry land.
Who came in late April though he had till July,
Too small to live and too precious to die.

They shipped you downstairs to the big Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit’s computerized cradle
And attached you to wires and stuck you with tubes
Monitored closely by digital cubes.

And thanks to the latest neonatal therapeusis
And regular basting with greases from gooses
And hot chicken soup intravenously fed
You did not fade away but grew up instead.

We’ll always remember the months that you spent
With tubes in your head in the oxygen tent
And the mask on your face, the wires attached.
Sweet little baby who was only half hatched.

I’m sure you’ll grow up and mature and extend
To six feet six inches and become a tight end.
But I’ll always remember each doctor and nurse in
The NICU who helped make you a person.
The kid who crash landed, who was carried away,
Who survived it, this bundle we bring home today.

~ Garrison Keillor ~

Moving On...

2011-01-27T04:49:00.000-08:00

Well, the time has come, friends.

We are being shipped out of Okinawa next month and will arrive in Las Vegas to begin our second tour of duty. Yes. My husband and my wee one are headed for none other than America's "Sin City". Las Vegas? Really? I didn't realize people actually lived there... I thought people just went to visit. ;) Aside from driving through, I've never even been there. At first, I was a little disappointed because it's all DESERT. First I left those amazing Rocky Mountains with sunsets unlike any other place in the world, and then came to this beautiful, lush, tropical island surrounded by amazing greenery and sparkling water. And now, we're off to the sandlands. That's... exciting.

But on second thought, it might be kind of fun! First and foremost, I'm looking forward to the many shopping options I'm about the have. Oh, how I've missed that. Secondly, there will be so many more places I can sing! Simply being in the states opens up so many doors that have been closed to us for a long time.

We never quite know why God takes us where he does, do we? Well, Mark and I prayed and prayed and asked God to take us where he wanted us. And we are sure that this was His decision and not just circumstance. We had a wish list of our own actually. And Las Vegas wasn't on it. There usually isn't a strong need for Mark's job in Vegas either. And there are plenty of other bases and hospitals that could give Benjamin the best care if he needed it. I firmly believe that when a believer asks God to take the reigns of his life, God happily complies and does not sit back idly and watch. There is way too much at stake. There is too big a mission field out there, and not enough people raising their hands.

Anyway, after some discussion, Mark and I are ready and willing to completely dive into our life at this new place and eagerly seek out the reasons God wants us there. Let the adventure begin. And it's gonna be a big one, folks. A big one.

Mark, Laura & Benjamin

Exerpts From My Diary: Surreal

2011-01-12T03:47:00.000-08:00

He's amazing. Every time I look at him, I can't believe it. It's surreal really. Still. Even two months later. God is incredibly creative and powerful. How could I doubt Him? Sometimes I'm overcome with feelings of fear and intimidation... Is the baby breathing? Are we doing it right? Is he getting enough to eat? Today, I clipped his fingernails. They were too long and he was scratching his face. I accidentally clipped some skin off of his thumb. I felt awful! It was so, so sad. I think he forgives me though. His eyes can't lie, right?

This seems easy enough. The actual work anyway. Feed him. Change him. Cuddle him. Play with him. Now again. But my eyes are tired. My arms are tired. My brain can't think straight and driving has become hazardous at times. How can caring for this wee one be so exhausting? My heart is full of joy... and if I'm honest, feelings of sadness and heaviness at times. I think that's normal. Sometimes it feels so serious... to be completely responsible for another life. Scary and overhwelming. Too much really.

But I am not alone. See that's the lie.. that I'm alone. The truth is that God is in control and every single breath comes from Him anyway. He cares immensely about Benjamin and our family. He is, after all, our Great Protector. So why would I spend my time being afraid? That's not from Him.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Taken from Matthew 10)

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Taken from Matthew 7)

Had I known how incredible it would feel to have a small child as lovely and precious as Benjamin, I might have accepted the responsibility much sooner! See? God knew. He always does.

あけましておめでとうございます

2010-12-31T07:09:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2011!

This is our family's very last Christmas and New Year celebration in Japan, so we decided to drag ourselves out of bed (what day is it again?!?) and bring 2011 in with some Karaoke!

Then, after stopping at Starbucks for some yummy hot chocolate, (yes, it's COLD in Okinawa tonight!) we rushed home in time to catch the countdown in Tokyo on Japanese television. When the clock struck midnight, we kissed and yelled "Happy New Year!" and then I tucked Benjamin into my coat and we all three stepped outside to watch the last of the fireworks being set off at Sunset Beach.

