Saying goodbye to Little Bit

 

After months of anticipation, the day is fast approaching. The day we say goodbye to Little Bit. She has changed our lives over the last 7 months. She has grown us, stretched us, blessed us abundantly. She has taught me about Jesus and revealed to me more of His heart. She has shown me the abundant peace and life that comes through being obedient to him—even if you know it might hurt. Isn’t that was Jesus calls us to after all?

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 16:24,25

God has been so faithful to us—so faithful and so good—through this who process. These last two weeks (really, two months)—thinking she could go any day and then having to wait and wait and not know have been so hard. But it made me truly have to wait on the Lord. To seek His face first. To want His presence and His fellowship more than I wanted anything else out of the situation. And he is so faithful to give Himself. 

So as I go about my last day before she leaves, my heart is full. Full of love; full of concern; full of sadness. But full of peace. And full of faith that the One who has led us down this road will be faithful to us and to Little Bit all the days of our lives. He is good. And I trust Him.

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Ps 33:20, 21

We love you, sweet girl. We always will. 

Some thoughts on Bin Laden

So, with all this big news, I just wanted to share some thoughts I've been having. God calls followers of Jesus to act differently toward their enemies than the rest of the world. Even if you really really hate them and they are really really evil.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matt 5:43-45

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. Proverbs 24:17,18

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21

Do I think it was wrong that the US killed Bin Laden? No, not necessarily. Did he "deserve" to die? Sure. Does it grieve me when I see great amounts of rejoicing over it? Yes. Am I fearful for Americans living overseas who will feel the immediate and long term backlash? Yes. I can almost see the propaganda being used against us.

I really liked what this guy had to say about it:
"USA! USA!" is the wrong response

"I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." -Martin Luther King Jr.

Because He Lives

 We sang this on Sunday, and it reallay encouraged me. Of all the song lyrics I might have posted on my blog, never thought this would be one of them. But then again never have I lived so much in the second verse. Thank you Jesus.

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

Life with Little Bit

It's been one month since we've brought Little Bit home. She is so very precious and sweet and we are loving having her as a part of our family--for however long God has in mind for that to be. She is getting bigger--has gained more than a pound since she left the hospital. Its probably more like a pound and a half since its been a week since her last appointment.

Anna  is still loving her so much. I feel like she has adjusted really well. I feel like I should have posted something else recently, but I just haven't had much to say. We are enjoying being a family of four.

Matt has today off work. He is helping a friend with some accounting stuff now, and we have a date planned for tonight. I'm very much looking forward to it!

Here is a video that I love. I am teaching a ladies bible study in a month or so on adoption, and I'm thinking of adding this in there somewhere. Enjoy! It is sort of meaty, but isn't John Piper always?

A Child Of Mine (To All Parents) by Edgar Guest

Someone at Matt's work gave him this poem. It makes me cry every time I read it. I love it.

A Child Of Mine (To All Parents)

Edgar Guest

I will lend you, for a little while a child of mine, He said.

For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he's dead.

It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three.

But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for Me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief,

You'll have his lovely memories, as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return.

But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.

I've looked the wide world over in search for teachers true.

And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate me when I come to take him home again?

I fancied that I heard them say, 'Dear Lord, Thy will be done!'

For all the joys Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may,

And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.

But should the angels call for him much sooner than we've planned'

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

Meet "Little Bit"

God has blessed us with the opportunity to welcome a little girl into our family for a little while. She is two weeks old and came home with us this afternoon. I will refer to her as "Little Bit" to respect her privacy. We don't know how long she will be a part of our family, but we are truly thankful to be able to be a part of her life, even if in a small way.

Anna is loving her new baby sister. Its only been a few hours, but anyone who knows Anna knows how much she LOVES babies. Anna was giving her lots of kisses tonight. It was so incredibly sweet. Hopefully she will keep this attitude toward her. :)

Since I can't post pics of Little Bit, I will add this one of Anna from the surprise baby shower my homegroup girls threw me. They are amazing friends!! Anna got dressed up by some of the other kiddos and loved every minute of it.

The Light Yoke

I read the Christian Alliance for Orphans blog, and they posted this article a few days ago. I really liked it, and thought I'd repost.

The Light Yoke

Written By: Jedd Medefind

Even when I was a boy, Jesus’ claim that his yoke was somehow easy and light mystified me. Had he not warned of heavy, even severe, costs for following him? In Bonhoeffer’s unforgettable words, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” What’s easy about that?

I landed my first paid political campaign job shortly after college. After months of envelope-stuffing and minor editing roles, I was thrilled by my candidate’s offer: “Want to fly with me to attend a fundraiser for a candidate I’m trying to help down south?” Boy, did I ever.

Read full article on Comment Magazine here.

Christmas Pics Round One

Will get some more from Sijun, but here are a few! It was a great night!

GranFoster made us all fun hats!

Anna got her very own brush! One of her favorite activities. 

 mmm....Chocolate Pie!

I love her curl. 

She has a very generous Daddy. 

I love it!

 Sijun and her friend

Anna loves ice cubes. She is teething again right now also so I think it helps.

So blessed and so thankful for my family. I didn't really get any pictures of the festivities from my side this year. I was too busy sitting on the couch. ;)

A great Christmas

Fosters had a great Christmas this year. Pictures to come--I actually didn't take very many, so I am waiting to get some from other people.

We spend Christmas eve with the Fosters (Matt's parents). My good friend Sijun and her boyfriend came over and spent some time with us. We went to Christmas Even Candlelight communion at church, followed by dinner. We've had a soup and sandwich tradition for a few years. It was yummy! Had lots of good conversation with Sijun and Zhi Gang. Followed by super fun hats made by Granfoster and digging into our stockings. We decided to forgo giving each other gifts and just fill stockings. Instead of giving Anna lots more toys she doesn't need, and each other things that might or might not get used, we each gave that money where we felt lead to (And Anna still got a few fun toys, too :). I REALLY like this tradition and am glad we are have started it when Anna is young.

