Remembering

Two months ago we were on our honeymoon in the Bahamas. It was delightful. And warm. And sunny.

February 13th

Since the new year, I've read 3 books.

- Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy

- Kisses From Katie by Katie Davis

- Little Princes by Conor Grennan

I've rediscovered my love for reading. I was at Target yesterday looking for a new book to read over break next week because I love reading.

Quiet Strength was a really quick read, and I felt challenged to look at the way I coach. Though few things can translate from coaching football to coaching cheerleading, it definitely had me thinking and reevaluating how I coach. I got some good quotes out of it. Adam and I had some interesting conversations about some of the concepts. I liked the book.

The next two books have been messing with my head and my heart since I started reading them. I'm hardly going to turn this post into 3 book evaluations, but I wish I could give an adequate summary of these stories.

Kisses From Katie is the story of a girl who decides to take a year between high school and college to go live in Uganda. She teaches kindergarten and volunteers in an orphanage. In the process, God wrecks her heart for Uganda, and over time, she adopts 13 beautiful girls. She currently lives in Uganda where she's raising her girls, and she's running the non-profit organization she started to clothe, feed, and educate children. There were parts of the book that left me with my mouth hung open because I knew some of her exact words had come out of my mouth. I could so easily resonate with her heart, and it was almost eerie.

A part of me felt the pain of leaving Thailand all over again. I cried as I thought of my sweet kiddos. That wound was re-opened. That longing returned. Her story had a profound impact on me. More on that later.

Little Princes, One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal was an impulsive purchase at the airport in Chicago. I didn't want to to work on my report cards during my flight, so I bought this book. I had never heard of it; I was simply drawn to it by the title and cover. I plowed through it on my flight. This story was coming from a man who wasn't a believer for most of the story. He went to Nepal on a whim, the start of a year long journey around the world. He volunteered in a children's home for 3 months where these "little princes" captured his heart. They were trafficked children, taken from the remote villages of Nepal and brought to the city to beg for the man who purchased them. The author, Conor, eventually returned to Nepal and began an organization. It's purpose is reuniting these children with their families. It's a fascinating story.

And now my heart is torn.

I love my team. I love their families. I love my preschoolers. I love the community that continues to grow around us here.

But I know this is temporary. I know there is a day when I will walk away from this place. The struggle comes with not knowing when.

Adam has a potential job opportunity that would keep us in Seattle for at least 3 more years. He doesn't feel like he could take the job unless we were willing to commit to at least three years. And something about that is almost suffocating. Though I know I would like to be here 2 more years, something about at least 3 years seems entirely too open ended.

My desire to be overseas is growing more and more. I've told Adam that at the core of who I am is someone who was created to love forgotten, unwanted, and neglected children. To care for the widow and the orphan is my heart's desire. I don't know what this will look like, or if it involves going overseas. But I feel more and more confident that God is preparing Adam and I to step into our calling in a profound way.

In the Fall of 2010, I was frustrated with being at a Christian school and my sphere of influence being strictly in a Christian environment. I spoke with a friend about this, and she challenged me to steward this season well. As we continued talking, she said she got a mental picture of a plane in a holding pattern. I remember her very clearly saying, "Marissa, you're not ready to land. You can't see what the pilot sees, so it feels like you're just circling and hovering over this landing spot, but really God is expanding your tool belt and developing your character. If you land too early, you could fail miserably. Be patient. Get everything out of this holding pattern that you can." This has stayed with me because there are days when I'm tired of the "holding pattern." But I know that I don't want to land prematurely.

So, we wait. We allow the Lord to refine us. I trust that if God placed these desires within me, He'll cultivate them. He'll be the one to bring them to fruition.

At church yesterday we sang the lines from a popular worship song, "Take my life and let it be, all for You and for Your glory. Take my life and let it be Yours." As I sang those words, I surrendered what I thought my life should be looking like. I offered up to Him this life I'm living right now. I want Him to be glorified in my classroom, in my team, in my marriage, in my love, and in my attitude. If I'm teaching preschool for the next 3 years, so be it. All for His glory. This life is not my own.

Take my life and let if be all for You and for Your glory. Take my life and let it be Yours.

2nd Place It Is!!

My team competed at their State competition yesterday. This has been a much anticipated day for all of us. I was confident they could take first place, but tried as much as I could to keep this pressure off of them. I, personally, was working for so much more than a State title, though that is one of my dreams. I was hoping to get some things changed around the school, a little respect for the cheerleaders, maybe even some practice space?? Am I asking too much??

But my team came up short. Though clearly the better team, we just didn't pull out a win. I'm working so hard to be okay with 2nd. Because they are so excited about it! And they should be. They've worked hard all season long, and I'm so excited they get to parade the halls tomorrow announcing their second place finish.

On top of falling just short, and I mean just short of my goal, I'm letting go of my favorite team. This season has been incredible and a gift. We truly have a unique thing going for us, and I have been dreading the end for a while. Last Sunday, I stood during worship and cried as I pictured my girls' faces. I prayed, and I hoped that they finished this season loving Jesus more than when we started together. Coaching is a unique opportunity, and I know that. I will miss our practices, and I can only hope I muster up some excitement for the next season.

