Ecuador Update

I know I have had this picture on here before, but I just love it and it makes me homesick for Ecuador.




It has been a while since we have talked about Ecuador. This is mainly due to not really having any news to tell. Well, in the last few weeks, we have gotten some new info regarding our plans for overseas mission work.


About 3-4 weeks ago, we talked to the president of missions for our denomination, trying to figure out where God was leading and what directions we were to go. In that conversation, it was decided that we would stay here in the states for at least 2 more years while I finish school. We thought we would be really disappointed about this because we just want to get there!! But, we had a great peace regarding this decision and truly feel this is where the Lord is taking us. It was decided however, that we would be in conversation with leaders from the National Covenenant Church of Ecuador and through this we would develop relationship in hopes of coming alongside the National Church to develop an orphanage and medical clinic in a developing area of Ecuador.


It was a great relief to realize that the president as well as others are excited to have us go. We have felt in the past that maybe this was TOO big a vision, wondering if people would really be on board with this. But, through this conversation as well as others, we realize that people ARE excited to have us go and even view us as "a new generation of missionaries." HOW EXCITING! We are looking forward to the conversations over the next months and years and to see where that leads us. They seemed extremely excited to realize that we were ready and willing to go wherever, and we are actually hoping to go to the places where others don't want to go-the jungle, the coast, etc.


We are excited to see where this leads. Thank you for your continued interest and prayers.

Go Buckeyes!

GO OHIO STATE! All the way to #1!

What's your favorite team as we go into March Madness time?

My Everest is CONQUERED!!

So maybe this should not be considered "my Everst", but for the last little bit, this was my Everest. I had to completed this book for my book club by last Wednesday, or I would not be able to choose the next book. This was a huge incentive since I have a book I really really really want to read. Anyway, I spent all on Wednesday reading the last 200 pages and finished it with enough time to make dinner and dessert! I was very excited!
So, what did I think? Well, it was a classic Steinbeck book from what I hear. I haven't read many. I was excited to finish, since most people that I talked to had not read this book, I am happy to say I have. Parallels! It has so many parallels to life, the classic good VS evil that has plagued mankind since Adam and Eve and particularly for this book-Cain and Abel.
WOuld I recommend???
YES. If for no other reason than to say that you have read a classic! It is a classic and captures much of the essence of mankind. The way it is written-PHENOMINAL! He does such a great job in writing this. I would recommend, but I admit, I don't think I will read it again. The first time was good enough.!

Wordless Wednesday

MORE SNOW!

Saturday we got MORE snow here in Chicago with a mix of sleet and stuff too. The pups were amazed at the golf ball size snow flakes. I tried to get some pictures of them enjoying it, but they are really quick! If only dogs could make snow angels!

New Hair Color

Kind of a goofy thing to post about, but I have been wanting to do something new with my hair-keep it sassy ya know! Well, today I went to see Michelle (not like you would normally say it). MI-Chelle. He is a very good stylist, although expensive! WOW! Anyway, I didn't really specifiy what I wanted, but I thought it went pretty well. I don't know how well the pictures show it, but the top of my hair is a light brown, which in certain light looks more strawberry blonde. The bottom is a very deep dark brown. It looks pretty cool! He also layered it and styled it. It was a really fun day for me. I felt I was getting very pampered (not like the diapers!)

So what do you think...be honest!

Colorado Trip

We are finally back and getting settled again in the routine of city life. It was nice to be away and 'be one with nature' for 3 days skiing in Breckenridge COLORADO! It was beautiful as you can see from the pictures. We got to ski with friends of ours from church. Our pastor came and stayed with us one day and went skiing after 12 years of not!
The second half of the trip was a conference we had in Denver. It was our denomination's annual conference so most people from the denomination made a showing. We thought this would be good to go to to get to know people better in hopes of networking for the mission field. This proved a success as we got to have a meeting the the field director's for Ecuador! They seem really excited about what we want to do and really want to help get us there! This is such a MAJOR answer to prayer. Thank you to those of you who have been praying.


As well as the conference and rubbing shoulders with many 'Covenanters' we also got to reconnect with some of our friends from Seminary who are out in the trenches as pastor's! We are so proud of them and the work they are doing through Christ. It was such a joy and encouragement to see them all again and to catch up on life.

