2008 Intern Program

This is the first year when I am not directing the intern program that our church hosts each year. One of our other leaders, Gaby Popescu, is directing it and he is doing an absolutely wonderful job. They have a blog in English that you can check out at holinterns08.blogspot.com. We are really hoping to have an official Master's Commission program up and running next year if all goes well.

My daily sermon

I would like to totally recommend this guy for those of you who enjoy listening to sermons.  His name is Marc Driscoll and he pastors Mars Hill Church in Seattle.  I have become totally addicted to his messages and have been eating them like candy.  He is the most Bible-based, balanced preacher I've ever heard.  He has made all of his sermons available on Itunes or from his site marshillchurch.org.  

Preaching Leadership

We are currently away from home for a couple days at a Re-Encounter with God retreat.  It is going very well so far.  There are 13 future leaders attending, from the ages of 15-23.  They all finished the School of Leaders and are ready to be sent out into ministry.  It is very exciting.  I preached last night on "The Call of the Leader" and will preach again tomorrow on "The Evaluation of the Leader".  I don't preach very often, but every time we have retreats I always like to preach at least two times.  I really enjoy the smaller, retreat setting.  

Dual citizenship

So we went to the US Embassy yesterday to file for Giovy's citizenship and US passport.  I think that over the past 6 weeks she has successfully woken up to cry in the middle of her sleep dozens of times for no apparent reason; but no, when we need to wake her up to take a passport picture all the shaking and kissing and talking in the world doesn't budge her.  It was hilarious as we tried in 2 different photo studios to wake her, employees getting a kick out of it and us practically being late.  We finally gave up and just went to Bucharest and said we'll take the pictures there.  We still didn't actually get her up, but she opened her eyes just enough to get a picture.  I guess we shouldn't complain though, since she was totally low-maintenance that day.

Question...

It seems that sometimes Giovy is fighting against sleep.  Is this possible?  Do any of you have any experience with a child who you know must be exhausted but seems to be fighting against the idea of sleeping?  Let us know, because sometimes we just don't know what to do except to drive her around for an hour until she falls asleep.  thanks

I love to use my hands

We have discovered that Giovy is all about movement.  She cannot sit still for the life of her.  She constantly moves her hands in positions such as: "I surrender", "Let's dance vogue", "I want to go horse-back riding" and "Victory!"  

It's really hilarious and make it easier for us when she cries.  She also moves her legs all the time.  She really, really, really wants to crawl already.  She is always trying to find something to kick off of so she can move.  

All church BBQ

We took Giovy to the all church BBQ last week and found that in a matter of minutes we were instantly relieved of our parental duties as Giovy floated around; it was great.  I actually got in a ton of basketball and Emma hung out with the girls and even got in a nap.  We'll have to do this more often.

Mommy's special touch

A few pics

This is for you Susan

I forgot about this shot with the grandparents in the princess' room. My parents are back in Clovis now, but I thought I'd throw this one on the blog anyways.

Late 4th of July pics

Well, we thought that we should not pass up the opportunity to do a quick 4th of July shoot since Giovanna has this cute outfit. We did it on the 10th and then I forgot about the pics, so here are some of them.

"I have a question everybody, can I get your attention!"

A story about Giovy

When Emma and I were in the states this last time in December we went to see Enchanted with my parents. 3 days before we went, we were in Target looking around and Emma decided to go buy a blue baby book since we thought we were certainly having a boy. As she picked up the book she got this feeling that, in fact, we were not going to have a boy after all. She told me and I said that I had a similar feeling too. As we watched Enchanted we became more and more convinced that a little "Giovanna" was on the way. Well, here she is. When my parents came they brought us Enchanted as a gift, so now Giovy has her 2nd Disney DVD. :)

Sorry, she's crying a lot now :(

I know I missed a day, almost two, of blogging. The thing is, she has started to have those severe stomach pains and for a couple of days now she has hit new levels on the crying scale. Thankfully today has been a little bit better; she slept for a while so we watched "Transformers" and "Seraphim Falls" (which was actually really good).

"To bathe, or not to bathe?"

It's a "G" thing

Tell me she's not the cutest thug in Targoviste. We went out for dinner last night for my parents 32nd anniversary. It's a nice outdoor restaurant right in the middle of town called "Old House". Giovy slept as we ate; she sported her pink flats to go with the pink beanie.

Who's sleeping, who's awake

Well, she has finally begun to have "calm awake" time. At first we didn't know what to do with her. She would wake up and start making noise and we would run around trying to make her happy. Then we realized that she was happy just sitting there, making her noises. She is a very noisy baby. Eating has it's sound effects; sleeping has it's sound effects; bathing has it's sound effects; and playing has it's sound effects.

Cute yellow dress

I realize I haven't written much lately since we've been spending this time with my parents so I thought I'd jot down a few thoughts while I have the chance. We are finally starting to adjust to the huge changes Giovy has brought; although from what I hear "adjustments" will be knocking on our door quite often these first weeks, months and years. That's ok. Our door is open, let'em come. I know they'll be hard, I'm sure we'll cry, panic and not know which way to turn; but we'll make it because we love our little Giovy more than we thought possible.

Family dinner at the local pizza joint