This past weekend/week we have seen so much breakthrough in so many areas…it’s been simply put–victorious!

1. We have seen the generosity of friends and finances this week and God is using both to show us over and over that He loves to take care of our little family! We are growing a stockpile of friends’ baby hand-me-downs and starting our diaper/wipes collection. I have made a Mommy-friend to go shopping with (thanks Julia Henley).
2. Frustrations had been building within our staff team about a few things over the past month, but God ordained many loving confrontations this week. Conversations happened that needed to happen and there is forgiveness and healing. It makes for a better staff team with love and listening. so good.
3. David and I have started going to a new church and we received blessings from our former pastor to go where we feel like God is calling us! We would still recommend our former church to anybody–it’s great and was wonderful to us for a year, but God likes to remind us that for David and I, our ministry is with relationships. “Go where you have relationship.” Since Amauta and Jesus Presa are that relationship that we have been building for a year, we felt released to continue that friendship and go to church with them. This weekend, God gave us more confirmation that it is where we need to be!
4. Learning and experiencing the truth that “when the Holy Spirit is working inside of you, you don’t have to defend or promote yourself. The Holy Spirit in you already speaks volumes about you and your character. You don’t need to strive to prove or defend who you are”. (David)
5. Based on the testimony of the events this week we have what David is referring to as “a slow confidence in the Lord” (meaning trust and confidence in the Lord for “the long haul” of doing missions) that He will provide our every need both now and in the future.
6. The speaker this week is Pastor Bernardo (from Cusco who did YWAM here in 1988) and he is talking about stewarding what God has given you. Nothing is mine. It’s all a gift. We are so thankful for our wonderful house that we have been given! We are thankful for the gifts of furniture and baby items and everything! We are thankful that we can have friends over for dinner or afternoon tea. Woah, the Lord is good!

All About Little Bear:
How far along? 16 weeks this week–Little Bear is the size of an avocado. LB’s eyes are moving to the front of the head, which is more up-right at this point. The ears are where they should be and there is a scalp pattern forming. Little Bear can pump 25 quarts of blood with that awesome heartbeat now! (Give or take a few quarts at high altitude). Grow Little Bear, grow!
Little Bear? David is “Bear”. I am “Boo-Boo”. So logically, baby is “Little Bear”. It’s just who we are in the land of nicknames.
Gender? It could be a boy….or perhaps a girl. We think we know.
Names? It’s a surprise. God gave us a beautiful name but we want to wait to reveal it.
Movement? Not yet.
Food cravings? Olive Garden breadsticks, chili hotdogs, (someone at church had a birthday and there was a spice cake so that was also craved and eaten this week), Zaxby’s chicken fingers drenched in Zax sauce and French fries (perhaps the Bojangles variety)
Have you started to show? Yes, I feel “more pregnant” 🙂 My first pair of skinny jeans that I may have to say ‘ciao’ to for awhile….
Belly Button in or out? My belly button is the size of a pencil eraser and I’m afraid will always be an innie.
Total weight gain? I don’t keep a scale in my house but I’m going to say I’m healthy for my baby.
This week? Last week was picking up more yoga–the prenatal moves feel so great! This week more resting because I’ve been having some tummy-issues (poor LB is acquiring a taste for Powerade and Ritz). David sings to LB and I’ve been reading aloud “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson. We both find it hilarious.
Looking forward to? David: “Baby’s arrival. I just want to hold Little Bear already and be a Daddy.”
Jen: “Baby’s personality to find out which quirks have been adopted from each of us and what is unique to Little Bear.”

(Photo by: themetisgroup.com)