Once again I just tried to post some pictures to the blog and it is not working. The picture just comes up in code. Not sure what is the problem. I know that I am not tech savvy, but I also am not computer illiterate. To view some recent pictures go to http://www.facebook.com/amanda.dittmer .
We had a wonderful fall! A trip to the museum, a couple of orchards, Zoo Boo, trick or treating, Marc and the boys visited Grandma Kay and Poppa Dick as well. In November, as most of you know, I had the opportunity to travel to Africa on a mission trip. I am still planning to send out a follow up newsletter about my travels. Some of you may have received an email with a powerpoint presentation about my trip. Please know that I am very open to setting up speaking engagements at churches, organizations, where ever to share about my trip and the story I feel God has called me to share with as many people as I can. Marc and the boys got along fabulously while I was gone. The took an over night trip to Chicago to the aquarium, painted, did projects, played, made trips to Lowe's (all three of the men in my lives favorite store), and much more. I am so very grateful to Marc for allowing me to be stress free about what was going on at home while I was gone. He is a wonderful father and husband!
December has been a bundle of fun so far! The month started with Ethan & Aaron going to their friend's birthday party. The next week they started gymnastics. They have had two classes thus far and they love it! We weren't sure they were going to get to have their Christmas program or party due to all the snow, school closings, and delays, but fortunately they had it after a delay late in the week. Both boys enjoyed their party and gave gifts to their friends to celebrate their upcoming birthday. They did very well at their program as well. Both sang and participated. Only one of them had some tears this year, Aaron, and only briefly. Last Friday we went to the museum to see daddy and SANTA (or Christmas as the boys often call him). They did very well and had no tears. The sat on each side of him and told him that they would like some cars and Toothless the Dragon from How to Train a Dragon! It was very sweet.
Over the weekend we had Christmas with my mom's family. The boys had an absolute blast playing with their cousins (my second cousins) and so enjoyed opening their gifts. They spent the night with my parents following and Marc and I got to go out to breakfast, Christmas shopping for the boys, and veg and watch a couple movies. Today I got the pleasure of sharing about my trip to Africa with some people who attend a Bible study at the church I grew up in. Following the boys and I visited the nursing home my mom works at to pass out candy canes. A dear friend from high school and her kids had prepared the candy canes and were supposed to go with us, but unfortunately they were sick. Ethan and Aaron did remarkably well. We had not been to a nursing home in some time so I was not sure how it would turn out. They passed each candy cane out themselves with the direction of my mom and myself. It was so nice to bring holiday joy to the residents.
Our house is trimmed a little extra this year! I got free greenery that was being thrown out at Home Depot and hung it here and there. There has been snow on the ground almost since I returned from Africa. I think the thing that makes the spirit of Christmas fill our house the most though is Ethan and Aaron and their excitement and joy in this season. They are so curious and excited! I was not sure I would find quite the same joy this holiday season having just been to Africa. To be honest I was not thrilled to be swept right back in to the consumerism of our society, but I have just decided not to let our family go there. We continue to discuss why we celebrate Christmas, whose birthday we are honoring, and why we will exchange presents. Seeing our children's joy and remembering the true reason for the season brings more joy and hope than I ever imagined!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Summer Concludes
So here we are and Thursday marked the first day of Autumn. It almost seems impossible that summer is over. We had very nice summer and stayed very busy. Some of our adventures since the end of July included:
-swimming pools
-The Children's Museum
-parks
-daddy/mommy date night with the boys (Daddy and Aaron went to get pizza and to a movie and Mommy and Ethan had a picnic at the park and went bowling)
-outdoor movie night to raise funds for upcoming trip to Zambia
-Women of Faith Conference
-a trip to Cincinnati to the zoo and aquarium
-completion of the Beth Moore study, "Believing God"
-Indianapolis Zoo
-2 Go Team Trainings
-the orchard
-started Financial Peace University
-several weekends of babysitting to raise money for my mission trip
-Ethan & Aaron's 6 month and 4 month check ups to the ENT and Allergist/Immunologis respectively
-2nd Annual Westminster Block Party
-Dittmer & Schulte Family Parties
-Ethan & Aaron started preschool on 9/7/10
...and so Fall begins!