To count our blessings this night, it would take sheets upon sheets of paper...

LJ

All Planned Out

2010-12-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm officially a full-time mommy now--complete with exhaustion, a little fear, and overwhelming joy and awe. We were able to bring Benjamin home for Christmas! Thus, it was a very merry one. :)

He's been home for a full week now. At his follow-up appointment, he weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces! That's double what he weighed at birth.

The other day, someone at the store asked me how old he was. Granted, I realize he looks just two days old... so it was an odd moment when I answered that he is actually nine weeks old. "But he came very early," I said. In a way, it still makes me feel bad to say that. I guess I still battle feelings of guilt--as though it were my fault he was so premature. I'm sure that question will come up again and again over the next few months. I usually get concerned or sad looks when I reveal the fact that he was early. I read in a book that I'm allowed to just tell strangers his "corrected date of age" instead of going into details about his prematurity. But that doesn't yet apply... He's still three weeks shy of his due date. I can't go around telling people that he's actually not born yet and the baby they see is really just an illusion. They'd think I'm nuts! :) Mmmm... I'll ponder that one some more.

The truth is that God knew just what was going to happen. As much as his early birth was a shock for us and the rest of the world, doesn't mean that it surprised Him at all.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb... Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16, 18

I find peace knowing that our Great Protector was well prepared for what was to come.

Laura Jean

Life in the NICU

2010-12-17T04:17:00.000-08:00

Today, Benjamin Anthony is two days shy of being eight weeks old. If he was still in the womb, I'd be 35 weeks pregnant... But now, he's just about to come home from his long, long stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit! I'll do my best to give you a glimpse of what our life has been like since his birth. This whole experience is unlike any I've ever had before... and my cup overflows.

Benjamin weighed just 2 pounds, 9 ounces when he was born and all of his systems were still immature. Luckily, I'd known since 22 weeks gestation that I was at risk of premature labor and was given steroids to help speed his development should he arrive ahead of schedule. Sure enough, he came at just 27 weeks and 3 days.

I had no idea what to expect. I was first able to see him a couple of hours after delivery. All I could see was his little body. All ten fingers and toes, and his tiny chest moving up and down with each breath. I felt like I couldn't really see his face because his eyes were covered with a mask to protect him from the phototherapy used to lower his biliruben levels (toxins in the blood that cause jaundice). He had so many wires and tubes covering his little body. He was hooked up to a ventilator for the first 24 hours to help him breathe; he had two lines inserted into the veins of the umbilical cord--one to feed him nutrients and another to continuously measure his blood pressure; he had an IV in his foot used for drawing blood; and monitors covering him to keep track of his breaths, heart rate, temperature and oxygen levels. It was extremely intimidating...

The first week was intense. We had to get used to constantly hearing the alarms and beeping noises of the NICU. It was hard not to be overly concerned each time his equipment notified the nurses of something. It was very unfamiliar. The day after he was born, the doctors happily reported that he had been breathing over the ventilator the entire 24 hours he'd been alive, so they confidently took him off of it and put him on Vapotherm--a heated mixture of humidity and oxygen to keep him comfortable and help him breathe. Then, a few days after birth, they discovered that he had a Patent Ductus Arteriosus or PDA. Simply put, an artery in his heart that should have closed shortly after birth hadn't. Treatment options included administering medication (indomethacin) or doing surgery. Surgery meant a long trip to Hawaii because there are no neonatal surgeons in Okinawa. We anxiously prayed and prayed that God would spare us from such risky travel and allow the medication to work. And he did! The PDA disappeared with two doses and God answered our prayer. I was able to hold him at four days old. Kangaroo Care they call it... holding him skin-to-skin. My heart almost melted right out of my chest.

The next several weeks were full of surprises. Benjamin only progressed, and with the exception of occassionally being put back under phototherapy, he never took a step back. He began metabolizing breastmilk through a tube in his tummy; he continued to gain weight; he required less and less oxygen and eventually moved off the Vapotherm and onto just the nasal cannula (room-temperature oxygen); he even began maintaining his own temperature. He no longer needed medicine, so they took the IV out. Each day seemed like more good news and it was hard to remember the words they told us, "Take each day one at a time... two steps forward, one step back."

Then, Thanksgiving Day, I noticed that Benjamin was acting rather cranky. He was irritable and having more episodes of bradycardia (extremely low heart rate levels). Preemies often experience bradycardia as a result of their immaturity, but he seemed to be having more than normal and even some apnea. The doctors also noticed that he wasn't acting like the same little boy, and did some tests only to discover that he had a urinary tract infection. It was so sad to see that IV go back in his little body. But a week of antibiotics seemed to do the trick and he was back to his normal self.

