Today we went to the department of home land security and John was sworn in as a US citizen. While this is exciting to many, he doesn't seem to really be excite about too many things- including this. Maybe he doesn't fully comprehend what went on, maybe he just doesn't care too much about it and maybe he doesn't realize all the implications right now. Maybe I can draw a parallel with some other things.
We, those born in America, often take our own citizenship for granted. Who will defend America's borders? Who will speak up when everyone else is against us? Who will fight for religious freedoms when it is not popular? Who will stand up against killing unborn children when many look the other way? US citizens. You and I are supposed to do the work. With citizenship come privilege and responsibility; they go hand in hand.
Though John doesn't really understand the impact of his new earthly citizenship many of us are in a similar situation when it comes to our Heavenly citizenship. We quickly adopt the language and mannerisms of those who call themselves Christians but lack the commitment to carry out the responsibilities.
When it comes to the defense of our faith, who will be those who are the soldiers? Who will be the ones to speak out against sin, even when it is not politically correct? Who will defend the fatherless and widows? Who will raise the next generation to do the same? We want the comforts of "fire insurance" but leave the responsibilities to others. We want the promises of Scripture without the persecution.
Are we the ones who dole out Truth without love? Are we ready to fight the sin but love the sinner? Are we ready to contend for the faith without being contentious?
The saying goes that "You can tell the success of a nation by the amount of people who are trying to get in and by the effort of those who are trying to leave". The US has no earthly equal when it comes to people trying to get in. The Kingdom of Heaven has no equal when it comes to the forces of evil trying to keep people out. Satan has a master plan for border patrol and it includes many good things and many evil, but as citizens of Heaven we must be convinced and convincing in our love for our true Home.
How are we doing in our promotion of our Homeland? Are people convinced of the value Heaven by how excited we are to be citizens? Or do we just love the privileges and not take the responsibilities seriously?
5/14/10
Exciting News
I'm going to post this on both blogs, since it has to do with both.
This afternoon John and I went to watch Garrett compete in districts in track; yesterday was his district golf day. On the way home I decided to ask John some questions.
He had told me that he got a 97% on his last Bible test and so I would like to know where he is coming from.
Q#1- Do you think the Bible is true? A#1- Yes.
Q#2- How do you know? A#2- Because God wrote it. I like that answer.
We talked about Heaven and Hell and what would happen if he died tonight on the way home, about having to be perfect to get into Heaven, that there is only one perfect person, and he said it is Jesus- who is God- I think the Trinity is a bit hard for him to fully grasp right now, but I guess that is kind of the case with us all. I asked him what Heaven is like and he didn;t really know much about that or anything about Hell. I explained bodies that doesn't die and living either in eternal pain of no pain and he certainly seems to understand all that. I asked him again what would happen if he dies tonight and he said he would go to Hell.
Then I asked him if he wanted to change that and he said "yes". I tried to take it away a bit and told him he needed to come home and talk to Teresa about what he was thinking about doing. He really seems to know what I said and of his need of a Savior. We talked about praying to ask Jesus into his heart, how Jesus could make his heart clean and how being a Christian means you read your Bible and obey it as the Holy Spirit works in each one of us to make us love him more. I think he gets it.
we prayed together and he asked Jesus to come into his heart and make his heart clean and to help him obey. He thanks God for his new family and he is a new person- as easy as that. I then asked him if he dies today what would happen. He said he would go to hell because he is not perfect. It's hard to imagine that the redemptive work of Christ can take place in 1 minute and w/o a bunch of work, but that is God's plan- how awesome is that?!!!
God is so kind to us. He brought us a new son, and then as you all prayed for him He answered those prayers. What an awesome day!!!
This afternoon John and I went to watch Garrett compete in districts in track; yesterday was his district golf day. On the way home I decided to ask John some questions.
He had told me that he got a 97% on his last Bible test and so I would like to know where he is coming from.
Q#1- Do you think the Bible is true? A#1- Yes.
Q#2- How do you know? A#2- Because God wrote it. I like that answer.
We talked about Heaven and Hell and what would happen if he died tonight on the way home, about having to be perfect to get into Heaven, that there is only one perfect person, and he said it is Jesus- who is God- I think the Trinity is a bit hard for him to fully grasp right now, but I guess that is kind of the case with us all. I asked him what Heaven is like and he didn;t really know much about that or anything about Hell. I explained bodies that doesn't die and living either in eternal pain of no pain and he certainly seems to understand all that. I asked him again what would happen if he dies tonight and he said he would go to Hell.
Then I asked him if he wanted to change that and he said "yes". I tried to take it away a bit and told him he needed to come home and talk to Teresa about what he was thinking about doing. He really seems to know what I said and of his need of a Savior. We talked about praying to ask Jesus into his heart, how Jesus could make his heart clean and how being a Christian means you read your Bible and obey it as the Holy Spirit works in each one of us to make us love him more. I think he gets it.
we prayed together and he asked Jesus to come into his heart and make his heart clean and to help him obey. He thanks God for his new family and he is a new person- as easy as that. I then asked him if he dies today what would happen. He said he would go to hell because he is not perfect. It's hard to imagine that the redemptive work of Christ can take place in 1 minute and w/o a bunch of work, but that is God's plan- how awesome is that?!!!
