By A Minute...

So....We are in....Kansas City still! We did not need to pack up and head for Canada this morning which was a relief!

The last few days were a bit crazy as we journeyed through hurdles and paperwork. We had a few delays so the filing of our application was just in the nick of time...literally.

Our lawyer had until 5:00pm his time last night (December 2) to file our application. He was still asking for extra documents within 10-15 minutes of this deadline. But....we got an email at 4:59 his time (6:59pm our time) that it made it in!

I knew we needed it sent that day, but somehow I didn't quite grasp the urgency of that very hour. When it hit me that we made it by a literal minute, it was filed and we didn't need to pack and leave in the morning, I just finally had a cry.

There has been a lot of grace over the process and I'm grateful to the Lord! I have grown since the last time we did this and feel like I have more of a history with the Lord and trusted more. But, these moments are stressful too and I think the unexpected tears were a release I was needing!

So, now we wait. We wait to hear if more information is needed and if we are approved or denied. It can take up to 3-6 months to hear. In the meantime, we cannot leave the country because we wouldn't be allowed back in.

We still have urgent needs.....the funds to do this application, a very large unexpected financial cost above the cost of the visas that we weren't aware of, a great increase in our monthly support to keep working here and a ton of favor on our application because it doesn't sound overly likely to be approved. Please pray with us and let us know if you want to be a part of helping in any of these areas.

I was in the prayer room on Monday and found comfort and assurance in Revelation 3:7 - "He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens" talking about Jesus. He alone will either open or close this door for us. I can rest in that. Whew...what a ride!

And now that we are still here today....time to celebrate a very special boy who is turning 4 tomorrow! Switching gears quickly from all things visa and uncertainty of where we would be come December 3rd to birthday mode!

Blessings!

A Little Rest!

Thanks for the prayers for Owen's little body and rest for our family! Owen's rash is gone and his cheek is recovering nicely from its recent flare up. And.....I got a pretty good night's sleep last night and a nap today! He slept a lot better last night =) So thanks for the prayers! There was immediate fruit!

Please keep praying for our visas and provision! The next few days could be a little exciting to say the least =) And in the midst of it, I'm planning a 4 year old birthday party, believing that we will be here for it!

The Crazy Ride!

I just remembered that this existed a day or two ago! Life is full with my two cuties and my time on the computer is very limited. So if you are coming to check in, thank you for being so faithful!

I just wanted to fill you in on our present roller coaster ride!

December 3rd is a week away and it marks the date our visas expire. After months of seeking the Lord, asking others to pray and seeking some counsel, we decided a few weeks ago to pursue the extension of our visas for another term here at YWAM KC. It was an interesting process and we expected to hear much sooner and much clearer....hoping for writing on the wall =) The Lord has been speaking Proverbs 16:9 to us, " A man's heart plans his way but the Lord directs his steps" and we are moving forward believing the Lord will open and close doors as we trust Him and walk this journey with Him!

Fast forward to this week.....

Monday, we finally got contact with our lawyer and after some misunderstanding, he is now in high gear trying to get our paperwork submitted before the deadline. We also hear from the motor vehicle branch that we can't renew our driver's licenses until we have a specific document from immigration.

Yesterday, Shane worked super hard all day with mounds of paperwork going back and forth with the lawyer. We had some unexpected hurdles and get the impression approval for an extension is not looking overly likely in the natural. What a perfect set up for the Lord to show His power if He wants this door to remain open for us =) Last night was intense with the unexpected hurdles and finance stuff which had us seeking the Lord on our faces...literally. We also found out that not only can we not renew the driver's for the 30 days we thought, but now it is until our visas are approved which took 6 months last time.

Today....breakthrough and favor with a supervisor at the motor vehicle branch! Though they cannot renew our driver's licenses, she granted us a temporary driving privilege for 90 days and if our approval hasn't come yet, we can have an additional 90 days! Praise the Lord! Shane did more paperwork back and forth with the lawyer and this evening we heard from him again. It looks like we will receive the documents from the lawyer to sign on Monday (since tomorrow is a holiday and many also take Friday) and fed ex them to California. The lawyer will review them and complete any finishing touches Tuesday and fed ex them to another location in California. At this point, it looks like our application should reach immigration by Wednesday, just in time for the expiry on Thursday. Whew!

On top of these pressures, our littlest buddy has been feverish and now we know he has been working through roseola. Poor guy!

