Pregnant?! In AFRICA?!? IS THIS REAL LIFE?!

I was just living my life as normal as they come. I was packing for Africa and anxiously awaiting. Lexie came to Louisville, so we naturally went to Qdoba... MY FAVORITE, or well, my used-to-be favorite. After dinner, I started to feel a little funny. 

The next morning... AFRICA DAY!! I was pumped.  Dreaming of Ethiopian cuties, new travels, and new adventures that God had in store. I had no idea just HOW much God had in store.  It was about 10:00am and we had to leave for the airport at 11:30am.  I decided to take the one pregnancy test I had left over because my boobs were KILLING me (Sorry boy readers, all 0 of you!!?) And this happened...

So... I freak out, naturally.  In a good way. My life long goal and dream is to be a mother.  Have my own children to love and nurture.  Andrew is still sleeping and I frantically call him in. He thinks I need help with my bags (which I  needed that too) but I show him the test. He freaks out and starts crying, I freak out (again) and start crying.  This is amazing news. And it is so evident that GOD wanted us to have a baby in this season of our lives.  What a gift.  What a blessing.  

So after lots of hugging, kissing, jumping, praying, weeping, and rejoicing, we decided I should still go to Africa (I'm crazy, I know). After all, I haven't been sick or anything (Yet... my baby was probably laughing at me when I thought this). So we tell NO ONE and I board the plane to Africa. It wasn't until the plane from Germany to Sudan to Ethiopia I start to feel a little queasy. Then they served African Plane Food... YEP that did it. I gave the entire back half of the plane a show. Basically the show was me throwing up for an hour since all the restrooms were taken. That wasn't humiliating at all!! NOT!!! Then I started freaking out. Bad freaking out. Like, why the H am I going to Africa when I am PREGNANT!?! But God is sovereign and has a plan. Always.

I head to Lexie's seat and tell her the news (ya, the no telling people lasted a good 15 hours). She's thrilled. Duh. Still I wanted to wait to tell my mom in a really cute way (ya, that didn't last either).

So Africa was great, mainly because I got to see the gospel at work and carry my little missionary in my belly. I pray everyday my baby is a disciple of Christ and will be a missionary to the nations.

Africa wasn't so great because the FOOD and smells made me VERY sick everyday.  Not fun.  But at least I can tell the baby that I took Him/Her to Africa to share the love of Jesus with people that needed it.

I didn't take any harmful medication (no malaria in Addis). But please continue to pray for a healthy baby for the glory of God!

I went to my first ultrasound on Thrusday, August 16 and all of it became a reality. I got to SEE my baby and HEAR my baby's heartbeat. Talk about SOB FEST 2012.  This is truly the most amazing experience and it has only been 10 1/2 weeks.  God is good and deserves all the praise. He already knows my baby and LOVES my baby as he is knitting it in my womb.  I am weeping as I type that.

 My baby is already LOVED by the creator of the universe.  My baby already has an IDENTITY in Christ first, Bocchino second.  My baby has a PURPOSE and GOD already knows it.  MY BABY is being BORN to give GOD GLORY and to make his name known!!! 

I can't wait to be a mother.  Andrew is going to be the best father.  

Praise be to God for our precious little jumping bean!!!

Ethiopia 2012

Africa... TOMORROW!

So, I am headed to Africa tomorrow.


As I pack for Africa, I can't help but think about my trip to India last year. What a time of growth, refining, and discovery.  A time of humbling, discomfort, and appreciation. Andrew and I decided to go because the command is clear... MAKE DISCIPLES.  I find that we are tempted to do everything else except the ONE thing Jesus told us to do in the Great Commission.  So we asked ourselves an all-important question: Are our plans self-directed or Christ-directed?

So Andrew and I signed up for India. I also found out that God does not bless based solely on our motives. God ALWAYS blesses HIS plan. That is where our heart for missions opened up. That is where God told us that we will one day be long-term missionaries. With that comes excitement and fear. But fear is only the devil trying to get me to do something else rather than spread the gospel to unreached nations.

In India, we got to do something I have NEVER done before. We shared the Gospel with people that have NEVER heard the name of Jesus. I'm talking blank stares, weird looks, shrugging of shoulders NEVER heard.  So we told them. In the village below, they had a huge Hindu temple in the middle of their village. They just finished a child sacrifice upon us arriving. We got to tell them that the sacrifice has already been made... His name is Jesus. There is so much power in that name when they heard it for the first time. You could have heard a pin drop.