-swimming pools
-The Children's Museum
-parks
-daddy/mommy date night with the boys (Daddy and Aaron went to get pizza and to a movie and Mommy and Ethan had a picnic at the park and went bowling)
-outdoor movie night to raise funds for upcoming trip to Zambia
-Women of Faith Conference
-a trip to Cincinnati to the zoo and aquarium
-completion of the Beth Moore study, "Believing God"
-Indianapolis Zoo
-2 Go Team Trainings
-the orchard
-started Financial Peace University
-several weekends of babysitting to raise money for my mission trip
-Ethan & Aaron's 6 month and 4 month check ups to the ENT and Allergist/Immunologis respectively
-2nd Annual Westminster Block Party
-Dittmer & Schulte Family Parties
-Ethan & Aaron started preschool on 9/7/10
...and so Fall begins!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Zambia Mission Trip
Dear Family and Friends,
On November 12, 2010 I will be leaving for Chongwe, Zambia. Myself as well as eight other team members from Northeast Community Church (NECC) in partnership with Horizon International, plan to help care for orphans affected by HIV/AIDS. These children are living without water and electricity and food is very hard to come by. It is my strong desire to provide hope and support to these children. While in Zambia our team will be assisting, Derrick and Mercy, two missionaries who work day in and day out delivering food, providing other basic needs, educating, and showing God’s love. Currently families within NECC sponsor over 50 children in Chongwe and help provide a portion of Derrick and Mercy’s salaries.
Horizon International is an organization that provides hope for orphans of HIV/AIDS in Chongwe and several other areas of Africa through sponsorship and education. Horizon International is also the organization that will train me to go on this mission trip. I anticipate that Marc and I will begin to sponsoring a child within this next year. Maybe I will have to opportunity to meet that child!
I struggled to decide whether I would take this trip. Within the last few years I have reached out to many of you previously asking for your assistance to support a previous mission trip and walk for breast cancer. I was not sure if it was appropriate to ask for assistance again so soon. After thinking and praying about it, God confirmed that I should participate in this trip. I was reminded that if I chose not to go it was not a fund issue, but a faith issue. I do not want mission trips to be an event in my life, but a lifestyle. I want my children to see me living out my faith.
I am planning my trip to Zambia November 12 through November 22, 2010. I am asking you to share this experience with me by doing several things. First, please pray for me daily starting now through the end of the trip. Second, the cost of the trip is $2995. I would greatly appreciate any support you could give me financially. Partnering is required in order for missions to be successful. Some people are goers and some are senders. Both are equally important and necessary in to order minister to God’s people. I hope you will participate in this mission by partnering with me and being one of my senders. Please send donations to Northeast Community Church 9959 126th St., Fishers, IN 46038. Make checks payable to Horizon International. All donations are tax deductible. Or donate online by going to https://horizon.readyhosting.com/auth/donate.asp, under the three donation options choosing “I/We want to partner with Horizon, with this one time gift.”, choosing the amount, choose "Other" under “Your Selection,” and typing ZANOV10-Amanda Dittmer under “Specific Instructions for this donation:”
You can learn more about Horizon International by visiting their website at horizoninternationalinc.com, or if you have questions about the trip contact Doug Ehrgott at douge@horizoninternationalinc.com.
Thank you very much for your support,
Amanda
P.S. Marc and I have committed to pay for half of the trip. In addition, each week I have been saving 10% of my budgeted “allowance”, I gathered items and hosted a garage sale, and am planning an outdoor movie night as well as a couple of babysitting nights to raise funds. I currently have $950.00 remaining to raise.
On November 12, 2010 I will be leaving for Chongwe, Zambia. Myself as well as eight other team members from Northeast Community Church (NECC) in partnership with Horizon International, plan to help care for orphans affected by HIV/AIDS. These children are living without water and electricity and food is very hard to come by. It is my strong desire to provide hope and support to these children. While in Zambia our team will be assisting, Derrick and Mercy, two missionaries who work day in and day out delivering food, providing other basic needs, educating, and showing God’s love. Currently families within NECC sponsor over 50 children in Chongwe and help provide a portion of Derrick and Mercy’s salaries.
