School's out for the Summer!

Today was the last day of school for Becky, although I'm pretty certain she doesn't actually know what that means! The day was pretty uneventful, but the real celebration was the all school picnic, where she enjoyed pizza, ice cream and her first pony ride. Now - for all you non California people....I know that these pony rides are actually in the parking lot of the school, but that is often the best we can do - we don't have a lot of open spaces!

Becky, her teachers & some of her classmates

Our girls adoptions are never far from my minds - it's part of who they are and it's a permanent part of their history. Especially with Katie, it colors so much of her world. And while I know this all in my mind - every once & a while, something will happen that stops me cold and makes me go "wow - far cry from the orphanage in Beijing (or Huazhou)." This moment a couple of weeks ago was one of them ~

This weekend was another - we filled the small pool in the backyard for them. Katie loves the water - so much so that she scares me. She has no fear at all - and has been known to try & go swimming in the small fountain in our yard. We pulled the pool out and filled it up - and as the girls played - all I could think of was " look what would have been missed if they were left in China". It made my heart happy....hope you enjoy this too!

(pay attention to the purple bucket in Becky's hand...)

Two Years

Two years ago today...there aren't even words this morning to describe what a day that was. I can't describe what it has meant to me, how it has changed my life, how it has expanded my territory

PRAISE THE LORD!!!! To Him be the glory!!!!!!

Pure Delight

My husband is a theme park guy - so much so that when the "bigs" were little, Doug actually burned them out on going to Disneyland & Knott's Berry Farm (the first theme park in America, by the way).

We've been having a bad couple of weeks around here - a lot of discipline, a lot of adjustment issues, a lot of disconnect and generally not a lot of fun. Sunday, about 10 minutes before we were leaving for church - Doug announced we needed some fun & it was time to go to Knott's. So right after service, we headed over to Knott's Berry Farm and introduced the girls to Camp Snoopy.

(warning - there are a lot of pictures to follow....)

My husband's favorite ride - at any park - is the train, so naturally it's also Becky's favorite - and our first stop!

This was Katie's first visit to a theme park - and to say she loved it just doesn't express the joy she had! I think she's going to be the daredevil ride child in the pack! This was her very first "official" amusement park ride (because I don't count the train as a real ride!)

Another first followed the balloon ride. Becky has never been on a ride without me - and really, she would be ok with that till she's about 20! However, she really wanted to ride the airplane, she was tall enough - and we were too tall to go with her. So - the girls had their first "alone ride" together! Pretty sure this is a glimpse into our future...Becky in the front seat driving (or planning/plotting) and innocent Katie along for the fun of it all!

...pre-flight check...complete!

The race cars were next - these aren't the greatest pictures because of the fence, but you can clearly see how much Katie loves it!

You can't see her, but Becky (on the right) is generally pretty unhappy here...

The scrambler - another attempt at the "alone" ride

don't let the upset child fool you...her first words upon exiting the ride were "I do that again, mommy"

The airplane ride was such a hit we had to try it again before we left...

It was a great day - and exactly what the doctor ordered to get our family attitude readjusted.

Ordinary People

Within the past week or so, several people have made comments along the lines of "well, Christians don't act very Christian" or "most Christians don't act like Christ". At first glance, I might have agreed with them - but quite frankly, these comments have really started to bother me. See, there are a few Christians who have made headlines "in the name of Jesus" committing very bad acts - acts most (almost all) Christians condemn. There is a "church" in Kansas whose web address makes me sick "godhatesXXX.org". And on most days, I can point to at least one dozen things I have done that aren't very Christ like - and that's before breakfast. But here's the thing - there's so much that is going on that is exactly what Christ would have us do - but no one is talking about it.

See, Jesus told us "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" so we are commanded to do our deeds humbly and quietly. Dilemma - in order to change the way people see Christians behavior, we have to talk about what we are doing - which Jesus told us not to do.

At the risk of being un-Christian and doing what Jesus told me not to do - I am going to tell a little bit about some ordinary people. This weekend, our church" left the building" - no services, but 2000 ordinary people doing service in the community - cleaning classrooms in schools where we can't mention Jesus, washing police cars, doing a "extreme home makeover" for a family, and collecting 5-6 tons of food for the local food banks. There's Adeye, an ordinary mom who just got home with her two newest daughters, adopted from the Ukraine - both with Down's syndrome - the five year old has lived her entire life in a crib has a heart condition that will require surgery and weighs 16 pounds. There's Lorraine, whose daughter adopted from Serbia has been in the PICU for 28 days - she posts often about how the Lord is blessing her and how her daughter will be a testimony to Him - no matter the outcome. There are my MOPs moms who brought us dinner for two weeks when I got home from China with Katie. The relief efforts that are still ongoing in New Orleans are almost all church based - and in Haiti, it was the church that was the first on the ground with help. The 17 year old heading to China for 3 weeks to volunteer in an orphanage.

There's not a book big enough to hold all the way that ordinary Christians make this world a better place. We aren't perfect and there are plenty of ways we mess it up every day - but that's the whole point of needing our Savior.

Next time someone comments how Christians don't act like Christians, I am going to pray that their eyes would be open to the abundance of ways that Christ lives here with us through these ordinary people doing what they have been called to do.

A Love Letter

Dear Ashlee,

Today you celebrate a huge milestone - your 21st birthday. I wasn't there when you were born, but I am so happy I have been there to watch you be "born again" in Christ. While I should probably write this from your dad & I, since it's my blog I get to do what I want - and he can write his own love letter to you - this one's just from me. There are so many things I love about you - your generosity, your sweet spirit, your passion (ok - drama!!), but mostly, I love how you love Jesus.

Almost 10 years ago, I came crashing into your life & your territory with your dad. Up till then, you had him all to yourself for a while - and that was good for you - very good! I came into your life at a time that there were a lot of other changes happening - yet you handled my presence with the maturity of someone much older. Not only did you willingly share your dad with me, but you would go on to share him with two more little sisters - not always easy. You give fully of yourself to those in you life - you give your time, your heart, your things.

You are generous with you love for those your love - you have a sweet spirit of giving and forgiving. I marvel at how easily you overlook the hurts when people you care about wound you. I am amazed at how you never hold a grudge, but hold onto the best things about everyone.

You fill our house - with laughter, with stuff and with surprises. You are passionate about what you care about, what you believe in and just about everything else. There is never a doubt about where you stand on anything - from politics to religion to what I am wearing. Your honesty has saved me from many a fashion faux pax and I am grateful!

I love how you love Jesus. It fills my heart to see you walking with Him at this point in your life. The past year has been such a blessing for me to see Him in action in your life - to watch your struggle with true obedience, true repentance and true surrender and to see you emerge victorious for the Lord.

I can not begin to tell you how grateful I am for your presence in our lives and my home. I am convinced that without your help, I might have totally lost my mind especially these past three months. Your willingness to love your sisters and help with them has been a true answer to prayer. I love how you love my daughters - and they are so blessed to have you for a big sister - never a better one anywhere!

Lest you think you are perfect...I still have to re-wash every egg pan you use, your closet might be declared a federal disaster area and about your car......But I wouldn't trade what makes me crazy about you for what I love about you.

As you turn this corner of your life, my pray for you is that you will know how truly loved you are - here on earth and even more so in heaven. That you will claim your birthright as a daughter of the King and that you will walk with Him all the days of your life.

Love-

Karen

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful today that there is one less orphan in the world - Praise for our friends Tanya & Jerry and Gracie who became a family of four in Korea with the addition of baby Kyle!

The Lord is good - all the time!