At the beginning of this month, Eric and I had the great privilege of heading west to San Diego to celebrate the marriage of these dear friends:
Jon Bonker was one of the best men in our wedding (Eric had two. So did Jon. So did Brian).
Katie and the best men
He is like a brother to Eric and I am SO grateful to God for his faithful provision of this man who sharpens my husband and encourages him towards grace and godliness.
Up until now, Jon has been our only teammate for South Asia. He had been there already for two years this past summer, when this wonderful young lady contacted MTW about joining the work there and eventually got in touch with Jon. That was August. I’ve had the amazing privilege of getting to know this amazing woman of God over the last several months via phone, and “watching” these two fall in love (as much as you can watch two people in Asia and California from Florida). Seeing the Lord work in their relationship these last 5 months and bring them to their wedding day on January 7th was such a blessing to me, reminding me in many ways of God’s provision and grace and kindness to his children. Besides the obvious blessing that they are to each other (if you could only see the in-love-ness of these two!), I am grateful beyond words for the provision of Katie in my life. Not only has the Lord used her to encourage and bless and challenge me in the few short months since we became friends, but I am over the moon that the Lord has provided another woman for our team, a friend and sister to labor with when we are on the mission field. What a tremendous gift!
So here’s our new team picture (we’ve grown by 33%!):
The other incredible blessing of the wedding was being with so many dear friends from college:
The wonderful Bonker family:
Me and my only best man:
It was such fun to be in a wedding together again!
All the goofy guys doing their thing to the car:
Krisha also posted on their blog with some great photos and some amazing marriage quotes to chew on. You can see those here.
You can also see a slideshow of really great photos from the wedding here.
Eric and I stayed in San Diego for an extra day and a half to have some much-needed time together. We had an absolutely fabulous time. We enjoyed old-town San Diego, riding the trolleys around to see the city and harbor, some great food, and sunset over the pacific from the cliffs.
We watched the sun go from this:
to this:
to this:
Absolutely glorious!
We are so grateful to have been able to celebrate our dear friends’ marriage, be with several other dear friends, and also celebrate our own with some special time with just the two of us. God is so good. We are also incredibly thankful to our friends Greg and Christie who stayed here with the girls and loved on them so well while we were gone. Kimberly and Danny also helped out by caring for them during the daytime a few of the days. We are so blessed and grateful, because we really could not have gotten away without their sweet service to us. What a gift this was!
So thankful!
We are seriously clinging to Jesus as this roller coaster of adoption takes another hard turn.
Monday we received wonderful news that the situation that had put a standstill on our adoption had been resolved and that we could expect to hear soon about a court date. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement as we waited – we experienced the Lord’s presence so much through that wait, and we are so thankful for how he answered those prayers.
Then Thursday morning we received the devastating news that the orphanage where Jonathan and David were was closed by the government and the children were taken by UNICEF to an undisclosed location. Two other families who we have walked this journey with whose kids were with them posted here and here explaining the details we know now.
We are SO sad for Jonathan and David, especially hearing from others (and seeing in our videos of them) the sweet people who cared for them and loved them at their orphanage, and knowing that they have just experienced a huge upheaval and probably have more in their near future. We ache to know where they are and that they are ok, and also for information regarding their adoption – if the government will still let us adopt them, if we have another long wait ahead of us with little or no news, and how long it could take.
It has been a sad few days, with millions of tears, and millions of questions. And while we cry and wait for the answers, our faithful Father has been so near, so present. I am so thankful for the assurance of his love and grace. I am so grateful for the many who have gone before us, not just in adoption, but in life on this side of eternity, who testify to us of God’s goodness even through trials.
My precious friend Angie shared some thoughts and sweet comfort as she has walked and continues to walk a hard and scary path. Her words are always such a gift to me.
