Home

It's 12:45, and everyone is asleep. It's just me, my fruit (i probably eat more fruit than all of your reading this blog put together), Rold Gold pretzels, 19 Kids and Counting, and my computer. Speaking of 19 Kids and Counting, Anna Duggar is about to have her baby so I can't go to bed until the show is finished. I'm pathetic lol.

I have been home for 4 full days now, and it has been wonderful. Time has been surreal, as in some ways I feel like I have been home forever, and in other ways, the time is already going too fast. There have been long walks with Spencer, all the familiar foods, sweet times with family,

sleeping in, and getting to work out again (i know, not exactly everyone's favorite but I do enjoy that).

I have been relaxing while scrapbooking my trip and watching movies. It's been therapeutic to sit down in the basement for hours at a time, letting my creative juices flow while reflecting on my trip. Seeing the pictures on the pages has reminded me again of the incredible opportunity I had the past 7 weeks. I saw so much beauty, history, picturesque sights of Europe.

I have almost exactly one month before school starts. I cannot wait to return to the community that I have there, and I have SO much to look forward to this next year. But I am not at all ready to start school, especially to start another Spanish class.

But until then, I have many more long summer evenings to look forward to, a week of family vacation, a trip to St. Louis to see friends, and more time to recuperate before falling into the chaos of college life again. I'm determined to make the most of every day that I have left of summer, so thankful for the growth the Lord has brought, the blessings He has given, and this wonderful place I call home.

16 years

These 2 brothers of mine are 16 years old today. Can you believe it?! I can't.

My earliest memories of childhood are during my mom's pregnancy with the boys. She was on bed rest for a lot of it, but it gave us some sweet mommy-daughter time before 2 little baby boys rocked my world. I remember feeling very frustrated when they first came home. Everybody came to see the little babies. Which I can't blame them- it's not their fault they were so darn cute. However, regardless of the decrease in attention, I was a very proud big sister.

We played Barbies and G.I. Joes for hours. Playmobile. House. (Can you tell they had an older sister?). I bossed them around like nobody's business and earned the nickname "Mommy Molly" or "Little Mother." I'm so sorry, brothers, for ruining that part of your childhood! Nobody needs 2 moms in their life!

As we got older, they found their own friends, and I found mine. Our time together was limited, and I really did miss them. A couple summers ago, however, the Lord did a huge work in our family. And that was the summer that my brothers and I became friends. :)

When I left for school, I truly missed them so much. Occasional texts, facebook, and phone calls occur but it's just not the same. Now, they're going to climb into a car for the first time by themselves and drive down the street with license in hand- and I don't get to see it! But I couldn't be more proud of these 2 boys.

Happy birthday, Noah. You have become such a sweet, gentle, and caring young man. You've gone from being the little one in the family to leaving me as the shortest! Your mind and heart have grown right along with your height. Your motivation for school is so encouraging to see, and I promise that it will take you far. Your sharp mind and aptitude for fixing things with patience is going to be used by God. You're going to love college, and you'll find just the right place in His timing. Some lucky girl is going to fall in love with your quick heart of service and attentiveness. Thank you for making me feel loved and welcome when I'm home. Thank you for bringing so much laughter and joy to our family. Your 16th year is a special one, a year with a lot of independence and freedom. Stay close to Jesus, and let Him grow you even more into the man He wants you to be. I love you so much, lil' bro. Happy birthday!

To my dearest Caleb. I love your name, by the way. Did I ever tell you that? As I've watched you tower over me this past year, I have seen a strength develop in you. I feel so safe standing next to you, and I can only imagine what you will be for your family some day in the future. But for now, those strong muscles are working so hard. I'm so proud of you! You are doing just as the Lord called man to do- to move the soil and be productive. Work can be done in joy- and you have allowed God to tune your heart to that attitude. Your sensitive spirit has always been such an incredible aspect of who you are. Continue to be sensitive, Caleb. Be sensitive to the Spirit, keep your heart so soft towards others. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has for your future, brother. He has GREAT plans for you. It will be such a delight to gather together in the future (just like Dad does with Diane and Steve) and see all that the Lord is doing in each of our lives. May your 16th birthday mark the beginning of a year of growth, hope, and service as you press on after our God. I love you so much!

So from across the ocean, happy birthday to the twins who make our family complete :) Cumpleanos feliz!

Happy Father's Day!

