Four Months Tomorrow

I was afraid this week would get past me before I could get some pics of our little man, Justus. So these are his "four month pics" but they are actually three months and 29 days. hehe. We had fun shooting these. Titus LOVES to write so he wrote his little brothers name on the sidewalk. Some of these shots were inspired by Nicole at the GirlTalk Blog.
We haven't taken Justus to his check up yet, but if I was to guess, he weighs over 17 lbs! He is super tall as well. He is already wearing 6-12month clothes and growing more and more everyday. He is the happiest baby; he smiles ALL the time. I love that little smile. He loves his brother and his brother loves him. He is trying really hard to roll over both directions but has not mastered it yet...any day I am suspecting. He has two teeth well on their way...also any day if I had to guess. We love our little man. He is such a joy.

Two Dollars and Eighty-Eight Cents


What could $2.88 a day possibly do to impact the world besides giving us our daily caffeine fix at Starbucks (no guilt trip intended)? It can help to do the following:

• Feed, clothe, educate, disciple and pay for medical needs of one orphan for one day. It helps pays the daily salaries of 42 employees (28 of which are widows) who are caring for these orphans. It also helps to pay for one meal a day for 210 school children as well as subsidizing their school fees.

It has come to that time of year where His Voice For Sudan sets out to raise the next years operating cost. This year we figured up how much per day per child it takes to run both orphanages. We were both shocked and encouraged when we divided it out and came up with such a small number. $2.88 really does make a lot of difference! It helps His Voice for Sudan continue the task of empowering orphans, widows and church leaders in Southern Sudan to make disciples of all nations.

We are about to start traveling through the Midwest to raise funds and awareness. We will be speaking at churches and to small groups in homes. If you would be interested in having us come to your church, or hosting a small group night at your home, we would be thrilled to come. You can contact us at Vernon@hisvoiceforsudan.com or comment on this blog.

Back to Normal?

The last week has come and gone with out a blog post...I hope I am not making a habit out of neglecting you, blog.
Life is semi-back-to-normal, if life in the Burger home can ever be considered normal. Vernon has returned from Sudan, Titus' is going to Pre-K three times a week, Justus is taking two good naps and we have our house mate, Robin, back. For us, that's as normal as it gets!
Last week I left you with details of our women's conference. Lets just say... IT WAS FABULOUS! Jennifer Durham spoke about rejoicing in the storms of life. She gave practical steps to overcoming fear and anxiety. She spoke the Word powerfully and effectively. It was practical and honest. Amy Nobels lead worship....I love her. She has such a heart for the nations. On Saturday she lead us in a time of singing and praying for countries all over the world. We got on our faces (literally) and prayed for the Muslims who are celebrating Ramadan. It was powerful as well. One of the highlights for me was the 'Panel Discussion'. I was the MC of the weekend, so I had all the ladies write a question on an index card and turn it in. The last session we had a panel of ladies from all ages, including Jennifer and Amy, attempt to answer the questions. They were wonderful questions and the women were full of grace and Truth...loved it!

Vernon's trip to Sudan was just what he hoped. To read some INCREDIBLE post visit The Bleecker Blog. So you dont get confused, four of the guys are still in Sudan, but Vernon split off from them.

On a different note, Titus is getting so old. He is so much fun as a four year old. He is in Pre-K which I can hardly believe. On Thursday we went to pick up Vernon. He always, like EVERYDAY, finds things outside like sticks, feathers, rocks ect. and brings them to us and tells us he got us a treasure. So like all other days, Thursday he found a small branch and asked if he could give it to Dad in the airport. So I agreed. Titus and I love to sing songs or say sentences with the wrong word in it and laugh hysterically. Our rule is that it has to rhyme. So on the way to the airport, Titus took his recorder (that he calls his flute) and put it on one of the twigs on the branch. He held it up in the back seat and said "look mom my tree is growing fresh flutes!" I laughed hard!

Third Times a Charm

Vernon headed out on Wednesday for his third trip to Sudan in three months...so fun. He is with a team of pastors from The Village Church.  I will keep you posted as they travel.  Currently they have made it to Uganda.  The visited a Mosque today in Entebbe.  I cant wait to hear how that went!  