Soon after his UTI was resolved, he came off the oxygen completely; so that means that he's been able to breathe room air for weeks now! We were even able to start bottle feeding and finally the last tube came out. Now, he is wire-free and tubeless. :)

And, Grandma Marilyn came all the way to Okinawa to visit him!

With God's help, Benjamin has jumped over every hurdle in his way. Mark and I want to say thank you to all of you who have gotten on your knees for our sweet boy and lifted him up to the Lord; and for all your love and support and encouragement during this rough time. We are simply in love with him and in awe of God for even making little Benjamin a blink in our eye.

The doctor's hope to have him home sometime next week! Thanks again, and we'll keep you posted!

Mark & Laura

Benjamin Anthony Davis

2010-10-28T17:10:00.001-07:00

Hello Friends & Family,

We’ve had a very eventful week!

Little Benjamin Anthony Davis decided to grace us with his presence early and was born on October 25th @ 7:11 pm. At just 27 weeks, he weighed 2 pounds, 9 ounces, and measured 15 inches long.

He’s doing remarkably well! He’s breathing well on his own and making more progress each day. He’ll be staying here at the hospital for several weeks as he grows strong, so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mark & Laura

A Pea in the Pod

2010-08-13T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Well, it sure has been a while. Mark was deployed to the desert in May and now here we are, almost four months later. He's scheduled to return around the middle of September. The time apart has been rough. Four months away from your spouse and best friend is a very long time. I certainly feel for my fellow military wives and all others who have to endure such lengths of time and longer without their loved ones.

Shortly after Mark left, a lot of changes came our way. I moved our home to a new one... orders from Uncle Sam. I started a new job. And, most importantly, I discovered I was PREGNANT! Talk about a lot of changes - and one big fat surprise - at one time!

Of course, it's great news :). We both trust the Lord and know that He is good. But I'll be honest... the first few months haven't been easy for me emotionally. I fell into a bit of a depression. I was, rather unexpectantly, extremely lonely and in my new home, a bit isolated. So come mid-July, I packed my things, got myself a cat-sitter, and hopped on a plane bound for Colorado.

Now here I sit. Surrounded by my family and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, who have all been of great encouragement and company for me. It does wonders for the soul and I think there is a valuable lesson there. It's important to keep ourselves surrounded with people who love us and will lift us up. We aren't meant to do life alone. When we do, no good comes out of it. I hope I always remember.

So, who's around to lift you up? Other than your spouse or your family?

Laura

Friends, Family & Tokyo!

2010-05-24T02:31:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

It's been a while since I've blogged about the happenings of Okinawa and now I'm way behind! First off, my good friend Simone came to visit us in March. She was only here for four days, so we packed as much fun in as we possible could and made some great memories!

We were even able to go snorkeling that early in the year... it was her first time :).

Shortly after Simone left, Mark's parents and brother, Bob, came to visit us for a few weeks. We had so much fun showing them around the island. We played at the beach, toured the Okinawan landmarks and ate lots of Japanese food...

Then we all traveled to mainland, Japan to visit some of Bob's friends. We basically "back-packed" across Japan, visiting six different cities in just seven days!

First stop: Fukuoka. Bob knew this family from his stay in Japan several years ago. They welcomed us into their home and their three very lively girls (only two of which are in the picture) brought lots of laughter!

Then, we were off to Shimonoseki to see the Nishihara's! They took us to dinner and showed us the entire city via the Shimonoseki Tower. It was beautiful.

Next stop was Hiroshima. There's a huge memorial park attributed to those who died from the Hiroshima bombing during WWII. This old building survived. Ironically, it was surrounded with beautiful blooming flowers. I thought it was a good picture of new life despite terrible tragedy. It was really something to see...

Kobe (where we ate the famous Kobe beef!) is where we met up with this couple that Bob used to work with in Utah.

They accompanied us to Kyoto the following day and showed us some of the oldest castles around.

Our final stop was the one and only TOKYO! We visited some major electronic stores, rode lots of trains (SO crowded), visited some more people Bob knew at a local church, and even went to Tokyo DisneySea. So much fun!

As usual, we came across some funny translations...

For as much as we did, it seems like the time went by so fast! And now all of our company is gone, Mark is deployed to the desert and I'm chillin' with the kitty here by my lonesome :). If you think about it, say a little prayer for us.

