14 years

That's right - 14 years ago today we both said "I do". FOURTEEN YEARS. Is that possible?? You have given me the best years of my life, two incredible children, your love, support, patience, hard work, selflessness, friendship and SO much more. We've had our fair share (or maybe more?) of struggles, and I'm not naive enough to think that they're all behind us, but they have only made us stronger and I have no doubt that we're ready for whatever is to come. I look forward to the adventure that's ahead of us and I'm thankful that we're in it together. I love you - now more than ever!

Jacob's Birthday Party

Click on the photo to see the spectacular (and long overdue) photo highlights!

Hello Prema!

Aroma, myself, Prema and Rajendran - March 2004

I found out not too long ago that my good friend, Prema, has been reading my blog! Prema is an incredible woman whom I had the pleasure of meeting on my second trip to India. We keep in contact through email and by sending little gifts and letters with teams that have since travelled back and forth. I am very excited to say that it looks like I'll be returning to India in December of this year as a member of GCC's "Justice Team" - yes, that's right - I'm in the Justice League. haha. I'm really excited about this opportunity to return to a land and people that I have come to love very dearly. My time with Prema and her sister Aroma were some of the most precious of my life. I don't know of a time I've felt more loved and provided for than when in the care of these wonderful women. I'm equally excited about the opportunity to make a difference in such a meaningful way while we are there. We don't have specifics yet, but the overall goal is to bring attention to and come to the aid of women who are sexually exploited in their workplace. Imagine choosing between starvation for yourself and your family or a job that brings in a paycheck, but at the cost of your body and whenever your employer feels the urge. Say no and lose your job and any hope of supporting your family. It's wrong, and I'm happy to be able to do anything I can to bring an end to it. And I'll be thrilled to see my good friend Prema while I'm there!

My Husband

Check out what our pastor (and Adam's boss) had to say about Adam on his blog this week. I have never been more proud.

Big Things Happening...

Couple of news flashes this week! First, I ended up with VERY last minute tickets to the Oprah Show! It's one of those things that I thought would be fun to do, but it was my friend Tammy that REALLY wanted to go, so I've been trying to get tickets for a little while now. As luck would have it, she wasn't able to join me because of some family stuff - but that worked out well for my mom! She and I headed over to Chicago on Wednesday for the afternoon taping. It was all about OCD (made me think of a couple of people I know...) and very interesting. There wasn't any audience interaction, though, so it wasn't as fun as I thought it could be. I'll just have to go back sometime, I guess!

Second major development this week: Our friends, the Verduins, had their ultrasound yesterday... and they are having TWINS!!! I cannot fully explain in words how big of a deal this is, but trust me - it's a BIG DEAL! For two people who prefer to plan as much as they possibly can, this is throwing them for quite a loop - but I know they're going to be GREAT! Who better to handle TWO babies at one time than two people who are organized planners?? Imagine if *I* had had twins! I would have lost one of them, or forgotten one at the store, or mixed them up and forever called them by the wrong names... (Of course, they won't have that problem since they're having one boy and one girl!) I can't wait to meet these gorgeous babies! Of course, in the meantime, we'll be walking through the next 18 weeks or so with Scott and Debbie as they mentally prepare themselves for all of the challenges they have ahead of them, like TWO car seats, TWO cribs, TWO high chairs, TWO... hehehe!! WHAT FUN!!!