Happy Reformation Day!

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Reformation Day.

Last year I dressed up as my facebook profile. (click here to remember). So that was a hard one to beat. So here it is this year....Vernon as the ESV Study Bible
and the Baby and I are a Starbucks Cup and a Barista. Here is the outfit I made for the baby.
Titus is a Transformer.(he has no idea what transformers are he thinks its a colorful robot...which i guess it is!) SO FUN! Have a great day!

Northwest Missouri Tour

We had a great trip to Missouri. We spent 12 days in MO visiting family and visiting churches in order to raise awareness and funds for the His Voice for Sudan Orphanages. It was a GREAT trip. The Lord did some incredible thing through churches we visited. We had a blast seeing family, visiting friends and meeting new people.
When we come to MO each fall, my mom gets all my family together to have a big party. This year the theme was "safari." I grew up close to most of my cousins and we are all close in age. So our children now are all close in age so it makes for ALOT of fun getting together. My Grandma is the best party thrower. It is always so much fun for the children. Each kid got assigned an animal and all for their party favors went along with that animal. She even brought a LION PINATA! So fun! This time with the fam was a definite highlight, here are some others:
* Seeing Sarah and Andrew and meeting there Awesome youth!
* John Summit suprising us in Liberty. (and talking to Steve Pullen on the phone!)
* Vernon's first four-wheeler ride! (the pastor from FBC Stanberry took Vernon out for a day to experience rural life...a new experience for a city boy!)
* Going to my nephew walkers academic bowl meet.
* Going to watch my nephews play football.
* King City's homecoming- the first King City football game I have gone too since I crowned the queen who came after me NINE years ago.
* Seeing "the girls" at the KC game. Jo, Dana, Janeen and April...i do love you girls!
* Seeing by Bro and Sis.
* Staying with Danny and Malory. (and taking her prego pics...she is so cute!)
* Seeing my childhood BFF, Danielle, and her family!
* Staying with the Kearns'
* Meeting the people of Stonebridge.
* Seeing Ang and Jeff and watching Micah walk!!!! (he can not possibly be old enough to walk!)
----i am sure there are more highlights...but for now....Missouri friends and family ... We love you and miss you!
Here are some pics of the party:

My nephew Sawyer at the party.

Titus taking a swing at the Pinata.

The kids collecting the candy from the pinata.

Nicholas..he is so cute!

My bro and sis playing with Justus.

Justus Five Months
I was going to title this post Rolling and Screaming and Teeth Oh My! because that would sum up the last month of Justus' life. He started rolling just after his four month birthday. He found his "outside voice" soon there after and he is a fountain of drool at all times because he is getting 3 teeth at once! At his four month appointment he weighed in at 17lbs 4 oz and 27 inches long...and he has grown since then for sure...my guess is he is 18lbs!
We just got back from a 12 day trip to Missouri where Justus got to meet aunts, uncles and cousins on my side for the first time. He was an amazing little car rider, as was Titus, and that made for a delightful trip. (post on that to come)
We love our little man. He is such a joy. He laughs all the time. His scream is for happiness and sadness so it is often hard to tell if he is upset or just making sounds...so funny! His favorite things are: his big brother, when Titus comes in the room he smiles really big, his new frog toy from nanny, milk....anyway it comes. He still loves to be all swaddled up. Pretty much as soon as you swaddle him, he is out. He is a great sleeper, although he got in a bit of a bad habit of waking up to eat in the night on our trip...so we will be breaking that soon...hopefully.

Finished.

One of the goals of my 28th year of life is to finish every book I start. For some of you this seems like a silly goal, but for me...it will be a full on change of life. I love reading, so I get into a multitude of books but I am so bad about finishing them. I get the gist and move on...but not any more.
I decided to start with a longer more exhaustive book. It was three fold why I chose the first book. 1) to avoid getting baby brain again. I decided to fight it by reading theology while breastfeeding instead of letting my mind melt into mush and let me just say...so far it worked! 2) I picked it because it was long so all other books seem conquerable and 3) our pastor was teaching a series based out of the concepts of this book.
So the first book for me to finish in my 28th year of life is Knowing God by J.I. Packer.

The second book I've finished is Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of A Godly Wife and Mother by Carolyn Mahaney.
To every wife and mom, I would HIGHLY recommend this book. It is so great. Easy to read, much to think about. I was challenged and encouraged. This is a great book to do in a book club or study group. It comes with discussion questions. I plan to read it again.

Next up Worship Matter by Bob Kauflin

and Instructing a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp

The Burger Family Portrait

You know you are Nerds when:

1) For your fifth year anniversary you go to a Desiring God Conference. (or for every anniversary for that matter)

if you have a chance, click above to listen!

2) There is a running count down in your home for the release of the ESV Study Bible.
(we have had it pre-ordered since april. . .hehe)

A Fun Etsy

Hey guys I am going to blog about the DG conference but I need to link one of my friends Etsy by today so I can get two chances in her drawing.

Seriously yall....go visit it. Homemade baby gifts that are SOOO cute!


I want to win this:

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!