National Blog Posting Month

Did you ever hear of such a thing? You're supposed to post something every day of the month. Are you going to do it??? It starts tomorrow! Who's up to the challenge???? (John stop rolling your eyes!) : )

What's Wrong with this Picture?

Can you tell we all woke up extra-tired this morning???

God's Compassion and Mercy

This morning I was reading in my own devotional time, as well as reading to the kids, about the compassion of God in so many different ways.
Starting with Judges I read about His amazing patience with the Israelites in light of their outright disobedience. I also read two stories to the children, the story about Abram rescuing his selfish nephew, Lot... and then the story of Jairus and his dying daugther and the lady with the bleeding problem. Remember how the lady with the bleeding issue touched Jesus's cloak and He felt the power go out from Him. She tremblingly admitted it was her, and Jesus compassionately says, "Daughter, your faith has healed you, go in peace." Then, with Jairus, the poor man comes begging Jesus to heal his 12-year-old daughter... but someone came to tell Jairus she had died and not to bother the Lord. Of course, you know the end of the story when Jesus goes with Jairus and his wife, and his favorite disciples... and tells the girl to get up. What a beautiful story of God's love. (I couldn't help but to cry and cry in the middle of reading that story... thinking about the loss of that family and Christ's mercy on them. How that must have felt!) He cares for each of us that way, aware of the details and hardships of our lives... there is no indication (to my knowledge) that Jairus was an important man or even a godly man... Jesus is merciful and kind to all.
Lastly, the most compelling story of God's compassion, that of our own Savior's death on the Cross. C.H. Spurgeon says, "The tree that brought death to our Savior is a tree of life to us. Sit under this true Tree of Life, and you will shake off the weakness and disease that came in by that Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary to Africa, used certain medicines that were known as Livinstone's Rousers. But the glorious truths that are extracted from the bitter wood of the cross are far better rousers!"
Lately, I have been burdened by the sufferings of people around me. A friend who miscarried her baby after two years of infertility, and finally had become pregnant via Invitro. Another friend who just lost her baby mid-term, the fourth time she has walked through this. And numerous trials I cannot even mention.
I was reminded this morning of Christ's compassion. Although, for reasons we may never know, He sometimes holds back His hand from physical healing, yet He is still compassionate and He demonstrates that ultimately on the Cross.. healing us from our most grave disease, our sin.

Translation Anyone?

Spelling Bee

Alyssa won Second Place in the CWCC Homeschool Spelling Bee. Humorously, it is the second time she made "second place", and the same girl who won "first place" last year, won again this year! (I need to ask her Mom what curriculum she is using!) ; ) Anyway, they were all fabulous. It was a true joy seeing all those children reciting their words... some of them hardly able to stand still while spelling. So cute!
Alyssa is a diligent person, and we are so proud of her. Good job, sweetie. : ) We love you, and thank you for your hard work.

All the Way from California

We had visitors for the past week. My dear friend, Lisa came to visit with her new baby, Chase, and his big brother Skye. Lisa comes about once a year, and we love it when she's here. Skye plays great with Julianna and Spencer, and everyone doted on the baby. Of course, I'm running on very little sleep as our only real "talking time" is late at night after the seven little ones settle down for the night.
Lisa and I met about thirteen years ago when her husband (only her fiance´at the time) came to CrossWay looking for a church. Even though they only attended CrossWay for a few months, we became fast friends and have kept in touch through the years... maintaining a long distant friendship while they lived in Texas and now in California.
I miss my friend, but I am so grateful for her dedication to our relationship and willingness to travel many, many hours with two small boys just to see me.
I love you Lis! Thank you for coming!

Retreat

For those of you who have been wondering where I have been, we just got back from a Pastors' Retreat in Bryson City, NC. Had a wonderful time making memories as a team.
Thank you to all who served us here with childcare. We literally could not do what we do without each of you...
A few pictures...





And if you want to see MORE pictures of this fun event (isn't that why everyone's visits these blogs??? For the pictures???)... go to Jeanie's, Reba's, or Jess's blogs too... : )

The Cross Centered Life

Cousins : )

One of the things I love about adoption is, of course, the extension of our family! My brother, and his wife and son came over last night to have dinner with us. You may recognize Nicholas from the adoption slideshow presentation I posted last week. Nicholas is adopted too. Isn't he cute?! : )
I often think about the difficulties associated with adoption, primarily the unfathomable loss it represents for the birthfamily. However, I also think about cousins Nicholas, Benjamin (my sister, Gail's son) and Charlie (John's brother's son). They would not be family apart from the loving sacrifices each one of their birthfamilies made. I may never comprehend it, but we are thankful, and totally in love with these precious children. November is National Adoption Month. Can I ask each of you to say a prayer today, for each of my children's birthfamilies, as well as Nicholas's, Benjamin's, and Charlie's? Thank you. : )

Blog Happy

Don't be surprised when several days go by without a single post. Whenever I have a major project to do (i.e. CAS slideshow) I have to limit my time on here. : ) But now that that's done... check out this old video I just found of Bidgie. I uploaded it several months ago, but I'm sure it'll make you smile. : )

Hooray Spencer!!!!!

Spencer scored the winning goal today in soccer! Well, it was the only goal scored by the Tigers today, but none-the-less we're so proud of him! Best part was seeing his expression and both hands UP in the air when it went in. He turned immediately to me... Boy, did I yell! : )

Open Adoption Slideshow

Well, some of you know I was on a panel today for our adoption agency. John and I have had the privilege of speaking for them on several different occasions. Today, there was a new twist on my topic, in addition to just sharing "our story" of adopting five kids, CAS (www.christianadopt.org) also asked me to speak about our open adoption arrangements.
Open adoption has many preconceived notions in society, which make their way into the hearts of nearly every potential adoptive parent. Now that John and I have been walking through open adoption situations with our last three children, we have learned that most, if not all these ideas are unfounded. We have received great joy through our relationships with all of our children's birthfamilies, even the ones that are more closed. But there is a unique joy that comes in having an actual relationship with the people who loved our children first. To learn about their background, their personalities, and MOST of all to allow our children to feel their love, first hand...open adoption has been nothing short of a blessing.
We love and respect our children's birthfamilies deeply.
In the slideshow I compiled for this meeting, you will see pictures of several of their families. I hope to honor each of the families represented in this slideshow, may God bless them and fill them with peace.