Wanting Jesus

This week we finally got to visit the nursing home again. It had been a LONG time because of illness, there and here. We visit the Alzheimer's unit because that is where my friend's dad lives. Most often we go on Thursdays when a pastor comes and we sing hymns with all the residents, and then the pastor does communion and a short devotional with everyone. There were a lot of new faces this time, and some familiar ones as well. A woman came and played piano beautifully. It overwhelms me every time I go, that some of these people have lost everything...even their minds, but they still have Jesus. My friend's dad can no longer speak, but he can still sing those old hymns. This week something precious and beautiful happened. As the pastor was going around sharing communion with each person there was one lady on the outside circle. She started to get anxious and wave her hand to make sure the pastor saw her. She got more and more intense about it, till he finally spoke to her and promised he was coming. She just wanted communion so badly. It was such a beautiful reminder. If only we all wanted Jesus so much. I was so clearly reminded this week that Jesus is enough. His body, his blood. It is enough. I was moved to tears in that moment. Gig to the nursing home is such a good reminder of what really matters in life. Love. Relationships. Jesus most of all.

I haven't posted much because of the security breach on my kids' photos. I started thinking, too, that it is not fair to them to have their entire lives available online for anyone to look at that wants to. When they get grown, they may have real regrets about that. So I have pulled back. But they are well. And today we meet with our social worker in the last stage to complete our homestudy before applying to immigration to bring a child home... I am tense. I have made it my life's work to make a home for my family, and someone is going to be coming here to evaluate that home and marriage. Lets just say I have had weird dreams three nights running! :o)

Seth's Piano Recital

Gavin's Piano Recital

Free hockey night.

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God!

Here are some things that have captured my heart and imagination lately....

1. http://www.bethlehemstar.net/. The science behind the star of Bethlehem. I love this stuff! Before time began, God set the heavens in motion and at precise times in history the heavens themselves tell the story so clearly that men leave their homeland(s) to investigate and worship. Amazing!

2. God in Ancient China. The links for this weren't working when I emailed them earlier, so look it up on youtube. Seth watched Part 1 with me, the whole hour of it. And I had to watch Part 2 today, also. The blackboard with the Chinese writing telling the stories (I had read a book about this a long time ago and was looking for it again, when I came across the videos which had even more information)... The timeline (we are learning the timeline of history for school this year!)... And then the comet, eclipse, and prophecies that were being fulfilled in the West... It is an honor and privilege that God is allowing this ancient culture to become part of our family story. I am so thankful that we are part of HIS story.

I feel so encouraged and amazed at God and what he has done! I love this time of year and am really looking forward to starting Advent on Sunday! Please let me know if you have time to check these out, because I am sooooo very excited about learning new things and talking about them. :o)

Missing

Important Announcement....

First came Spanky. Then came Zippy. (We named our unborn kiddos so we could talk about them before we knew who they were.)

We are pleased to announce that : We are anticipating with great excitement the arrival of our little PUMPKIN! We have officially started the process of International Adoption and our newest child will be Chinese. On my side this will be the third grandchild to be born in China! We are hoping Aunt Rachel will be able to travel with us and introduce us to the country she loves. Please pray for us as we go through this process. We have chosen to do a special needs adoption. After Gavin was born and had so many health issues, it breaks my heart that any child would have to be hospitalized or sick and not have a Mommy to love them and hold them through it. It will be a privilege and honor to do the same for another little one whose Mama couldn't. The boys are excited to have a new playmate, and have had a longstanding debate about if we should adopt a boy or a girl. Andrew and I are just nervous and excited. I feel like I did looking at that first pregnancy test knowing I have no idea what I am doing. I am so thankful for Andrew's calm steady partnership in this adventure. He is so great to do parenting with. And we sure mss him at the moment. :o)

Thanks for celebrating with us and for all the encouragement and support that we have already recieved!