Titus' First Day of Kindergarten!



Just as we suspected, TITUS LOVES SCHOOL. He is doing great. His teacher pulled me aside yesterday and so I thought maybe he had a bad day since he was so tired from all our travel. I thought she would say he had done something. NOPE, she went on and on about how sweet he was and was so thoughtful and kind! I was sorta shocked, honestly. (dont get me wrong, Titus is sweet and I would like to think he would obey and be kind, but i don't want to be THAT mom who thinks her kid hung the moon) Anyway, the first day of school she told us that during the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, he kept whispering, "There is going to be enough, Jesus does it!" with excitement and anticipation. Then at the end he said, "Mrs. Write, that is a Miracle." She said that was right, to which he responded, "I hope I get to see a miracle." She continue to explain that we see miracles everyday and gave them some examples and she said it made Titus' entire day. haha! He still gets up every school day and says, "Can we go to school now?" Sooo, the Lord knew, through all our wavering on schooling, just exactly where Titus needed to be. Thank You Lord. Amen.

Video Recap

California!!!! from Amber Burger on Vimeo.

Song on Video:: Oh! Gravity by Switchfoot

We had so much fun! This is just a little taste of what all we did in our short 40hours in Southern Cali. No video or cameras allowed at the show...so no footage of the main event but plenty of the rest! I will write all about the show when my mind is working a little better :) !

Is This REALLY Happening?

Tomorrow morning I board a plane to Santa Ana, CA to fulfill one of the many things I have always wanted to do but NEVER thought I actually would. Since 1998 when I was first introduced to the music of Switchfoot, I have wanted to see them live in concert in there home town, San Diego. Never in my wildest dreams, although I always said I would do it before I was 30, did I imagine it happening! My sweet friend Erin call in early spring and told me that Switchfoot would be playing a show with Dave Matthews in Chula Vista, CA and that she was buying us tickets and we were GOING! We talked to some of our other girlfriends who share the same love for Switchfoot and they all considered long and hard and Amy decided to join us!!! So the three of us are meeting in OC tomorrow, staying with some friends of Amy's, driving up the coast Saturday into San Diego, hanging out in the city and ending the day in Chula Vista at the show!!! (we fly out at 620am Sunday morning but who needs sleep!)

Now, let it be known that I am not a Swtichfoot stalker or creeper, but I do greatly love their music. When the new album comes out I often feel like I have opened my journal and Jon and the guys have put amazing lyrics and music to the thoughts of my heart. I am grateful to the Lord for the many moments He has used their songs to minister to my soul, to convict, to comfort, to encourage.

****it has come to my attention that I should revise the give away...you can try the below, but if you cant do it, just leave your fav song and why***

I was thinking that in honor of us going I would do a little give away, my first on this blog actually! I am going to list 6 stanzas from various Switchfoot songs, that over the years the Lord has used. If you can, without googling them, tell me what songs they are from, I will put all the people who got the correct answers (or who give it a good shot) in a drawing. Whoever wins, I will get them something at the show!!!

Also include your favorite Switchfoot song and why!

Okay here goes:

1) These carbon shells
These fragile dusty frames
House canvases of souls
We are bruised and broken masterpieces
But we did not paint ourselves

2) Hope has given himself to the worst
Is this fiction or divine comedy?
Where the last of the last finish first

3)I give You my apathy
I'm giving You all of me
I want Your symphony
Singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs I'm giving it back

4)They're taking pictures of
The man who's lost all of his
Masks of pretension
He's got two faces left
His is the one that he hides
On the left behind that smile
Hiding tears and fear
That burn like an engine
It drives him away
From the ones that he loves

5)I want to see miracles, see the world change
Wrestled the angel, for more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
And You're raising the dead in me

6) And all I see It could never make me happy
And all my sand castles
Spend their time collapsing

Okay...HAVE FUN!!!

The Night Before Kindergarten

We asked Titus if we could make a quick movie of the night before Kindergarten, happily he obliged and this is what came of it...

The Night Before Kindergarten- Titus from Amber Burger on Vimeo.

His Voice For Sudan NEW BLOG!

We just went live with our new His Voice for Sudan blog! Come and join us. Vernon, Justin, Heath and I will be writing entries of all kinds. I think you will really enjoy it.

CLICK HERE to visit us!

