Finally here-maybe

After a scorching summer, we've had hints of fall, but summer seems to creep back in each time.  Last night, the winds started blowing and along with the hard winds came window clattering thunder, lightning and rain(the rain we still desperately needed).  The temperature dropped about 20 degrees and I think Fall is finally here.  What better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons than with a few pictures of a cute little pumpkin.

 

   “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
   wisdom and power are his.
 He changes times and seasons;
   he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
   and knowledge to the discerning.
 He reveals deep and hidden things;
   he knows what lies in darkness,
   and light dwells with him. 

I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
   You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
   you have made known to us the dream of the king.”  

Daniel 2:20-23

What a beautiful verse this is becoming to me! These past few weeks during our study of Daniel we have been challenged to memorize this verse and I love how God knows just the words we need at just the perfect time.  I don't know about you, but it sure is comforting knowing HE sees what lies in darkness and just like HE changes the seasons, HE has the
power to change circumstances beyond our control.

Oh, believe me, there are some circumstances I would change if it were in my power,
but I know it is His power that will change them in the perfect way and at the perfect time and I can't wish for anything better than HIS PERFECTION!

Reminders

 Some days there are reminders during those moments of routine that even though it seems like Lia has been in our family forever, it has really only been 15 months.  Such a short time, but I can hardly imagine our life without her and the joy she brings.  She has adapted better than I would have ever dreamed and we have our new routine with a young one around again.  Sometimes those reminders are funny and others times they bring tears to my eyes.

There are moments like tonight when she wanted to draw with the sidewalk chalk outside and not remembering the correct word, in her precious little voice she said, "I want to porkchop." Huh? You want to what?  I guess, porkchop and sidewalk chalk have about the same ring to them.  Pretty cute porkchop I must admit!

Then there are the gentle reminders of the tough days with very little that she experienced.  I occasionally ask her if she remembers something from her time in China simply so I can record it for her for later.  Tonight, after bath time, while she was carrying her clothes to the laundry room I asked her what she did with her clothes in the orphanage.  She said we just put them in a box so someone else could wear them the next day.  She said, "we had to share clothes."Sometimes they didn't smell good cause we all wear them."  Now, one of her most exciting things to do, is pick out her clothes for the next day.  Can you blame her?

Then, there was the short moment tonight that was a gentle reminder that she has experienced more abandonment than most of us will ever know.  While I was outside she was a bit stressed when she couldn't find me and I was only around the corner.  Once again, I promised her I would NEVER leave her and we went to prepare for bed. I snapped this photo with my phone the other night, but it is the same cherished scene most nights.  She wants to make sure we are VERY close before falling asleep and then I can quietly sneak out of the bed.

As we snuggled into bed and read a book, she decided tonight that she didn't want her pillow.  It was yet another reminder that she slept on a hard metal bed for a few years and sometimes she just reverts back.

Just like a couple of mornings ago I saw this sunrise and was reminded of God's faithful new mercies every morning.   I am so thankful for the new life He has given each of us who believe and that He promises never to leave us or forsake us. 

And then we have little reminders like really cool t-shirts matching big sister to remind 

us to think on the good things.

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Phil 4:8

Love like crazy

"Mommy,"

"Yes, Lia"

"I love you, I love you like crazy cakes"

"Baby girl, I love you too, like crazy cakes!"

This was just one of our conversations tonight between Lia and I while swimming.  

After all of the depressing news media today, sharing those sweet words became even more precious. 

There is nothing in this life that is more important than to love and if you come back by tomorrow I will share with you how we are going to share it a little more.  

Any guesses?

...if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 

I Cor 13:2

July 4, 2010

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
   the people he chose for his inheritance. 

Psalm 33:12 

I feel very blessed today that I had the freedom to enjoy a day doing a little bit of nothing.  What and awesome feeling it is to know my eternal freedom is secure by THE ONE who gives the ultimate freedom and my earthly freedom is protected by men and women far and near giving of themselves to protect our country.

Thank you seems so little, but I am so thankful to have the ability to live in a country 

that allows me the opportunity to live the life God called me to live

without persecution and raise these two blessings:

Loving our good news!

Like a little girl loves chocolate with sprinkles 

(yummy cakes made at Cakes by Leisha)

Or loving on her special, puppy dog

This momma LOVES sharing my good news!

 Tuesday, we went for Lia's follow up appointment at the cardiologist and after a three hour visit she was such a trooper!   He said her heart sounded wonderful and was so happy with the way everything looked.  We were given the go ahead to stop her blood pressure medicine as soon as it is gone and just continue her baby aspirin once a day(probably for the rest of her life).  That's ok though, because it tastes ok, is cheap, and is 

OH, so much better than being on so many meds!!  Dr. Sui is an incredible man of God and prayed over her a prayer that was so beautiful and then said, "I'll see you in a year!"  Such pleasant words to hear after we took this step of faith and had no idea what the future would hold for her. 

