Out of the darkness

Have you ever been in the darkness? Where there was a heaviness about you that kept you from experiencing the joy of the Lord? Where you felt you were going through the motions, but not connecting with your Savior? 

Recently, I have been in the darkness. It started the early part of the year with two bad falling outs with two very good friends. Within two weeks of each other. It was ugly - and painful. I prayed about it. I forgave their hurtful words and actions. I sought reconciliation but was unsuccessful. I gave it to God and I moved forward.

Or so I thought.

But there was a bitterness rooted inside. Deep inside. That slowly seeped out and started to stain my other relationships, including with Jesus.  I was growing a hardened heart and a judgmental spirit. I had, as I tell my children, a bad attitude.

But God is good - and led to me to ask for prayers. From sisters in Christ who I trust and who are heart connected to me although far away. I brought the situation into the light - and rendered satan powerless.  Satan had taken these hurtful situations and used them against me. But God - can turn them to gain. And He can do that with any situation. 

So if you are in darkness, in satan's grip, are suffering quietly because of pride or shame. Have a hurt that satan is using against you.....

Bring it into the light.

Bring it to His hand and feet on this earth and ask your friends for prayer - ask them to intercede. 

When you bring satan's tricks into the light - he is disarmed and unable to work. God's Word tells us that satan prowls about like a lion waiting to devour us. When we are weak, he will pounce. When God is at work in our life, he is alerted and active. Each time we have started the adoption journey, satan has attacked one of us. The first time was blatant. The second time was devious. This time, he was stealth and patient and slowly was picking away. 

But he can not attack when the light of Jesus exposes him for what he is. 

Bring it to the light. 

Everybody Needs and Uncle John

We had a surprise visit this week from Uncle John - Doug's youngest brother. He stayed for a couple of nights - and we have determined that life is good with Uncle John around! 

He is very handy - and patient with his helper! 

He is a good story teller - and loves to read ballet books.

He's a great pool companion....

....and dancing partner! 

Not to mention an expert puzzle assistant! 

But most of all, he's really great to hang out with and spend time talking to! 

And we are awfully glad he got to spend some time with us! 

A Child Like Faith

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on."

We received a donation today via paypal - with the following note: 

Hi Karen, My 9 yr. old daughter, Savannah has been following Ai Liu's story and wants to help. She wants to be Ai Liu's friend. She is also sewing her a teddy bear! She took all her money from the last 3 years she was saving for a guitar and gave it to me to send to you.

I have never been so humbled in my entire life. 

I have never been so convicted in my entire life.

By a child. Who has faith that she can make a difference, so she gave it all. 

Savannah's heart has been captured by the story of one child - far away - who is her age. She is determined to do what she can to help our daughter come home - not just by giving all she has of her wealth, but by befriending her. What a lesson for me tonight...

Who of us has that conviction to help someone we have never met? How many times have I ever given up something I saved for years to get? How much have I really sacrificed for someone else's benefit? I say I give it all - but how much do I hold back? I say I lay it all down, but really, am I only willing to give what doesn't matter that much? Who do I befriend who really needs me? 


Do I maximize what I save for retirement before I tithe?


Do I make sure I have full premium cable before I help my neighbors?


How about that data plan for the newest cell phone I just have to have so I can let everyone on Facebook know every time I go out for ice cream? 


And how about that deal I got on Zulily? Gymboree? KidSteal? 


The faith of a child put into actions. A sacrifice. A living example of what Jesus did for me on the cross - with a pure heart and for no other reason than love. 


Savannah - you are my hero tonight. 

Enough time has past

A few week ago, we celebrated a most blessed event in our family. Enough time has past that I can now write about the additional blessings of that weekend without taking the spotlight away from the reason we were gathered together. 

It is hard to express just how precious an extended family can be to a child once orphaned. To go from having no family, no family name, no family history, no traditions, no generational experiences to a full repertoire of grandma's and grandpa's and aunts! At the wedding weekend, my girls were showered with this experience - and they loved it! It warms this momma's heart when my girls are surrounded by love.

