A New Adventure Begins

A lot has happened since the last post. We traveled to New York City, and Cooperstown, NY, which I will write about in a separate post, because there's something more important to write about...

Just when Jon and I were getting emotionally, physically, and spiritually ready for a huge life change, we found out God had an even bigger adventure planned for us. We are expecting our first baby next year on Valentine's Day!!

It all started when we were in Mexico City, and both Jon and I got pretty sick... assuming, of course, that it was the tasty Mexican cuisine doing a number on our systems. Which it probably was, in part (at least for Jon!). When we got home, Jon's sickness went away and mine didn't. This, along with some other clues, told me it was time to take a test... And all three (yes three, I had to be sure) came up positive. To be honest, our first reaction was not the excitement that I had pictured we'd feel finding out I was pregnant. We were very confused and wondered what it meant in regard to our upcoming move and 2 year commitment. (If you haven't figured it out yet, a baby was not our plan at this particular time!) We were flabbergasted and thought God must be playing a joke on us.

The next step was to come clean with the director of the school. We prayed that he would make the right decision for us, because I sure didn't want to have to make the decision all over again with the new info to consider. We received a timely response in which our boss made it clear that his primary concern was the baby's health, as well as mine, and that he didn't think he wanted me to have to worry about teaching, moving to a foreign country, and trying to receive proper medical care in a language I'm not proficient in, all at the same time. He made the decision, in the interest of our well being, and my future students, to replace me.

I have to admit, I was disappointed, and still confused. Hadn't God wanted us to go to Ecuador? He had lined everything up already! We had moved, sold a car, all our bikes and furniture, and quit both our jobs!

What I've learned over the last six months, and especially the last couple weeks, is that as long as you're following the Lord, and truly listening to what He's saying, whatever He brings you will be ok. We were ready and willing to move and teach in Ecuador, but that's not what God wanted us to do. He wanted us to be obedient, and willing to follow Him no matter what that meant. I'm glad to follow Him, as confusing and winding as the path may be, on this new road. We don't know what we're doing or where we'll be in two weeks, but I know we're taken care of. And I can't wait to be a mom.

So... as excited as I was to keep everyone posted on our crazy lives on the equator, this blog will now be our journey on the way to being parents, and any travels we take in the meantime. Which I'm sure will have some pretty funny stories, too. (Don't worry, we're still going to Guayaquil to visit the Sr. Richerts!) Feel free to keep reading to stay updated on our lives. If you're reading now, it's because you're a friend or family member who we'd love to keep informed!