I'm going to call this post my Father's Day post.

But just for the record....

I love my...

Tom McCann/Vans/Converse-wearing, computer-fixing, chocolate-eating, joke-making, book-reading, Jesus-following, Family-loving, best-ever dad!

Happy Father's Day daddy!

May you feel my hug from across the ocean!

Love you!

Always your little bear,

Molly :)

My Dad

So my dad went home on Wednesday. We had a wonderful time together. Like seriously probably the best 5 days I've ever had with him. I was burned out and exhausted (sorry dad) but him being here was so refreshing, secure, normal, and fun. We had some great laughs, which I may recount on here as I find the time.

I was walking to school today and thinking about my family. Thinking about how on earth I got to be here in Spain, learning Spanish, planning on using Spanish for ministry and/or a career. How did it start? And I realized that the Lord really used my dad for this. He started me on Rosetta Stone way back when I was a little girl. He homeschooled me (i loved it). Then instead of throwing away a girlhood dream of going to Guatemala and loving on orphans, he took me! We went to a country that doesn't speak Spanish, and for some crazy reason, he trusted his 15 year old daughter to translate for him.
Since then, we've been to Guatemala 3 more times together. He's seen me have amazing conversations with people, the highlights. He's also seen me at my lowest, the times when I can't understand and can't speak anything back. Or there's the time I was so overwhelmed I just refused to translate for him at all haha. That was bad. But he's been there. Every time. I've messed up a lot. Let me say that again. I've messed up alot. But not once has he not shown grace and love. Not once has he ever told me that I can't do this. His trip here was just what I needed, and made for some precious memories that will last longer than any Spanish dictionary ever will.

I also inherited his way with words. So, this poem is for you, Dad. Thanks for being here for me, for believing in me and walking this journey right alongside me. You and mom are the best :)

Just Me and My Dad

Always there to call me beautiful,

to correct me when I'm wrong.

Arms wide open to fall right into,

for a cry (even when it's long) :)

We've been on the greatest adventures,

Just my daddy and me.

Our rental cars giving us stories,

Especially when we start driving east.

He's been there from the start of my Spanish,

a love of Guatemala we've shared.

He's seen me at the worst of my moments,

but shown me only love and care.

He's been my biggest cheerleader,

For him a translator I've learned to be.

From rosetta stone to community college,

He's always believed in me.

I'm so blessed to be his daughter,

So many sweet memories we've had.

I can't wait for more times together,

Just me and my fantastic dad.

6/10/11

Home

My parents came to visit me this weekend. It was such a sweet time of fellowship as they met all of the friends I have made here.

Our campus ministry had a coffeehouse/talent show for all the parents on Saturday night and as I sat between my dad and Spencer I felt a sense of peace, a sense of security, a sense of home. My heart is here with this community, my parents and my boyfriend were sitting by me with dear friends close by. As I took a moment to praise God for these blessings, I realized just how scary it is to find a safe place, to be in a place of security. Its scary to think that in a moment, all of those things I cling to could fall away. But this is where the firm foundation of Christ comes in. If I build my life, my heart, and my faith on Him alone, then when the precious things of this Earth fail or disappoint me, I will still have Jesus on which to stand, praising Him for the gifts which give me security, joy, and peace in this earthly home.

"He laid the Earth on its foundations, it can never be moved."

Psalm 104:5

Genuinely Thankful

So I have this problem about keeping surprises a secret.....

I CAN'T DO IT! And this is really an issue when Christmas is so close.

I wrote this poem today for my parents and was going to save it for Christmas but I can't! So i figured it'd be a little surprise if it came from my blog? Just tell me yes so I feel justified in revealing this early. And now I get to come up with another Christmas idea for them! :)

Anyways! That was just the introduction to the real post :)
(photography by Becky Anderson)


God has brought me on quite a journey in multiple areas of my life the past 4 months. One of them, though, has been bringing my heart to a place of true and genuine gratitude for my family. I have never ever been so thankful and dependent on my family as I have been recently. Without God and my parents, I wouldn't be doing life. The encouraging phone calls with them are often God's gift to keep my head up.


I have also never missed my family so much as i do now (which makes sense considering I've never lived away from home). And while this ache to be with my family hurts, it has been beautiful in growing in me a greater love and appreciation for them.



