17 and counting

This week has been really fun! About 4 days ago I started feeling Lil' Futt move consistently. I had felt a few little wiggles before, but now I definitely know what it is and it makes me laugh every time! I also feel like my belly has popped out there a little this week.

Our Lil' Futt is the size of an onion or turnip - not very cute comparisons, but I guess it's just for the size so I'll deal with it - and little bones are starting to form this week!

We went to our Doctor on Monday for a regular check up. We didn't do an ultrasound this time, but we got to hear the sweet little heartbeat! It was a short visit, and everything seemed normal - PTL!!!  In the mean time, we are anxiously awaiting the 28th when we'll get to go back for our "level 2 scans" and get to see our baby again.
I've been a little sad that we won't get to find out the sex of the baby at our next (19 week) appointment. But I keep telling myself that will give us something to look forward to in January! As if there isn't enough excitement planned for that month already...

oh and just because I think it's funny...
1. I'm still craving fried chicken all the time. Let's just say that I'm keeping KFC in business over here :)
2. I woke up from a nap the other day dreaming of and craving crunchy beef tacos from Taco Bell. (which is funny because I'm a hard core Taco John's fan!)
3. My mom was asked by a friend the other day if I'd continue my healthy eating habits in the States (because we are much more healthy over here for the most part). My response, filled with laughter, "nope! I've got too many cravings to fill! "

Here is What's Been Brewing

In our hometown, we could easily surround ourselves with fellow Followers. I know that the percentage of Believers in our hometown is not 100%, but it was very easy for me to fool myself into thinking that.  I could comfortably surround myself with Believers whenever I wanted.  Looking back, I can see that this lead me to taking for granted the benefits and encouragement found in the Body.

Here on this side of the globe, in the mega-city we call home, the percentages aren't quite as high and it's a little harder to fill our circles with Believers.  If we really tried, we could go days or weeks without laying eyes on another person who believes the message that God's Son is the true way to salvation.

This makes the friendships we do have with local Followers so sweet and special. The other night we were able to get together in a local coffee shop for a time of worship. At one point, there were Indian, Korean, and Nigerian believers all belting out God of This City. While they were singing I quietly sat and thanked God for the glimpse of what Glory will be like someday. I get oh so excited just thinking about it!

With all of this is mind, here are some things I've learned in the last 18 months: Never take for granted the time you have with your brothers and sisters in faith. Never take for granted the opportunities for corporate worship. And never pass up an opportunity to share the best part of your life with those that haven't heard.

We truly can't wait to see you all in few months. It will be so sweet to spend time catching up on the last couple of years. More than that, it will be sweet to worship with our Faith Family again.

Fifteen and Sixteen

15 weeks

Last Tuesday (oops, I'm a little behind) we made it to week 15 in the pregnancy.

We loved going to the Dr. while Beth and Lar were here. We were able to get a sweet profile of our little one and hear his/her heartbeat on the doppler. It still amazes me that this little one is dancing all over the place and I can't feel a thing! (There have been a couple times where I think I might have felt movement, but I'm not sure... it still seems a little early)

This is our sweet Doctor.

(I have candy shoved in my cheek for the picture. perfect)

We were also were very proud to show off the Women's Care Center to my sis. Being in the medical field, she can now go home and reassure the rest of our families that we are getting wonderful care over here. In fact, we're getting spoiled with all these ultrasounds, extra blood tests, and frequent appointments that are so common here :)

14 weeks and 2 days

Beth tried to see if she could identify the sex of the baby on the ultrasound, but she said it was a little too early to tell. Oh well, it was worth a shot right!

And besides an embarrassing episode of losing my breakfast on the metro, I've felt like a new woman! I only took one nap the entire time my sis was in town. Guess I'm in that "honeymoon" trimester I've read so much about.

Today is the 16 week mark for our little one!

16 weeks

I've been blessed by a bag of maternity clothes, pregnancy books, and a fun calendar to keep track of this pregnancy. And this week received a package especially for our lil foot from our friend Kelsi! Holding those little tiny clothes gives me butterflies and gets me really excited for March. Aren't they sweet?!

I am so thankful for the love and support of friends and family. Can't wait to hug you all in person!

