Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Boy!

2 days ago was Zander's First Birthday! I wanted to make it special by celebrating with as many people as possible, so last Saturday was his party with family. Then on his actually birthday we took cupcakes to Missy's playgroup, then that night we partied with neighborhood friends and faith family, then yesterday we took cupcakes to a different playgroup. Whewww! Let me tell you, 6 cake mixes later, I'll be done for a while! But it was worth it to see this sweet boy light up! For the complete 220 pictures (proud mama getting click happy!) check out: http://picasaweb.google.com/mrsbishop/ZanderSFirstBday#

To my #1 Zander-

I can't believe exactly one year ago today we were at the hospital witnessing one of God's greatest gifts to your daddy and I. YOU! I will always remember the details of you getting ready to be born, to the feelings of excitement to meet you for the first time. We didn't know if you were going to be a boy or a girl, so when you were born I heard "It's a boy" from one of the nurses (although daddy wanted to be the first to see) I was crying, shaking, and in awe at how you came into this world. They placed you on my chest and daddy and I were speechless. We had been waiting for this moment to meet you for some time. You were precious. The moment was perfect. We loved you immediately. We were all crying.

This past year has been full of moments that I never want to forget.

• Bringing you home from the hospital. It felt like such an adventure. We weren't scared. We knew you were tough! You remain tough to this day. You hardly ever cry when you bonk your head. Now you just say... "UH-OH"
• Your first camping trip when you were just 2 weeks old :) You were born to be an outdoorsie guy. Just like your daddy!
• Your wedding tie outfit. You wore this for the first 4 weddings of your life. You sure were handsome in it. You started filling it out more towards the end!
• Daddy and I watching "The Office" while you napped next to us in the papa saun. You were such an easy baby.
• You have always been a great eater! The first month or so whenever I nursed you, daddy HAD to bring me water RIGHT AWAY! You took it out of me, now I find myself getting up to look in the fridge for what I can feed you next; many times not quick enough! Now some of your favorites are sweet potatoes, honeycomb, rice cakes, and the new "green machine" smoothie that's a combo of way to many things to list on here. (If you haven't figured it out yet, your mama likes to mix things together!)
• Your first bath after you umbilical cord fell off

• Our first family road trip to Colorado. You have always been such a great traveler. This is God telling us you will probably be a world traveler! You haven't been in an airplane yet, but soon! You have taken long trips in the minivan twice to Colorado, and one to Nashville.
• You have been SO blessed to be surrounded by so many friends. You love people and watching them. Seeing you play with __________ (way to many to list on here!) But I will tell you about them someday!
• Your first swim/float at the pool with Liam
• Dressing you up in your lobster costume for halloween
• Having you dedicated at Grace Community
• Building the Goliath snowman with the Kampmans
• Your dark hair. That turned into a mullet, then turned to almost bald, that turned to light curly hair.
• All the hand-me downs we got from your cuz Dax. We hope you'll always be willing to share as well as him!
• You love(d): Your bumbo seat, standing and playing by the coffee table, dogs, sucking your thumb, baths or being in the backyard pool, hanging out in the back yard swing, getting in the kitchen floor cupboards and pushing upside-down bowls across the floor like they are your imaginary cars, board books-you like to flip through the pages as fast as you can, rough housing with dad-chasing each other around the house (crawling), riding in the stroller (your perch) where you can see everything that is going on in the world around you, the "My Buddy" song that we use to get you smiling for pictures (works every time!), your neighbor friends, Ella, Anna, Josiah, and Abigail. Your new contraption that we use to keep you busy: Snack Trap!:)

I love you sweet boy. I love your birthmark on your left calf. I love that you have your daddy's blue eye's and your momma's nose. I love your curly hair. I love that you love to cuddle. I love it when I pick you up and your suck your thumb and then rest your fingers on my nose. Thank you for the joy you brought us every day for the past 365 days.

Thank YOU God for allowing us to be parents of such an amazing little boy!

April

Easter Weekend- We got to spend a beautiful sunny day with my side of the family in northern Iowa. It was full of great food, an Easter Egg hunt, and playing with little chicks! I love my family! :)
The following day we got to spend it with Andy's parents, bro/sis-in-law, and Grandma. Zander got an Easter basket with lots of goodies in it. They also put up a swing outside which he loves! He is starting to like Lacey, their dog too!
I'm so thankful for Shelley, my mother-in-law. She comes and visits sometimes during the week, and loves on Zander in a way only a Grandma can!