Sijun spent the night with us and we had a quiet Christmas morning. Took a very chilly walk and hung out at the house. After Anna's nap we went over to visit Grandmuzze who is still in the rehab hospital recovering from her broken hip and surgery. Then off to my sisters house. The kiddos were in full process of opening presents when we got there. Anna is still very much enjoying her new animal zoo set, baby stroller, and shopping cart full of "food". Had a great, laidback time with lots of laughs and good conversations.

I love my family! 2010 was a very Merry Christmas indeed!

Raindrops on Roses

These are a few of Anna's favorite things!

Duckies -- real ones and the blow up kind--she doesn't care

(I guess you can't actually see the duckies--but they're there!)

Books for sure

GranFoster

Bidy...And sunglasses

Puppies

Elmo

And don't forget Christmas lights, Babies, Phones, Stairs, and Magnets! Just a few of her favorite things!

What are some of your favorite things?

Ifidonias

We have had the blessing of having Ifidon--an international student from Nigeria--live with us for the past 7 months. He has really become a part of our family, and he is going to be missed so much--especially by Anna. She really really loves her Ifidon.

 Blueberry Picking

 Just Chilling

He is very generous

In Colorado this summer

And my personal favorite: 

We love you Donias!

All I Really Want For Christmas

 A powerful video

A new season

Over the past year, we have seen the Lord moving our family in a new and honestly quite unexpected direction. It started with a good friend who began the process to adopt a little girl from China. Her interest sparked mine, and I began to do some research online about orphans world wide and right here in the United States. There were a few sites like the Texas Foster and Adoption  website and others that just broke my heart. At first that is where it stopped. Just a sadness that so many children were in need of someone to love them--even if just while their parents got some things straight.

I remember laying in bed one night after I had been pouring over these websites, seeing children who have had the very people who were supposed to love and protect them do just the opposite. I felt the Lord whisper in my heart, "What if I called you to love them?" It was not even a "You must do this", but just a "What if?" My first instinctive reaction to even the idea was plain old fear. I loved my family. I have a very happy marriage, and a delightful daughter. I was not unaware that a child who had come from a "hard place" would not necessarily be an easy addition to my family.I was fearful that I didn't have any "control" over my family.

Finally, I just came to the very real conclusion that I am not and have never been in control of my family. It is true the Lord has blessed me IMMENSELY. Is that because of even one ounce of my own doing, or is anything but God's grace? I know it is only GRACE. And I thought of what Jesus said in Mark 8, "Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" I could hear the Lord's warning that I am foolish if I think I have the power hold on to the blessing of my family. And that to be disobedient to Him to "protect" my family would be the single most dangerous thing I could ever do to them. It was given by Him, and it will always belong to Him. Jesus clearly commands that we are not to love our family more than Him (Matthew 10:37,38). It was time for me to be willing to lay down that sinful attitude be willing to follow wherever He wanted to lead us.

And that is where it stopped for a while. There was no immediate revelation that becoming foster parents is what is what we should do. Matt and I talked about it some more and he discovered there was a Foster/Adopt agency right in Spring that lined up with the things that we believe. Arrow Child and Family Ministries was having some Orientation classes and we decided to check them out--just to find out some more information. That was last December. Since then, we have taken things one very slow and prayerful step at a time. Those steps have led us to be licensed for Foster Care. For now, we are planning to take one child younger than Anna. We will be open to receiving placements at the beginning of the new year. It might be the next day, or it might be several months before a child is placed in our home.

We have learned so much through books and seminars in the last year as the Lord has been preparing us, and we realize we have SO MUCH more to learn. We are excited, a bit nervous, and a myriad of other feelings. However, we do know that God is calling us to DO something rather than just be sad about the tragic situation that so many children find themselves in. We will continue to take things one step at a time and trust in the Lord's GOODNESS and GRACE.

Wrong Bottle

I keep a bottle of water by my bed because I often get thirsty in the middle of the night. Last night Anna was fussy around 2 AM so I got up and made her a bottle. By the time I was finished she was quiet, so I just put it next to me and went back to sleep. She woke up again a short time later, but this time she was frantic, so I grabbed the bottle and ran into her room. As soon as she saw me she reached for the bottle and I gave it to her. Only I poured water all over her face because I grabbed the wrong one! It was terrible! Everything in her bed was soaked and I had to get Matt up so I could pull off the sheets and get everything dry.

It is funny now anyway! :) Next time I will be more careful!

Jumping right in!

It's been awhile (obviously) since I've blogged. A year. But I think I'm gonna get back into it. Just gonna jump right in!

Great quote by Elizabeth Elliot

I love this quote. It inspires and convicts me.

It is, after all, mostly little common things that make up our lives. This is the raw material for the spiritual life. If we despise small things, regard normal household duties as burdens, routines as boring, rules too confining, we will never learn, nor can we teach our children, to live a life of holy harmony. This takes faithfulness in the troublesome details first of all, learning to do them well that we may make of them an offering to the Lord, for it is His work after all, given to us. It is our daily bread for which we should learn to be faithful. Such faithfulness is the ground work for all God may ever ask us to do. 130, The Shaping of a Christian Family

A great weekend

The Fosters had a great weekend in Virgina celebrating Amanda's wedding! Anna took her first plane ride and did great. Me and my house are still trying to recover from two out of town weekends close together.

Since I don't have much else to say, I'll leave it at that for now. Trying to get better about blogging.

Theoretically

So, theoretically, the Fosters are going to start a blog in which both Matt and I contribute. We'll see if it actually happens. : )