I promised myself that I would not start off one more blog by stating how busy we are, but I just don't think I can start it any other way! We have had a great month, full of exciting times of traveling, my sister Brittany and Joe's wedding, Kenya-Cincinnati Association Banquet, NANC training, our friends Bobby and Lisa Bechtel visiting in from Mombasa, Kenya, Swahili lessons, pregnancy sickness, and lots of photography appointments! I would mention our 6th wedding anniversary in our list of business, but unfortunately both Aaron and I forgot about our anniversary until 6:00 pm that day. We had to laugh at it, although we promised that it wouldn't happen next year! I try to look at our October/November calendar as little as possible, so I don't get overwhelmed! It is such a crazy time, but an amazing time of growing in our Lord.

Our girls are still loving the pre-field process of traveling and being at different churches. They both enjoy meeting new friends and especially love the hotels. Daddy got a hotel with a pool this weekend, so they are especially happy about that! They both know that at each church their job is to help set up our display table. They are very serious about their jobs and take great pride in making our table look nice! They like going to the children's classes, although sometimes they opt to stay with us in big church. Kennedy said that last week a boy told her that they were both very bossy little girls! She said to me "sometimes I'm bossy, but I really wasn't being bossy that time."

Aaron is feeling the strain of working full-time and traveling on the weekends, but we are so thankful that God is allowing us to do both this fall. We were able to book a complete schedule all with churches in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan. This allowed for Aaron to keep his job a little longer and be full-time in our pre-field ministry.


I have been very busy with photography and feel like I am living on my computer, editing, confirming appointments, etc. My very best friend Alisa Leek was able to come in town for a week and came to my first sonogram appointment with me. Alisa, Kennedy and I were very excited to see the baby via ultra-sound. Kennedy was very proud of the picture of "her" baby and couldn't wait to get home and show Claire-bear. The ultra-sound showed some concern about the babies central nervous system being too large. We don't have a lot of answers right now, which is hard, but we have an appointment with a specialist in December. In the meantime we are trusting God to keep our baby safe and know that he has a plan for our baby, whether healthy or sick. We are praying that we stay focused on Christ and His truth and not be overtaken with the temptation to worry.

We continue to be SO thankful to God for allowing us to take part in His plan for Kenya and grow a deeper yearning to reach the Kenyan people each day. Our hearts long to be there and start the work that God has for us in Mombasa. As anxious as we are to get there, we wouldn't trade what God has taught us and is continuing to teach us while we are here in the states. We have a greater understanding of what Paul meant when he wrote in:

I Thessalonians 2:8
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us..
~The Apostle Paul to the people of Thessalonica