Another sweet friend, Angela, who we were privileged to be in home group with several years ago and has walked the wonderful and hard path of adoption (not once but 3 times), wrote these words to me yesterday: “It’s at times like this that it helps me to remember that before Abraham found the ram in the thicket, he had to endure the walk up Mt. Moriah. Before being second in command to Pharoah, Joseph was sold into slavery. Before becoming king of God’s people, David was running for his life. And before their eyes were opened and their hearts burned within them, there was the long walk for the two on the road to Emmaus. The joyous end results for each of these were foreordained by God but the road to get there was full of brokenness and sorrow.” What perspective that gives me, what hope!
So many others have prayed with and for us as we ache and wait and hope, and it has been so sweet to have our faith girded by so many others’. God is so good to place us in his family, that we don’t face things like this alone. I loved this note from my sister, all the way across the world, aching and waiting and striving in prayer with us. “He is holding them in His arms this morning. He is comforting them in new surroundings. He is already their strong tower and a rock hewn out just for them. I think about that when Annie goes to school, that this is another opportunity for God’s presence to be very real to her. I pray it would be very real to Jonathan and David, and to you all, as you wait on the Lord.”
This is such an opportunity to trust in God’s real presence, not just here, but all the way across the world, with those precious boys. I am so NOT in control of where they are and how they are, and this is a good reminder that I’m not even in control of my girls, who are right here under my roof. God is, and it’s always my prayer that my children would know and experience Him apart from how they know him through us. How I pray this is true of Jonathan and David right now. O, Lord, make this true, not matter how this all turns out.
As always, thank you for your prayers and encouragement! We are very broken and hurting, but definitely hopeful and confident in our Rock.
AND, we have a special reason to celebrate God’s goodness today, as Eric and I celebrate 6 years of marriage! On this anniversary we are so humbled by his goodness to us and thankful for this reminder of his faithful work in our lives and on our behalf. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
I couldn’t believe that Eric Noll, the guy who I had had one big ‘ol crush on for about a year and a half, had asked if we could hang out. With other guys I wouldn’t have thought anything of it, but Eric was different. He didn’t hang out with girls, at least not one on one. He was a “guys’ guy”, and there was speculation that he would probably graduate and disappear to the ends of the earth.
He had spoken at my freshman year fall retreat – just a few weeks after I arrived at JMU - sharing about his summer project in Virginia Beach and his heart to be a light in the greek community on campus. I told my roommate right there that this guy was pretty amazing and I wanted to get to know him. It took a while but eventually we were serving on the same ministry team with Crusade (I may or may not have purposely signed up for the one he was leading… 
) and started to build a very casual friendship. And that’s all it had stayed for about a year. Very casual… as in, I was resigned that nothing would ever happen with this guy.
I remember telling my mom about him several times… more or less just sharing with her that Eric Noll was a sort of standard I held guys up against. I would tell her about times I had interacted with him and how much I thought of him. And I remember her asking me sometime in the weeks before March 4, “What about that guy Eric? Has anything happened with him?” And my disappointed, “No. I don’t think he really even notices me, or at least not as anything other than Danny’s little sister.”
So I was pretty excited that Tuesday evening as I headed back to my dorm from dinner with my girls. Eric came over and chatted with me and Kimberly (my then roomie, now sister-in-law). Then to my surprise and delight asked if the two of us could go on a walk. We walked around the ampitheater between ISAT and Chesapeake, and then sat down to talk. We had lots to talk about – there were exciting things going on in both of our lives. Friends coming to know the Lord, spring break less than a week away, fun things happening in both of our families.
I’ll just never forget watching him change the subject – desperately wanting to chime in to try to make things more comfortable and not at all awkward for him, but also knowing I had to let him say what he wanted to say. And it wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable. He was articulate, flattering, encouraging and his wonderfully sincere self. He told me things he had noticed about me that he admired. He told me he loved spending time with me and wanted to do it more, but without there being any question on my part as to what his intentions were. He wanted to have the freedom to call me whenever he wanted without leaving me guessing why he was interested. He ended his little speech with telling me he really liked me, had liked me for months and had been praying about this since November (November?!?!). And he knew this was coming as a surprise to me, but would I at least be willing pray about being in a more “intentional” relationship with him.
