Who knew that the hardest phase of parenting {thus far} would be Ellie's 9th month? She started spitting up excessively about a month ago and became a bit of a different baby, often very fussy and hard to read. Was I feeding her to much? Was she teething? Was she developing an allergy? It was very stressful on me!  Thankfully we saw our dr, was referred to a specialist and have (mostly) figured out her tummy issues. By 10 months old, we have our Ellie back :) Other than this, the biggest change of the month is her hair- she's got pigtails or a 'spout' pony tail most of the time :)

She's loving finger foods (kiwi, blueberry, cheese, ham, corn, black beans, etc). She has learned "so big", sign language for 'more' and 'all done' and how to wave at new and old friends. She warms up to people much more quickly and she always smiles when she sees our campus director-- Norm & Katie Hubbard. 

She's still happy on the floor. Mostly sitting, but sometimes, preferring to lay down :) She does reach for toys and roll, but we have yet to find her across the room. She refuses to be on her tummy, rolling onto her back before you've even let go of her.  I've decided that some babies are "I can do it myself" babies while Ellie is a "you can do it for me" baby.  :)

Ellie did an amazing job spending the weekend with 55 students at the Spring Retreat. She sat in her high chair in the middle of the dining area, surrounded by all those students. It was great :) We must have worn her out as she took long naps while at the retreat and then she slept an almost 15 hour night once we got home!  While she did awesome, I wasn't prepared for how exhausting it would be to be leading the retreat with Noah, sharing a room with Ellie, getting lots of time connecting with students, staying up late and getting up early, etc. It's Wednesday and I'm still recovering. :)

{Katie}

ps. It's not letting me add pictures right now, hopefully I'll get to do that soon :)

This post is in honor of my sister Carla. She is from Venezuela and lived with us for a year a decade ago (that is impossible to believe, and making me realize how old I am!!)  She became a true part of our family as she started walking with Christ while she was living with us! So while we may not be sisters by blood, she became a part of our literal and spiritual family 10 years ago! 

It's rare that I post in honor of someone else, but I couldn't resist today, as Carla is celebrating her 7th (or 28th!) birthday! Happy Birthday Carla!

There is much I could say about Carla, but I'm just going to share a few extra special (and funny!) memories...

- After living in WI for 2 weeks, one of her first reactions to the new culture was, "so much pizza!" (it's true!)
-She wore high heels to her first walk in the woods... she obviously grew up in the city :)  She had the best fashion, but we did like to tease her about that ;)
-Carla was/is SUCH a good student! In fact, she had the best grade in one of her classes, which is amazing for a foreign exchange student, but the funniest part was-this was an American History class... Kind of embarrassing for all of us Americans!!
-Carla taught me how to eat 'properly' with a fork and knife. A habit that has still stuck with me!
-Carla was always patient, always thoughtful, always looking out for others. She taught us crazy Rogers a lot!

You never know when God will bring someone into your life who will then go out and live for Him. She's married to Zabdiel and serving the Lord in Curacao (off the Venezuelan coast). How amazing is that?

Other than not liking chocolate, I'd say Carla is about the perfect addition to our family ;) I love you Carla! I hope you enjoy your birthday!!!!

{Katie }

This weekend marks the 2012 Illini Navs Spring Retreat!  It's just begun.  Below our students participate in a mixer.

Our theme this year is "Lord? Lord."  We're talking about Jesus being the Lord of our lives, and our need to submit everything to Him.

Please pray that our students would grow and be challenged through the messages, time in God's Word, and fellowship.  Pray also for Katie, Ellie, and I.

Thanks!

-Noah

(What's a Friday Update?  See this post.)

In our work, we have LOTS of conversations with students.  Often they involve talking about their lives, discussing the Scriptures, and prayer.

Often the conversations are encouraging. Sometimes they're discouraging, and other times just tiring!

One conversation I had this week was very encouraging.  During the course of our conversation, this student shared with me from his journal something to the effect of:

I think for the first time in my life, I'm realizing that all I really need is God.

Now that may seem simple, but it is profound.  He shared with me how he's begun to let go of the things he used to look to for life, comfort, and significance.  Knowing this student's journey, I can say it is a milestone, and a sign of a true surrender to the Lord, and a growing heart for God.  He now, more than ever, wants to be used by God to minister His love and His Word with others.  I've never seen this student more "sold out" for Jesus Christ.

And God's going to use him mightily.

In His love,
-Noah 

Prayer request:  Please pray Paul's words in 2 Thes 1:11-12 for this student, for us, and all our students.
that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Hey friends,

Noah here.  Thanks to all of you who have responded to our communication survey!  We've received some great feedback that we intend to use in future communications.  If you haven't taken the survey yet, please do here.

I wanted to share that I'm starting something called "Friday Updates".  I'm quite aware that as of late, you've mostly been hearing from Katie on here.  Maybe you don't mind, because she does a great job.  Either way, I plan to write a brief entry, once-a-weekish on Fridays.  My update will include a short story from campus, news of God's work in a student's life, or a prayer request that we'd appreciate you lifting up to the Lord.

It's my hope that these will help you get a better picture of our ministry week to week.  First Friday Update starts this week!

-Noah

I've decided our family is a dangerous combination

- a girl who LOVES all things holiday (that's me!)
- a beautiful daughter (that's Ellie)
- a talented and techy husband who can design and edit (that's Noah)


This is one of the many results from this dangerous combination :) Enjoy!

ps. I should add... a grandma who also loves holidays AND buying cute things for her granddaughter :) 

It has come to my attention recently that February has kind of a bad rap. This was shocking to me, as with a February birthday, it has clearly been my favorite month. Not to mention, we do live in the state of Illinois, and this is Lincoln's month too, right? 

No matter how you feel about February, the Illini Navs are making February a month worth celebrating!  We have two major events coming up on back-to-back weekends! At Nav Night we've been announcing these events using a series of old school Reeses commercials and adding our own tagline two events that go great together!

1) An Evening with the Illini Navigators is coming up on Saturday, February 18th. It is a benefit program featuring author and teacher Jerry Bridges followed by a dessert reception. Students will be hosting, serving, leading worship, watching children and sharing about the impact the Illini Navs ministry has made on their lives!

2) Lord? Lord!  our second annual Illini Navs retreat about Lordship takes place the following weekend (Feb 24-26).  Noah and I are working with a retreat team of 10 students to plan, organize, and execute this retreat! Last year the retreat was an amazing weekend and we look forward to seeing what God has in store this year!

So far February has been a great month, but of course I'm biased! It might help that Noah spoiled me for many days for my birthday. I kept telling him, "Well, it's my birthday week" to which my dad responded, "Noah, be glad February is a short month!" haha

We took Ellie out to dinner with us to celebrate and then spent the weekend with my family (except my brother :() in WI! Here's to a great month! :)

Enjoy the pictures below :)