Pastor Bob Kapp is teaching on Growing a Healthy Family this Sunday at CLA. In particular the health and development of our children. Preparing them for the sinful world they will encounter.
One of the things I have found since God blessed us with Lilli 4 1/2 years ago, is that as I was teaching her, I was teaching myself as well. Let's face it, as much as many of us don't want to admit it, WE DON"T KNOW EVERYTHING. Each day is another teaching opportunity, which means it is another learning opportunity for me.
You see, I find that when you least expect it, your children teach you. They teach you how to have fun (we all need to do more of that.) They teach you how to believe (without all the facts.) And most of all they teach you how to love (unconditionally.) How many times has Lilli said something to Kristi or I that just melts our hearts.
Have fun, believe and love. I can't wait to learn more from my kids.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Dear Lord,
We thank You and praise You for all You have done in our lives. You have blessed us beyond measure. You have pulled us out of the miry clay and set us up and straightened us out. We are not perfect and fall short of Your grace, but You bless us anyway.
Lord, today we hurt. All three of us ache with the uncertainty and endless delay as we wait for news on the adoption. Kristi and I both felt as though you were leading us to this adoption. That is why we began the process. Were we wrong? Were we suppose to adopt elsewhere? Dear Lord help us make sense of all of this. Open our eyes to Your will. The waiting is eating away at our joy and anticipation every day. If this adoption is to happen, I know You would want it to be a joyous occasion. Please reveal to us Your plans regarding this adoption.
And Lord, please touch the heart of Lilli most of all. She doesn't understand all this. The delay is draining the joy and spirit from her as the doubt begins to expand. Reveal Yourself to her in Your own way the trueness of Your word.
We thank You and praise You in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen
We thank You and praise You for all You have done in our lives. You have blessed us beyond measure. You have pulled us out of the miry clay and set us up and straightened us out. We are not perfect and fall short of Your grace, but You bless us anyway.
Lord, today we hurt. All three of us ache with the uncertainty and endless delay as we wait for news on the adoption. Kristi and I both felt as though you were leading us to this adoption. That is why we began the process. Were we wrong? Were we suppose to adopt elsewhere? Dear Lord help us make sense of all of this. Open our eyes to Your will. The waiting is eating away at our joy and anticipation every day. If this adoption is to happen, I know You would want it to be a joyous occasion. Please reveal to us Your plans regarding this adoption.
And Lord, please touch the heart of Lilli most of all. She doesn't understand all this. The delay is draining the joy and spirit from her as the doubt begins to expand. Reveal Yourself to her in Your own way the trueness of Your word.
We thank You and praise You in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Monday, May 14, 2007
Paul's Kids
One of the things that made our experience in Vietnam to adopt Lilli was the people who served as our facilitators. Paul and Sandy Pinkerton have a passion for the children of Vietnam, and have done many things over the years to help support the children. It is that passion that was a key to us wanting to adopt from Vietnam again.
Well they are taking their passion a step further, and announced a new charity organization that will leave a lasting impression on the children of Vietnam. Their stated mission is;
Help needy kids in Vietnam--especially those in orphanages who are unlikely to be adopted. Our projects focus on improving living conditions, medical care, educational opportunities, and overall quality of life.
Take a moment to visit their website at www.paulskids.typepad.com/ , learn about the organization , and see how you can help leave an impression on the children of Vietnam as well.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Our Weekend was Just Dutchy, Thanks for Asking
OK. Here we are approaching the middle of May, and still no word on the adoption of Katelin. The waiting really starts to test you after a while.
So that is why the three of us just had to get away. We took a few days and headed 45 minutes south to Lancaster and had a great, relaxing time.
After a little shopping, we checked in to the Country Inn and Suites on Lincoln Hwy. Lilli immediately wanted to go swimming. So we donned our suits and headed downstairs. Lilli still is apprehensive about going under water, but she has the best time when she is swimming.
An hour or so and pruned fingers later, we headed upstairs for a little nap. Then we showered and dressed for a night of dinner and theater.
We headed over to Dutch Apple Dinner Theater for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I have done this production four times in my life, and have not seen a more enthusiastic performance. Lilli had a blast and wanted to sing all the songs on the drive back to the hotel.
The next morning we got up had breakfast, and then Lilli and I went down for another dip in the pool. I was so proud of her, she swam from one end of the pool to the other all by herself (with swimmies, so it was actually more of a paddle/kick.)
Then it was off to Dutch Wonderland across the street. This is a great amusement park for the kids. Princesses, Knights, Dragons and some good rides and entertainment as well. Lilli did just about every ride that she was tall enough for (and there were very few that she wasn't). She also got to sit as the princess read her a story. We saw an awesome diving show that included a dive from fifty feet in the air. And then Lilli and I had the chance to get in on the action. Lilli played a gypsy and I played the king of the evil Sagans with their horns and green tails. It was sort of an improv theater, where we were two of the 20 some actors. It was a blast.