A while back, I joined a committee to plan our Women's Conference at our church, FBC Irving.  I had no idea it would land on a weekend while Vernon was away.   It has been crazy.  The boys and I have been between the mission house in Irving and our house, some nights there, some nights here. I have some sweet friends from Midland coming in today to stay in the mission house with the boys during the actual conference. It should be fun!  Jennifer Durham is speaking and Amy Nobles is doing the music.  I CANNOT wait!  

I really can't believe I am posting....I guess you can call it procrastinating.  I have a HUGE list of things to be done before we head back to Irving for the weekend. 

Have a Fabulous weekend and a Happy Sabbath.

Justus 3 Months

yep. that's right folks...he is already three months. I have been trying to get some pics and video of him laughing and smiling but every time I pull the camera out he goes straight faced and just stares at it...so today I set my laptop up on the couch and used iMovie and this is what I got...ENJOY!

Can You Handle This?

Okay so I dont have much time but I just HAVE to share some of these pics from the week. My friends have the CUTEST babies...and I got to photograph them all week! SO FUN!

Micah Carson

Ansley Becker

Mikail Kuntz

Eden Reardon

Long Time No Blog

hello all. 

ive not blogged in a while.

sorry about that.

we've been in the homeland.

missouri that is.

so put on your blogging seatbelts

because i have ALOT to blog about.

but for now

i MUST sleep.

An Old Friend

Hey everyone. In honor of the new Hillsong CD coming out today, Aug. 5th which happens to be my 28th birthday. I thought you would be encouraged and challenged by this video. This is a testimony of a sweet friend from SBU. She is an anointed worship leader and you will be blessed by her raw honesty.

Check Engine

The last week of my life has been rather eventful...to say the least.  I had amazing plans to pack up the boys on Tuesday and head to Houston.  In Houston we were going to stay with our dear friend Amy, who is always such a delight and refreshing to the soul.  Titus was going to get to play with his BFF Jackson. Jackson's mom, Star is a dear friend so I was going to have so much fun chatting and catching up.  I also dreamed of a play date with Michelle and Amanda, visiting HFBC, a visit with The Parker's and the Altic's, Uptown Park Starbucks, Fuzzy's and going to Metro Live and surprising my sweet friends, The Dodd's, who would be leading worship that evening. But God had other plans.  

Monday night around 11pm I got a text saying that a good friend of ours from Midland had had a stroke.  Through the course of the night I got other texts about how he was progressing. I thought since I was totally packed and ready to leave the next day, maybe I should go to Midland instead.  The next morning, things were looking up for our friend, Kyle.  He had survived the night and they were hopeful.  I was told so many people were there supporting his wife, Karen.  So I decided that I would just go on to Houston and have fun.  As the day went on, my heart was heavy, I finally got a chance to get away and pray and read and I felt as if God was telling me to wait and not go anywhere.  So that's what I did.  I waited and waited.  I got the news that Kyle was doing worse, but still I felt God was telling me to wait.  The next morning I got the news that Kyle had passed away, but still God was telling me to wait.  So I went on with my normal Wednesday. As Wednesday went on, would you believe that BOTH of our cars Check Engine lights came on!  That was just the confirmation I needed to stay put.

That evening, I packed up the boys and headed to church.  The entire time I was there I sensed God encouraging me and using me, as if to continue confirming my waiting.  On the way home from church I got a call from Midland. It was my dear friend who was just widowed.  She was wondering if I would sing in the funeral.  With out hesitation, I said, "Absolutely, the boys and I will head out first thing in the morning."  As soon as I was asked I sensed God releasing me us to GO.  So Thrus. morning I put the boys and all of our stuff in the car and headed out ....with the Check Engine light on.  Amazingly, we made it just fine. Amen.  

I got there in time to drop off the boys and go to the visitation.  I rode with my sweet friend Jenny and was abundantly blessed by her honesty and depth.  I love talking with her.  At the visitation I witnessed my dear friend Karen display for all of us what it is to grieve with hope.  She was the most beautiful widow I have ever seen.  She was so raw and honest, full of hope and strength, yet she was so sad and weak.  She was the same Karen everyone has always known, her faith is so deep, even the worst circumstance did not change her.  She was who she is.  

