There's always a sort of excitement that goes hand in hand with travel. Whether its the rush of getting everything prepped, the race to get there on time, or the actual destination, it's always exciting in one way or another. This weekend brings some traveling excitement all it's own. Abigail, Hosea, and I are heading to Nashville for a cross cultural orientation and interview weekend. The interview is for a potential position in South America. It's actually a little funny that we are going to Nashville for this trip because we just barely missed the interview weekend in Kansas City, which would have meant no travel. Also no excitement that goes with travel. Anyway, let me just testify to how amazing the Lord has been with his providence on this weekend.
#1 We have a place to stay in St. Louis (half way point) thank you Proutys
#2 we have a place to stay in Nashville these both include meals �� Thank you Kimbre!
#3 we have people to watch Hosea!

All this despite the fact that we have never been to Nashville. It just feels like the Lords will is really and truly in this and when it feels like that it is beautiful! We love travel for sure. Even more than travel we love to watch the Lords providence in action! Thanks for supporting us

Change has always been a fact of life that has greatly interested me. Change is defined by dictionary.com is a verb (used with object)
1. to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.
2. to transform or convert (usually followed by into): The witch changed the prince into a toad.
3. to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.


I was googling things on change while preparing to write this blog, and I came across a sweet poem that I wanted to share:
When God Chooses Our Change

So often we’ve chosen our changes,
Then wondered if we did right,
But when God chooses a change for us,
In that change, we can delight;
The greatest of joy is realized
In the center of His will,
When we know for certain we are there…
His purposes to fulfill.

Sometimes the change He chooses for us
Is not what we had in mind,
And when it happens so suddenly,
There’s no time to look behind;
But we can always trust our Shepherd
To do what is good and right,
For He is the Judge of all the earth…
The King of Glory and Might.

“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
“I delight to do thy will, O my God:
yea, thy law is within my heart.”
(Gen 18:25; Ps 40:8)

One of the things I love about change is that it always seems to bring something new, whether that be something we want or not. I know that change is constanty occuring in our lives as God weaves us sinners into his perfect tapestry. I want to talk a little about the cahnge that has occurrd in our lives since we moved back from Haiti. The first change coming with our actual move back to the states, relearning how to live in this country of abundance without becoming embittered has been a challenge. Relearning that it is a daily struggle to keep our minds and hearts focused on the Lord and not on our material circumstances. The next change is that we have moved twice in the time we have been back. And the third, perhaps most fun, and wonderful is starting this fun adventure as a family. Hosea is a little over 5 months old now, smiles constantly (except around cameras), and we just get so excited when we begin to think about the opportunity to raise him up to love the Lord. It is both a huge responsibility, and privilege to have this chance. All of these changes have without a doubt been good. When we turn our hearts to the maker and allow him to shepherd us it is bound to be good! I want to leave you with this final qoute from C.S. Lewis that I read on twitter this morning. "You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage but He is building a palace. He intends to come & live in it Himself"

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I didn't get a blog in. Well, like I learned in Ecuador, "Mejor tarde que nunca." Better late than never!
John added another activity to his afternoons last month.. He's now a JV Wrestling Coach at Blue Valley North where he is a para educator. He loves being active and is having fun getting to know the boys he coaches. That being said, he is looking forward to getting his afternoons (and Saturdays) back come March 1!
We stayed in town for the holiday and had a wonderful few days spending time with family! Katie and josh and their four kids came in from Arkansas, other extended family came in too, and we even had a visit from Amanda, Andy, and their baby Brooks! I loved getting to cook, and go Black Friday shopping (you didn't think the tradition would stop once we had babies, did you?!) with friends and family. (I'm also enjoying my fake scentsy I got on Black Friday from Walmart! It's awesome!)
We've also both been active in the ESL classes at Redemption. I even got to translate a sermon into Spanish during our joint service with a Latino church one Sunday! Nerve wracking, but fulfilling, and I'm glad to use my gifts for service to The Lord. I got a part time job working at Diaper Daisy, a cloth diaper store and baby boutique in Mission, KS and have been there two weekends now. I am really having a fun time learning about products, talking to customers, and wearing Hosea! I get to wear him in a woven wrap while I work which is the best part about the job. It has added more fun to my "stay at home mom" title :)
Hosea is still eating and sleeping like a champ. Five months old yesterday, he smiles and giggles like every day is Christmas, coos at daddy, and makes eyes at the ladies. He is a charmer! He still has the softest skin and fluffiest hair of any baby I've ever seen, and has found his thumb. He has rolled over once and sits up pretty well. He is so cute and we are just having a blast getting to be his parents!
God has truly blessed us with SO many things for which to be thankful. Every day is like Thanksgiving.

Peace,
A

This weekend was so much fun! It was nice and chilly and really felt like Fall. On Saturday we went to an outdoor barbecue with Redemption Church and ate delicious food and hot cider, and got to know people around warm fire pits. It was a cold night so we put Hosea in this adorable little snowsuit. We didn't get a picture but it was seriously cute!
After that we went to a costume party where John dressed up as a Whoopie Cushion, I was a Mexican, and Hosea was a giraffe. I was so proud of how little we spent for costumes! John's was borrowed from a friend, mine was compiled of stuff I got in Mexico (except the hat, that was borrowed from Gabe), and Hosea's was $1 at the MOOS consignment sale.

Peace,
A

I went over to a friend's house this week and Hosea got to play on his first swing set! Her kids Gwen and Zeke are so sweet to Hosea and loved playing with him.