God is so kind to us. He brought us a new son, and then as you all prayed for him He answered those prayers. What an awesome day!!!
5/6/10
How's John Doing?
John is preparing for the Jr. High Fair- meaning he is making a story board about himself and I think he is getting excited about displaying it.
Last night I asked the math teacher after our youth ministry how my math students were doing; Garrett and John. He started with John and said that there is an ACSI-Association of Christian Schools- math league test that apparently the 9th grade math class has just taken. I am not sure who else has to take it. In a 5 state area John got 2nd and one of the other kids form Grace Academy took 3rd. All the Christian schools in 5 states and John got 2nd. His math teacher said he thinks he would have done better if he could understand English better- only one place for sure. That is pretty exciting.
Since John doesn't read the blogs I'll give you some more. One of the parents of one of his classmates was standing there, to hear all of that inter change. He said that his son is in the 8th grade and that he really thinks John is a good guy. The dad said he was not sure why his son liked John so much and I said it was because he is really nice, he works hard and he is just full of life; and it doesn't hurt that he is a cute little Chinese kid. He truly is a sweet guy.
Kimmy went to So. Cal. yesterday to watch Ian graduate from the Master's College. When she told John that she was going to be gone until Tuesday he said "NOOOOOO". He really likes having her around. He is going to cry when she moves to NC.
Oh, the math teacher said that big brother Garrett is also doing amazing, he catches on to calculus very quickly and is able to help others as well. 2 math brains to add to the biggest brother's math brain. I have a whole house full of math men- except me. It's fun to have really smart boys who are nice too.
Are you coming to the fund raiser on the 15th? It's gonna be fun!!
Last night I asked the math teacher after our youth ministry how my math students were doing; Garrett and John. He started with John and said that there is an ACSI-Association of Christian Schools- math league test that apparently the 9th grade math class has just taken. I am not sure who else has to take it. In a 5 state area John got 2nd and one of the other kids form Grace Academy took 3rd. All the Christian schools in 5 states and John got 2nd. His math teacher said he thinks he would have done better if he could understand English better- only one place for sure. That is pretty exciting.
Since John doesn't read the blogs I'll give you some more. One of the parents of one of his classmates was standing there, to hear all of that inter change. He said that his son is in the 8th grade and that he really thinks John is a good guy. The dad said he was not sure why his son liked John so much and I said it was because he is really nice, he works hard and he is just full of life; and it doesn't hurt that he is a cute little Chinese kid. He truly is a sweet guy.
Kimmy went to So. Cal. yesterday to watch Ian graduate from the Master's College. When she told John that she was going to be gone until Tuesday he said "NOOOOOO". He really likes having her around. He is going to cry when she moves to NC.
Oh, the math teacher said that big brother Garrett is also doing amazing, he catches on to calculus very quickly and is able to help others as well. 2 math brains to add to the biggest brother's math brain. I have a whole house full of math men- except me. It's fun to have really smart boys who are nice too.
Are you coming to the fund raiser on the 15th? It's gonna be fun!!
4/19/10
Open House for John
Yesterday, after church, the Sarr family, with help from a bunch of people I'm sure I am not aware of, threw an open house/party for John and our family. What a fun afternoon.
The weather was perfect- I think it was around 75- there were a bunch of people there, probably about 100, and I think John had a good time. Our body is so generous and they lavished their love on us as is their custom. The fellowship was sweet, there was lots of food, God allowed us to be able to use the out door living area ALL around the house and people seemed like they had a great time.
"Thank you" to the Sarr family, and all who helped, in order to make that all happen and thanks to all who came to support our of adoption of John. BTW- I think that is the first shower I have been to in years and it was very enjoyable.
Who will be next?
The weather was perfect- I think it was around 75- there were a bunch of people there, probably about 100, and I think John had a good time. Our body is so generous and they lavished their love on us as is their custom. The fellowship was sweet, there was lots of food, God allowed us to be able to use the out door living area ALL around the house and people seemed like they had a great time.
"Thank you" to the Sarr family, and all who helped, in order to make that all happen and thanks to all who came to support our of adoption of John. BTW- I think that is the first shower I have been to in years and it was very enjoyable.
Who will be next?
4/16/10
Ethiopia Slides
Thanks to Sean Higgins here are a couple of slide shows for you to watch.
The first one is a ">"Thanks you" to all who gave so generously to the widows and orphans in Ethiopia.
The second one is a call to action for those of us whom God has so abundantly blessed, that we might be good stewards of all He has given and bless those who are less fortunate; namely the fatherless.
Thanks to Steven Curtis Chapman for the words to "When Love Takes You In". May we be moved to do the part that God has given for us to do. What's your part?
The first one is a ">"Thanks you" to all who gave so generously to the widows and orphans in Ethiopia.
The second one is a call to action for those of us whom God has so abundantly blessed, that we might be good stewards of all He has given and bless those who are less fortunate; namely the fatherless.
Weinberg Ethiopia Trip Slideshow - Two from one28 on Vimeo.
