Andrew is going to Africa!!!

I am so excited to share with you about my hubby's upcoming trip to Africa with our church (The Bridge Fellowship) to a community outside of Sierra Leone named Hope Town.  We both feel that Andrew is being called by God to make this venture.  It will take place in June and will be a construction mission trip.

I cannot begin to express how proud it makes me to watch the guy I married, the leader of our home, to take a step out of his comfort zone and serve in a way that he has never even dreamed of doing before.  God is going to do great things with you, Andrew.  I just know it :)

To help Andrew reach his hefty $3500 goal I have set up several photography packages in hopes that we can make a big dent in that total.  Below is the flyer for the packages:

(click the picture for a larger image)

To find out more information about my photography packages you can visit my website HERE.
You can also choose to follow his trip and/or make donations at his website: www.andrewisgoing2africa.com

Click here to donate:

Below is a letter that Andrew has written to those interested in helping him with his trip.  Reading this makes me proud to be his wife :)

Africa..... Wow, I never thought I would ever commit to such a voyage, or even move away from Texas.  I can honestly say that I do not always know what God desires for me and my family, but I do know that He is moving in our lives. When I heard that our church was planning a mission trip with Just Hope International, I felt God calling me to take this leap of faith.  At first, there were no details about this trip, the only information provided was, Sierra Leone in June. I have always been doubtful as to what God given gift I have been blessed with, but as most of you know I am built like a water buffalo and as stubborn as a donkey. So when they announced that this would be a construction trip, and would require hard labor, I was “ALL IN!” I know, I am weird, but I love to work! Now, I still would have gone if the trip was to pass out pamphlets, but I really wanted to WORK for the Lord. 

 I know that we are supposed to be bold in our faith, but as most you know, I am not the most talkative individual.  I want to use the gifts that the God has given me to reach others for Him. I truly believe that God is calling me to serve and minister through my actions.  I have great expectations for this time to serve and my family’s growth because of it.  

 So here I am, now awaiting June’s arrival, preparing for my departure, and dreading planning the immunization shots.  Our trip will last one week and during our time there we will be building parts of a community (Hope Town) including an orphanage.  With your support, prayers, and donations, God will truly be able to move in mighty ways.

Thank you in advance for your support, prayers, and generous donations.  I cannot wait to share the stories of what God is doing in Hope Town, Africa.   

God Bless,
Andrew Wagner

Spring has sprung!

Spring has officially sprung this year!  Everything in our yard looks absolutely beautiful!  This year we will have four giant raised garden beds in the backyard producing everything from corn to green beans and my favorite.... squash!  My garden is just now getting started so there is not much progress, but once that temperature hits 85 or 90 those plants will be hopping.  The peach trees and apple trees however are already on their way to producing yummy fruit.  The blooms are absolutely gorgeous this year.. take a look:

Look at the beautiful hot pink blooms on our peach trees this year!!

The apple blossoms are in full bloom as well!

Looks like we are going to have a ton of apples come Autumn!

This is my first year to plant several strawberry plants!  Can't wait for all this yummy fruit!

Here's to hoping that this year's crop is a big healthy one :)

Easter 2013

This year for Easter it rained all day!  Therefore I am SO glad that I decided to take the kids Easter portraits a week early...  Smart thinking ;)

Easter day we went to church (68 people baptized!!!) then went to our favorite family owned restaurant in town, Courtneys.  We were going to BBQ in the backyard for lunch... but.. it was raining.  FINALLY the sun came out that evening and we were able to get the brisket in the pit.

Selah was totally into Easter egg hunting this year, which was super fun to watch.  We went to a community egg hunt that a local church provides on Saturday but on Easter Sunday we just had one inside our house.

We are so blessed in this nation to serve God freely.  Easter is such an amazing reminder of how much God loves us.  Having kids has brought this full circle for me.  I truly can saw that I have a small glimpse into what God, the father, was thinking and feeling on that weekend so long ago.  I don't deserve that kind of sacrifice.  We serve a good God.

Here are some pictures I took for their actual portraits and then of some on our lazy Easter day.

Frogs & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails, That's what little boys are made of.

For Sterling's first birthday, I decided to do the theme: Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails, that's what little boys are made of.

I had my Mom here to help me make cookies and finish up all the last minute details.  The party was an absolute blast!  I had hot dogs and popcorn for all the guests along with hand painted cookies (Once Upon A Pie) and banana cream cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.  And we had a photo booth set up, which everyone always loves!  I had Clifford, the big red dog, coloring books and bubbles for all to play with.  Sterling dove into his smash cake like nobodies business!!  That kids loves him some cupcakes :).  Everyone then went home with goodie bags (brown paper sacks) filled with puppy chow. I designed the invitation, doggie bag tags, and all the other elements to the party.  It was a great way to celebrate my curly headed little man. 

Happy Birthday, Sterling!  We love you so so much and cannot wait to see how you grow and change this next year of your life.  

Enjoy the pictures from our tail waggin party :)...

My Custom Designed Birthday Party Invitation

To order this invite from my Etsy store: Shop HERE!

My Custom Designed Birthday Printable Party Pack

To order this invite from my Etsy store: Shop HERE!