I love letting Z loose in just his diaper! How cute is he!
Nashville: Right after Easter we decided to start looking into an organization based in Nashville Tennessee. We filled out their application, and they asked us to come down to Nashville to learn more about what they are doing in Kurdistan. We made the road trip. Had a great time in the car, stopping when we wanted for picnics and my new fave McDonald's Frappes. We were able to have some great family time in Nashville, going out to eat, the zoo, walking around downtown, and of course visiting about the School of the Medes. (more details on this soon) Check them out: http://www.csmedes.org/

11 month old cuteness!

Here we GO! The story unfolded.

Commit your work to the LORD,

and your plans will be established-

Proverbs 16:3

Many of you have already heard the news about us leaving for Iraqi Kurdistan in August. Some of you have already heard us talk about the past 4 years and how God's been LAYING out His plan for us as we have been "committing our work" to the Lord and His global purposes. This has not always been easy, not always comfortable, but isn't that ok? I think walking with God often means doing things that others and the world view as crazy. We are NOT going to Kurdistan to do something crazy. We have seen God's hand of provision guiding us to Kurdistan, leading us up to this point and we are going to walk in faith and in His peace by putting our "boots on the ground".

I would love to write this journey out. Habakkuk 2:2 says to 'Write my answer plainly on tablets' I want to do this to remember God's faithfulness and timing. Thanks for allowing me to share this journey with you.

I remember when Andy had briefly mentioned being workers for the kingdom overseas in our small basement apartment, 4 years ago. "Seriously? We aren't even telling people about Jesus here, why would we move across the world to do that? We have dreams! Let's do a week or 2 trip but not long-term."

That was the end of that conversation :)... for that night, anyway! Shortly after this, Andy said he wanted to take the Perspectives class together. I put up a fight and believed the lies of "We don't have time... we don't have money" I decided the right thing to do was follow Andy's leadership... Something that I continue to need grace in!

But that's where I see it starting (although God knew all along) Here's the journey God has been taking us on as He ultimately has brought us closer to His will. Reaching all the peoples on earth with God's love.

• Perspectives- From night number one my world was beginning to be rocked. I couldn't believe after 4 years of reading the Bible, I didn't see His heart for reaching all nations that is placed from beginning to end in the Word. Wow! Sweet stuff! Our "final" was to write a paper on an unreached people group: people group with no indigenous community of believing Christians or adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group. We wrote our paper on the Kurds. Coincidence? Find out more soon :)
• TOAG- This was a year long internship that is designed to help prepare us to go overseas. As a group, we learn values, goals, and skills needed to spark Jesus-community movements among people groups who have not yet heard the good news. We focused on having relationships with internationals here in Iowa City and using contextualization to talk about Jesus.
• TOAG 2- During this time, we were really trying to figure out WHERE God would have us. Our desire was Jordan since we've been there, loved it, knew people there, etc. We also desired mentor-ship which we thought we would get when a potential mentor suggested going to this school in Northern Iraq (School of the Medes) where "the harvest is white "(John 4:35). We starting looking into it, getting excited, but then the mentor couldn't commit to doing it because of commitments here in the states. So we closed that door and started looking into other options.
• Zander- Our life was going to change with the addition of our sweet little baby, and our minds were focused on that for a good chunk of the year...expected! We weren't as intentional with international relationships here or taking steps forward looking at overseas opportunities.
• Women's basketball- In the meantime, I became connected with leading chapel for the Iowa Women's Basketball team. Remember the post? Well anyway, I truly believe God used it in a HUGE way. Not in a narrow sense, where I felt like I HAD to do basketball, but that God has given each of us abilities, knowledge, and experiences and He wants us to use them for HIS kingdom and at the time I thought that meant sports ministry. I started looking into Athletes in Action and making connections with a couple teams in the Middle-east. I was getting pumped, but Andy was just going with the flow (big surprise huh! thankful for a little balance in my life!) He never felt at peace about it, but I was pushing it because I was doing something that gave me energy instead of draining it.
• Fund Raising Boot Camp- Andy and I went to this conference about how to develop a partnership with long-term supporters for full time ministry. At the beginning of the conference we had to share our "VISION" with someone we didn't know. To make long-story short, I broke down because I didn't know what our vision was after waiting for an opportunity for over two years! I wanted to do sports ministry, Andy didn't, and we didn't know what long-term meant for us, so we didn't really have a "vision" that was about us and God. Anyway, Andy came and found me after I left the room crying and we had a heart2heart-get real-this is how I'm REALLY feeling about stuff- talk. God used this time of brokenness to bring us closer to him and his will.
• Unity- We were challenged by friends/mentors to seek God in Unity in this vision. So every morning we woke up before Andy left for work and sought God in what this was for us. Around the same time Brooks gave a message at Grace about fasting to seek God's vision. (Acts 13:1-3) Andy and I decided to do this for the work God had for us. After one of our lunch prayer times, I asked Andy if he felt like God was speaking in any kind of way. He said that we need to make a decision to be IN.... Option 1: buy a house, settle and do ministry here. Option 2: Dive into a "shorter term" option that could get us landed in August which is something we had been praying for most of the year. We didn't have peace about option 1. but didn't know where for option 2. hmmmmmm. more praying!
• Colorado Trip- We went to Colorado at the end of March. On the way out there, Andy talked to a team leader in turkey doing sports ministry that would allow us to land in August. It was good, but still no peace. We were also reading "Visioneering" by Andy Stanley on the way there. One of the questions in the book was about "Career Vision" Andy shared with me that it wasn't in Physical Therapy but possibly some kind of teaching.
• Easter weekend- On the way to family Easter, I said to Andy "what about School of the Medes"? (remember from a year ago, when we dropped it because we wouldn't be mentored?") SWEET! How could we forget? or how did we just NOW remember that... Anyway, we said we would call on Monday and see if they still had openings and if they thought August would be possible.
• SGI- Servant Group International (the organization that sends workers to School of the Medes) still had openings and had confidence for us to land in August for the fall semester there! Whoop Whoop! 20 page application here we come! Which we finished by the end of the week, which they called the following Monday to ask us for interview in Nashville, which we went the next week, which gave us PEACE AND UNITY AND EXCITEMENT AND VISION AND CONFIDENCE that this is what THE LORD has for us next!
• Open doors- We prayed that doors would slam shut if this is not what He would have for us and every door that we passed was just reassurance in continuing to GO FORWARD with this. Walk by faith. Dependence on Him. What a glorious thing! Do you feel my excitement? Please do!

