Doulos

One of the biggest parts of our life in ministry is our involvement with Grace's Freshmen Bible Study, DOULOS. This year, there were more than 100 Freshmen who attended on Wednesday nights. Our real involvement, though, is with those who lead the organization. Each week we are priveledged to host Ethan and Kelli (who are the heads of Doulos), Doug, Erin, Jenny, and Brian (who lead the 15 leaders). I know it's quite the hierarchy of leadership, but the point is: IT'S SO FUN AND WE LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE GUYS. They really are like family to us, and I wish I could adequately express the joy I have each week as they come to our home to prepare lessons, and have fun together. This is our second year to be in this posistion, and we still love our students from last year who have graduated and left College Station: Jen, Allison, and Courtney. (All the guys have been with us for both years)

These pictures were taken last week at our College Leader Luau!



Jenny, Erin, Me, and Kelli



Doug, Daniel, Brian, and Ethan

King Family Vacation

Here are some pictures from our family vacation this past weekend at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop. My whole family highly recommends this place - we all had a blast. It's beautiful, with plenty to do, and very family friendly!

Jehova Jireh

This has always been one of my favorite names of God. Jehova Jireh can be translated as either "The Lord will provide" or "The Lord will see". Abraham gave that name to God in Genesis 22 when God provided a ram as a substitute to die in the place of his son Isaac. Jehova Jireh means so much to me on this day as Daniel begins his new job with the TAMU athletic department, as we receive the keys to our new home which we closed on last week, and of course as I sit here with a precious baby growing inside of me.

Most of our readers know that last September, I suffered a miscarriage with our first pregnancy. My due date was April 30, and as that time draws near, my thoughts frequently drift to that experience. It was painful and confusing and we didn't always know how to cope. Sometimes it was hard to believe that God saw our pain, or that He would provide relief. But here I am today, struck by His faithful testimony to us. These are life experiences which I will cling to as we experience other trials, because right now the primary thing I see is not our trial, but God's provision through it.

Our Firstborn

Well it's about time to dedicate some space on this blog to our current only child: our 2yr old beagle, Wrigley. Admittedly, he is spoiled beyond hope, but also loved by all. Wrigley's interests include sleeping in bed, food, cuddling, and play (in that order). We don't allow him to sleep w/ us, but as soon as we're gone, he jumps in bed, burrows into the covers, and will spend the day there. Daniel and I fully agree that God could not have made a better doggy for us. We're excited for him to be a big brother - as he is wonderful with children of every age. I know this comment will possibly induce a gagging reflex in some of my readers (my grandma and boss, in particular): but sometimes it's hard for me to imagine loving our baby more than Wrigley. Now everyone tells me I will, so I believe this to be true - it's just hard to imagine -- please don't judge me.

How could our baby possibly be cuter than this?

all grown up

caught in the act

snuggle time with Daddy

Dr. Jansky and Me

So here are the updates:
I got to the office at 8:50 and left at 9:15, so it was obviously VERY brief.
My weight has stayed the same over the last month (whew).
My blood pressure is normal.
My white blood cell count went up from 2 to 3 (whatever that means). She ran a blood test at my last appt b/c it was low. It's still low, but a good sign it's increasing. She'll check again at my next appt. She speculated that it could have something to do w/ the marrow in my back (as a result of my back surgery from long ago) but wasn't sure - nothing to worry about, though.
We listened to the baby's heart beat for a minute and it's at a normal pace - that part was fun.
And that was it! The real exciting news is that our next appt is the big one!!! We get the super-ultrasound and find out if we're going blue or pink!!! Can't wait.

Home Sweet Home ... almost

Praise the Lord! We have a contract on a house - and will close in 2 weeks! I love love love this home and cannot wait for it to be ours (please join us in praying for all the details, and a smooth closing). It's in my favorite part of College Station and am just so thankful for God's perfect timing. Well, that's enough talking - here are the pictures.


a view from the front!


This is only HALF of the backyard - get excited Wrigley!!! (not that he will become an outside dog)


Our soon to be kitchen


The living room


what a great master bathroom!