Pastor Paul and us after a day of skiing! We were all exhausted and sore.

The beautiful view of Breckenridge

The Delp's

The pretty trees. They don't make em like that in Chicago!

Our good friend Jodi who is pastoring in Nebraksa!

Phil and Kate with their precious girl Madeleine! It was great to see y'all!

AND We're off!

Tomorrow we are off to Colorado to do a little skiing and for a conference for our denomination.
We are looking forward to being away from the city for a while, catching up with friends, and just being together!
We just checked the weather and they just got 6 new inches of fresh powder!
SWEET!
We'll try to post as we're there.

SWEET Birthday!

Well, yesterday was my (Kim's) birthday! I am on my way to 30 although not quite yet. I turned 28! On the 27th, Joel made me my FAV cake-German Chocolate. Since we have been trying to eat healthier, I haven't had ANY sugar for awhile so I said around my birthday, I want CAKE! So, being the wonderful, spectacular husband he is, Joel made me one! And boy was it good!!!


On the night of my birthday, 2 of our good friends came over for Sushi and a little 24 watching. It was a blast. A few days ago we got to spend time with my fam who took me to La Charreada and Ivanhoes!! Are you seeing a theme for my birthday--FOOD! ? We also got to spend a little time with Joel's family too! It has been a great birthday. Thanks Johnna and Erin for coming over and for everyone who made my day special.
A bit of irony---
I was born on a Sunday (that was what yesterday was) and I was also born in a blizzard. We didn't have a blizzard yesterday-but it did snow quite a bit here. Some fun facts for ya!



Please continue to pray for Josh Buck. Go to
http://www.greenhouseministries.org/ for updates and ways to help. He was injured in Mexico in a swimming accident and is currently unable to move his lower extremeties. PRay for healing, peace, grace, and for the unborn baby that his wife Shelly is carrying. Blessings to all!

Please pray for Josh Buck and his family. Josh was injured in an accident in Mexico and is in the ICU in Miami, FL at this time.
Please go to the website to find out how to pray for him as well as how to support him and the family financially.

www.greenhouseministries.org

Pastor's Wife? Not ME!

I was thinking yesterday as I was ironing (something I rarely do because I am terrible at it!) and I thought about women today. There are so many different kind of women. What kind of woman am I? Am I typical? I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a niece, a daughter-in-law and A PASTOR'S WIFE! It's funny when the obvious hits you like a truck! Not that being a pastor's wife is a new thought to me. A lot of people at my old job knew me as that. But when I think of all that comes with that...'title', well, it makes me think...
Number 1, I consider it a true, true priviledge to be the wife of a man that GOD has called into ministry. This is not something to be taken lightly and has SO many responsibilities that people don't EVEN realize. I don't even realize all my husband does sometimes.
When I was growing up, I think I even told my mom, "IF I am ever a pastor's wife (which I didn't think I wanted to be) I am sure not going to be a TYPICAL pastor's wife!" It's odd looking back on that because I STILL think that. I am not really someone who likes to live in the boxes people have set up for certain titles. I have actually had some very funny looks and 'interesting' questions asked of me when I say my husband is a pastor. One said, "you don't LOOK like a pastor's wife." Another said "I never would have guessed that!" When they meet Joel, they usually say "you don't LOOK like a pastor". To which we both usually say "What DOES a pastor look like?"
I ask myself even now, "what does a pastor's wife look like?" Does it matter...? I am not talking looks here, I mean what does it MEAN to be a pastor's wife? I say this and ask this because number one, I want to support Joel as much as I can. I want to be an encourager, supporter, and advocate for him. However, I think the IDEA of what people have as a pastor's wife is not at all what I am. I don't play the piano (not well anyway), I don't teach sunday school, heck, some Sunday's I can't even be in church because I am working! Does that make me a below average wife. Well, I don't think so, but I have to wonder what other's think. Not that I care (I told you I am not typical). Don't get me wrong, I want to be supporting to people of the church as well, but I am not there to PLEASE them. I am there to worship Jesus! WOW. I feel I have tons of thoughts brewing and not enough room to say them.
Again, don't get me wrong. I don't necessarily feel presssure or anything from people in our church. It is just something I have been thinking about...
What's YOUR opinion?

