In the basketball world it can be quite the struggle to make friends and keep them. You are constantly moving all over the place and sometimes don't get a chance to form real relationships. Although we were only in Finland for 4 months I met a forever friend. Sara was the sweetest person and stood by me through a whole lot. She was first to know I was pregnant(even before Brad), she gave me advice, lots of hugs when Brad got injured, and all around was the best friend I could have asked for during the entire journey. It was probably the best thing yet to live the same building as her. Finland can get extremely cold, but we never had to brace the outside to hang out.

Coming to Luxembourg I knew she had two Aunts that lived here. We always talked about her visiting, but never knew if it would work out. Finally, what we had been waiting for happened and she spent a week in Luxembourg. We spent lots of time just talking and catching up. You know lots of shopping and food came along with that as well. Her trip here couldn't have come at a better time. We had a blast and I promise it won't be as long of a break next time I see her. 

Here are some of the highlights from her trip:

-We went on lots of gorgeous walks through the city. A lot of things I had never seen. 

 -Strawberry Margs are a must. 

-She got to catch one of Brads games. 

 -Lots of Brynn time. They fell in love very quickly. 

-Yummy Italian food and wine

I can't wait to see you again my sweet friend!

XO, Brooke

Just hold on we're comin' home

The time has come that all our bags are packed.

WE ARE GOING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!

Of course, due to Brads injury it is a little bittersweet to say we are leaving what we made a home in Finland until February. If his rehabbing goes as expected at home then we will be headed back this way so that he can finish out the season. We have been beyond blessed to have this team here be more of like a family. They truly do all they can to help us. The fact that they want Brad back after he heals from his injury is a miracle because literally that just doesn't happen. Most times in this career with Basketball the minute you get hurt you are cut and on the first flight home.

God has continued blessing us throughout this journey and even through Brads injury. It is always just like God to show you all the love and good in the things which you may think are bad. Brad is going to return better and stronger than ever.

We are so excited to spend the Christmas and the next two months with my family as we missed out on that previous. There is nothing like being home with your loved ones during tough times. By the grace of God we are such a blessed couple and can't wait to witness the rest of our story.

Snow Day in Finland

Today Brad and I braced ourselves to finally get out in the snow for some fun and pictures. We made sure to bundle up! We caught a good time since it was currently snowing outside, even though you can hardly tell in the photos. Brad even threw down his crutches for a picture! :)

The weather has been getting down to as low as -8.  I swear my runny nose turned into nose icicles last night coming home from the store. They also have to officially plug in their cars during the nights. I love the snow, hate the cold. Needless to say us Floridians and Texans will be ready for the 50ish Texas weather next week! Here's the pictures from today. Enjoy!

Mom & Dad in Finland!

We were both so excited and thankful that my parents were able to come to FInland and spend Thanksgiving with us! We were able to take one little trip to a near by city Seinajoki. After that Brad had his surgery and isn't able to walk much or rather he walks very slow with his sweet crutches. We stayed home and spent a lot of quality time together and caught two of Brads teams basketball games. They were able to experience the nice snowy weather and the cold blizzard weather all in one week. We had a lot of fun and already miss them so much! They should be almost to Dallas by now. We took TONS of photos so figured this post would mainly consist of them. Enjoy :)

Mom & I explored Lapua

One of the malls in Seinajoki. 

My dad & Brad at a yummy pizza buffet.

Sara and Pia

Brads last game before surgery

Thankful.

I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving! We had Brads surgery on Thursday so we celebrated our Thanksgiving on last night (Friday). We had the coach and his family over, the teammates, my friend Sara and of course us four (including my parents, YAY!). It was such a great time of food and fellowship! I am truly thankful for all of the awesome people we have met here and formy parents being here to help us put during Brads recovery.

Our Menu:
Chicken (we did whole chickens since Turkeys are very sparse around here.)
Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole (& reg. green beans for Brad)
Mac&Cheese
Homemade Rolls
Pumpkin Bread
Deviled Eggs
Pumpkin Pie Bars (with tons of whop cream!)

Here are a few photos we were able to get of our Thanksgiving celebration:

When It Rains, It Pours

"When it rains, it pours." This saying could not be anymore true at this moment. As you all know Brad playing Basketball is in a nut shell "our" lives. This career path is very cut throat and never a guarantee. Brad has been extremely blessed to have literally zero injuries thus far and to have never missed a game.

Well, what do ya know he missed his first game this past Saturday due to a knee injury. Last Thursday he came down from a shot and heard a loud pop. His left knee immediately swelled and he could barely hobble off the court. The swelling went down about 2 days later with tons of icing, elevating and resting. We both thought man look how quickly your healing up and that he would be back playing in no time.

The day after the injury he got an X-Ray, but there was too much swelling to completely tell. Yesterday(Tuesday), he got an MRI. Today we went in to find out the results. Yep, he tore his Meniscus bad enough to need surgery. NEXT THURSDAY. ON THANKSGIVING AT THAT. The Doctor decided that Brad would have 2 options. One completely remove the "bad" areas of the Meniscus letting the scar tissue take its place and be back to playing within a month or two re-attach the torn area and be out 2-3 months with a month of rehab. Meaning this season for him would be over.