Thanks to Steven Curtis Chapman for the words to "When Love Takes You In". May we be moved to do the part that God has given for us to do. What's your part?
4/8/10
Fundraising for Families
Please go to this website and give me your thoughts on doing fund-raising for families who are in the adoption process.
Please post your comments in this blog.
To answer some questions posted. This event is for everyone who is wanting to come and have fun and help to fund getting some kids into some families. Exciting stuff.
Please post your comments in this blog.
To answer some questions posted. This event is for everyone who is wanting to come and have fun and help to fund getting some kids into some families. Exciting stuff.
3/21/10
John is Doing Great!
John is finished with 3 weeks of school, 4 hours of the dental Hygienist, his first Jr. High lock-in, first gym jam and I continue to say that I really can't imagine it going much better.
The hygienist asked Teresa if he is always this good natured and she said, "He is always like this". People say, "It seems like he is really fitting in well with the family" and that is so true. He is always trying to play some trick on Teresa and he loves to laugh. His favorite subject in school is immediately "PE" even though he is ridiculously good at math.
Each day, and I mean everyday, he seems to speak better English- though there is a long way to go here. We had a staff meeting scheduled for last Tuesday night and Teresa was trying to explain that there would be people coming over so he would have to go up with the kids or hang out in his room. He told her very matter-of-factly- "Yes- 6:30- people coming over". He had listened to the announcements and understood what was happening.
He is becoming a Weinberg both practically and positionally.
Garrett and Grant both took their college algebra CLEP- a way to challenge the course so it is not necessary to take it in college, and they both passed. What awesome boys God has given us.
The hygienist asked Teresa if he is always this good natured and she said, "He is always like this". People say, "It seems like he is really fitting in well with the family" and that is so true. He is always trying to play some trick on Teresa and he loves to laugh. His favorite subject in school is immediately "PE" even though he is ridiculously good at math.
Each day, and I mean everyday, he seems to speak better English- though there is a long way to go here. We had a staff meeting scheduled for last Tuesday night and Teresa was trying to explain that there would be people coming over so he would have to go up with the kids or hang out in his room. He told her very matter-of-factly- "Yes- 6:30- people coming over". He had listened to the announcements and understood what was happening.
He is becoming a Weinberg both practically and positionally.
Garrett and Grant both took their college algebra CLEP- a way to challenge the course so it is not necessary to take it in college, and they both passed. What awesome boys God has given us.
3/16/10
One GIGANTIC doctor's appointment
I will try to make this quick and to the point.
A full day of Dr. appointments leads to a group consultation in about a month. The direction they are currently thinking is that some time- sooner rather than later- John will have hi lip repaired and at the same time have a couple of teeth extracted. The "easy" way to have dental work.
Then some time following that there will be a surgery to open up the bilateral clefts on his gum line, followed, sometime later, by a bone graph surgery, taking marrow from his hip and planting it in the open clefts, to enable his gum line to be one continuous bone.
After this there will be a couple of sets of braces, possibly a palate extension surgery and maybe a speech surgery as well.
All this is to be determined in the coming months but for now we need to find a speech therapist close to us that will work with John and take our insurance- so that's first on the docket.
It is amazing that they can do all these kids of things and they are excited about what they can do for John. The doc asked if the lip repair was something that he wanted to have done and he said "yes", so we are going the right direction. He is a real trooper.
Children's was great to work with-again- and it will be fun to see what God does through all these visits and new relationships that are forming. He is good, we muxt praise Him for His excellent works.
A full day of Dr. appointments leads to a group consultation in about a month. The direction they are currently thinking is that some time- sooner rather than later- John will have hi lip repaired and at the same time have a couple of teeth extracted. The "easy" way to have dental work.
Then some time following that there will be a surgery to open up the bilateral clefts on his gum line, followed, sometime later, by a bone graph surgery, taking marrow from his hip and planting it in the open clefts, to enable his gum line to be one continuous bone.
After this there will be a couple of sets of braces, possibly a palate extension surgery and maybe a speech surgery as well.
All this is to be determined in the coming months but for now we need to find a speech therapist close to us that will work with John and take our insurance- so that's first on the docket.
It is amazing that they can do all these kids of things and they are excited about what they can do for John. The doc asked if the lip repair was something that he wanted to have done and he said "yes", so we are going the right direction. He is a real trooper.
Children's was great to work with-again- and it will be fun to see what God does through all these visits and new relationships that are forming. He is good, we muxt praise Him for His excellent works.
3/14/10
2 weeks of school
John has finished his 2nd week of school and seems to be gaining ground on verbal English each day. I talked to the math teacher and he said that John has some very amazing math skill-naturally. Teresa said that watching him do his math is actually fun because his pencil doesn't really stop.
He seems to be happy here. The social worker came for the post placement visit- number 1 of 3 and I think he was pleased with what he saw. I old him that I really can't imagine this whole thing going too much easier since we have been home. BTW- we really were not expecting to get a $350 bill for that visit and the next 2 are then reduced to $300 each. Keeps on giving, but it's God's money we are spending so oh well.
