and life moves on...

So, something about having a newborn just makes time go by faster.  Each day seems to be a whirlwind and I am always surprised when the end of the day arrives.  So much has happened but I'll attempt to summarize this and not make it a book. =)

April:

Through March, April and May our house was filled with many guests coming to see the new baby.  We enjoyed visits from my sister Jessie, friend Lizzy, Chad's family, my family, and Chad's twin.

Also in April, AIM hosted its annual Leadership Conference with over 70 people in attendance.  It was a lot of work putting together but was a blessing to all who attended. 

May:

We moved to a home a little further north and just outside of Branson.  We moved for many reasons, the biggest being: closer to Springfield were Chad will continue pursuing his Master's degree, cheaper rent, and best of all, it's outside of the city some, sits on an acre lot and has a wonderful back deck with a gorgeous view.  We are loving our new place and believe this will be a place we call home for awhile.

June:

June was a little calmer if you can call it that.  Chad and I celebrated our two year anniversary with a train ride, time on the lake, and of course, ice cream!

July:

We started out this month heading out to Virginia visiting Chad's family.  Ezekiel was able to meet a lot of extended family including all of his great grandparents on that side of the family.  As always the time went by too fast but we were thankful for the visit.

Upon our arrival home, our house was invaded by two wonderful young ladies.  They came to intern with AIM for the month and we have loved having them here.  They have had true servant's hearts being willing to do whatever the need is here and we can't say enough good things about them. =)

While the AIM team here didn't have a summer session, we did pull the team together for a presentation we were asked to do.  Here's a link to the song the presented.  It's called "Gifter".  (WARNING: I was holding a baby who was trying to nuzzle his face into my shoulder and fall asleep...so it might be just a little, itsy, bitsy shaky) =)

Current plans:

And now for the future plans...currently we are getting ready to take a team of 8 students on a week long mission trip to Kansas to run a camp there.  It will be my 4th time at this camp and the days are always full and crazy but rewarding.  I'm looking forward to the new challenge of adding a 4 month old into the mix.

Immediately after the camp in Kansas, I'll be flying out to San Diego for two weeks.  The first week will be spent with the AIM team and helping them run the annual missions conference out there.  The second week will be spent with my family.  I'm especially excited to have Ezekiel meet his Uncle Stuart who hasn't had the opportunity to yet.

And after that, hopefully things will die down for awhile...well as much as they can with a little one. =)

Ezekiel with his two new playmates...aka the iterns

Ezekiel Ross

Ezekiel Ross entered our world Thursday, March 22nd, at 1:58 pm.  He weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs 14 ounces, was 21 inches long, head was 14 inches and chest was 14 1/2.  While I will admit, the labor was intense, hard, and seemed like it would never end at times, I had a wonderful support group between Chad and the two midwives that were there.  The midwives stayed away for the most part and let Chad and I work through labor together.  Words cannot begin to describe how perfect he was throughout the whole process.

It has been amazing preparing for this little life since we first found out we were expecting last July. As amazing as it was to carry him in the womb for those nine months, nothing compares to the last couple of days carrying him in our arms...especially since Chad can take part in this too =).

One thing I have always loved was names and picking out names.  I loved any time I got a new fish or animal of some sort, and would spend hours online researching names, meanings and what-not.  Needless to say, I couldn't wait to be able to pick out names for my own child.  Chad felt the same way...although I don't know that he ever spent hours thinking about naming a fish =).  In fact, Chad and I already had several names picked out before we were technically even engaged….yeah we do some things a little backwards =).

When picking out names, I love looking back to the meaning in the name.  Ezekiel was a name that Chad had always liked and brought up during our first child name conversation.  When sitting down and reflecting on what our prayer would be for this child, the name just seemed to fit more and more.  Ezekiel means, "God strengthens".  When looking at the prophet Ezekiel in the old testament, his was a message of personal responsibility.  While Israel as a whole had sinned against God, Ezekiel preached that each individual must accept personal responsibility for the national calamity and must accept guilt for his or her own sin.  Besides personal responsibility, the book of Ezekiel also shows us that while God is a just and righteous God, He is merciful and forgiving.  It also assures us that God will triumph in the end. 