I was bursting by the end of it, “Sure, I’ll pray! I’ve already prayed and I know my answer, but I can pray more…” It was so exciting. He didn’t put any definitions on our relationship or make any plans or lay out any guidelines. We both just sat there and marveled at how happy we were to know how the other one felt…
And while in the months ahead I would give this poor guy a run for his money, I’d make any sane man question time and time again if they really wanted to date this crazy girl, who still had A LOT of growing up to do, I stand amazed that he was up for it.
I can honestly say that since that day 8 years ago I’ve never once questioned how Eric Noll feels about me. He has seen some ugly sides, let me tell ya. Oh, I took him for a roller coaster ride of my teenaged girl emotions and whims. I’ve pushed his buttons and given him good reason to be angry or argue with me time after time (and he has gotten angry and we are pro-arguers). But there has not been a moment that I have doubted that this man loves me and won’t stop loving me. And it’s been under that safe and beautiful umbrella of his unswerving love that that giddy, immature, unimpressive, barely 19-year old girl who went on that walk that day, has grown up bit by bit, discovered what I love and am passionate about, and mostly, have come to the deepest sweetest understanding of what it means to be “chosen” and to be loved without condition.
I couldn’t have imagined where that walk 8 years ago would lead, but I am so thankful for every. single. step since we walked out those dorm doors and began this incredible journey together.
Thank you, Eric, for choosing me and never waivering in that choice. Thank you for loving me so devotedly, even when you didn’t let yourself say it (and you knew it drove me crazy). Thank you for showing me Jesus. I know you want him to get the glory.
Dear Eric,
We’re all packed and ready to jump in the car early this morning to drive to the wedding of a dear friend.
It seems appropriate that we should get to celebrate marriage with friends and family and friends who feel like family (this is a “japan people” wedding - it will be wonderful to see so many people from my childhood and our time there). It is especially so, since today we celebrate our five year anniversary.
I didn’t know much about who I was marrying or even who I was when we took our vows five years ago. But, I remember we began our wedding invitation with the words, “Believing that God called us first to Himself and then to each other…” And as much as thought I believed that then, I really believe it now.
And I am just sitting here basking in thankfulness for the One who called us – into marriage, into love, into companionship, into parenting, into ministry, into trials, into hurt and healing, into laughing, into moving, into playing, into becoming one more and more as time passes. I love this calling, being your wife. It kinda takes my breath away to just think about what grace it is to be yours.
So, five years ago…
It wasn’t the happiest day of my life.
Oh, I was happy. So very happy.
But there have been so many moments, hours, days, weeks, months, and seasons since that wonderful day that have filled my “happy” cup to overflowing. I didn’t know what I was in for, but it’s better than I could have imagined. How I pray and hope and trust that these five years are only a small fraction of the years I get to spend being married to you. I’ve loved growing up with you and can’t wait to grow old with you.
I love you so very very much.
Happy Anniversary!
How sweet is this photo of Noa and three precious friends at the CCSI sports day?!? It was such a great day of fun and fellowship and community building. Eric planned the whole day and did a great job! I hope to put up more photos of this day in early October later. I’m a little behind.
Eric and I had the opportunity to attend Passion Tokyo (also in October). It was a great evening of worship and encouragement. Highlights included worshiping and hearing a message in English. We went with a group of other missionaries and Japanese friends, and it was soooo encouraging to see how many people were there, filling the C.C. Lemon Hall. I was so refreshed in my walk with Jesus, convicted of my often lukewarm response to the Gospel, and I was burdened for the lost in this land in a new way. It was an added bonus that T.G.I.F. was only a few blocks away and we could have “American” size burgers. It was a very special night. 
