Do You Know Him?

I was listening to Focus on the Family on the radio the other day; Steven Curtis Chapman was a guest. He is a Christian singer/songwriter that recently lost his young daughter in a tragic accident this last May. The Chapman family had adopted her from China. He was sharing his heart about their loss - the pain, the questions, the memories - it was heartwrenching; as a mom I can not even fathom what they have gone through and have often wondered if my faith is strong enough to endure such despair. In Romans 12:3 we are told God has given us a measure of faith - it is not my faith, it is God's faith...that He has given to us; He is our Comfort. I know God's faith can do anything...get thru anything...overcome anything and He gives that to me...to us...in our time of need. If I have to count on anything of myself - I'm doomed - I know me and I am weak, but praise God - greater is He that is in me and He has given me a measure of faith. I think that is important, too, it is always what we need when we need it and that measure can be increased - see Luke 17:5 - as we need it.

Anyway, I kind of got off on a tangent here...something Mr. Chapman said really struck me. He was asked if he was angry with God for what has happened...(I'm sorry, I don't remember his exact response but this is what I got from it)...he asked, how could he be mad at God, for it is because of Him that he will be with His precious daughter again. Wow - I guess I have thought about that before but this time it really "entered" in...deep. If God would not have made a way (remember, He is The Way - the only way, in or out), we would all be floating around down here, just trying to make the best of it, with no hope, no help, no happy ending, no anything - nothing - we would forever be separated from our loved ones - never to see them again.

I don't mean to sound morbid or all doom and gloom, but I think because of this trip coming up I have been thinking about my own mortality - the "what ifs". I believe I will be returning safely home and will be fine but "what if?" and I think that is a little natural and probably the wife and mother in me wanting to make sure my family will be taken care of. Plus I've been going over everything like accounts, insurance, etc. so my husband can find everything just in case a "what if" happens.

Mr. Chapman said that while he was with his daughter those last few moments of her life, he asked the doctors and nurses that were around them if they realized they were standing on holy ground...that they were standing at the door of eternity? This father was placing his precious daughter into the arms of Jesus...did they know Him? He was the one that gave this sweet child life, orchestrated the events of her life so she could be brought up in a Christian home with a loving family, and, yes, even numbered her days. This father wanted them to know her - really know her, not as a patient, but everything about her that made her so special, but to do that now, they had to know Him.

Do you know Him?

School Days Are Here Again

I can not believe school has already started - this summer just flew by. I am so proud of my kids, they both do very well in school which is an answer to prayer - we have prayed ever since they were little to retain the knowledge. Both are in honors classes, our daughter is in high school and part of the A+ program; our son is in junior high. Sis is on the golf team - much to her father's delight and Bub is anxiously awaiting school basketball to start (so is Mom). This year is going to be quite nerve-wracking for me since Sis will have her license in just a few short weeks; that is if I let her. LOL. (She doesn't find that funny.) I am very blessed to have two amazing kids and am witnessing them grow into awesome young adults - they are alot of fun and make me laugh every day. (They get their wit from Mom - all the good traits come from Mom - LOL)

Things are still crazy around here as usual...work has been very busy, not to mention trying to get back in routine with school starting, golf practice every day, basketball practice still 1-2 times a week, we have had Awana training all month at church, our women's ministry is planning a women's retreat for the first weekend in October, the mission trip coming up way too fast, and my husband is now on vacation replacement at work so he rebids his job every week - I have to keep my schedule open for the kids' activities since we don't know from week to week what his schedule will be. We also have 4 major birthdays this month - our cousin's precious little girl from China turned 4 on the 18th, one of my beautiful nieces turned 6 on the 11th, my father-n-law turns 60 on the 26th, and my amazing grandmother - who I only wish I had half of her strength and determination - is turning 90 on the 31st. Oh, please don't think I am complaining, (although I may be a little - sorry) busy is good, I actually think I thrive better under stress - although, maybe not since I think I just wrote all of that to make me feel better for not having anything done (and it kind of worked - for a while). On that note, I had better wrap up and try to accomplish something domestic - like laundry. (Can you really accomplish that?)

Five Weeks To Go - Check Out The Pictures

Wow, I am really feeling down to the wire - where does all of the time go? Anyway, speaking of time, I do not have much right now to share everything that is going on but wanted to make sure I got a new website up. In the margin is a listing of my favorite blogs, sites, etc. and I just added a photo album of the little precious children I will get the privilege of meeting in just 5 short weeks. The site is under Philip Hayden - Pictures; there is a site for the actual orphange we will be staying at and it is under Philip Hayden also. Please check these out as you pray over these children and the many workers that have devoted their own lives to nurturing these little ones. I for one love to have a face for who I am praying for and by seeing into these little ones' eyes I already feel very connected to them and am even learning some of their names.

Catching Up

Well, it has been awhile...our daughter made it back from Denver and is now getting ready for a youth church camp next week. Our son just got back from Columbia last weekend in which his basketball team took second (silver) in the Sho-Me State games. Both of them keep us very busy and school is just around the corner - I can not believe it. I like them home but they are eager to hook up with all of their friends again.

I leave for China 6 weeks from today - I am in panic zone about everything - trying to keep work caught up, the house caught up, and just preparing for it all - and not just preparing me but my husband who is going to be dealing with everything while I am gone. I am not too worried about him, both of our parents are close by and he is really great friends with Alan (his wife, Wendy is leading out our team) so I am sure they can help each other out. Poor Alan will be taking care of 4 children while we are away. I can't wait to hear all of the kids' stories after we get home.

I just finished up the last busy month for the season - yeah! The next couple of weeks will be kind of busy but nothing like it has been and then it will just die when school starts so hopefully I will take full advantage of these few weeks and get everything done I need to...

...like thank you cards for all of my supporters.

I have been very blessed and am very thankful to everyone that is supporting me in prayer and finances. It is very strange - I have heard people say before when they go on mission trips that the people supporting them are going with them - I honestly thought it was just a saying and a nice thing to say but, I truly feel that and feel it deep. I am praying for each of you and I am constantly reminded of your generosity and care for me that is even making this incredible dream a reality for me - Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I know you will not be with me physically but please know that someone in China will be thinking of you, praying for you, and blessed by you.