Lollipops and Pumpkins

The last month has been such a whirlwind. We traveled every weekend - from Wisconsin to Austin and Dallas and then to Atlanta. During the weeks we spent Mondays as a family (sort of our Sabbath) and then Tuesdays we spent our days getting ready for CR and then Wednesdays we had play groups and in the evening - house church. So - you see we had very little time off. In fact, last week we not only had to prepare to lead worship in Atlanta, but Billy and I both had to speak at that event - which took a lot of preparation. Pretty much every waking moment that wasn't occupied with previous commitments or toddler interaction was filled with Bible study for our "talks". In a 3 day period we flew to Atlanta, Billy spoke 3 times (an hour each - for a worship conference), I spoke for a women's ministry dinner (concerning adoption), each band member led break out sessions and we led worship at least 6 times and then flew home. Whew!! But even though we were exhausted, it was a good exhaustion. We really enjoyed the more intimate setting of ministering to a smaller group and we felt like the weekend demanded the use of all our gifts and that was refreshing!


Libby is a talkative, crowd loving (but cautious around strangers), kids-day-out-going, determined to make you laugh angel! We are in love - more and more. Our new trick in airports and on planes is.... Lollipops!!! She loves 'em and they make her forget about the fact that we had to turn the movie off for the descent.

Every other Wedneday we go to a play group with Libby's other Chinese adopted friends. All 4 girls are they same age (their birthdays are all in Oct and Nov). This week we decided to take them to a pumpkin patch to get a picture of all 4 of them together. You can only imagine the chaos that ensued. Trying to get 4 toddlers to look at the camera (happily) at the same time is - well - impossible!! I'm sure the other moms are at home giggling even now about how loud I was calling out Libby's name over and over again trying to get her to look at the camera! UGH! ARG! UMF!

The real drama didn't occur, however, until our last few minutes of picture taking. Finally we had all 4 girls sitting down in a row. A tractor pulling a trailer of kids for a hay ride was about to pass behind us moms who were kneeling on the ground trying to capture the moment. We were looking forward to the tractor passing behind us so the girls would be looking at it - and therefore looking in the direction of our cameras. But as 3 of the moms (including me) were intensely focused on the moment - one wise mom was watching the trailer coming toward us and started yelling "MOVE! MOVE!' The next thing I know Rhonda (one of the moms) came flying forward in pain. The trailor had rolled over her foot and crushed it! She somehow managed to ask "did we get the picture?" in the midst of being on all fours in tremendous pain. We were certain her foot was broken and she definitely couldn't walk or drive. But we all got her into the car and from there she figured out how to get to the dr. - Good news - the dr. says Rhonda's foot is not broken and today it is feeling much better! Poor thing! She is a mom of 4 and we were all so concerned that she would be on crutches for months. But, for now, it looks like she will heal quickly. It's just badly bruised and maybe sprained. We love you Rhonda! You get "Mom of the Year" for being so concerned about that photo in that moment! You are so tough and so amazing! I'm seriously impressed! Below is one of the last pics taken before Rhonda's foot was introduced to a tire!














We are looking forward to the next couple of weeks as we have no traveling to do until mid-November. Well - actually - we might go to the studio in Abilene to record a new song - but other than that we're home until Thanksgiving. For Thanksgiving we're going to Charleston to visit my family. Then we'll be with Billy's for Christmas.

So - I guess I'm headed for some rest and holiday shopping this month. That sounds nice! Oh- and also we're preparing Libby's 2nd. birthday party. My friend Cristie and I decided to combine Libby and Maliah's party together at a nearby park. Theme: ELMO!!!

Love you all!
Cindy

PRAISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In less than 3 days the Lord has answered the prayers for Jason to find a job. Jason's boss at Beazer found a way for Jason to basically have the same exact job, same pay, insurance and all - just under a different company that works for/with Beazer! Jason took a day to look over the situation and make sure it would work out and, as of this morning, he has decided to accept it! So - he'll enjoy his "surprise" paid vacation this week and will start his "new" job in the middle of next week! I can't tell you how happy I am for them! They really needed this answer to prayer. All praise and thanks to you, Lord Jesus - You are the One who knows our need before we ever ask!

