Hud's extensive biblical and historical knowledge collide...

Tonight Russ was reading the story of when the angel appeared to Zechariah and told him his wife Elizabeth was going to have a son. Russ read the part where the angel told Zech to name the boy, "John." To which Hud quickly interjected, "John Smith!?"

More from Han....

Sunday on the way to church Han tells us, "If an animal ever talks to me, I'm not going to believe it. Cuz' it might be the devil!" (obviously referring to the serpent in the garden of Eden who tricked Eve into eating the apple which "got us into this whole mess," and daily affects Han's life.)

On the way home the other night I told the kids I was too tired to give them baths. Han says, "Mom, I really need a bath. I stink!"
Me: "You don't stink, Han."
Han: "Yes I do. I can smell my own skin."
Me: "What does it smell like."
Han: pause.. then, "Dead animals!"

I have no box for this girl...

Meet Katie. I just met her last week and I still can't wrap my mind around her or find a box to put her in. Two years ago she went to Uganda for a short trip to help in an orphanage. She's now 20 and has only been home to the US for short visits. In the past two years she has become the mother of thirteen girls, started a non-profit organization that has so far provided education, medical care, three hot meals a day and school supplies to nearly 400 of the poorest kids in Uganda. She also has a few hundred of them over once a week to feed them, bathe some of them, de-lice them, love on them and tell them about Jesus.

TWENTY YEARS OLD!!!

Nobody told her that you're not supposed to be able to change the world at her age! As soon as I can steal away for a few hours I can't wait to read her blog from the beginning!!! You can find her at www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com or click on the button on my blog to find her ministry "Amazima."

If she can do this? What can I do? What can you do?

Honored to Be Josh's Dad

Worth it! Worth it! Worth it!

When we brought Joshua home, we robbed them! No doubt, we are the winners in this deal.

Dad

Scattered Thoughts

Today has been such a precious day to cherish. I'm feeling scattered in my thoughts and not very profound or capable of describing to you the inexpressible joy that comes when the Father of the Fatherless chooses you and your family to place one of his beloved orphans in. If you have had the pleasure of getting to know Josh this past year I'm sure you'll agree with me that he is amazing!!! He's so full of life, energy, compassion, affection, smiles, sheer joy, curiosity, intelligence, and FOOD!!! Yes, he still eats a lot!!!
Our family has been forever changed because of Joshua Shen. Our twins' futures will be different because they have the privilege of being his brother and sister. That sounds pretty obvious.... but their hearts for the poor and orphaned goes deep. I can't wait to see where it takes them! They regularly ask about the adoption of #4... not sure if that will be in God's plan or not, but they would be thrilled!!
Adopting an orphan is a bit paradoxical. On the one hand it seems kind of out there, exotic, unusual. Sometimes I look and Josh and see this handsome Chinese little boy who has been through more in his almost 3 years than I have in thirty-something. It's still a bit surreal that he is mine!
On the other hand, it feels so normal being his mommy. The depth of my love for him goes beyond genetics. I have never had to work at loving him.

I feel so blessed by the Lord to have been given the very precious children I have. Hud and Han were truly miracles after three years of waiting and praying. Then the Lord did miracles again to bring Joshua into our lives after more three years of waiting and praying.

I am filled to overflowing by the goodness of the Lord and a Father who gives good gifts to his children!

Happy Gotcha Day!

One year ago today Joshua Shen Cryer was placed in our arms to be ours forever!!!

I can't tell you what an amazing gift and treasure we received from the Lord that day.

We've got about 30 big paper lanterns hanging around the house and we're making plans to celebrate Josh today.

I'll do a big post when it's all over but I wanted to take the chance to announce our one year celebration!!

Conversations with Han

Today in the car Han says, "Mom, if you ever have a teenaguh you need to keep a VEHWY close eye on them!!"
Me: "Why Han?:
Han: "Because they get together and have teenaguh parties where they start a big FIRE! I guess they were playing with matches. Mary told me about it (Mary is our elderly neighbor that Han visits everyday). Almost everything I know, Mary told me. So if you ever have a teenaguh keep a close eye!"
Me: "Well Han, one day you'll be a teenager. Will I need to keep a close eye on you?"
Han: "Well........I won't be going to any teenage parties without you!!!"

I just had to write that down! Someday I may have to use this against her!!!


Han and I have a regular conversation in the bathroom similar to this one we had the other day...

Han: "OUCH! Mom that huwts!!!"
Me: "Sorry Han, I'm trying to be as careful as I can but you have a lot of tangles."
Han: " I sure wish Adam and Eve hadn't eaten that apple! Then it wouldn't hurt every time you combed my hair. Why DID they eat that apple?"
I re-told the story about how God told them not to, but Satan told them a lie and they believed him....
Han: "Well if they hadn't eaten it then we wouldn't do bad things."
Me: "That's true, they did the first bad thing, but when you do bad things it's because you made a choice to do it. You decide to disobey."
Han: "WELL.... they're the ones who got us into this whole mess!!!!"

Happy Birthday America!