Through all of this, Adam has been amazing. I went on numerous RANTS yesterday about the injustice of the scoring system in WIAA. I nearly cried two times as I accepted this unfair defeat. He sat through HOURS of a cheer competition, played with my hair, whispered comforting words, and agreed with me as I went on and on and on about why this is wrong. [Oh and I will do everything I can to right this situation, in case there were any doubts!]

I'm thankful for a husband who supports me in my goals and literally holds my hands through defeat. I know it may seem like I'm being dramatic, and I'm okay with you thinking that. Through getting 2nd place, I've realized anew God's given me so much in Adam. I'm thankful for Adam's competitive nature that gets angry with me. I'm thankful for Adam's compassion who knows my heart hurt with a 2nd place finish. I'm thankful for his sense of humor today as he made me laugh and took my mind off of things. I'm thankful for his devotion to me and his ability to calm me down (not an easy task in the past 24 hours).

Adam and I with the 2nd place plaque.

My dream team!!

So, we got 2nd!! Pretty darn good! :)

Some Snow Pics

He loves snow. Look at that grin!

So much snow.

Naturally, I made a snow angel.

Thanks for the warning!

Ok, so this is a more accurate depiction of Adam's love for snow.

Snowed In

It's been a shocking week in the Northwest! It's been snowing since Saturday, and I can hardly believe it. I've never had snow like this before. When they forecasted possible snow for our area, I didn't even blink. Seattle handles snow kind of like the south does. We get a few flakes, and everything shuts down.

But this time we got more than a few flakes.

We took some pictures, but I haven't uploaded them yet. Adam doesn't particularly enjoy cold weather. In fact, he initially hated the idea of a December wedding because he didn't want our joyous day to be marred with cold temperatures. But we've walked around outside, made snow angels, and enjoyed our woodsy area that now looks like Narnia.

So what do the Tomberlins do while being snowed in?

We watch movies, play cards, bake cookies (one of us), catch up with friends, get real creative on meals, and read books. And laugh. A lot. It's been wonderful.

I'm reading Kisses From Katie. The real life story of a now 22 year old woman who lives in Uganda and has adopted 13 girls. Her story, God's story through her, is incredible. I'm not going to write much about this because I need more time to digest what I've read. I only have 2 chapters left. But Adam keeps saying, "Just tell me now. Are we about to adopt a child from Africa?"

Mmmm. If only.

We've been married a month. I've learned quite a few things.

1. Rules are meant to be adjusted. Our house rules aren't absolute. And it's best if I not expect them to be. Flexibility- it's beautiful.

2. There are times when I don't feel like serving Adam, but I'm learning that I need to anyways. And I might as well change my attitude along the way.

3. Marriage demands humility.

I do love being married. I love having my best friend live with me. I love the ways Adam and I get to choose to fix our eyes on Jesus, together. In the midst of some stressful times, we get to look to Jesus as the Author and Perfecter of our faith, as the Provider for our needs, and the Lifter of our heads.

Together.

New Year

I'm very, very thankful for the new year.

With it came a new roommate, a new outlook on work, and a new pep in my step.

I feel significantly better in almost all areas of life. Work isn't as daunting, and I have switched to savoring every moment with my team. Our season will be over before I know it, and I will be crying at the end.

Adam was let go last week. That was certainly NOT in the plan, but we know God is faithful. Tuesday was filled with thoughts of, "How are we going to do this?" But we trust the Lord, and Adam is handling this like a champ.

Friday was the best day of preschool I've had this school year. It was a welcomed gift, and teaching felt like it did last year- energizing. The family (from last year) that has been oh so intentional about blessing and loving me kidnapped me for lunch. They "needed" to hear details about the wedding. They bought enough food for lunch and dinner and loaded a starbucks gift card for Adam. This little girl and her mom are amazing. The mom is the type of person that after spending time with her, you feel better about life. It's a quality I wish I possessed.

They even took Adam and I to lunch and ice cream after church on Sunday. My soul felt refreshed, and my heart was encouraged.

I'm so thankful for the small things that are making a big difference in my day to day life.

I welcome 2012 with an eager heart, excited for what the Lord has for us. Adam and I spent time last night listing all of the things from just yesterday that we were thankful for and together thanked the Lord for His perfect provision.

And just because...

Adam wrote probably 50 thank you notes yesterday. ROCKSTAR husband! Seriously, that was one of the kindest things he could do for me yesterday.

I'm a blessed woman!

Quote of the Day

Coming from a 3rd grade girl to a 4th grade boy during balametrics...

"You should take me seriously! You should be afraid. I'm not one of those normal girls. I'm 100% positive that I'm part Indian! I'm also related to Abraham Lincoln! Was he our first President? And I'm related to Squanto! So...ya!"

The best part is the boy believed her. Even after he corrected her on the whole first president thing. His response? "Ya but are you afraid of clowns?"

Valid question to such a statement.