They had been married 41 years....we celebrate our 5th tomorrow...I can not imagine the loss.

So this morning we gathered for the funeral. I hope I can say this with out it sounding funny but it was perfect...perfect in every way,  an amazing representation of the life Kyle lived.  I sang at the end of the funeral a song of hope and prayed over the family.  I was so honored to be a part of the service.  

After the service I packed the boys back up and headed back to Fort Worth.  A normal 4 hour trip took us 6 hours.  (We hit a bad storm so I pulled off.  Then we had to stop to feed Justus.)  Needless to say I am totally exhausted, physically, emotionally and mentally.  As I pulled out of Midland, I was thinking through all that had happened and I began to pray.  Just then I looked down and my Check Engine light was OFF....

Yes and Amen.

Justus: 2 months

Made it to Sudan

I just got an email from Vernon and he and the team from FBC Irving made it into Sudan.  They are excited about what will transpire over the next week and a half!  Visit the HIS VOICE BLOG for prayer and reports.  

 

In Other News

Titus and Justus went to the doctor yesterday and both received two vaccines.  As I have mentioned before we are doing an alternative vaccine schedule.  We finally found a pediatrician in Fort Worth who encourages this and yesterday was our first visit.  It went great and I really like the nurses and doctor.   'Human fetal cells' are a major ingredient in some vaccines so upon learning this I began a rather extensive study on vaccines.  It is possible that the fetal cells were taken from aborted fetus...thus the dilemma.  Our new doctor is Pro-Life and so we had a great conversation about the fetal tissue that was used to culture particular vaccines and his thoughts on it.  I was so thankful to find someone who didn't treat me like a conspiracy theorist.  He was very knowledgeable and helpful.  

Many of you, sweet readers, have asked about the research on vaccines and asked me to do a series on what I learned.  Unfortunately I don't feel like I will be able to devote enough time to it to do this vaccines issue justice.  But I will recommend this book The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears. In this book he gives both sides (natural medicine and traditional medicine) a fair hearing and gives you a great basis of knowledge regarding each recommended vaccine.  (including how serious the disease is you a vaccinating against, what the vaccines are made of, which brands do and do not use certain ingredients)  He also has a website with loads of info...www.thevaccinebook.com

So that is that!

Have a great Thursday!

Surprise! A New Do.

The Last Four Years In Eight Seconds

Today I tried to capture Titus singing and playing in his Batman PJ's. As soon as he could see him self on IMovie he started being his silly self. We keep watching this particular clip over and over and laughing our heads off...seriously the more you watch it the funnier it gets! At the end he looks like the Muppet's when they get pulled off...just watch...its hilarious!

Lyrics Of This Season

I like to make completely random playlists on iTunes that I play for a season. These songs, old and new, come to define that season in my life. The old songs remind me of days gone by that the Lord was and is forever faithful. The new songs encourage my heart, they lead me into the mystery of the Holy God. The deep truths of the songs stick in my mind and are on my lips. Here are some lyrics that have encouraged me the last two months. I pray the truths and the thoughts below spur you on to love and good deeds!

"Lord Jesus come lead us
We're desperate for your touch
Oh Great and Mighty One, with one desire we come
That you would reign, that you would reign in us
We're offering up our lives, a living sacrifice
That you would reign, that you would reign in us"

"You are God with us
You're victorious
You are strong and mighty to save
For Your word stands true
There is none like You
And when all else fades
You remain"

"Let me not be blind with privilege
Give me eyes to see the pain
Let the blessing You've poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain
Let this life be used for change"

"Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity"

"Let me know that You hear me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You love me
Let that be enough"

"Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom"

"Your blood has washed away my sin. Jesus, thank you!
The Father's wrath completely satisfied. Jesus, thank you!
Once Your enemy now seated at Your table. Jesus, thank you!"

"I see the heavens proclaiming day after day,
And I know in my heart that there must be a way
Hallelujah, we want to lift You higher,
Hallelujah, we want to lift You higher."

