thank filled that he knows their names...

today, i am thank filled that jesus knows their names.

i know them as: mandy, christina, abigail, aaron and andrew.

of course, those are english names.

mandy is my sister in christ. she called out to him shortly after the earthquake that rocked her hometown of chungdu, sichuan in 2008. so if you prayed that the father would use that tragedy to draw people to him, you were praying for mandy!

christina is the daughter of a farming family and knows she is "lucky" to attend university. she works very hard, but can't see an end to her striving and working. she doesn't have the same peace as mandy.

abigail, aaron and andrew...

i'm sure you have guessed that i gave them their english names.

:-)

for a week, i was a mama for them.

i can hardly stop thinking about them; about how our 6 lives intersected for 5 days in zhengzhou, china.

about how it wasn't a coincidence.

i am thank filled today that their creator knows their names. he knows the purpose he has for their lives; for their pain.

i am thank filled that i can trust him, even when i do not understand...

thank filled dream come true!

a dream.

to take some people from our faith family half way around the world.

to see.

to feel.

to love this country and people that have become so precious to our family.

thank you, jesus, for dreams fulfilled...

thank filled...

thank filled for so many things today.
most thankful for jesus and the hope he brings.
also thankful for my little family.
and that they need me.
and that i am home from my dream trip.
and that i am going to bed.
:-)

joy!

I am thank filled for joy in Jesus!!!

(BTW - we are leaving on Wednesday and will arrive in China on Thursday late night!)

thank filled for dreams come true

This morning, I am so thank filled!
I can't believe that I get to go to China and love on these little ones!
Ever since my first trip (to adopt Amy in 2006), I have wanted to go back and care for orphans.
I have no idea what the future holds, but I know that in the next several days, that dream is coming true.
And I am filled with gratitude!

Thank filled Saturday morning

Today, i am filled with thanks that in four days, i get to go back to China with Bring Me Hope!!!
and
Today, I am also filled with thanks for my husband, who supports my dreams and dreams them right beside me...

China (x2) in one year!

Today, I am thank filled:
- for the opportunity to go back to China for the second time in 9 months
- that I got a one year visa last time ;-)
- that I get to take 11 other people with me to see China and love these kids...

The Big Brother

Today I am thank filled for Austin (I am most days!).  I am thank filled that he senses the high stress moments and takes little siblings to go explore something or play hide and seek.  I am thank filled that he has a tender heart and is very correctable.  I am thank filled that he will just come up and hug me.  I am thank filled that his little brother is growing to be just like him. 

Independence Day edition

Thank filled that I saw my first tornado! It was a little rope funnel and I don't think it caused any damage. I've lived in Kansas almost my entire life and have never seen one! It isn't a great picture (taken almost 10 miles from the actual tornado), but it's my picture...

One more for July 2!

I am incredibly thank filled for this little girl.

Four years of being her momma - today!

Happy Forever Family Day, Anna Chenghao! You are a precious treasure!

Our week without Ashleigh

Thank filled that Ashleigh had an opportunity to go work at a children's home in Reynosa, Mexico this past week with this amazing group of people!

Thank filled that our friend Amber is giving my four youngest ones swimming lessons this summer!

Thank filled for an opportunity to celebrate Independence Day with a candy filled parade.

Thank filled that I serve a King that is over ALL the Earth - and not just one country!

Saturday Morning Gratitude

Thankful today that Ashleigh is coming home (although it won't be until late tonight).

Thankful for cleared up misunderstandings.  Bless their sweet hearts!  The younger 4 thought that Ashleigh was coming home from Mexico and we were immediately leaving for China!  No wonder this has been such a difficult week for them!

Thankful today for sunscreen.  I wish I would have used just a *little* more of it yesterday!

Thankful for God's continued provision for our China trip!  It has been such an amazing blessing...

Thankful for 17 years with my best friend!  Happy Anniversary, Chris!