Until next time!

Laura Jean

Thankful This Thursday - The Little Things

2010-05-06T18:53:00.000-07:00

My good friend Neisha, the author of the blog The Outdoor Wife, invited the world to join her in being "Thankful on a Thursday".

Living in a world that moves very quickly with so many people demanding much of my time, I often forget to stop for a moment and reflect on the little things that add so much to my life. So this Thursday, I will. I'm thankful for...

1. Wise and selfless in-laws
2. Colorful flowers I've never seen before
3. Odwalla Superfood
4. International phone service
5. Big tippers
6. The amazing courtesy of the Japanese
7. My cuddly cat
8. ALIAS re-runs
9. Waves crashing along the shore

What are you thankful for today?

Laura

A Little Pain, A Little Gain

2010-02-16T08:38:00.000-08:00

Konban Wa, Amigos!
(That's "Good evening, friends" in a cheery mix of Japanese and Spanish.)

We're so happy it's 2010! So many great things will happen this year, I can feel it. Hey, maybe Jesus will come...

Well, I guess Mark had to pay his dues before great things could happen to him this year! :) About three weeks ago, he got a pretty intense injury at work when a canopy crane smashed his finger. It fractured the bone and did quite a number on his skin, butI will spare you the gross pictures. Here's one of him afterward. It's healing slowly, but nicely in my opinion.

Besides a little pain, Mark and I are loving Oki. It has been pretty rainy and chilly this winter, but when the sun came out one lovely Sunday, we headed up north for the Nago Cherry Blossom Festival. There were Eisa dancers and beautiful cherry blossom trees blooming everywhere, followed by dinner at this little restaurant that my dear friend Jessica calls "Pizza in the Sky". It sits on the top of a peak that overlooks all of Nago and the East China Sea. I couldn't help but notice God's creativity in making everyone so uniquely different and his magnificent beauty in nature. Amazing.

Jessica, Me & Aymara (she's got a bun in the oven :)

We got word that Mark is deploying in May, so we've decided to pack lots of fun stuff in before he goes. We have a lot planned for the next few months. My good friend Simone is coming to visit us next month and I'm so excited to see her! Then, in April, Mark's parents and brother are coming to visit us and we'll be traveling to Tokyo for a week to see the sights. We're super excited!!!

On a side note, for anyone who likes the sound of Ingrid Michaelson and/or Katie Herzig, I've discovered the new and improved style of Joy Williams. After taking some time off, she's come back with some great songs! So go check her out!

Until next time... don't forget what a great God we serve!

LJ

The Master Dishwasher

2010-01-13T05:06:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I can't fall asleep. I'd say on average it takes me at least a half an hour. So the other night, my imagination ran wild as I laid in bed staring at the ceiling. And this is what occured to me:

God is the Master Dishwasher, and we are all his dishes. Seems simple enough right? Maybe you're laughing at my child-like comparison... Oh, just wait until you see where my mind took this analogy...

So, God's children are like his plates and bowls and silverware and glasses. He sends Jesus out everyday to buy as many dishes as he can. The stores only sell dirty dishes, and the thing is, the dirtier they are, the more excited Jesus gets! The dirty ones are his favorite. Sometimes dishes argue with Jesus and tell him they cannot be bought until they wash themselves. Other dishes tell Jesus they don't need to be bought, they'll buy themselves. Both arguments seem silly to Jesus. He knows they can't wash or buy themselves... they're dishes! They don't have hands or money! So he decides he'll check with those ones again tomorrow to see if they changed their minds, and he goes on looking for the dishes who are ready and willing to be bought and washed.

Then, he brings boxes full of dishes home and gives them to God, who spends all day washing. The most spectacular thing about this, is that God LOVES being the dishwasher. When interviewed one day, God said even though his clean dishes always manage to get smudged again, above all else he'd rather hold, touch, wash and be with his beloved dishes.

"I pray that you will have the power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and that you know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God...

...Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory forever..."
~Ephesians 3:18-20

Vacation to the States

2009-09-28T22:23:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Well friends, it's been an eventful summer! About a month after Mark returned from Alaska, I flew out to the cornhusker state of Nebraska to witness the birth of my best friend Brianna's first baby. It was a healthy baby girl! Her name is Rebekah Grace Kruhmin and she is BEAUTIFUL!

Mark came to see Rebekah shortly after she was born. Of course it didn't feel like our time with our favorite Kruhmins was enough, but eventually we said our sad goodbyes and headed to Colorado. When we got there, we were greeted with loads of family and lots of fun times planned!

