No Place Like Home

Last night we had a wonderful Skype visit with "Walter".  He sang "Happy Birthday" to Ty in Mandarin, he read to us and even read through the entire English alphabet.  He is such a bright, sweet boy with a smile that melts my heart and clearly the hearts of his caregivers.

He is very excited and eager for us to come and get him, but is a little confused about the coming home part.  "Walter" seems to think that we are coming and will live with him in Taiwan!  This is the only home he has ever known.  The caretakers ARE his family.  Please pray that God prepare him for coming home and that God heal his heart for those he will surely miss.  I hope to keep in contact with at least a few of the ladies there, to share updates, photos and the reassuring message of the hope we have in Jesus. 

We continue to pray for God's timing and provision.  It seems that our recent rush and possible early travel is not going to happen.  We are back to our original time frame of traveling possibly around December.  Though I long to have "Walter" home, I trust God's timing.  He has brought us thus far, step by step leading the way.

As the daughter of a Pastor, moving from place to place, I never had a specific place to call my hometown.  However, we made each place HOME because we were together.  Now this may sound corny or cliche, but it is true!  This may be the strangest place "Walter" has ever been, but it will be home and we will be a family!

Thank you to so many of you who are helping to make that happen!  We praise God for the wonderful blessing that you are to our family through your support of donations, love and prayers.  

Read All About It!

This just in.......our church will be sponsoring a dinner on our behalf to help us raise funds for our adoption!

What an amazing group of believers we are a part of.  Just when we are feeling totally overwhelmed and wondering when and how to make it all happen, not only with the adoption, but in everyday life, we get a phone call.  Our pastor calls to ask when would be a good time to have a dinner at the church?  My answer...ANYTIME!

We are blessed!  It is both humbling and encouraging to be on this end of the giving and support! 

Please mark your calenders for Monday Oct. 22 and join us in a celebration of life and family, food and fellowship.  More details to come.

Simple Prayers

Growing up we had a common table prayer that was said at most meals and was also the common prayer said at church before eating. 

Come Lord Jesus,

Be our guest

Let these gifts to us be blessed

Amen.

This continues to be one of the prayers we use before meal times.  Well, Levi, our middle son, has recently taken responsibility of being the prayer leader.  One day I think he was especially hungry and not wanting to wait for everyone to be ready so he just starts praying.  He hasn't quite gotten the whole thing down, but his heart is in it!

Today at breakfast he again asks to do the prayer.  It went like this:

Come Lord Jesus,

Be our guest

Amen!

All I could think was that needs to be my prayer everyday!  When the words won't come out right or I just don't even know where to begin, it all starts with that simple prayer, "Come Lord Jesus!"

Quiet Places

I went in my room today, closed the door, knelt beside my bed and wept before my Heavenly Father.  I cried till I could not find another tear.  My burden too great and the tasks too large to accomplish.  It seems as if there is no end in sight and my strength is gone.  "Please God take it away."  "Let me run and be free."  I prayed with all my might.  I can still hear the baby crying out in the hall and see the endless lists of duties running faster and faster.  "God please send mercy and relief."

Slowly the tears end and my breathing is under control.  Nothing has changed, the baby still crying, things still to do, yet my burden is lighter.  Lighter because I gave it to the Lord to help me carry it.  I still feel like I might break under the pressure, but that voice, that peace that comes only from God says, "I am enough, I am there, I will see you through this." 

Let there be hope Lord for all those who hurt, who are burdened, for those who grieve, for those who have no hope.  Bring relief.  Bring peace.  Show mercy.  Love them.

Be light and life for someone today who needs to see Jesus.  

Getting Ready

"Walter's" new bed in the big boy room

 

It has been so much fun looking at airline tickets and hotels.  No, we don't have a travel date yet or an official approval in court, but knowing what our options are and seeing where we might stay makes it all seem so real!  It won't be long now.  Just the other night we had our 2nd Skype visit with "Walter"  also.  Still didn't understand a thing he said, might be time to purchase Rosetta Stone Mandarin!

A care package for "Walter"