Yes...it's been a while

Let's just say that we're not the most faithful at updating our blog. It's February now...our last post was in August. I'm amazed if anyone is checking this anymore...but here we are. And here's a little about our life.

Life in Orlando is so weird in February. It was in the mid-80s yesterday. So weird. I (Kim) think I have worn a sweater once all year...and we had a pool party on Wednesday. I am missing the seasons but definitely won't complain about the sun.

Donny is over at a friend's apartment watching the Tennessee/Memphis bball game. I hope he comes home happy...GO VOLS!!!

Would you pray for us? The Lord has used this year in Orlando in some neat ways to help us grow deeper in our walks with Him and to learn more about our giftings, talents, and desires. We are seeking guidance about what He would have us do after this year. It is crazy to think that another move might be around the corner in the summer...at least we know for sure that we have to move out of our apartment by June 30...we will see where we end up...and we'll let you know as soon as we know.

For whoever is reading this, we appreciate your love and prayers over time and distance. Please make a post or email us to let us know how you are doing.

August Update

I (Kim) just wanted to post some recent pics of the kids. I am going to try to post things as often as I can. We are doing well here in Orlando. Millie is 4 months old. We took her to the pool for the first time today. She has found her toes which is really cute, and she giggles a lot. Hunter and she have both adjusted really well to our move, and I feel really blessed as a mom to have them in my life. Hunter is all into superheroes and Disney characters. His third birthday is in just two weeks, and I think we will be having a Superman party...I guess I need to plan that. Come see us in Orlando!!!

850 miles and 26 feet of yellow steel

We have made it to Orlando!

I am pretty sure that we picked the hottest week of the year to move. Luckily, my body learned to adapt to a constant state of dehydration.

We are mostly settled into our new apartment. We're actively searching for a new church and learning the lay of the land. We have many friends with kids who live in our apartment complex. We have also had a chance to visit Disneyworld.

Next week I will begin working in the office at Lake Hart, the world headquarters for Campus Crusade.

Thanks for everything that everyone has done to help us get here. We appreciate you!

Millie at Two Months

Yep, we're trying to get caught up on our blogging. Millie is growing well...13 lbs., 1 oz. at her two month check-up on June 21st. I (Kim) had a very emotional few days when she moved into size 2 diapers and began wearing 3-6 months clothes right when she turned two months old. Millie's second month was marked by two trips to Chattanooga including two nights at the Whitestone Inn with Mommy and Daddy.
I put Millie in this 0-3 month outfit the day before she moved into 3-6 month clothes. I was so sad that I didn't put her in it earlier. I found out that I LOVE pink gingham.


Hunter loves holding and checking on Millie. He is so sweet and gentle with her.

Why does Mommy take so many pictures of me???!!!

Millie and Hunter love visting their Mimi and Ddad (Kim's parents).

Sleeping Beauty

Just rocking on the porch of the Farmhouse at the Whitestone.

Millie joined Mommy and Daddy in a few games of croquet, shuffleboard, ping pong, and pool during our stay at the Whitestone.

Millie at One Month

Sorry we haven't been good about posting pics. We are having so much fun with Millie and Hunter that we just haven't gotten around to it. Millie is such a sweetheart. We love having a little girl.

Mommy loved celebrating Mother's Day with her two little ones.

Four generations of Levis/Friederichsens. Grandma, Nana, and Aunt Becky (Donny's Mom, Grandmother, and sister) came for Mother's Day...such a special day.

Lots of fun playing with Daddy.

Updated Pics of Amelia

Coming Home from the Hospital...Welcome Home Millie!

Millie's sweet new crib...complete with cool hanging bears.
Hunter likes to help Millie with her Bouncie Seat.

Hunter - Sept '04

Millie - Apr '07

Hunter enjoyed helping give Millie a bath. He really enjoys being a big brother.

More Pics of Millie

The Family's all here!So that's what the sun looks like...

I love my Mommy and my Mommy loves me!

Mommy, my Aunt Jennifer, and me

My big brother, Hunter, helped change my diaper

Daniel, Nathan and Drew love meeting their new cousin...but not as much as the Purell soap dispenser.

My D-Dad with his new hat. It's instant tobacco cred in this state.

My Big Brother, Hunter, gave me a little kiss. I love him.

Some pics of Amelia Louise

Millie's Birthday

Happy Birthday Millie!