A new addition to our friendship

I know what you may be thinking-NO there is not a new addition for Joel and I. Don't worry, I haven't been keeping a secret for 9 months from EVERYONE!
Over New Year's we got to visit some of our friends and THEIR new addition. Eily was born to our friends Jeremy and Michelle Hawk in November and we finally got down to see them and her.
We got to go to La Charreada and hang out and then went back to their place for coffee and more hang out time.
Isn't Eily SO cute!?
You can check out the Hawk's more by clicking on their contact stuff to the right here >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
So, congratulations to Jeremy and Michelle!

Joel made a new friend
The Hawk Family! Michelle doesn't even look like she just had a baby!









More of Joel and his new friend Eily
Another Hawk pose!
Congrats guys!

Mo' fun with the fam!

On New Year's Day, Joel and I drove to Hartford City (IN) to see my (Kim's) side of the family and celebrate Christmas. Mom made a great homemade dinner that afternoon and we had a great time all of us just hangin out. We missed my sister-in-law Missy. She had to work. If she had been there though, she totally wouldn't have let me take a picture like this one-at least not with her in it. She hates her picture taken.
Anyway, we missed her but we had fun too. I can't believe that my nephew is taller than I am! I remember holding him the day he was born (uh oh, I am sounding old!)
Hope you all had a wonderful Holiday season with your family! I know we did!



My mama and nephew Cody-he's gettin so grown up! It make me feel old!

Christmas in Goshen

We got to spend Christmas with Joel's side of the family. I had to work on Christmas day but was able to spend Christmas Eve and a few days after Christmas with the family. It was wonderful to be able to relax and not have to worry about anything. It was fun to be with family although we are missing some of the Delp's since they are in Japan. We were able to talk with them on our Christmas Eve, but we look forward to next year when we can all be together again. We miss you Eric, Fumiko, Sheena and Reenna!
We hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas too!
This weekend (New Year's) we will be with my (Kim's) family in Hartford City, IN. HOpefully we will have pictures there too!







Braedyn and one of our doggies-Hireq. Braedyn loves to rub Hireq's tummy!







Bailey and Grandpa Delp. Grandpa's concentrating really hard!

BOOKS I AM READING

So, I don't know if you are like this, but unfortunately, I buy a lot of books! I LOVE BOOKS. I love to read too, but often don't have time to read a lot of the books I buy. I have been getting a little help with this because I recently joined a book club. We recently finished,
The Red Tent -a VERY good book and highly recommended.

Two books I am reading right now:
Leaving the Saints-How I lost the Mormons and found my faith.
My recommendation: about a 5 out of 10. Maybe a 3 out of 10. It's interesting in the fact that you find out a lot about the Mormon faith. Martha Beck is a little 'interesting' in her writing. We'll leave it at that.

I recently started East of Eden. I have never read it. So I can't really make any recommendation. Plus I am on page 1 so...
What are your opinions about East of Eden?

Christmas debate...

VS

So, the ongoing debate in the Delp household each Christmas season is what color lights we are going to decorate our tree with. The last couple years we have used multi-colored lights. This year, we used white lights. I won't say which is which, but one of us prefers white lights, the other multicolored. So the debate continues. I don't know that one is better than the other. The one of us who likes white lights likes them for their elegance and beauty (that's Joel, just kidding...)
The one who likes multi-color lights likes the diversity! (That is Joel)
Merry Christmas!!!
Which do YOU prefer and why?

Curves Update!

Well, it has been 2 months since I started on my quest for weight loss and a healthier body and life. One thing that I wanted to do was not get wrapped up in weighing myself and expecting 'quick results' because that usually results in disappointment. So, I knew it would be a slow process and I am OK with that because I am feeling much better about life and gaining more confidence regarding my body. So, after 2 months, I have LOST! YEAH! Nothing huge, but there are negative numbers and I am excited about it.
Results:
.5 inches off waist
.5 inches off abdomen
.75 inches of hips (woo hoo!)
.5 inches off thighs (another woo hoo!)
2.75 lbs off
1.4% decrease in body fat!
YEAH!
Stay tuned for more updates