A Reprieve

We have been in and out all summer and we have a week home! We thought Titus would be starting school by this week, but his school is building a new section and it is not finished yet so they are not starting until after labor day. So this leaves us with very little planned! Our clothes are in our closets and drawers (well those that are not in the washer!) and not in our suitcases!
This week, so far, has been wonderful. It started with Sunday, not just any Sunday, but the Sunday that all the college students are back! I love this week every year. They are all full life from the summer and excited about what God is going to do in the coming year...it just gets me soo excited! That evening some friends from church, Nate and Natalie came over and stayed the night. We had the best time! We are believing God with them for Nate's dad's healing. We are grieving with them as they walk through the pain of seeing his dad so sick. Tuesday we went out to dinner with The Bleecker's and then to worship with Hillsong. It was an amazing night and so refreshing. Nate and Natalie were there along with ALL of the FBCI worship team. I was so blessed to stand together with our team and sing, without set lists, without instruments, just sing our hearts our to our LORD together. "we stand with arms high and hearts surrendered." I can not say enough how blessed I am to be apart of our team. To serve with these sweet friends is something I will forever be grateful for.

The very next morning we had the privilege of leading worship at DBU's chapel. It was such an encouragement. It was packed out, standing room only...crazy. I love seeing what God is doing in the lives of the students at DBU. I was richly blessed to be there and sing with them. That evening we went to church and had a great night fellowshipping with our sweet family there.

That brings us to today. We have nothing...its kinda cool...but right before I started writing this, I thought to myself, "We should see if some of the students want to come over for dinner, I'll have Vernon text Chris and Galvan." haha. We just LOVE having people in our home. As for now the boys are napping so I am catching up on all the HisVoice websiting and contacts. Working on configuring email addresses for some new HisVoice employees and periodically stopping to switch out the laundry...and updating this silly blog.

I think I will end this post with this little video. It is currently my favorite worship song. I have listened to the new Faith+Hope+Love Album by Hillsong a quadrillion times and have tried hard not to be bias towards Jill but this is for real an AMAZING song and the LORD has used it in my life this last month. AMEN!

Down for the Count


Well most of you know via Twitter and Facebook that our family has had the stomach bug. All four of us :( but I think we might be on the mend. Today Sarah sent me all the pictures from Titus photo shoot and this was one of them. I thought it was only fitting to post it. Thanks for stopping by even though I haven't been posting much!

My Sweet New Niece!

CLAIRE ELLISE DANIELS
7lbs 11oz 20.5inch long
10:02 am August 6, 2009

Random Pics of The Summer Part I : Grandma Downey's Party

So I haven't loaded my pics from my sony cyershot but here are some fun ones from my Canon.

My Grandma throws the best parties. They are always themed and always centered around the kids having fun. This summer's party had a Cowboy theme complete with sack races, stick horse races and cowgirl/cowboy photo opp. (oh and of course a pinata)



Random Pics of The Summer Part II: Friends and Fun!

we got to spend 15 days in St. Louis and really I came away with hardly any pictures. In fact, I haven't taken many pictures at all this summer. I was enjoying myself and forgot I guess. Here are few that I did snag.

Happy Anniversary To Us

For the next couple of days, THIS is where you will find us.

Vernon surprised me with a two night get away to a ranch just out side DFW. I am so excited! He even made all the childcare arrangements and everything!

Its been an amazing six years. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

My Dearest Chongs


If you have known me in the last 7 years of life, you have known my dearest Chongs very well. Seven years ago I got these beauties out of my cousins closet and we did a shoe trade. I traded him a pair of thrift store tennis shoes for my dear Chongs. He had worn said Chongs for two years already so they were nice and broke in. Perfect for me. I had a pair of Chacos already but the wonder of getting a chaco and a flip flop in one....nothing could compare. Seven long years I wore and loved my Chongs and when I say wore I mean WORE. I literally wore them with everything. EVERYTHING. Dresses, shorts, pants, t-shirts and dress shirts. I broke all the rules of fashion and did not care a lic. They even made it through both pregnancies and multiple trips to Africa. And besides a running shoes and some mandatory heels for a wedding or two I haven't even bought any other shoes. Some say this is not very feminine of me but I just need to say that if I had it my way I would be barefoot. I just cant fathom paying money for that many pairs of shoes...when one pair is just fine. (although I have contemplated many pairs along the way and the only ones that have ALMOST won are Toms and that is because some child will also get shoes)...I know I think too much.
Anyway, let it be known after a life of 9 years on July 13, 2009 my Chongs broke. Deep down I knew the day would come but I have been in denial. Now the great thing about Chaco's is that they have a life time warranty. Sooo...I am sending them in. The only issue I have with this is... What if they send me the Zongs?
Zongs are the predecessor of The Chongs. Chongs are no longer made by Chaco they were retired 5 years ago and just last year they finally came out with its match...the Zong. And I will say in my opinion do not hold a candle to the Chong...just sayin. Now, all that said I will be grateful for the Zong if they send them my way but am hoping that they just strap my Chongs. I will keep you posted. In the mean time, you can find me barefoot!
(jk, Vernon bought me some great Keenes and Simples last year at the REI super clearane sale)

A Sneak Peek and a Short Explanation

Hey! The Crazies are about to end we are back in TX with only a few trips to go. This is my explanation for not blogging in forever. Then...TITUS STARTS KINDERGARTEN. so crazy. We are home this week so I asked Sarah Barnes to take Titus' 5 year old pics. She sent me a sneek peak last night....here are some....