Kim woke me up Friday (4/20) morning and said, "Donny, I don't want to sound alarmist, but I think today is the day." We went to the doctor's office to see if Kim was in fact in labor. The doctor kept saying things like, "Kim, was your first child a fast delivery?" (He wasn't). Soon after seeing the doctor in her office we were across the parking lot in the hospital prep room. An ultrasound on Thursday indicated that Millie was going to be around 10lbs 4oz. The doctor assured us that these measurements are sometimes wrong. Nevertheless, we opted for another C-Section. At 11:41am, weighing in at a cool 10lbs 3oz (see, the measurements can be off) and 21 inches, Amelia Louise, "Millie," entered the world!

Mother and baby are doing well. It was funny to look through the nursery windows and listen to other people comment. "Awww, look at all the little babi...whoa, look at that one! She must be 9lbs." To which I would reply, "Actually she's 10lbs...and she'll beat up your baby when the nurses aren't looking."
We are all really excited about this blessing from the Lord. It has been a little bit of a shock. I wasn't really prepared for her this week...but we wouldn't want it any other way! We can't wait for each of you to meet her.

Hunter is doing well. He doesn't seem to mind Millie, but he isn't exactly thrilled. He sang Happy Birthday for her, but the end of the video kinda sums up his feelings.

Recent Campus Activities

I have had a busy couple of weeks on campus. Most of it has been really great. Some of it I could have done without.

April 4th - my 30th birthday

In adding insult to injury, not only did I turn 30, but I got the flu. I told my sister that if 30 feels this bad I can't imagine what 40 is going be like.

April 5th

Campus Crusade co-hosted a campus wide Easter service with CSF (one of the local campus ministries here at UK). It was a great event. The room was packed with college students. The Director of CSF and I spoke at the meeting. I shared about the Offense of the Cross and he shared about the Re-creation of the Resurrection.

April 8th
I led Easter Chapel for the University of Tennessee Baseball team. They were in town for a weekend series with UK (UT took the series 2-1, go Vols!). I regaled them with my Little League stories. My coaches in Little League took one look at me and knew I had the "right" stuff...the deep right field stuff. "Friederichsen, get out there and hug that foul line!" I think all my coaches just hoped and prayed that no one would hit the ball my way.

I also shared with the UT guys about the truth of the cross and the hope of the resurrection. I explained that on the cross Christ experienced physical pain beyond belief. But the most excrutiating thing he felt was the full wrath of God for my sins. He took my death on himself, but death is not the end because Easter morning is here! Because of Easter I can know that Jesus is victorious over death.

The team gave me a game ball they had all autographed. It's one of the coolest things I've gotten since I have been on staff.

April 10

I was the keynote speaker for a Greek Prayer Breakfast. I shared with around 175 Greek students about the importance of worldviews. A worldview is the lense through which you view the world. It is the grid that everything in life is filtered through before you make a decision about it. We all have a worldview...and often Christians have a worldview that is incompatible with Christianity. I explained the difference between the two dominant worldviews on the college campus: Secular Humanism and Christian Theism. When it comes to worldviews, everyone must answer three basic questions. Why am I here? What is wrong with the world? How do we fix it? Secular Humanism says, "I am the product of random chance with no purpose. I should consume and enjoy. The problems of the world are that I do not have the power to consume and enjoy all that I want. The solution is education and government." The Christian Theist's answer to those questions is summed up in Colossians 1:15-23. The Christian Theist responds by saying, "I am created in the image of God. I am the crowning glory of His creation. There is inherent worth and value in every person, regardless of age, race, gender, or ability. We are here to glorify God. The problem of the world is sin and hostility to God. The answer is the cross of Christ and His resurrection."

April 17

Our ministry hosted a Prayer Vigil on Tuesday night to pray for the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting. I spoke briefly to the 250 students gathered about the hope of the Gospel. My main text was from Habbakuk 1:2-5 and 3:17-19. In the midst of tragedy there is hope that the Lord is at work. He is doing things that are beyond our comprehension. But even though His plans are beyond our comprehension doesn't mean that God cannot understand our suffering. He understands suffering and injustice because experienced suffering and injustice on the Cross. Through the Cross, Jesus Christ brings hope to all who will call on Him. This is a good message to come out of an incomprehensible situation.

You can find more info about the Virginia Tech Campus Crusade and UK Campus Crusade response to this situation at www.ukcru.blogspot.com.