(an early) Anniversary Post (because we are going away for a couple days....)

Two years ago, I woke up early (lets be honest, I didn't really sleep!) and, for the last time, headed out the door as an unmarried woman. 

I got my hair and make up done, I drank champagne and orange juice, I ate some yogurt. 

I laughed with my best friends, I got changed into my wedding dress while standing in a shower (true story).

We drove a van to the church and snuck into the back door, hiding in one of the sunday school rooms. I could have sworn a million butterflies were somehow living in my stomach. 

Then I walked down the aisle, toward my husband. 

I did not know what I was doing.

I did not know the massive, life changing covenant I was about to make. 

Oh, I thought I knew. If you asked me I would say "We are ready!"

And we were ready, as best as we could be! 

And yet, daily, I am surprised by the amount of commitment this takes. 

This. 

Waking up, day after day and choosing to love and serve this man. Choosing to trust him, believe in him, listen to him, submit to his leadership. Choosing to follow him, literally all over the world. Choosing him first, over everything, except God. 

This marriage is so much more than Andrew and I. 

Its more than happiness and married bliss. Its more than feelings and plans and even love. 

This marriage, the one I choose daily to be a full participant of, good or bad, is for God. Its to reflect His grace, love and forgiveness, not just toward us, but toward the world!  Our marriage is sustained through Him, but also FOR Him. 

I am so thankful to be able to say that our marriage does not depend on us being happy! It does not depend on us fulfilling each others every desire or wish, or on the fact that Andrew makes me laugh or that he likes my cooking.

Our marriage is a covenant that God has made, and only God can break.

And in that, we are free! 

We are free to be ourselves, no pressure involved!

 We are free to grow and learn.

 And thats what we are doing. 

We are learning to serve each other, to put each others needs first. We are learning to listen and to be still, we are learning what it means to pray for each other, to love the good and the not-so-good in each other. We are learning forgiveness and repentance.

Andrew you are, by far, the best gift that God has given me. 

And today, tomorrow and the next, I choose to be married to you.

Over and over and over, I choose that. 

You lead me with faith, courage and strength. You pray for me, you encourage me and you give me a nudge in the right direction when I need it. 

Happy 2nd anniversary my love. 

Heres to many many more!

Last night we had a comedy night. 

It was a much needed relaxing evening. 

We had the whole "family" there, which is always great! 

I was in charge of finding funny videos online, so I thought I would share some of them with you! I hope it brings some laughter to your day. 

Laughter, after all, is the best medicine

(Unless you have malaria. If you have malaria, please go see a doctor.)

Warning: Random

Yesterday I chatted with my sister (in-law) for almost 2 hours! 

*Pause as I do a happy dance*

It was awesome. 

The conversation was peppered with interruptions, from my handsome nephew on her side (always welcomed by this auntie!) and curious children from my side!

But still the topics flowed and flowed (our husbands know that we could talk for hours if we had time!) 

My dear Amanda and I get along great, which is funny because we are so so different. 

Like really, we are so different. Really. Honestly...Im not joking here people!

 (Ok I'll stop)

And chatting for a while, her sitting on the floor in her living room in Canada, me sitting on a couch here in Israel, was what I needed. 

I have been missing my family and friends back home. 

Not in an "I-hate-this-I-want-to-go-home-now!" tantrum way. 

I don't hate this, I love this!

But in the good times, when Im so happy that my heart hurts, I think of them and think how they would enjoy that moment too. 

When I am at the shuk (market) and its all chaotic and so Israeli, I think of how I would love to share that experience with them, the smells and sounds and tastes. 

I miss them in a good way. I recognize how blessed I am, with an incredible family and amazing friends, that loves and supports us.

And I love skype. 

End of story.

(Ok not quite)

Lets end this with some funny. 

Click here if you want to laugh heartily. 

I warn you, it gets funnier the more times you watch it. 

I have had a rough couple days. 

Some sort of stomach virus has attempted to completely take over my life! 