After we both agreed that we really liked Ezekiel not only as a name, but as a name for our child, we set out finding a middle name that we felt fit.  Chad and I have both been blessed with wonderful examples in our parents, family, and friends and we wanted to be intentional about honoring some of those people.  Obviously we'll never get to them all no matter how many children we have but we figured we'd start close to home.  Ross is Chad's father's middle name and thus our little one is named for him.

Going on to Ross and Chad's father, Kevin...it's hard to know where to start.  Chad was blessed to be raised by a man who loved God and taught Chad to do likewise.  He is a wonderful example of who a husband and father should be.  While I still have not been blessed with enough time to get to know him more, I cannot begin to describe the blessing I have received from him through the man he has raised Chad to be.  Chad has blown away every item and more I had on my "list" of what I wanted in a husband. In approaching our second year of marriage, he still opens the car door for me every time we go somewhere, carries my things for me, helps out majorly around the house, and tucks me into bed every night. But most importantly, he takes seriously his responsibility in leading this family spiritually and providing for us...which is what he watched his own father do for his mom and family while growing up.  But it's so much more than just the little things Chad does for me, it's just easier to put into words than the way he is learning to love me as Christ would have him to, in the strength that Christ is giving him. The way that his father reflected so well.

And this is our prayer for little Ezekiel Ross, that he will learn from the godly men that God has placed in his life. That he will learn what it means to live in God's strength.  That he will learn to love as Christ loves.

My two handsome fellows =)

One Final Date

In preparation for our coming baby, Chad and I decided to go on one last date before becoming the official parents of a newborn.  While we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our little one, we do realize (at least to some extent) how precious this beginning time in our marriage has been before children.

So to start off our date, we headed to books-a-million and picked out a book to start reading together.  This was one of our favorite free dates when we were courting cross country.  We would each go to our local book store, pick out  a book, then take turns reading a chapter of the book over the phone.  I have to say, it sure is nice being able to read together in person now. =)

Then of course we had to find some food.  There is this small, cute Mexican restaurant just up the street from us that we pass almost every time we leave our house.  Today seemed as good a day as ever to try it out...and I can tell you, we were not disappointed.  The service was wonderful and the food was even better.

And now to top off our date, redbox decided to surprise us by joining in and sending us a free movie rental code so we are snuggled up with our  chocolate milk, popcorn (for me) and movie.  Thanks redbox! 

And now baby, we are officially ready for you whenever you want to make your arrival. 

The Patience in Waiting

So...I started writing this blog over a week ago.  It's interesting how much can happen in such a seemingly short week and now, how much I have to update what I had written.

Original Post:

I know I haven't written in awhile but mostly because my life seems to be in a stage of waiting.  Currently I have been working on helping plan AIM's annual leadership conference end of April and booking/recruiting for summer mission trips.  While I have definitely been busy preparing, most of what needs to be done can't be done till closer to the actual events...thus I am in a stage of waiting.  Waiting each week for food ads to come out so I can buy items off of the food shopping list for camp that are on sale.  Waiting for t-shirt orders so I can send it in to our printer. Waiting for...well, you get idea.

It seems that everything apart from AIM is at a stand still as well.  While these last few weeks of pregnancy seem to be flying by, it has a way of feeling like forever...just anxious and excited to finally be able to hold our child in our arms.  We are still waiting to hear back from Drury University on Chad's application.  Once we hear about that, then it's another waiting period for his transcript evaluation so we can know when he can register for classes.  Chad is still job hunting.  While there seem to be a fair amount of jobs available, the application process really has become such an impersonal process with online applications.  It can definitely be frustrating at times.  Finally, Chad and I are still looking for a home church.  I only wish that Sunday came more than once a week so we could visit more churches and find a place to call home and get connected.

