Altrogge Family

To celebrate Stephen's book and God's faithfulness in leading him, I planned a fun night out for the two of us. We took the metro to Georgetown, which is a chic, historic town that I highly recommend you visit if you're in the area. After much thought and research, I chose a Turkish restaurant, Cafe Divan, for us to try. We ate lamb for the first time, and though we enjoyed our meals, we didn't love the taste of lamb.

Transportation was another story. If you ever plan a trip that involves large distances of walking, first I recommend you not pack a heavy purse. You can really do without the pepper spray. Second I recommend you wear tennis shoes. No matter how fancy, shmancy the dress: tennis shoes! Finally, let me inform you that the trip to the Cafe is all up-hill. Hence the sweat on our foreheads. Be forewarned. I don't know how to avoid the last one.

All joking aside, Stephen and I had a wonderful time and felt blessed to have money to enjoy a night like this. Thank you, dear caregroups who lavishly blessed us.

One theme that God has been impressing on my heart over the past two weeks is that He gives grace to the humble. Most of what I am saying, is a paraphrase of Betsy or from Scripture, no original thoughts whatsoever.

At our first ladies' get-together, Betsy said something that struck a cord with me. There is only one result of humility: grace. The amount of grace that I desire must be matched by my humility. Let no sin go un-confessed. No question unasked. There, God will meet me. He will make me more like Christ, reveal Himself to me and increase my love for him. I am encouraged to jump into this year and live as an open book.

Of course that sounds fine and dandy, but I know my pride tempts me to mask my sin, crave to appear without fault and live independent of the Lord. My prayer has been that God would do a work in me, make me humble.

Now is this all depending on my effort? my doing? my determination? Certainly not. There is hope for me this year because of who He is. He has died on the cross so that I may find forgiveness of sin and grace to help in my need and the Spirit to work to change me. That is where my hope lies.

What rich friendships and counsel I have found, in the Lord, fellow pc wives, roomies and leadership!

I can't believe I'm saying this, but Happy 1st Birthday, Charis! Whenever dad and I found out I was pregnant, we had no idea how much joy you would bring us. You, dear filled our little family of two with so much more love. Even last night as we were reflecting on your birth one year ago, we were brought to tears, overflowing with gratefulness to God.

Some of my fondest memories of the past year are seeing your sweet, little face for the first time in the delivery room, hearing you whimper as a newborn, cuddling in bed with you and dad on Saturday mornings, our first Christmas together, waking up to your cooing and babbling each morning, seeing you learn to dance and receiving your open-mouthed kisses on my cheek. I could go on and on.

Your name means grace. That which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness and loveliness. Of the merciful kindness of God. A gift of grace. I can scarce think of a name more fitting. I love you, pumpkin.

Since we moved, we have been the recipients of lavish kindness. First family friends had a birthday celebration for Charis last weekend. As delicious as the cupcakes were, Charis still hasn't developed a sweet tooth like mine.

Second, this morning L got up before the crack of dawn to decorate and to cook a birthday breakfast feast, so that we could all celebrate together before Stephen left for school. She even made homemade banana and cinnamon pancakes...mmm. Charis loved 'em.
It sure is hard to get four children to look at the camera and smile at the same time.

Here's one way to buy some time while you're moving the summer clothes out and the winter ones in. This will contain 'em for a good 5 minutes. . . the little ones, that is. And yes, I do realize it's still 101 degrees out. Can you tell I love fall?

Is there any danger in giving a 1 year old hangers to play with???

For those of you wondering, we are still alive. . . just very busy. It is my hope to keep up the blog while we're away, but the posts will definitely be sparse in the upcoming weeks. We're heading out on August 16th, and Stephen's classes will begin on the 25th. In between, I have a ladies' luncheon, and we have orientation as a couple. From what many have alluded to, we will be busy. Unless you hear otherwise, just assume everything is peachy-keen.

The pc wives have been communicating via e-mail, and I have also been in contact with the family we will be living with. From the few conversations I have had with the wife, I have already learned from her godly example.

Some funny goings-on:

Charis has now mastered the forward army crawl. Not only that, but she does a funny split thing to get from sitting to a creeping position. I'll have to get a picture of it.

She has learned how to play peek-a-boo and blow kisses, but often does not fully execute. Therefore, she's often at the dinner table with her hands over her eyes for 10 minutes because she's forgotten the release.