Thankful Thursday

On Thanksgiving, David started a dinnertime topic of conversation: "What is one of the most loving things that someone has ever done for you?"

Lily immediately responded: "You and Mom adopted me!"

Oh my Lily-girl, you are such a gift to us! What would we ever do without you?!

Don't let that cute, innocent face fool ya!

Jadon went to the dentist today. He has an incredible dentist. This dentist loves kids. He always jokes around with Jadon and makes him feel at ease. I don't go back into the office with Jadon, but I can see him through a glass window.

Today, I saw him giggling a lot...

After Jadon's appointment the dental technician called me back to talk about Jadon's teeth. She handed me the little bag that had his new toothbrush, floss and a toy in it. She also handed me some play money.

"Jadon won some extra money today," she mentioned.

"Oh...?"

"Dr. Greg was telling the kids that he'd give them $100 (play) dollars if they would tell him a secret. Jadon said, 'I have a secret! I have a secret!"

"Hmmm...what was his secret?"

"Well, he said that he blew his nose with his underwear today. The other kids all thought that it was hilarious!"

Yup. You read that right...my son blew his nose with his underwear. And yup...he told the whole dentist's office about it.

I hope that it was a clean pair of underwear...

Through different eyes...

We had such a nice time with my parents visiting us in Colorado. On the second night after they arrived, we were sitting at the table after dinner. Suddenly, Yana exclaimed, "Grandpa! You are so cute. Mom, take a picture!"

Yana and my dad have always had a special relationship. He appreciatiates her servant spirit, and she appreciates being appreciated! I had never really thought of my dad as "cute" but obviously Yana has the eyes to see something that I could not see.

Thank you, Yana, for helping me to see my dad through different eyes. What do you think? He really is cute, isn't he?!

Keep praying

Please, please keep praying for Sarah in India. She is fighting a battle that truly is the Lord's battle. Pray that He would give her supernatural strength as she receives these 39 children. One of the precious little boys died recently and instead of receiving 40 children, there will now be 39. This should not be!! This little one's life was cut short! But the Father sees and cares. And He is and will be victorious!!

It is truly miraculous how God has worked in the lives of the children who are already at Sarah's Covenant Home. They are being transformed by the love of God! If you haven't already, please visit http://sarahscovenanthomes.blogspot.com. Take a look at the beautiful children who live there now, pray for the ones who are coming, and ask the Lord how you can help.

Thank you so much, friends. Truly these little treasures are worth it.

40 new kids!

Our great God, the One who is the Father to the fatherless and who cares for the neediest ones, is doing great things in India! Please stop by http://sarahscovenanthomes.blogspot.com. Pray for Sarah, the 40 (!) new kids who will be joining her, and all of the staff and workers at Sarah's Covenant Homes. May God be greatly glorified!!

Wordless Wenesday (having fun with Nai Nai)

Having fun with Mandarin

Lily and Grace have been taking a wonderful Mandarin class on Sunday afternoons. The teacher is very good and also very patient. I'm so glad that we started doing this (thank you, Linda, for encouraging us along!). Grace seems to remember most things, and Lily is really enjoying learning her native language. Here they are practicing on the website at home.

Lily is doing a great job learning to recognize and write the characters, as well.

"The balloon flew away."

Zai Chien!