Just a few random things that have been going on:
Eric had a great time in Nojiri (the mountains) with our teammate, Isaac, and 2 college guys. I’m so thankful for their protection as they drove so many kilometers and were skiing/snowboarding. I’m so thankful that they had such a great time building those relationships and growing closer.
On Sunday we enjoyed an exciting worship service, that was also the installation service for the first national Japanese pastor in our church. Having a Japanese pastor has been a goal/prayer in this church plant for so long, and it was incredibly sweet to watch about 20 years of prayers answered in that ceremony. We had a sweet time of fellowship afterwards, and there was truly an atmosphere of celebration in the air as we ate together. It was such a blessing to my heart and I just felt so thankful for the Japanese believers that God has put in our lives here to challenge us and be an example to us. We are always encouraged by their faith and love for God and their love for each other and us. It’s so hard to imagine leaving this body that has become our family…
Starting Sunday night we had our team retreat. We didn’t retreat to anywhere, but we retreated from ministry. We had 5 sessions (Sunday night through Tuesday evening), with baby sitting provided from 9 to 5, and MTW’s pastor for missionaries, Ron Shaw, was here to teach us. It was a great time of learning, being challenged in many ways, and mostly being reminded of the incredible love of the God we serve. It was a sweet time and I was reminded of how thankful I am to work for an organization that takes missionary care very seriously. We had ladies night last night (dads at home with the kids) and the guys are out tonight. I am really looking forward to more conversations with Eric about things we learned and areas where we were convicted and want to see growth.
On a family note – I don’t think I mentioned this earlier – we are in the throws of potty-training and it has gone great. Granted, it wasn’t a “potty-train in a day”, but it has been better than I expected and a very positive experience. I will try to keep you posted on our progress. I hope this is not too much information, but my favorite quote in this time of our life is when Noa jumps up from what she’s doing and starts running for the restroom while yelling, “OH Mommy… the pee-pee’s comin’!”
Another big milestone is that Martha went to bed without her paci tonight. The paci getting dropped and lost and dirty (with so many germs at this time of year! yuck!) has really been grossing me out and making me think that it was about time. Plus, as with Noa, I felt the longer we keep it, the harder it would be to do away with it. I am not much for having accessories that the girls can’t live without so I am happy to see it go (though, if you know me, you know I have a special place in my heart for paci-mouth-smiles…sweetness…). Anyway, when I took her to bed, I had forgotten to bring one up so, since it had been on my mind anyway to do away with it, I decided to see how she would do. NOT A PEEP! The girl curled right into her normal snuggled up sleepy time position and went to bed! I can only hope this is it and it was this easy (Noa took about 3 nights to be ok with it all…). Here’s to hoping!
So that’s what’s going on with us. Eric is on spring break from school, which just means we have time to do other ministry during these two weeks. We are excited but already overwhelmed with the busyness. We’re also due for a marriage retreat and are hoping to sneak away for a day or two in this time, but we’ll just wait and see if we can make it happen. Again, here’s to hoping! 
Thanks for checking in with us! Sorry there are no photos, but hopefully soon.
This face:
makes my heart melt.
This weather:
makes Noa think it’s time for an outdoor game of one-on-one Duck Duck Goose.
Endless hours of fun.
Oh Spring, please be here to stay!
Do you know what I’m talking about?
If you’re a mom, I bet you do.
I didn’t know what it was three years ago, sitting pregnant in my friend, Andrea’s kitchen as she snuggled a newly-awakened 3 year-old Sophie.
She said to me, “This probably sounds strange to you, but there is absolutely nothing like the smell of sleep on your children. They smell different when they just wake up and it’s so sweet.”
At the time I was watching Sophie and her sisters a few days a week and I was often wondering if I would love my own growing child as much as I loved these 3 precious girls who filled my days with fun and smiles (that question was answered in the hours after I met and fell in love with my first born). I loved snuggling with Sophie in the mornings or after her nap, as I did her little sister, Kate, who needed at least 20 minutes of rocking and lullabies before nap time.
But I’ll be honest, I didn’t really know what Andrea was talking about as I watched her nuzzle her face into the perfect spot on Sophie’s neck. I thought it was really sweet and wondered if one day I would feel the same way.
I have replayed that moment a million times in the past 2 and a half years and given a million “Amen’s” to Andrea’s statement.
Do you know what I’m talking about?
It’s in that moment right before an infant falls asleep in your arms and you can feel her warm breath on your skin.
It’s the smell of a sweaty, mostly bald head, that leaves a ring on your shirt, or on their sheet.
It’s the smell of their morning breath, yesterday’s dirt, or a 12 hour old “No More Tears” shampoo, combined with the rich scents that can only come from those precious pores.
It’s intoxicating and calming. It makes you realize that whatever you were doing is not as important as taking this moment to just be still and inhale.
It’s feeling those arms and legs wrapped tight around you and head buried in your neck as you carry them out of their rooms of haven to meet whatever the new day will bring.
It’s those last moments of rest before the business of a toddler’s life take over and they want nothing more to do with being held and smelt.
It’s better than a cup of coffee to start my day, and it’s the kick I need after mid-day naps to make it to bed time.
It’s a true joy to experience and it’s something I will never ever get tired of smelling. Ever.
Do you know what I’m talking about?
If you’re a mom, I bet you do.
Can you describe the sweet smell of sleep? Or at least how it makes you feel?
“Mommy, go to Dingles’ park? Play Titus, Nana. Baffa play Baby Alee?”
You probably know by now our good friends and teammates, the Dingles. We have loved that they live only a short walk from our house, and they have a great park a few doors down, affectionately called, “Dingles’ park”. A few weeks ago, before our sunshine went into hiding, we played with the Dingles several times at the park, and now Noa can’t seem to wait until we do it again. She must be like her Mama, in that the sunshine is just so intoxicating and leaves me wanting more and more and more and more. Thankfully, it seems like spring is on the way and we are ready for more out-of-doors days in our near future. If Martha would only master walking, we’d be really good to go…
While we’ve waited out the cold rain, Noa has often followed the above statement with,
“Go Titus, Nana’s house? Play?”
Rainy, cold days are not so bad when you have good friends to enjoy them with. In the past week the girls have fallen asleep at the Dingle’s house 3 times as we have played games, had English worship, and left the kids to be baby -sat while we went out on a triple date with them and the Stewarts. Although Titus and Hana (Nana) are several years older than Noa, they are always so patient and kind to want to play with her, share with her, and help her keep up with them. Alee, the youngest Dingle, and Martha are getting more interactive with each other and are learning to play gently with one another. As for us adults, Eric and I are so thankful to have friends who are a few years ahead of us in parenting to watch and learn from, and good friends to watch 24 with (if we ever end up watching it instead of chatting the whole evening away ).
Titus, Hana, and Noa at "Dingles' park"
Alee and Martha on Super-Lydia's lap
Thanks for being such great friends, Dingles! We love you guys and can’t imagine our lives here without you. I’m sure there will be many more conversations in this household concerning the Dingles.
The Noll Sisters, imagining what it would be like to be the VonTrapp Family Singers
Also, here is some video I took of Martha the other day, while we played before Noa woke up from her nap. My favorite part is her waving “bye-bye” at the end.