Horizon International is an organization that provides hope for orphans of HIV/AIDS in Chongwe and several other areas of Africa through sponsorship and education. Horizon International is also the organization that will train me to go on this mission trip. I anticipate that Marc and I will begin to sponsoring a child within this next year. Maybe I will have to opportunity to meet that child!
I struggled to decide whether I would take this trip. Within the last few years I have reached out to many of you previously asking for your assistance to support a previous mission trip and walk for breast cancer. I was not sure if it was appropriate to ask for assistance again so soon. After thinking and praying about it, God confirmed that I should participate in this trip. I was reminded that if I chose not to go it was not a fund issue, but a faith issue. I do not want mission trips to be an event in my life, but a lifestyle. I want my children to see me living out my faith.
I am planning my trip to Zambia November 12 through November 22, 2010. I am asking you to share this experience with me by doing several things. First, please pray for me daily starting now through the end of the trip. Second, the cost of the trip is $2995. I would greatly appreciate any support you could give me financially. Partnering is required in order for missions to be successful. Some people are goers and some are senders. Both are equally important and necessary in to order minister to God’s people. I hope you will participate in this mission by partnering with me and being one of my senders. Please send donations to Northeast Community Church 9959 126th St., Fishers, IN 46038. Make checks payable to Horizon International. All donations are tax deductible. Or donate online by going to https://horizon.readyhosting.com/auth/donate.asp, under the three donation options choosing “I/We want to partner with Horizon, with this one time gift.”, choosing the amount, choose "Other" under “Your Selection,” and typing ZANOV10-Amanda Dittmer under “Specific Instructions for this donation:”
You can learn more about Horizon International by visiting their website at horizoninternationalinc.com, or if you have questions about the trip contact Doug Ehrgott at douge@horizoninternationalinc.com.
Thank you very much for your support,
Amanda
P.S. Marc and I have committed to pay for half of the trip. In addition, each week I have been saving 10% of my budgeted “allowance”, I gathered items and hosted a garage sale, and am planning an outdoor movie night as well as a couple of babysitting nights to raise funds. I currently have $950.00 remaining to raise.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
These Are Days
Wow! This summer is going so fast! We are already half way through July. I love this time of year. For those of you who know me well, you know that I am a lover of sunshine. Summer brings grilling out, swimming, playing at the park, gardening, and so much more. It is so amazing to be able to share all of these special activities and moments with Ethan and Aaron. Summer reminds me that I am meant to be a stay at home mom.
E & A wrapped up their first year of "school" aka Mother's Day Out a couple weeks after my last post. Prior to that they had Donuts with Dad and Muffins with Mom. Which both Marc and I so enjoyed. They did a great job at their End of Year Program. Both were a little intimidated by the crowd, but warmed up some by the end. Ethan really kind of stood back and took it all in the majority of the program. They were both so cute. It is amazing to think about how they grew and developed over the year. We are constantly hearing about how well they are doing verbally and I truly believe that MDO has played a role in that.
June was a fun filled month and a marker of change and new beginnings. The boys and I did lots of swimming, going to the sprinkler park, regular parks, visiting the Children's Museum, and the zoo. There was lots of entertainment at home as well such as painting, gardening, riding trikes, playing on the play set, as well as a great deal of water time (sprinkler, slip n' slide, kiddie pool, and water table). While Daddy visited Disney for work, the boys and I stayed with Mama and Papa Smith for a few days. Ethan and Aaron had the opportunity to ride a train for the first time at a "A Day Out With Thomas." Grandma Kay also came to visit and we made a visit to she and Poppa Rhoades. On June 13th, I rededicated my life to Christ. This day marked a new journey for me with God and in my faith. Marc and I also agreed to approach our marriage in a different way and with positive motivations and intentions. Ethan and Aaron turned two and a half! Although there are moments, hours, and even days that well lets be honest are just hard whether it be arguing, whininess, defiance, etc. They are two and with that said, overall they are very well behaved, polite, and pleasant young men! I would say they are quite a joy to be around.
