Friday, November 22, 2013

"Loving the Little Years" Book

I recently read a short book called, "Loving the Little Years" by Rachel Jankovic, and it has been such a blessing to me. It is written by a christian woman who was parenting 5 children under the age of 5 yrs old when she wrote it (yeah, I am not sure where she found the time)!

I love that the chapters are short, and the book itself is short, so it was a super quick read. However, the content was delightful. She uses wonderful metaphors and analogies to describe her parenting journey that I could totally relate to. I laughed. I cried. I underlined, circled, and wrote notes all throughout the book.
Jankovic writes the entire thing with a biblical perspective tying her lessons back to the Scriptures. I holistically recommend this book to anyone who has children (especially two or more children). My children are all over the age of 5 years old now, but I can still relate and take the lessons with me. I have been blessed by this book, and I believe if you read it, you will be too!

Friday, November 15, 2013

Relief for Typhoon Victims

I am in shock after seeing the pictures from the effects of the typhoon in the Philippines: buildings completely demolished, people crying over their loved ones dead under the rubble, desperation, fear, and hurt. These people are hungry. They need medical attention. They need water and shelter. THEY NEED OUR HELP!  Please help them!

The devastation from the typhoon in the Philippines was so overwhelming that it seemed like there is nothing we can do.  What little we have to give seems too insignificant to make a difference. However, that reminds me of a story about a little boy who went to listen to Jesus speak. When the crowds of over 5,000 people were there and hungry, the little boy offered his lunch: 2 fish and 4 loaves of bread. That seems pretty insignificant an amount and definitely seems inadequate to feed over 5,000 people, but that didn't stop the little boy from giving it. And, with that small gift, Jesus blessed it, and He made it sufficient. Jesus used that little boys gift to feed 5,000. 


I wonder, how many other people in that same crowd of 5,000 had something to give but didn't offer it because they didn't think it was enough. No gift is too small! Please give whatever you can. 


Please pray and please help provide relief and aid to the victims in the Philippines. You can donate directly with credit card online through the non-profit organization where my children are: www.cscshelter.org


Checks can be sent to: Children's Shelter of Cebu, PO Box 247, Cambridge, MN 55008. *Make sure to mark the donation as designated for "Typhoon Relief." 


Lord, I pray you will provide relief and comfort to the many victims in the Philippines. Wrap them in your loving arms Lord and give them strength and peace. Draw them close to you in their time of need, and please help stir in the hearts of others to come along and give sacrificially to provide aid. Father, I pray you will multiply their gifts and use them to provide needs to the many suffering. 


Thank you for your compassion and generosity, and thank you for your continued prayers for the many victims of this typhoon.


Friday, November 8, 2013

Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines

I'm sure everyone knows about the huge category 5 typhoon (Haiyan) that has recently hit the Philippines islands. CNN's news today stated that "Haiyan was probably the strongest tropical cyclone to hit land anywhere in the world in recorded history."

Many people joined us in praying for the safety of our children and their caregivers, and we are so thankful to each of you for your prayers. We learned earlier today from our children's shelter that all the children and staff are fine.

CSC Blog Typhoon Passed

Also, the local news station decided to come out to the house today and interview us asking about our children in the Philippines and about the typhoon.

WWAY TV 3 Local News About Typhoon

Due to power outages and no internet connectivity, our weekly Skype session with our children had to be canceled. However, we should be able to talk to the children next week.

We praise the Lord for the safety of our children and their caregivers. Please continue to pray for all the Filipino people who are still suffering from the effects of the typhoon.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Getting to Know Our Kids From Afar

We are so blessed to have the opportunity to talk with our children in the Philippines on Skype. We have actually gotten to talk with the twice (and I am just getting around to posting about it on the blog. Sorry about that).

The first meeting was precious. We were so nervous and excited, and it was difficult to contain all the emotions as our heads spun with questions. Would they like us? Would they be happy and excited?

Finally, the sound of the Skype call, and the butterflies in my stomach leaped with anticipation. The kids were all in chairs sitting in their school's library, and as soon as the video connected they all started waving hello. They looked adorable, and they were so excited. It was just heavenly to hear their sweet little voices talking to us.

We introduced each of our kids that are here, and our children in the Philippines already knew all their names and recognized each of them. After we were matched, we had sent photo albums with our acceptance letter, and the kids in the Philippines had memorized all the information in them.

They sang us a cute song (which we recorded, but I cannot post due to inter-country rules). My kids that are here sang one back to them too. It was sweet. The two older girls are very social and bubbly, while the other children were a little more quiet, but each of them were absolutely precious.

In our first conversation we covered things like favorite colors, favorite things to do, favorite foods, and other basic things. It was great to get to know some of the very basic things about our children.

We talked for about an hour before Dustin closed in prayer. The kids had two prayer requests: one was for our one daughter who had been sick for about a week, the other was what they said is always a prayer, and that was for all the other children at the shelter that still did not have a family. (tear)

Please remember in your prayers the millions of orphans around the world that go to bed each night wondering when it will be their turn (if ever) to have a family love them. And, please pray for each of those precious children to know their Heavenly Father.

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27

Before leaving our Skype session, each child got up and gave the camera a hug, and we told them we loved them.

Sitting in on the meeting was several of the staff members, including the children's house parents (kind of like live in foster parents). This special couple (along with the other staff members) are so invested in our children's lives: caring for them daily, leading them, being an example to them, teaching them, and praying with them. We are grateful to the care that these wonderful people provide to our children while they have been waiting for their adoption to be completed.

Please join us in praying for these special leaders and teachers, as they have such an important job. I cannot even imagine how difficult and bittersweet it must be when each of the children in their homes leave with their new families. I pray the Lord blesses these selfless, caring leaders for the work that He is doing through them.

Since our first Skype meeting, we have gotten to talk with the kids again (and will hopefully be able to continue on a weekly basis). Our daughter who was sick was fully recovered (praise God). At our second meeting, we had some of our close friends and our extended family here to meet the kids. My in-laws, Grandpa Lynn and Grandma Margie, got to meet and talk with their grandkids. Plus, Grandpa Jack and my nephew Daig were down from NY too. It was very exciting.

This time, the kids had written a list of questions for us. Too cute! We talked about what were the kids' favorite games to play, shared jokes, and showed them their Christmas stockings we had ordered for them. One of our older daughters prayed a beautiful prayer before we said our good-byes.

These children are such a blessing, and I can't wait to hug each one of them. I cannot imagine how tough the entire transition will be, nor can I imagine the hurt and loss that they have already endured; however, I know that they are in a loving, christian environment until we can get them home, and we are so grateful for that.I pray for each of them as they prepare to make this journey; that God would draw them close to Him and give them peace.

I am truly honored that God would allow me to be their mother, and I continue to pray that He will give me the wisdom, grace, and strength to be the kind of mother all my children deserve.

I'm thankful for the blessing of adoption and for God adopting us into His family.

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.' For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children." Romans 8:14-16