Happy "Half" Birthday

On July 16th, we celebrated Lydia's half birthday. Yep, she has passed the 18th month mark. Here is a video to capture this fun day! The video is a little longer than normal (around 9 minutes). The first part is us singing and the second part is reminding Lydia what she can do at this point in her life. We love her! Happy "Half" Birthday little girl!

Our Table Display

Taking on a project with design and craftsmanship doesn't exactly fit the Stock household. We have many, and I think, good ideas. But to put those ideas into reality are difficult to say the least for us. But, we work as a team, Lydia cheers us on by sleeping quietly, and we eventually have something put together. And now that we are missionaries and have to "brand" ourselves to all who would listen, we have taken the past couple of weeks to create a few things.

Here is our latest project we just finished tonight. It is our table display for when we go to churches and a booth in the lobby/fellowship hall.

After a week or so and many trips to Home Depot, the finished product!!!

Come right over, and hear about what God is doing in South Asia!

BONUS: Mommy and Lydia having a little fun with the camera.

One Step Closer

Any takers?

Since we blogged last... (alternate title: "Cute Pictures of Lydia")

A lot has happened.


Lydia says "Pop-Pop" all the time.

She learned how to make French toast with Nana.

She played in the water a lot.

We celebrated Independence Day.

This is still cute.

We went to the beach.

Lydia grew her hair long enough to be put in a ponytail.

She still really loves this duck.

Speaking Lyd-ish

Our little girl is getting quite verbal. I understand just about everything she says, but of course I spend all day with her. So for those of you wanting to communicate with Lydia, here's a quick dictionary of words that may not sound so clear.

"plsss": please
"na naa": thank you (you can tell by the intonation...really)
"nappp": i'm sleepy
"tup"/"dinp": cup/drink
"munlk": milk
"DeeDeed": David (Uncle or two-year-old friend)
"sarah...meow": i miss Aunt Sarah, and her cats
"Halle...ZZZack": hey mom, let's go see the Carden family
"nanma": Grandma (Brian's mom)
"nammy": Nana (Mandy's mom)
"poop": well, that's pretty clear
"Daddy...See?": is Daddy around? I'd like to see him.
"Helro": phone
"apple": any fruit
"up": pick me up OR put me down
"zoom": car
"talk": chalk
"tolor?": Can I please color with my crayons?
"Dod": God (as in "Lydia, who made you?" "Dod.")

New words coming every day. Love it!

Update from South Asia

Here we are in South Asia. After all the talk, preparation and packing...we are here. It is a real place! There is so much to describe: auto-rickshaws, motorcycles, cows and buses fill the streets (and the city with noise); poverty and trash crowd around us with the contrast of tropical flowers, colorful fruit and bright clothing; Hindu temples litter the landscape and the smell of incense permeates the air.

We have had a busy schedule of teaching and learning. Brian has taught several times. Here is he is preaching at a local church (He didn't know he was to preach until we arrived Sunday morning!). Later in the week he preached at a presbytery meeting with local pastors and theological education students. Mandy got to hang out with the wives (see picture below). They painted her hand with henna (a temporary tatoo in a sense) and put jasmine flowers in her hair. Later the women walked to the market, the local park with the kids, and made chai.

We miss our sweet Lydia, but we know this vision trip is being used by our LORD for His glory now and for what He has in the future for us.

Prayer Guide For Our Trip

13 Days of Prayer for the Stocks!

Wednesday, May 11 – travel: safety, logistics, rest, no lost luggage.

Thursday, May 12 – recovery from jet lag: so they can hit the ground running with energy and alertness to really take it all in.

Friday, May 13 – team: they’re meeting up with the current MTW team (3 families will be there to receive them). Pray that they would be an encouragement to them and for unity.

Saturday, May 14 – shopping and paint-ball: Mandy will be shopping for a Sari and exploring the market with South Asian women and American gals from the team. This can be a very bonding experience...pray for it to be joyful and Jesus-exalting. Brian will be painting with the guys and no, he doesn't paintball. Pray for accuracy and swiftness of feet.

Sunday, May 15 – worship: that Brian and Mandy would really be able to worship Jesus in this new context!

Monday, May 16 – Lydia: she will be having fun with her grandparents. Pray for her to adjust well, sleep and eat well and keep learning how to walk! Mostly, pray that Brian and Mandy would not be distraught without her.

Tuesday, May 17 – ministry: there will be many opportunities throughout the week to minister in different contexts. Pray for boldness to proclaim the gospel and open hearts, and also for Brian and Mandy’s hearts to love the people.

Wednesday, May 18 – food and water: South Asian food is very different and harsh on the tummy at times. The water is also not safe to drink. Pray for protection from all kinds of sicknesses that could make these days not so fun.

Thursday, May 19 – language: The Stocks don't speak native tongue, but most "natives" will speak English or they will have a translator. Yet, thick accents can be difficult to understand. Pray this is not an obstacle to truly connecting with the people of South Asia.

Friday, May 20 – culture: that they will have eyes to see the culture for what it is (good and bad), and that God would give discernment for them to determine whether or not we could flourish in this culture or not.

Saturday, May 21 – calling: this is their last full day here. Pray they would have a firm grasp before they depart as to whether God is calling them to South Asia long-term.

Sunday, May 22 – church: Brian will be preaching on Sunday. Mandy will also be leading a women's devotion. Pray for the congregation to be encouraged by Brian's sermon and the Stocks’ presence there.

Monday, May 23 - communication: pray for grace, that they would be able to clearly articulate what God has done in those 12 days and how He is impacting their hearts for South Asia. Also, pray they get home safely for lots of Lydia-hugs!

Pure Cuteness!

It is hard not to post these kinds of picture when we get them! Thanks Christina for the snapshot!

Moments with Mommy: Walking!

Gardening Girls

Warm weather has officially arrived in Georgia. This means the garden needs to be tilled and the seeds need to be sowed. Who is there for this task? The Stock girls.

Master Gardener of the Stock Household: She is all smiles as spring time is here. Beautiful, I'd say!

Gardener in Training, Lydia. She has lesson one down: Playing in the dirt is fun!

The gardeners are at their work. Tilling dirt and pulling weeds.

Here is some of the finished product... a row full of peas.

An extra picture of the curious Lydia discovering the dirt.

Learning Your Name

Lion-Yo-yo-Duck-Ice cream-Airplane

Strawberry-Train-Octopus-Car-Keys