July has brought more swimming and parks. We also visited Grandma and Poppa Rhoades and Poppy and Grammy Dittmer. It is always fun to see them and the boys love boat rides as well as playing in the sand. Recently we spent the night with Mama and Papa Smith. Waldron began their 4th of July Festival again, but they are now having it the week following the holiday. It was fun for the boys to share in a tradition that I had participated in for years. Ethan and Aaron particularly enjoyed the parade and the fireworks, but I think the biggest hit was the sand box that Papa built for them. Marc and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary as well as hosted our almost annual 4th of July party.
We are having a terrific summer! I couldn't be more pleased with how it is going or more grateful! I told the boys they were living the life today after going to the pool, having a picnic, riding the carousel, playing at the park, napping, and then eating a popsicle and popcorn. We called daddy to tell him thank you for working so hard to enable us to live the life! Isn't that what it is all about...living each day to the fullest and being thankful for it!
After writing this post I could not help but think of this song, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-HLxpWGCzc. Feel free to listen as you check out some pictures from our days!
Having issues uploading pics! I will try in another post.
E & A wrapped up their first year of "school" aka Mother's Day Out a couple weeks after my last post. Prior to that they had Donuts with Dad and Muffins with Mom. Which both Marc and I so enjoyed. They did a great job at their End of Year Program. Both were a little intimidated by the crowd, but warmed up some by the end. Ethan really kind of stood back and took it all in the majority of the program. They were both so cute. It is amazing to think about how they grew and developed over the year. We are constantly hearing about how well they are doing verbally and I truly believe that MDO has played a role in that.
June was a fun filled month and a marker of change and new beginnings. The boys and I did lots of swimming, going to the sprinkler park, regular parks, visiting the Children's Museum, and the zoo. There was lots of entertainment at home as well such as painting, gardening, riding trikes, playing on the play set, as well as a great deal of water time (sprinkler, slip n' slide, kiddie pool, and water table). While Daddy visited Disney for work, the boys and I stayed with Mama and Papa Smith for a few days. Ethan and Aaron had the opportunity to ride a train for the first time at a "A Day Out With Thomas." Grandma Kay also came to visit and we made a visit to she and Poppa Rhoades. On June 13th, I rededicated my life to Christ. This day marked a new journey for me with God and in my faith. Marc and I also agreed to approach our marriage in a different way and with positive motivations and intentions. Ethan and Aaron turned two and a half! Although there are moments, hours, and even days that well lets be honest are just hard whether it be arguing, whininess, defiance, etc. They are two and with that said, overall they are very well behaved, polite, and pleasant young men! I would say they are quite a joy to be around.
July has brought more swimming and parks. We also visited Grandma and Poppa Rhoades and Poppy and Grammy Dittmer. It is always fun to see them and the boys love boat rides as well as playing in the sand. Recently we spent the night with Mama and Papa Smith. Waldron began their 4th of July Festival again, but they are now having it the week following the holiday. It was fun for the boys to share in a tradition that I had participated in for years. Ethan and Aaron particularly enjoyed the parade and the fireworks, but I think the biggest hit was the sand box that Papa built for them. Marc and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary as well as hosted our almost annual 4th of July party.
We are having a terrific summer! I couldn't be more pleased with how it is going or more grateful! I told the boys they were living the life today after going to the pool, having a picnic, riding the carousel, playing at the park, napping, and then eating a popsicle and popcorn. We called daddy to tell him thank you for working so hard to enable us to live the life! Isn't that what it is all about...living each day to the fullest and being thankful for it!
After writing this post I could not help but think of this song, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-HLxpWGCzc. Feel free to listen as you check out some pictures from our days!
