I was just "redecorating" my blog and scanning through some old posts. I feel like I just recently started blogging, so I was shocked to see that I've been doing this for 5 years! How did that happen? One of my earliest posts was about Jesse turning 2 and Ethan turning 4. They were so tiny back then! And they were our only kids! Things have changed so much, and so fast. And it seems I have no sense of time anymore. Things that I think just happened weeks ago were actually months ago. And things that seem months ago were actually years ago.
As a kid I remember time dragging on . . . waiting for school to end, waiting for Christmas, waiting to get older. And now time just speeds by, and nothing I do can slow it down. As I've heard quoted and agree with wholeheartedly, "The days go slowly, but the years go fast." Lord, teach me to number my days and not to waste a precious one of them.
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Absent from the Body, but Present with the Lord
Heath's grandmother, Lillian Runkles, passed away today. I'm thankful that our children and I had the chance to know her these past several years. She will be greatly missed, but we are thankful to know that she's in a better place and will be spending this Christmas with her Savior.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Blessings
Inta and the Latvian kids arrived safely at Reagan Airport last night. Ethan and I went to pick her up. It was fun to see all the families greeting their kids. One little girl couldn't come because she got sick the day of departure, but hopefully she'll be coming later in the week. The kids (and host families) looked nervous of course, and one little boy looked downright miserable. But most of them seemed excited, and I hope they're all getting comfortable and about to have a wonderful experience being part of a family! I talked with some of the other host moms, and it was really neat to hear their stories and to be a part of this adventure!
After Inta made sure all the kids went home with the right families, we took her home with us. Because of her being exhausted and the language barrier we didn't talk much on the way home. I did find out she has 3 kids, and that it's cold and snowy in Latvia. (Maybe I should go THERE next Christmas.) ;-) She seems to be very nice, and enjoys playing with the children. She speaks only a very little English, so we've been making good use of Google Translate! I don't think Tabitha realizes that Inta can't understand her . . . she just goes right on talking a mile a minute! Poor Inta was probably very glad when bedtime arrived and she finally got a break! =) She's very friendly with the kids though, and they all like her, too.
So we've had the blessing of things going well so far in that area. Today in the mail we also received another blessing!
It was an anonymous blessing, so this thank-you goes out to the person responsible, whoever that may be! (And I do have my suspicions . . .) ;-) Please know how very, very much we appreciate your kindness, and that your gift comes at the perfect time and will be put to very good use. I hope Santa treats you well . . . because you're definitely on the "nice list!" Thank you so much!
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. James 1:17
After Inta made sure all the kids went home with the right families, we took her home with us. Because of her being exhausted and the language barrier we didn't talk much on the way home. I did find out she has 3 kids, and that it's cold and snowy in Latvia. (Maybe I should go THERE next Christmas.) ;-) She seems to be very nice, and enjoys playing with the children. She speaks only a very little English, so we've been making good use of Google Translate! I don't think Tabitha realizes that Inta can't understand her . . . she just goes right on talking a mile a minute! Poor Inta was probably very glad when bedtime arrived and she finally got a break! =) She's very friendly with the kids though, and they all like her, too.
So we've had the blessing of things going well so far in that area. Today in the mail we also received another blessing!
It was an anonymous blessing, so this thank-you goes out to the person responsible, whoever that may be! (And I do have my suspicions . . .) ;-) Please know how very, very much we appreciate your kindness, and that your gift comes at the perfect time and will be put to very good use. I hope Santa treats you well . . . because you're definitely on the "nice list!" Thank you so much!
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. James 1:17
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Comfort Zone Departing in: 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .
An event has rather suddenly presented itself, and our family is about to be out of our comfort zone in a week's time. We're not even going anywhere! But to be honest this is more out of my comfort zone than travelling to foreign countries, eating strange food, adopting children, or even public speaking (which I thought was the most out-of-my-comfort-zone-thing I'd ever do). So . . . here's the story . . .
As some of you know, we spent last spring/summer working with other people in our church to start an orphan ministry. It was officially launched last month and named Abba's Hands & Heart, and we've been very excited to see 50+ people who are interested in getting involved!