"if you're like me
You need hope, coffee, and melody
So sit back down
Let the world keep spinning ‘round
For yesterday's gone and today is waiting on you to show your face"

"Savior, You showed Your love, defeating our sin,
you poured out your blood.
So we praise You the Lamb that was Slain
We offer our lives to proclaim, "What a Savior!"

"yes and amen, to everything that you have done."

So...what Truths are being sung in your head?

Titus on Marriage

We spent this last weekend in Midland because Allison, Jess and I were shooting a wedding. It was a lot of fun. We got some great shots and had a blast all at the same time. It is great when work is fun! Anyway, Titus and Justus stayed with the Barker's while I was at the wedding and the reception. When I got back to there house it was really late...hours past Titus' normal bed time...but he was still awake. I crawled into bed with him and he said, "Mom I missed you so much when you were at the wedding." I said thank you and that I missed him too, then he proceeded to ask what a wedding was. I told him and he remembered that he was in Allison and Justin's wedding. He continued to lay there and think and then he asked, "Mom, what's a husband?" So I quickly explained as best as I could. He asked, "Mom, can I be a husband when I get big like dad?" and I replied, "I sure hope you can, that would be great!" I could tell he was thinking about all of this wedding/marriage stuff, then finally he asked, "Do you think if I am a husband I could still play with my Mater and Lighting McQueen?" I chuckled and said I thought that would be fine....I love his little mind!
Anyway, here are few pics from the wedding, I just uploaded them about 10 mins ago and these are a few that caught my eye. If after editing there are some more fun ones I will post those too.

Independence Day Fun

We went to the lake with the Barker's...it was SO fun! Titus got brave this year and rode the tube! Let it be known that I did tube but tubing and breastfeeding do not pair well together.haha! oh well it was worth the fun! I also tried to knee board but since I have little to know core or ab muscles I did not fare so well! I did learn however, that six weeks after a baby is not the time to gain confidence in your knee boarding skills...justfyi.

Here are some pics...

Titus' first time out on the Tube. He was so brave!

The gang minus me. (Kasey, Dillan and Dustin on Left, Drew and Vernon on Right)

Justus' first boat ride. He slept the entire time!

Six Weeks Old

Let the Blow-Outs Begin

If you have ever had a breastfed newborn, you know exactly what I am talking about. Enough said...I wont go there...this time. HAHA!

A Blog Worth Reading

Below I copied and pasted a clip from a blog that ministered to me this week. I linked it for you to check out as well. What blog has ministered to you lately?

From the Girl Talk Blog:
"Of the more than 8000 days I spent in this home, there were a few dramatic ones: the day I announced to CJ that “surprise, you’re going to be a father again!” or the day Kristin fainted and we had to call the ambulance, or when Mike serenaded Janelle outside her window at 6am, or when Nicole returned from the hospital after life-saving surgery.

But most of my days looked pretty much the same.

I got out of bed each morning so that I could do everything I did the day before.
I washed the dishes so they could be dirtied again.
I ironed the clothes so they could be worn and wrinkled again
I wiped noses so they could run again.
I picked up toys so they could be played with again.
I mopped the floor so mud could be tracked on it again.
I cooked meals so that I could go to the grocery store again.
I made beds so they could be slept in again.

Some days I wondered: if I do all I do, only to have it undone, am I really doing anything?

Today, as I pack up my home in June of 2008, I can see the answer more clearly than I did in February 1986. Each of my daughters is married to a wonderful, godly man, Chad will be a sophomore in high school this fall, and we’ll welcome our seventh grandchild at the end of August.

I realize that all of the mundane, repetitive days were actually full of significant, enduring work. A home was being built. A family was being knit together. Four souls were being shaped for eternity.

This home has spawned three more homes where the same tedious yet momentous work goes on day in and day out. And God willing, many more homes will one day be built, day by day, so “that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:9)."

Titus is Four

Today Titus turns four. I love him more today than ever before. Since the baby has come, I have seen Titus mature by leaps and bounds. He has had to have patience like never before, share his time with us like never before and love, protect and serve a baby that can not comunitcate with him and can not play with him. He is so big. Everytime I hold the baby and see Titus I get teary eyed.

