quick update

Mom is in Albania and I've been told that when one of my parents is away, the blog gets checked even more frequently than when they are home. So, given that, I'm posting a quick text update for mom's benefit (sorry no photos). You're all welcome to read if you so choose...

Before I get to our personal stuff, I want to publicly recognize Veteran's Day. I have been moved by the patriotic songs and images I have heard and seen throughout the day. I am grateful to all those who serve in our armed forces and for their families who sacrifice togetherness for the freedom of others. THANK YOU.

Switching gears...
Ellie's new level of communication has brought some interesting conversations into our home. She can say quite a bit, but we still have holes in communicating and it goes both ways (in expression and comprehension), particularly out of context. For example, today we picked her up from school and in response to asking her about her day, she said something like, "In the classroom, teeth came out! Teeth hit the floor!" She couldn't say whose teeth, but it sounds like perhaps someone in her class lost a tooth?

So that led to Nathan trying to explain to her at bedtime that one day she will lose a tooth. And when that happens, she will put it under her pillow. A tooth fairy princess will come and take her tooth and put a surprise in its place. That seemed fascinating to her, but she was more concerned that Nathan or I lose a tooth instead of her. Then as she was going to lay down, she picked up her pillow, picked up an imaginary object and said, "Look Daddy! The princess brought you a tooth!" And she proceeded to "put" it in his mouth, complete with a 'schwoop-ing' sound effect.

Yesterday we were talking about Christmas travel plans and Ellie overheard us (she is SO excited about Christmas -- we spent about 25 minutes in the Christmas aisle at Lowes a few weeks ago). I said something like, "During Christmas break --"
At which point Ellie interrupted me in a strong voice, saying, "NO! Don't break Christmas! Christmas is NICE!"

Yes, Ellie, Christmas is nice.

Ellie's current favorite song: Zacheaeus was a Wee Little Man, though sometimes she sings, "Jesus, You come down!"

Happy Birthday Gigi!

November 1

This morning our pastor opened church by saying, "November is the new December!" It seems that November will hold all the busy-ness and craziness inherant in the holiday season and for our family it is no different. We are going one week at a time, one day at a time.

This week kicks off missions conference at Asbury (Great Commission Congress). Nathan has been part of a committee planning for this event since early last spring. Meetings have gone longer and met more frequently as the week approached. We pray that it will be a significant time on campus. Would you join us in this prayer for Asbury?

Tonight we have another Global Cafe`. We will have the Strongs from Peru with us and we love this family! They hosted Nathan and a team of Asbury students in the spring of '08, as well as the women's soccer team shortly before that. They are with us until Tuesday. Following the service and supper, Nathan and our cabinet are rehearsing a simulation that will be taking place on Tuesday night as part of the week's missions activities. It could be really powerful but will require some extra practice to pull off well.

Meanwhile, Ellie and I will hold down the home front and support Nathan as best we can while he's in and out for lots of meetings and lunches and suppers in the cafeteria. Today we said goodbye to Mom and Dad Waggoner. They came for a quick visit and we enjoyed our time with them. Ellie was really sad to see them leave. Three times on the way home from church/lunch she reminded herself out loud, "I will see them again soon." Thanks, Mom and Dad, for coming! We all enjoyed your visit very much!

Catching Up

I've got lots of random photos to share from the month of October. Forgive the hodge-podge nature of this post!


Last Sunday we were so glad to enjoy our Church's annual harvest party for the youth and kids. Usually we're unable to participate in Sunday afternoon/evening church activities because of our Global Cafe` here at the Center on Sunday evenings, but we had the weekend off for Fall Break. Our pastor has a tradition of painting finger nails each year at the Harvest Party. Ellie was thrilled when we told her she could get her finger nails repainted at church. She chose an interesting shade: orange. Maybe it was the table covering? Or maybe she's showing a propensity to cheer for Illinois over Ohio State?

(Below) That's Ellie's 2nd cousin, Andrew N, helping her up one of the inflatables.

