Having some fun now…..adding a new level of difficulty by adding a picture! Go Wilma Go!!!!!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
test
testing to see if we can email posts to my blog while in China……Wilma Flintstone is waaaaaay out of her element here!
Friday, June 14, 2013
In 17 days.....
In 17 days I, along with Julia, am going back to China. I have never been to China without bringing back a precious gift....a child. This time I am going to serve the children left behind. To say my emotions are all over the place would be an understatement.
First of all. I am leaving 4 of my children, my husband, 2 dogs and a bunny for 2 entire weeks!!!! Oh that kills me...not so much the 2 dogs and the bunny.I will miss my family terribly! And I am worried about my hip accessory, aka Lulu, doing ok without me. She follows me into the bathroom. If I go where she can't see me, she cries out for me. Poor baby. But it is good too. She will see Daddy can be wonderful and meet all her needs as well. And then there is poor unsuspecting Daddy.......hopefully he will survive as Mr. Mom. And Jaida tells me numerous times a week, "Mommy I don't want you to go to China." Ugh! Sam says he wants to go too! I feel so bad not taking him! Xin....not a care in the world! As long as someone is feeding him, he is good-to-go. And preparing everything at home and trying to prep ahead for Will, well, that to-do list is a mile long. SO many details! At least it is summer and that alleviates some of the hassle. We are also going to be missing our annual family gathering at my parent's lake house for 4th of July and that makes me sad. Always so much fun with everyone.
Then there is the thought of looking into every women's face I see and wondering "Could she be Lulu's biological mother?" You see, we are going to Chenzhou, Lulu's birth city and her orphanage. What would I feel or say or do should I ever meet this lady? I would want to thank her profusely for her gift, her daughter, our daughter. I would want to cry for her for all that she has and will miss in this beautiful little girl I get to adore daily. I would want to tell her endless stories about my little spitfire. I would want her to know her daughter could not be loved more. I think I would feel quite humbled.
I also know I will see first hand the reality of what my 3 adopted children's lives would have been like had they not found their forever family. This will make me miss them all the more.
And then there are the children still waiting in the orphanage. The faces I will come to know and love. How my heart will ache for them. It will be our job to show them love...but love for just 2 weeks. Then they will go back to the reality of orphanage life day after day after day. How will I leave them and come back home to comfortable living? How will I kiss and snuggle my children without thinking of those that are left behind, those that may never be adopted. Oh my heart hurts already. We each had to choose a verse for the trip. I choose Jer 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." I must somehow convey this to them. Lord please help me to do this and do this well.
We are going with 10 other girls and women. I am so excited about spending 2 weeks with those who share the love of Jesus and my heart and passion for the orphan. The amazing thing about these gals is that a good many of them are teenagers or college age. These are girls who instead of saving money for the latest electronic device or stylish clothes, have worked and saved to spend 2 weeks serving the least. What a privilege it will be to serve along side them. What a wonderful experience for my own daughter to share at such an early age.
This whole set-up is such a God-thing! Two years ago when we were matched with Lulu, a mission team was there in Chenzhou at that exact time. We were able to get in touch with them thru a friend telling me about a blog she was following of a woman on the trip. We got to see pictures of Lulu, videos and thoughts about her. The team leader has been back 3 times since. Her own daughter, 13 at the time, took a special liking to Lulu and loved on her the entire trip. Her and I have become friends and now I get to go to China with this amazing women, adoptive mom of 2 and waiting on 1 more! He orchestrated this whole thing. I know He has some awesome plans ahead and I cant wait to see what He reveals! My prayer is that I would be open to what it is He is showing me and then have the faith to follow through with His calling.
So off we go in just 17 days.....to what I am not sure. But I am sure of the One who called me to this and He "has plans to give you (me) a hope and a future."
First of all. I am leaving 4 of my children, my husband, 2 dogs and a bunny for 2 entire weeks!!!! Oh that kills me...not so much the 2 dogs and the bunny.I will miss my family terribly! And I am worried about my hip accessory, aka Lulu, doing ok without me. She follows me into the bathroom. If I go where she can't see me, she cries out for me. Poor baby. But it is good too. She will see Daddy can be wonderful and meet all her needs as well. And then there is poor unsuspecting Daddy.......hopefully he will survive as Mr. Mom. And Jaida tells me numerous times a week, "Mommy I don't want you to go to China." Ugh! Sam says he wants to go too! I feel so bad not taking him! Xin....not a care in the world! As long as someone is feeding him, he is good-to-go. And preparing everything at home and trying to prep ahead for Will, well, that to-do list is a mile long. SO many details! At least it is summer and that alleviates some of the hassle. We are also going to be missing our annual family gathering at my parent's lake house for 4th of July and that makes me sad. Always so much fun with everyone.
