MERRY CHRISTMAS 2014

(Just one jammie pic for Mommy's memory bank before Christmas morning festivities!)

 

(Brothers Christmas Eve)

 

(Sisters Christmas Eve)

 

It was a very Merry Christmas indeed!

 

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:11



*WHITE CHRISTMAS*

 

The girls decided they'd like their room white for Christmas. Considering white always makes me happy and our family tends to fill a room with more color than decorations ever could, of course I agreed! Less is always more in my book. So, having most of what we needed already since white is our staple, we bleached, rearranged, painted a bit, added some ruffles and snowflakes here and there...

 

 

*WHITE CHRISTMAS*

 

As far as I'm concerned, there's no color so pure, simple, inspiring, or calming as white.

 

And change is always fun.

(The girls aren't the only ones enjoying their new room.)

 

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

Psalm 51:7

FLOODS

"Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain,
from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain."
Zechariah 10:1

There've been floods over here as of late...and not just one of a kind. We've had floods of emotions, floods of rock solid faith, floods of fear followed by floods of amazing grace filled peace, floods of water (as in real water from burst pipes under concrete causing disarray and insurance adjusters to invade our home many days), and floods of revelation as I soak in the metaphorical floods.

 

There's nothing like a flood to wipe things out. Nothing like a flood to drown sorrows or cover pains. Nothing like a flood can seize the heart and soul (or wood, carpet, baseboards, etc.) saturating all in the wake with whatever it is gushing. Floods can cause widespread damage and floods can soothe aching lament...when God's involved.

 

God is a God of promises He keeps. He promised to never flood the earth again and He won't.

 

 "I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the
waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
Genesis 9:11

He promises never to leave or forsake and He doesn't.

 

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Joshua 1:5

 

He promises to work all things for good for those who love Him, and we do.

 

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

 

So today as flooring is ripped up in some areas while we repair flood damage in another room, I'm reminded that God will always take care of us, that we can trust Him even when there are areas in our lives that feel perfectly calm and others that are all torn up. I'm reminded of His constant concern for us and His involvement in our lives, His orchestration of bitter sweet symphony, His sovereignty.

I can see with my eyes the road we're on, one that isn't just smooth sailing and even encounters untimely floods.
And I'm ok with it all, knowing God is with us through the storms and He's with us in the calm.

'Cause there's peace amid commotion when our eyes remain fixed on Christ. There's joy when He is in it.
He rains down mercy, showers love, pours out grace and sustains us through the tempest and there's purpose in the floods.

"One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet."
Proverbs 27:7

SISTERS...BEST FRIENDS

 

These two crack me up.

 

They'll spend hours...

 

days...

 

weeks...

 

choreographing elaborate routines, inviting us all to their shows!

 

They're so much more than sisters, these two.

 

They're each other's best friends...

 

...and mine.

 

"Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy."
Psalm 33:3

CHRISTMAS FIRE

 

 

fire. hot chocolate. extra marshmallows. cookies. the nativity story. carols...

 

{one of our favorite Christmas traditions}

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder, 
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, 
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6

XO MISTLETOE

(I've always had a thing for unmade white beds.)

 

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."

Song of Solomon 6:3

FATHER-SON OVERNIGHTER

 

For Brodie's 12th birthday, he got to go on his first overnight date with his dad.

They had a special time together surfing, eating fun food, fellowshipping, bonding, and surfing some more.

 

One of the highlights of our overnighters is visiting the cross on the campus where we stay.

It's an opportunity to lay our burdens down and focus on the forgiveness Christ freely offers.

 

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness

of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."

Ephesians 1:7

 

 

These are sacred discipleship moments that preserve impact.

 

"Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching."

Proverbs 4:1-2

 

These are the memories that last a lifetime and build relationships with fortitude.

 

"A wise son heeds his father’s instruction."

Proverbs 13:1

 

What a blessed overnighter for our oldest son and his father.

 

"My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways."

Proverbs 23:26


HAPPY NEWS...

 

 

{celebrating life and baby sister on the way}

 

 "From my mother's womb you have been my God."
Psalm 22:10



HEAVY

My heart is just so...heavy. The news was all so weighty...so much to take in and accept.

 

 

I sat in the waiting room quietly afterward watching, no, marveling at my beautiful babies as they played, so innocent, so unaware, so intensely precious swelling my love for them to new heights. Sweetest little ones looking expectantly to Mom and Dad who surely will take care of them. The look in their eyes tells us they believe this with their whole hearts, already. And, we're doing our very best, that's for certain. No one could fight for them more. Jesus loves the little children, this we believe with our whole hearts, same childlike way.