So, we need your prayers!
1. For all the paperwork to go smoothly and quickly!
2. For no more hurdles in the process and no delays that would effect our deadline.
3. That the application would be submitted in time so that we don't have to leave the country by December 3 but if suddenly we need to leave, that we would make it to the border in time and all the details would fall into place.
3. For miraculous provision for the costs associated with the visa process (and our needs in general).
4. For the ability to trust the Lord and rest in His peace through this crazy process!
5. For healing for Owen and rest for us all

We will keep you posted as it all unfolds!

If you would like to give towards our urgent visa expenses, click here or contact me privately by clicking here!

The Latest

Hello out there....if anyone is there anymore! It is almost completely impossible to get to the computer these days....like I said last post =) I've been meaning to blog and have so many great thoughts but very minimal time to do such things!

Owen is 3 months now and such a sweetheart! Teething like crazy, rolling and wearing 12-18 month sleepers! He is super sweet, talks all the time and gives the best smiles =)

Noah is full, full, full of 3 year old energy and has so much love in his heart for his little brother! He has an incredibly creative imagination and says the most incredible things! Such a smart kid!

And...we are heading to Canada for a visit! In one week we will be driving up! Please pray for our family, especially that Owen would do well in his car seat. We are really looking forward to introducing him to his grandparents =)

Gotta run! But glad I made it on here!

9 weeks already!

It is near to impossible to get computer time these days =) Life is full, full, full and that is just fine!

Owen is 9 weeks already and a lovely 14 lbs 8 oz and about 26 inches long (off the graph for percentiles for height)! He is such a sweetheart =) He loves to eat, coo, adores his big brother and still dislikes the car seat. He is a snuggler and gives great hugs. He's been having some troubles with rashes and we are hoping it isn't eczema but too early to tell. He is a big, handsome fellow =)

Noah is a great big brother and enjoys loving on his little brother with lots of kisses, snuggles and I love yous. He is a big fan of being on the play mat beside the little guy.

We are adjusting well as a family of four and I'm so happy to have my 3 boys =) We had a wonderful visit with my dad and Rose a few weeks ago which was a total blessing!

If you are thinking of Owen, pray for his sensitive skin!

Not Pregnant Any Longer!

Well, I've been missing....for a very important reason =)

Somehow I thought I blogged a few weeks ago, but apparently I didn't! Well, I have news to inform you that I am no longer pregnant (though most of you or all of you would know that already)! Sure happy to no longer be pregnant, though I really do love being pregnant. I was a little more uncomfortable this time around....and for good reason!

Owen Jeremiah Farrow joined our family on the outside world on Memorial Day evening, May 25th at 10:24pm! He weighed 10 lbs 7 oz and measured 24 inches long! He is a big boy! He came in a hurry when he finally came but everyone made it in time for the birthday party and everything went really smoothly =) From our text to our midwife saying we thought it was real labor vs the Braxton Hicks I have for months until Owen's arrival was only 1.5 hours...lol. I guess all those practice contractions were not for nothing ;)

Owen is 4 weeks now and we are doing well! He is a champ at eating and a great sleeper at night, for which I am VERY thankful and hope continues. His big brother is very happy in his new role and quite the helper and affectionately loves on his little brother all the time =) They are cute together and I look forward to seeing their relationship grow and develop over time. Our transition to a family of 4 has gone really smoothly and I'm so thankful for the grace of God! Shane has been such an awesome support in the transition!

Here's a few pics of our little big man =) A little photo shoot with Nana =)

Yep....still pregnant!

In case some of you are checking the blog for baby info, we are still preggo! My earliest due date that we were going with had my due date as May 17, which would make me 6 days overdue today. But, the typical due date wheel would only make me due today May 23rd. Just depends how you look at it! So, I am kinda overdue but maybe not too =)

There has been such an abundance of grace from the Lord this week. He has been so kind and so faithful and I trust He has a handpicked birthday for this cutie =) We will continue to lean into Him in the waiting process =) I'm looking forward to meeting this little one and super excited to find out gender! And I'm ready to move past the pregnant part =)

If you think of us, pray for grace in the waiting, safety and protection for the remainder of pregnancy and the delivery and a great birth story =) Thanks!

Happy Due Date!

Today is our due date! 40 weeks according to an early ultrasound (otherwise I first calculated this coming Thursday)! Noah was born right on his due date so we'll see what happens though things are very normal right now and it's already 5pm =) But you never know! I'm thinking sometime in the next few days things will happen!

To bring in the due date, we had a tornado warning and heard the sirens at 11:30pm and had to head for the rescue zone! It is like ringing in the new year but instead we rang in the due date with some natural disaster drama! We've not had to do that yet in our 3 years here so far until last night. I had to wake Noah and off we went. He did great and thankfully the sirens went off really soon after so we could return and put him back to bed.