It was a packed 3 weeks full of Rockies games, comedy shows, birthday parties, baby showers, and LOTS of Chipotle. Thanks for all of our friends and family who made our stay comfortable and exciting! We miss you alrady and wish the time could have been longer... but for now, we're back in Oki!

Mark & Laura

2009-06-07T05:42:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Mark and I have been beaching it up since it started getting warmer here. We went snorkeling just before he left for Alaska and the water was still pretty cold, but we were able to see lots of fun sea life. He's really excited to make a sport of snorkeling, so I'm sure we'll be doing lots of that when he gets home :). Perhaps we should buy an underwater camera so that you can see what we see...

As I mentioned above, Mark went TDY and is in Alaska for a month or so. Even though I'm really busy with school and work, those things aren't proving to be very good distractions. I really miss him. So... let's focus on the rugrats I work with everyday. I mentioned in an earlier post that I wanted to introduce you to some of them, and so - meet some more of my favorites!

This is Tiara! She's got a firecracker personality and a lot of energy. Our hair is almost the same color and on Fridays we were the same t-shirt, so we like to pretend we're twins on Fridays ;).

This is Will. He's got a thing for long hair and is really excited about it. He loves Power Rangers and is very curious about a lot of things. Not a week goes by when I don't have to focus on being intently serious about what he's saying instead of smiling at his innocent facial expressions :).

AND... this is Damon! He's very smart and very stubborn. But, at the end of the day, he and I have a bond and are able to laugh together. That's all that matters :).

Well, that's all for now! The kids get out of school soon and I'll be working full days. I don't know if I'm going to make it! Pray for me! :). Mark should be home around the first week of July and I'm sure we'll have more to report then. Thanks for caring!

LJ

2009-04-08T22:32:00.001-07:00

Hello Friends,

I apologize for not blogging in a while. Mark and I have been ever so busy with life, as I'm sure you have, too. March went by really fast! A few exciting things happened that I'd like to tell you about. First, Mark made rank! For all you civilians who aren't familiar with that term, it means that he got promoted. But the coolest part, is that he got promoted six months earlier than he was eligible. They call this 'Below the Zone'. So, Mark got BTZ and was promoted to Senior Airman/E-4. I'm very, very proud of him! He has worked so hard and has displayed more integrity than anyone I've ever met. Also, he had his big training exam a few days ago that he has spent the last eight months studying for and he made it out with a 93%! I can't tell you how proud I am. He is exceptional!

In addition to that exciting news, we also had our one year anniversary. Wow! It seems like just last week I was running around planning our Crested Butte wedding, and a whole year has gone by! Mark booked us a little trip to celebrate. So, on Sunday the 29th, we drove up north about an hour and then boarded a ferry that took us to the little island of IE. This little island is mostly flat, except for a peak that stands in the very center at roughly 1,000 feet high. Once we arrived, we were picked up and taken to the resort where we found a lovely room ready for us. It was very Japanese in the way of size. Small couch, small coffee table, teeny tiny bathroom. It was perfect. We relaxed for a couple hours and then decided to rent ourselves some bikes and ride to the top of that peak. We rode as far as the road would take us, and then we had to hop off our bikes and hike the rest of the way. God gave me a little of Colorado in that hike, it was a fabulous experience. I took some pictures, so pretend you were there with us and enjoy!

This was the view from our balcony:

Hiking our way to the top:

Our 360 degree view of the whole island and the ocean: (The land across the water is Okinawa!)

A Little Piece of February

2009-02-14T05:32:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,

While all of you are frolicking in the snow and bundling up in freezing temperatures, Mark and I are enjoying some February warmth here in Oki. The cherry blossom trees have bloomed - they are everywhere! And they are BEAUTIFUL! I took a close-up of one to share with all of you. It is lovely here right now, and with very little humidity and cooler temperatures, I love being outside during the day.

In addition to God's beautiful nature, my little first-graders are adorable! Of course they are little hellions, too. But that's okay, I'm still alive thus far. I like all of them, but I secretly have a few favorites. Let me introduce you to Jayden. He's a little gangster :). He loves to make people laugh any way he possibly can, and he loves dancing and listening to music for hours in our classroom. His favorite song is "Peanut Butter Jelly Time." Oh, and he's also really good at being a ninja.

I'll introduce you to more later on. That's all for now! Hope you're doing well :).

Laura

Nail Salon

2009-01-28T01:08:00.000-08:00

Sounds about right!