Just before the rains began to fall, we headed to dinner and then home. Tired but having had a blast. The best thing about it, was Lilli was grinning ear to ear for most of the weekend. She doesn't understand what is taking so long for her sister (to be honest, sometimes mom and dad don't either). But she doesn't know completely how to process frustration yet. Kristi said it was the best Mothers day gift she could ask for, just to see her having fun.
Now the week of determination has arrived. We have been told that the Executive Director, Program Director from AFTH will all be returning from Vietnam mid week (May 15 or so). When they return, they will either have additional referrals (ours included) or word that the program has been shut down yet again.
Please pray for this. It has been hard handling the delays, but we don't know what we would do if our adoption was completely pulled out from under us. We are believing.
So that is why the three of us just had to get away. We took a few days and headed 45 minutes south to Lancaster and had a great, relaxing time.
After a little shopping, we checked in to the Country Inn and Suites on Lincoln Hwy. Lilli immediately wanted to go swimming. So we donned our suits and headed downstairs. Lilli still is apprehensive about going under water, but she has the best time when she is swimming.
An hour or so and pruned fingers later, we headed upstairs for a little nap. Then we showered and dressed for a night of dinner and theater.
We headed over to Dutch Apple Dinner Theater for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I have done this production four times in my life, and have not seen a more enthusiastic performance. Lilli had a blast and wanted to sing all the songs on the drive back to the hotel.
The next morning we got up had breakfast, and then Lilli and I went down for another dip in the pool. I was so proud of her, she swam from one end of the pool to the other all by herself (with swimmies, so it was actually more of a paddle/kick.)
Then it was off to Dutch Wonderland across the street. This is a great amusement park for the kids. Princesses, Knights, Dragons and some good rides and entertainment as well. Lilli did just about every ride that she was tall enough for (and there were very few that she wasn't). She also got to sit as the princess read her a story. We saw an awesome diving show that included a dive from fifty feet in the air. And then Lilli and I had the chance to get in on the action. Lilli played a gypsy and I played the king of the evil Sagans with their horns and green tails. It was sort of an improv theater, where we were two of the 20 some actors. It was a blast.
Just before the rains began to fall, we headed to dinner and then home. Tired but having had a blast. The best thing about it, was Lilli was grinning ear to ear for most of the weekend. She doesn't understand what is taking so long for her sister (to be honest, sometimes mom and dad don't either). But she doesn't know completely how to process frustration yet. Kristi said it was the best Mothers day gift she could ask for, just to see her having fun.
Now the week of determination has arrived. We have been told that the Executive Director, Program Director from AFTH will all be returning from Vietnam mid week (May 15 or so). When they return, they will either have additional referrals (ours included) or word that the program has been shut down yet again.
Please pray for this. It has been hard handling the delays, but we don't know what we would do if our adoption was completely pulled out from under us. We are believing.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
March 28...Yet Another Insignificant UPDATE!
Hi everyone,
Well another week has gone by with them saying your next, you should hear soon. And now almost five months after we first heard the words "you should hear any day now," we are still waiting. All three of us are getting a little frustrated, but all we can do is wait. It is in God's hands.
When we were waiting for Lilli, we were given a few false hopes as well. In fact we were told that a referral was on the way to us the beginning of July 2002. Only to be pulled out from us when the Vietnamese police report did not pass. Well thank God it didn't pass, because Lilli wasn't born until August 7. We can't imagine life without Lilli and her demeaner.
So we know God has the right girl out there for us, and before we know it the four of us will be making that 36 hour trip to Ho Chi Minh City.
The four of us you ask?
That's right, Kristi, Lilli, Richard and our good friend Trina D'Agostino. Trina has been led by God to accompany us and act as sort of a nanny. Especially for all the interviews that the parents must attend. This should be quite an experience for her, since she has never flown before.
God is good.
Well another week has gone by with them saying your next, you should hear soon. And now almost five months after we first heard the words "you should hear any day now," we are still waiting. All three of us are getting a little frustrated, but all we can do is wait. It is in God's hands.
When we were waiting for Lilli, we were given a few false hopes as well. In fact we were told that a referral was on the way to us the beginning of July 2002. Only to be pulled out from us when the Vietnamese police report did not pass. Well thank God it didn't pass, because Lilli wasn't born until August 7. We can't imagine life without Lilli and her demeaner.
So we know God has the right girl out there for us, and before we know it the four of us will be making that 36 hour trip to Ho Chi Minh City.
The four of us you ask?
That's right, Kristi, Lilli, Richard and our good friend Trina D'Agostino. Trina has been led by God to accompany us and act as sort of a nanny. Especially for all the interviews that the parents must attend. This should be quite an experience for her, since she has never flown before.
God is good.
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