Our New Niece, Rosella Kay!

Our new baby niece, Rosella Kay, was born Oct0ber 6th at 2:58AM to her proud parents, Spencer and Jennifer. She weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz. and was 20.75 inches tall. I had the privilege of spending a week in Portland just a few days after she was born. Wow! Let me first say that she is just precious! Having a baby, though, is a whole new world, isn't it? It really is true that there are 3 things that, if addressed, will keep that baby girl happy. Milk, diaper change, and sleep! I was amazed at how fast the days would go as I was there. Who knew that those three things would keep you so occupied in a 24 hour day?! My sister and Spencer are doing great! They seem to be adjusting to parenthood beautifully. Although the newness is challenging as they try to figure things out, their excitement outweighs every challenge that comes up! It's pretty neat to watch. They love that girl so much and already have so many hopes and dreams for both themselves and her as they grow as a family. From the sound of it, the love you develop for a baby as it's arrival comes near just grows more and more to the point that you just don't know how you could love him/her any more! But still, another day goes by, and your love continues to grow. It's beautiful!

Although Matt and I have not yet experienced the beauty of having a child, we have often discussed the fact that the experience would probably help us to more fully and deeply understand and appreciate God's sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. With so much love for a child He created, how did God do it? How did He knowingly allow His Son to experience such a brutal death on the cross? And even beyond the death itself, to allow His son to die on behalf of everyone else. Could we ever be so selfless with our child that we would allow their death for the sake of another's life? Wow! It's overwhelming and wonderful, and incomprehensible when you really think about it. It's so beautiful, too! The beauty of it is that before time, there was a greater plan in place. Acts 2:23 says that "This man was handed over...by God's set purpose and foreknowledge." Later in scripture, it says, "he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our sins; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" Isaiah 53:5. The familiar verse that many of you know sums it up so well. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17 Despite the fact that none of us are deserving of this gift, I am so thankful that God willingly offers it! Romans 6:23- For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Balloon Fiesta 2008 - Albuquerque, NM

Mark and Charlotte came to visit us at the beginning of the month. It just so happened to be when the Balloon Fiesta was happening. What a ball that was! Although it may sound weird to watch big hot air balloons rise up in to the sky and be intrigued, it's quite an amazing thing in real life. You wake up while it is still dark, pile up people in the car, find a parking spot, walk among thousands of people, both local and international, and enjoy the excitement of the experience as you sip on some tasty hot chocolate! Thought we'd post some pictures for you to enjoy!