Goodbyes

We said our goodbyes last night, and have begun our return to "normal" life today. Thankfully the goodbyes were a little easier this time around. Maybe because it was our 4th time to say them in the last 2 years. Or maybe it was because they were followed with "see you 3 months". But without a doubt it was because we had so many people praying for us!

Before they came, I made a list of all the things I wanted to get to do with them while they were visiting. Thankfully, due to good health, perfect weather, and tons of time, we completed the list about 2 hours before taking them to the airport! We crammed everyday full of touristy things, yummy food, and lots of laughter!

It's fun to look back at pictures taken of the four of us at Beth and Lar's wedding 7 years ago. Little did we know 7 years later we'd all be in India posing together for more of the same goofy pics! It's fun to think where we might be snapping pics in the future.

Here are just a few more pics from Beth and Lar's visit to India:

I told you we laughed a lot!

The weather was perfect!

I love Lar's face in this one!

We've been encouraged, refreshed, and refocused with their visit. We've made unforgettable memories.

Now it's time to finish these next few months well.

Simply the Best

We are LOVING having my sis and bro-in-law here!!!

Just wanted to share a few pics from our time together so far.

Waiting for the arrival.

And it's a good thing I had that sign because I don't think they would have spotted us otherwise!

Been waiting on this hug for about 9 months!!!

Beth and LarBear standing by their welcome sign at our house.

I still can't remember when I started calling him LarBear :)

Welcome to India, Walkers!!

Aunt Beth and Uncle Lar got to join us for our 14 week appt. Look at little Padfoot's sweet profile!!

Getting to meet my friend at Cafe Turtle.

What can I say... It's all about the brotherly love!

Walking at the Ridge by our house, pretending we are on a hike.

Being touristy and visting India Gate.

Getting to enjoy a new cafe with two of my favorite ladies in the world!

The best news is we still have another week together!

14 Weeks and Counting

14 weeks

We've officially reached the 2nd trimester. Woohoo. 

Our lil 'padfoot' is the size of a lemon this week. And let me clarify for the sake of braggin' on my baby... we're talking an American sized lemon, not a measly Indian lemon.

And this week, Padfoot's starting to make sweet facial expressions and suck his thumb! I hope maybe we can catch some of these new developments on the ultrasound Thursday.

I really am feeling like a new woman. I'm not really nauseous anymore and naps aren't mandatory (just preferred).  I'm still waiting for my cravings for Indian food to return. I hope it happens before we leave in a few months.

We are so excited about my sis and bro-in-law getting in just a few HOURS! My hubby has been such a huge help getting the house ready for their arrival. I really don't think I could have done it without him. Together (okay mostly him, but I helped when I wasn't napping) we've cleaned the floors, stairs, bathrooms, air filters, kitchen, rearranged furniture, dusted, and made sweet rolls. And that's all been today!

Top things on our agenda for this next week include:
1. Laughing
2. Playing games (when it's just the two of us, my hubby always beats me)
3. Showing off our city and the Taj
4. Eating the yummy sweet rolls we've made from the PW's website.
5. Golf for the men/ pedicures for the ladies

Is it too soon to go to the airport and wait? hehe

Aradhna

 This has been one super busy week. The majority of it has been consumed with being in the car, driving that well known path to the southern part of the city. You know you live in a big city when it takes over an hour to get from one side of the city to the other. But we are so thankful for our car and the recently opened metro line that gets us back and forth safely.

 During one of our many trips to the south this last week we were able to join with some of our national brothers and sisters for a sweet time of worship. We left our shoes at the door, sat on rugs, breathed in the incense, and enjoyed singing together in a language that used to be so foreign to me. I love this glimpse of what our eternal home will be like someday.

 During the Satsang, truth gathering, I couldn't help but be drawn to watch a 12 year old boy who sat "indian style", with his eyes closed, his hands bowed, singing his heart out to our Father for over 2 hours. No one forced him to sit there. He was truly so reverent and genuine. What a picture of worship!

 Our time was led by Chris Hale from a group known as Aradhna, meaning "adoration" in Hindi. He was in town only for a short while to film the music videos for his upcoming album. We had heard his music before and are looking forward to his new release in December. Chris and the rest of his group have a huge heart for this country and these people. You should check them out on their website or itunes!

"After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb...and they were shouting with a mighty shout, 'Salvation comes from our Father who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!"

Rev. 7:9-10