We Made It

The past few weeks have been such a whirlwind I don't even know where to begin. Packing up our house into ten suitcases, getting together all of the last minute things, and saying goodbye to friends and family was exhausting. Thank you so much to all of you who helped us out during the last few weeks!! We could not have done it without you. And we did it!

                   Here we are with the truck loaded up before heading to the airport.

And these are our bags piled high to take inside. 

Notice the devious look on Koley's face? Me either. But I should've because we were in for it!

She finally gave up and went to sleep. Best. Thing. Ever. Having this precious one sleep in my arms.

Peter and Kinzie getting ready to watch a movie before take-off.

It was a crazy two days of travel: Koley with an allergic reaction before we boarded the plane, crying girls, tired girls, exploding diapers, more luggage than we could carry …. but we survived and we are here. Praise Jesus.

It has been a crazy 24 hours. We had the WARMEST welcome buy everyone here. People to carry our luggage inside when we arrived, presents for the girls, fresh bread, dinner invitation, people willing to help however they can. I have been overcome by the kindness and open arms that have received us. What a gift. 

It feels surreal. Part of me feels like I am just moving into a new apartment as I unpack our things. And the other part of me cannot stop thinking about the fact that WE LIVE IN HONDURAS NOW. It feels like we have been planning and praying about this for so long and now we are here and we are living it. So. Crazy. 

The thing that is the craziest to me, I think, is that I feel peaceful. I don't know why that is surprising to me, but it is. I feel overwhelmed with trying to figure everything out here and make a new life in someplace that is so different from everything I am used to and so far away from all of the people that I love, but I feel at peace. I keep crying because I miss my family, but I feel at peace. I don't understand the money, but I am at peace. I don't understand the culture, but I am at peace. So many things that feel overwhelming and yet I am at peace. I am convinced that this is the place for which the Lord has been preparing my family and that, my friends, is an incredible feeling. I know that things will not be easy. I know they will be confusing and hard and challenging and that I will probably want to come home at times, but I also know that we serve a great big God and that He has great plans for me. I am so excited to discover those plans as we live life here in Honduras. And I am grateful for His peace that assures me that I am exactly where He wants me. 

Stockton Family Pictures

I know you were all waiting in anticipation to see these pics ;) I am so in love with my cute little fam. They are amazing. And crazy. And impossible. And beautiful. They drive me crazy and make me happier than I have ever been. I love them more than I can explain and am so grateful that God gave me the blessing of being their mama. 

This one is quite possibly by favorite out of the whole bunch. Peter is an incredible Daddy to these babies and they adore him. I see that written all over this picture, don't you?

Kenna is one of the sweetest most precious girls you will ever meet. She has an amazingly tender and sensitive heart. She loves her sisters well and protects them. She loves Jesus; her understanding of him and his love her at 4yrs old totally blows me away. She loves artwork and is constantly drawing amazing pictures. One day she told me that she wants to be an artist when she grows up so that she can make pictures to send to people who are sad. I mean, really? So. Sweet. 

Kinzie is my crazy one. She has more energy and spunk than any kid I have ever known. She is so curious all of the time and has to know how everything works. She is so smart and so determined. She loves well, even for 3yrs old. The way that she comes and snuggles next to me and tells me she loves me just melts my heart. She has a tenderness in the midst of the craziness that melts me. I learn so much from her about passion and joy and excitement for life. 

Koley has the best smile. Ever. She can light up a room with her smile. She is always smiling and wants to be in the center of the action. She loves her sisters so much and wants to do everything they are doing. She is a touch little cookie; not much phases her and she keeps up with the big girls really well. She is always so happy and it is contagious. Peter and I constantly say to each other, "She just kills me." Her expressions, her mannerisms, the way she walks; she brings us so much joy. 

They all do. These three beauties are such an amazing blessing from the Lord. 

How did I get so lucky as to be married to my best friend? Peter is amazing. He spreads joy and life wherever He goes. His passion for life is contagious. He is the most generous person I have ever known. He will literally give you the shirt off your back because he truly cares about you. He holds material things loosely and is willing to sacrifice anything for someone he sees that needs help. He loves people and has never met a stranger. In so many ways, he is totally the opposite of me, but he balances me out perfectly. I have learned and grown and become so much better of a person by being with him. He makes me want to be better; a better person, a better follower of Jesus, a better friend, a better mother, a better wife; just better. There is no one else that I would want to do this Honduras thing with. I adore him. 