But, after 2 days of intense pains and some other lets-not-describe-it stuff, I am feeling a bit better! Nothing makes you as thankful as when you have been really ill and you wake up feeling half ways decent! Thank you for praying! 

I was a touch worried that it would last a long time! We are going away next week for 2 nights, to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. I was quick to remind God, "Its already paid for!"

Its a good thing He's already got it figured out!

And it has come to my attention that whenever I even hint at being sick, people all over the world quickly assume that I am pregnant. 

Let me clarify: 

I AM NOT PREGNANT! 

I am sick, so please, sympathy ok? :)

I managed to walk down to the field last night and see the hedgehog that Andrew found! Isnt it cute! 

(The picture isn't too great, but Im still not in the moving-quickly or bending-over phase of recovery yet.)

Have a blessed week!!

In our morning meeting today we talked about war and the possibility of it. 

We were told about where it is safe to hide, if and when rockets are fired. 

We were told that we have 60 seconds to get somewhere safe after the sirens sound. 

We were told that the rockets now a days are different than the rockets from the war in 2006.

We talked about evacuation options, housing options, food storage and safety plans. We found out that we can safely hide 70 people in our prayer cave. We found out that we have 2 bomb shelters on our property. We found out that our room is pretty safe because none of the windows face north (where Lebanon is).

Next week we are starting the process of storing food, getting up-to-date information about everyone from the kehilat (congregation), and practising "just in case". 

Can I just pause here for a second. 

Say WHAT?! 

Bomb shelters? Sirens? Evacuations?! WAR?! 

Im just a simple mennonite girl from Canada!

As we were chatting (might I add that the tone from others was very calm!) I was thinking "What on earth are we doing here! Our family in Canada is CAMPING this weekend! They are building fires, riding quads, eating BBQs! And here we are, figuring out the fastest way to evacuate and hide from bombs and rockets!"

In that brief moment, I seriously doubted our presence in this country! 

But as quickly as that doubt came in, it was swept back out. 

I felt such a peace, one that really defies reason. 

We are exactly where God wants us, we are doing what He has called us to! 


Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world! 

He will definitely not abandon us here in Israel, in fact, I believe He wants to bless us for being here in such a time as this! 

All that said, we have no idea if and when there will be a war, but, living in Israel, it is a possibility. But I honestly feel its not a soon-to-happen-reality, so please don't be worried for us! 

Please pray with us for the peace of Israel. 

Pray for safety for those living here, those that have already survived a war or two.

 Pray for wisdom for the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. He does not have an easy job. 

"As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him"

Psalm 18:30

I thought I would post some random pictures from the past couple weeks! 

Friday afternoon is movie time!

We got to meet up with Jarred and Merida! Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures of the four of us! But, just for proof, here is Jarred with our friend Tehila.

And Andrew with Merida (see the side of her face?! Proof!) 

We had a field fire! The fire department didn't come for over 30 minutes and so a few of us had to put it out! Let me tell you, that fire-hose is NOT light!

 It was a pure adrenaline rush! 

Once the fire was out, I managed to stop my shaking hands and snap a couple pictures. Here are some of the hero's. 

(The fire was just beyond that tall grass these, luckily they got most of it out before it got to that dry tall stuff!) 

And of course, my hero! 

I am so happy when I get to have the little babies! This little one came and had a nap with me, it was so peaceful! 

So there you go, a small glance into our week! My camera batteries have died (again!) and we haven been able to get out to replace them! So this week is sorely lacking in pictures! I will post some as soon as I get a chance! 

Blessings on you and yours! 

Happy Mothers Day to the other mother in my life! 

You have welcomed me into your family since the first time I met you! 

I remember that day. I was nervous, unsure of what I was getting myself into. After all, Andrew and I weren't even dating yet! 

I remember that you were convinced that I looked exactly like Carrie Underwood, you even printed off her picture from the internet to compare! 

Thank you for the many dinners that you share with us, we miss them! 

We know that you will always be there for us.

Thank you so much for raising your son, now my husband, to be the man he is. 

I am forever in your debt for that! (Andrew says those are dangerous words! haha.)

Happy Mothers Day Mom.

We love you!