Last weekend we took Hosea on his first road trip! It was so much fun. We went to Oklahoma City to visit old friends from college. Hosea did great on the road and even made a friend, Brooks, who is 6 weeks older. He's the son of my good friend Amanda and we had a blast swapping stories about parenting, cloth diapers, and other baby stuff. We took a field trip to a cloth diaper/natural baby store called Green Bambino and even got a little crafty and made our own dryer balls! So fun!

We also had breakfast with Stephanie and Obed, learned parenting tips & tricks from Mary, gained wisdom from Howard, and caught up with Tiffany, Reba, and Tony. 
I had a great time getting to see old friends and I'd forgotten how much I loved living in Oklahoma City... mostly because of the great people I met while I was there. We also had a good time eating at our favorite restaurants: sushi at Pachinko Parlor, cupcakes at Sara Sara, and lunch at Jimmy's egg. 

Everyone loved getting to meet Hosea and I was so proud of his road tripping skills! I'm in a much different place in life than I was when I lived in OKC. God has done so much in my life since I'd last visited and it was great to share that with friends I hadn't seen in a while.
Here are some cute pics of Hosea and Brooks playing together (as well as infants can play LOL)!

Peace,
A

I want to start by saying that I absolutely LOVE getting to be a mom! What an amazing task that has been set before me. Never before have I been so joyful or so challenged in my daily life. Parenthood is an experience that you just don't "get" until you're in it! This new chapter in our life holds so many exciting moments and I wouldn't trade it for the world. God has truly blessed John and I with our little man Hosea (three months old on Saturday!) and even after such a short time we can't imagine our life without him. 

One thing I was really praying for upon our return from Haiti were good friends. Getting married young and having a baby soon after meant that we weren't in the same stage of life as our friends. We had a strong desire for a sense of community and people to go through life with. Well, my prayers have seriously been answered! I have had opportunities GALORE to get involved with other women, moms, and community happenings.  Right now I participate in a weekly moms group, ladies book club, ESL classes at church, yoga, MOPS meetings, breastfeeding support group, cloth diapering meetings, playgroups, moms nights out, and library story time. I'm getting to know some of the ladies and moms through these activities and my life is truly enriched by them. I'm also getting to do quite a few document translations for some extra income which is a huge blessing and also keeps my mind sharp and my Spanish in practice. I thought being a stay-at-home-mom would be a breeze but boy, am i one busy bee! I barely have time to take a shower or throw a load of clothes in the laundry what with taking care of a newborn, but I absolutely love my life right now! I try to take advantage of his naps to get things done but I'd much rather just stare at his innocent little face.

Hosea is growing so darn fast. He weighed 6 lbs 7 oz at birth and almost three months later is at 12 lbs! I can't believe that he is already outgrowing some of his tiny little clothes. He coos and smiles all the time, and only gets fussy if he's hungry or needs to be changed. He loves folk-y kids songs (and any type of music, really) and will calm down quickly when we turn on the music. He makes this motor boat noise when he sleeps and it is adorable! His cheeks are so fat that when he lays on his side, his mouth gets squished into this cute little design i like to call "flower-mouth". When he hears his dad's voice he looks all over the place to find him. He is so curious about the world around him and holds his head up marvelously. My favorite thing right now is to smell him. seriously! He smells so good, it's a mixture of his dad and his honey apple baby soap. I could just breathe it in all day! He is such a joy. And as of two weeks ago, he's sleeping through the night. :-)
Even though I love getting a full night of sleep, I do miss getting up in the middle of the night to feed him. Just me and him sitting together in the rocking chair, both of us half asleep, lights out, treasuring the moment. There is nothing like having a newborn!
 Hopefully I'll be able to post more often to update everyone and share pics and stories from our exciting life right now.

Until next time!
A

Life. Life is good. Life is crazy. Life is worshipping God. This weekend marks the 11th week of our precious boys life. That's a week away from three months. The Lord is taking us on an awesome adventure through the experience of parenthood. He is also continuing to grow us through our marriage. We have had to be more intentional than ever before about working on our married life. As those of you who are parents know that while its joyful to watch your baby all day, it also cuts way down on the amount of alone time with your spouse. So the good Lord has been helping us with that, along with my wife's sweet disposition, and our awesome baby. I love being a father, and a husband! What a blessing! We are currently looking toward what God wants us to do. I'll keep you all updated, and in a little bit put more details of life. I just want you to know we are trying to stay strong in the fight, and live each moment for Christ.

Tomorrow will mark our 38th week of pregnancy. We wait with excitement as the Lord continues too grow our baby boy, and entrust us with one of His children. We are just enjoying life right now, and leaning in on the providence of God.

I am constantly amazed at how much God provides for us. He has given us a place to stay, food to eat, and a family! What an incredible set of gifts. There is not much more that we can ask for. We are currently just trying to follow after His will, so of that means moving our young family abroad, then we absolutely yearn to do that. On the other hand, if it means staying in the states for awhile, then with joyful hearts we would do that as well.

Pray for clear vision, and a boldness to walk through doors that God has opened.

Yours in the Battle,
The Carrs

Well weebly just came out with an app for the iPhone so hopefully we'll be posting more often!

We've been back in the states for a little over a month now, and have been going non-stop until recently. We went to Arkansas and Texas for ten days, got back to KC and moved into a little place at 55th and the Paseo near Rockhurst University.

We feel at peace about having moved back, knowing it's the Lords will for this time in our lives. As Abigail's belly gets bigger and the due date approaches, we find ourselves relying on the Lord to provide for us in our day to day needs.

Haiti was a wonderful season in our life, one where we were able to listen to the voice of the Lord in a way that we had never done before. It was an amazing blessing for our marriage; we learned so much about communicating with one another and encouraging each other. I'll post more later about our overview of Haiti, and how the Lord blessed us abundantly. Thanks for your prayers and loving support!

John