Sunday, November 30, 2008

I Am So Thankful...

It has been a great Thanksgiving week - I am very thankful for so much. I first want to say "Happy Birthday" to my incredible niece. She is going to be 11 years old tomorrow - unbelievable! She is so smart and very beautiful; full of fun, questions, and laughter. Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl - looking forward to our upcoming weekend together!

Next, I want to say I am so thankful for my family. We had the greatest holiday weekend together...good food, a lot of laughs, a lot of football, and we even got in a couple games of Monopoly. We spent a lot of time together and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love my kids and my husband - you are so much fun to be with - I love you so much!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Going...Going...Gone...CRASH

Well, it was just 30 days ago and a few posts back that our beautiful daughter got her driver's license. I have been so scared - horrible thoughts racing through my mind if she doesn't call as soon as I think she should; we have her call everytime she gets somewhere. She has driven nearly every day, whether small errands for mom, school activities, or hanging out with friends. We hadn't bought her a car yet, because with only so much money, we had to make sure it was reliable and a very good deal for us. I probably also thought, that by not buying her a car, I had a little more control of her going all of the time.

Praise God she is ok - and I do have to keep telling myself that - she was hanging out with some friends, going a little too fast, hit some gravel, lost control, and hit a tree. All 3 of them seem to be fine and left the accident with their families - thank You, thank You, thank You, Lord. Coming up on the scene was quite overwhelming - there was a couple of ambulances, Fire & Rescue, a few highway patrol or sheriff vehicles - all with their lights flashing.

Right now, yes, we are thankful, but we are also very disappointed - not in the accident, they happen - it is just a car. Our daughter is a good girl and I don't want to give any impression that she is not - we are extremely proud of her; however, she was not exactly where she was supposed to be or with whom she was supposed to be with. She knows we like to know where she is and who she is with - we also don't just let her drive around without a specific cause since she is such a new driver. Don't get me wrong, I think we let her have fun - she will pick up a friend and they will go grab a bite to eat - but it is to there and back. Last night, because she wanted to do some hanging out and honestly didn't think we would let her - it was a church night, dark - she left out some of the details of her evening.

We need prayer please - that everyone is truly ok, no future repercussions (at least no negative ones), finances, insurance, edifying discipline, quick claim processing. I really don't know what all to ask for - I have never been in an accident that was my fault so I really don't know how this whole process is going to work with other people involved - and property (she also hit a fence).

I know this could have been much worse - I treasure my daughter - and it is not right a "suddenly" can change your whole life just like that.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

More News From China

New picture of Moses - getting his eyes checked.

There are more pictures on the Picasa website and a new blog/journal from the orphanage.

Links are listed in the margin. Isn't he just precious?

Saturday, November 1, 2008

News from China

I just received an email update from Dawn, she is a teacher at the Philip Hayden Foundation that our team had the incredible privilege of meeting just before heading back home. It was really great to hear from her and to get an update on what is going on there. What is going on? Well, God is working - as we knew He was. A little girl we met, named Ginger, is getting ready to have a surgery that she desperately needs - God has allowed our church to be a part of that and we raised over $2000.00 for the funds needed. Another little girl, Hayden, has a large tumor on her face and is also in need of surgery - it was great to hear from Dawn that she is getting ready to have that done. We also recently made contact with a momma only 2-1/2 hours away from us that is awaiting word from China so she can bring home the little boy she has adopted named Elijah. Elijah is living at the orphanage we stayed at - how cool is that? We went half way around the world and met with an incredibly awesome little boy to find out he is going to be living only 2-1/2 hours away from us here in the states. Please, as you read this, left up a prayer on behalf of all the staff at PHF, the kids, their needs, their "forever" families - they are doing an incredible work there. In case you are like me and can't get enough of this incredible ministry, I have listed Dawn's blog in the margin - it is titled "Living with Orphans". (Pictures: Elijah and Ginger)