Judah's Birthday

It still amazing that Judah is already one! We celebrated his birthday (actual date is March 9th) over Spring Break in Clay Center, Kansas.


Judah, you are absolutely amazing. You are beyond cute, with your big brown eyes and cute little nose. You are so joyful and laid back, and we're already noticing how much you balance out Samuel's more serious, perfectionist nature. On our worst days, one look at your smiling face, and our day gets soooo much better.
We thank God for you. We didn't know if we'd have any more children after Samuel. While we were still grieving the loss of our baby through miscarriage, God gave us you. We pray more than anything, that you would love God first and foremost in your life, and your love for Him would be your guide. We pray that we will raise/train you well, the way God desires us to, and when the time comes for you to follow God's call on your life, that we will let you go with our blessing. We can't wait to see what all God wants to do through you, and we feel so humbled and blessed that we get to be your parents. You are a beautiful gift and we love you so, so much!

Update 3/7/11

We are long overdue for sending out an update to you all… we hope you are doing well!
We stayed in Chicago over Christmas break and Lisa’s family came to visit for several days. I also took a week-long intensive course on Ruth and Esther in early January and then had a week off before classes started back up.
My second semester is halfway over and going smoothly so far. I am thoroughly enjoying my classes again and finding more and more that this is what I want to do, and feel called to do, with my life. Lisa and I have had many good conversations about the future, wondering what it might look like. We are excited about that and look forward to how God may lead us. Her support to me is amazing and life-giving. I thank God for such an incredible wife.
Samuel and Judah keep growing up into little boys who are wildly fun. Judah is completely mobile on all fours now and is starting to play with big brother quite a bit. His laugh is quite hilarious and contagious. Both boys love to wrestle Dad and snuggle Mom, though sometimes the roles do switch so that I get snuggles and Lisa gets attacked.
I was recently struck with a renewed sense of wonder while reading Romans 5:6-10. Basically, it says that at “just the right time,” when we were still powerless sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. Why is our condition of powerlessness considered to be “just the right time?” The passage goes on to explain that while we were still sinners—at our very worst—Christ died for us. And this is the demonstration, the absolute best picture, of the love of God. I have been meditating on this passage for days now, and my perceptions of God’s love are still way too small. I cannot get my mind around this. How could anyone do this? And if he was willing to do this for his enemies, the passage explains, how much more can we have confidence in God now, after being reconciled to him? Enemies with no hope suddenly become permanently adopted family. What else can they do, but celebrate?
We want to continually express our thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and support. We have been so blessed to have the kind of encouragement that we have been given. We ask that you continue to pray for us, as we always need it and desire to be covered with God’s protection and provision.

Much love to all of you,
Mark, Lisa, Samuel, & Judah

Weekly photos

Not really much photos to share right now, but I do have a pretty cute one of...

Samuel with Pony, who by the way, has had his tail fall off three times now. All were completely traumatic for Samuel, so I played "doctor" and mended Pony up as quickly as possible. Then, after Pony's fixed, I become Samuel's hero for a while, which is lovely.
Also, in this picture, you'll notice that Sam is in nothing but a towel. That's because he just had a bath, and always after his baths, he loves to come sit by the radiator for a while and get all toasty warm.

Another picture of Sam...


He's totally into Star Wars legos and here are his legos after a pretty intense battle. Notice how Annakin, Snow Troopers, and others are now decapitated and dismembered as a result of the wrath of Optimus Prime (located by Sam's right arm). Ugh. Boys. :) I can't wait to have a little girl someday that wants to play with dolls and do fun girly things. Boys are especially weird at times.
Here's a closeup of Annakin. Poor Annakin.


Here's Mark, following in the tradition of his Grandpa Decker by taking a nap on the floor after lunch. :)


And finally, I'll leave with a video of our little man Judah.