One of the mission opportunities we're planning to promote is orphan hosting. Through New Horizons, we're hoping to have several families in our church host orphans for a month next summer. While some of them may end up being adopted, the main purpose is just to show them the love of a family, introduce them to Christ, and let them know that someone cares. So even if they never get adopted, they can carry that hope back home with them. And of course, it would also be thrilling if some of them DO get adopted, either by their host families or someone else who meets them while they're here.
This organization coordinates trips from Ukraine, Latvia, and China. The first trip from China is actually over Chinese New Year 2013. Since we just started working on this recently, it was too late to get our church involved for the hosting over Christmas or Chinese New Year, so we're planning to be involved this summer. It also costs $2950 per child, which the host family has to pay in order to have them. So waiting until summer will allow more people to save up and be able to afford it too.
Meanwhile, I filled out the pre-application for hosting a chaperone. You don't have to pay anything to do that, and we thought it'd be a good way to get some experience so we can promote it to other people at church. I didn't think we'd be picked because Maryland wasn't on the list for needed host homes. However, DC was on the list, and evidently we're close enough! I got an email a few nights ago saying they still needed homes for 2 of their chaperones, a man from Ukraine and a lady from Latvia for 3 weeks. I was so excited! I talked to Heath about it, and he was excited, and we wrote her back and said we'd take the lady from Latvia! How exciting! We're going to be indirectly involved in helping these orphans, and we'll be practicing hospitality in a big way, and we'll be learning about Latvia, and . . . yay! So exciting!
The next day I realized what I'd really signed up for. Not that I didn't know it before, but I had neglected to compare our action with my personality. Me....someone who wouldn't even want to spend 3 weeks living with a good friend, let alone a stranger! Me....an introvert who--more than money, pleasure, fame, excitement--just craves alone time! Me...who already feels challenged to find enough time with my husband and kids. Me...who speaks no Latvian and had to look it up even to find out what language they speak in Latvia. Me...who cherishes intimate family time, especially on Christmas morning! What have I done?!?!
Last night going to bed, I was really stressing out about this. I was thinking....Lord, send me to a foreign country for 3 weeks instead! Leaving my comfort zone is actually a lot easier than having my comfort zone invaded! But this morning, as I prayed about it, an amazing thing happened. That "peace that surpasses all understanding" enveloped me. Even imagining the worst-case scenario of a really annoying person or a lot of really awkward times, or complete inability to communicate, or no alone time the whole 3 weeks....even imagining all that, it's only a few weeks of my life. I can handle giving that up, for the benefit of the kids coming. What if even one of those children gets adopted, or one of those children receives Christ, or even just goes back home feeling like somebody loves them . . . wouldn't I give up three weeks of my personal preferences for that? Wouldn't I allow my comfort zone to be "invaded" for the benefits that may come? And suddenly the anxiety was gone. I'm back to feeling excited! Yes, it may be as bad as my imagination designed last night, but it also might be a wonderful, enriching experience that I would've been sorry to miss! And the best part is I feel God's smile. I know He wants us to be hospitable, and I know that doesn't just mean having my best friends over for dinner. I feel content, knowing that God will carry me through whatever this experience entails, and that He usually goes above and beyond what I can imagine, and that He always does great and glorious things!
Keep us in your prayers, if you would. And please pray for this lady, the other chaperones, and the children who will be coming. And if anyone else is interested in hosting (either this lady for part of the time, or the Ukrainian gentleman for some or all of the time), let me know ASAP! The only requirements are that you be a Christian, and that the guest has their own bedroom. Oh, and if you happen to speak Latvian or just like meeting new people, come by our house frequently!! :)
As some of you know, we spent last spring/summer working with other people in our church to start an orphan ministry. It was officially launched last month and named Abba's Hands & Heart, and we've been very excited to see 50+ people who are interested in getting involved!
One of the mission opportunities we're planning to promote is orphan hosting. Through New Horizons, we're hoping to have several families in our church host orphans for a month next summer. While some of them may end up being adopted, the main purpose is just to show them the love of a family, introduce them to Christ, and let them know that someone cares. So even if they never get adopted, they can carry that hope back home with them. And of course, it would also be thrilling if some of them DO get adopted, either by their host families or someone else who meets them while they're here.
This organization coordinates trips from Ukraine, Latvia, and China. The first trip from China is actually over Chinese New Year 2013. Since we just started working on this recently, it was too late to get our church involved for the hosting over Christmas or Chinese New Year, so we're planning to be involved this summer. It also costs $2950 per child, which the host family has to pay in order to have them. So waiting until summer will allow more people to save up and be able to afford it too.