Humility: Freedom From Pride or Arrogance

2009-01-22T03:08:00.000-08:00

Hello friends,

I wish that I had some fun pictures to show you, some fabulous adventure to share, or some insightful words, but the truth is, I just haven't had much to write about for a while. To give a quick update:

Mark is still enjoying his job as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Mechanic for the Air Force. He is currently working nights, which has been an adjustment, but that doesn't bother him too much. Right now, he's studying hard to complete his training and testing for advancement. This past quarter, he got a 100% on his physical training test and made it into the top 10 percentile of the Air Force. I am very proud of him! I have been very busy with work and school. I decided to go back to college this last fall, and as a result of the overwhelming grace and generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Davis, I am able to do so without incurring any student loans! God has provided for me a great deal through them. I couldn't be more grateful.

As some of you know, the last couple of months have been somewhat difficult for me. Being myself, I've been desperately trying to pinpoint a reason as to why I'm feeling down so that I can fix it right away. I don't like negativity or apathy, and those are two emotions that I have been experiencing a lot recently. I have always prided myself in being one who is not afraid of change, new things, or difficulties. I like to believe that I have something offer - an example, a word of advice, some encouragement, something... But lately, I have been all dried up. When the opportunity arises, I have nothing to say. I have nothing to show, nothing to offer.

This afternoon, I think that God gave me a glimpse of what he is doing inside my heart. And it seems that perhaps he is showing me what it means to be humble. In the same way that the body releases toxins during a cleanse (you can imagine how gross that is), I've encountered only a few ways thus far that he's cleansing me from my nasty pride. These things have been very difficult to face. How annoying! So, with a bit of frustration, I looked up the word humility in the dictionary. It reads, "Humility - freedom from pride or arrogance." Well now, that's not so bad. I like freedom. I sure wish it could come at a smaller price though.

In the words of my cousin-in-law (is that a word?) Sarah Finkenbinder, "Each time I wander, I come back to Him because I know that I am nothing and have nothing without Him. God is Jehovah Shammah. He is there. God is Jehovah Jireh. He provides. God is Jehovah Shalom. He is my peace... I must say, it is well with my soul."

Thank you for your ears (or eyes) in listening to my heart,

Laura

Give Me Jesus

2009-01-01T05:53:00.000-08:00

Everyone I have ever known has wondered, at one time or another, what the future holds. What degree should I get? Which career should I choose? Should I marry this person or is there someone else? Where should I help out? How can I make more money? I know I'm supposed to tell people the good news, but how? There are a million questions.

So I've been thinking. It's very good to have a plan for life, to write down goals and to work hard in achieving them. But that's not what really matters. God has called us to be fishers of men. And, as Christian-ese as that sounds nowadays, that's what He asks for. Fishers of men... which means no longer fishers of fish, no longer men and women who put all our focus into our careers and making money. Our focus needs to be each other: taking care of the widows and the orphans, the sick and the hungry, the lonely and the hurting. We are His hands and His feet. The ones He wants to use to do amazing things. And so, I ask Him what He wants me to be. Does He need a doctor? A counselor? A singer? And when He answers, I'll be that.

There is a song by Jeremy Camp...

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus

That's my prayer on this New Years night.

My Cup Overflows

2008-11-29T20:35:00.000-08:00

Well, I've been a married woman for eight months now. Mark and I celebrated by putting on some warm clothes and taking a walk by the ocean. We talked and laughed and sang and kissed and laughed some more :). It was magnificent. Then, we came home to decorate our new Christmas tree and eat some ice cream. I never celebrated my holiday season alone with a husband before and it's turning out to be the best thing ever...

A couple weeks before Thanksgiving, I was feeling very sad about not spending it with lots of friends and family. I imagined us having a very un-festive day just sulking around the house with whatever mashed potatoes and turkey we could muster up. Can you see it? That's enough to make you cry isn't it? But I imagined wrong. We spent the whole day cooking together with my grandmothers fabulous recipes. We just enjoyed each other watching basketball and counting our blessings. Mark kept reminding me that we may never get to celebrate the holidays alone together again. So, I thank God for him.

This is our very festive Thanksgiving dinner...

And this is how happy we were...

So that's my story this Thanksgiving. What's yours?

2008-11-17T21:08:00.000-08:00

I have so many thoughts and feelings built up right now. About all sorts of things. My heart is mostly broken today. It's broken for the millions of souls who go hungry. Perhaps some are just hungry for a smile. Others are desperately hungry for any food at all, knowing that their body can only hold on so long; they are starving. My heart is broken for those who are hungry for love, wondering if anyone truly cares about them. For those hungry for security, scared to death that their home may be burned down at any moment, they are worried for their safety. And those who are hungry for attention, not sure if they are worth anything or if anyone sees them. And those hungry for their husband or wife or child, anyone they have ever lost or cannot see.