Urgent Prayer PRAISE!!

Y'all....THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PRAYING. We just got an email from Bishop saying that 8 have recovered! They will be monitored a bit but have stopped having "running stomach" as they say...they will be hydrating them and they will be back to there normal routine. The other 3 are still sick but they are hopeful that they will also recover.

AMEN... God did a mighty work at Lura!

Please continue to pray:

The 8 continue to hold down food and hydration.
The 3 stop having "running stomach" and begin holding down food and water.
Pray as they all morn the loss of one of their friends.
Pray for the mother of this sweet child as she morns the loss of her baby.

THANKS!

URGENT PRAYER

Today we received and email from Bishop Taban (the Sudanese pastor over all of the ministry we do in Sudan). Some of the children at the Lura orphanage are VERY sick. One child (although not an orphan but a child of one of the employed cooks) has died from the virus. Currently, 11 children are sick. They think they have the virus contained, but please pray.

Pray for our children as they are sick and needing to be brought back to health.
Pray for the nurses and health staff as they care for them.
Pray for the sweet mom who lost her child.
Pray for all the children and family as they morn the loss of this child.

Here is the email we received this morning, we will hopefully get more info asap,

Dear brethren;

The children at Lura Orphanage has been attacked by running stomach 11are on sick bed right now and one child dead today. We closed our Yei town clinic because all the staff are to attend to the situation in Lura. Though the child who dead is not an official registered child but the mother was employed two months back as a cook and she could not leave the child behind; one problem that mighty have caused the death is that the mother gave the child local medicine before reporting to the nurse. According to our health staff the situation has been brought under control.Thank you for your prayers.

Love.
Bishop Elias Taban

A Good Laugh

Tonight Vernon and I were talking about dancing and I was trying to explain to him the difference between square dancing and country dancing. Trying to get him to understand I said, "you know like CMT." This was followed by a blank stare from Vernon. I knew I need to clarify "country music television," I said. At this Vernon began to laugh and says, "I have never heard of that, so is that kinda like BET." This remark was followed by a blank stare from me, I had no idea what BET was. He laughed harder as he clarified, "black entertainment television."

We both laughed hard...we grew up in different worlds! haha!

Alive.

I am still alive. I promise.

Titus' Birthday Party In Pictures
Titus and two of his best friends, Ben and Toby, all turn five around the same time so the families decided to come together and have one BIG party...and it was SOO fun! Each boy had there own table decor of choice (titus' was transformers of course!) We rented a blow up water slide and brought the rest of the water games from home. It was a great morning!

Titus and Toby with the Optimus Prime masks.

Ella, not to be left out, looked so cute in hers!

Justus slept in our friends van with the doors open almost the entire party!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW TITUS!

So Far So Good

Thanks to all who have been praying for Vernon. He made it safely to Sudan. He said that the pain was so controlled that he actually slept on the flight! That hasn't happened in a LONG time...years. He has only had one period of severe pain and that was when he didn't take one round of his medicine. So, even though we are unsure of the source of the pain still, at least he is functional! (and the fact that the meds are working is a good indicator that it is nervous system related) He went straight away to the orphanange and the children were VERY concerned for him. They had heard from The Village team that he was sick. They told him they were praying for God to heal him. Amen! Those children never cease to amaze us. Mark, Vernon and Bishop headed back to Uganda today to pic up Stan. Together they went to the retreat center where they will be having the meetings. On the way they got to go to Murchison Falls !! What a dream! About an hour ago, my cell phone rang and it said the call was from Vernon. Naturally I got really nervous because he NEVER calls me from his cell it is always from the computer or from a satellite phone...because it cost so much. I answered and I hear he say, "Can you hear this? Its just AMAZING. You have to hear this" he held the phone out so I could hear the roar of the water fall. WOW. That moment was worth the cost for sure. It was so loud and powerful sounding even through the cell phone from across the globe, I can not even imagine! They we so close so they hiked to the top! Sooo Awesome!

