Pimped Out Ride and a Random Facebook Message

Well, there it is! My birthday present for the next 5 years! I never thought I would love it as much as I do. It is a Nissan Quest SL and thanks to our other vehicle for blowing it's engine we are looking forward to hulling our family around in it.

So my random FB message episode this week came from someone that I have never met and who is not one of my FB friends. This person is from Palastine and in her very poorly written English grammar she tells me that "anybody can be pregnant, babies are cute, pregnant women are not, they are not pretty and are ugly." My first thought to this message was, 'wow, apparently someone thinks I am ugly.' I wrote her back and asked her what she meant by her statement. She replied, "It just seems like you think you are the only pregnant women on earth, and your aren't." My reply, 'okay, but what are you basing that opinion on since you don't know me and have no access to my FB profile?' Her reply, "please don't send me anymore messages. I have three kids and a cat to care for and don't have time to read them. If you send me anymore message I won't read them and besides, why would I since you are not my facebook friend." Well there you have it. Odd! Apparently she is an Aunt of someone I know and she had the time to write me to tell me how she felt but doesn't have the time to answer my questions about her accusations against me. After her rude comments she actually requested my friendship on FB. Ha! So to all you pregnant women out there. You are not ugly! You are very pretty and your babies will be very cute!

22 lbs gained and 8 weeks to go to Show Time!

I can't believe how fast time flies when you are pregnant! I am very ready to have this baby and 8 weeks feels so far away, but really, it's not. Before I know it I will have the most adorable Joe or Mel JR. in my arms. I am starting my 32nd week this week and still feeling great. I don't feel like I have gained 22 lbs, but when I look in the mirror, that is a whole different story. I feel huge when really, I'm not. I'm just not used to having a belly in the way of everything I do.
I had my 2nd appointment with our midwife today. We spent a lot of time just talking about our families, our life, our desires, and of course camp stuff. She is very tuned in to getting to know us and I have felt like we are building more than just a professional relationship. Our next appointment will be at our home so she can become familiar with our environment. The last thing she usually does before we leave is check my blood pressure, listen for the baby's heart rate, and feel for the baby's position which is head down, right where it should be!
Other updates in the Wisley family. Joe and I have a new niece from Tailand! Her name is Noni and she is 8 years old and speaks very little english. Joe's step-sister and brother-in-law adopted her two weeks ago and she was so excited to go home with them. We are very excited about having her join the family and she is adjusting very well to the American culture.
I went to visit the Wisley clan last week and on my way there our one and only vehicle died on me about 20 miles south of the camp. Luckily, I was close to home. Joe was out of town, of course. These things always happen to me when Joe is gone. I called our maintainence guy from the camp and he came to pick up the car and take it into the mechanics. For now all we know is that the engine is probably blown and we will more than likely be car shopping this weekend for a family car. Not excited about having to have a car payment because we haven't had one for several years, but we trust God and know we won't have to worry about the finances because God knows our needs and if he wants us to get another car then he will provide us the funds to get one. So there you have it. We continue with a very busy summer at the camp. Joe returned home from his Wilderness trip this past weekend and jumped right into another week of camp that he is co-dean of called Kingdom Week. I don't know how he does it, but he seems to work well with a tight and busy schedule. I always look forward to his days off, but am very glad that I can take a short walk across the dam and see him whenever I want too! I am very blessed!

Who's Problem is it?

I am way past due on a new blog so sorry for the two week absence. So today's blog will be about something that really hit home for me while at church today. I am really not a church type person because I think there are better, more effective ways of doing church but haven't figured that all out yet, however, that is an entirely different topic. My decision to go to church today was well worth my time. Today's topic was about generosity and sharing (2 Corinthians 8:8-15). I think the whole chapter is an excellent chapter so if you want to read it go for it. What I loved about this lesson today was the challenge it gave me to find even more ways to share and give more generously to others. Almost two years ago before we left for our hike I would have defined myself as a slightly selfish person that held onto my possessions tightly. I hated tithing and wasn't good at letting people borrow our things. That soon changed once I gave up all my possessions for 6 months to hike the A.T. I was amazed at how little I could live on, the things I took for grated, and how much generosity we received from complete strangers the entire distance of the trail. It was truly overwhelming to accept the fact that people wanted to help us and let us stay in their home, cook us meals, wash our stinky clothes, buy us a meal or our groceries, and drive us where ever we needed to get too. It was so incredible to gain a new respect for strangers and see that their are people out there that want to serve others. This gave me a big desire to do the same when I returned home from the hike. Joe and I started tithing consistently, which we were before but not always on a regular basis. Our tithe doesn't always go to the same place, or person. We have found so much pleasure in finding people or non-for profits, like the camp, who are in need financially or even something as simple as sharing our things with others. The more often we give the more we want to give and the blessings in return have opened our eyes to God's hand at work. Joe and I have so much less than we have ever had in our marriage but are so much happier now. God has blessed us with so many friends who have been very gracious in passing on items for the baby or things that we can borrow for a few months, like maternity clothes, which are so expensive. Thanks to all of our friends who have thought of us in our time of need. Having a baby is not inexpensive! Friends, family, baby showers, and garage sales, help a ton!
So to conclude, let me explain the title of my blog. "Who's problem is it?" That was the question that was answered in church today. Answer: It's my problem; our problem, to take care of the needy, the starving, the homeless, and the sick. The more we give, the happier we are and more blessed we will be in our efforts towards generosity.
With that said, if their is ever something you need, not hesitate to ask us. We are always more than happy to share what we have!

2 Tim 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Baby Belly Update 29 weeks

Well, there it is! I can't believe that I have less than three months until this little person comes into our life. I have been day dreaming about what that moment will be like for us. My dreams at night have gotten a little crazy too! My favorite thing to imagine or picture is that moment when I see Joe's eyes light up and get to bond with the baby in his own way. I feel that I have had a special bond with it inside of me, feeling it move around all day. It will be so wonderful to see Joe develop a special love for it as well. I am really excited to make my mom and dad grandparents for the first time, and my sisters first time aunts. That is about all for now. Short and Sweet!