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Well my friends, it has been a long time since I dusted off the keyboard to type an update on our family and its happenings.
Raising 8 children and serving as the Adoption Coordinator at Children's Lantern really does keep one busy! We help out with our church youth as well. Between that and all the sports they are all involved in and then medical needs and therapies...well, there's little time left for me to sit and write about how life is actually going.
I apologize. There ARE mommas with more kids than me who keep up with blogging. I'll have to make a note to ask them HOW THEY DO THAT!?!? ;)
I've been working on some personal things to keep myself sane, namely art. I took a 10 week watercolor class at the local museum of art. I took another class in soft pastels (LOVED THAT!) I also began doing Bible journaling...but it's pretty hit or miss when I can actually sit down for an extended time to play with art supplies in my Bible. I will say that it is a VERY rewarding activity though!
And for our big news...
Our family has a new little treasure waiting for us on the other side of the planet!!!!!
We couldn't be more thrilled! Sweet Windsor Grace. We felt a strong call to her and turned in our yes just moments before another family did. We nearly lost her. But God was gracious and allowed us to know this other family, we have become sweet friends. It has been a great blessing in the midst of all of it!
Windsor Grace is 3 and waiting in central China. She has a diagnosis of right hemiplegia and schizencephaly. She is totally adorable!!! We know that she is non-verbal and that her right side is weaker than her left. Her diagnoses fall under the umbrella of cerebral palsy. She is fearfully and wonderfully made and we cannot WAIT to make her our daughter on paper as she is in our hearts!
Our second big news is...
Windsor Grace has a little sister in another province! Sweet Summerlin Praise is waiting for us in the next province over. And no, they are not biologically related at all...but there's going to be more about that in a follow up post! Stay tuned!
This sweet little girl is just a year and a half old...waiting for a family in another orphanage. We have quite an AMAZING story about how she came to be ours, but most of it must stay private. KNOW that God places children in the perfect families for them...and we could not be more OVERJOYED that He has chosen us! She has the same diagnosis that our Toby does...Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. She is affected in both her upper and lower extremities making her a more complicated case than Toby. Currently she is not able to use her hands but does things with those adorable little ballerina toes! We even have pictures of her eating a lollipop with her toes! We swoon!
I have 2 children home today with strep throat and another about to come home from Preschool and a 4th is wiggling on my lap. Alas, my time is up for today.
If you want to jump in and help us bring these girls home from their orphanages you can hop on over to our page at Children's Lantern. We have a mountain of a money we need: $52,000. Already it's shrunk to $34,500 because of amazing people like YOU! BLESS YOU!!! We love to see God show off through your hands and feet!
What? I'm posting again?
Yes. (Finally.)
I have so much to say...but for now, I want to share with you a tool to help you live in victory.
This is a sweet little handout my Bible study leader gave our group last night. I worked through it today and decided I simply MUST share it!
Credit for this is: "by Jon Byler. This material was adapted from written by Zig Ziglar and Neil Anderson."
Ok, ready? Your instructions are to print this off, post it by your mirror and read it aloud about yourself EVERY DAY. In fact, it comes with a little place to check off each day once you've completed it!
I, _______________, am uniquely created by God as an incredible person. I am created to bring God glory and I know that God delights in me.
My sins are forgiven and I am a new creation in Christ, the old has gone and the new has come. I am completely forgiven of my past and made righteous. I am free from all condemnation of sin. I have a good self-image and I respect myself as a creation of God.
My life has eternal purpose. I am chosen by Jesus Himself and am a child of God. I have been created with enormous potential to do great things for His Kingdom and God has wonderful plans for my life. I am one of a kind person and no one else can take my place.
I am daily developing to become all that God created me to be. Nothing is impossible with God and with Christ I can do all things. I do not have the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. I have been richly blessed with every spiritual blessing in God. My God has supplied all my needs.
I discipline my mind to take every ungodly thought captive. I have a good, positive attitude towards myself and others. I choose to see the best in life. I choose to only read, see or think about things that are positive and godly. I know and obey the voice of God. I love to read the Word of God and it is alive to me. The Spirit of God is in me, guiding me and teaching me at all times.
My body is a temple of Christ and His Spirit lives in me. I treat my body with respect, eating an exercising well to keep it fit for life. I am energetic and healthy.
I respect others around me and love every person with the love God has for them.
I recognize the power of my tongue to bring life or to destroy and I will not let unhelpful talk come out of my mouth. I speak the truth always and use my tongue to build others up. I find the good in others and compliment them genuinely. I choose to forgive those who wrong me and I extend God's grace to those who are weak.
I am a focused person with clear goals for my life. I am willing to work hard to reach my goals and to overcome every obstacle in my way. I am a leader and will positively influence everyone I meet.
I use my time well and discipline myself to be prompt. I recognize that my days are numbered and that this day is a preparation for eternity. Therefore, I will use every moment to the fullest to fulfill my God given destiny.
Morning: These are the qualities of the man/woman God created me to be. Today is the first day of the rest of my life, and it is wonderful!
Evening: Tonight I'm going to sleep wonderfully well. I will dream peaceful, positive dreams. I will awaken energized and refreshed, and tomorrow is going to be magnificent!