On a different note, camp was so GREAT! The students and the adults really connected and there was an abundance of honesty. Truth was spoken and lives were changed. I love seeing God move in the hearts of high school students! The youth pastors of this camp arranged for some adults and jr.high students to come and stay with all the leaders kids. They kept the kids all day, gave them naps, fed them, took them to the rec times, let them go swimming, and the parents/leaders were free to minister to the students and stop in anytime to see their kiddos. It was the BEST set up. So note to all Youth Pastor's- OFFER THIS. It added such a cool dynamic to the camp. The students loved the kiddos being there and the adults were freed up to be with the students. Titus had a blast!


Yesterday and Today

I got home late Thursday night, put the laundry in the wash, got the boys to bed, did a little work around the house and on the computer and went to bed. I got up Friday morning and took Titus to the doc. (he was acting strep throatish and his eye was pretty red and swollen). I just wanted to get him checked before we got on a plane and spread everything to all his cousins. No strep, but he got some medicine for his eye. We then headed to the at&t store...can i just say I despise cell phones. I was one of the last people to get one and have regretted it ever since. I always get the cheap one so I am forever in the store getting a new one because mine broke...annoying. Anyway, we spent a long time in there, they got to see a full on 4 year old meltdown, you know the ones you think are over after three...and we left empty handed because I WILL NOT spend that much money on something so small. Luckily, Allison and Justin had an extra phone I can barrow until I am eligible for an "upgrade." We met Allison at her house at 3:30 got the phone, switched out the sim card and headed to the airport. We got there and by the time we parked, checked in with both boys and got through the security with a stroller, laptop and two boys, it was time for our flights boarding to begin...so we RAN through the airport! Poor Titus, he was such a trooper. We get up to the gate in time for them to announce it was going to be delayed by an hour. Dang. So we go to find a seat, get out the DVD player and snacks...only to find...we forgot the DVD player in the car. Titus started to cry. NO plane and now NO movies! So I called Robin who just dropped us off, she turned around, re-parked and brought the DVD player to security, security ran it through and we were off again to the gate. We finally boarded and the boys were AWESOME on the flight. Justus slept and Titus watched some of cars and drew a card for my mom. We finally arrived in MO around 9 and got to my house in King City around 10:30 after stopping at walmart for milk for Justus.
Needless to say, we are glad to be here! We will being going to my grandmas house tomorrow for a big party...my grandma throws the BEST parties!

And We're Off

Vernon's Test came back clear...all of them. No signs of anything life-threatening. Amen! But still do not know what exactly is setting of the neuropathy pain. So Vernon boarded the plane this morning for his 21st trip. Thanks for the prayers. Please, if you will continue to pray for him.

As for me and the boys, we are at camp! I love camp! Stonegate Fellowship (our church in Midland) asked me to come and speak to the students each morning for the morning sessions. It has been SOOO fun. I have about 50 9th graders every morning and I am loving it! We are studying God's Word together and having a lot of fun! I just LOVE teaching the Word and as a mother of two small children, I don't get the opportunity very often, so you can imagine my enthusiasm.

I got to bring the boys with me. (its just outside of Austin) They are having the time of their lives! Some of the other leaders and the worship band brought their kiddos so there are lots of friends to play with. They are just exhausted by the end of the day. I can come and go as I need to, so if I want to go to rec with the students I can and if I want to go rock Justus or swim with Titus I can...its amazing! I was way nervous about it but the two ladies and four eighth grade girls who are watching them are awesome!

Anyway, if you think of us, my sessions are each morning at 10:30am. Pray the Word would take deep root in these students!!

Click here to follow us at camp we have one of the best Video guys out there!
THANKS!

A Little Update

Vernon is doing well. He is still have a great deal of pain. He has undergone a series of test and has been medically cleared to fly. He just will have a good deal of pain if he chooses to do so. He had a CT Scan today. We will get the results on Monday and if he is clear of anything major he will fly out with two other His Voice for Sudan board members Tuesday. He has been placed (temporarily) on some pain meds that allow him to function normally. The doctor said it seems to be non-life threatening and a waiting game as we send blood test off. With this he cleared Vernon (in as much as doctors are able) to go if he felt his pain was tolerable. So we are still evaluating this.

The team has made it in country and are doing great! They will be spending time at the orphanages the next couple days. The team will actually be leaving the day Vernon arrives, if he decides to go. His Voice for Sudan and EPC will be having a series of crucial meetings discussing the vision for the next few years...soo great!...this is why Vernon would like to be there if possible.

Thanks so much for praying!