Titus is so fun. Infact, he is ALL fun. The number one rule in our house is: You must have fun. Followed by Vernon saying,"And how do we have fun?" to which Titus responds, "You Obey!"

Titus is a people person. He always wants us to have people over or to go to some ones house. Lately he wants to go to our friends houses and he says, "you can just drop me off." Our friends are his friends...I love it.

Titus is a one on one kinda guy. When people come over it goes something like this: Titus scans the group, picks someone and says, "you want to come see my new toy?" He then proceeds to get that person to play with him in his room for a while. After some time he will nicely ask the person he originally chose to depart from his room and 'send in the guy in the blue shirt.' The 'guy in the blue shirt' comes in and plays for a bit and then he is sent away to retrieve the next person...it is soo funny!

Titus is Loud. He loves to talk. He will talk about anything. He is a questioner, which we are trying to keep him that way. He talks loud, he sings loud, he runs loud, he plays loud. I love it. When he is gone...its sooo quiet.

Titus is an artist. He loves to create 'invenjens." He is all the time getting a new toy and turning it into something different. He loves to draw, paint, color and play play dough. He loves to create.

Titus is an encourager. Atleast once a day he will comment on something I am wearing or how he likes my hair. He is all the time saying, "I love you mom." or "you are a good mom." He is so sweet.

Titus is Clever. He can reason with the best of them. It is really hard not to laugh sometimes when he is trying to reason his way out of a punishment. He knows what to say and when to say it. The other day he burped and we heard no follow up "excuse me" so Vernon said, "Titus." in his fatherly voice, to which Titus replied, "that sound is spanish for excuse me." Of course it is.

Titus is so much more. Titus is so much more than I could ever write here. We love him so much and are so proud of who he is and who he is becoming.

Super Cool Wordle
This is a Wordle of my blog from Jan. 1 until today. This was way fun!
You copy and paste any writings into the browser and it picks the most used words and sizes them based on the amount they are used! So cool!

Justus Is Four Weeks Today


Here's some pics I snapped of Justus this afternoon. Enjoy.

The Vern's Return and other Randomness

Vernon made it back safe from Sudan. Praise God!
The day he was leaving Sudan I opened up my laptop to check the news. My Aunt Martha, whose husband was also in Sudan, was sitting next to me. We opened Fox news and in big headline letters we read, "Plane crash out of Sudan." Stunned, we looked at each other, took a deep breath and I clicked open the article. We soon found out that the plane was flying from Syria to Northern Sudan. We were relieved that this was not the plane our husbands were to board that day, but I couldn't get it out of my mind the next two days. Knowing the places this plane had been and where this plane was to land, it is very likely that the majority of the people on this flight were practicing Muslims. I began to pray for the Muslims in Northern Sudan to hear the Gospel and be bold enough to believe in the midst of persecution. May the Lord show Himself in dreams, visions and through missionaries to the people of Northern Sudan!

Life since The Vern's return has been busy (hence the lack of posting). Vernon had a bit of sickness, but is doing great now. He came back with the plan of action for His Voice for Sudan and how we would fit in to the vision of EPC (the church we work with in Sudan) for the next year. So as soon as he was well enough, we hit the ground running. Planning and implementing, emailing and calling, and praying ALOT.

Titus is loving summer. He is writing most of his letters and on the verge of reading small words. He is beginning to sound out things...its so fun! He still loves art. He would paint and draw all day if we let him. Yesterday he came to us with a painting that was blue with yellow spots and said, "this is starry night." He thinks he is VanGogh apparently.

Justus is almost 4 weeks old. What? how did that happen! He is eating and sleeping really well. We are so grateful. He is beginning to Coo and Ahh and we love it.

Father's day was good, although I totally bombed this year. Vernon's father's day gift is still sitting at Walgreen's! (and needs to be framed) We went to Andrea and Eric's new house on Saturday night and then went to the Village. It was spectacular as always. Andrea's new house is so great...she even has a red kitchen! LOVE IT! Sunday we went to our church and then to Fuddruckers. That was then extent of our Father's day extravaganza.

