Beautiful Things

One day, shortly before Maeve's birthday, I was feeling the heaviness of her birthday apart from us and all that the "day of birth" embodies as she grows older. I was putting away dishes and talking with one of my sisters on the phone; Maren was at the kitchen table with her art supplies. After I get off the phone, she brings me a very small crown she had made (without being instructed). She told me "it for my little sister." I begin crying as I considered the symbolism of the crown and God, Our Father, bestowing a crown of beauty for Maeve. All the while, the song "Beautiful Things" by Gungor (http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/lyricsdetail.php?lyrics_id=62069) was on the radio station that we have playing in our home continually. Ponder the lyrics if you have a chance....they speak of how He makes beautiful things of each of our lives. I was thanking Jesus over and over for encouraging me with the details of that morning...down to even the music the radio station was playing.

The words we have recently placed on the wall outside the children's bathroom in our home (see below) are a daily reminder for our family.  We are confident: He will make beautiful things of your life, Maeve.

On a side note, we are at day 50 of waiting for our LOA (the arrival of this document is key to how soon we travel to China). Part of this process, is the lack of process: we know other families received LOA last week who were matched the same day as us.

Please continue to pray for God's protection and care to be evident in Maeve's life this day.

                                                     *words on wall taken from Michelle Anthony's "Spiritual Parenting"

Happy Birthday dear Maeve...

Our dear, little miss Maeve is celebrating her first birthday a half-a-world away from us. It is a day to celebrate her life. Our thoughts are gracious: gratitude for her birth mother carrying her, thankfulness for the beautiful life God created, and that He chose us to parent this dear one.

We would be remiss however to ignore the magnitude the day of her birth weighs on us. As a dear friend once said, "broken families and children were not how God originally planned it." She should be surrounded by family and friends celebrating her 1st birthday; she should be hugged, kissed, adored over, and fed well on her birthday (and every day). What we do know is that our sovereign Lord is watching over her. We do know that He has big plans for her life (this is abundantly clear as He has created opportunities already for His love and glory to be discussed with acquaintances regarding her adoption). He creates beautiful things; He redeems our lives; He will crown her with beauty.

We would like you to join us in celebrating her 1st birthday. First, please commit to praying for Maeve each day. Also, please pray for her birth parents (especially this week) as this week would also be a heavy reminder for them. Pray that some how her birth mom and birth dad would hear about Jesus and desire Him to guide their lives. Second, if you wish to: please leave a note, song lyrics, or a poem in the comments. This way we have something tangible for her to look back and see how her family and friends loved her from the beginning. Third, if you wish: consider giving financially through the "adopt together" link on the right; this is a way for you to give with a tax-deductible gift.

We are confident in God's love for her!

A Continuous Smile

Last week at the twins' last baseball game of the season a father of a ballplayer came over to us (Danial and Michelle) and told us, "your daughter (Maren) ALWAYS has a smile on her face; I have enjoyed watching her each game."

Later, I was pondering this: Maren was prayed over immensely while waiting in the orphanage for her forever family. I know God was faithful to our prayers and prayers of our friends and family...giving her peace and joy...bringing her from unpleasant circumstances, carrying her through a dramatic change, and yet all the while guarding her precious heart.

May we all continue to faithfully pray that Maeve will be able to have a smile after all she has been through and will go through...Oh, Lord protect her heart and spirit; set a smile in her.