Katie and grandma - with whom Katie spent considerable time on grandma's ipad. They have a very special bond - 

Becky & Grandpa Yingling - as the youngest grandchild, she commands the appropriate spoiling from him! 

Wedding morning - all dressed up with Grandma & Grandpa Mike

 Grandma Judy, the girls and the senior Yingling men....

 A very extra special blessing was that Auntie Maria could join us. Because the wedding was in Washington, she was able to take a few precious days off from her very successful cafe  in Victoria and join us for the weekend. While her addition of the cupcakes for the wedding was wonderful, having her spend time with us was even sweeter! 

 The unspoken tragedy for orphans is that many will never be woven into the fabric of an extended family. They will never know about the treats in grandpa's pocket, the special hugs and cuddles that only a grandma can give, the experiences that aunties provide that give a unique perspective on life. 

Thankfully, my girls have all that and so much more because our families love them unconditionally and just as perfectly as can be. 

Wordless Wednesday (a few days late)

God Showed Up

When we began this crazy journey called adoption in 2005, I was amazed at how "in the details" God always seemed to be - and never more so than when it came to the finances. Seems that somehow, the exact amount of money someone needed always was provided - every time. 

This past Monday, I got an email from a dear friend Cheri. We met through our adoption agency - her Amelia and my Katie were in the same SWI in Beijing, and we share many story lines of life. 5 weeks ago, they moved to their new home - several states and a time zone away, several hundred square feet smaller. 

Her association was having a garage sale this Saturday, and she thought she might put a few items at her neighbors and give us whatever they made for AI Liu. You see, they pared their stuff down pretty well before they moved. Would I make a flyer so that people could see what they we donating to through their purchases? 

God worked on Cheri all week - and her stuff..and this is what their garage looked like this morning - as they opened the door at 5:50 am to a crowd (now that's a friend!!)

 This is what the jar looked like at the end of the morning - $294 dollars later. Cheri was hoping to raise $100.

 Here's the back story. The part they didn't know until after it was over. You see, we are hoping to have our dossier completed next week. In order to do this, we have to notarize every document, certify the notary seals and authenticate the certifications with the Chinese consulate. All told - that process is about $800 cash. We have about $500 from the store sales and other paypal donations we have received - we were short about $300. 

About the amount raised at the garage sale. 

by a family who thought they had nothing to sell.

God showed up today - at a yard sale in Tennessee. For a little girl in China. 

All the Glory is His - and the praise belongs to Him! 

Rainbow Express

Five years ago, when we found our current church, God knew exactly what we would need from this amazing place after we brought Katie home. You see, our church has an amazing disability ministry. They don't just talk about it - they live it. When we built a new building, it was complete with disability classrooms. There are Sunday school classes for kids with disabilities. For some kids, they can go to regular Sunday school classes with a volunteer helper - like Katie does - so the parents can worship without distraction. It has been a true blessing for us 

Their biggest commitment, however, comes the first week in August, when they host Rainbow Express, a VBS for kids with disabilities. It takes 100 people to put on the program for 28 kids. It takes months of planning. It takes patience beyond measure. It returns the investment 1000 fold for Jesus. 

Katie got to go to Rainbow Express this year - and she had a blast! They do what a typical VBS does - crafts, story time, worship and even Friday water day! At the end of the day today, they brought everyone together for a program. Some of the kids got up in front to show the "moves" - Katie loved it and was one of the first to volunteer. She's got the moves going on....

 I loved watching her with the other kids - being just a normal kid

 However, look who had to get in on the action....(the small little one in the purple shirt!) 

Rainbow Express was a great experience for Katie, here with her counselor Erica. Rainbow Express is the 8th grade service project - and those kids are amazing. They dedicate a week of their summer to these kids - and give 1000%. 

One of the most difficult things about being a parent of a kid with disabilities is the desire  - often unfulfilled - for your child to experience the normal milestones of being a kid. There are some things that Katie may never be able to do..but VBS is not one of them!