Heading to Seattle!

This Saturday, Glen and I will be making the trek to Seattle, WA to interview at a church. We are all set to go and are waiting on the Lord to see how things will unfold. Please keep us in your prayers if you are reading this...thank you so much. We'll keep you posted! ~G&S

Easter Weekend & After

On Friday night before the
Easter service, we held a Last Supper with the kids. Glen taught on the events that led up to Christ's death and the Resurrection. The kids were able to enjoy the Passover meal with unleavened bread (tortillas!), roasted lamb (chicken!), applesauce and Thyme herbs. The evening turned out much better than we had anticipated, which was huge blessing.

Catching a few of the kids before Easter service started!

We gave Mrs. Kuh flowers (who helps with the children)

Hangin' out with the Pre-schoolers after the singing program

Here it is, the Inn on Summer Hill in Santa Barbara. My (Shilo) boss gave us two nights at a bed & breakfast as a Christmas gift. We had such a refreshing time getting away a few days and enjoying the sunshine and beaches. Gotta love California!

Yep, don't know if you can tell above, but it's a dog with a cat lying on its back with two rats on the cat's back. Man oh man...can't we all just get along!! :)

Catch Up!

I know I know...seems like awhile since we wrote last but a lot has gone on in the last few weeks. I guess I'll start by saying that Glen and I have been talking with a church in Seattle, WA for the last several months and just recently heard that they want to fly us out there to meet them. The plan is to go out on March 29th/30th and the position that Glen will be interviewing for is Associate Pastor of Family Ministries. From what we have learned about the church so far, we are encouraged. We covet your prayers as we patiently wait for whatever the Lord wills for our lives. We'll keep you posted!

Here it is, the other big news. We got a new (used) car!! About a week ago, Glen's Ford Explorer died on us so after much research and working through the trade-in value/finances, we were able to buy this 2004 Mazda Tribute. It will mainly be for me (Shilo)with the baby coming up...Glen likes to call it the 'chick' car which I like to refer to it as more of the...'mommy' car (heh heh).

Man oh man, look at that belly! It feels like I've grown tons in these last few months. Here I am at 22 1/2 weeks along, over half way through my pregnancy. Still no sickness, nausea or other symptoms so I feel very blessed. My mom recently came into town to visit and so we began the process of looking at baby things together. It was such a blast, first time I had started looking at things for our little guy. So much out there to choose from, but trying to be wise in what we need at the same time. Soaking up this fun season I am in :).

And last but not least, here is our little guy himself! Don't know if you can make out the features but we can now distinctly see his nose, mouth, chin, eye (just under the black spot above), left arm/shoulder and hand on the right side. Personally I see more of Glen in him (which of course no complaints here!) but I guess we'll have to wait and see until he's born :). Such an amazing thing, these photo images! We are counting down the days till we meet him, 4 months is going to feel like foreeeeeeever. So long for now!

Baby Brian Michael Sizer

There was a special little boy born into the world this last month: Mr. Brian Sizer Jr. Glen's best friend, Brian Sizer, is currently fighting in Iraq in the Marines and was unable to witness the birth of his newborn son. I, Shilo, had the privilege of visiting Jr. and his mommy, Annette, this last weekend out in Chino Hills (an hour away). He was such a sweet boy and very attached to his mommy already. Being with Annette that short time was a real encouragement, I am amazed at the calm and quiet disposition she displayed through this tough time while her husband is gone. This little one has definitely brought her joy while she waits! Dad is expected to come home late March to early April. Please keep him and his family in your prayers~

Betcha' can't guess what we're having?!

Could we look anymore excited or what? I know I know...we're cornballs :).

What's New...

Hello all! Life is full swing again in January with Glen starting back up at seminary. He's only got 2 classes this semester: Preaching Lab III and New Testament Introduction. And then he'll be finished with his MDiv. by May-woohoo! It's been great catching up with friends this month too, like the Trzeciaks', Grazors', Gravinos' and my (Shilo) old roomies. We also got a chance to see a Phoenix Suns vs. L.A. Lakers game on the 17th. It was of course amazing because the Suns WON!! As far as post- seminary, we've heard from a few more churches over the last month but nothing has proved that "it's a GO" so we are patiently waiting. It's a fun adventure-excited to see where we'll end up next. And as you can see to the right, I am getting bigger! My friend Michelle did this on her blog which I thought was adorable so I'm copying her idea :). We are just past our 15 week mark and in our 2nd trimester. Definitely need to buy some more clothes this week! Then below...well, there is Daisy asleep on Glen again. She always finds interesting resting spots, pretty amusing. We'll keep you posted as always!

Christmas 2007

WOW, a great Christmas back in Zona' (short for Arizona). Enjoy the pics! The Thompson ClanAhhh...Shilo & Dad
Three of Shilo's brothers: Jeremiah (he looks like he is sleeping but he's not-lol), Seth & Ryan With Taylor (nephew)

Ryan & Mariah (niece)

Taylor & Dad

Shilo's brother Jake at a basketball tournament on the 27th (#52!). Can you believe he is 16 years old and already 6'4? Crazy huh...And last but not least...the Daisy girl herself. We found her tucked away in the Christmas blankets the night before we headed back to California. Everyone loved on her of course--she is quite easy to love, naturally :).

Christmas only 4 days away!

