Grant's Baptism

When Grant was 5 and about to enter kindergarten, he gave his heart to the Lord.  Leading up to that had been many question-filled conversations that Eric and I fielded with care.  The result was a little boy who knew that, regardless of the wisdom his age hadn't granted yet, he desired to walk with God all of his days.  Grant knew the price Jesus had paid for his sins (past and future), and prayed in thanks and submission.  He remembers that day, and that prayer, and can describe carefully where he and Eric were.  Three years later, after more thoughtful questions and prayer, he asked to be baptized- to show the world his faith!  The baptizing does not "save" him, it is just a public profession of the work that has already happened in his heart.

Sunday was the day.  Pastor Jeff Phillips baptized him in front of our church during worship with Eric there for support.  Family and friends celebrated with us.  It was beautiful!

We are very proud of our eldest, his resolve and commitment to grow in love with the Saviour, and to model his life after Christ.

Watch out world, this is one awesome kid!

waiting in the Living Room for service to start

a quick family shot beforehand

being asked about what he believes

being baptized in the name of the "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit"

dunked!

Reminder

For anyone who has intentions of helping Morning Light Home by participating in my bloggy drawing, I will be drawing names on Friday; get your donation in before then.  The goal is $200 and the prize is a leather bound journal/devotional written by Billy Graham's daughter, Annie.  Check the sidebar to see progress (currently 16%) and to participate using ChipIn.  Thanks!

Morning Light is currently placing children with adoptive families on a smaller scale until there is a facility.  This week, one of the families brought together through their ministry is able to celebrate the final ruling of their adoption.  Go congratulate Starr and her family on the adoption of Asia-Faith.  They live in Taiwan right now and this news has been a long time in coming!

Morning Light Ministries Bloggy Drawing

Our adoption journey has gone from being about one little orphan, and our family, to a desire to have a greater impact on orphans as a whole, and to impact the people of Taiwan.  My eyes have been opened to things and the only appropriate response is action.

This year, I became aware of Morninglight Ministries.  The Pan family started pastoring Taitung Baptist church in 2001 and now find themselves in a position where God is using them in amazing ways regarding unwed mothers and adoption- Morninglight Ministries.  The Asian culture in Taiwan is, by and large, very unforgiving to those who become pregnant outside of marriage.  Because of this, most of these children are aborted or given up for adoption.  From what I gather, the county that Morninglight is in has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy and very few (any?) group homes or foster care options.  The reality of the situation is that these women feel that there is no other choice but to seek out an abortion, or they risk being shunned by their family and having shame heaped upon them and their child.  The Pan family has begun reaching out to these women with the love of Christ and have helped to match adoptive families to these children when the birth family desires.  But, they lack the resources to meet the need.  Bit by bit, a way is being made for them to have a home for the unwed mothers and a nursery for the children awaiting placement for adoption.  

In the words of a Morninglight volunteer, Sarah:  "The Unwed mother's home will be used to not only give the women another choice (there are not enough homes in TAIWAN much rather their county), but they will also be given the opportunity to learn how to be a mom if they wish to continue forward and parent, they will be given the opportunity to support themself and their child by taking the classes offered for Bible, life resource, baby care.. etc and turn those hours into "chips" or vouchers to by their basic needs for them and baby and get proper medical care. With their being 400,000 abortions a year in Taiwan, due greatly to the astigmatism and lack of "placement help" in the way of orphanages and homes, they feel pressured to abort. Deana [Pan] is taking courses right now in "counseling", psych, and others in order to grow this dream into a reality."

Just this week, enough money was raised for them to purchase and install an air conditioning unit!  Praise God!  More essentials need to be purchased and more help is needed.

Soooo....

I now have a ChipIn button in my sidebar.  I'll take donations for Morninglight and draw a name from the contributors for a prize.  This raffle ends Aug. 1st and the winner will get a leather-bound copy of Anne Graham Lotz's "Daily Light Journal- Morning Readings".  I figured it was appropriate for *Morning* *Light*.  Get it?  :-)  The goal for this bloggy drawing is to raise enough money for one crib, roughly $200.  We can make a difference!

Big all around

I don't suppose anyone has noticed that I haven't been posting many blogs lately... but I haven't.  There's a lot going on, and a lot to say- but it seems that I can't do it justice so I don't try.  God is so gracious, and loving, and lavishing.  I'm just enjoying what He's sending our way- new friends, new revelations, answers to prayer, new journeys, new challenges, new ways of thinking, and a fresh new expectancy for what is to come.