Having issues uploading pics! I will try in another post.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Indescribable
Rain, then sun, rain, then sun...that is what it is doing this evening in Fishers! I am sure there is a rainbow somewhere as I type. The sun is blazing as the drops come down. My heart is so full right now. I say, "I am blessed," a lot, but truly I am blessed. Marc and I went to church and then out on a date today; Ethan, Aaron and I have been having an amazing spring; I had the opportunity to help plan and attend an incredible women's retreat last weekend; and God is revealing his forgiveness and love to me through my counseling and in so many ways!
I can not tell you the last time Marc and I got to go on a date. My mom was kind enough to come spend some time with the boys and allow us to go to church, have lunch, visit a nursery, and see a movie. We had a great time...talked, laughed, and got to be Amanda and Marc together outside of our parenting roles. It is often easy to forget what your spouse was like pre-child. Do not get me wrong, it would be impossible to imagine not falling even more in love with your spouse by seeing his/her love for your children, but that love is different than the love when you first met. It is not always the kind of love that makes you feel romantic or sexy.
In keeping with my plan to make the most of each day, to cherish my time with Ethan and Aaron, and embrace this spring in our lives both literally and figuratively, we have been continuing to visit parks, the zoo, volunteer at the nursing home, and do lots of playing outside. It makes me so happy to be with Ethan and Aaron. I could not be more happy with this place in my life. Life is not perfect and honestly I have been working through some really tough stuff, but I have two happy, healthy sons and a husband who loves me.
My heart is so full! For over the last year (at least) Marc and I have been in counseling. At the request of our counselor, for varying reasons, she asked that I start coming to counseling on my own. It has been eye opening and empowering. It is amazing how God uses others to work in our lives. I feel like I am finding my voice again, doing things I am passionate about, and working on being a better version of me. Slowly I am pushing out the guilt, fear, anger, and insecurity.
The Women's Retreat (now two weeks ago do to just now getting back to completing this post), was also something that took up a large part of the last year. I happily and eagerly took on the role of working out the details of the schedule, the speakers, activities, etc. With that I organized a team to help me do so. When I took on the task, I had every hope of the women who attended being impacted and moved by God in the way that I was two years ago, just after the boys were born. Little did I know the huge impact the retreat would have on me or how God would use it to reveal himself. It was a fun, amazing, and little harried time that did allow for so many women to be touched. Somewhere in the journey I lost sight of the fact I was a conduit instead of the means to allowing God to do is work. Thankfully he was patient with me and loved me and allowed me to see that in time. He also brought my battle with insecurity to the forefront and allowed me to see just how tired I am of living with that burden. A friend of mine and neighbor shared a testimony for the retreat, something she said really struck a drum for me. She said that not until within the recent years did she truly start to understand the amazing unconditional love God has for her even though she was a Christian and had accepted Christ and be a Christian for most of her life. Which along with Louie Giglio's Indescribable series (which I was seeing for a second time) and so many other things got me to thinking and starting to understand God really loves me. Me...Amanda, Amanda Lorene formerly Smith, now Dittmer. Not Amanda as professional, not Amanda as mom, not Amanda as a missionary, just Amanda, whatever I may or may not be. The season of my life or my actions do not change that. Wow, that truly is indescribable and beyond amazing!
So, my heart is changing. I am dealing with my anger. Very slowly I am navigating how to let go of my insecurities. Although I haven't got this marriage thing figured out in the least, my prayer is that I can figure out how to show Marc some of this unconditional love God is showing me. My prayer is that I can figure out how to raise my children in least damaging way that I can and teach them of Jesus' love for them. Remarkably, and this is a whole other post, I am planning to be baptized (again?!?). I still want to talk it over with my pastor and discuss it further, but as crazy as it even sounded to me when I first felt God calling me to do it, I know that is what I am supposed to do.
As Mother's Day approaches, I am so grateful for the gift of motherhood, for the opportunity that my husband provides for me to stay at home, for the stress, the joy, the laughter, and tears it brings. I am so excited to go love on some of God's wonderful children that are orphans in Africa this fall. If it be God's will and Marc's heart is changed some day maybe I will be blessed with the gift of motherhood again, whether it be by natural means or the amazing gift of adoption. I think our family could be blessed in so many ways by another amazing child. Sometimes we think that we are doing such an amazing and wondrous thing and really that thing is what saves and does amazing and wondrous things in our lives!
