Soul Sisters: The Next Generation

Hello everyone! Just wanted to let you know we had the 1st Annual Soul Sister European Reunion recently--it was very small (just me and Mel, and families). Next time I hope you can all join us!! Ok, well actually all that happened is that Dave & Mel and kiddos came down from Budapest to visit us in Croatia for a few days. But it was so fun to see them! Although it was freezing cold and we only had a couple hours to hit the town (between kid naptimes, of course) it was so great to reconnect, tell stories about Biola and crack ourselves up. =) Mel & I were talking about how great it is to spend time with old friends--new friends are great, but there is something about the history you have with old friends that makes it special (and I don't mean old in age--we're only in our 30's remember!). While we were hanging out I had the shocking realization that it has been over 12 years since we all first met that first semester of Biola. Can you believe that??

It is so fun to keep reading everyone's posts. And welcome, Danielle, it's so great to hear from you!! To answer your question, yes, Greg and I are on the mission field. We'll be working in the area of church planting-helping Croatians who are interested in starting new churches here. But right now we're focusing on learning the language. Our international move has gone well so far (although it's only been about a month & a half)--of course that means a rollercoaster of emotions. Some days I'm totally loving living here, sure God is going to use us in amazing ways. Other days I think "What have we done? What country do I live in now? What is going on!? And why is there no Dr. Pepper???" OK, that last one I don't say too much, but you get the picture.

Here are a few pics from last weekend. One is of Norah & Emma together, and the other is of both our families in the park in Zagreb.

Susie, you're in my prayers! Let us know if you get any more info on your health situation. Amber, that's so exciting about your upcoming anniversary trip--you deserve it. I know what you mean about "vacations" with the kids being more work than staying home. We only have one kid but it still feels like that sometimes. Jana, how are wedding plans going? Shari, how are you adjusting to being a mom to 3 kids?? Rachel, are you still in Virginia performing Beggar's Opera and are you enjoying it? Dephanie--are you reading the blog, and if so how are you?? Love you girls!

Yeah! Danielle has been found!

I am so glad to hear you are alive and well Danielle! And so good to hear from you to Melissa! It has been awhile since I have checked on our blog, and I was so delighted to hear from all of you! Things are going well here. Chris and I are pretty excited, we have just booked a trip to an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta to celebrate our 10th Anniversary in June. It will be our first real vacation without children since our honeymoon! I must say, that all the "vacations" we have been on, like weekends away with the kids etc...are so much more work than just staying home:-) I am sure you moms can relate! Anyhow, to answer your questions about Chris and I Danielle......yes, we had little Ella Cassidy on June 5th, 2006, so our babies are only about a month apart eh? We just bought a brand new home in Vancouver, Washington and are really enjoying being home owners, and living in Vancouver, we were in Portland, but we're just across the Oregon border, so still really close to Portland. I am staying home with the girls right now, Annabelle is 3 yrs. old and Ella is 9 months. I do love it, and am so grateful to be a stay at home mom, but there are days where I feel like it's more than I can handle! Chris is doing well, he is working for US Bank as a Trainer/manager and is looking to advance within the company. Chris also plays Bass for our church worship band, and he really enjoys that. He actually got to go to Japan last Spring to play worship for a military youth conference in Okinawa. So, I would love to hear more about Tim, and how you met him. What was your wedding like? Maybe you could even post a picture of your family? I am so happy for you Danielle! How is your grandma doing? Is Ruby going to school?And for you Melissa....you are surely not alone in your adventures with Sam.....I can relate....I must say I did laugh as I read your blog, but I know how fun it can be to raise a 3 year old girl! We have had many a tantrum over things that really sometimes, just make you laugh. I have realized how detail oriented Annabelle is, (she is just like her father:-)) And I have to pay attention to details (which I don't always do) or else we have tantrums! Anyway, how is everything else going? School? Are you going to teach this coming year? I surely hope you can make it to Jana's wedding, it would be such a blast for us all to see you:-)Susie....still praying for you girl, are you feeling well yet? Keep it coming with the updates, this is so great!
posted by Curry @ 3:49 PM 0 comments

Things I need to be caught up on...

This is Danielle, posting again under Susie, until I can be a contributor.

