We're here...

We made it. So, so many stories to tell, but most of them involve Isa screaming bloody murder through 2 flights. What can we say? The girl hates to be confined, and wanted the whole plane to know about it! It was miserable, and I'd rather walk from Vancouver to Ohio than get on another plane anytime soon. With that behind us, we're in the thick of unpacking our things and getting used to spending $7 on a package of shredded cheese (I'm not kidding...I had a near meltdown in the grocery store).

Our apartment is great! It's way bigger than we expected. We'll get pics up soon, and hopefully a video tour of the place.

Re: our apartment...for those of you who received our 'change of address cards', well, it was wrong. We'll send out an email tomorrow with our correct address. If you don't get it, please let us know.

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Packin' Up, Movin' Out...

Here's all the stuff...do you think it'll fit?

I took a time-lapse video. Click play to find out:




Music: Restless Ones, by Josh Garrels.

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Few pictures before we head out...

Eloisa and cousin Johanan are two peas in a pod. We often find Johanan sitting on top of Isa who is totally sprawled out on the floor and can't get up. Here they are at the ice cream shop...completely uninterested in ice cream and just entertaining each other.

Eloisa is such a little mother. She tries to be so sweet and gentle with Sofia. Unfortunately, grace is not her middle name and therefore handing Sofia a toy turns into hitting her on the head with it, hugging her becomes knocking her over backwards, and sitting down next her to play equals sitting right on top of her.

Another cousin for the kids to play with! Jay, Megan and Jackson welcomed baby Matea into the world on Friday (Ben's birthday!). She is beautiful!

Aunt Janelle bought superhero PJs for Benjamin and Johanan. Benjamin was so excited he wouldn't stop running around for me to actually get a picture of his face. He did stop long enough to give batman a hug.

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Hard days...

A week from today I will be on a plane with the three kiddos on our way to Vancouver. My heart is heavy and sad today as we begin the process of saying goodbye to those we love so much. Is the Lord calling us thousands of miles away to serve Him in the city of Vancouver? Yes He is. Do we have a peace about this calling? Yes we do. Is it still incredibly difficult to move so far away from people that love us so well and surround us with so much support and encouragement? Yes it is. As we said goodbye to two of Benjamin's favorite people today, his Uncle Matt and Aunt Julie, all I could do was thank the Lord that he is too little to understand how far away we are moving him. To Benjamin it was a regular hug and kiss 'bye bye' but to me it was a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes, 'wish I could still see you every week' bye.

A missionary couple in their 60s were recently at our church and they shared how hard it is to be so far away from their kids and grandkids. The wife said something that has kept running through my mind every time I get really sad about leaving. She said, "The greatest gift I can give my kids and grandkids is my obedience to the Lord. It's more important than even my presence." I do believe that to be true. It doesn't make it easy but it keeps me focused on eternal things and reminds me how temporary our life on this earth is. So please pray for us as we practice obedience and hug lots of people tight that we would love to be able to see everyday.
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Birthday Celebration

Benjamin's birthday isn't until the 23rd but since everyone was together we decided to celebrate last night.

Aunt Julie and Uncle Matt got Benjamin Micky Mouse pizzas so this was Benjamin's second dinner of the night.

Drew and I got Benjamin Monopoly Town and he whooped his daddy and Uncle Matt fair and square.

Hours after blowing out candles Benjamin finally decided it was time for cake and he wanted it 'cut into pieces like Isa'.

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So You Think You Can Dance?

Benjamin got some new CD's from Grandma Pam for his birthday, and spent the evening entertaining all with his dance moves. Surprise ending: see the result of Isa's forehead meeting the corner of a couch.


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Family Reunion Zoo

My (Bekah) brother, Josh, and his family are in town for the weekend. It has been over a year since we have all been together and we have all added three little ones (soon to be four...hurry up Jay and Megan!) since that time. What a joy and blessing to all be able to spend time together.




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The Secret Ingredient...

Bekah told me that many of you have asked, "What camera do you use?" She asked me to share our lil' secret on the blog.

Here's our secret:



Canon Powershot G9. We've had our eye on this camera for a little while, and really wanted to have a nice one for our adventure in Vancouver. We were blessed to receive a Visa Gift Card from the young adults at our church to help cover some of the costs, and we LOVE THIS CAMERA.