I'm hungry today too. Not for food, my belly is full. Not for love, my heart is someone else's home. I am hungry for something familiar. It's almost Thanksgiving and I can picture my grandmother headed off to the store to purchase all the fixings for our big dinner. I can hear the phone ringing in my parent's home with everyone calling to see where dinner will be served. But I forgot what it smells like when the turkey comes out of the oven. And I forgot what it sounds like when the wine is being poured and laughter fills the living room. We've been here on this beautiful island for seven months and today, it seems like a lifetime. I guess it's about this time that our time here stops feeling like a vacation... calls and emails from home come less and less... and reality sets in. I'm still very excited to be here and experience all these new and wonderful things. It's just not easy. I suppose they say, "When one door opens, another one closes," for a reason.

Oki Surprise!

2008-10-30T03:24:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, Mark told me that we had to go to the Naha airport to pick up a fellow Airman and spend the evening giving him a tour of his new home. So I picked out a fun "island-ish" outfit and we were off! It can be rough moving to a new place, so I wanted to give him a positive perception of Okinawa. The whole way to the airport, I was thinking about where we could take him for dinner and what questions I could ask to make him feel more at ease. You can imagine how I felt when it was actually David & Brianna Kruhmin who stepped off the plane instead of some stranger I'd never met! It turns out that they had conspired with Mark to make this great surprise for me. WOW! So, needless to say, we partied it UP and tried hard to milk Okinawa for all it was worth.

Me, Skippy & David drinking fresh fruit & sugar cane juice.

Skippy eating some seaweed soup... Yummy!

Mark dressed up like an Okinawan Sugar Cane Farmer :)

This is our first day of snorkeling.

This is one of the giant banana spider's we found outside the Aquarium!

This one is of us visiting the lizards at Okinawa World.

They stayed for the entire month of October (and it felt too short). I don't know if they'll ever realize what a great gift they gave us. I'll never forget it.

Okinawa feels a little more like home now.

Don't Vote?

2008-10-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

My husband and I care about your right to vote more than you know. VOTE!

First Graders Have Cooties!

2008-09-26T21:39:00.001-07:00

...Day number 150 on the island of Okinawa. Just kidding! But nearly five months in, things are feeling a little more permanent and a little less vacation-like. A few weeks ago, we drove out toward the Pacific Ocean to try and find a new place to park our beach chairs. We found an amazing little area that appeared hidden from all the tourists and the water was crystal clear. So we spent the day swimming and feeding the crabs salted almonds.

In this picture, you can see how the little hermit crab has dragged his almond through the sand!

Since then, we haven't gotten out much. I finally started my full time job at the School Age Program, which is an after-school program for kids. Even though it's completely different than the corporate world I'm used to, I am really enjoying it. I have 12 little first graders that I'm responsible for and they are adorable. Of course they all have cooties and germs, so I have developed a pretty nasty cold. I guess I need to become immune to them :). I've also been trying to juggle my new work schedule while making time for my demanding classes that I started at the beginning of the semester. I'm really excited that I'm back in school, it's been a long time coming. I'm going to try aggressively to finish with my degree by the time we leave here or shortly after. Tiger seems to really want to help me study, but I have to keep telling him no.

Mark has been working the last couple of weekends and keeps excelling in his job. He's taken up running also, (it runs in the family... no pun intended :), and he even got a 100% on his Physical Training test on Friday. That was really important to him and I'm super proud. He also bought himself a bike this week so that he could ride it to and from work. Okay, the truth is, with me working, we needed another form of transportation and he offered. In return, I feed him well. Ha-ha-ha, marriage is all about compromise right? :) I appreciate that.

Japanese Festivals & Sandy Beaches

2008-09-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

Mark & I are now festival junkies. The Japanese really like to party it up during the month of August and we've done our share of participating! I can't even count the number of times I've seen their famous Okinawan Eisa Dance and heard their pacific folk songs. A couple weekends ago, we joined half the population living on the island and went to the Orion Beer Festival. They had booths selling yummy teppanyaki & yakitori dishes, games, fireworks and a mass of drummers & dancers. Many japanese ladies & children dressed up in their Kimonos. It was a great time!