 

But the unknowns, there are many. The complications, they're complex and lifelong. And they are terribly heavy.

 

My eyes wept uncontrollable yet restrained while I tried to maintain composure. "Is this too much for one day?" the surgeon asked, and I blurted out, "No", absorbing silently. But my heart wailed loudly within, thumping my chest, covered in sackcloth and ashes, fighting to find peace in the reality of it all and the future unknown and the thinking of how to protect when I'm so entirely unable. And...

 

"He is able."

2 Corinthians 9:8

 

“'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

Mark 4:39

 

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

Matthew 5:4

 

What a compassionate nod from the Lord that I should be reading Matthew 5 today as a new dawn glows with yesterday's stings still alive and thrashing. As I read, my heart releases some of the burden and I allow myself to surrender responsibilities to protect in ways

that simply aren't mine. Though, they are His so I tell myself again that Jesus loves our children.

 

He is their Protector. He is their Provider. He adores them astoundingly more than I.

 

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!"
1 John 3:1

 

That is who they are. Our Bea and Beck, they are His children and His plans for their lives include us. We can see that. But more importantly, His plans for their lives include HIM. He is who they really need and why they've been born to existence. He is the reason they are here with us, that we might adorn them with mere glimmers of His love for them. He is who we want them to know for the sake of their eternal lives, the ones that won't be broken and will not perish...and only He knows how soon that will be.

 

"What if I put up walls, afraid to love, paralyzed with fear of loss?" I asked my husband calm and strong in grave contrast to me feeble. His quick reply, "That's not your style," with a wink and reminder so kind, so knowing me.

He's right. That's not my style at all and that's the unsettling part.

 

So today, as the heavy diagnoses and surgeries swirl dizzily around my mother's mind, still reeling

from yesterday's news, I set my heart and eyes intentionally on God's Word and I believe what it says.

 

God created Bea, fearfully and wonderfully made in His image.

He created her in love and with purpose, my daughter.

 

God created Beck, knit him together in his mother's womb knowing full well

all the days He had planned for him and that they ALL are good.

He created him in love and with purpose, my son.

 

Though she may be a "miracle baby" eventually living with someone else's heart and he may have survival statistics no parent wants to hear, we will love and adore and cherish these gifts from God for the days that He gives us to do so. May every one of them count and point our little ones to Him, that they may know His love intimately when they meet Him face to face in the exact minute of time that He deems best and right and perfect. And may we accept fully those realities, no matter what, loving full of hope and trusting in a good God even when life feels fragile and prospects weakeningly bleak. May we praise Him even then.

 

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,

for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Psalm 23:4

 

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

2 Corinthians 12:9

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

She saves up for it every year and chooses a girl in her age range to buy for.

Aida loves being a part of Operation Christmas Child with Samaritan's Purse!

 

 

This year was extra special as she had the opportunity (finally!)

to pack the shoeboxes at one of the volunteer events.

 

 

Volunteers have to be 13 and Aida has waited and waited for this moment.
To say the least, she was in her element. This is her thing!

 

 

Like father, like daughter...

 

It's a joy to watch her light up when she's serving others...and that's what her name means, "joyful helper".

This was a highlight of the holiday season for Aida (and her daddy) this year, Operation Christmas Child.

 

 

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words

of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20:35



DECK THE HALLS

 

I think I love the holiday season more with every passing year.

 

 

As a mama, a wife, a keeper of my home, it brings me great joy to commemorate

traditions that celebrate Jesus' birth...the most wonderful time of the year!

 

 

Traditions knit hearts to home and over time we've established more than a few.

 

 

I love heartwarming traditions and I hope they seep deeply into our children's hearts as they grow.

 

 

We go around the table and share our favorites, just to be sure I don't miss anything that

someone's been anticipating...sometimes it's the simplest memories that mean the very most.

 

 

So this year as we deck the halls and strike up the holiday tunes, preparing our hearts to celebrate
the most precious and priceless Gift ever given, we cherish our memories full of lifelong nostalgia.

 

Welcome December!

 

 

Happy Birthday Jesus!
 

Let the celebrations begin!

 

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.'  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'”

Luke 2:8-14

12

 

Here he goes, my big 12 year old...on the cusp of growing taller than me.

Here he goes.

