Chicago!

Time to slow down and breathe for a couple of days. We are leaving for vacation this morning...Chicago! Allyson has been a few times, but this will be the first for Mark. It's been a great week...time with family and Mark's ordination last night were truly some highlights of our summer! Can't wait to share pics and stories when we return home.

Allyson is doing great! Swollen ankles have returned, but she is hanging in there. We are getting really excited about our upcoming doctor's visit (3 weeks) as we will be finding out boy/girl. By the way, the little guy/gal is an apple this week. Until later, know that we love you all!

Mark and Allyson

How He Loves

God shaped us in many different ways while in Jamaica. We are still processing many of those graces, and being challenged to live differently because of them. One of those graces we found in the people of Jamaica...specifically their love for us. It was given unconditionally. It didn't matter that we had never met before. It didn't matter whether or not we had 'sweeties' (their term for candy). It didn't matter our background, color, sex, nationality, age...they loved us...all. Kind of like how God loves us...all. Their unwavering and continuous showers of affection were unforgettable. It gave us both new eyes to the words 'whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.' It was easy to see Jesus in them.

We aren't so naive to think everyone we served in Jamaica had this attitude. In the same light, there will be those we serve in life who don't respond with this kind of love. But that doesn't mean we don't love/serve them too. In fact, that's the beauty of the cross. Jesus not only died for those people who loved him back. He died for the very people who betrayed him, denied him, and killed him. Mi yodea? (a favorite Hebrew phrase of Mark's--means 'who knows?') Who knows what God will do through those who choose to love? He wants to reveal His love to those we love/serve...the same love we saw and received from the Jamaicans.

One of our favorite bands has a new single entitled How He Loves. Here are some lyrics from it...

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy...Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes, If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking...Oh how He loves us.

May we love in the same way.

Much love,
Mark and Allyson

When God gives you a lemon...

...you are 14 weeks pregnant!

Whether s/he is a big lemon or a small lemon, we don't know. But the baby is growing and that's all that matters. Allyson is feeling great! Still no sickness and her swollen ankles from Jamaica have returned to pre-trip size. Now she knows what she has to look forward to. :) If there was anything getting her down, she is definately in better spirits...after a shopping trip to an outlet mall today. A whole new wardrobe does wonders for her (thanks Grandma)...even if the top half of all her new pants could hold a watermelon!

Allyson's 'bump' is growing. The days of not being able to notice are in the past. She is ok with that. She's actually looking forward to having a belly! She may be rethinking that in a few weeks. It won't be long!

In other news...Mark bought a new suit tonight for his ordination service next week. Mark shopping for a suit=big problems. Either (1) arms not long enough or (2) body always too big. We figured out the first store we were in that a 38L is perfect for me. Guess what?? No store keeps 38L in stock. Great! Well, now I'm stuck with either a 38R...get the arms lengthened. Or a 40L...get the body taken in. Guess you can see what we decided.


Hope the tailor in town can take a rush order.

Love and miss you all!
Mark and Allyson

Proud Uncle (& Aunt)

Before I write anything, I have to say there never has been a moment when we haven't cherished our 2 nephews. They bring so much joy to our lives and we know they are going to be great cousins!!

But there was a moment this past week when the 'proud meter' went up a notch with Caleb. He met and got to know a girl named Kyla in Jamaica. Kyla is Abbi's sister. Over the course of the week, Caleb developed some puppy love for Kyla and knew the reality of having to leave her was unavoidable. Caleb was being encouraged by guys on the trip to share his feelings with her. They kept trying to put him in situations where they were alone hoping Caleb would have the courage to reveal his feelings. Yet, he waited until the right time. When Caleb was ready, he did not disappoint. "Kyla, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?" Some have said he asked her to be his wife. It doesn't matter if he said girlfriend or wife. The fact that he built up enough courage to do it in his own time was awesome! Her response...even better. "We have to wait til Abbi's papers get signed." Classic! We love you, Caleb! We are so proud of you!

Here's our other nephew, Cully...he's just as cute. And I'm sure we'll have a few more stories with the ladies when he gets older.

Much love,
Mark and Allyson

2nd trimester!

We are about 13 1/2 weeks pregnant today. We had another doctor's appointment this morning. Waited in the room for around 45 minutes for a 2 minute appointment, but I (Allyson) could have cared less after we got to hear a healthy heartbeat! Dr. Cook told us that everything sounded great and that he would see us in another 5 weeks. This week our baby is the size of a medium shrimp.
These pictures are supposed to help you get an idea of the size of the shrimp compared to a quarter. The website tells us that our baby is about an ounce and 3 inches long. It won't be long until we get to find out if it is a boy or a girl!