It has come to my attention that there are a few things (ok.. let's be honest.. many things) that I am unaware of, a natural biproduct of being missing for so long. First, there are many a baby in our clan. Please, can everyone update me on your child/children with names and ages. Second, Jana is getting married I have gathered from the whole "save the date" cards that were sent out. Jana- CONGRATS!!! that is so wonderful! I am so happy for you. Please tell me who this guy is and how you met. This is all so very exciting. Third, Susie what is this I read about you and health problems? It sounds serious if you are unable to work. I'm so sorry! And finally to everyone else that I do not have much of an update, please feel free to leave a comment to my post giving me the 411 on how you are doing. I am quite eager to learn about it all. For example, Traci you have a pet named Cosmo? Is this correct? I want to learn about this pet? And Rachel is auditioning for an opera? This is wonderful! I'm intrigued and want to know more. And where is Shari K. these days? And Amber how are you and your family? I believe you have also a relatively new addition to your family, is this correct? How is Chris? And Amy, you and Greg are in the mission field? How is that? and how is motherhood treating you especially in a new country?
As for me, my son Luke has finally gotten over having a stomach virus that rendered him lifeless for about 3 days. He's finally getting color back into his cheeks and a smile that I have really missed. Nothing is truly worse than having your child vomitting and they have no idea what is happening to them and their body. It broke my heart. But alas, he's doing better and finally sleeping in his own bed. Which makes Tim happy because he doesn't have to sleep on the couch any more. Ruby and I spent a mother/daughter day together yesterday at Disneyland and it was a fantastic time. She really is maturing into a brilliant and funny girl. A chip off the ol' block I always say.
Please keep me posted and updated on all that is going on.
Love,
Danielle

small victories

SO, I did figure out how to do this under my own name.. yippee!!

Living my soul sister dream

Danielle--so good to hear from you! However, very scary that I have stats posted on the Biola softball site, what stat would I be listed under? Most amount of errors in the least amount of playing time?!? Oh well. It's good to know my legacy lives on :-)
OK, Ladies, I have absolutely loved reading the updates from everyone... Sorry it has taken me so long to contribute. I am actually still trying to figure out how to do all this (when did I get so old & out of date?!?)!
I am afraid that I am turning 31 today & though I have ever desire to be as optimistic as Rachel, I am not sure I'm quite there, but I'm working on it!
My day so far has consisted of listening to Samantha scream all the 20 minutes to church because the clip & ponytail she had in her hair were not enough--she needed a headband of course, then taking her out of church while she was having another breakdown because during the tantrum in the car, she apparently lost her clip (which resulted in a long talk in the bathroom about how church is not about what we look like, but of course the hypocritical mom had to fix her hair on the way out of the bathroom :-)), then Norah screaming in the Nursery so I spent the rest of the service with her (despite the fact that it was my week to help out in the 5th & 6th grade class) but we got McD's on the way home from church & here it is the afternoon & all is well :-). I was remembering sitting in my dorm room in Alpha dreaming about watching my kids run around in the yard & how fun that would be. Don't get me wrong, there are days like that, but today, I just think, "So, this is what it looks like to actually be living that dream!"
I have to get in, books that I am reading--I never mentioned the book Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey. I actually meet with a lady once a week & we read that book out loud together (so truth be told, it is the only book that I am ACTUALLY reading right now!). There is a section on the history of men/women roles in America that is fascinating & makes you realize that "traditional roles" have not always been so traditional.
As far as TV shows, Grey's Anatomy is up there, we just watched the first season of Arrested Development--which was hilarious, and we love the Office. The TV show that I watch over here is the BBC show Changing Rooms which I watch religiously everyday (Samantha even knows all the decorators' names now!)
Jana, I wanted to let you know that the emails that you sent never got to me! I am so sorry! But we did get your Save the Date, which was adorable, and if I could figure out a way to do it the first week of school, I would absolutely do it!! Not just for the wedding, but to see everyone!! Amber, to answer your question about Norah, she is not crawling yet, but she is a monster in her walker! She doesn't really have any desire to be on the floor because she can get around so well in that little machine!!
Amy, I just left you guys a message & we are really hoping to see you next weekend... maybe? I'll keep trying to call. We are SOO excited to have friends that live so close!!
Just FYI, in the picture, Samantha has a green pawprint on her cheek because we had been at the school basketball tournament that weekend.
Love you guys!
Melissa

the new tattoo!

Just thought I'd share. I'm home sick right now (blah -- no real answers yet on the health thing -- I just get to be monitored over time, years even, to see if my cortisol levels indicate there's a tumor on my pituitary gland -- good times!) As for the rest of life, you are all right, 30 isn't so bad once you get past the shock of it all. I broke down and did Match.com -- met a REALLY nice guy who lives about an hour away. I'll keep you posted! I'm so so happy to get to hear how you all are doing more often. And SO glad to hear from you, Danielle! (I think Traci can set you up with your own login -- I don't know how!)

Much love to all!

I want to be part of this blog thing!!!!