And I think that is about a summary of our lives right now.  While I have never been the most patient person, I am thankful for these days in my life.  Having to practice patience is just another opportunity for me to learn how to wait on the Lord and to trust that His timing in everything is perfect. =)

Now the many updates:

Another food sale ad came out and I was able to cross off more on my shopping list =)

T-shirt orders are in and sent off

Chad is officially a Drury University student

With the recent tornado, Chad was able to find work on a clean-up crew for the last week

...still waiting on the baby =)

Touring Southern California

Chad and I were blessed with the chance to spend Christmas with my family this year. The main reason this worked out was because we were able to combine family vacation with ministry work.  The week after Christmas we spent in training with the San Diego AIM Team, preparing them for the following week where they would travel in Southern California.

This whole mission trip was a learning experience for Chad and I.  First off, I was in charge of booking the mission trip.  While I have helped with many aspects of the ministry in my years with them, I have never made a booking call before, yet alone booked an entire mission trip (even if it was only a week long).  It was challenging to say the least.  I was very glad to be able to start small as I will be in charge of booking all three 4-5 week long mission trips this summer.  Another area I was able to grow in was simply using the phone.  To say that I despise talking on the phone is probably an understatement, especially when it comes to cold calls...but after contacting over 90 homeschool groups (yes I did go through and count them), while I still don't enjoy it, I think I can say that I've got the hang of it.

The next learning part of the mission trip was the fact that we were taking a team and not just a group of AIM students from various teams.  While the ministry has had whole teams go on mission trips before, this was the first time that it was set up with headquarters leading a mission trip with the team.  A big part of what Chad and I were doing on this mission trip was identifying a process on how to walk a team through putting together a successful mission trip.  This meant many e-mails and phone calls with the team director and assistant director (who just happen to be my mom and brother) mentoring them through decisions on how the mission trip would be put together and run.

The mission trip itself was pretty much like any other mission trip in that they are all unique.  Training camp ran from 9-9 each day as we prepared Bible studies, worked on the songs they would be presenting, and prepped them as to what to expect at the different workshops.  After the week of training, we spent Monday helping a lady from our church with yard work as a service project and then hit the road Tuesday for our first workshop.  We had three workshops total (Norco, Lompoc, and San Diego) with over 60 students ranging in ages from 5-college.  Chad and I were impressed by the mission trip team as they learned how to handle different age groups, different sizes of groups, and yes, different interest/participation levels.

Even with a shorter mission trip, it is amazing to watch how much the students grow in their personal walks with Christ, in their relationships with others, in their confidence with speaking in front of their peers, in their teaching skills and in many other ways.  Once again, we were blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group of young people.

For those of you who haven't seen AIM present before, here is one video of the mission team presenting a song at the San Diego workshop: I Surrender All

