Radiance

Well, I haven't really blogged lately.  Obviously.  Why?  Well, ever hear the saying "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all", yep it was better for me to remain silent than to give voice to the negativity filling my brain.  These last 6 months have been hard.  And when I say hard, I mean gut wrenching, sobbing, losing my mind kind of hard.  There have been so many things out of our control, and the fact that Isabel should have been home for at least six months already still makes my stomach hurt.

HOWEVER, we currently have tentative dates to go before the Thailand Dept of Social Welfare November fifth.  That means in 5 weeks 5 days we will finally be with our daughter.  So everything that has happened in between can just fade into the background.  I'm holding onto the fact that despite everything, this is the time appointed by God for our daughter to come into our family.  Despite how I have felt, despite everything being out of control, despite the fact that nothing has happened according to time lines we were given, it is now His timing and His plans that are coming into being.  I want to look back on all of this and remember that there was some pain, sadness, and frustration but for that to be overshadowed by the fact that He is always on time and He carried us through this very rough period.  About 6 months ago we challenged our young peoples group to enter into a deeper prayer walk with God, by praying the Tabernacle Prayer.  During one part of the prayer we encouraged them to pray the word, if they didn't know where to turn to simply open the bible and begin prayerfully reading wherever it opened.  Here is what mine opened up to. Isaiah 60:4&5 Lift up your eyes all around and see; they all gather together they come to you; your sons shall come from afar and your daughters shall be nursed at your side.  Then shall you see and become radiant and your heart shall swell with joy.  As a word of encouragement to anyone reading this who is in the trenches of waiting.  Hold on.  In the end we will see and joy shall replace the sadness.  Since that prayer, I've had to hold onto that promise, that no matter how long it takes or what hoops we have to jump through she is coming home, and the radiance of that moment will fill the darkness with joy.  I'm SO excited that it is finally happening that some days I feel like I'm going to burst.

So here is just a few pictures of the past few months including our latest pics of Isabel.


                                                     A little family time in Minnesota                  

Hopefully our last care package, ever!

  

Growing so beautiful. She weighs 28 lbs and is 34 inches tall, this is an 18 month outfit from us
.  She turns three in November. Holding onto the book we had translated into Thai
Wherever You Are

First Day of School

Hoping they fit

Yes, we are also building a house...hoping to move in before we go to Thailand

Swim Days

Doing a little camping with man's best friends

A decade of Ian

Ian's Birthday Letter at 10

Ten years ago they laid you in my arms, and I knew that instantaneous love of a mama for her boy.  You have always kept us on our toes, and I don't expect that to change anytime soon.  You are ALL energy and keeping up takes quite a bit of effort.  At ten years old this is what best defines you:

Sports, sports, sports.  You are one competitive little guy.  If there is no one available to throw a baseball or football to you, you simply do it for yourself.  We have video of you playing football all by yourself, for over 5 min, during which time you make the calls of the quarterback, block the rusher, and play wide receiver to run the ball in for a touch down.  Because your mom is also a Physical Therapist, she won't let you play tackle foot ball until 7 th grade (hey, it was Archie Mannings idea and obviously worked out ok for Peyton and Eli), however you are constantly trying to talk me into 6th grade.  You enjoy baseball too, and are currently working on your catching and pitching skills.  In fact, you received your first catcher's mitt for your birthday this year.

Games, yep, you are a gamer.  Your favorites are skylanders, clash of clans, and minecraft.  If you are not playing the games you love to make dramas with the figurines, complete with sound effects.  I like to think you get your dramatic skills from me:)

P.E.is still, and most likely will always be, your favorite part of school.  You do like math, and if you have to pick which homework to do for the week first, it's always math.

Pizza is your most requested food.  And like most 10 year olds you don't turn down any candy.  You are not big on cake but bring on the ice cream!

You will hold my hand whenever we are out, and on occasion still climb up into my lap for a story, even though you recently started reading chapter books (you really like Diary of a Wimpy Kid)

As for the future, your big plans are for the NFL, and we have a lot of conversations deliberating on which team you will play for, that is if for some crazy reason the Vikings don't draft you.  However, your heart is so sensitive to Jesus.  We have prayed together many times and you have already wept with the love the Lord has showered down on you.  I believe He has big plans to use you for His kingdom and I'm praying every day that your heart remains as sensitive always as it is now.

Happy Birthday buddy, we love you.

Mom


                                    Your Birthday at the Jackson High School Football Game

                                                 Buddies:  Trey, Josh, Tyler, and Grant

                                   Ice Cream Football Cake                 Brownie Cake