Don't forget...

We are in full swing of summer here, although someone forgot to tell the weather here. We have set a record of the coolest June since the 1800's, which with an already mild climate here, is too cold. Throw in a little rain and wind, and wallah, it feels like fall. Enough already!

But in the midst of all the fun and busy-work we've been doing around the house, I can't forget those in China, still living in tents due to the earthquake, with no end in sight. It's summer there too, but what do they get to do to distract them from their trials? So that I don't forget about them, I regularly read Melody Zhang's blog called Hope Song. Here's her profile from her website:

As a reporter for a national Chinese magazine, Melody Zhang met Dwyatt Gantt. The two began finding Chinese orphans homes in the US. It was the beginning of Children’s Hope International – one of the largest adoption and development aid agencies worldwide.

In 1993, Melody moved to CHI's permanent headquarters in St. Louis to spearhead the formation of CHI Foundation. Melody has since returned to Beijing to expand humanitarian projects in her native homeland, joined by her husband and three adopted teenagers and two biological daughters, ages 2 and 4.

Melody is in the trenches of the hardest hit areas of the earthquake. I invite you to follow along, so that you don't forget either. She has many plans as to how to help the locals, but she needs our prayers and finances.

On a related note, our mission trip to China is less than two weeks away, and Kellen leaves this Friday for Morelia, Mexico on his mission trip. I will post more as those trips draw nearer.

Ode to Dad....

So yesterday was Father's Day, and I thought I would write an ode to the two special dads in my life, but being I'm no good at poetry, that didn't happen! Instead, I'll say a simple thank-you to my Heavenly Father who has blessed me with a wonderful, caring Dad who has always given his time and love for me, and also for a stupendous husband, heart-of-gold father to our four children. Why in the world did I get so fortunate? I think this is part of the reason I am so passionate about the orphans around the world. I want everyone to experience the love of a father that my children and I have both had. And by the way, when God commands us to "care for the orphans and widows," (James 1:27), He was speaking to the men too!


Here's my dad and mom with some of their grandkids this past Easter.


We took Mike to the zoo yesterday to celebrate, and the day did not disappoint anyone!

Weekend of Tears

I can't remember the last time I have cried so much as I have this weekend. And not just me; Mike too! After church today he told someone he thought he was PMSing:)

These cries weren't all bad though, just a lot to handle in a row. Friday night we sat down and watched Bella, a movie highly recommended to us. Well I recommend it too, just have a kleenex box nearby.

Saturday afternoon we spent at a Memorial for a friend, Laura, who passed away following a year-long battle with brain cancer. She was a strong advocate for the autistic children in our area, having two autistic kids of her own. To the end, she lived her life to glorify the Lord, something I hope I can emulate.

Lastly, in church today, pastor showed a video featuring a cross country runner named Ben Comen. The young man exemplifies perseverance, as he endures running despite having cerebral palsy and always finishing last. The video takes awhile to download, and is around seven minutes long, but when you find the time, it is worth it. He was featured on ESPN, and it is truly inspiring.

"I brave!"

The girls have one more week of swimming lessons and are having a grand time. It is amazing to see how far Jaelyn has come in these past four weeks. Jaelyn loves to be in the water, that is, if we are in the kiddie pool, but the big pool, which is where lessons take place, are another thing. The first night Jaelyn had a death grip on the teacher's neck every time she took Jaelyn off the steps, and there were even some tears. Now Jaelyn will make strokes on her tummy and back while out in the deep water with her teacher. She still won't put her head under water, and is hesitant to jump off the side, but as she keeps telling us after lessons, "I brave!" On the other hand, Kaia, as usual, has no fear of the water. She is very busy at the swimming lessons, dunking her head underwater and jumping off the sides. We found a great product, ear band-it, to keep the water out of her ears, as she had been complaining about her ears hurting. She goes back to the ENT in July to possibly get her tubes taken out, but for now we have no concerns.

Just had to post this video. Watch Kaia jump in the water four times to Jaelyn's one. Evidently Jaelyn trust one teacher more than the other:)

Family needs prayer...

If you read my blog regularly, you may remember an earlier post that I wrote about Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Cinderalla" and what an inspiration he has been to adoptive families. Well tonight I have been in tears over learning one of his daughters was hit and killed today. What makes it more difficult is that one of her older brothers was driving the vehicle that struck her in their driveway. I can't imagine the pain they all must be going through. For all the joy they have brought through encouraging so many to adopt, it's time we pay them back with our prayers. Please join me in lifting this family up.

Mom's New Haircut....

Two Years Ago This Week....

we were blessed to have Jaelyn join our family, forever! I can't imagine life without this beautiful, compassionate child. Everywhere we go people comment on her smile, and they are right, her whole face lights up. It's contagious, and I know God has and will use her to bless others.

We celebrated the day in our usual fashion, chinese food! We swore we were back in China, as the waitress hovered by our table, picking up every plate and bowl the second it was empty. Jaelyn really captured the waitress' heart too, as by the end of the meal she was taking Jaelyn by the hand and walking her to the dessert buffet. Jaelyn grinned from ear to ear as she walked back with a bowl full of sweets, AFTER we had already given her ice cream. A minute later, here came the waitress again, with ice cream cones for the girls! It so took us back to our visits to China. You never get that type of service and attention in the states, and in the restaurants in China, you don't even tip!

Here are a couple pictures from the celebration, as well as a picture from the first time we held Jaelyn.