And these next photos are how life in the Stockton house usually is: total chaos. 

Thank you Leah Hope Photography for capturing our family so well!!!

The Hardest Thing to Leave

I don't know why the Lord chose to bless me with the family that He did, but wow. I am so blessed. I am constantly blown away by the way that they love me and love each other. I am so privileged to have been raised in this family.

Over Christmas break, everyone was home together and it was amazing. As a Christmas present to my parents, we had pictures taken together. And, I know I'm a bit biased :), but they turned out pretty awesome.

They are pretty great, right? Since Christmas, I've been thinking a lot about family and what it means and how my family has changed me. I thought I'd share a little about them; they're incredible.

So, if you don't know my parents, you are missing out. Two of the very best people on the planet. They love God and love the people around them better than anyone else I have ever met. They are truly the salt of the earth. They constantly give. Constantly. If they see a need, they meet it. No questions asked. 

They are a physical representation of Jesus' love. They live the gospel. They love big. They love each other. They are faithful. They are encouragers. They are incredible. I am who I am today because of them. They believe in me and challenge me and support me and love me. They do that for all four of us kids and our spouses and families. I will forever be thankful to the Lord for allowing me the privilege of being their daughter. 

This is my nuclear family (is that what it's called?) Anyways, my parents and us four kids. 

My sister, Claire, is a rockstar. She is one of the most fun people I have ever been around. She is a magnet. You meet her and you want to be friends with her. She embraces life and lives it. She isn't afraid to be who she is. That is such a challenge for me at times and I admire that about her. One of the coolest things has been to watch her over the past few months; she just gave birth to her daughter, Sofia. Watching her transfer into the role of a mother has been incredible. The amount of love and passion that she pours into that precious bundle is so inspiring. She makes me want to be a better mom. Her husband David is the perfect balance for her and has been a great addition to our family. He has taught us so much about culture and life and language (he is from Spain and helps us out with our Spanish). This cute little family is such a blessing. 

My sister, Betsy, is one of the strongest people I have ever met. Her passion for Jesus is captivating. Her relationship with Jesus and her strength combined together are inviting. She handles everything life throws at her with seeming ease and grace. She doesn't back down, but keeps going and keeps pressing into Jesus. Her relationship with Jesus makes me want more Jesus. She is an incredible listener and encourager. She makes me want to live life better. Her husband Donnie is a joy. He instantly puts people at ease. He has been such a breath of fresh air and a true gift to our family. They are amazing. They radiate joy. They radiate Jesus.

My brother, Luke, is faithful and determined. I know, without a doubt, that if I ever needed anything, Luke would be there in an instant. He is my younger brother, but he stands by me like a protective big brother. He doesn't give up. It has been so awesome to see him get married and have his first baby, Hadley. The determined way that he has provided for a taken care of his family is inspiring. I love the way that he loves his wife Kimber and his daughter Hadley (and soon to be Piper - yay!). His wife, Kimber, has been such a great addition to our family. She is easy to be around and so great to talk to. I love getting her input on different things. The way that she loves my brother is refreshing. Their family of three, soon to be four, is awesome. 

I've been so blessed, right? Aren't they all so great? The HARDEST part of going to Honduras for me is leaving all of them. I am so grateful that we have phones and computers for Skype dates and such, but nothing replaces just hanging out and spending time together. The thought of leaving all of them and missing watching their amazing families as they grow up and change just kills me. Seriously. I hate the thought of it. I love them so much. But, I am trusting and believing that God knows better than I do. He has a plan for them in this too. He has a plan for me and my cute little family in Honduras. And he has a plan for them here. Even though I'm not here. If you are where they are and are a part of their lives, will you give them a hug for me from time to time? And, will you pray along with me that I can do the thing today that feels impossible? And, will you pray that you can do the thing that feels impossible? I am trusting that He knows better in my life, and that He knows better in your life. He is worth it. He is worth giving up the thing most dear to us. I am believing that today, will you? 

(And if you're wondering about pics of our cute little family of five, they are coming tomorrow ... Maybe you're not wondering, but I'm dying to share :)  )