I can not tell you the last time Marc and I got to go on a date. My mom was kind enough to come spend some time with the boys and allow us to go to church, have lunch, visit a nursery, and see a movie. We had a great time...talked, laughed, and got to be Amanda and Marc together outside of our parenting roles. It is often easy to forget what your spouse was like pre-child. Do not get me wrong, it would be impossible to imagine not falling even more in love with your spouse by seeing his/her love for your children, but that love is different than the love when you first met. It is not always the kind of love that makes you feel romantic or sexy.
In keeping with my plan to make the most of each day, to cherish my time with Ethan and Aaron, and embrace this spring in our lives both literally and figuratively, we have been continuing to visit parks, the zoo, volunteer at the nursing home, and do lots of playing outside. It makes me so happy to be with Ethan and Aaron. I could not be more happy with this place in my life. Life is not perfect and honestly I have been working through some really tough stuff, but I have two happy, healthy sons and a husband who loves me.
My heart is so full! For over the last year (at least) Marc and I have been in counseling. At the request of our counselor, for varying reasons, she asked that I start coming to counseling on my own. It has been eye opening and empowering. It is amazing how God uses others to work in our lives. I feel like I am finding my voice again, doing things I am passionate about, and working on being a better version of me. Slowly I am pushing out the guilt, fear, anger, and insecurity.
The Women's Retreat (now two weeks ago do to just now getting back to completing this post), was also something that took up a large part of the last year. I happily and eagerly took on the role of working out the details of the schedule, the speakers, activities, etc. With that I organized a team to help me do so. When I took on the task, I had every hope of the women who attended being impacted and moved by God in the way that I was two years ago, just after the boys were born. Little did I know the huge impact the retreat would have on me or how God would use it to reveal himself. It was a fun, amazing, and little harried time that did allow for so many women to be touched. Somewhere in the journey I lost sight of the fact I was a conduit instead of the means to allowing God to do is work. Thankfully he was patient with me and loved me and allowed me to see that in time. He also brought my battle with insecurity to the forefront and allowed me to see just how tired I am of living with that burden. A friend of mine and neighbor shared a testimony for the retreat, something she said really struck a drum for me. She said that not until within the recent years did she truly start to understand the amazing unconditional love God has for her even though she was a Christian and had accepted Christ and be a Christian for most of her life. Which along with Louie Giglio's Indescribable series (which I was seeing for a second time) and so many other things got me to thinking and starting to understand God really loves me. Me...Amanda, Amanda Lorene formerly Smith, now Dittmer. Not Amanda as professional, not Amanda as mom, not Amanda as a missionary, just Amanda, whatever I may or may not be. The season of my life or my actions do not change that. Wow, that truly is indescribable and beyond amazing!
So, my heart is changing. I am dealing with my anger. Very slowly I am navigating how to let go of my insecurities. Although I haven't got this marriage thing figured out in the least, my prayer is that I can figure out how to show Marc some of this unconditional love God is showing me. My prayer is that I can figure out how to raise my children in least damaging way that I can and teach them of Jesus' love for them. Remarkably, and this is a whole other post, I am planning to be baptized (again?!?). I still want to talk it over with my pastor and discuss it further, but as crazy as it even sounded to me when I first felt God calling me to do it, I know that is what I am supposed to do.
As Mother's Day approaches, I am so grateful for the gift of motherhood, for the opportunity that my husband provides for me to stay at home, for the stress, the joy, the laughter, and tears it brings. I am so excited to go love on some of God's wonderful children that are orphans in Africa this fall. If it be God's will and Marc's heart is changed some day maybe I will be blessed with the gift of motherhood again, whether it be by natural means or the amazing gift of adoption. I think our family could be blessed in so many ways by another amazing child. Sometimes we think that we are doing such an amazing and wondrous thing and really that thing is what saves and does amazing and wondrous things in our lives!
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