Love you all!
Mark and Allyson

Cliff jumping

I (Mark) was excited about jumping off a 35 (or 40) ft. cliff at Rick's Cafe. It is a world famous restaurant/bar in Negril...been featured on Travel Channel sorts of things. I've never been cliff jumping, bungee jumping, or anything of this nature. We arrived at Rick's and a little of the excitement left me. It's a little bit more intimidating when you are looking at the jump rather than just imagining it. We had 2 teens immediately get in line and approach the platform. The first went off without a problem. The second landed on the back part of her legs...not good. In pain as she gets out, she reveals legs that have already changed colors due to the bursting of blood vessels (doesn't sound fun, does it?) This pic was the back side of her legs taken 2 days later. This does not enhance my excitement. We had 2 other teenage girls that found themselves in the same boat as me. Excitement that quickly faded and turned into fear/doubts once seeing the cliffs and the other girl's results. They finally muscled up enough courage to do it...not necessarily because they wanted to, but because they wanted to be able to say they did it! I notice them getting in line, so I joined them. Now, they make you read this sign before you can jump...basically 'this is dangerous, you may break your back, your appendix may burst, you might not have any organs intact after this, you may die, yada yada yada'. Trying to not show any fear and calm them down, I told them I would follow their jumps since I didn't know if they would follow through if I went first. Reality...I was delaying the inevitable for myself.

First girl goes up to the edge of the platform, and comes back down. "Can't do it, can't do it." The other one says, "I'm going." She jumps with us two watching...Smack! Lands on the back of her legs and backside. She is crying from the pain as she gets out. The girl at the top tells me "No way. I'm done." Once again, I persuade her to do it 'with me' (AKA go ahead and jump so I can wait a little longer). She jumps! Good landing. I step up and look down...oh boy. No turning back now. 3, 2, 1 I step off. Smooth ride, safe landing, and another experience for the memory bank. It was fun! A different feeling than I expected on the way down. I'll definately be doing it again.

Allyson was super pumped at the prospect of jumping off the cliff before we found out she was pregnant. That sort of threw a monkey wrench in those details. But after seeing (video taping) the madness at Rick's, she is convinced she would never do it. What about you? Any experiences of 'falling' that you liked/disliked?

Love always,
Mark and Allyson

My jump


Random guy's jump (view from top)

Abbi's story

One example of God's great love for us and tremendous faith (seen while in Jamaica) we actually seen through an American family staying in Jamaica for now. Isn't God funny? This family felt led to adopt a child from Jamaica if the right situation presented itself (already having 2 boys and 1 girl). They met Abbi through a friend and fell in love with her. They have been going through quite a process for well over a year now trying to adopt and bring Abbi into America. We spent the whole week with the mother and their two daughters. They are now considered legal guardians of Abbi, but Abbi is not allowed to leave Jamaica until paperwork is signed for a visa (waiting on US government now). We know from speaking with family and friends who have been through the adoption process, it is long and hard. I can't imagine an international adoption. There have been many ups and downs. Right now, the family is geographically divided. The dad and two boys are in Ohio. Mom and the girls are in Jamaica. The mom hasn't seen her boys in 2 months. 2 months! And yet the faith and strength of the family to stay the course with the strenuous process is inspiring.


A couple of things come to mind...would we be able to give up everything like this mother has? Would we have the same kind of faith and trust in God? With our family growing soon, we have to ask ourselves...is this the same type of love we will have for our child? We pray we give this kind of love to our child and to others.

Upon returning home, we read a blog of Abbi's journey the mother has been keeping. The deadlines missed, lack of communication between the case workers/courts, letters/emails sent with no reply...it's crazy how much they have been through. It has been quite a process, yet God has worked and opened doors in ways they never would have expected. Through the good news and the bad, what a great story of determination, perseverance, patience, faith, unconditional love, and a whatever-it-takes and whatever-it-costs attitude that should be seen in our lives as disciples of Christ.

Would you say a prayer for Abbi's family? Waiting on US Embassy to sign papers...have been since March. Abbi is such a neat kid and her family brought joy and inspiration to us this week. We hope and pray for closure to the process and that the whole family is once again together soon.

Much Love,
Mark and Allyson

From Frome to Home

It's been a while since we posted...there is a reason. We've been looking at this sunset. Arrived home last night from Frome, Jamaica where we helped lead a week-long mission trip. An unbelievable journey that we cannot wait to share (pics/videos/stories) with everyone. God revealed himself to us in new ways through the smiles and faces of our family in Jamaica. Being able to share this time with Mark's brothers, Tera, and Caleb was a special blessing as well.

We have spent today relaxing. Everyone stayed healthy while we were away...especially Allyson! Being up on our feet a lot, she experienced some swelling in her ankles and feet. But she was a champ. It was also a good excuse for a nightly foot rub from Mark. :) She is feeling much better today after a restful night and day today. We go to the doctor tomorrow morning for a routine check-up. We pray that everything is alright...we haven't experienced anything that would make us think otherwise. We will keep you informed! Here's a video of some kids we were able to serve this week. More to come later...



Much love,
Mark and Allyson