We have an all day appointment at Children's tomorrow with about 6 different doctors and hopefully we will know where we are supposed to go from here, with regard to his surgeries and the rest. John is really a trooper when it comes to stuff like this- maybe he is just happy to be getting worked on.
I'll post more when I have info- but life is starting to get really normal and it doesn't seem like I should be relaying this kind of everyday stuff- but here it is.
It is really fun- through all of this- to see God's hand in each and every step of the way and even as He brings people into our life that we would never have met with John's adoption. What will He do through all of this? Only He knows.
He seems to be happy here. The social worker came for the post placement visit- number 1 of 3 and I think he was pleased with what he saw. I old him that I really can't imagine this whole thing going too much easier since we have been home. BTW- we really were not expecting to get a $350 bill for that visit and the next 2 are then reduced to $300 each. Keeps on giving, but it's God's money we are spending so oh well.
We have an all day appointment at Children's tomorrow with about 6 different doctors and hopefully we will know where we are supposed to go from here, with regard to his surgeries and the rest. John is really a trooper when it comes to stuff like this- maybe he is just happy to be getting worked on.
I'll post more when I have info- but life is starting to get really normal and it doesn't seem like I should be relaying this kind of everyday stuff- but here it is.
It is really fun- through all of this- to see God's hand in each and every step of the way and even as He brings people into our life that we would never have met with John's adoption. What will He do through all of this? Only He knows.
3/5/10
Scaredy Cat
John likes Steve- our cat. Yes, our cat's name is Steve. That is another story for another day.
Steve is a large cat- more than 15 pounds. He might be where they coined the term "scaredy cat". He is afraid of lots of things- in fact right now he doesn't even want to go outside, even when it is nice out.
Apparently John was chasing Steve around the house yesterday after school and Steve ran up the stairs on the bonus room side of the house. They had been playing for quite some time and Steve was tired- it's hard running around when you're fat and out of shape(a little biographical comment there).
So Steve is recovering from all this running around and John sneaks up on him and yells really loud. Steve jumps up and poops all over the floor. John scared the c--- out of Steve. Teresa thought that was hilarious but told John that if he was going to scare the cat from now on that he would have to clean up after him.
Just another day in the life of our crazy family- John is fitting right in.
Steve is a large cat- more than 15 pounds. He might be where they coined the term "scaredy cat". He is afraid of lots of things- in fact right now he doesn't even want to go outside, even when it is nice out.
Apparently John was chasing Steve around the house yesterday after school and Steve ran up the stairs on the bonus room side of the house. They had been playing for quite some time and Steve was tired- it's hard running around when you're fat and out of shape(a little biographical comment there).
So Steve is recovering from all this running around and John sneaks up on him and yells really loud. Steve jumps up and poops all over the floor. John scared the c--- out of Steve. Teresa thought that was hilarious but told John that if he was going to scare the cat from now on that he would have to clean up after him.
Just another day in the life of our crazy family- John is fitting right in.
1 School week almost complete
John finishes his first week of school today. He has had lots of testing and he seems to be alright with pretty much everything.
The math teacher caught T and informed her that he had given John an Algebra test on Monday and that he did "amazing"- in fact he used that word multiple times in their conversation. He is not easy to impress so John must be pretty good at math for his age. We asked him if he likes math and he said "no". Even though he is good at it he said it is hard and that is why he doesn't like it. He'll get over that someday.
Many of the other courses he does pretty well in, but his challenge will be- for a while- verbal comprehension. I am not too concerned with this because as he integrates into student/friend life he will have to speak English more and they will be speaking back to him and he will be a good English comp. person in no time. In fact he already speaks considerably more than he did 4 days ago.
It seems like most of the kids are taking a liking to him- he is fun to be around and has a mischievous sense of humor. T walked into the PE class to see how he was doing and she couldn't find him in the game they were playing. She said she looked around for a bit and then noticed he was standing off to the side- kind of hiding- to see how long it would take for her to notice where he was. Those kinds of things make him laugh.
The math teacher caught T and informed her that he had given John an Algebra test on Monday and that he did "amazing"- in fact he used that word multiple times in their conversation. He is not easy to impress so John must be pretty good at math for his age. We asked him if he likes math and he said "no". Even though he is good at it he said it is hard and that is why he doesn't like it. He'll get over that someday.
Many of the other courses he does pretty well in, but his challenge will be- for a while- verbal comprehension. I am not too concerned with this because as he integrates into student/friend life he will have to speak English more and they will be speaking back to him and he will be a good English comp. person in no time. In fact he already speaks considerably more than he did 4 days ago.
It seems like most of the kids are taking a liking to him- he is fun to be around and has a mischievous sense of humor. T walked into the PE class to see how he was doing and she couldn't find him in the game they were playing. She said she looked around for a bit and then noticed he was standing off to the side- kind of hiding- to see how long it would take for her to notice where he was. Those kinds of things make him laugh.
3/1/10
School
John starts school today- he is in the 7th, 8th and 9th grade. He did very well in all his testing except for verbal comprehension, even in English and grammar when it was written down he did well. He is more than a grade ahead in math, so he can relax a bit on that one and work hard on English Comp.
It seems he is excited to go and I am pretty sure it won't be long in this environment that he will be speaking English pretty quickly.
