Monday, August 24, 2009





We've had a really nice summer. Kind of quiet...relaxing...full of sweet moments.
We are sorry to see it coming to an end.
We actually had a garage sale, and Mac ran a lemonade stand.
She was able to do some horseback riding this summer, too!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Li-Li's beads....


Li-Li really loves to wear beads...so we thought we would share her latest look!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Funny who God uses...

Two months ago we met a young man that the Lord would use to enlighten our hearts to HIS work and HIS ways. He was short, unpredictable, adorable at times, and maddening at others. He was the father of the baby boy he had entrusted into our care. As the weeks passed, our hearts grew more and more concerned, as we traveled up and down the hills and valleys of his journey into fatherhood. He desperately wanted to care for his son, but as a "product of the system", had no idea how to get himself to the place where he could do so. He could be gruff, downright rude, and incredibly polite...all within a matter of minutes. We heard stories and learned of decisions that made our hearts shake and panic. One moment he was convinced he was ready to be the father he was so sure he could be, and two minutes later he was asking for more time to get his act together.
He finally landed a job at McDonald's, earned his first paycheck, and decided it was time. We bundled up his little Squirt, and placed him in his trembling but eager arms. What a sight to behold. This young father, staring into the face of his precious son, so very proud and amazed!
He thanked us for taking good care of his son, and promised to call within the next few days. We walked away and let go, so very unsure of how God would care for this precious baby, but happy for this father who missed his son so much.
Days passed and we heard nothing. Our hearts grew more concerned. Everyday we begged God to protect this sweet baby boy, to wrap His arms around him and keep him safe. We pleaded with Him...fretted at all hours of the night, sick with worry and grief. What had happened to our sweet little squirt? Was he safe?
Tonight we felt the nudging of the spirit, and made the call, and left a message. A few minutes later, our young new daddy called us back. He was weary from the long nights and lack of sleep. But his voice was full of pride and that contentment that only comes from being a parent. We chatted about Squirt's eating habits and how much he was taking at each feeding. He rambled on about all those little things that make a child unique...so proud, so attentive, so much like what a father SHOULD be. My fears slipped away as he shared how hard it was to be a parent, but that it was OK that it was HARD. That contentment, that sureness, just vibrated from his voice. It was then that I realized that God had answered our prayers. HE was looking after this precious baby boy, HE was keeping him safe and cared for, in the way that he was meant to be cared for....through the love, protection, and determination of HIS VERY OWN FATHER.
Their life may not be ideal. Their life may be difficult and uncertain and one we would not wish for ourselves or our own children. But this young man is fulfilling the role that God has given him! Isn't that amazing? This young man, who had spent most of his life in foster care himself, who had been in legal troubles and was homeless when we met him, could have headed down a path of destruction and ruin, and taken this sweet little boy down with him! But his very own flesh and blood is giving him a new chance at life. The pride and joy of being a father...is renewing his heart and spirit! What a blessing it is to know this young man. How amazing to see God at work in their lives. What a privilege to watch them work out the wonders of parenthood. As we wrapped up our chat, God reminded me of one other truth...Squirt had first found his way to us because his father had asked for help. His father knew he was not ready to care for him. His father did right by his son, by asking for help when he needed it. Little Squirt is safe, healthy, and loved, because His father has ALWAYS looked after him. This young man is fulfilling the most important role God has ever given any of us. He has embraced parenthood wholeheartedly! What a blessing to know him..and how humbling to once again be reminded of that God's plans are good and right and true!

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Mac's latest paper...she needed an interesting opening sentence...


Wig Wearing Writers of Independence
Why did those dudes who wrote the Declaration of Independence wear wigs? There were five men who wrote the it, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Thomas Jefferson, who was from Virginia, was chosen by the others to write 27 ways the king displeased the colonists, which became the Declaration of Independence. He could speak five different languages and became the third president of the United States.
Ben Franklin, who lived in Pennsylvania, made a few changes to Jefferson’s well-written words. He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention. He invented many things we use today. John Adams, a diligent farmer from Massachusetts, was elected the second president of the U.S. Roger Sherman lived in Connecticut. He was a Supreme Court judge, who knew how to write the law. Robert Livingston lived in New York. He became a lawyer. He belonged to the Continental Congress. These are the five men who wisely wrote the Declaration of Independence. The one thing those dudes all had in common is that they all wore wigs, because it was the cool thing to do!
By Mac 4/29/09

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

So the little guy finally left...

and things are just so quiet...
We have not heard from them at all...but once again...taking thoughts captive...and trusting the Lord has him in HIS protective hands...

So some time this week...I'll post some pics of our latest attempt at a science experiment...

But not today!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Well...

The little guy who has been with us for a bit is still here. He could be gone at anytime. Talk about learning how to take life as it comes...one day at a time.

I know this is how we are to live...ONE DAY AT A TIME. Every once in a while I think I have mastered taking life as it unfolds...but once again...I have been humbled as we muddle our way through this placement.

I just do not have any clue how this will all play out. And for a control freak like me...it is shaking my heart right to the core.

I have nothing profound to add at this point, just felt like venting a little bit....

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

It has been awhile...



Since we have played with our blog.
We have been hunkered down in our winter den..
trying to stay warm and content while we wait for the crocus to peek thru the leftover snow.
The girls have been busy playing big sister to several little people who have come for a visit and then made their way back home.

Mae loves this version of a verse that has been a favorite over the years.
We thought you might be encouraged and challenged as we have been!
1 Peter 3:8
Be like one big happy family
Full of kindness towards each other
Loving each other with tender hearts
and humble minds!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

The Tiger as interpreted by Mac


A Fable as Rewritten by Mac....

The Clever Hunter Who Killed the Proud Tiger

An honest, clever hunter, who was amazingly skilled,
stalked the wild animals that lived in his woods.
The animals hid because they were frightened. At sunrise, the hunter
quietly crept into the dewy forest.
An arrogant tiger, who believed that he could kill the
hunter instantly, was sharpening his claws on some rocks.
The tiger planned a suprise attack because
he was trying to get attention. The tiger boastfully bragged, "I’m going to sneak
through the trees and pounce upon that hunter."
As the drooling tiger fiercely roared, the hunter dashed
to investigate.
The tiger, who quickly turned around, spied
the hunter behind a tree. He leaped at the hunter. The
hunter aimed carefully.
The arrow zipped through the air and pierced the tiger’s chest. As he died he whispered, "I
will never kill the hunter because my pride killed me."