Meanwhile, I filled out the pre-application for hosting a chaperone. You don't have to pay anything to do that, and we thought it'd be a good way to get some experience so we can promote it to other people at church. I didn't think we'd be picked because Maryland wasn't on the list for needed host homes. However, DC was on the list, and evidently we're close enough! I got an email a few nights ago saying they still needed homes for 2 of their chaperones, a man from Ukraine and a lady from Latvia for 3 weeks. I was so excited! I talked to Heath about it, and he was excited, and we wrote her back and said we'd take the lady from Latvia! How exciting! We're going to be indirectly involved in helping these orphans, and we'll be practicing hospitality in a big way, and we'll be learning about Latvia, and . . . yay! So exciting!
The next day I realized what I'd really signed up for. Not that I didn't know it before, but I had neglected to compare our action with my personality. Me....someone who wouldn't even want to spend 3 weeks living with a good friend, let alone a stranger! Me....an introvert who--more than money, pleasure, fame, excitement--just craves alone time! Me...who already feels challenged to find enough time with my husband and kids. Me...who speaks no Latvian and had to look it up even to find out what language they speak in Latvia. Me...who cherishes intimate family time, especially on Christmas morning! What have I done?!?!
Last night going to bed, I was really stressing out about this. I was thinking....Lord, send me to a foreign country for 3 weeks instead! Leaving my comfort zone is actually a lot easier than having my comfort zone invaded! But this morning, as I prayed about it, an amazing thing happened. That "peace that surpasses all understanding" enveloped me. Even imagining the worst-case scenario of a really annoying person or a lot of really awkward times, or complete inability to communicate, or no alone time the whole 3 weeks....even imagining all that, it's only a few weeks of my life. I can handle giving that up, for the benefit of the kids coming. What if even one of those children gets adopted, or one of those children receives Christ, or even just goes back home feeling like somebody loves them . . . wouldn't I give up three weeks of my personal preferences for that? Wouldn't I allow my comfort zone to be "invaded" for the benefits that may come? And suddenly the anxiety was gone. I'm back to feeling excited! Yes, it may be as bad as my imagination designed last night, but it also might be a wonderful, enriching experience that I would've been sorry to miss! And the best part is I feel God's smile. I know He wants us to be hospitable, and I know that doesn't just mean having my best friends over for dinner. I feel content, knowing that God will carry me through whatever this experience entails, and that He usually goes above and beyond what I can imagine, and that He always does great and glorious things!
Keep us in your prayers, if you would. And please pray for this lady, the other chaperones, and the children who will be coming. And if anyone else is interested in hosting (either this lady for part of the time, or the Ukrainian gentleman for some or all of the time), let me know ASAP! The only requirements are that you be a Christian, and that the guest has their own bedroom. Oh, and if you happen to speak Latvian or just like meeting new people, come by our house frequently!! :)
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thanksgiving Week
Last week was a busy, crazy, but good one for us! On Monday Tabitha and I drove out to Cincinnati, and the kids stayed at Heath's parents' while he was working. She had a quick surgery on Tuesday to remove the stents in her kidneys and the tube and urine bag (hallelujah!). Everything went well with the surgery, except that the next day we met with her doctor and found out she had a kidney infection. So now she's on antibiotics every 8 hours until Sunday. We'll get a renal ultrasound done here, send it to her doctor in Cincinnati, and hopefully everything will be fine.
So now we're back to her usual routine--cathing every 4 hours and a daily hour-long enema. Using her new Malone is much nicer than the old way of doing the enemas. She can do the whole procedure sitting on the toilet instead of on the floor. Hopefully she'll learn to do it by herself in the near future too. Once she's off the antibiotics we're hoping for complete success with the enemas so that she can get out of pull-ups. That is the worst part of all her problems. Those of you who pray for us, please just pray that her body cooperates and she's able to stay clean and wear normal underwear.
Wednesday Tab and I came back home. Thursday was Thanksgiving, and we had a fun day with Heath's side of the family! That evening, my side of the family arrived at our house. We had a second Thanksgiving on Friday, so needless to say....we've had plenty to eat lately! It was a great weekend of fun with them, and they headed home Monday morning.
