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Home.

We made it. It may have been a little over a week ago and it may be that I have been too tired to even think about posting on our blog...

But we made it. By the grace of God, we traveled over 9,000 miles, 23 hours, and 3 viewings of Frozen on the airplane to arrive back in Minnesota and into the arms of the people we love.

We have so much to be thankful for. We are figuring out this new life one step at a time, but praising God for His unending mercies, faithfulness, and grace.

Learning each day how to live and breath into our new role as parents.

There is a lot to write about, a lot to discover, and a lot of really hilarious things that (as parents) we probably shouldn't be laughing at. (We will be reporting all these missteps and adventures as soon as we have one solid night of uninterrupted sleep).

For now, here is a little glimpse into one of the most precious moments of our lives.

Thank you to all who have been praying, supporting, journeying through this adventure with us. We know that the hard part is just now starting, but are so thankful for the love we have been shown.

It is good to be home.

Hello 30, Goodbye '13.

Sometimes you need to walk away. Just walk away.
Like when you are trying to hang that weird plastic stuff on your windows because it is supposed to help you keep your house warm and the plastic keeps clinging to you.
Or when you are trying to beat your husband's high score on the phone game "Dots" and have officially cramped your fingers into a permanent "index pointing" position only to realize your score is so low that it doesn't even make the board.
Or when you are trying to get the "perfect" sock bun that everyone says is so easy to do, yet somehow you are the only person in the world who's hair thinks it would look better as a 80's rock star sunburst.

Or when something becomes so overbearing and looming that the pressure makes your heart want to sink faster and more traumatically than the Titanic.

I know that writing is a form of therapy for many. It is a form of therapy for me. At times.

But there was a time that I needed to walk away. When the thought of writing yet another post about our continually postponed adoption made me feel like I was wrapped up in clinging plastic and stuck with my fingers in "index pointing" position. (Awkward picture, eh?)

So, in true form to how I do most anything that I am overwhelmed with...
I walked away.
Unannounced.
I didn't write, I didn't call, I didn't text...I kind of just shut down.
It is clearly not ideal and often quite hurtful to people that I am close with but who really wants to hang out with a girl with crazy hair wrapped up like a plastic mummy? Exactly.

In my time away, I turned 30. Which obviously made me much wiser and sound of mind. I had some time to reflect on this past year and all of the really incredible things that I DIDN'T write about. Yup. Thats right. Good things actually happened! I was just too consumed with our adoption to recognize it.

I realized that although our journey has been crazy and amazing and tons of people have wrapped their arms around us in support, prayer, and love...it is not the only thing going on in my life. And when I let it get to that...I felt smothered. I felt trapped. I felt exhausted.

Just like those people that ONLY EVER talk about their kids. We were ONLY EVER talking about our adoption. And we don't even have a kid yet! Yikes. Not cool, Andersons. Not cool.

So, now that we are both thirty, flirty, and thriving-ish? and clearly WAAAY wiser than we were 12 month ago...
We wanted to share a few moments that made this past year make us not want to walk away and shutdown from the world. Obviously, some adoption stuff is interweaved but hey, we can't just pretend it isn't happening!

Quick Recap:

~Began January with beginning our adoption from South Africa. Announced it with a pic of us through a pic of an iPhone. Classic. 

~ Spent amazing times with friends on the sunny beaches of California. Should have taken advantage of that more (cough, -13 today, cough).

~ A visit from my beautiful friend Jenny, Erik's 30th birthday trip to Chicago for the Cubs Home Opener, and family visits out to California full of wine, golf, and blueberry picking.

~ Quality and amazing friendships made over the past 6 years because God brought us to California to begin our marriage, all of whom we have been unbelievably blessed by!

~A sad farewell to a trusty ole car that was stolen and stripped and towed to the salvage yard. RIP Green Machine.

~Dossier #2: finished. 

~ Celebrated 5 years of laughing, loving, crying & adventuring by getting tattoos. We are so romantic. 

~Finished up our year at Modesto Covenant with an incredible group of students, a crazy Adventure trip to somewhere in Nevada, and people who will forever be a part of our hearts. They packed up our apartment into a UHAUL in less than 2 hours. No joke. Rockstars.

~We moved. Like big time moved to Minnesota. God called, we answered. Our journey was epic. Still is. 

~ Moved into a 1923 house that we love, started at a new church that we love, live in a city that we love. I mean...it's okay or whatever.

~ Travelled to Colorado for my cousin's wedding, spent quality time with the fam, and DANCED like I had the lead role in Footloose.

~Our nephew, Wells, was born and we are obsessed. 

~Watching Bella walk in snow for the first time in her life. Hilarious. 

~Enjoying being close to one of my favorite families in this entire nation/world, seeing family more often, cutting down our own Christmas trees, and exploring parts of the Midwest I've never seen before. 

~ Siblings. 

So here's to a new year, probably filled with a lot more adoption news than anyone ever wanted to know, but also filled with sweet moments outside of that which define our lives and bring us life. 

I suppose sometimes walking away to gain perspective on all the good isn't so bad after all. 

Cheers and Adios to 2013. 

