I want to be a Trader! Awesome Video.

And a powerful quote:
‎"Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes." David Platt

Latest Health News

An update is long overdue.

Thank you for your patience, inquiries and prayers.

Joel's medication gives him a belly ache but other than that he is doing well.

Luke's MRI results were not what we had hoped for.

The Dr. feels it is necessary for Luke to undergo surgery.

He will have an incisional biopsy and/or possibly the entire mass removed depending on what they find in surgery.

His surgery is scheduled for the morning of Feb. 15.

"Abundant life is not about having stuff. It's about having peace. Having Joy. Having God." ~ John Piper

An Update on the Boys

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

so....

He is worthy of all praise! And we thank Him for his Sovereign grace.

Family and Friends, let me just say that your thoughts and prayers surrounding our boys have been truly appreciated and felt during all the appointments and tests the last few weeks have held.

So far, we have received mostly good news.

I will begin with Joel. He has had more tests, x-rays, and blood work. At this point the Doctors agree the best course of action is to begin him on the treatment for a latent infection. This is actually good news. It means he is not actively sick. He is not contagious. And once the treatment is done, he will have less chance of ever becoming actively sick or contagious. Praise the Lord!

After 3 IV attempts (poor buddy) and the CT Scan we do not yet have conclusive answers as to what is causing the bump and abnormal swelling on Luke's head. We do now know it is not in the bone (i.e. a bone disorder or congenital defect). It is not intracranial (a tumor in the brain). And there is no large feeding vessel to the area (which rules out traumatic aneurysm). It is a 2mm x 16mm x 18mm soft tissue ill-defined lesion. Unfortunately, CT's apparently don't take very clear pictures of soft tissue, which means Luke will now need an MRI to offer a better dilienation of the tissue. He will undergo anesthesia for this procedure which of course make mommy a little nervous. But as long as we get good conclusive results with the MRI, we will hopefully be able to avoid the biopsy which would require anesthesia and leave a scar on his precious little face.

We really feel a peace at this time that things are moving in the right direction and that the results from Luke's MRI will not be too serious. It will be nice to have clearer answers to the concerns surrounding both of our boys. We know that ultimately God is in control, whatever the results and He loves our boys better than we ever could. As parents, we just want to be sure we are doing what's necessary for their best!

Please continue to join us in prayer that Joel's treatment will go smoothly with no ill side-effects to his liver or otherwise. And that Luke's MRI results will be conclusive and give no cause for further concern.

Prayer Request

Did you know that if the Earth was the size of a golfball, the largest star that has been discovered (so far) would have a diameter the height of Mt. Everest? Pretty amazing, huh? (thank you Louis Giglio for sharing that information!)

vs.

Kind of gives me a different, better, bigger perspective of the Creator of ALL things. I suppose if He can keep that huge mass up in the sky and design and keep all the galaxies of the universe afloat, He can handle whatever I'm facing. And not only can He handle it,...He cares about it.

1. 
   

1. Matthew 6:30

1. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.

1. 
   

1. Philippians 4:6-7

1. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

SO.....

With all that in mind, please be in prayer for Luke and Joel. We are facing some medical concerns with both boys. I recognize that no matter how it seems to us, none of this catches God by surprise and He is in control. Nonetheless, we would appreciate your prayers concerning our precious sons.

Luke was referred to a Dr. at Children's Mercy for the 'bump" on his forehead. To catch some of you up, Luke has had this bump since August and it doesn't seem to go away, Also, whenever he bumps his head at all, it reacts very strangely (different than your normal goose-egg), and does so again and again in the same spot regardless of how hard he bumps his head. We went there yesterday and the Specialist has ordered a CT scan of Luke's head. Luke will be sedated for the procedure which will take place on Monday, November 28. I'm not thrilled with the idea of Luke having all that radiation on his little tiny body, but as my sister who is a Doctor has reassured me, the Dr. wouldn't order it unless he thought it was necessary. We must trust God gives us Dr.'s for a reason and all their training counts for something!

(The 1st pic shows what the "bump" looks like daily,...the others, after he has actually bumped it on something--although the pics don't do it justice)

We will most likely be seeing a specialist at Children's Mercy in regards to some concerns about Joel as well. When Joel first came home he had some test results with which we weren't thrilled. As a result of some new developments, some of our concerns in regards to that testing have re-surfaced. We are seeking wisdom in the direction to take in a potential 9 month treatment plan.

Your prayers are greatly appreciated!

¹ Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. ² Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— ³ who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Psalm 103:1-3

November News

The header of my blog reads "Every Day Matters". So often I get busy with the busy-ness of life and forget to embrace this truth. So I thought I'd take a moment to recognize, enjoy and share a few of those everyday matters....one kid at a time....