Thankful for beautiful weather today, no tornado near us and 40 weeks today! Come on out and meet us, baby!

Waiting in Anticipation

So....38 weeks and 5 days. For some reason I feel extra desire this pregnancy to have this baby already despite not even being due yet. I'm just sooooo curious about whether this little one is a boy or girl and can't wait to meet him or her! Also....a little abnormal.....I'm looking forward to birthing a baby again and having a great birth story to cherish :)

So....still 9 days until our due date of May 17. And I could be overdue. The biggest challenge is surrendering the timing every day. It is all about hoping and anticipating something wonderful and yet not letting excitement turn into obsessive thinking and anxiety. I can't control any of it anyways and just have to wait and contend for peace in the process.

I am feeling ready and hoping my body has rest and grace for the remainder of pregnancy, however long or short it may be. And even more, that my mind and heart have peace and joy in the waiting :)

Pregnancy Photo Shoot!

I have totally fallen off the blogging wagon since I went to Canada in March! I spent almost 3 weeks in Canada with family which was great =) Then have been in busy baby prep mode the last number of weeks as we prepare for our newest addition! We are 38 weeks tomorrow and excited to meet this little one soon!

Yesterday we did a little family photo shoot compliments of my sister and I thought it would be fun to show you some of the pics =)

I'm so blessed to have these ones in my life! Thank you Jesus =)

My Family!

I get to see my family!!! This week!!

After 2 months of prayer, we decided that Noah and I are going to drive up to Canada and spend some time with family before baby arrives in May! I am looking forward to seeing my mom and dad after not seeing them for the past 7 months since we were up in July. Noah's cousins are growing and we're going to have some fun playdates too =)

I'd love prayer for my trip!
- Prayer for tons of grace and protection for driving all those hours with my talkative 3 year old and 30 week pregnant belly.
- A decrease of the annoying amount of Braxton Hicks contractions I get so that it doesn't concern me away from home.
- All that the Lord has in His heart for my time in Canada would come to pass and it would be a special blessing to me at this time of my life. I'm believing for a special time for my heart and wanting a time of rest and peace before a new baby comes!
- Tons of grace for parenting without Shane for the next 2.5 weeks
- Tons of grace for my pregnant body, especially sleeping in different beds and in the same room as Noah again at this stage of pregnancy

Thank you for your prayers! It's going to be great!

KC Weather!

Kansas City weather is so very strange! As I've mentioned before, it can be gorgeous and warm and then suddenly snowing! It is much more unpredictable than the weather I'm used to up in the Great White North!

For example....February 8th we were out in tang tops, shorts/capris and sandals!

And then, yesterday....

We got snow! Yay! So fun! We've hardly had any of this stuff! But whenever we have Canadian visitors then we usually get snow...lol. And so the Canadians have brought it for the month of February!

Lovely Canadians!!!!

It has been a super fun 9 days around our home! Lots of Canadians!!!!

First, Shaun, Laurissa and Abigail came for 5 days which were filled with incredible sibling quality time, getting to know my precious niece and the simple pleasures of just being together again! It was such a sweet time with these lovely peeps and since I'm so huge on quality time, this time with my siblings was so special to my heart!

Then, our wonderful friends Mark and Bonnie were here for the weekend! They just left earlier this evening after 48 hours filled with double dates, yummy meals, hang out time and simply being together again! What a delight! I'm sooooo grateful they made the trip all the way here just to spend time with us! I love those guys!

I haven't uploaded the most recent pictures but maybe I will add them when I do =) It has been a fun few days! It is always so special when people from Canada come this way because we have a unique amount of quality connecting time that we just don't get when we head to Canada because of the amount of ways we have to split ourselves and the amount of people to connect with.

So, if you want some super fun connecting time with us, come and visit!

Surprise!

My wonderful, precious, beautiful inside-and-out sister turned 30 on Friday. It has been a fun weekend celebrating Stephanie!

We tried to surprise her with my bro, his wife and daughter coming for a surprise visit but she had hoped they would come so badly that she wasn't surprised when they appeared! It has been soooo fun to be together as siblings again! We are soaking in the time together and really enjoying one another's company!

Then yesterday, we got her! We surprised her with a surprise birthday party and blessed her with friends, food, prayer and fellowship =) She is so worth it!

Here's a few pics from yesterday's celebration!

 The sisters!

 My wonderful sister and my big belly (a day short of 27 weeks)!

 Noah and Nana! These two love each other soooo much!