He is adjusting well to living here and being part of our family. Teresa told me that he came up and gave her a hug the other day- so we are making progress. It still is a little weird having someone that is so different from us being part of our family, but I think in a few months it will seem like he has always been here.
I'll let you know how school goes.
It seems he is excited to go and I am pretty sure it won't be long in this environment that he will be speaking English pretty quickly.
He is adjusting well to living here and being part of our family. Teresa told me that he came up and gave her a hug the other day- so we are making progress. It still is a little weird having someone that is so different from us being part of our family, but I think in a few months it will seem like he has always been here.
I'll let you know how school goes.
2/23/10
Update
A quick update on where we are in the process.
T took John to the dentist yesterday and she was told that they are pretty sure he has never had any work done on his teeth. There is a lot of bacteria in his mouth and this could lead- if not checked- to heart disease. That seems strange to me.
The hygienist was excited about all the work needed and they gave him some gas to relax him for the long procedure- he is going back this morning at 9 for stage 2. The dentist family has a history of CLP so she is familiar with the issues and excited to work with John.
On the 15th of March we are going to Children's to spend the day with a group of doctors who will see him, each with their own specialty. I think it is something in the order of 8 doctors in a row. This will be good so we can get an idea of what needs to be done and in what order.
Many unknowns for us and him along the way, but God is faithful to have us meet the right people at the right time, so we will just trust in His leading.
John is doing well ad adjusting to being in a noisy family. We will probably enroll him in school very soon so he can get his feet wet with verbal English. It seems he has a good grasp on everything else.
I'll keep you posted as things progress
T took John to the dentist yesterday and she was told that they are pretty sure he has never had any work done on his teeth. There is a lot of bacteria in his mouth and this could lead- if not checked- to heart disease. That seems strange to me.
The hygienist was excited about all the work needed and they gave him some gas to relax him for the long procedure- he is going back this morning at 9 for stage 2. The dentist family has a history of CLP so she is familiar with the issues and excited to work with John.
On the 15th of March we are going to Children's to spend the day with a group of doctors who will see him, each with their own specialty. I think it is something in the order of 8 doctors in a row. This will be good so we can get an idea of what needs to be done and in what order.
Many unknowns for us and him along the way, but God is faithful to have us meet the right people at the right time, so we will just trust in His leading.
John is doing well ad adjusting to being in a noisy family. We will probably enroll him in school very soon so he can get his feet wet with verbal English. It seems he has a good grasp on everything else.
I'll keep you posted as things progress
2/17/10
Do you Hear God calling you?
Please read this link and look at your life and examine if God is calling you to something like this ministry. We must be about our Father's business and for some that may be doing something very different than they are currently doing.
2/13/10
The Father and His children
For obvious reasons it is hard for me to determine which blog to post this under, but for one of those obvious reasons I chose to put it on this one.
Behold, what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called the sons of God. This is why the world does not know us. It is because it does not know God, and we are His sons.
--I John 3:1-2
"We know that we were born into sin, and even now we feel the inner corruption that remains with us. It is no wonder, then, that we amazed by our adoption as sons into God s family. But the Scripture says that we are called "the sons of God." What a high relationship is that of a son, and what privileges it brings! What care and tenderness the son expects from his father, and what love the father feels towards the son! But all that-- and even more than that-- we now have through Christ.
It is easy to say that "we are now the sons of God," but it is not so easy to feel. How is it with your heart today? Are you in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does corruption rise within your spirit and grace seem like a poor spark trampled under foot? Does your faith almost fail you? Don't be afraid! It is not your graces or your feelings on which you are to live; you must live simply by faith in Christ. With all these things against us, it is now--in the very depths of our sorrow, wherever we may be-- now, as much in the valley as on the mountain "now are we the sons of God."
"Ah, but," you say, "look at me! My graces do not shine brightly; my righteousness does not shine with great glory." But read the next part: "It does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He appears we will be like Him." The Holy Spirit will purify our minds, and divine power will refine our bodies. Then, we will see Him as He is."
Morning & Evening, by Charles H. Spurgeon
Revised and edited by William C. Neff, ©2003-2009
This single M&E could be the springboard of a very long post, or numerous posts, but I will try to keep it short.
I am not sure that John yet feels like he is a son, nor do I think he even knows the blessing, privilege and responsibility that comes from being a son. He is starting to understand what it means to be a brother, which is fun to watch. With that said I am not sure that I have fully accepted him as much as I do my bio's- which I think will take time- we have much to work on. Unlike our heavenly Father my love is not unconditional and it takes me a while to get in the groove, but it will come. It actually took me a while with Grant and Garrett as well, but it didn't take but a minute with Kimmy- something about a little girl and her daddy.
With each of our bio's it was different and it will be different with John as well. This is a great excerpt from morning and evening and if you are able you should read that section of this post again and think about all the ramifications it has for you today.
May we know the Father's love for us as His very blessed children.
Behold, what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called the sons of God. This is why the world does not know us. It is because it does not know God, and we are His sons.