Much to be thankful for!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Rayanna's New Look
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| in the car just after getting her new glasses |
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| She really likes them and keeps them on very well! |
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| It appears that she really enjoys being able to see! |
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The Boys' Birthdays
I realized today that, in the hubbub of Tabitha's surgery, launching the orphan ministry, and plain old life, I neglected to post anything about the boys' birthdays! Lest anyone think I'm ignoring them . . . here we go!
Ethan turned 9 a couple of weeks ago. It's hard to believe he's half way to being an adult! I feel like we're just getting started on this parenting journey, and yet the years that we're actually raising him are halfway over. As I heard someone say once, "The days go slow, but the years go fast." That's for sure! Ethan is really growing into a great little guy. Well, I guess I shouldn't say "little". He's less than a head shorter than me now, and I can fit in his shoes. So, "little" isn't the word. But whatever his size, I love seeing him grow in personality. He's becoming a lot of fun to talk to, and he's starting to notice (and care) about my feelings too! He can tell when I'm having a rough day with the kids and will often try to make things easier on me by behaving extra well and encouraging them to do so too. He's a great big brother (in between fights of course), and he loves to build and invent and create. He loves to work hard physically and is almost as strong as I am already. It's hard to believe he was a tiny baby less than a decade ago, and yet it's also hard to believe that it's already been almost a decade since he was a tiny baby! Time is a strange thing.
Jesse turned 7 this past Wednesday. He's growing up so fast too! I love his sense of humor and the way he makes us laugh. He loves to learn and really gets into the things we're learning about (when he's in the mood, that is). In fact, he had a nightmare last week and came into our room in the middle of the night, which is something none of our kids have done more than once or twice. I thought the nightmare must've been about one of the scary monsters on the Star Wars movies he'd been watching. But it turns out, it was actually about sea snakes . . . the topic we'd been studying in science that day. I feel bad that he was scared, but I love that he's really thinking about what we're learning! Jesse also loves babies and toddlers. He gets Rayanna laughing all the time, and even other people's babies seem to love him. He's got a generous heart and loves giving his money to help others. Seven years ago, this sweet little baby entered our lives, and we have been so blessed because of him.
Disclaimer: Though these descriptions and pictures make it look like they are the best of friends, extremely well behaved, and always happy, we have plenty (and I do mean plenty) of less-than-stellar times. But every now and then they pause their fighting and bickering, so I can get pictures that will make me look back on these times as the "good ol' days." =)
Ethan turned 9 a couple of weeks ago. It's hard to believe he's half way to being an adult! I feel like we're just getting started on this parenting journey, and yet the years that we're actually raising him are halfway over. As I heard someone say once, "The days go slow, but the years go fast." That's for sure! Ethan is really growing into a great little guy. Well, I guess I shouldn't say "little". He's less than a head shorter than me now, and I can fit in his shoes. So, "little" isn't the word. But whatever his size, I love seeing him grow in personality. He's becoming a lot of fun to talk to, and he's starting to notice (and care) about my feelings too! He can tell when I'm having a rough day with the kids and will often try to make things easier on me by behaving extra well and encouraging them to do so too. He's a great big brother (in between fights of course), and he loves to build and invent and create. He loves to work hard physically and is almost as strong as I am already. It's hard to believe he was a tiny baby less than a decade ago, and yet it's also hard to believe that it's already been almost a decade since he was a tiny baby! Time is a strange thing.
Jesse turned 7 this past Wednesday. He's growing up so fast too! I love his sense of humor and the way he makes us laugh. He loves to learn and really gets into the things we're learning about (when he's in the mood, that is). In fact, he had a nightmare last week and came into our room in the middle of the night, which is something none of our kids have done more than once or twice. I thought the nightmare must've been about one of the scary monsters on the Star Wars movies he'd been watching. But it turns out, it was actually about sea snakes . . . the topic we'd been studying in science that day. I feel bad that he was scared, but I love that he's really thinking about what we're learning! Jesse also loves babies and toddlers. He gets Rayanna laughing all the time, and even other people's babies seem to love him. He's got a generous heart and loves giving his money to help others. Seven years ago, this sweet little baby entered our lives, and we have been so blessed because of him.
So, our boys are growing up, and a little too quickly. We're so thankful for both of them and for another year of celebrating their lives. We love you guys!
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