My heart sings mother's prayers lifted high to heaven's ears,

knowing God loves him even more than we.

And here he goes...setting on toward manhood. How can it be?

My little boy just yesterday. 

I'm so proud of my big boy now and his heart for Jesus as he grows.

And here he goes.

Hand in hand with us for now, we'll guide as best we can. 

A heart like his, I know the Lord will use him, spend him for His glory.

So that's the prayer and here he goes...

Happy Birthday Brodie!
We love you so very much!!!

 

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed,

knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with

the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

2 Timothy 3:14-15

THE TUFF STUFF

I'm definitely a glass half full type of person.

 

My natural bend is to focus on the bright side of things and I'm always sure there's a silver lining,

not to mention God's perfect will which usually includes discomfort as the prelude to growth. I get it.

 

That said, there are also times when the tuff stuff feels like it's creepy crawling all over me

or pecking me square in the forehead. I'm confident that this is normal...but I don't love it.

 

So when she rejects me then smothers then stonewalls then randomly loves normally, I do my best

to roll with the punches and realize there is a place for the tuff stuff in life and especially adoption.

 

God will use it all for good.

 

When he cries for the thingy over there then I give it to him then he rejects it then asks for it again

then finally takes what he wanted from the start most likely testing me to see if I'll give and I'm all,

"Why didn't you just take it in the first place?!" I have to remember (again) that there is in fact

a place for the tuff stuff in life and adoption and God is always good!

 

The pangs of sin wreck scars for him so though we fill and fill, the insatiable hunger haunts

in more ways than one and we accept that only Jesus will finally truly occupy the voids. He will.

 

As for the tuff stuff yet to come, the medical and emotional and stretching and pecking,

I wait for it expectantly, realizing that God is working all the while and I'm to love.

 

So glass half full most of the time, yes, the reality is adoption is not all roses all the time. But God IS always good ALL the time and He uses everything to refine us and mold us and make us more like Himself...even through (especially through?) the tuff stuff. So I'm in.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Galatians 6:9

 

"His banner over me is love."

Song of Solomon 2:4

GUESS WHO'S ON HIS WAY HOME!

 

We have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving week!

 

Welcome home, Beck!!

 

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"

Psalm 107:1

UPDATE ON BECK

We spent the day yesterday visiting Beck in the ICU.

 

 

It was sweet to sit and just be with my little guy. It was also good for Brodie to

get out in the sun a bit and hang with the other kids while I took the day shift with Beck.

(Our tired little tiger)

 

He was so excited when he woke up to discover his siblings had come to visit!

 

 

He called for each one by name and of course gave out lots of smiley hugs and kisses.

 

 

The good news is now that he's been seen, we will start meeting with the cardiologists to get both Bea and Beck the surgeries they need...starting early next week. This is what we signed up for when we adopted these precious children with critical health issues.

The reality has hit home and it's absolutely our privilege to give them the love and medical help they need, one step at a time.

 

Our hope and prayer for Beck today is that he makes a turn for the better and may even come home. Our house isn't the same without our happy little guy. He brings such fun and laughter to our family and even under the circumstances he maintains his Beck-like JOY!

 

 

 

WE LOVE YOU, BECK!!!

 

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

Romans 12:12

BECK IN ICU

It was just a cold...the same one our other little ones have and are working through normally.

But for our Beck, his frail heart and lack of oxygen just can't handle "just a cold".

 

 

And so, to the ER they went two nights ago, Daddy and Aida, with little Beck wheezing dangerously. Not knowing his heart condition and history, we chose to play it safe, and it's a good thing we did as his regular cold was developing into pneumonia.

 

 

They transferred him to the children's hospital ICU where he's been since. Though he's ill, he's still in

good spirits, blowing kisses to the nurses every chance he gets, charming them with his Beck smiles.

 

(Never mind the bump on his forehead...just a memory from our last trip at the library.)

 

His body currently doesn't handle these things well, not like a healthy child would. But now after extensive testing we have more answers, a short term plan, and a long term plan to help get Beck the medical attention he needs to live a healthy life.

 

 

With his loving big sister by his side,

 

 

and Daddy holding him, caring for him, reassuring him continually,

 

 

it's hard to imagine Beck's last heart surgery...alone in China.

 

But he's not alone anymore. He has us. We've got him. Our great God has tiny Beck in the

palm of His Hand and we're praying for complete healing and restoration for our son.

(Look who woke up happy today! We can't wait to have you home soon, Beck!)

 

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Psalm 147:3