So today, as i ponder Thanksgiving, and the incredible blessings that God has gifted me with, my family is at the top of the list this year right next to God's faithfulness. Because He has been faithful to me. Oh so faithful. And one of the results of His faithfulness is allowing me to be born in the family that I'm in. I'm so thankful.



Dad, Mom, Noah, and Caleb- I love you guys!! See you in 52 hours :)

Genuinely Thankful

Never appreciated that goodnight kiss

So many things I didn't expect to miss.

Yet now that I'm gone I see just how blessed

I was to grow up in our safe, loving nest.

You gave me everything I could ever need.

Always so careful to guide and to teach

Now I have a safe place on a hard or bad day

To call and to cry and know I can reach

The familiar voice of my mom or my dad

My brother's funny antics that make me feel not so sad

This incredible gift of my family

Was one I've always had but just didn't see

Because sometimes you have to move away from it all

To appreciat the ones always there when you call.

11/20/10

Birthday Celebrations

My wonderful mom had a birthday this weekend! We spent Friday night together as a family, took her out to Chili's for queso dip and chips, and came back for presents and birthday cake! It was a really great night. Happy Birthday Mom! I'm so blessed to have you! :)

Until next year...

This is for all the family who didn't get to watch Noah's basketball games this year!

Their team really did quite well and Noah got more playing time than ever before!

Congratulations my little bro! I can't wait to come home from school next year to see more of your games!

Goodbye Shaggy Boy...

I love this kid so much.

My sweet, sensitive, funny, caring, hard-working little brother of mine.

He's had this long, shaggy hair for the past 2 years. And he decided on Thursday that it was time for the hair to go!

Post-haircut!!

And now, this sweet, sensitive, funny, caring, hard-working little brother of mine looks like a man.

He already towers over me, but the haircut makes him look even taller.

He looks stronger.

And...he just is looking grown-up. No more little baby brother.

But the sweetness of this growing-up has produced a precious friendship between he and I.

And for that I am so thankful.

I love you Caleb!

Twas the Week Before Christmas*

Twas the week before Christmas and all through our house

Is a hustle and bustle, but not from a mouse.

We've been wrapping, cooking, and running about.

Preparing for Christmas, everything on the to-do list marked out.

The gingerbread house and cookies have been made with great care,

The Christmas cards printed and sent off somewhere.

The gifts were nestled all snug under the tree,

Anticipating the family to gather 'round for some unwrapping.

This morning we went to the airport to get

Aunt Lulu and Uncle Jay Jay from out East, they'd been missed!

When it was all set and done we were ready for a nap,

In fact we might fall asleep on Santa's lap.

When out in the kitchen there arose such a clatter,

It was mom making dinner, nothing was the matter!

Running to the table, we all ran in a flash,

Pulled out our napkins, bowed our heads in a dash.

It was time for our big Christmas dinner you see,

We do it a day early, on Christmas eve.

We gobbled our food, our tummies now full.

We loaded in the car, come one, come all!!

To celebrate Jesus, His coming, His birth

The miracle of Christmas in a service at church.

With Molly on piano, and friends playing other things

The music was delightful as we worshiped our King.

The candles were lit as the congregation sang.

It was a beautiful moment as our voices rang.

Now we are back, snuggled in our house tight.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

*I stole this idea from MckMama. Hope she doesn't mind :) http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

Lessons in Parenting

I'm with my aunt out East for the week taking care of my adorable little second cousins. It has been great so far.... and I'm learning alot haha.

Like.....

why caffeine is a necessity.

Why mommies LOVE naptime.

That sometimes it's incredibly hard not to laugh at the things kids say. They're hilarious.

Why those portable vacuums were made in the first place. You have to use them after every meal if you don't want mushed food all over your floor.

And I wonder....how I will ever manage this huge family that I want???!! The Lord will have to give supernatural strength for that one.

Fabulous Weekend!!

It was a fabulous weekend.

Spencer came home from school and I got to see him Friday and Saturday.

Saturday night I met up with my family and we had a mini family reunion.

We also celebrated my 18th birthday. My aunt and I got makeovers done at Bare Escentuals, and then we went for dinner.

Before:

After:

My dad's birthday is on Wednesday and we also celebrated his birthday too. I framed a picture of us and a poem that I wrote.

Now, I am sitting in a hotel room with my other aunt waiting to fly out East to take care of my adorable second cousins for a week. My mom, brother, and I had dinner together with her before they dropped me off.

It was a great weekend.