 Covering her in prayer for a new year/decade!

Happy Birthday, lovely Stephanie! I am soooo thankful we are sisters!

We're Not in Canada Anymore Moment

It's been quite a long time since I've done a "We're Not in Canada Anymore" Moment episode! But I thought of it in the last few weeks!

Noah and I were at an appointment and I was talking with the lady at the desk after waiting with other people in the waiting room. I mentioned we were from Canada. Her response was hilarious! She commented how she knew there was something different about us and we seemed different than Americans. She apparently could totally tell we were from Canada. Too funny! What in the world is that supposed to mean?!

I'm hoping the thing that made us stand out in that waiting room was Jesus in us instead =)

Another "We're Not in Canada Anymore" Moment was the weather this week! On Wednesday, it was chilly and we finally got some snow! Not a ton but gorgeous snowflakes fell from the sky for a few hours. I loved it! Then today, the high was supposed to be 19 degrees Celsius! Those extremes are so Kansas City for you!

There we have it folks, a return of the "We're Not in Canada Anymore" Moments!

Sickos on the mend

My boys have been sick the past week. Thankfully, I have remained healthy so far and hope to stay that way! There has been lots of grace to be 24 weeks pregnant and caring for a snuggly toddler so I'm thankful for that too!

Noah hasn't had a cold since the summer and it has been a wonderful half year of no sickness for him! Yay! We fought it with essential oils, rest and a dose of tylenol when the fever was creeping too high and he is on the upswing! I must say, I love having the option of essential oils!

Noah is still a bundle of energy and says the funniest and cutest things, despite being sick. He's the sweetest kiddo! I love that guy!

Shane is also the sweetest guy and I love him too =) He is on the mend too but still needs more rest to recover his energy. He is such a hard worker and carries on without complaint. His thankful heart without complaining provokes me all the time.

And...today I graduate to 25 weeks! I'm happy with that number, feeling very pregnant these days and have lots more growing to do!

Blessings for a new week ahead!

A Message from Noah

Today I asked Noah what he would want to say on the blog. These are his messages...

"I want to say I love you"
"I love my computer"
"I'm all done"

There you have it, folks =)

Hello out there!

Sorry for my absence....my time with the computer is limited!

Life here is good. A new quarter has begun and we have some new faces on the base as the January school has started. Shane had the pleasure of speaking to the DTS last week and hopefully we'll get to know a few of the new students this quarter. Last quarter seemed a little overwhelming for me to get to know many students with over 80 students here, the first trimester of pregnancy and a steep learning curve in some areas of parenting. This January quarter is usually our favorite as a couple for some reason =) So, I'm looking forward to it! It is going to fly by!

Speaking of time flying by, I'm already 23 weeks pregnant and I really think the next 4 months are going to go by in a flash! I'm cherishing the baby movements and fun parts of pregnancy =) I really do love housing life within me. What an honor. I like being pregnant =)

I have been struggling with heart burn in a big way so prayers for that would be greatly appreciated! And for good nights sleeps/no night time back pain!

Shane and I have been chatting about the beginning of the new year and what the Lord is saying to us. We feel like He is saying a few things as we sort our schedule and prioritize. It is going to be a good season!

I'm praying and hoping for a trip to Canada to see my family before baby comes. We'll see what the next few months hold!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all! The start of a new year is always great, filled with expectation for the good things in store for a brand new year!

I love the beginnings and endings of seasons....even though I'm slow to process them sometimes =) I enjoy looking back on a year, journlling the things the Lord has done and recounting all the things I had hoped would happen in a year and did. When looking back at my hopes for my 31st year at my birthday in October, I was blown away and totally blessed by the amazing amount of answered prayer this past year! The Lord heard my cries and moved on my behalf in many ways in 2014!

I am so thankful for:
- Our second baby who is forming and developing beautifully in the womb! 21 weeks already! So thankful to have the honor to be pregnant for the second time.
- No hospital visits for our family in 2014! This is a huge answer to prayer living in the US!
- A 2 bedroom apartment! What an answer to what I've been seeking the Lord about for the past 2.5 years!
- My little family who is full of life and getting to walk out what we feel the Lord has called us to!
- Living in KC....I am really blessed to be here.
- My adorable 3 year old who is teaching me tons every day. He gives the best hugs too!
- My mom....she has been such a support, even from afar, during an intense season of parenting through so many milestones the last few months.
- That my mother-in-law has been healed of breast cancer and heading back to work in the next few weeks. What a huge answer to prayer!

And so much more! What are you thankful for?!