Noa and Martha have been growing so much in their little friendship. One thing that has been especially sweet recently is that Noa wants to “match Martha” everyday. She just loves it and gets sad when they don’t match. I have done some pretty good convincing and told her that when they are both in pants, or both have pink on their clothes, or (if I’m really desperate) are both in diapers, they ARE matching. For now, it seems to work on the days that we can’t come up with some “pair look” (as the Japanese say) clothes. I can’t blame her, though. I, myself, LOVE it when they match and pull it off as often as possible.
I’ve mentioned before about our babysitting swap with the Pfeils. Here is one such night when we “played house” with a family of five. It is always such fun for us to have the free dates and for the kids to be together on these nights. We really enjoy our little arrangement.
A few weekends ago we enjoyed going onto Campus for their annual festival. It was such fun and a wonderful day as a family and with our friends. Noa experienced many first, including her first cotton candy and chocolate-covered banana. Both are treats she will gladly partake of again, given the chance.
Our neighbor’s daughter has the sweetest twin girls who are right in between Martha and Noa’s ages. We so enjoy it when the come to their grandma’s house because we can see them too!
Eric had a great time with these three good friends camping a few weekends ago. It was great male-bonding, apparently, and a good chance to be out in our beautiful autumn weather. He loved it and I hope he’ll take me and the girls sometime soon…well, if it doesn’t get too cold around here!
While they did their thing, me and the girls had a girls’ sleepover with Chizuka. It was a great time for us ladies. Here is Noa and Chi-chan showing off their Hello Kitty tattoos (sent by cousin Liam for Noa’s birthday).
The girls have had some big milestones recently. Martha is learning her shapes.
Noa is learning to drum
They both still love to read their books
Yikes. Last week as we were leaving church we discovered our tire was flat. All of us girls really enjoyed watching Eric fix it and get us back on the road. Noa was particularly interested. Future mechanic? Maybe.
And I’ll leave you with this photo of our youngest, totally entranced by the Gospel music at our college ministry Livehouse event last week.
Hope you’re having a great week. God bless!
We had an amazing long weekend, two weeks ago with my parents at Nojiri Lake. Nojiri is in Nagano prefecture and is a place that we have gone most summers since I grew up. It was so refreshing to escape the heat of Chiba and get to go to the mountains. The lake is nestled in the middle of several mountains and the views of God’s creation are always breathtaking. Here are some of the things we did:
The girls had a ton of time with their grandparents and loved it. Here is Noa with “Gii-Gii”
We loved it too, since we could put the girls down and go for walks or hikes or a swim. Thanks Mom and Dad! Here we are in front of the cabin before we left 
My parents’ cabin is at the top of one of the big hills, so to get to the water we really have to hike. Noa was usually able to make it down part of the way like this:
but usually, she traveled like this 
There are tons of activities up there, including swimming lessons, sports, dances, dramas, sailing, etc., all open to everyone who comes. Noa and I were able to go to an “Aqua-tots” swim class together one morning. It was great fun and we both learned a lot.
We had a lot of fun in the water almost every day. Even Martha got in a few times. It was great to have so many loving Aunties and Uncles to help with the girls. 
One day, we took a hike partially up a mountain to this waterfall, a favorite family picnic spot from when I was younger
The mountain water was FREEZING, I could barely stick my toes in. Eric, on the other hand, decided to go for a swim. BRRRRRRRR!
It was a great hike and a fabulous time to be together.
Me with Amby, my sweet friend and practically my sister (visiting from Australia with Esther and Joel). 
At the beginning and end of our hike, we went through this beautiful field with so many butterflies.
It was amazing to see so many. They were each so unique and beautiful!
Of course, I had to get the signature family photos out on the dock.
Hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our time. It truly was a blessing and refreshment for us. It was also so special for me to share with Eric and the girls a place that is so close to my heart and holds so many wonderful memories. It’s great to have some memories in Nojiri with them now, and I pray we will have many more in the years to come. 