--I John 3:1-2
"We know that we were born into sin, and even now we feel the inner corruption that remains with us. It is no wonder, then, that we amazed by our adoption as sons into God s family. But the Scripture says that we are called "the sons of God." What a high relationship is that of a son, and what privileges it brings! What care and tenderness the son expects from his father, and what love the father feels towards the son! But all that-- and even more than that-- we now have through Christ.
It is easy to say that "we are now the sons of God," but it is not so easy to feel. How is it with your heart today? Are you in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does corruption rise within your spirit and grace seem like a poor spark trampled under foot? Does your faith almost fail you? Don't be afraid! It is not your graces or your feelings on which you are to live; you must live simply by faith in Christ. With all these things against us, it is now--in the very depths of our sorrow, wherever we may be-- now, as much in the valley as on the mountain "now are we the sons of God."
"Ah, but," you say, "look at me! My graces do not shine brightly; my righteousness does not shine with great glory." But read the next part: "It does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He appears we will be like Him." The Holy Spirit will purify our minds, and divine power will refine our bodies. Then, we will see Him as He is."
Morning & Evening, by Charles H. Spurgeon
Revised and edited by William C. Neff, ©2003-2009
This single M&E could be the springboard of a very long post, or numerous posts, but I will try to keep it short.
I am not sure that John yet feels like he is a son, nor do I think he even knows the blessing, privilege and responsibility that comes from being a son. He is starting to understand what it means to be a brother, which is fun to watch. With that said I am not sure that I have fully accepted him as much as I do my bio's- which I think will take time- we have much to work on. Unlike our heavenly Father my love is not unconditional and it takes me a while to get in the groove, but it will come. It actually took me a while with Grant and Garrett as well, but it didn't take but a minute with Kimmy- something about a little girl and her daddy.
With each of our bio's it was different and it will be different with John as well. This is a great excerpt from morning and evening and if you are able you should read that section of this post again and think about all the ramifications it has for you today.
May we know the Father's love for us as His very blessed children.
2/11/10
Circus Act
I am back full swing into work, after 20 days away there are plenty of emails and phone calls to catch up on. The kids are either working or in school, so that leaves T with John together most of the time.
She is trying to get him into a routine doing things like unloading the dishwasher and helping around the house. All this is probably pretty new to him, as I can only imagine that life in the orphanage was much different than it is here, but he must integrate into life in our family.
Many kids are in the house, so it will not be too long and he will be seeing people for the 3-4th time and hopefully get used to talking with them- right now he has to be coerced into engaging in pretty much any communication unless it is with his friends on the computer. T is going to start giving him a time limit.
Yesterday Kimmy and Garrett were going to work on a puzzle before dinner and I had not yet come home. They invited John to participate and he reluctantly came to the table, but then Grant, unknowingly, came to his rescue. Remember John and Grant are kind of alike- though there is 16" of height difference- in that they both would rather not say anything. Grant ordered some throwing knives last week and he has a little target set up in the back yard. He decided to go out and throw and as soon as John saw an opportunity to get away from either doing the puzzle or being around the 2 chatter boxes, or both, he was quickly out the door and throwing with Grant. That may not be what the social worker would want to hear, but this is the life of our family:) Are we training a future circus performer?
Teresa is trying to get appts. set up, insurance updated, and a myriad of other paperwork issues taken care of, while still trying to catch up on letters and bills and housework after her being gone for 20 days as well. We are trying to decide what to do on the school front and so we have some calls to make and people to consult to make sure we make the best decision for all parties involved.
Another pretty boring day, but I guess we need some boredom on some front.
She is trying to get him into a routine doing things like unloading the dishwasher and helping around the house. All this is probably pretty new to him, as I can only imagine that life in the orphanage was much different than it is here, but he must integrate into life in our family.
Many kids are in the house, so it will not be too long and he will be seeing people for the 3-4th time and hopefully get used to talking with them- right now he has to be coerced into engaging in pretty much any communication unless it is with his friends on the computer. T is going to start giving him a time limit.
Yesterday Kimmy and Garrett were going to work on a puzzle before dinner and I had not yet come home. They invited John to participate and he reluctantly came to the table, but then Grant, unknowingly, came to his rescue. Remember John and Grant are kind of alike- though there is 16" of height difference- in that they both would rather not say anything. Grant ordered some throwing knives last week and he has a little target set up in the back yard. He decided to go out and throw and as soon as John saw an opportunity to get away from either doing the puzzle or being around the 2 chatter boxes, or both, he was quickly out the door and throwing with Grant. That may not be what the social worker would want to hear, but this is the life of our family:) Are we training a future circus performer?
Teresa is trying to get appts. set up, insurance updated, and a myriad of other paperwork issues taken care of, while still trying to catch up on letters and bills and housework after her being gone for 20 days as well. We are trying to decide what to do on the school front and so we have some calls to make and people to consult to make sure we make the best decision for all parties involved.
Another pretty boring day, but I guess we need some boredom on some front.
2/9/10
Family Life
John and Teresa got the bikes out of the garage and went for a bike ride. Then a few of the guys and Garrett and John went to the golf course and chipped and putted. John's first attempt at golfing.
