Ugly Sweaters and Pregnant Bellies

We wanted to show off the new sense of style we are sporting these days. Aren't we cute? This is a picture from our "Ugly Sweater Bowling Night" with the InterVarsity crew. Brendan won 2nd place in the ugly sweater contest, though I contend that he should've won 1st.

Here's Brendan with his 2nd place "trophy" along with Brad, the IV chapter president.

We promised some friends we'd post some of my latest belly shots. So here's one, at 28 weeks. I still am getting comments about how small I am! I can tell you though, our little baby girl doesn't feel so small anymore. Our nighttime entertainment is watching her move around. We are convinced there is a little gymnast in there! Last night Brendan found a definite foot and she kicked him back for about 20 minutes. A Daddy's girl already.

And lastly, a baby present from my mom. (Thanks Momma!) It's the little things like this that help connect us with the fact that in 12 weeks or so we are going to have our little daughter on the outside. We can't wait! Hopefully we'll remember our Lamaze breathing and relaxation techniques on the big day.

Cannon Beach

Hello everyone! Here is a picture from our recent trip to the Oregon coast. You'll remember this rock from the movie "Goonies"... if you are old enough to have see it. This rock (behind us) is called Haystack Rock, and is located in the small town of Cannon Beach. We went away for a long weekend, to celebrate Katie's birthday, and to have a belated anniversary celebration.

So, we're planning on using this blog site A LOT more in the coming days and weeks, since we've got a lot to keep friends and family up to date on... especially our growing BABY! (She's not on the outside yet, but will soon be). Katie is 28 weeks pregnant tomorrow, and we'll be posting pictures of her soon. Enjoy, and be blessed.

March musings...

It's March 12th already! Where is the time going?

Ok, now that I've finished expressing my brief lament about the quick passage of time, I'll get on to more interesting and relevant things.

Life is going pretty well in Missoula, MT. It's a sunny spring morning. The sky is blue, the birds are chirping, and the leaves are just starting to come out on the trees (they're still just little leaf buds, really). But all that lifts my spirits. Funny how sunshine can affect your mood.

Katie and I have been well. We've been learning a lot about trusting God, both to provide for us, and to lead us as we follow him. I've been scambling around a lot lately, preparing to speak at Intervarsity meetings (about God's concern for the poor), leading music at church, organizing spiritual survey's on campus, and many, many other things. Thankfully, it is God who does the real work. Mine is just to be faithful. And I have much joy today that God has given me things to do. Some people would love to work, and yet have nothing. So I'm thankful for meaningful labor.

If I'm honest, much of what I've been thinking about these days has been related to music. Somehow, as I've embraced the gift and passion I have for music, it has become a key part of knowing God in my life, and of processing life. I've been writing songs about myself (how warped and self-centered I am), about the poor, about God's awakening and transforming power in our lives... and much more. I'm really looking forward to the day in the future when I can share some of the music with you all.

And as a last quick note - I've been reading several books that have been tremendously good for my soul: The Pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer, and Orthodoxy, by G.K. Chesterton. If I ever write a book, I'll have to go by B.M. Jamieson.

A Slightly Longer Test

So, I've just got this thing up and running (thanks to a WHOLE lot of help from Geoff Welch). I'll try and post some thoughts I think every so often. For many of you, the only thing you hear about from me is Intervarsity stuff. That's great, but I do think things on my own, apart from Intervarsity, and my life with God has been growing and changing in many ways of late.
So, that's that for now. Grace and peace to you all in Christ.

Brendan