This last weekend. we got ourselves a four day vacation over Labor Day, courtesy of the United States Government. We were so excited! With extra work to be done and emergency drills, Mark has been working very long hours this past month. So we packed our bags, filled our coolers and drove up north to Okuma beach. Once we got there, we pitched a tent, slathered on sunscreen and spent our time playing in the waves and basking in the sun. It was awesome.

Grace Like Rain

2008-08-27T04:44:00.000-07:00

Last night, I laid awake in my bed listening to the rain. I could hear big heavy drops beating against the windows and the roof of our house. It was pouring so hard, drenching everything. I imagined all the birds and bugs caught in the storm and how they were scattering about trying to save themselves. The experience brought many different feelings. At first I felt a few nervous flutters, I guess you could say a little fear mixed with amazement. I wasn't sure if we were about to experience a powerful storm. Then I felt an urge to run out and let it soak me through. I knew it'd be cold and might even hurt a little, but it'd be totally worth it. I fell asleep enjoying the sound and feeling an overwhelming sense of peace.

I want to experience God like that. How awesome to be drenched by Him, completely and suddenly enveloped in Him. I think of Abraham when he greeted God on his porch (Genesis 18) or Moses who stepped onto holy ground unknowingly (Exodus 3:5). I bet their hearts stopped! I know that God desires to meet us in the most intimate ways possible, again and again. That's what he created us for. It's just up to us to let him.

The Island Life

2008-08-06T22:59:00.000-07:00

We've been living on Japan's lovely island of Okinawa for three full months now. This summer has been hot and humid, especially for a Colorado girl like myself. Mark and I have been taking plenty of trips to the beach and it seems the sun never sets with out a show.

I tend to barrel through my life at full speed, on and on to the next thing, cuz that's how I like it! And God has been trying to get me to slow down for a minute so I can see all the wonderful things he has planned. It's been a rather comical 3 months for me :) I'm psyched to be here and feel like the world is at our feet even though we still have an overflow of obligations. The military is teaching us new things we didn't even know existed and is challenging us to really be the best we can be. I'm feeling more focused than ever (although that doesn't say much). I sure do miss all the wonderful people back home though. What happened to the days when whole families just moved around together? Honestly! I must admit that we newlyweds have been keeping to ourselves these days instead of charging off to find more great people. So that's our new mission.

I think we look lovable... don't you? Anyways, Mark's gotten the whole driving on the left side of the road thing down, but I still constantly walk to the wrong side of the car thinking the steering wheel is still on the left. I even took a right turn into the right lane once... very bad. You should have seen the dude heading toward me in his car, he totally freaked. Well, needless to say, that was the last time I did that :) So here we are, in the midst of signs we can't read, a language we can't speak, people & places we don't know and I'm feeling like a million dollars. Anything to enrich life's experiences right?

Bleeding Love

2008-07-29T22:45:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here thinking about my life. God has been looking out for me ever since I was a little tyke. And when tragedy would strike, He'd fix it and make it all better. When I was six, my biological father abandoned our family. It broke my heart because I loved him so much. He was funny, he was smart, he would sing loud and cook us yummies. He was full of hugs and sweet words. He was all the things a girl loves about her daddy. Except he didn't love himself, which made it extra hard for him to love us. He chose to pursue other things in life that meant more to him. So God gave me a different daddy. Not one that was better prepared or had more experience, but one who followed Him and chose to think of me as his own little girl. And in the midst of angry words and a sea of tears, my new daddy became my hero and the towering example of how I'd like to live my life - ambitious, strong and sensitive to the Spirit.

Since then, I've met many girls who have had the same experience as me. Only too many of them are still waiting for a new daddy. This is what I've found: Some of them see their fathers, but they don't know them. Some dads are passive and their daughters wonder if they are important or loved. Some dads are loud and shout out the answers, but they never listen to their little girls; their daughters are left wondering if their father even sees them or cares about them. Some dads tell their girls to live one way, but he lives a different way - leaving his daughter confused and struggling to respect him. Some girls wonder if they are pretty enough or pretty at all because their fathers put too much importance on physical beauty or fail to mention it at all.

I know that no one is perfect, and that's not what any girl asks of her daddy. She only asks that he make a point to show her in every way possible that he thinks the world of her. That there is no other girl like her anywhere and nobody could possibly deserve her because she is, after all, a princess. It's amazing how much influence a father has on the way his daughter sees herself.

So I pray for the daddies in this world. That they look to our perfect Heavenly Father on how to do the job. And I pray for the daughters of this world, that they look to our perfect Heavenly Father for their worth.