Faith had a special day today at school --Grandparent's Day! She was so thrilled to have 5 grandparents attend her special "Creation Play" and character-sketch, where she chose a Bible character to dress-up as and explain what story they were known for in the Bible. She chose Mary. Why? She responds with a smile, "Because she was the mother of Jesus and that makes her special!"

Joel has been loving preschool these days! He is coming up with so many intriguing thoughts... He is also so sweet and sensitive. Lately he has been praying "Lord help me to praise you!". I love his faith!

Luke wants to be just like his big brother and is therefore practicing his climbing skills....on everything! I also took him to get a "real" haircut this week.....he looks so grown-up.

Before:

After:

The Climber:

The 3 of them together....are SO much fun and such a blessing. So many times, people in the store pass us by and make comments like.."wow,..bet you have your hands full". I always smile and reflect,..."Yes, but not as full as my heart!"

A ballerina, a bumblebee, and Spiderman at a fall dress-up party:

And climbing their Leaf Mountain!

Even One

In Honor of National Adoption Month (which happens to be this month) and Orphan Sunday (which happened to be yesterday) I am posting ANOTHER adoption video. I know I post things about adoption a lot. Ok A LOT. But I'm not gonna apologize. I guess I figure if even one person or family is challenged to help even one child in some way, than it's worth it. May what breaks God's heart break ours too.

Orphan Sunday 2011 from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

And for those who might be reading this who aren't yet a Christian, just know: when God's word says He cares for the fatherless, when it says He's the defender of the weak, and He sets the lonely in families....that means you, too. He desires to adopt you. To give you a new life, a new Hope, and a new future through His son Jesus by His amazing grace.

"Theology by the House-wife"

I was chatting with my dear friend this week about some lessons God has perhaps been trying to teach me. As I rambled on, she asked if I had ever bothered to right these things down, suggesting that perhaps one day I would want to put them in a book. I mockingly laughed at her suggestion, saying "and what would I call that 'Theology by the Housewife"?. It wasn't until a couple of days later that God laid a scripture on my heart...

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Rev 12:11

And so I was convicted.

Now, I think it is important to note, that I often avoid blogging because I can't help but think...what could I possibly have to say that isn't said better on 20 other sites?...or why would this interest anyone else? And while those questions still ring true, I want to say that from now on, I intend to view this blog differently. I'm going to use this blog as way to voice my testimony. I think that is what I was always doing, I just wasn't viewing it that way. I was worried more about the reader than recognizing the One who gives me the words. So, yes, I'm going to use it as a way of recording our family happenings, but also as a way of chronicling the truth God is revealing to my heart. So if you can get something out of it, great. But most of all, my desire is that He be glorified. That I hold fast to what He is teaching me and look back on His faithfulness in the valleys and the mountaintops! "It was by the word of their testimony...".

My God is more than enough for me.

When life is calm and the leaves fall beautifully from the trees around my adorable playing children...God is enough.

When the storm rages. He is enough.

When the enemy prowls seeking whom he may devour. He is enough.

When I am at the end of me. He is enough.

When our path seem uncertain, the future unclear. He is enough.

When it seems as though our hopes for the future, our dreams, are being stripped from us. He is enough.

When uncertainty clouds regarding our physical health and/or the physical health of our spouse or children. He is enough.

I am reminded, that all I need is him. To rest in Him.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2,3

Behold, I am doing a new thing: now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

God spoke to my mother's heart in a profound way this morning. From time to time, even after 2 years of being showered with unconditional love, my precious 4 year old son (who happens to be adopted) will have moments of meltdown and uncertainty that to me are less about his 4-yr-oldness and more about his insecurity. His insecurity as to whether he "really belongs", as to whether he is accepted unconditionally, as to whether his being "different" means we love or accept him less. Now sometimes, it is these very words that come out of his mouth. Other times, his insecurity is demonstrated in other ways,. such as in the punch that lands on the face of his "friend" who just "laughed at him" on the playground. As a parent, it breaks my heart. I would do anything to wipe away his insecurity. He need not fear or worry. We will always be here for him and always accept him. How can I make him understand?

Perhaps, for starters....I should learn this lesson myself. Am I not so different from my precious son? After all, how the Father does lavish His love on me, his adopted child, and yet I fall back into patterns of insecurity that come out in so many unflattering ways. I think if I could try harder, do more, just handle this myself.... I fail to just rest in his love. I fail to find my security in Him alone. He does not love me for how well I perform or for how well "I've got it all together". He simply and profoundly just loves me!

So even when I doubt His ways,...He loves me and He is enough.

Even when, I can't fix it....He loves me and He is enough.

Even when, I fail.....He loves me and He is enough.

Even when the dirty diaper ends up in the laundry and the laundry in the trash....He loves me and He is enough.

Even when I forget that He loves me and He is enough.....He loves me and He is enough!