Happy Birthday to Me!

Recently, Nate surprised me with a wonderful birthday experience. Sunday, January 28th, Nate's parents dropped us off at a gorgeous hotel on Michigan Ave. Whisking away our little girl for a lovely sleep-over with her grandparents and auntie. Nate treated me to an incredible dining experience at Avec http://www.avecrestaurant.com/ A unique french restaurant off-the-beaten-path that topped off a great evening. One of the best parts of being married is having a partner who knows exactly how you would spend a day to yourself. It was so good to be back in my old city. Thank you Nate for an unforgetable birthday!

Lucky Girl

Sophia with both sets of grandparents!
Kaga & Kaga and Nana & Papa
What a lucky little girl to be loved so very much!

Saying goodbye to Baba!

How big is Sophia? So Big!

Play Date

An afternoon at the playground

“The desire to write grows with writing.” Erasmus

“Writing is not like a painting in which you add. It is not what you put on the canvas that the reader sees. Writing is more like sculpture where you remove; you eliminate in order to make the work more visible. Even the pages you remove somehow remain.” Elie Weisel

New Years Resolution

1. Loosing my individuality in favor of being immersed in my God. I believe that for many of us, if we're honest, being known as a Christian is our greatest desire & fear.

Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." Luke 22:34

2. To create more time to write. The talent/calling the Lord has given me should be a priority

'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. Matthew 25:28-29

Happy 30th Travis!

We had an amazing time celebrating with the Thompson family and friends!!
& Happy birthday to Naomi too! (you look great for 24!)

First Snow!

Sophia loved watching the snow from her Dora chair!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Joan turns 50!

Celebrate her life with us at www.jivinjoan.blogspot.com

(No peaking Mom--you have to wait till your birthday--everyone else is welcome to join us!)

Some Trends Keep Coming Back

Sophia & Nana 2006

Joan & Friends 1965

Some Habits Die Hard

Joan 1957



















Joan & Sophia 2006

All Smiles from Sophia & Nana!

Merry Christmas to all & all a goodnight!

Hark! the heral angles sing,
"Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled !"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise.
Join the triumph of the skies.
With th'angelic hosts proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King!

(painting by yours truly, Merry Christmas)

Jingle Bells & Wedding Bells

Congratulations B & B (their nickname not mine!) We're so happy for you! Brandon is one of the first friends I made in college. (Pieces of Glass fans may remember B and our many awkward moments) Notice the painting in the picture with champagne (he photoshoped it for her benefit) God bless you Brandon and the future Mrs. Carmichael!

SINGLE NO LONGER

Sorry ladies--Brandon Carmichael is offically off the market. For details check out:

http://lifebloodproject.com/wordpress/

Little Lady in Red

Sophia Nerolel, 9 months

Jingles Bells & Shameless Plugs

It's Christmas time and I've begun filling orders for autographed copies of Pieces of Glass.
(I warned you this was a shameless plug)
If you live in the Cedar Rapids area, simply drop me a note with the # of copies, names of recipients (also if you would like a special message please script it out for me) and I can make sure I get it to you ASAP (First come first serve--Now I really feel like Hallmark. . .)
Please drop me a note at: skndjerareou@yahoo.com
Also please include your address and telephone #
Books are $10 each (no tax)
Unfortunately Visa & Mastercard are a little beyond my capabilities.

If you live outside the Cedar Rapids area, well I'm just thrilled your interested and we will get them to you too! Within reason, of course. . . Reuben (in Africa) You already got one! Wink!)

It runs in the family. . .

Dr. Abel Ndjerareou, has been called one of Chad's most prolific authors. Around here we call him Kaga (grandpa) or Baba (father.)

Google the man's name and you'll see an impressive list of sites, in multiple languages, that stand as a testament to his life's passion for God and the African church.

I'm incredibly lucky to share this man's legacy as a Ndjerareou, and as a daughter-in-law, marrying into a great family. But one of the most surprising parts of marrying Nate, was that he grew-up under the tutelage of two distinguished scholars and authors. As a direct result Nate is actually more prepared than I am for the long hours, and disciplined time away from family that my speaking and writing demand. By now, we shouldn't be so surprised by God's intimate weaving of our lives, but it never ceases to amaze me.

At the moment, I'm thrilled to brag about one of Baba's recent accomplishments, (we also currently share the same publisher.) Zondervan's hailing the new AFRICAN BIBLICAL COMMENTARY (in which my Baba's a contributor) as "A Monumental Work" -John Stott & "A Publishing Landmark" -Rick Warren.

Yesterday, I saw it on Christianbooks.com (link below) and found that one of Baba's segments had been chosen for the demo excerpt! Make sure all of you put it on your Christmas list! You never know when understanding the Pentateuch from an African perspective will come in handy!

A Monumental Work

Check out Dr. Abel's wisdom at:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=264731&netp_id=441310&event=EFIN#curr