Greetings from the land of the Lost! It is me, Danielle. Raise your hand if you remember me. I'll understand if you don't, for it has been too long. Allow me the opportunity to describe myself. I'm 5'8, red hair, blue eyes, and I too am a soul sister. I lived with Melissa for 3 years. Any of this ringing a bell? Well I certainly hope so. I have to explain how I was able to learn about this blog site. For about a month or so I have been really desiring to get back in contact with everyone. ( The reason I lost contact is long and boring story, it has to do with frozen e-mail accounts and loss of addresses as a result.) So about 2 weeks ago I went on a google search mission and I was going to find people, like everyone says you can do because of google. So I typed Melissa White in the little box, you don't even want to know how many options came up. Ridiculous! I might as well have typed Jane Smith for that matter. So I thought I would try Melissa Honsowetz just for kicks. Well I found stats of Biola Softball from 96 -98 roughly. But nothing current. Next, I thought I would try a more unique name. I gave Traci Bumpus a try and what did I find? Traci A. Bumpus has written many a book on career services and until I saw a picture of this Traci A. Bumpus, I'll admit I was ecstatic for Traci. I discovered next that Renee is working at a Luthern School in Oregon, 7th or 8th grade, and got a glimpse of her students homework schedule. Nicely done Renee! Having lost heart and becoming discouraged I thought I would try a bit later with different names. Here comes the really cool part... the next I went to Disneyland with the kids and lo and behold who in all the world do I run into but none other than Sarah and her two adorable boys. Divine???? YES!!! and here I am, blogging in the 21st century!! Crazy, right?
So quickly I will update as I realize this is already pretty long. You probably all know that I am married for 1 1/2 years, to a wonderful man named Tim. We live right here in La Mirada. Ruby is 5 and entering Kindergarten next year and I have my son Lucas who is 10 months. I've been at home for about a year and for the most part totally loving it. Of course there is so much more which I want to share not to mention find out about from all of you, but in the interest of time I will spread it out.
I'm back!!! Yeah! And barring any unfortunate computer incidents ( although I have written everyone's address by hand) I don't plan on disappearing again.

Greetings from Zagreb!

Hello girls! Just wanted to say hi to all of you. We finally have our internet connection worked out here in Croatia, so I can finally check e-mail and look at the soul sister blog. I love it! Keep those posts coming so I can keep in touch with everyone!

We just sent out an e-mail update the other day, which you probably got, so I won't repeat all that. But we are doing well here in Croatia and very happy to be a little more settled. It's been a difficult transition in lots of ways (plus I'm just getting over a bout of strep throat), but that's normal for an international move like this. In other ways, it's been wonderful and exciting! Please keep us in your prayers, as we try to figure out what "normal" life is like for us here, and be open to how God will use us.

Also, Happy Birthday to all of you who had a birthday that I missed--Susie and Sarah in February, Renee and Dephanie the beginning of March. And Happy Birthday to Mel tomorrow! We were hoping to be able to see Mel & Dave this weekend (they were going to come down from Budapest for a weekend visit) but it didn't work out. Hopefully we'll get together soon, Mel, as we're the European contingent of the soul sisters! =)

Love you girls!!

Sorry for Spelling Errors!

To all the teachers and others that are distracted by spelling errors--get over it.
Love Rachel

Greetings from Rachel

Hello my friends!

Happy Birthday to Susie and Renee! If you are not quite ready for optomism, I understand, BUT stop reading my post NOW!
I am 31 and hve to tell you that 30 was the best year of my life yet and it just keeps getting better. In the world's eye, it has actually been a very tough year. But I have never been more joyful and peaceful about my life and purpose. This can be a great decade and life for all of us--not absent of extreme pain, lonliness, rejection, doubt, financial hardships, and frustrations, (and I am not a stranger to any of these!) but filled with the hope of Christ and eternal life with Him.

I love all the pictures from everybody and when I sit down to figuire out how to do it I will post some as well! Our computer has recently passed away unexpectedly so it may be a while.

We are happy to be back in Seattle! God could not have made it ANY clearer that this is where we are suppposed to be and I thank Him for that. I miss my family in CA and Romania but old friends (like Traci) have made us feel like we have fellowship with the family of God here.

This Sunday I fly out to rehearse and perform The Beggar's Opera in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is a wonderful contract that is truly a blessing. The word "blessing" is thrown around a lot in our Christian community at nauseum but I refuse to stop using it when I know I am underservingly BLESSED!

Thank you Traci for posting the article on Friendship. I loved it!

Love Always, Rachel
P.S. Grey's Anatomy is my absolute favorite TV show right now. Who says these people and characters don't really exsist? I have decided that Grey's is the best reality Tv show on television and please don't ruin it for me!

Happy Birthday Renee!

Happy 31st Birthday to Renee on Saturday, the 3rd! Just wanted her to feel the love wherever she looks! Also, regarding your last post about the Oscars Traci...I have always wanted to do a big Oscar party....getting dressed up and all....lets do it......2008! :-) Love to you all, Amber