Hello slap in the face. He came out of that room definitely down, but still with a hope in his eyes. Boy, is he better at leaving the room for faith first than I am. I immediately tear up with all the thoughts running rapid in my head. Mind you, also trying to stay strong for him. I just kept telling him God has a plan. He knows exactly what he is doing. Maybe this is a sign, is He trying to tell us something. Crap, have we been blind to him speaking to us. You know you start doubting if you've been praying right, believing right or even having your ears open to him.

Literally my parents get here in 4 days, YIPPEE! They have always wanted to be able to come visit overseas and watch Brad play. During which falls Thanksgiving he was also playing 2 home games next week which lead them to pick that week to come to Finland. Sadly, they won't get to watch him in action, but will get to be here to help nurse him back to health and love on him. He is going to be one spoiled babe. Hey, he totally deserves it. My mom would do it even if he wasn't hurt so now it's gonna be spoiling madness. Lucky man.

We've had a little bit more time to let it all sit and process. God is so great. The Doctor that will perform the surgery is one of the best in Finland and studied in America. Brad feels very confident to have him doing the surgery. Hello, thank you Lord for setting this man right here in little 'ol Lapua just for Brad. Praying that the Doctor can repair the tear instead of removing this will give Brad a better opportunity for his career to last longer and for him to come back stronger than ever. Believing that they will not have to remove it because that can cause arthritis, later surgeries and a shorter career. Our God is so great and so BIG, so strong and so mighty that there is nothing that he can not do.

Please continue praying with us that next Thursday when they get in there to start his surgery that they will be able to repair his Meniscus so he can have a fighting great chance at continuing his long awaiting Basketball career. We love each and everyone of you and thank you for sharing in our journey!

+My mom sent me Matthew 5:3 and boy oh boy tears flooding down my cheeks.
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."

Meeting New People

I'm about to get real up in here because this is something that has been weighing on my heart. Meeting new people is the most fun and awkward thing in my life. I hate awkward silences and newness of almost being "fake" when first meeting someone.

Every 8 months of our lives we are thrown into a new country, new city, new adventure to make it our home. There is always this anxious feeling inside of me when leading up to the big move. What if I don't make friends? What if they don't like me? What if I can't get a job? What if I hate it? I am always in constant prayer for when I am settling into a new place.

 You come from different backgrounds and cultures so obviously you think very differently on certain issues. It's a blessing when you see eye to eye with someone and click instantly. Women can be crazy judgmental creatures, we all know that. I want to be able to prove that women don't have to tear each other down, but come together and form a bond.

Fear of rejection is the biggest load of crap the devil feeds me. Let me tell you I feed into it way too often than not. I am an extremely emotional person about life and I always put my all. That can be a good or bad thing, depending the situation. Sometimes I get let down if someone doesn't do the same.

 Brad has his whole team along with two Americans that get what he is doing and how it feels. I don't always get the same luxury. I am without a doubt glad Brad has that because that is what helps him to feel comfortable and fall back into his game. He deserves to succeed and needs to in this cut throat business. He doesn't have time to worry about people not liking him like I do.

I miss my friends and family like no other while overseas. Thinking how much I am missing what is going on in their lives and all the holidays. I always say I don't need new friends I have amazing ones at home. I am sure this makes them feel great ;) When in reality I need to meet new friends while overseas. They will help me make it through rough days when I just need to talk.

The Lord places all the right people into my path during these times overseas and always.  I seem to think I need to find someone who gets me and can pour into me equal to the way I can pour into them about this journey, but this time around I believe the people that were placed in my path I am suppose to pour into them. None here currently know exactly how it is to get engaged/married and move across the world, but I can witness to them in all sorts of other ways.

Everyone I have met here has been super helpful. It's nice to know if I need to have girl talk or go to a new store they will be there. They all have their lives going on when I drop into it, but they make the time. The devil is liar and God has the people already lined up to be in my life as I go along. I never need to doubt that. Focusing on the good things about being here in Finland or overseas in general is what helps me get through good and bad days. I will end with this, everyone needs someone to lean on and I thank God daily I have him and Brad.

Crocheted a Scarf

Last Friday I took the leap to learn to crochet and I DID IT! Needless to say I got about half way done the first time and decided I hated it so re-did it. Second time worked out much much better, but I know I will keep getting better and learning new tricks as I go along. I definitely rather spend the $4 to make a scarf then what up to like $50 to buy one. You have to pretty much wear a scarf here everyday so all these new ones will come in handy. Here's photos of my progress :)

I will definitely get some softer yarn and a thicker crochet hook the next time around.

I did 185 chains around.

Worked my way to 25 rows.

The finished product:

Now, onto completely different awesome news.... MY PARENTS GET HERE THE 25th!! About 2 1/2 weeks I get to hug their necks! They have never gotten to see where we live overseas in all the three years so I am so ecstatic they finally get to! Dad has been to the UK and mom to Spain so at least they are semi prepared, but not for this cold!

Day 7 of November and I am beyond thankful for my parents. The fact that they are willing to drop their lives and spend a fortune to come and be with us for Thanksgiving is amazing to me. They always go above and beyond for me and of course Brad since they like him better. ;) I am one happy daughter!