Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
***
Wow, I can't believe its been over a month since I've posted. No... I didn't fall of the face of the earth. For the past month our lives have been spent at a ballfield somewhere. Nick is playing baseball, Leslie softball, and Bradley baseball. Poor Jake is working everyday. He thinks poor Jake but I tell him all the time he should be thankful for his job. He would rather be skateboarding. We were able to travel to Myrtle Beach over spring break with the high school team. They played in a tournament there.
A tragic event took place the day before everyone was planning to leave for MB. On Friday March 21st, Samantha Rogers a senior at Nick's school was killed in a single car accident only a mile from her home. It was senior skip day and she was on her way to eat at the Cracker Barrel with her boyfriend at around 10 am. The administration scrambled to gather counselors to come to the school. They told the student body soon after they arrived. These kids were amazing in how they pulled together and supported one another. Samantha was a beautiful girl with a promising life ahead of her. She was outgoing, smart and just lovely and always had a smile on her face. She is so sadley missed by all in the community. Pray for her parents and brother and extended family and friends.
Samantha
The baseball and softball teams had been planning this trip for a year, and after much discussion the very hard decision was made to go ahead and leave on Saturday. Samantha's viewing and funeral was planned for Tuesday and Wednesday. We stayed behind and didn't leave until Easter Sunday so Nick was able to go to the school with the kids and clean up the outside of the school and do some landscaping and planting of flowers to prepare for the funeral. We then left on Easter Sunday morning early, but did oversleep so we were in a bit of a hurry.
On the lighter side of things, Eddie was pulled over and received his first ticket ever. We had to laugh a little (even though he wasn't).
Since the team wasn't able to attend Samantha's services, the coaches and parents planned a memorial service on the beach for the boys. I think the softball team did the same. Coach Boggess read her obituary and prayed and then gave the boys each a balloon. Nick and Adam, the two seniors, had purple balloons since this was Samantha's favorite color. The boys alone walked out on the beach and let the balloons go. It was soooo emotional for all of them. I'm so glad they did that because they needed closure. Adam used to date Samantha.
In spite of everything, the boys, coaches and parents had a good time. They knew Samantha would have wanted it that way.
A tragic event took place the day before everyone was planning to leave for MB. On Friday March 21st, Samantha Rogers a senior at Nick's school was killed in a single car accident only a mile from her home. It was senior skip day and she was on her way to eat at the Cracker Barrel with her boyfriend at around 10 am. The administration scrambled to gather counselors to come to the school. They told the student body soon after they arrived. These kids were amazing in how they pulled together and supported one another. Samantha was a beautiful girl with a promising life ahead of her. She was outgoing, smart and just lovely and always had a smile on her face. She is so sadley missed by all in the community. Pray for her parents and brother and extended family and friends.
Samantha
The baseball and softball teams had been planning this trip for a year, and after much discussion the very hard decision was made to go ahead and leave on Saturday. Samantha's viewing and funeral was planned for Tuesday and Wednesday. We stayed behind and didn't leave until Easter Sunday so Nick was able to go to the school with the kids and clean up the outside of the school and do some landscaping and planting of flowers to prepare for the funeral. We then left on Easter Sunday morning early, but did oversleep so we were in a bit of a hurry.
On the lighter side of things, Eddie was pulled over and received his first ticket ever. We had to laugh a little (even though he wasn't).
Since the team wasn't able to attend Samantha's services, the coaches and parents planned a memorial service on the beach for the boys. I think the softball team did the same. Coach Boggess read her obituary and prayed and then gave the boys each a balloon. Nick and Adam, the two seniors, had purple balloons since this was Samantha's favorite color. The boys alone walked out on the beach and let the balloons go. It was soooo emotional for all of them. I'm so glad they did that because they needed closure. Adam used to date Samantha.
In spite of everything, the boys, coaches and parents had a good time. They knew Samantha would have wanted it that way.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Adoption
God laid the desire in our hearts
From his wishes we will not depart.
Some say "Why go so far away?
How much will you have to pay?
Aren't there children in the USA?"
Whether a child is from here or there
Isn't it our job to love and care?
Children are a priceless treasure
Blessings that we cannot measure.
God wants us to hold them tight
Whether they are yellow, black or white.
We wish we could save them all
Sadly, we can only answer our call.
We must go to a foreign land
For us, this is what God commands.
Our China Doll was waiting
And there was no hesitating.
We stuck to our decision
God made every provision.
Cast all your doubts and fears aside
Come along and enjoy the ride.
Author Unknown
From his wishes we will not depart.
Some say "Why go so far away?
How much will you have to pay?
Aren't there children in the USA?"
Whether a child is from here or there
Isn't it our job to love and care?
Children are a priceless treasure
Blessings that we cannot measure.
God wants us to hold them tight
Whether they are yellow, black or white.
We wish we could save them all
Sadly, we can only answer our call.
We must go to a foreign land
For us, this is what God commands.
Our China Doll was waiting
And there was no hesitating.
We stuck to our decision
God made every provision.
Cast all your doubts and fears aside
Come along and enjoy the ride.
Author Unknown
Friday, March 14, 2008
Love Knows No Color
While reading others blogs, I have become a regular visitor to some. I have linked these on my blog that I enjoy reading. These women have become an inspiration and encouragment to me. One in particular that I visit is Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa TerKeurst's blog. Today I noticed her links at the top of her blog and read her About Lysa and read that she has two adopted boys. I then noticed she has an Oprah link, so I clicked on it. I received a blessing. Please, Please visit Lysa's blog and go to the Oprah page. On it you will find that Lysa has been on Oprah and she has the video there to watch. After you watch you will understand my post heading. Enjoy and may God Bless you!!!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Some People Just Don't Get It
OK, I admit I don't have much patience with some people.
Today, a nurses aid was at my Mom's house giving her a bath. I came in and of course Maylea was with me. She started talking about her kids (she has 4) and they are from 40 yrs to 27 yrs old. My Dad tells her that we went to China to get Maylea in October. She then asks me if I have other children and how old they are. Then, she asks "Why did we decide to adopt from China?" For some reason, I do not like this question. I can see the judgement in peoples eyes when they ask it. I just don't understand, and I guess as much as they don't understand why we would want to adopt. Anyway, I told her that I had felt led to adopt for over 10 years, and that my husband started feeling led to adopt or do foster care only about 4 years ago. I told her I feel like it is a calling just like being a missionary is a calling from God. I told her that I was excited that friends of ours is adopting too, from Ethiopia. I will stop here because she was offensive in her reaction which made my blood boil. Unfortunately, I didn't react too well. I was visibly upset I'm sure. I told her that I had someone ask me what would I do if I was referred an ugly baby. Yeah..... OK, anyway I told her that God made us all and that I don't see race and the color of skin. We are giving a precious child a home; a child that doesn't have a Mom or Dad. That we are instructed in the Bible to take care of widows and orphans and that adoption is close to God's heart. When people comment on how lucky Maylea is, all I can say and think is.... How lucky we are to have her, and what a blessing she is to us!!
I stumbled on this video tonight as I was doing research. It is so fitting to what happened to me today. I just pray God gives me patience with those that don't see things the way we do. Being closed minded must be a lonely place to be.
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