For dinner the family got together and we all helped make fried rice and stir fried beef and then sat down and ate with chop sticks- no forks allowed. It is interesting that John doesn't really like to use chop sticks and he doesn't like tea.??? I then wrote on a pad of paper English words and had him write the Chinese word for it and we practiced a bit of Chinese and he English.
Then we gave him a bit of a break and he spent some time on the computer- I think visiting with some friends in Chinese- it's difficult to tell what he is doing since it is all in Chinese.
After that I had Grant look up some Algebra problems on the computer and then give them to John- trying to figure out where he is. Algebra I was no problem for him, but we gave him an Algebra II quiz and he didn't do as well on that one. At least we know he can do math above his grade level.
SOrt of a boring post but wanted you to know what we were up to.
For dinner the family got together and we all helped make fried rice and stir fried beef and then sat down and ate with chop sticks- no forks allowed. It is interesting that John doesn't really like to use chop sticks and he doesn't like tea.??? I then wrote on a pad of paper English words and had him write the Chinese word for it and we practiced a bit of Chinese and he English.
Then we gave him a bit of a break and he spent some time on the computer- I think visiting with some friends in Chinese- it's difficult to tell what he is doing since it is all in Chinese.
After that I had Grant look up some Algebra problems on the computer and then give them to John- trying to figure out where he is. Algebra I was no problem for him, but we gave him an Algebra II quiz and he didn't do as well on that one. At least we know he can do math above his grade level.
SOrt of a boring post but wanted you to know what we were up to.
2/8/10
First Church Service
My postings will be diminished as the days go on because it will soon be that we are just participating in life as usual rather than watching God do some amazing miracles each day.
Yesterday I spoke about the process and shared some of the miracles of what has taken place along the way. Here is a link to it if you are inclined to listen to me ramble about it. SKH has cleaned the audio up a bit, so at least you won't have to listen to all the "umm's".
There are a few things that I want to encourage you with. Yesterday was our first day back with our church family at GBC and that went very well. We had a potluck after the morning services- scheduled for this time every month- and so there were some who were able to talk with John one on one. Before we went up to that John was able to talk to 2 sisters- 1 is currently a student at GA and the other is an alumni- who speak fluent Chinese. This was really great for John as they encouraged him with the fact that just a few months ago- for the current student- she was speaking English not too much better than he is right now and she is doing fine.
In the evening service he was actually trying to sing along with the music and so he is getting the Gospel and singing it, in English. God uses all kinds of ways to bring His children into His family.
At the end of the day he told Teresa that he wants to go to school soon, so we will be working on a plan to try to make that happen. He will need to be tested to see where he really is, but we might be surprised at how much he actually knows. It seems like he knows quite a bit if it is written out for him. He just has a hard time with understanding what we are saying and then communicating it back to us. The girls said that the faced the same challenge, as they learned a lot in English class but they just didn't hear or speak it very much until they got here. The older sister was actually having a hard time starting the conversation with him in Chinese because she speaks English so much now and it has only been 2 years for her.
God has a plan for this son of ours and I have no idea what that might look like- but He does. We want to be good stewards of what He gives and pray that John would be drawn into the Kingdom of His marvelous light and that sometime down the road God would chose to use a "small, weak, special needs", Chinese young man to make the big, strong, powerful people of the world scratch their heads in wonder at where this kind of thing comes from. I am praying that God would do exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or think in John's life. I am thinking pretty big so it will be fun to see what He does.
Yesterday I spoke about the process and shared some of the miracles of what has taken place along the way. Here is a link to it if you are inclined to listen to me ramble about it. SKH has cleaned the audio up a bit, so at least you won't have to listen to all the "umm's".
There are a few things that I want to encourage you with. Yesterday was our first day back with our church family at GBC and that went very well. We had a potluck after the morning services- scheduled for this time every month- and so there were some who were able to talk with John one on one. Before we went up to that John was able to talk to 2 sisters- 1 is currently a student at GA and the other is an alumni- who speak fluent Chinese. This was really great for John as they encouraged him with the fact that just a few months ago- for the current student- she was speaking English not too much better than he is right now and she is doing fine.
In the evening service he was actually trying to sing along with the music and so he is getting the Gospel and singing it, in English. God uses all kinds of ways to bring His children into His family.
At the end of the day he told Teresa that he wants to go to school soon, so we will be working on a plan to try to make that happen. He will need to be tested to see where he really is, but we might be surprised at how much he actually knows. It seems like he knows quite a bit if it is written out for him. He just has a hard time with understanding what we are saying and then communicating it back to us. The girls said that the faced the same challenge, as they learned a lot in English class but they just didn't hear or speak it very much until they got here. The older sister was actually having a hard time starting the conversation with him in Chinese because she speaks English so much now and it has only been 2 years for her.
God has a plan for this son of ours and I have no idea what that might look like- but He does. We want to be good stewards of what He gives and pray that John would be drawn into the Kingdom of His marvelous light and that sometime down the road God would chose to use a "small, weak, special needs", Chinese young man to make the big, strong, powerful people of the world scratch their heads in wonder at where this kind of thing comes from. I am praying that God would do exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or think in John's life. I am thinking pretty big so it will be fun to see what He does.
2/7/10
One stage completed.