Hello there...thought we would check in. It has been quite a busy month for us as we have had work Christmas parties, Korean church activities with the kids (our Christmas concert this Sunday!), shopping for family, baking cookies for co-workers and plus working full-time for both of us. Thankfully though, Glen has survived another semester and he did pretty well. He will be taking a Winter course for about a week and then we are headed into our last semester :). An update on baby Thompson: we had our last ultrasound December 13th and he or she is developing well...such a blessing as we know in fact it is God who is creating this little one-all in His hands. We should be at the end of our 1st trimester by Thursday next week (27th). We'll keep you posted! On Sunday, we'll be heading out to Arizona for 7 days. Included are a few recent pics: Shilo's co-worker (to the left), Michael, from New York gave us our first official baby gift (!) and Shilo and Kazumi (below) at Starbucks, who met during this last semester studying a book on being a godly wife. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!

Early Afternoon Tea

Today, I (Shilo) was able to enjoy an afternoon with my old roomates (top pic from left-Karen, myself, Emily, Suelynn & Crystal) at cute new tea place in Santa Clarita called The Tea Gardens. We celebrated Emily's birthday and what a great time catching up on what God was doing in our lives, eating yummified treats and of course laughing away. Each of these women have had a tremendous impact on me and I'm so grateful that I was able tear away from all my class homework to spend time with them. Thanks for a memorable afternoon girlies!

And of course, a post would not be a post without the latest picture of Glen and Daisy-the two cutest in the world :).

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was a special one for two reasons: 1. We were able to go home to Arizona (been a few years) and 2. We were able to take the Gravino family with us. And what an enjoyable time! We headed out together early Tuesday morning, went out for homemade Itali-ANO (!) pizza (what else, since the Gravinos' are from Italy) with my family later on that night in downtown Prescott and walked around. On Wednesday, we and the Gravinos' took a 2-hour drive to the beautiful Grand Canyon and ate lunch at a small rustic restaurant. The Grand Canyon is such a majestic place and is such a reminder of how small we are and how BIG God is. We definitely saw the beauty of God's creation all around us!

On Thursday, all of us spent Thanksgiving around the table and each shared what we were thankful for. Glen and I of course had to share about our newest bun in the oven :). Overall, a great relaxing day spent with family, eating yummy food and going for a scenic walk. Alex and I even got to go to a movie with my mom called 'August Rush'. Good movie, we all cried...a good cry though! Anyways, we got back late last night and now it's back to reality :(. In the next few weeks, there are much school things to get done and then there is getting ready for Christmas. We'll check back in soon!

P.S. We had to include a few pics of Daisy. One with her new buddy, Missy, my brother's Beagle (on the left); and one with her new bed that my (Shilo's) parents got her. She loves it!

Treasure from Heaven

"Truly you have formed my inmost being: you knit me in my mother's womb."

Psalm 139:13

On November 8th, Glen and I went in to see the doctor for a post-checkup since the miscarriage and unexpectedly found out that we are indeed pregnant again! To make a long story short, we were quite shocked but are overflowing with JOY at this news. We were able to hear our baby's heartbeat (which we didn't hear before) on the 15th and what sweet music to our ears! If all continues to go well, there will be a new little one added to the Thompson mix by early to mid July :). We have much to be thankful for this season. Happy Thanksgiving all!

"For You, O LORD, have made [us] glad by what You have done, [we] will sing for joy at the works of Your hands." Psalm 92:4

Ghosts & goblins you say? No way!

Glen and I had our first 'Halloween' event at the church which we gladly like to call 'Carnival night with games and costumes". We aren't big Halloween fans, mainly because after searching the roots and meaning behind Halloween there are some strong Satanic themes. So basically since God is not for it, neither are we. However, we did a fun event tonight at the church and about 25 kids showed up! It was a special treat to have us all together eating, playing tons of games and running around in silly costumes. Hope you enjoy the pics of the evening. We thank the Lord for the opportunity to serve there!

Day in the Life of Glen & Daisy

If you want to see how dorky we can truly be around Daisy we DARE you to watch!!

This little doggy has creeped into our hearts. We love having a her! Hope you all are well whomever still checks in on us now and then :). Enjoy the most recent pics of Sir Glen and the pooch--she follows him everywhere!

ZOE Children's Homes

Hello all,

It's been awhile since we've blogged but I (Shilo) recently went to a fundraising event for a Christian organization called ZOE (means "life") which sets up children's homes in the hub of Thailand where human trafficking has been taking place. I don't know if you most of you know this (because I didn't!) but human trafficking is where they are selling children as sex slaves in Thailand and believe it or not it is spreading to other countries, even to the United States. One story I heard that continues to blow me away is that of a little girl who was sold as a sex slave at the age of 7 years old and had up to 10 partners a day, whom later died of AIDS at 11 years old. Can you even imagine that?! It has broken my heart to hear what evil men/women can do to these innocent little children. Please take a minute to learn more about this growing worldwide crisis and learn how you can help: http://www.zoechildrenshomes.org/

Italian Flava'

Glen & I had Johnny, Alex & little Samuele over yesterday afternoon after church and it was a grand day catching up. We've known the Gravinos' for about two years now and they are from Italy. Glen and Johnny have become good friends throughout seminary (especially now with the challenges of Preaching Lab lately!) It's actually quite funny to see both of them interact, it's almost like a comedy show sometimes. They will be graduating in May 08' (the same time we are) and plan to move back to Rome and eventually Sicily to work full-time at the Master's Institute that was started up by the Master's Seminary. It was pretty cute seeing little Samuele run around with Daisy too. He too cried at first when he saw her, like little Jake did, but then slowly warmed up. I guess Daisy has a way of warming her way into these little hearts eventually. Ciao!