GOD IS GOOD 

and

HE IS THE TRUE HEALER 

OF 

BROKEN HEARTS!

____________________________________________________________________________

Now could I ask one big, favor? 

PLEASE?

It has been one year this month since we brought Lia home and I would really like to publish my blog into a book for her to have when she is older.  Remember, she is the 5th child and of course doesn't have a baby book(we don't even have pictures of her baby days) or a scrapbook like the other four kids.  I would be SO thrilled if you would add a comment here on my blog,

reminding her that you have prayed for her this past year or how blessed we have all been by God adding her to our family.  She is young enough that she likely won't remember these days when she is older and this will be such a gift for her to keep and recall how God provided for her and how many people prayed her through.  

I know we have had a multitude of prayer warriors and I can't thank you all enough! 

Oh, but God will bless you indeed someday for the prayers you have prayed and ways you have provided for us and for her!

If you are reading this on facebook I can't publish those, so please leave your comments HERE.  You don't have to be a follower of my blog to comment (but I would be blessed if you chose to follow by  clicking on the "follower" link on the right.

Your comments will be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

Gotcha Day

One year ago this scared little girl walked into our lives and we haven't been the same since. 

 We have endured many emotions, 

from grief and sadness, 

to abundant joy and lots of laughs.

 We have grown to love more deeply, share more freely and trust 

God's faithfulness in new ways.

 And we couldn't have done it without each other, our friends, and family and 

our faithful prayer warriors. 

  And through it all we have been able to

Taste and see that the LORD is good;
   blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 

Psalm 34:8

  

Sharing the Love - Thank you

    “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for 

one of the least of these brothers of mine, 

you did for me." 
(Matt. 25:40)

I realize it has been a few months since the fundraiser, but I just recently got the information so that I can pass it along to you.  Around Christmas last year, we decided to host a fundraiser to send to the precious children in the orphanage that cared for Lia until last year.  We ended up combining our funds raised with another fundraiser for the orphanage so that it would go a little further.  The wonderful non-profit organization, Love Without Boundaries, supports this orphanage, so the funds were donated and dispersed through them with 100% of the money going directly to this orphanage. 

I am happy to report that you helped us raise $550.00 to purchase

diapers and clothing for the children.  

THANK YOU SO MUCH

for caring for the least of these!

The picture below is a copy of the thank you card sent to me, 

but meant for all of you that donated or prayed for these children.

The next picture is some of the precious clothing that we collected through our church and 

delivered to our local Rainbow Room, supporting our children in CPS custody. 

 

So, whether nearby or on the other side of the world, 

whether 

RED, YELLOW, BLACK or WHITE

Jesus loves the little children of the world 

and He uses our arms, feet and finances to share His love with the world. 

PLEASE Scroll over the words below to see photos of the newsletter

(I couldn't figure out how to post it here)

 

Lishui Orphanage Assistance Project 2011 

and if you follow this next link you can see what a difference this assistance made for 

our little girl one year ago when she was the recipient of some of these donations.

Lishui Orphanage Assistance 2010

(Lia is the sweet one on the right with the big smile in the picture)

and here she is today sharing that big smile with us!

Bruises, bloodwork and bravery

About a week ago we noticed a bruise on Lia's tummy, and then her shoulder and then her back.  These weren't just any bruises, but large dark ones that looked like they really hurt.  She had been to the park to play but never seemed to get hurt that anyone was aware of.  She didn't complain and seemed to be as happy as ever.  Not being one to rush to the dr. at the sight of a bruise, I just watched them but didn't do anything about it.  Finally, today I took her to the dr. to have bloodwork done just to make sure it wasn't anything of concern.  She is certainly one brave little girl!  I do NOT like needles and the sight of them causes me to get a little woozy, but she just plops that little arm out and watches as they take her blood and never flinches.  You should have seen the excitement on her face when she got not ONE, but FOUR Hannah Montana sticker's!  You would have thought someone gave her a million dollars!  After bloodwork we went to the dr. and got the results of her platelet counts and clotting and whatever else they tested.  Everything looked great and she is a healthy little bundle of energy.  So, tonight we are rejoicing in HIS complete healing yet again!

 

Two weeks ago when she got her ears pierced.

Be still and listen

After a VERY long day at school one day this week, I came home more than ready to relax.  Since the weather was beautiful, Lia and I took a walk and talked about all of the beautiful sounds of nature and sights that God has given us.  We stopped to look and listen to the birds singing as we walked, so stopping me to get my attention wasn't really a big deal.  The following conversation, though, was what really caught my attention:

"Mommy, could you stop please?"
 "Ok, why?"
"Cause I hear Jesus talking."
"What's He saying?"
 "He saying He loves you,""you have to be still and listen."

With big tears in my eyes, I said, "Yes, we have to be still to hear God don't we."

He knows just what we need and when we need to hear it and it couldn't have sounded any sweeter!

Reading from our favorite book

(Remember to turn off the music at the bottom of the page)