So... I could go on about India, but this post is about AFRICA!

So we are heading to Ethiopia tomorrow. We will be doing lots of training and evangelizing to women and children.  We will be partnering with LIA (Life in Abundance) where they take the poorest of poor and give them essentials but mainly give them the gospel training they need to see who the ONE true God is!

Andrew and I took a missions class with David Platt (life-changing) and he told us missions and evangelism starts with our hearts.  John Scott says, "The greatest single hinderance to evangelism today is the secret poverty of our own spiritual experience." Evangelism is the overflow of our hearts! We must have a LIVING relationship with Jesus Christ. We need a ZEAL for the kingdom.  We NEED to have a burden for the lost.  Isn't it sad that I sometimes get caught up in my comfortable life that I forget that there are people that will die and live apart from God? Isn't it sad that Jesus commanded us to go to them and I forget to pray for them? With evangelism comes spiritual battle.  So we become extremely dependent on Him, and the Holy Spirit lives in us, so why do we fear? 

So today, wherever you are. Share this gospel:

The good news that the just and gracious God of the universe has looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent His son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, to bear His wrath against sin on the cross and to show His power over sin in the resurrection so that all who have faith in Him will be reconciled to God forever.

So, I am taking this great news to Ethiopia tomorrow. Please pray for our team of 11 ladies (my mom and Lexie Strong included). Pray we share the Word, show the Word, teach the Word, and SERVE Ethiopia.  Pray we are confident in God's sovereignty even when times get tough.  Pray that the poverty doesn't make us as sad as spiritual poverty.  

So, I also challenge YOU: Sacrifice your agenda each day and get involved where God is at work! Here is a Francis Chan video that is very convicting to do just that. Click here to watch it. It's only 3 minutes, but VERY convicting! 

Africa, HERE I COME. Lord, HAVE YOUR WAY IN ME.

David Crowder Band-Never Let Go-lyrics video

Sovereign God

I needed this reminder tonight and he totally reminded me through this song...


Here are the lyrics. So humbling.

Years have passed
And years remain
Still You will last
And You will never change
My God my hope is found in You

Days go by
And I have failed
To give my mind, my strength
My soul, my heart
My God Your ways are found secure

Sovereign God take control
Of my heart and of my soul
Here am I everything for You
Help me live selflessly
Sharing in Your suffering
Here am I everything for You

Here and now 
I come
To give my mind, my strength
My soul, my heart
My God
Your ways are found secure

I have been chosen
Your grace has found me
I am alive
And I will live forevermore
Such sweet salvation
Your grace has saved me
I am alive
And I will sing forevermore

Family Vacation-- Seagrove Style

#Albertsenvaca12 is over.  All 14 of us under one roof enjoying the sun and each other.  I am so glad that we had the chance to do this! 

Our house for the week! 

All of us (except for Dad who took the pic)

30-A is a popular highway on Santa Rosa Beach (near Destin and Panama City).  30-A is where Seaside, Seagrove, Watercolor, and Rosemary Beach reside. All beautiful places! Everyone has bikes and you ride from one place to the next.  I enjoyed bike riding with my baby and exploring the area with him.  

The walk to the beach everyday!

Sunsets never get old

Ride to Seaside everyday :) 

Bike Rides

My brother Josh and his wife Shannon have 5 kids. So to say that this vacation was boring would be a complete lie.  Never a dull moment! And I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I am actually going to miss waking up and having those kiddos there right next to me! They are five little blessings that I love and cherish.

Fourth of July was spent by having a cookout with my family, and then the the kids (plus anna the newborn and samuel) went to Seaside to watch fireworks.  We sat on the quad and I taught Samuel how to take pictures. We still have some work to do! 

Going to Seaside!

The quad at Seaside! PACKED!!

Hey Cutie

Samuel photography

Samuel Photography. One of my favorite pics of all time!

Samuel Photography. MY FAVORITE pic of all time. Hands down.

Watching fireworks! 

Haha. I love this because apparently the flash was blinding!

Fireworks

What a great time at Seashore Circle!