Times...They Are A Changin'

“To make a shift from one to another,” “to give a different position, course, or direction,” “to make radically different.” These are just some of the ways “change” is defined. And if we are all being honest here….change is never easy. It forces us to let go of control, to throw away our checklists (side note…I have a deep love for checklists), causes many sleepless nights, and destroys the walls of our comfort zone.

But both my husband and I sense that God has ordered a plate of change for our lives with a side of “buckle up for the ride.”

So here is what is going on with the Andersons. A few months ago, my incredible husband Erik was approached by a church in Minnesota about possibly coming on staff with them in an awesome opportunity to serve as their High School Pastor. We were completely surprised by the conversation since we hadn't been looking at other churches and are obviously not at an ideal spot in our lives to move. We had been praying non-stop since we starting talking with them and being careful to listen extremely closely and clearly to where God was leading.

After a lot of time, prayer, and conversations, we decided to accept this call. It was and has been a super hard decision and not one (if you ask me) that seems to make any sense as far as timing goes...but we feel clear and confident that God has called us to go and we are doing our best to be faithful to Him.

So…in 8 days we will be packing up and heading back toward the Midwest. It has and will continue to be a total whirlwind!

We can’t say enough how thankful we are to all of the people who loved us so much over the years here in Modesto, at our church and the community that has been built up around us. The students, families, and friends that we have grown to love so much are so incredible and we have been so blessed by each of them in unbelievable ways.  They have made us better people in everyway possible.

And specifically looking back on our adoption journey, we could not have come this far without each of them. When we felt alone, weak, confused, excited, scared out of our minds, joyful, the community here has wrapped their arms around us, encouraged us, and loved us and our future children so fully…it is hard to even put into words.

We hate that we have to say goodbye (or more like see you soon) to friends that we have depended on the last several years, but we are so thankful that we do have those friendships and all of the support, love, and encouragement that we have received in the last 6 years of our journey.

So here is to life’s next step and next adventure. And as hard as it is to say farewell…

We can’t wait to see what God has planned. 

Unto Us.

For today...yes today...

a child is born to us.

A son is given to us. 

The government will rest on his shoulders. 

And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace.

With grateful and expectant hearts today, not just for what is to come but for what has come...

Merry Christmas indeed.

The Andersons

The Andersons and the Foothills

Ok. To be honest. It was awesome.

And no...we can't stop talking about how much we love each other so you will just have to be okay with expecting that a lot.

Here are a few of the highlights of our 24 hour journey to the wondrous foothills of the Sierras...

...everything from dancing and antiquing to President Anderson of Earth bringing the boys home...

Most of all, it was a perfect way to celebrate the love we have for each other and the crazy amounts of fun that we are still having...4 years and counting.

Mini Session, Mini Preview

We did our Mini Session Photography Fundraiser this past Saturday and WHOA!!! It was INCREDIBLE!!! We had such a blast creating unique and fun backdrops, capturing some amazing photos, laughing, and getting to know some really incredible families!

Sadly, we had to cancel the afternoon because the weather just got a little too severe...
40 mph winds and horizontal rain don't make for the best photography? Weird.

We did, however, have a great morning and got some fantastic shots before the monsoon rolled in so I thought we would give you all a quick preview! Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day!

The best part about all of this is that we get to do it again this weekend!! AH! So, if you didn't get a chance to sign up but want to...let me know! 

Thanks to everyone who did come out this past Saturday and braved the crazy weather with us! We had so much fun and feel so blessed by each of you!  

Location Location Location

I was just informed that this is the first rule of business.

Or as I like to say "Biz-nas." Uh.

Location. Location. Location.

We have our location for our Mini Session Fundraiser and HOLY MOLY...it's going to be legit!! So, if you haven't signed up for a photo session...

GET ON IT!

And if you already have signed up then you have probably been waiting very patiently to know where we will be making all of this magic happen.

Well here is a little preview...

The family that owns the Tulip Farm on the corner of Claribel and Oakdale are letting us use their 90 year old barn (including a tractor and their farm) to snap some incredible pictures of children and families for our fundraiser! 

This means the possibilities are endless! With the backgrounds we are making and the natural backgrounds that just happen to already be there...

This is basically going to be the best photo op experience next to an African Safari or an afternoon with Bieber. 

And better yet (than Bieber? I know!) there is still time to sign up! So call me or email me if you haven't already! 

We can't wait till Saturday!

Threads of Our Journey

This is something that we have been looking forward to doing since we started this adoption...

And yes...this is the announcement that I was referring to in my previous post...so HOLD ON TO YOUR PANTS!!

And change your shirts?

Because we've got new ones for you to put on!!

We proudly introduce our first set of Love All Adoption T-shirts!!!!

This is a design that came from our hearts as not only a couple who is adopting, but a couple who believes deeply in the call to "Love All" through our ministry, words, actions, and lives. 

And so, as we walk this journey, we wanted to make something that would remind us constantly that it is not just about our adoption...

But about loving others through everything that we do!

So support our adoption and the call to "Love All"...

And buy a shirt!!! 

just one of them days.

I'm so tired. (this is me whining).

Like straight up, dragged down, emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritual EXHAUSTED!

