Friday, November 20, 2009

tangible love

my day started off with an email from my good friend joyce in zambia. her email said that today, friday november 20th, 38 mattresses were delivered for the musakanya deaf school and i couldn't be more excited! i can rest better tonight knowing that those 38 precious kids will be doing the same. the realization of what was done hasn't fully hit me yet. well, it's starting to hit me now as i type through blurred tears. this is what i want out of my life... to fight injustice with love. sure, it's small in the grand scheme of the world but for those 38 deaf kids this is huge. they now know that someone has heard their silent cry, that they are not forgotten, that they are cared for by strangers halfway across the world.

i wish i could hug each one of you who helped make this possible. you have shown love in such a real, tangible way and for that i am forever grateful. thank you for believing in this vision. we truly have SO much to be thankful for!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

happy birthday to a special girl

dear kyra,

you are 3 years old today. even as i type that i almost can't believe how quickly the time has gone by. you were the one who finally made me an aunt- the job i'd been dreaming about for years. i pretty much missed your first year of life cause God had me all over the world so thanks for not holding that against me. i hope i've more than made up for it though with all the time we spend together now. this is the first time i've been with you on your birthday and i couldn't be more excited!

you are such a spunky, energetic little girl. you make me laugh and smile and shake my head all at the same time. i love that every time i see you i get to hear you say "it's susie!" most of the time you're excited to see me and it makes my heart happy. you see kyra, i'm not sure i could love you any more if i'd birthed you myself. on friday night you cuddled with me for a few minutes (which is a rare feat) and i asked you if you loved me. you replied with an enthusiastic "YES" and i told you how much i loved you. thanks for letting me have that moment kid. i know you don't understand all the mushy-gushy stuff just yet but i'll hold that memory in my heart forever.

i love that sometimes mommy lets you and i have time together, just the 2 of us. those are my favorite times cause it's just you and me and i get to listen to you jabber away about anything and everything. you are such a smart little girl. i'm amazed by how much information you already have in that toddler brain of yours! i'd like to say that you take after me in that sense, but your mom is brilliant so i guess she gets the credit. :)

kyra, i hope you have very special birthday today. i'm so glad i get to spend it with you! you bring me such joy and i'm so glad God entrusted you to be a part of our family. you are so loved by all your grandparents, aunts, uncles, counsins and even soon-to-be cousins! i pray that as you grow you will understand the depth of love that your heavenly father has for you and that He will show you the best ways to express it to the people around you. God has special plans for you. i think you're destined to be an adventurous world-traveler like me and i hope someday we'll have an opportunity to spread God's love together. mom and dad already said you can go to africa with me when you're 13... or was it 15? i'm gonna push for 13. 10 more years kiddo. can't wait.

love you so very much!

aunt susie

Friday, November 6, 2009

recap in photos

the last week has been a pretty intense one for me so i'm going to start with some photos. these first ones are from my incredible vacation to north carolina a couple weeks ago. i stole my dad's canon rebel for the week and had fun taking walks, waking up early and capturing it with the camera.



i really loved this shot of the fishing pole... i don't know why but it just made me happy. the other shot was what my daily mornings consisted of- reading from the Word, indulging in time traveler's wife and drinking delicious coffee all while staring at the waves and even catching some groups of dolphins playing!


when i got home fall had officially arrived in pennsylvania. the trees had all turned and it was absolutely beautiful. last week i drove up to french creek state park and enjoyed a quiet walk in the woods. i once again had snagged my dad's camera and snuck a few shots of God's lovely creation.


i.love.this.time.of.year. the colors are so incredible! if i could have my dream wedding it would probably be the end of october when the colors are so vibrant... i just love the reds, oranges and yellows. so warm and calming!

in other news, i purchased a sewing machine last week and i have to say- i'm in love! i'm learning as i go and just having fun. it's gonna be a home-made christmas and i am so excited. so excited in fact that i asked the other people in my office if they thought it was too early to start playing christmas music. they didn't answer but just looked at me like i was crazy. however, this afternoon i have the office to myself and you better believe i've got it playing! less than 50 days till christmas! does that stress anyone out? ;)

now you know who will be busy crafting all weekend!