It's basically a digital SLR for dummies, or it can serve as a compact SLR for photography experts. If you're also a photoshopping ninja, you can save the pics in RAW format and modify them as you please. What's also nice: unlike most DSLR's, with the G9 you can still shoot video clips.

It's a bit bulkier than a digital ELPH, but the quality makes up for that. So, to sum it up: Great camera + adorable children = great pictures.

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Yep...we're THAT family.

We are THAT family...we now have a missionary magnet.
Jodi, great work! We love it.

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Samuel

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Family Haircuts

Drew, Benjamin, Isa and I all had haircuts this morning...our last haircuts until August when our beloved cosmetologist, Janessa, comes out to visit us in Vancouver. We might look a little shaggy by them but she's our favorite so we will wait for her. :)

Before Photos:

And After:

Happy 1 1/2 yr. Birthday Isa!

Since she celebrated her 1 yr. birthday apart from us in Guatemala, we decided to have a mini-celebration for breakfast on May 8th to celebrate her 1 1/2 bday. Yeah Pop Tarts! Notice the candles (1 1/2)!



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Happy Mother's Day!

Getting 3 kids to all look and smile at the camera is hard!
Happy Mother's Day, Bekah! You are the best mom ever!
Ben told Bekah yesterday: "Happy Mother's Day Momma! You're tritty (pretty)!"

Today was a special day for yet another reason, as Isa and Sam were dedicated to the Lord at church. Sam wore the same outfit Ben wore when he was dedicated. So suave. Isa wore a dress I picked out in Guatemala. She looked beautiful!

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Pray for Tyson and Leslie

Many of you [Taylor Grads, Archbold Grads, Miracle Camp alumni, etc] know Tyson Aschliman. His wife, Leslie, is in the battle of her life; cancer is trying its best to destroy her lungs and body.

Follow her journey HERE, and get on your knees and intercede for Leslie, Tyson, and little TJ.

[Donate to the Moser family's mission in Vancouver! Click HERE to give online.]

Pray for Guatemalan Adoptions

The situation surrounding Guatemalan adoptions is getting worse. All adoptions have just been put on hold for a month to evaluate the 'legitimacy' of all cases.

Having endured many setbacks in our own adoption, we know how difficult (read: excruciating) this is for adoptive parents.

Pray that all ethical, legal cases that are in process would be completed without any further delay. These delays hurt the children more than anyone, but they are tortuous for adoptive parents. Plus, by the post below, we now more fully know the amazing blessing awaiting each adoptive family who are now stuck in the bureaucratic red tape.

There's even a call to join others in prayer for the orphans of Guatemala tomorrow: National Day of Prayer for the Orphans of Guatemala.

Let's pray for God to move.

[Donate to the Moser family's mission in Vancouver! Click HERE to give online.]

Our Mayan Diva

I think the pictures say it all. This girl gets funnier by the day.

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MoneyExchange

If you use PayPal, but don't like the selling fees, give MoneyExchange a try. Click on the button above and sign up for an account [by May 15!], and they'll put $25 in it [and $10 in mine for referring you]. Refer some friends yourself, and you'll get $10 referral fees as well.

NO FEES to use your buy/sell/exchange using your account, unless you're ordering a check with funds from the account.

[Donate to the Moser family's mission in Vancouver! Click HERE to give online.]

Benjamin's Prayer

So this was Benjamin's prayer at lunch today:

"Jesus in my heart, thank you for mama and daddy and this family. Help Jackson walk and talk. Amen!"

There is just nothing sweeter than to hear him talk to Jesus.

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Yum

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Visit from the Browns

Drew's grandpa and grandma and his aunt and uncle met us in Indianapolis this weekend at his parent's house. It was wonderful to see you all and introduce you to our two new additions. Thank you for coming all that way to see us before we head to Vancouver!

Every attempt at a family photo was somewhat unsuccessful as Benjamin would announce before every picture, "Ben no smile, mama."

Great Grandma Peggy

Again, "No smile, mama."

Isa with Great Uncle Mike

Papa Bill trying to win over Isa.

Benjamin spent lots and lots of time in the swing.

Isa LOVES her Papa.

Benjamin and Papa Bill

Isa being hilarious saying, "CHEESE!"

Reading with Papa Bill

[Donate to the Moser family's mission in Vancouver! Click HERE to give online.]