Thank you all for your prayers!!!

By the way - my dad is still having some health issues that he can't figure out. He is meeting with a cardiologist next Monday and he also had some blood work done today to check his thyroid, but he still needs our prayers. Pray for God to preserve his life and heal him. Pray also for the doctors to have wisdom in diagnosing dad's problem. Also - mom is still recovering from pneumonia (spelling?) - but she is making good progress. Thanks again for the prayers! - Cindy

Quick Prayer Request!!

Praying friends... My sister, Becky, who just had baby Camryn (see last entry for pics) called today. Her husband, Jason, was laid off work today. He worked for Beazer Homes. Though Beazer has been doing some cutbacks nationwide, Jason wasn't expecting to go so quickly. His boss was sad to let him go because Jason is a really hard worker of the utmost integrity who is really, really good at what he does.

So please pray that God would give Jason an even better job! First - because he deserves it! Second, because they just had their 2nd. baby this month. And 3rd. -bc they've been doing some necessary remodeling that has left Becky without a kitchen for over a year and now they will not be able to proceed until he has a job!

Pray also for the Lord to show His compassion, kindness and provision during this tough time for them - and discernment about what new job to take - and peace through it all.

Thank you,
Cindy

A Few More Photos of Baby Camryn and Family

Welcome to the World Baby Camryn!

On October 11, 2007 Cindy's sister, Becky, delivered her 2nd. baby around 7:30 AM. Her name is Camryn Elise Bowick and she is BEAUTIFUL!!! She is a little over 7 lbs and - in my opinion - is complete perfection! I've posted a cute picture of the new born! Congratulations Bowick Family! And welcome to the world precious Camryn. You are LOVED!!

Billy has still not given me the "proof of large fish" - so no pics yet of his fishing trip. Our family and band recently traveled to Wisconsin to lead worship for the Kern Family Foundation Retreat. The Kern Family Foundation scholarships 50 top seminary students from around the country and brings them in during their last year of seminary for a retreat. It was held as a BEAUTIFUL Conference center. We were hoping for some cool weather - but the warm air followed us there and it was hot and humid. That was sort of disappointing. Kristie came to help take care of Libby. Libby remembered her from the summer and she took to Kristie very quickly. We love you Kristie!!! Thank you! - Especially for the long, humid, uphill walks pushing Libby in a stroller! You're the best!

We did have one really CRAZY toddler tantrum/melt down. It was on the plane ride to Wisconsin and it was the last hour of our long flight. She screamed like a cat being skinned alive and she thrashed her head around everywhere. Passengers were complaining and I was sweating! She was just really tired and could not get comfortable and so it spiraled out of control from there. She continued to have a few other tantrums through that weekend but they were less violent. And when we returned home Libby woke up the next morning and said really loud and happily "HOME!! Hi Home!" And she's been back to her normal happy self since. She is now clearly aware of when we are off schedule and away from home and she apparently doesn't like it.

Libby is flourishing with language development and says some of the cutest things. She puts people and activities together declaring all day what daddy's doing or what Kristie or Gammy are doing. She says "Daddy sleeping" "Daddy eating" "Daddy TV" "Daddy play guitar" or "Daddy fishing". She says "Kristie driving" and "Kristie home" and she says "Gammy phone" and "Momma singing". She has more complete sentences too - but these phrases she says all day!

Libby's new favorite thing to do is grab her stuffed animal "the monkey" (yep, totally creative name) and hands me her stuffed hot pink bear (called "bear") and we turn on a Veggie Tales music CD and dance with our stuffed animals all over the game room. It's really cute. The Monkey is her new best friend!

Libby is also getting very interested in letters and colors. We'll be working on that some in the weeks ahead.

Kids Day Out continues to go very well. Last Tuesday on the way to "school" Libby started naming the people in her class - Nate, Bella, Shobin, Mrs. Kim - oh and she always says "Canyon" but he's not in her class. Libby thinks most boys are "Canyon". Very cute!

Today we head out for a retreat just outside of Austin and then Sunday we're in Dallas. Should be a great weekend!
Until next time -
Cindy