The steps of a man are established by the LORD,

when he delights in his way- Psalm 37:23

• Preparing to GO! Since then we have basically entered into full-time support raising. Desiring to cast the vision Deep and Wide! It has been one of the most amazing times in my walk with the Lord and in our marriage as we continue to have peace about how God is leading us to Northern Iraq! One of the coolest things is seeing the body come together in unity with reaching people who have VERY little access to the gospel. Now, there are MANY who are apart of reaching the Kurds (remember Perspectives paper) :) AMAZING!

• Is this a sacrifice? It's going to be hard to not see extended family and friends that I LOVE and appreciate SO VERY MUCH, for 10 months but I'm at peace about this. I know that God will use it to bring them closer to himself during a time of absence mainly from Zander. It IS hard knowing that we aren't just the ones going to Northern Iraq but EVERYONE that loves us is also having to give, they are also affected by this decision. I pray for grace, understanding, and strength for them and that I would be sensitive to them during this time but to view sacrifice in how David Livingstone did...."People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply paid back as a small part of a great debt owing to our God, which we can NEVER repay?....Away with the word in such a view, and with such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a PRIVILEGE"

I am honored yet humbled to see how God has been unfolding this story. What's even more glorious is that we are JOINING another story! What God has already been doing in Kurdistan for the past 20 years! Andy, Zander, and I (along with our support team) are joining another story! It has been encouraging to me to see how His hand was working even when I didn't feel it or see it in the past 4 years! He is sovereign and works all things for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to his purpose (Rom 8:27) Even if the "good" requires a little pruning, He knows what is for our good, even when it may not be comfortable, I pray that even during these pruning times I will know it is ultimately for His good and our good!

GENESIS 12:1-4

The LORD had said to Abram,

"Leave your country, your people and your father's household and GO to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great,and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

So Abram left, as the LORD had told him;

March

I know this is a bit outdated, but I had to share some great memories real quick!


Like most kids, Zander has been lovin' being outside. We go on walks/jogs most days. Here's his first bike ride. He liked it for the first 15 minutes, but then he didn't seem so comfortable so we decided to head home. This picture was taken the first half! :)

Zander is pretty much eating anything now. He is a great eater! Whenever he doesn't like a particular kind of food I usually just mix it with something he does like and WA-LA he all of a sudden likes it, and I slowly keep adding more of it.... So tricky I am!