East Coast Mission Trip

     From September 28th - October 26th, Chad and I had the amazing opportunity to tour the East Coast with six young adults.  The main purpose of this mission trip was to host workshops for fellow young adults and train them.  To start out the mission trip we spent 4 very long days in intense training.  We worked from morning till night putting together in depth Bible studies, learning creative evangelism skills and discussing what the students could expect on the road.  For those of you who aren't quite sure what creative evangelism is, AIM uses the art form of mime paired with sign language, and drama set to Christian music to present the gospel. 
     After training camp, we headed out to our first stop, Blacksburg, VA.  There is an AIM team there that operates throughout the year.  We spent two days training them.  It was here that we presented the Bible studies we had put together during training camp as well as teaching them new songs.  From there we went on to Richmond, VA to host a workshop with a group that was interested in starting an AIM team.
     Another main purpose of the mission trips is to be servants where ever we go and to meet the needs of those we stay with.  We traveled next to Purcellville, VA and teamed with a local ministry there, Joshua's Hands, to host their annual Fall Festival.  We helped with setting up the day before and the day of, did two presentations, ran some of the games they had, and helped with clean up.
     From there we traveled to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, and finally ended in Washington D.C.  Obviously we filled the days in each place to the max but in the interest of time and length of this post I'll end with a couple more highlights.  In Pennsylvania, we got to work with a local AIM team there as well as spend a day at a local Christian retreat center doing some heavy outside labor for them.  In New Jersey, we hosted our largest workshop with 50+ students and got to visit the Statue of Liberty.  In Massachusetts we hosted a workshop with a brand new group to AIM and spent a day in Boston walking The Freedom Trail.  In Maryland we worked with a local mime troupe and finally in Washington D.C. we got to present directly in front of The Capitol as well as in front of the Jefferson Monument.
    Needless to say, it was a wonderful trip and Chad and I had the chance to grow right along side of the students.  We enjoyed getting to know each of the students on the trip and appreciated the opportunity to disciple each one of them.
    If anyone is interested in reading more about each stop and all that went on you can go to: http://aiminternational.org/trips/RoadReportEastCoast2011.pdf  It is a road report that is written by the students.  Also to view some pictures from the trip you can visit AIM's facebook page, just search AIM Around the World.

Merry Christmas

Once again this year has flown by.  Looking back to last Christmas, I knew that it would be a year of changes…little did I know just how big those changes would be.

     We spent last Christmas with Chad’s family and I enjoyed my first white Christmas.  Coming back to our home in Newport News we brought in the New Year together and looked forward to all that God had for us.

     Chad and I continued to work at the grocery store.  I got transferred to the produce department and although the work was a lot more challenging, I enjoyed the challenge.  We also found a church that we were ready to call home in February.

     In May we enjoyed a short visit with my family in San Diego and then celebrated our first year anniversary in June…and that is where the major changes start coming in.

I found a new job working at a child development center the end of July and looked forward to working with the children each day. Our next big change came right after it with the news that we were expecting our first child. =) Who knew staring at two blue lines could change one’s life so drastically.

Next came August with another opportunity for change.  We received a call from a couple that works with a ministry inviting us to join with them full time.  I had been a part of the ministry for the past 12 years and still worked some with them long distance.  They would be able to provide a rental house for us in exchange for me working with them full time…the hitch was it involved us moving to Branson, MO.  We spent a couple weeks in intense prayer and council.  During our prayer and research, we learned that there was a college with a master’s architecture program set up almost identical to the one that Chad was currently enrolled in.  We also learned that there was a certified architect in Branson who was willing to offer Chad an internship come the beginning of the year.  With the reasons above and with the fact that this position would allow me to work from home with the baby, we decided to take a step in faith and accept the offer.

     We arrived in Branson the middle of September and it was a whirlwind of activity as we searched for a house, received our initial training, and prepared to lead a mission trip across the East Coast.  About a week and half after we arrived, 6 young adults joined us on a 4 week mission trip.  We spent 4 days training them in creative evangelism and preparing them to challenge their peers towards excellence and then traveled for the remainder of the trip.  To say that we got spoiled with a wonderful group of young people would be an understatement.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time through the East Coast but were glad when we arrived back in Branson.

     Life has gotten into a little more of a routine now that we are back in Branson.  We will be spending Christmas with my family in San Diego.  Directly after Christmas, we will be spending a week in training with the AIM team in San Diego and then leading them on a short, one-week, missions trip up through Southern California.  Once back we will make a trip out to see Chad’s family and then settle in and await the arrival of our baby the end of March.

     Looking back on the year I would have never thought that we would be where we are now but God is good and in control.  We are excited by where He has brought us in such a short amount of time and look forward to this New Year…with its many changes and all.

God Bless and Merry Christmas,

Rosalie, Chad and Baby Pollock