Monday's weather was so gorgeous, Ellie and I enjoyed several hours outside raking up leaves. Ellie insisted on having her own rake which she promptly declared was a 'spider broom'.

On Friday of last week we got a hotel for a steal (thanks, Priceline!) and stayed at the Hilton Suites at Lexington Green. Ellie loved riding the glass elevator and even more, feeding the ducks on the pond, which was right below our window. It was just the get away we needed, even if it was short.

(below) When Ellie was sick a few weeks ago, we read the Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor SEVERAL times. Here she is, in bed, taking the temperature of the Bears in the book.

Earlier this month I traveled to Memphis to shoot a wedding for a former Asbury student and friend, Jessica. (Click here to see some of my favorite photos of the day). I was so glad when it worked out to visit a sweet bloggy friend I've made, Diana (I posted here about her visit with us in Kentucky in 2007). She and her family graciously hosted me the night before the wedding at their home in Jackson. It was so nice to meet the rest of the family, but in particular, their 12-year-old daughter, Dajana, whom they adopted from Albania in December/January!

I got to visit with two other special friends that weekend -- I'm just sorry I don't have photos with them to share. Kami -- I loved the impromptu nature of our afternoon in Nashville! I can't wait to post your head shots! It was a super fun shoot! Kelly -- thanks for traveling down from IL to help me with Jessica and John David's wedding! It's always fun to get together with you. I still think you need to get a Garmin!

(above) with Diana in Jackson

(Above) with Laurie Kjernald

Laurie visited with us a few times during her 2 weeks here in Kentucky. A friend from our college days at Asbury, we've gotten to know each other even better since embarking upon our journey into international adoption. Laurie and Andreas live in Sweden with their sweet son, Samuel, whom they adopted from Nepal a year before we adopted Ellie. They are presently waiting for a referral of a little girl they're going to name Jane, also in Nepal. A visit with Laurie is always such an encouragement!

On Tuesday I joined Ellie's class for a field trip to a local orchard/pumpkin patch. The trip was fun, even though the weather bordered on miserable.




Thankfully the hay rack had an overhead cover to protect us from the rain! Ellie loved it!

Ellie Gets a Package

More Goat Roast Photos

I don't usually spend much time on our personal blog to share what we do at the center, but I just had to share some photos from our African Goat Roast on Saturday. It is the biggest event we do all year, and we couldn't do it without our incredible student cabinet, so I am bragging on them a bit here.

The Steury boys (green/red jersey & yellow vest) were with us the better part of Saturday, beginning with picking up the live goat and employing skills they acquired in Kenya to slaughter it in the Coppedge's pasture (we have photos of that too, but I'll spare you!). The rest came via mail order from a farm in CO. It saves us a lot of work.

We had the help of one of Nathan's former Mathematics profs, Dr. Rietz, on the grill.

Nancy, this one's for you!

I worked with the kitchen crew, churning out rice, stew, hot cider, coffee, and cheesecake!


The ticket line...

This is our box maze (or at least part of it). We black out the windows and doors (and turn off the lights) so it is COMPLETELY dark inside. Students had 10 minutes to find their way out before black lights would illuminate arrows on the bottom of the boxes to show the way out. Until last year we had a 'roof' on the maze but found that 1.) it required a LOT more duct tape, and 2.) got REALLY warm inside.

The day after, Ellie had fun playing 'hide and seek' with Nathan in the maze (with the lights on, of course).

Ellie was SO excited about the bonfire. She had been asking for a fire in the firepit all week long!

Our massive caramel apples are always a draw!

P.S. #1: This weekend is fall break. We've planned a fun little family get away overnight on Friday night for Els. It's going to be a lot of fun and I can't wait!

P.S. #2: This probably doesn't mean much to some of you, but for my photo friends, a lot of these photos were taken with my new 16-35mm lens. LUV it!!!

African Goat Roast 2009

Here's a snapshot from our photobooth at the Goat Roast. Ellie L-O-V-E-D dressing up.

Ellie Quotes

(Last night as we're getting ready for bed)
"Tomorrow, Jesus is coming!"


(Today, playing by herself)
"Jesus is my friend!"