Merry Christmas!

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year -the decorations, the presents, the food, the time with family and friends, singing Christmas carols together.  Above all else - celebrating the birth of Jesus - a humble birth for the King of all Kings.  Our perfect example in life and love.  Laying down His life  so that He could rescue us from our sins if we repent and believe. Ready to join in to "Go, tell it on the Mountain...over the hills and EVERYWHERE!"?  :)

Which leads this to being a bit of a different Christmas for us.  Amidst the normal wonders and stresses of this season we have added a move to the end of it. As we continue to prep for our move - I have missed all the baking I usually do, my next door neighbors amazing light show to music, our church family and celebrating on Christmas Eve together.  I miss family that normally we'd see again shortly, but this time years will separate our reunions.  

We are visiting with family now in VA.  Last week we traveled to TN, KY and SC to see family and dear friends one more time.  

Of course, saying goodbyes are always hard, we kept praying we'd do it well, but how is that truly done?  

We are completely counting on many of you coming to join us for a little while across the waters! 

Thankfully we have been able to keep a few of our traditions amidst the chaos of  last minute packing.  Every year we make gingerbread houses - this year we did a gingerbread tree instead (much quicker and well...time is in short commodity these days). 

We continued with our 3 presents each which the kids really enjoyed making their lists for this year.  This is actually a pic from last year as I haven't wrapped all of them yet.

We can't take credit for the idea.  We read it on a blog a few years ago and thought it sounded fantastic - so we started it in our family. They still get plenty from grandparents!

The Gold gift (wrapped in gold paper) is something you really want.

The Frankincense Gift (wrapped in white) is something that can help you grow closer to Jesus or be used for personal worship.

The Myrrh gift (wrapped in brown paper) is something for your body (clothes, shoes, jewelry, perfume, etc).

On Christmas eve we also read the Christmas story from Luke 2 (which Ian read for us tonight).  Afterwards we sang a few carols and the kids opened one gift.

Do you have any traditions?  We'd love to hear them!  

I hope to do one more post on this side of the waters.  However, we fly out of Richmond on Sunday!!  Are we packed?  haha - Well, Christmas is tomorrow!  Let's just say we may not have too much jet lag with the hours we've been pulling. :)

We Wish You and Your Family a Very Merry Christmas!

Thank you for loving us and walking alongside us. :)

Thankfulness

It seems as though November disappeared in a blink of an eye. This month has been so full, and gone by so fast.  It has been a month of wonderful memories and tough challenges.

Early in the month we learned a bit about the art of storytelling.   Some friends shared stories with us using Henna.  

This is Aili's arm - the story of the 2 fishes and 5 loaves:

Here is the story of the Promise of the Savior from Isaiah. We really enjoyed learning about storying as it made share the most important stories more natural in conversations.  

Next fun time this month - I turned 20 again! :)  

Best gift ever??

My three precious children (and their amazing hugs). 

                            

Ok...tie for best gift - alone time with hubby.  We really need to do a better job about cutting out time alone, but thankful for each date we get. :)  Brian's mom watched the kids so we could have the morning out.  Started with a yummy coffee at Panera and ended with shopping - a great day indeed! 

We had such a great Thanksgiving too.  Celebrating with family and sweet friends.  The food was spectacular of course. :) We certainly have so much to be thankful for...  

On black Friday where were you this year?  

Unlike most years I can remember since having kids - I was NOT shopping.  

Truly, I missed it (yes that is a bit crazy since I really don't like shopping).  However,  I like the challenge of getting the deal and enjoy the fantastic conversations I can have with strangers while standing in those crazy long lines.

But not this year (shouldn't be buying when still trying to get rid of things right?)....

Nope, we went to Washington DC.  

Chinatown first (the whole block of it).

Then we walked around to see some sights and tried to talk with more strangers - lol.
Yes, my mom did teach me about that, but we were really hoping to be a light in the lives of those around us.

This was one of our challenging days.  It was soooo Cold!!!  We weren't very handy in finding folks who spoke English either. Although that did provide a great taste of what our lives will be like within the month.

In the midst of the freezing kids (and parents), the lack of communication skills and our aching feet - I was overcome with the beauty of this city.  The skies were gorgeous, especially amidst the beautiful orange and red leaves from the trees.  The Creator truly is remarkable.  I'll be honest that DC is not a place that I think of as "beautiful."  Yet, that afternoon as we were walking back to the bus stop I was overcome with thankfulness for the freedoms I have taken for granted for so long.  It was beautiful.  

Considering the cold weather and lots of walking (we didn't have a stroller), the kids did very well.  Just love the sweet moments we can sometimes capture. While I would love each moment to look like this, I know the tests and trials produce perseverance, character and hope.  

This week started with a beautiful sunny day.  A perfect day for some exploring.  There is a lovely creek that runs next to where we are staying.  Brian and the kids found this picturesque area on another day so we went back. It was truly breathtaking to look at the beauty of it all.  Also was so much fun to jump on rocks, kick up leaves and find routes least likely to lead to wet feet. 

Being out in God's creation, breathing the fresh air provided a bit of refreshment we needed.  

The last few weeks have had many great moments.  We have much to be thankful for - amazing teachers, mentors, friends, all our needs are being met. Yet, there have been some challenging moments days.  As we were walking back to dinner that eve, the sun was going down quickly. We looked up to see this  beautiful sunset that the Lord had provided.  He truly is an awesome God, Sovereign and Faithful, our Redeemer and Refuge. 