The time has finally come when Andy and I decided to move Zander into the BIG BOY bath! We had been given him baths in the "Little Blue" sink tub up until this month! It's just so much easier for us tall folks to be at the sink instead of on our knees. Bath times are a family event since they only happen about once a week, if we are lucky :) He know loves the freedom of moving around instead of just sitting there. I'm pretty sure he knows what his rubber ducky is. He says "Dah" whenever he sees it.

Nicer weather also means PICNICS! Whenever we get a chance we LOVE to eat outside.

The end of March we went with some friends (Paul and Andrea Goodrich) on a road trip to Colorado! It was SO much fun! We went skiing one day. (They had a daycare right at the bottom of the slopes!) Got to spend some good quality time with my college friend, Ada! I LOVE HER! Got to see some of my high school girls (Erin and Amy) at the Tyrone Wells concert in Denver! (my favorite performance yet!) Got to have some good quality time with my Aunt Evette, Uncle Don, and 3 girls, Sara, Lisa, and Emma! Also, some great talks in the car with Andy! FUN FUN!

Zander is a moving man! Although he's been dancing with his head and hands for awhile, he just started to dance with his legs and booty! (Sorry it's not great quality!)

February in a Glance!

February was a fun and busy month! Full of some great memories! Here it is in a glance!

CHRISTMAS IN FEBRUARY
*My mom's side of the family got together to Waterloo and stayed at a hotel. It was full of great food, cards, swimming, visiting, Graduation awards ceremony (one of those fun things my family plans), Christmas exchange, and coffee in the lounge 24 hours a day! Fun times!

SINK OR SWIM?!? (Song by Tyrone Wells too, look it up.... good stuff!)

* We would never let Zander sink.. but he did get dunked for the first time in the pool. Last summer he lounged in the pool on a raft, but now he's getting to splash. Oh, and it's really sweet how cuddly he is when your swimming with him!

GOOD-BYES:
* Joey (aka Cocomo) got his dream job in Oregon! Way to go cuz! This was at his going away party at Old Chicago. He is right behind Andy. He's a stud!

*Also, said good-bye to a VERY special friend, before she left for Cairo, Egypt! Chelsey, we will miss you! SO Thankful for you and skype! :) You will always be Zanders first girlfriend!
*Bye-Bye clothes! Spent a day, getting rid of stuff! Ahhhh, feels good!

*Study Area- Remember how pumped I was to have a little reading nuk on the landing... well that ended this month because Zander could crawl/fall right down the stairs. Bye bye study nuk. Hello cluttered kitchen table!HILTON MAGIC

* Although I've been going to quite a few Iowa Hawkeye's women's games this year, we also got the chance to get back on our stomping grounds, in Ames, with the Kampmans! Hilton was rock'n, Zander didn't cry but he jumped everytime ISU made a big play! AHhhh, no place like Hilton! I had butterflies the entire time!

* Met Jill and Jaida at the game during half-time. Jill led our chapels when I was a player at ISU, but also helped me grow in so many other ways as well! I love you Jill! Jamie and Jill were in the same bible study in college. Come on.. sing it with me"It's a small world after all...."

(Jill holding Zander, me holding Anna, Jamie holding Jaida)

LOVE POTION #9:

*Zander giving his FAVORITE girl a kiss!

* Andy and I got to go on a HOT date for Valentine's Day :) I LOVE LOVE LOVE this MAN!

* Zander loves him too! Made-this onesie for him! Well I made it, but Zander wears it!

*HA hilarious! Andy and I were going to make a big heart shaped cookie. I opened up the oven and this is what I found! :)*We saved part of it and turned it into a "Love Monkey" cookie!
*Josiah giving Z a big hug! Talk about two sweet cuddle boys!
9 MONTHS!

* He is crawling everywhere now! His favorite places to go are anywhere which he can find cords or the pantry to get a glass bottle! Oh yeah, I guess that means it's time to child-proof this place!*He also learned how to pull himself up this week! Here's the first time he did it, look at the excitement on his face! Oh, how can you not love this boy!

* I wasn't able to do the normal 9 month picture with the little "post-it note sign" because he has gotton smart and now he knows the sign is there so tries to grab it. Stinker buns! Maybe I'll see if he can grab it on his head? hmmmm....

Momma playin' dirty tricks