Ecuador in review

I thought I would finally post some pictures and give you all an update about our recent trip to Ecuador, South America!
We have been back only a few days and I think I speak for both of us when I say our hearts are still there. It was such a whirlwind of a trip-only 3 full days, but we packed a lot of things into that time. After the first day our brains were a little over loaded with info that we needed to process. We met with 2 sets of couples each running their own orphanages. One has been there quite a long time-16 years. One of our friends adopted a precious girl Ana from them. One of the pictures you will see her. We found out that of course it is not easy to get an orphanage up and running-even harder in South America. There a lot of "hoops to jump through" as well as many restrictions with the government. We weren't discouraged about that because we know what God has called us to.
Another part of our trip was meeting with the Covenant missionaries in Ecuador. Our hosts, Carlos and Karen (I am an idiot and forgot to take a picture of them) (you can go here to see a little more what they do with HCJB. http://www.hcjb.org/healthcare/hospital_vozandes_quito/missionary_personnel.html
set up a dinner at their house with most of the missionaries from Ecuador that were in the area. We had such a great time meeting and visiting with them and just being able to share ourselves with fellow missionaries. It was so great to hear their words of wisdom and encouragement. We appreciate them very much. We also went and visited one of our former students from our youth group. It was great to see him and see what God has been doing in his life. On our previous trip-he was on it and that is where the idea of coming back to Ecuador came to him. God is working in him and we are SO excited to see what GOd is going to do through him.
Well, you may be wondering what became of our trip-our thoughts etc...
First priority is to figure out what I (Kim) am going to do about school. We are trying to figure out if it would be beneficial for me to finish, wait and go back later, or just not finish. I thought I would get a lightening bolt from Jesus about that, but just a little more confusion. So, any medical professions out there or nurse practioners who are practicing in Ecuador or South America who have advice--bring it my way.
Second, we are planning on going down for a year. WHen that is, we don't know. Of course we would have stayed. We are defintely feeling ancy(sp?) being in the states, but we know God's timing and plan will develop in His time, not ours. To develop that a little more, we really feel God calling us to partner with the national Covenant church of Ecuador. We met with a few of the ladies from the national church and got some great ideas. Basically they are a pretty tight knit group and sometimes cautious of outsiders wanting to come in. Our year when we go would hopefully be working with an established orphanage to "learn the ropes" as well as developing relationships and getting invloved with the national church of Ecuador. Our idea is that we don't want to be bringing our vision to Ecuador, we want to partner with Ecuadorians who feel that an orphanage and clinic are needed.
That is where we are. I will try to keep you updated as things develop. Until then, please continue to pray for us. We appreciate and covet your prayers.
Blessings and Peace
Dios le bendiga




Karen and Carlos's backyard







Carlos and Karen's view







Us and a former student in our youth group who is at CBC (Covenant Bible College)
http://www.covenantbiblecollege.com/index.cfm?objectid=CB78EF7D-B0D0-AAB7-5A2C5CF1865FAE45




One of the orphanages we visited. Sorry no pictures with the kids...









The Covenant missionaries of Ecuador...most of them anyway














We were lucky that we were able to experience a holiday while we were there. Dec 6 is Quito Day-the Independence. It's a HUGE party time. This is one of the ways they do so. People rent one of these and music and dancing go on. It was quite a site!! They were also having ACTUAL bull fighting in a huge arena-we didn't make that one though. Maybe someday. I'm sure the pictures would have been...interesting

Go Buckeyes

Troy Smith!!!
Need we say more?

Christmas Inquiry

Well, I am sitting here with some down time at work thinking to myself..."O my goodness! It is December 3 and I have no idea what to do for Christmas this year." I have tried to actually send a card, letter or something since we have been married which is MUCH more organized than I usually am. Each year however, I wonder..."What do people WANT to know?" Do people even care? Do people really want to know the ins and outs of our year or do they just want a card? Do they want an email saying hey how are ya?
I struggle with the whole mask issue too! I mean most letters I have always sent always paint a pretty picture of the past year. You gotta wonder what people's years were really like. Not that people lie, but sometimes you just want to say, "My year stunk! Here's why?" Anyway, not that I want to send a letter like that, but I just feel if we are truly friends with people and our families truly love us if I DID send a letter like that-that they would STILL love me afterward and during.
All this to say...
What do YOU want to hear from you friends and family? Card? Letter? Picture? Nothing? What about from us? What do you want from us?
P.S...We leave for Ecuador tomorrow...
Please keep us in your prayers...