Rejoice Always, Pray Continually and Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances... 

1 Thes. 5:16-18

This verse is my goal - not that I have attained it yet, but am a work in progress. I am thankful He isn't done with me yet.  

Fall, School and Orphan Sunday

"How can I stop from singing your praise?

How can I ever say enough?

 how amazing is your love!"

Fall is my FAVORITE time of year.  

Growing up in the mountains, was always a quick reminder of how amazing God is.  

We arrived at our new school where we will stay for nine weeks!  

Over the moon excited to be in one place for that long.  :)

A dear friend texted me the first week we were here asking, "How is it going there?"

My response, "Fully exhausted, completely overwhelmed and feeling more like mud than clay."  She said, "Glad it is going so well."  It really is going that well.  The day after that "conversation" I got to spend 3 hours on a spiritual retreat with God all by myself.  Yes, it was probably the first time in my life I was awake and not talking for three straight hours to another human; however, it was exactly what I needed - soaking up His Word, basking in His forgiveness, being refreshed and refueled by His Spirit to press on.

Who knew sitting was so exhausting.  We had ALL truly forgotten what it is like to sit in class for 6+ hours each day. It is like drinking from a fire hydrant.  So much is being poured into us.  Can't express my thankfulness enough for the ability to sit and learn, soaking it up and applying it to life daily.  

The kids are really enjoying their new school too.  They have a little international village where the kids can experience some things from different cultures like dress up clothes/jewelry, art, and musical instruments of various regions (Europe, Americas, Middle East, South Asia...).  Ian, of course, loves the Asia one.  I think having visited China gives him much comfort and excitement in sharing that with others.  

The kids also learned some neat storying with pipe cleaners in their art class.  Aili and Ian enjoyed sharing their stories with our friends here.  

 I did have a time of grieving this week.  We often went for yogurt with friends from our church on either Sunday or Wednesday night back in Florida... So, this Wednesday, we took the kids out for some...  virtually like having yogurt with our friends right?  Awesome timing as the next day we had a lecture about transition and grief.  :)

Some of you know that for years I have wanted to learn to sew (and crochet) but never had time to learn or anyone to teach me.  Well, there is a sweet lady here at our school who teaches us sewing!!  I made this bag - yep, For REAL!!  Aili was very proud of me too.  She has enjoyed showing it off and telling folks her mommy made it.  Now that is the best compliment a less than domesticated Mama can have. :)  

A highlight of our week was taking the kids to Grandma's, putting on last year's costumes and getting candy.  :)  They were very excited - especially Meisi.  The joy and laughter to watch her skipping along saying, "Woohoo!  I got candy!  I love this!"  :)  It was VERY cold here (compared to Florida) so we made it up one street then back down another but they got enough to keep us full of desserts for a while. :)  We've been having chocolate withdrawals while here.  

After walking around, the girls decided they'd rather hand out candy than get it.  I thought they were just so precious sitting there together. :)  

Can't believe it is November!  It is also Orphan Sunday. :)  Praying for all the churches that are providing education to their members on how to help care for orphans, support families who are adopting or fostering, and for those who feel the call and desire to have a new son or daughter through adoption.  There has been no singular event that has changed our life more than adopting.  

My fave quote relating to orphans is from Radical by David Platt:

"We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names.  

They are easier to ignore before you see their faces.  

It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms.

But once you do, everything changes."  

There are many great organizations out there that help provide care for orphans.  These are two that we have personally been affected by as they were who God used to provide care for our precious daughter until she was placed in our arms. Maybe you are being nudged to help provide orphan care - these are great organizations that you can do that through:  

Show Hope (specifically giving to New Hope foundation) click here,

Love Without Boundaries click here.

Maybe you are processing the idea of adopting or fostering?  I found the book Successful Adoption for Christian Families to be very helpful.  Here is a link for it on Amazon.  If ever you have a question about adoption,  I would love to chat with you or pray with you. 

Have a Happy Fall Y'all.  :)  Thanks for following along.  

Last Leg of our 25 Stop Adventure

The final leg...

Was exactly what we needed-

Family time full of hugs, laughter and rest.

 New adventures being pulled by a tractor on an absolutely gorgeous farm.  How restful and refreshing just looking outside at the amazing creation our Father spoke into being.

So many moments to treasure...

We were all exhausted but some create more precious photos while sleeping. :)  

 We went exploring down by the river and Aili found a great rock collection.  Since we can't take them with us on our journey across the waters we took pictures. :)  The timing of that earth science museum in Asheville was perfect as it was fresh in our minds when we discussed the various types of rocks here.

We even found one that we think might have been part of an Indian pottery piece.  We left this for the owners to establish if that is indeed what we found.  

This journey has been so wonderful in providing time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors instead of being inside on a computer or other electronic device.  The kids' creativity has flourished without those interruptions items.  Ian got incredibly creative with Jenga blocks.  Who needs legos when you have Jenga?  

It was such a blessing to have a place large enough to house our family.  The kids really enjoyed being with grandparents.  Although, the emotion of saying goodbye that last day was tough.

But the memories made will hopefully last a lifetime. :)

This picture reminded me that our journey may will have some twists and turns, but we can trust our Dad. Looking straight in front of us it is a rocky, bumpy, messy road but when we step back and see the whole picture it is more beautiful than we could've ever dreamt or asked for it to be.

Thank you for walking alongside us.

If I did a P.S. it would be this - We got to spend a couple nights with Emmy at Grandma's house.  She is certainly one loved puppy (and one missed one too).