Then there is the thought of looking into every women's face I see and wondering "Could she be Lulu's biological mother?" You see, we are going to Chenzhou, Lulu's birth city and her orphanage. What would I feel or say or do should I ever meet this lady? I would want to thank her profusely for her gift, her daughter, our daughter. I would want to cry for her for all that she has and will miss in this beautiful little girl I get to adore daily. I would want to tell her endless stories about my little spitfire. I would want her to know her daughter could not be loved more. I think I would feel quite humbled.
I also know I will see first hand the reality of what my 3 adopted children's lives would have been like had they not found their forever family. This will make me miss them all the more.
And then there are the children still waiting in the orphanage. The faces I will come to know and love. How my heart will ache for them. It will be our job to show them love...but love for just 2 weeks. Then they will go back to the reality of orphanage life day after day after day. How will I leave them and come back home to comfortable living? How will I kiss and snuggle my children without thinking of those that are left behind, those that may never be adopted. Oh my heart hurts already. We each had to choose a verse for the trip. I choose Jer 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." I must somehow convey this to them. Lord please help me to do this and do this well.
We are going with 10 other girls and women. I am so excited about spending 2 weeks with those who share the love of Jesus and my heart and passion for the orphan. The amazing thing about these gals is that a good many of them are teenagers or college age. These are girls who instead of saving money for the latest electronic device or stylish clothes, have worked and saved to spend 2 weeks serving the least. What a privilege it will be to serve along side them. What a wonderful experience for my own daughter to share at such an early age.
This whole set-up is such a God-thing! Two years ago when we were matched with Lulu, a mission team was there in Chenzhou at that exact time. We were able to get in touch with them thru a friend telling me about a blog she was following of a woman on the trip. We got to see pictures of Lulu, videos and thoughts about her. The team leader has been back 3 times since. Her own daughter, 13 at the time, took a special liking to Lulu and loved on her the entire trip. Her and I have become friends and now I get to go to China with this amazing women, adoptive mom of 2 and waiting on 1 more! He orchestrated this whole thing. I know He has some awesome plans ahead and I cant wait to see what He reveals! My prayer is that I would be open to what it is He is showing me and then have the faith to follow through with His calling.
So off we go in just 17 days.....to what I am not sure. But I am sure of the One who called me to this and He "has plans to give you (me) a hope and a future."
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Donations needed for Chenzhou CWI
Julia and I and a team of 10 others will be leaving July 1st for a two week mission trip back to Lulu's orphanage. While I am excited about this in alot of ways, I also know the heaviness that is going to come with it. To see these kids that are still there.....1 year later....and may never leave, will break my heart. I also know that seeing the reality that would have been my 3 adopted kiddos lives will hurt deeply. We would appreciate prayers all around for this trip.
We are also trying to bring many items over there and also purchase things in China for the orphanage. Any monetary donations for the orphanage would be so appreciated. No amount is too small! We hope to bring some donated therapy equipment with us but the airline charges a fee so it is for things such as this as well. They need baby rattles, small hand toys and teethers too so we could use those as well-the ones in the USA are much better made and are not a hazard. We are also hoping to "build" a sensory wall but have to purchase that stuff there. Please feel free to leave a message in the comment section if you have questions. It is really unbelievable what they DON'T have and it really sets these kids back and they are already at a disadvantage being orphans and most of them with special needs.
Thank you in advance for your support and prayers.
We are also trying to bring many items over there and also purchase things in China for the orphanage. Any monetary donations for the orphanage would be so appreciated. No amount is too small! We hope to bring some donated therapy equipment with us but the airline charges a fee so it is for things such as this as well. They need baby rattles, small hand toys and teethers too so we could use those as well-the ones in the USA are much better made and are not a hazard. We are also hoping to "build" a sensory wall but have to purchase that stuff there. Please feel free to leave a message in the comment section if you have questions. It is really unbelievable what they DON'T have and it really sets these kids back and they are already at a disadvantage being orphans and most of them with special needs.
Thank you in advance for your support and prayers.
Friday, May 31, 2013
In the midst....He IS there!
Several months ago I wrote a post during one of the lowest moments I can remember having in my life. The job loss had taken its toll along with several other personal trials and then a bout with the flu, which physically took me down. But the worst part of it all was what I perceived as the absence of God. Where was He? Why couldn't I feel Him, or "see" Him, or "hear" Him? He promises in the bible to "never leave us or forsake us"....so where was He. I desperately needed Him and missed Him terribly. I have had so many moments on my faith journey where I could feel His loving arms around me and I was calmed. But there was nothing during this time. I longed for Him. Over and over I cried out, begged Him to make His presence known to me. Not "fix" things, although that would have been nice, just make His presence known.