After hoping and praying for such a thing for YEARS, we have family en route right now to live in our town (2 days of driving from Texas with a moving truck and a UHaul-pulling SUV- pray for them!)!  Eric's older sister and her family will be here tomorrow settling into their new life and we are so thrilled to be part of each other's lives.

I feel full with a sense of community.

Our pastor has been speaking about stewarding life's resources lately.  One of the resources is relationships.  And- wow!- our small group (we call them Life Groups)  that we are part of is just the kind of community that we desired to be part of.  I'm thankful for these real, honest people and the way that we are being knit together.  Saying "good stuff" doesn't touch it.

Then, there is our adoption.  I don't know anything new regarding our family's case- we probably still have months of wait ahead still.  BUT, I do know that I began to get discouraged the other week.  Impatient.  Even a tad jealous.  Lots of babies lately-  those of neighbors, and friends- and even the pregnant women at church started to make me a bit envious (even though I know that being pregnant three times was enough for me!).  I felt really bad about it because, through this whole long wait I have always rejoiced with those who had things to celebrate.  I've been happy for others and not jealous.  So, I prayed for forgiveness for my bad attitude and for a renewed outlook... for less pout ( "why not me?") and more joy.  The very next day, I got the awesome news in an e-mail that my waiting buddies Kevin and Sarah finally got their referral and were able to see a picture of Miss Hannah Claire.  And the joy flooded back!  I AM SO HAPPY FOR THEM!  Good news goes a long way.  Our day will come, and I'm willing to wait for it.  And, along the way, my heart is swelling over adoption and the nations... again, too much to really put into words right now... but bigger things are yet to come and it is good!  It is good!

Sprinkle in some summer activities like POOL TIME, and parks, and popsicles, and late dinners, and very dirty bath water, and painting and maybe... just maybe... that's why I haven't said much.  Slowly I will get my voice again... there is a lot to share... a lot "brewing" (I find myself using this word to describe things often right now).

But, to end on a light note... I'll distract, yet again, with a picture:

Bits

- More floor samples in the Vintage Couture line came. Very good quality product. It is without-a-doubt noticeable which woods have a higher Janka rating. I'm thinking that with 3 (going on 4) children, the harder the wood the better, as the dents and scratches don't go as deep. Sadly, that rules out certain woods that may be our prime stain/ grain choices. Brazilian Cherry and Brazilian Walnut are two of the hardest woods alive but I feel like the cherry is "too red" and the walnut has very "charged" graining (did I make that term up? I'm implying that it has lots of contrast). The brown tones in the Brazilian Walnut are good, though. Nice browns. Hmmm. We'll figure it out.

- Adoption related: We've now been waiting for a referral for 2 months. I hope the rest of the wait seems as painless; it has gone quickly. Our anniversary also marked 1 year since officially deciding to adopt, and it is possible that our 10 year anniversary will be celebrated with a trip to Taiwan! During the wait, we still need to get our fingerprints done, and go through our online education (With Eyes Wide Open).

- Both boys had a sleep-over last night at a friend's house. They are still gone, and it is nearly 2:00pm. They stayed up late, woke up late, and are still having fun according to the mom. Maybe I should retrieve them. The house is so quiet, though. Maybe I'll wait just a tad longer. ;-)

-Eric, Grant and I went rock climbing last night at the Y. Wow. I'm sore. That will certainly have to be part of my workout regimen- it hit all the places I don't seem to get to with free weights. Like, my forearms. Ouch. Lots of fun though! (Colin, aren't you proud?!)

- Lael is on her second day in panties without accident! Woooo Hoooo! Our tradition with each one of the kids has been to visit Chuck E. Cheeses when they are fully "trained". I'm guessing we'll be there sometime in the next week. She seems to have become a pro all of a sudden and I'm not reminding her much and we even go out of the house in panties now.

- I had the 115 year old map of Surrey framed at Hobby Lobby yesterday and I'm loving the idea of finding more old maps and framing them like this. Beautiful.

-Tuesday, I went to the Visual Arts gathering for church. It was my first time, and I was so completely impressed. Mostly, it was a get-together to discuss and not a workshop or event of any kind. But gallery-type exhibits are planned, as are outreach activities (like instructional classes), and work days (like those for painting sets for plays or Vacation Bible School). Because I was new, we went around the room and introduced ourselves and the talents that we exercising. I don't know as any two people did the same thing! Stained glass, collage, sculpture, pencil, photography, oil, pastels... I can tell it will be really inspiring to see so many different mediums. I just need to focus on being wise with my time so that I can make/do/create more. God has given the gift of creativity to so many and it can be a gorgeous form of worship, bringing Him amazing glory. Isn't that exciting?!