5 hour energy can't even cure this situation.

And I don't really have a good excuse. Seriously.

All things considered, I'm a bit of a slacker.

I guess everything just piled up on top of each other and the weight got a bit too heavy today. Ministry, marriage, adoption, photography, fundraising...BLAH!

Do you ever have those days where life is just too much? Where you don't know how you got there but you are literally on the verge of a complete breakdown?

That is me. Right now. Right here. Happening today.

I kind of just want to go sit in a room somewhere for like 4 days and not talk to anyone.

How is that even appealing?

You would have thought there would be some kind of warning, right? Like flashing lights and detours signs? I feel like that pour little kitten hanging from the tree branch.

...I just feel it super necessary to give a visual reminder here in case any of us have forgotten the wonder of "Scholastic" and all of the ridiculous posters they allowed you to purchase in the name of education. Amazing...

Ok back on track...
I'm reminded today of the reason we started this blog and the theme that holds it and our lives together. I don't want to be reminded today, but I am.

And for my sake, I'm going to share it on here today...if only for me having to read it as I type it out to remind myself of its truth.

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on your. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Top 10 Things I Have Learned from Erik...

1. The more you listen to 970 ESPN radio, the more you understand about every sport that has ever been played. Therefore, it should be on at all times.

2. Gum isn't good unless you chew 2 pieces at a time, more volume...more flavor.

3. Panda Express is not worth it.

4. Sweet Baby Ray's is good on anything.

5. There is no better feeling than jumping on a bandwagon before it becomes a bandwagon. 

6. You can always make it seem like you know what you are talking about, as long as you act like you know what you're talking about.

7. You are never too old to enjoy a good concert in the city...even if you have to stay up past midnight. 

8. Always appreciate a man who has a deeply rooted loyalty to a sports team...even if you don't like their team.  

9. Never give up on your passions, even if you loose track of time and get distracted by life. Your passions make you into the person that you are...so make time for them.

10. You can never encourage someone enough. Always have a truthful and kind word to share with the people around you. 

Bonus!!!!

11. Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your strength, and with all your mind...

And love others as yourself. 

The list could go on for days...seriously...he is a genius! 

But to keep it to a reasonable reading length, I will just say this...

Each day I am learning more about how to love and cherish my husband. And each day he teaches me something new through being the person he is and the man he is becoming. I don't think I give him enough credit for his wisdom, guidance, love, and direction.

So, today on your birthday, Erik, I want to say...

Thank you. Thank you for being so strong, so humble, so understanding, so patient, so loving, and so willing to journey this life with me. I am blessed by you each day. You make my life better each day. And I love you more and more each day. 

Wouldn't and couldn't do it without you. 

Happy Birthday!

Happy Love!

Happy Love day!

I hope that you are feeling loved today no matter what stage of life you are in! Today is a great day to celebrate those around you who have loved you and walked through life with you!

So whether friends, siblings, parents, husbands, wives, boyfriends or girlfriends...

Go give someone a hug! :)

Or write a sweet note...

I promise. They will feel loved.

Equipped.

A little less than a year and a half ago I was sitting in the basement conference room of a Marie Calendar's in Pismo Beach, CA listening to a man talk to pastors and their spouses.

My spouse was currently NOT present as he was learning to hear God's voice more clearly in the vastness of nature, fondly known as the "Back Nine".

I had just come off of a weekend conference for Youth Leaders in San Diego, stacked with famous worship leaders, powerful speakers, and more free candy than anyone could ever dream.

Often times, these kinds of things overwhelm me to the point of no return. It is a lot of people. A lot of Christian "networking". A lot of youth pastors with back packs and new balance shoes. A lot of seminars. A LOT of "God".

Please note: I am not talking about the "lot of God" that is good, satisfying, and necessary. I'm talking about the "lot of God" that is in your face, publicized, "if you don't raise your hands in a powerful fist pumped toward the heavens during worship you must not be a very good Christian" lot of God.

There is a huge difference.

So...maybe it was that.
Maybe I was coming down off of a starstruck sugar high...

Either way...I was tired, moody, and didn't want to be stuck in a room with a whole bunch of pastors. Again.

Usually in these situations, I come up with a really good excuse for why I need to "rest" in my hotel room and spend some quiet time with the Lord aka catch up on my missed shows on Hulu.

But this day, I was through the door of the conference room, sitting at a table, "spouse-less", with notebook and bad attitude in hand.

This is the message I heard that morning. The message that I needed to hear and haven't forgotten.

God's intentions are not thwarted by our failures. Even through defeat, He is carrying out His call on your life. Why? Because He has been working on our call before we were even here. He has equipped us with everything that we need to walk into His call because...

What is ordinary to us becomes extraordinary for the sake of God. 

This Christmas, as a gift from my brother-in-law, this message became a permanent reminder to me that God is faithful, that He has equipped me with what I need to walk into His call, and that it is ALL about Him. 

May we always be reminded that walking this walk requires faith, action, trust, and obedience. 

And sometimes, we just have to step out of our comfortability and insecurities to recognize that we have been equipped with extraordinary resources to live, love, and make God known.