I hope my clock is set back to my normal early US schedule, but time will be the teller of whether this is true. We did stay up until 8 last night, so that should help.
Today- Sunday- we have the privilege of being back with our full family in a service to openly worship the King of kings and Lord of all lord. We can celebrate His leading us to this place of adopting John David and changing our lives and his in this horizontal picture of what He has done for us vertically. There are some stages of earthly adoption, much like there are stages in our Christian life.
If the process is his vertical adoption, then John has just been accepted into the family and now there is a long road of sanctification to be conformed to the image of a child of the Family he has been adopted into.
We have completed the transaction of paperwork between 2 nations that don't necessarily see eye to eye on many things, but it has been agreed that John can be a US citizen and a member of our family. That is pretty amazing in itself. But there is a lot of work that needs to happen so he will be recognized, by others, as both a US citizen and a member of our family. The "formal" part has been done, but the inside change that needs to take place for him to be recognized as who he truly is will take time.
I am so thankful that God takes His time on us as He shapes and hammers us into the children He has called us to be. He adopts us into His Family to be productive members of His Kingdom, making us into vessels He can use to do His work, even though He could do it much better on His own.
Please pray for John and our family as we work through the next few months. We need wisdom to know how hard to push and how much to let him go through this process. He is missing all that has been taken out of his life- though in the end he will be much better off. For one who likes change, this is hard for me to accept as less than a poor attitude- so I need to be careful. For T this hits close to home, since she doesn't like change. God has placed us in this place for a purpose and we want to continue to follow where He is leading.
Thanks again for all your prayers and comments along the way. May He continue His working in our lives and in John until we are all complete in Him.
Today- Sunday- we have the privilege of being back with our full family in a service to openly worship the King of kings and Lord of all lord. We can celebrate His leading us to this place of adopting John David and changing our lives and his in this horizontal picture of what He has done for us vertically. There are some stages of earthly adoption, much like there are stages in our Christian life.
If the process is his vertical adoption, then John has just been accepted into the family and now there is a long road of sanctification to be conformed to the image of a child of the Family he has been adopted into.
We have completed the transaction of paperwork between 2 nations that don't necessarily see eye to eye on many things, but it has been agreed that John can be a US citizen and a member of our family. That is pretty amazing in itself. But there is a lot of work that needs to happen so he will be recognized, by others, as both a US citizen and a member of our family. The "formal" part has been done, but the inside change that needs to take place for him to be recognized as who he truly is will take time.
I am so thankful that God takes His time on us as He shapes and hammers us into the children He has called us to be. He adopts us into His Family to be productive members of His Kingdom, making us into vessels He can use to do His work, even though He could do it much better on His own.
Please pray for John and our family as we work through the next few months. We need wisdom to know how hard to push and how much to let him go through this process. He is missing all that has been taken out of his life- though in the end he will be much better off. For one who likes change, this is hard for me to accept as less than a poor attitude- so I need to be careful. For T this hits close to home, since she doesn't like change. God has placed us in this place for a purpose and we want to continue to follow where He is leading.
Thanks again for all your prayers and comments along the way. May He continue His working in our lives and in John until we are all complete in Him.
2/6/10
We Are HOME!!!
flew starting today- 15 hours ago- and landed before we left, which really plays tricks on your mind. We actually landed at 7 this morning but didn't get out of the airport until around 8:30, since we were getting all the paperwork and customs finished, but no issue sand it is nice to be sitting on the couch blogging. The only issue in the flights was from Beijing to Tokyo the weather coming into Tokyo was pretty bumpy and many people were throwing up, which is always fun.
I would say that John is missing China/friends a lot. He is more reserved today than he has been but we think we can get him through that. We have him out shooting hoops with some of the kids and trying to keep him awake. He is not liking it too much right now but when his "clock" adjusts more quickly than if he were to sleep right now.
Tomorrow at church it may be a little tough for him. He is really reluctant to speak and going in with all those people will be hard. If you are there try to say something like, "We are glad to have you here and have been praying for you to get here" and leave it at that. This way he will not have to speak too much.
There are big changes for him in the near future and he needs to adjust to the changes and I will make sure he stays the course but for right now He may just need a bit of space. It will be fun to see how long it takes to be in the grove.
I'll post more later. Thanks for all your prayers. BTW- it looks like I will be sharing about the trip and more of the whole adoption story tomorrow AM in 128.
I would say that John is missing China/friends a lot. He is more reserved today than he has been but we think we can get him through that. We have him out shooting hoops with some of the kids and trying to keep him awake. He is not liking it too much right now but when his "clock" adjusts more quickly than if he were to sleep right now.
Tomorrow at church it may be a little tough for him. He is really reluctant to speak and going in with all those people will be hard. If you are there try to say something like, "We are glad to have you here and have been praying for you to get here" and leave it at that. This way he will not have to speak too much.
There are big changes for him in the near future and he needs to adjust to the changes and I will make sure he stays the course but for right now He may just need a bit of space. It will be fun to see how long it takes to be in the grove.
I'll post more later. Thanks for all your prayers. BTW- it looks like I will be sharing about the trip and more of the whole adoption story tomorrow AM in 128.
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