I can still remember the day she first shared her dream with me.

Crystal had been serving and attending school in the inner city of San Francisco while I was on the other side of the country working through my college degree. It was hard to be away from my best friend, but I took comfort that we were at least in the same country and, thanks to a then recent phenomenon called the internet and email, we stayed easily connected. There was also the fact that I was sure to see her at least every Christmas and summer break. I found this difficult, but doable. I took some sort of solace in the fact that we were only separated by a couple thousand miles, but somewhere deep inside of me I knew it would not be like that forever.

In 2001, she flew out to be at my side as the maid of honor in my wedding. I remember how many conversations and emails we had over the next couple of years, desperately seeking to understand the plans God had for our lives; praying and encouraging each other, sometimes crying, but always seeing each other through everything regardless of the distance.

Then it came, the blow I feared—that we would end up in very different parts of the world. A lump grew in my throat as my dear friend shared her impassioned vision with me of moving to Indonesia to love the people there, to work and to serve in whatever ways God would direct her. My mind quickly sorted through all the possible scenarios, and much to my dismay I tried to dissuade her at first. I knew that as a small child she was a missionary kid in Indonesia for several years, and the love of that country burned with a passion in her. I secretly hoped that this was just a whim of fancy, a fleeting desire to simply visit or something—anything that would not have us spend years apart.

In 2003, after having all of the plans and details for her departure fall into place, my best friend left for Indonesia. Indonesia, land of limited internet access, dirt roads, and gourd wearing tribal natives, now was more than a name I read in the "made by" tags on much of our country's clothing. It was a land that had my very best friend. As the years ticked by and I continued to hear more and more of the work Crystal was doing there, I knew how very selfish I had been. Crystal was receiving opportunities to love and serve in ways that most will never experience, and she never felt she gave up a single thing to do it.

In 2007, I got the phone call from her saying she had found "the one"—a small, lovable Indonesian man named Agustri that I was determined to believe could never be good enough for my dear Crystal. In 2008, Agustri left everything he had ever known to come here to marry his lovely bride. It was my turn to be at her side, to be her matron of honor. I cried like a baby (I admit it) as I watched one of her most precious dreams coming true. She was marrying the man of her dreams. As he knelt down to wash her feet in an act of both humility and service, I was profoundly moved. He was good enough. He was perfect for her. Here were two people willing to leave their native lands—everything they have ever known—to follow their faith in God wherever it led them.

Almost exactly a year later, precious little Ovidah was born, a beautiful marriage of two wonderfully different cultures who has her own very distinct little personality. It has been my personal honor to get to spend the last two years watching Crystal and Agustri's lives unfold while they have been here in the United States. They have faced cultural problems, language barriers, financial strains, and various other uncertainties at every turn; and yet they press on. All too soon, in my heart's opinion, they will be heading back to Indonesia to serve and love the people of Indonesia again. Why? They say it is to share the love of God, to serve without counting the cost, to give all of themselves to help the Indonesian people.

They inspire me. Their love changes me.

Crystal and Agustri, thank you!

If you would like to know more about Crystal and Agustri's ministry or would like to help support them, you can contact them at innercitycrystal@hotmail.com.

I am totally unsure of how they keep up with four beautiful, lively, and totally snuggly children 5 and under, but Eric and Morgan absolutely do! And while Morgan has assured me she is not always so adorable, I really find it hard to believe. I am lost as to how she remains so fashionable and lovely with so many little ones to care for. I have a hard time just getting dressed for the day, and I only have 2 wee ones. ;)

Getting to spend a couple hours with Eric and Morgan and their sweet family was truly precious. Seeing their littlest one sitting up on her own, the boys snuggling their Mommy and Daddy, and the tickling fun simply made my heart melt. How could I not smile and giggle right along with them?

While the older boys weren't so sure of the whole experience at first, they quickly allowed me to slip into the background of their familiar routine to watch the beautiful everyday moments that they cherish unfold before me and my camera. I will admit it; I fell in love. I fell in love with every precious face, delightful giggle, and chubby roll. And even now, I find myself smiling as I look through the pictures from my brief time with them.

Thanks, Eric and Morgan, for allowing me to have a front row seat in your home for a little while. I hope that these pictures will bring smiles to your faces for generations to come. Enjoy!

Click here to see the photos...

Anna's First Year Series

The UPS man rocked my world today. He brought me my print order, and I will confess that I was as giddy as a kid at Christmas. There are 3 16x20 artistic prints, which means they are on 2mm styrene boards for easy hanging. :)

Every time I look at these prints, I smile. The memories they represent are precious to me. The first was the day Anna was born and we got to meet her for the very first time. The second was taken about 7 months and is a fun scale shot to show how little she still was. The last was just taken a few weeks ago on Anna's adoption day. Look how much she has changed!

I can't got back in time to those moments, but these prints help me to remember. How much are your precious memories worth? For me, they are worth every penny. I ♥ big prints.

Happy Friday!

Anna and Ovidah

It is not often anymore that I get the opportunity to watch a child that is not my own. As a teenager, I babysat all the time and for the most part really enjoyed it. Well, after a recent conversation and a little convincing, my best friend Crystal agreed to finally have her first post-Ovidah birth date with her husband minus Ovidah. Ovidah was awesome; she thinks I am hilarious for some reason. ;)

Watching Ovidah and Anna is just too cute. Anna is twice Ovidah's age, weight, and probably height. They find each other fascinating, to say the least. Tonight Greg was teaching Anna to be super gentle with Ovidah as they so sweetly touched each other in utter fascination. So adorable.

Crystal and Agus, thanks for letting us have a little time with Ovidah. I am glad that you guys enjoyed your date. :)

Anna Raving About Sissy's Meal Skills

Since in just a few more months I will have yet another "adult" child I have been trying to help prepare Ariana for living on her own. I figured one of the necessities was learning to cook. So over the last couple of weeks I have been having her learn some of the basic skills necessary for cooking—ya know, something other than in the microwave. ;) After surviving a few rounds of leather-ed chicken the experience has become quite enjoyable. Tonight she did an awesome job on every detail of our meal. As I finished up I asked Anna how she liked sissy's cooking, and she got so excited. She started jabbering away like crazy. I think Ariana could not possibly get higher reviews than she did from her little sis tonight. It was so funny. :) I have become a firm believer that the only praise sweeter then that of God is that which comes from a small child.

Good job, sissy Ariana!