Each year at Gull Lake Ministries, they have theme night dinners, and shamefully this year I didn't get many pictures of them. Dinner time is so busy trying to feed four little ones that the super hero night, and stars and stripes are missing altogether, but here are a few to remember 2018 by.
Nacho Fiesta night found these two amigos wearing sombreros and mustaches!
Pac Man Arcade 80's night was enjoyed by all to...
This baby girl has been such a happy, JOYOUS little one this summer. We have enjoyed her so very much, and she is eating up being a part of a family!
She doesn't have a clue that in about nine weeks her baby brother will be born, and this huge moving, soothing pillow that is now Mommy's belly will be gone.
She will definitely miss this huge belly at napt ime as she loves laying low on it. She can probably hear her baby brother's heart beating in there, and she can certainly feel him kicking her off his real estate. What a beautiful time to have my hands full of such a sweet angel while my womb is growing another treasure! I certainly never dreamed, but am so very thankful for it!
It was 5:00, and I stood on the shores of the beach at Gull Lake as I had done many, many summers before, but this time was different. This time, I was standing anticipating the baptism of my incredible, Jesus loving seven year old daughter. I don't have the words to adequately describe what is like to watch this once orphan, turned daughter, publicly testifying that she loves Jesus and longs to serve Him with her life. I sat there watching, pondering all that has transpired in her seven short years of life that has led her to this moment. I sifted through the ashes these years have left her, and the beauty that God has generated from them. Then, I thanked God for his sovereignty, His protection of her, and I praised Him even more abundantly that He has given me a chance to have a small part in her life. What an overwhelming privilege to be her momma, and lead her to Jesus! Her little heart loves the Lord, and, while she struggles with so many emotional demons, this little girl is going to do much for His Kingdom because she gets it in a way that I couldn't at her age because of all that God has allowed her to experience. While it breaks my heart to think of all the ways that Satan has done his best to destroy her, watching her gain victory through Jesus is just so amazing, and He is so real to her.
Her counselor, Miss Bridle, praying for her.
Anna Mei and Miss Bridle
Daddy, Momma, and Anna Mei after her baptism.
Though watching her commit to following Jesus brought me such JOY, I shed a tear for the millions of orphans this very minute who will never know the arms of a Godly father baptizing them. Go get these babies! Be Jesus' hand and feet to love the fatherless as He commands. Don't let Satan claim this generation of children whose potential is unlimited, and who could do great things for Him!
"You're such a good team," said the woman I am just beginning to get to know this week when she was watching my husband and me taking care of and loving on our girls. We are at Gull Lake Ministries this week for a week of renewal, and each year we come, it is such a tremendous blessing to our family. Recently, this incredible man of mine and I celebrated 22 years of marriage, and this life is so much more full than we ever imagined or planned for. When we committed to each other all those years ago, surrendering our lives to the Lord this fully was not in our plans. We were fine with keeping God on the outskirts, attending church eventually, and living moral lives because that is what good people do, but what we didn't bank on was how radically life would change when we personally encountered Jesus, and gave our lives to Him. Every inch of my heart is changed. The way I love my man, serve my family, spend my money, devote my time....all so much different than what I dreamed when planning out this life. Though I am still a sinful and selfish woman, God draws me nearer everyday with His love, Grace, mercy, and forgiveness because that's what He does when you belong to Him. He has elevated my marriage, invited me to join Him serving the orphan through adoption, and blessed me beyond measure even as I face trials of every kind. Twenty two years ago, I would have never guessed I'd end up here...a pastor's wife, a mom to four Chinese daughters with special needs, a mom to a college age daughter attending bible college, expecting to deliver another biological baby..a son..ten weeks from now, and a lover of Jesus and His word. So after all these years, we have become a solidified team...put together to serve the Lord in this life, and, while trials are hard, life is so good...so much more than I hoped for. Today I give thanks for 22 years of marriage , but mostly that God knit our hearts together with His because having the Lord as the center of our lives , though we never planned it this way, makes every moment of life worth living. I can't wait to see what God puts before us in the next twenty-two years as I can't imagine loving my man more. Here is to twenty-two crazy, life changing years serving the Lord together. My hope is that we will have many, many more adventures for Him to come.
If I told you that seven years ago this girl was waiting to die, would you even be able to picture it? She couldn't trust, couldn't leave the house, didn't feel safe, and couldn't handle any sensory input at all. She literally spent her days alone in a corner banging her head waiting for her life to end. It has been a hard fought road to recover this girl's heart, but watching her today..makes each of those moments all the more sweet!
We went to a family fest yesterday as a family. The fact that this girl could even be here is a miracle, but she spotted this inflatable, and she insisted we play on it. Then, she waited, mostly patiently, in line for nearly 30 minutes for her turn signing excited, excited, excited throughout our entire wait.
When it was turn, she hopped right up on the giant inflatable, strapped herself to the bungy cord and belt, and went to play. Oh, she laughed! She smiled, tugged, and pulled herself with all her might as the object of the game is to reach the balls in the middle.
She never gave up, and enjoyed so much playing this game!
Her entire adoring family cheered her on from the side including her sisters.
AND....she did it!
She finally got one purple ball, and JOY erupted on her face! These are the moments that I give absolute praise to God as I have seen a miracle happen in this girl's heart in the last seven years. What an absolute privilege to be her family!
I am a Christ follower, wife of 20 years to my best friend, and a stay at home momma to five amazing daughters. I am currently waiting for one precious special needs treasure to come home from China. I am passionate about the orphan and special needs adoption. I love to teach God's word, am involved in youth ministry alongside my dh, and love,love, love cooking. Above all, I desire to serve God and surrender my life to His call.
