Our TA (Travel Approval) arrived today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We're really going to China--
we leave in just a few weeks.
It's really happening
Thanking God for all He has done and His perfect timing and provision.
To Him Be the Glory!
My Family
Summer 2015
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Butterfly Circus
I've seen videos by this man in front of groups before. His name is Nick Vujicic. An amazing soul born with no arms or no legs. But this short story, The Butterfly Circus, touched me in an unexpected way today. Each segment is 10 minutes long but SO worth the view
I found myself weeping at the end.
(spoiler alert--watch it before reading on)
I know we are going to bring our boy home and we hope that he sees it as a good thing. But, at some point we may have to deliver a message to him that is going to be so hard. Doctors have told us the best treatment for his leg condition is amputation of both legs from the knee down and prosthetics. Of course no doctor here has seen him yet, so we will see what the reality is when he gets here. But we are prepared, well as prepared as one can be, for this in his near future.
As I watch this video I am struck by what God sees in us as a people. Whether our "imperfections" are visible ones or invisible ones, God sees our potential. God sees potential in you, in me, in someone without limbs. That is not to say there won't be pain in the process.
But, God can
"...see the beauty that can come from the ashes"
and as the Circus master says:
"the greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph"
I love how God sees our potential! Let him raise you out of the ashes to the beauty that is yet to be beheld.
God is so good!
I found myself weeping at the end.
(spoiler alert--watch it before reading on)
I know we are going to bring our boy home and we hope that he sees it as a good thing. But, at some point we may have to deliver a message to him that is going to be so hard. Doctors have told us the best treatment for his leg condition is amputation of both legs from the knee down and prosthetics. Of course no doctor here has seen him yet, so we will see what the reality is when he gets here. But we are prepared, well as prepared as one can be, for this in his near future.
As I watch this video I am struck by what God sees in us as a people. Whether our "imperfections" are visible ones or invisible ones, God sees our potential. God sees potential in you, in me, in someone without limbs. That is not to say there won't be pain in the process.
But, God can
"...see the beauty that can come from the ashes"
and as the Circus master says:
"the greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph"
I love how God sees our potential! Let him raise you out of the ashes to the beauty that is yet to be beheld.
God is so good!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Convicted
I want to keep this post simple. On Sunday at Passion City Church, Louie presented such a basic concept but it has made me think for the past 2 days and I hope it will change me forever.
It was all about "The Name". We all carry with us "names" -- Coach, Eddie Bauer, Honda, or Gaga. Whatever they are, we throw names around all day long. But, what do we do and how do we display "THE Name" -- Jesus? I'm not talking about bumper stickers on everyone's door, or forcing religion down people's throats---as Louie said we need to make sure we are not just annoying or obnoxious. I'm talking about being "real". The Jesus of the Bible --- How do we display that to others around us? How can we be people that carry "The Name" where ever we go? not in an ugly, annoying, preachy way. I'm talking about living in community, displaying genuine kindness, not being self serving, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable in relationships so we can be real with one another, seeing those in need and DOING something! But, not just because we are "good" people---but instead because we want to make HIM famous so that others may know that He is Real--that They too can know a personal, real, life changing God. Not a God that requires us to wear hats on Sundays, or makes a long list of rules to follow---I'm talking about a real and personal relationship with the One who created the Universe.
This road is not the easy road. Sometimes carrying "The Name" accompanies suffering.
so I ask myself---How do I carry "The Name"?--it's quite convicting actually and humbling because I know I don't do it well. I faulter. I make mistakes. But, I do know this, when I think of Him and His love for me, even in hard times He has carried me, I know even I can carry "The Name"-----Jesus----Thank you Lord for the privilege of carrying Your Name.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (eph. 3:20-21)
It was all about "The Name". We all carry with us "names" -- Coach, Eddie Bauer, Honda, or Gaga. Whatever they are, we throw names around all day long. But, what do we do and how do we display "THE Name" -- Jesus? I'm not talking about bumper stickers on everyone's door, or forcing religion down people's throats---as Louie said we need to make sure we are not just annoying or obnoxious. I'm talking about being "real". The Jesus of the Bible --- How do we display that to others around us? How can we be people that carry "The Name" where ever we go? not in an ugly, annoying, preachy way. I'm talking about living in community, displaying genuine kindness, not being self serving, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable in relationships so we can be real with one another, seeing those in need and DOING something! But, not just because we are "good" people---but instead because we want to make HIM famous so that others may know that He is Real--that They too can know a personal, real, life changing God. Not a God that requires us to wear hats on Sundays, or makes a long list of rules to follow---I'm talking about a real and personal relationship with the One who created the Universe.
This road is not the easy road. Sometimes carrying "The Name" accompanies suffering.
so I ask myself---How do I carry "The Name"?--it's quite convicting actually and humbling because I know I don't do it well. I faulter. I make mistakes. But, I do know this, when I think of Him and His love for me, even in hard times He has carried me, I know even I can carry "The Name"-----Jesus----Thank you Lord for the privilege of carrying Your Name.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (eph. 3:20-21)
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Preparations
How is it that after FIVE years of waiting I still feel giddy, and nervous, and surprised, and unprepared for our new son like I did the last weeks of pregnancy with my kids? I could have given birth to at least 5 children in this time or 2 1/2 elephants or 1,852 mice. Now that puts it all in perspective. Who knew I'd give birth to a 7 year old. =) and a boy =) at age 45...YIKES!
So yesterday I spent time removing photoalbums from the scrapbooking room and putting all the old childrens books back on the shelf. Good thing I kept them huh??? Finally, my lack of purging pays off. YES!
In the meantime I'm stopping by my computer once in a while to try to learn a tad more mandarin. HA! My lack of listening skills is rearing it's ugly head. Visually I am doing much better at looking at the symbols and seeing a connection. But, hearing it is another issue.
stay tuned...
So yesterday I spent time removing photoalbums from the scrapbooking room and putting all the old childrens books back on the shelf. Good thing I kept them huh??? Finally, my lack of purging pays off. YES!
In the meantime I'm stopping by my computer once in a while to try to learn a tad more mandarin. HA! My lack of listening skills is rearing it's ugly head. Visually I am doing much better at looking at the symbols and seeing a connection. But, hearing it is another issue.
stay tuned...
Friday, February 11, 2011
Waiting for TA
Our paperwork is in an exciting stage. We are waiting for TA---Travel Approval--from China. We've been told 2-6 weeks for them to respond. After that, we've been told 3-4 weeks and we'll be in China. (so 5-10 weeks and we'll meet our boy)
It's becoming very real. I cannot believe this, but I have not even emptied a room and made room yet. Somehow after all this time, it just now seems real. Time to PANIC! slowly, I will begin to get rid of the scrapbooking stuff and pack up shelves, and find room for a bed and welcome our sweet boy. We have insider information that he is "a very bright boy". Better use my day off wisely and get to work.
It's becoming very real. I cannot believe this, but I have not even emptied a room and made room yet. Somehow after all this time, it just now seems real. Time to PANIC! slowly, I will begin to get rid of the scrapbooking stuff and pack up shelves, and find room for a bed and welcome our sweet boy. We have insider information that he is "a very bright boy". Better use my day off wisely and get to work.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Meet SunWan!!!!
We found out yesterday that we have our RA --- another level of approval from China to bring our son SunWan home from Chifeng, China. We can now officially post pictures even though we've known about him for almost a month. He is 7 y.o. and is considered special needs due to some issues with the bones in his legs known as fibular hemelilia. As far as we know he still does not know about us quite yet, but hopefully he will soon.
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