That is plenty for now...pics to come soon!

Just Me and The Boys

Only 24 hours until Vernon lands in America. Just one more day of just me and the boys. Its been a great experience, challenging but great. Thanks to all who prayed, called, came to help, took Titus out and gave me adult interaction. Vernon's time in Sudan he said was "invaluable." Lots of vision casting for the future took place. The meetings with all the partners were smooth and clear. We are so excited about what God is doing in Southern Sudan. May the Gospel be spread there, loud and clear.

Two Weeks and One More Week

Justus is Two Weeks Old today. I can hardly believe it. He is a great baby and I am overwhelmed with gratefulness. Titus is totally in love with his baby brother so far. He wants to take him and show him to everyone. He wants to hold him all the time and is constantly kissing on him. It is so great. We are praying this doesn't wear off! He keeps saying things like, "Look at my baby brother, he's cute isn't he" and "when baby Justus gets bigger we will be Best Friends!" or if when we are driving down the road, about every ten minutes Titus says, "the baby's doin' fine mom." Isn't that so funny!

Most of you know Vernon is in Sudan. We prayed hard that God would allow us to have Justus before he was scheduled to leave. God heard our pleas and let Vernon be here for Justus' first 10 days! AMEN. I had to take Vernon and my mom to the airport on the same day. It was pretty brutal but a good dose of reality... we now have 2 children...we travel back and forth to SUDAN...sometimes all of us, sometimes just Vernon...my family lives in Missouri...we live in Texas...reality check. I had a choice to make on the drive home, will I bask in my self pity and poor me's or Sing praise to the Lord for all that He is doing and all that he has done....in Sudan, in my life, in my husbands lives and in our children. By God's grace I chose the latter. This time apart from Vernon has been different than any before... I mean, we have another child...but God's grace has poured out us and overflowed. To Him we are grateful!

One more week until Vernon returns, Lord willing. May the Name of our Lord be made known in Sudan. Thank you so much for all the prayers during the last week. Our family has been blessed by each of you who have interceded for us. Yall are wonderful. I will load up some pictures if/when i get a second!

One Week Old

I can not believe its been a week and boy what a week it has been!  Here are some pics I took today on the couch...Enjoy!

A Couple Pics From Day 4

Introducing...

Justus Drew Burger
May 22, 2008 4:41 am 7lb 3oz

I started having contractions around 10:30 Wednesday night, I thought they would probably go a way so we just stayed at home. As they got stronger and closer together I decided around 1:30am we should head to the hospital. I was admitted at 1:55 and was only dilated to a two. I went from a two to and eight in only a little over an one hour! They tried to slow me down so the Doctor on call could get there. He arrived around 4:30 and at 4:41 Justus arrived!

He kept putting his hands like this so we couldn't resist the pic!
We are home already, so more pics to come I am sure!

Secondary Schools
Hey everyone! We have an opportunity that you might be interested in. I copied and pasted the blog I posted over at our His Voice for Sudan Blog . So that you can be up to date on what's going on in Sudan.
Here it is...

Each Orphanage has a primary school and now we have received the blue prints for the Secondary Schools! We are so excited! With these blue prints come a good amount of money that needs to be raised to finish them before the children are of Secondary age. If you, your church/organization, or anyone you know would be interested in giving to this project, please contact us at vernon@hisvoiceforsudan.com or visit the PARTNER page of our website for details on how to give. We need to send $20,000 asap to secure the materials.
Thanks to all!

HELP NEEDED

okay. I have a balance of 16.35 in Itunes money and each time some new season of life is coming around I love buying new worship music. I have the new Starfield, which you all should buy... but I CANNOT decide what else....the new hilsong united, the new delirious?, the Jon Forman spring EP's...ahhhh...too many great new albums out. Sooo please let me know what you are listening too.

Deep Thoughts by Vernon Burger

So if you are wondering where Titus gets his little thoughts....visit my husband's blog.  He has started blogging again and I highly recommend you add it to your bloglines, google reader or whatever you use to keep up with your blog reading...you will be challenged and encouraged!

oh, and leave comments please...he loves being challenged as well!

LoveTruthAlways.blogspot.com