In March, I attended an adoption conference towards the end of my battle with the flu. I thought about not going as I was still so tired and weak feeling. I made myself go. I drove the 3 hrs by myself praying and listening to Christian music -with 5 kids, 2 dogs, a rabbit, and a husband home now "by myself" just doesn't happen :-) . Throughout the conference I was surrounded by women of faith and their courageous stories. I had some wonderful time with some fantastic women and a time to do some reflecting. I drove home....praying and listening to words of encouragement through more Christian songs. I arrived home feeling stronger and thankful I had attended.
From that point on, I began to feel that glimmer of hope....hope that only comes form the Lord. He encouraged me through random devotions, scripture, unexpected emails, phone calls and "running into" people that had just the right words to say. My quiet time began to take on a different quality. I began to experience my beloved savior again. He was there. I could "see" Him, feel Him, "hear" Him. My heart was filling with His presence. I continue daily to gain new knowledge, garner new perspective on His word, and see my God in all His goodness and glory. I think I had to get to such a low so as to truly grasp what He is trying to teach me. He is our sufficiency. He is good. He can be trusted. He will work all circumstances for our good.
Our circumstances have NOT changed. We are still in the midst of no job. But......My God IS there and He loves me! It is a daily battle for my heart and soul that I can not fight on my own....only with His help. Satan gets us when we are weak and tells us lies and places fear where there should be trust. Trust in Him. But God is stronger than the enemy. And we are to be thankful and praise Him in the midst. SO HARD TO DO! But we must.And He has provided during this time. Abundantly. He has always been there. I just chose to look at the circumstances and not God. I chose to believe Satan and not my loving God. Shame on me.
So as we continue down this time of uncertainty and hardship I will daily need Him to get me through. I will continue to learn (cause I got a lot of that I still need to do) and grow in my relationship with my King. I will still falter and fall. And He will love me, forgive me and offer His unending mercy and grace. Because I am a daughter of the King! Regardless of my circumstances....He IS there!
In March, I attended an adoption conference towards the end of my battle with the flu. I thought about not going as I was still so tired and weak feeling. I made myself go. I drove the 3 hrs by myself praying and listening to Christian music -with 5 kids, 2 dogs, a rabbit, and a husband home now "by myself" just doesn't happen :-) . Throughout the conference I was surrounded by women of faith and their courageous stories. I had some wonderful time with some fantastic women and a time to do some reflecting. I drove home....praying and listening to words of encouragement through more Christian songs. I arrived home feeling stronger and thankful I had attended.
From that point on, I began to feel that glimmer of hope....hope that only comes form the Lord. He encouraged me through random devotions, scripture, unexpected emails, phone calls and "running into" people that had just the right words to say. My quiet time began to take on a different quality. I began to experience my beloved savior again. He was there. I could "see" Him, feel Him, "hear" Him. My heart was filling with His presence. I continue daily to gain new knowledge, garner new perspective on His word, and see my God in all His goodness and glory. I think I had to get to such a low so as to truly grasp what He is trying to teach me. He is our sufficiency. He is good. He can be trusted. He will work all circumstances for our good.
Our circumstances have NOT changed. We are still in the midst of no job. But......My God IS there and He loves me! It is a daily battle for my heart and soul that I can not fight on my own....only with His help. Satan gets us when we are weak and tells us lies and places fear where there should be trust. Trust in Him. But God is stronger than the enemy. And we are to be thankful and praise Him in the midst. SO HARD TO DO! But we must.And He has provided during this time. Abundantly. He has always been there. I just chose to look at the circumstances and not God. I chose to believe Satan and not my loving God. Shame on me.
So as we continue down this time of uncertainty and hardship I will daily need Him to get me through. I will continue to learn (cause I got a lot of that I still need to do) and grow in my relationship with my King. I will still falter and fall. And He will love me, forgive me and offer His unending mercy and grace. Because I am a daughter of the King! Regardless of my circumstances....He IS there!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Playing "catch up" again!!!!!
This blog used to be easier to keep up with in a timely manner...so the following is a run down of what we have been up to "lately"
We planted a garden
Hosted the end of season basketball party at our house...the water was freezing but still, kids and water, and someone or most everyone, even the Littles went in!
Xin and Jaida had field day at school! Xin's team-red team-won 1st place and Jaida's team-green- won 2nd so everyone was happy! Such a fun day!!!!!
Jaida had Kindergarden Celebration/Graduation. We all got to watch except Xin who was in class. Jaida won a character award! They chose one girl and one boy from each class. SO PROUD!
Sold cupcakes at a local art and craft fair for orphan ministry
Have been enjoying playing outside in the BEAUTIFUL weather we have been having!
And took 4 sweet girls to the beach for a long weekend...just me and them :-)!
So I think I am caught up.....for now!
Monday, May 13, 2013
Happy Mother's Day
My 5 reasons to celebrate! To all the Moms out there I know and love.....especially my Mom, hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!
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