Household Names

All praise and glory to God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.  For what we did not understand, what we could not comprehend, has been all for your glory.  Kirill is coming home. 

For those who wonder, who is Kirill?  Yes, he is, like many in our family, almost a household name, and so my apologies for using his name so freely.  He, along with Isaiah and Vilis, Mandy, Kareen, and so many others, have a place on my lips and that of my family. 

Kirill's story is HERE.  I've written about him before.  His family was denied the chance to adopt him time and again, but after prayer and perseverance and the power of God Almighty, this beautiful little boy with an extra chromosome is going to be in the US of A very soon!

And I praise God tonight for Kirill's story.  And for Kareen's.  Check out her link and see the beautiful hairdo's the orphanage workers have given her each day her parents visit -- she is obviously loved by them, and she is loved by her family.   And, this week also, the Hartmans have their Brady, whom they will name Judd Denis. 

All rescued.  All loved.  All who suffered immeasurably in waiting, as our fallen world crumbles around them.  Why must they have been put aside?  Why can't our world value difference?  Thank goodness their families have bared their souls and crossed oceans to defy the world -- to say, "Let the little children come" and "Here am I, send me."

I pray tonight for these families, and for so many others who have crossed oceans or highways or barriers, and also for those waiting to cross.  Be still and know that God is with you.  Be imitators of God.  Run the race toward the prize.  Your God is with you, and your God will not forsake you. 

And for those of us who are not adopting right now -- I challenge you (us), too.  Make these precious little ones part of your hearts.  Go to www.reecesrainbow.org  or a similar site and pick one or two or more children and pray for them every day.  Make them household names, the ones you pray for when you rise up and when you walk along the way.  Let your kids ask if they can have a party to raise money for Isaiah and Vilis, like my little Emma did recently (and yes, we hope to have a fundraiser party soon!). 

My heart is so touched tonight by watching God work.  Please, God, keep us humble.  Keep us focused on You and Your glory.  Let us revel in your goodness and pray through joy as well as adversity. 

To God, be the glory, great things He has done. 
 

Rockstar morning

Today was a fabulous morning.  It is SO important to celebrate good times, even seemingly little things, to share joy with each other.  Here's what made it great!

• I got to sleep until 8:30.  Any mom of young kids knows this is huge.  For me, I've not been sleeping well lately due to allergies, and so I've been up a lot at night.  So getting some much-needed shut-eye was awesome.  Many thanks to my dear husband for herding kids and dog so I could rest!
• Breakfast was to die for at Marty's Grill!  California omelet -- 3 egg whites, turkey, avacado, goat cheese, and fresh salsa.  Yum.  Girls had pancakes.  Henry ate threw toast.

Henry rockin' his bed head at Marty's Grill

• We went to the Fisher's yard sale for VANYA.  Despite the drizzle, there were lots of people there.  Many neighbors and friends came out to support them. Praise God!  Kristin and Mat are great people, and I am thrilled for them as they hope to travel this summer.   

Fisher's Yard Sale at New Highland Baptist Church Pavilion

• My girls found some great books and things at the yard sale. 
• I got to meet ADEYE!!!  And all her precious kiddos.  Adeye is beautiful, inside and out, and her kids are so sweet. Adeye advocates for many orphans, and she helped bring Vanya's situation to light.  If Adeye's name is unfamiliar, then please check out her awesome blog  here. 

Adeye Salem and Kristin Fisher

• Kevin fulfilled a dream that many a man has -- he is now the proud owner of a (to-be-delivered) John Deere.  Congratulations, honey!

I think the kids "drove" every vehicle on the lot.

Now I'm at home, hanging out with the dog and listening to Henry babble in his crib as he settles down for a nap.  I may not be a rockstar with a seemingly glamorous life.  But I'll take a pleasant morning and be very thankful!!  I have a rockin' Savior, and I am learning to celebrate joy where I find it.

Our new dog, Taylor, checks out the cows in a pasture near our house.

Myth of Supermom

I was graciously asked to write a guest blog for my sister in Christ, Cindy Shufflebarger.  Cindy has an amazing testimony, and I hope to feature her work here soon.

The post I wrote is about how many women try to be "SuperWoman" or "SuperMom."  I get caught up in this mythology sometimes, too.  So catch a glimpse of a day in my life -- a not-so-super-mom who is learning to laugh at my imperfections and celebrate Jesus' love. 

Check out my post at Cindy's blog here!!   http://cindyshufflebarger.com/blog/

Bubbles Therapy

There are days when I focus too much on milestones yet to come rather than those Henry is reaching right now.  Guess I just need a little bubbles therapy to get me laughing and -- as always -- recognize that I am amazingly proud of my son.  He may take longer to get where he is going, but each moment, each achievement, is a celebration.  Go Henry!

Our Children's Words and Hearts

I can take no credit for the brief item I will describe in a moment.  It is all about God, who changes hearts, in this case starting with mine.  Because nearly three years ago I learned I was pregnant again (surprise at 38!!!) and months later learned that my special one had an extra chromosome.  Through this amazing little guy, our family has learned about kids with special needs and orphans and Reece's Rainbow and so many other things.

Such "things" led up to a quiet moment in church this morning as we were in line for communion.  Every now and then, instead of having kids off in a children's worship area, our church has families all gather together for prayer and communion with elders and pastors, each family at a time seeking prayer.  As we waited our turn, I asked little Emma, age 5, if she wanted the elders to pray for anything for her.

"Isaiah and Vilis," she whispered. 

My heart.  She could have prayed for a Barbie, for her upcoming birthday party,or even said nothing.  But she has learned, in her own little way, that she is not the sole person on Earth -- quite a feat, as most of us feel the universe should revolve around us at all times. 

Isaiah and Vilis.  We pray for them.  Emma also prays for Mandy, a little girl on RR who has fused fingers.

Moments later, it was our turn to approach the elders.  Henry, in true boy fashion, leaped for the wine/juice tray and grabbed it, promptly raining Welch's on the elder holding the tray.  Oops.  So, so sorry.

But he and the pastor took it in stride.  This is what kids do.  They make messes.  They are exuberant.  Let the little children come.

And let the little children pray.  Emma shared her prayer request -- Isaiah and Vilis.  They are on her mind -- and mine, and all of ours -- every day.  (As I have shared before, due to my history of postpartum depression, we cannot adopt in certain countries, and so we are praying and exploring what our role is to be for these particular boys and other orphans in the world). 

But what a blessing this morning to have my quiet little girl, the one who usually is off in her own, independent world, think of Isaiah and Vilis for whom to pray.  Thank you, God, for turning her heart toward those in need, and for helping us all see that prayer isn't about "gimme" .... but about so much more.

Emma and T21 brother Henry at Buddy Walk, Oct 2010