Warning: Girly Post

This will be my attempt to be Lauren Conrad for a moment. She is the fashion/make-up/fitness QUEEN. I love reading her blog/website thing.  Anyway, I will no where COMPARE to LC.  I have had people ask about my make-up, so here you go... MAKE-UP tips and advice from KB (not LC, sorry to disappoint).

Let me just say, there was a point in my life where I wasn't going to go to college and go to beauty school instead. So simply put, I love make-up.

Toys-R-Us is to kids, as Ulta is to Katie

If this stresses you out, go ahead and x out of my blog. It won't hurt my feelings. I won't even notice. But for those who care/interested, S'GO!

• First things first: Moisturizer.  I moisturize two times a day (at least!)

MY ALL TIME FAVORITE (and acne fighting) goes to:

Dual Action Clean and Clear

I have been using this since I was a Junior in High School. Absolutely love it. And very cheap.

A NEW RECENT FAVORITE: 

Jergens Natural Glow for Face

This also has SPF 20, so my dermatologist will be happy (I don't even have one, but that sounded good).  I put it on every morning.  

• Brushes. Please don't spend $300 on brushes. Ridiculous. Go to Ulta and get the Ulta brand. They are great. 

The only brush I use that isn't Ultra brand is from Benefit. It is "Hard Angle." I use this for my eyebrows (we will get to that in a minute). This brush is phenomenal.

*Don't forget to clean your brushes once a month!

• Face. I usually do a tinted moisturizer (I don't like foundation), a mineral powder, a bronzer (LOVE me some bronzer), and blush.

Just as good as Bare Minerals. Spare yourself the money!

This is def a splurge but Bobbi Brown bronzer is where it is at. Instant TAN.

BETTER than foundation. This is def a splurge, too. With this, use a brush to apply for an even coverage.

This is cheaper than Bobbi Brown and does  (almost) the same thing! 

Blush: my fave thing. How to apply: smile and apply on the rise of your cheek and then sweep on cheek bone.

Benefit: "That Gal". I don't use this everyday, but I do for special occasions. It helps your make-up last longer.

I bought this with a gift card for fun. It is too fun! Sweep it right below your eyebrows and right above your cheekbone. It is a soft shimmer. It really makes your face light up! 

• Eyes: I use eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, and eyebrow liner.  

Benefit: Brows a-go-go. Absolutely love.  

To use: Sweep your "Hard Angle" brush once to each palette on the top row from right to left. Then apply to eyebrow. I  use it to add length to my eyebrows because mine are so short naturally.  The bottom row I hardly ever use, but I will occasionally if I wear eyeshadow. It comes with tweezers, eyeliner, and an applicator.

Eyeliner: apply with an eyeliner brush (Ulta).  This stays on ALL DAY LONG. It takes a minute to get it down to an art, but once you get good at applying it, you will LOVE it. 

For the lazy people, Revlon liquid eyeliner is great (I only use on upper lid). On bottom lid I ONLY use a pencil eyeliner.

Such a great eyeshadow (You can NEVER go wrong with Bobbi Brown).

But of course ULTA is great, too. Never disappoints me. And cheap.

ALL TIME FAVORITE MASCARA. Thank you Carley Brooks for introducing this to me in High School. 

Need I say more? Dior Show never disappoints.

Rimmel: Sexy Curves gives length. Rimmel: Scandal eyes gives volume.  

Benefit: Lust Duster. I got this for free and surprisingly love it. I sweep this in the corner of my eyes and every time I wear this I get compliments.

• Lips: Lipstick, lipgloss, and chapstick

I forgot to take pics (because my lip stuff is in my purse). And now I'm too lazy to get my camera. And I'm too invested in this post not to put in lips.

Mac has GREAT lipstick. Bobbi Brown (I bet you are not surprised) has FABULOUS lipstick.  Victoria's Secret has my FAVORITE lip gloss. Burt's Bees is my favorite chapstick. 

Okay that is all.  My attempt to be LC is over (for now).  I hope this helped anyone that is looking for new make-up.  

** Disclaimer: My mom bought me all my Bobbi Brown make-up for my birthday.  So if you are looking for high-quality make-up Bobbi Brown is my first choice. Benefit is my second. Mac is my third. But if you need a cheaper option: Ulta and Revlon are my go toos.