If You'll Sit Still, I'll Give You a Cookie

Me: "Hey boys, Mommy's going to take some pictures for family. If you'll come in the living room and sit still I'll give you a cookie. Okay, y'all sit right here and just let me get a couple of pictures."

Boys: (obeying)

Me: "Wait Daniel, sit by brother."

 "Wait, wait, boys please sit in the chair."

"Wait no, boys, no running. No running. No stop." (Pregnancy panting, chasing, and tossing boys back into chair)

                                      

Smooth Joshua's hair. Try again.

(Head banging)

But smiling

Until they bump heads.

Me: (drying tears)

Daniel's Surgery Date

We are about to embark on another major milestone for our precious son. Daniel is scheduled to have surgery December 2nd to repair his open palate. We know some details about it, but there are much more unknowns. We are thankful this is scheduled when it is...so so thankful. I have really asked the Lord to enable this to happen now. Most importantly we want it to happen now because he needs the surgery but also because I can't imagine trying to work out a surgery date with an infant added to our family. So early December is perfect because it's a little over a month before I'm full term. 

The recovery will take some time and we're dedicated to taking it one day at a time in December regarding our plans. That said, we have made plans and I'm still so excited about the Christmas season. We're going to start our advent devotional November 28th as a family of four!!! I think Daniel is going to love his first Christmas Tree and I already know he loves Christmas music. Actually I've known this since October. ;) This will be our third year to go through The Jesse Tree Advent Devotional and this year the boys will be old enough to decorate their own Jesse Tree ornaments (you can download printable ones). We're still planning to visit family later in the month, and my sister comes home for Christmas this year! She lives in Honolulu and I haven't seen her in person for a year and a half! 

So we're praying for good health over the next 10 days and would appreciate your prayers through the next couple of weeks. 

Remember the Wonders He Has Done: The Past Five Months

Psalm 105:1-7

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;

    make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;

    tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name;

    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 

Look to the Lord and his strength;

    seek his face always. 

Remember the wonders he has done,

    his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

you his servants, the descendants of Abraham,

    his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. 

He is the Lord our God;

    his judgments are in all the earth.

Where do I begin? My original intent was to post regularly what the Lord is doing in our home. But sometimes His work in my life is messier than can be described in a post...or maybe than should be described in a post. Has it only been 4 1/2 months since we've been home from China?!? Our boys are growing rapidly. I was convicted this past Sunday of how much I don't stop and give thanks to the Lord for what used to seem like little things. I finally posted a little video covering our short time with Daniel so far...though it doesn't seem like it's been less than a half a year. (Click HERE to view video) He's my little boy. My heart was convicted deeply this past Sunday through the pastor's sermon and our Sunday school lesson. I don't want to miss God's glory in the everyday routine of life because I've set my mind on petty things. Thank you Lord for these three little treasures who teach me so much.

I failed to post anything on Orphan Sunday (first Sunday in November), but it's still November...so I guess here is my chance. ;)  Adoption is a miracle. And if you feel like you're called to adopt DO NOT let anything get in your way of pursuing your child. You fill in the blank for "anything." Oh and there will NEVER be a time that is convenient or easy. And once you plunge into the process, the Lord will force you to practice patience. Embrace the lessons. Saturate yourself in the Word because you're going to need to hear His voice. As Russel Moore puts it in Adopted for Life: Adoption is warfare. So stand firm in your calling to adopt if God is calling you. You don't want to reach the end of your life on earth about to meet Him face to face wishing you had pursued that special one made in the image of God.   

I've heard it so much over the past three years that I have to be careful to still savor the reality: Adoption a picture of the Gospel. We will never fully understand how precious is the Blood of Jesus poured out willingly for us. He gave everything...to offer us adoption into the family of God. 

The past few months have been messy...and beautiful...and exhausting...and have ushered me to the feet of Jesus over and over and over. He is faithful. He has given us everything we need. And I am confident that He will continue.

Remember the Wonders He Has Done