Well, first let me say that I'm sorry I don't have any photos to share. I have some great shots, but our computer is down so I'm stuck with the unfamiliarity of Tom's laptop and I'm just not up to going through the extra work to get photos. Check back in a few days for some pics! Our computer is with someone that goes to our church. We are hoping he has some healing hands and can figure out what is wrong so it is resurrected and returned to us!
The big news is that Sarah turned four years old today! It was a fun day! She woke up grumpy so I got in bed with her. It was fun to see her roll over realizing that today was her birthday. We made such a big deal that yesterday was the last day she'd be three! After breakfast we made our way over to Lisa's house where we hosted a small swimming party for Sarah. She had a blast. She swam for a little while and then just camped out near the presents hoping she would get to open them! We saved a few presents for later in the day to open with just our family. She was thrilled that she got her only requested toys...Polly Pocket Swim Party. Tom had no idea what we got her so It was fun to see him look at me and say, "Pieces? I thought we were staying away from pieces!"
The other big news is that TJ bought a car. Yep, add another anxiety to my life! Here is how this went down: We have a friend that highly recommends an auto auction. Every Thursday a new list comes out. People can view the cars on Friday and then come to the auction on Saturday. We got the first list on Thursday. The were closed on Friday since it was a holidy. Tom decided to take the boys to just "watch" the auction and become better inrormed for future auctions. I was nervous, but I figured my husband who has frequented auctions (I know...they auctioned cows!) would not buy something already. I guess Tom felt he should register and allow TJ to hold the number. For two days I looked at this list with TJ. My uneducated opinion was this, "Stay away from anything that says 'nonactual miles.' Go for four doors, not two. Stay away from V8 engines. Stay away from the color red because I heard that insurance is higher if the car is red." Well, here comes my boy with his first care! It's a MAROON, two-door, Ford Thunderbird with a v8 engine! Oh, yeah...it has a really cool CD player! When TJ pulled in, I immediately went over and layed both hands on the hood of that car and I prayed "in the name of Jesus" for anyone that ever rides in the car or comes within five feet of the car. TJ was laughing. Yeah, it was humorous, but I ment every word I sent up in prayer that afternoon. We did have it checked by someone that knows cars, and they were pretty impressed with the car especially since TJ paid $850.00 for it! I'm getting grief because I don't understand why a "woofer" system is so important. My kids think I'm a nerd because it is a sub-woofer. Whatever! I don't want loud music coming from my boys car.
Tom is leaving in a few days with Ty and Dane. They are hiking four days, three nights in the backcountry of the Smoky Mountains. Yeah, pray for them! I told Dane, "Buddy, just remember. If you see a bear, just make sure you run faster than your father!" After the backcountry hiking, they will stay an additional four days to do some serious day hikes. TJ and the girls will stay here with me.
TJ is working hard at football! We went to the doctor last week and he weighed 225 pounds and is 6 feet 1 inches tall. I heard that Lancaster High School is switching to a spread offense. TJ is slot back on offense. It sounds like a fun position to play. He will also be preparing for outside linebacker.
We are excited that we will get to visit with Lily's travel group in a few weeks. We get together every year. This year we are in Louisville. I think 11 of the 12 families will be there! I'll be sure to post pics when we return.
I'm glad Lily has her "China sisters." These are the 11 other girls that were adopted that same day in 2004. We will be forever friends. Sarah doesn't have that, but that's okay. I have embraced, and celebrate, their different histories. WIth Sarah we will likely have forever contact with her foster family in Nanning. Plus, we have a few Guangxi connections that mean something special to us..and to Sarah.
On another celebration note, I just recieved word on that wheelchair project in China. Here is the scoop. We made a connection with a woman that runs a private orphanage in China. She has 18 children living in her private residence...a 3 bedroom apartment. Tom has been there before! All of the children have one or more medical special needs. Five of them have cerebral palsy. They do not have the ability to sit up or to be transported once they get too big for a stroller. The director spent some time with me a few weeks ago and we visited our local school for children with special needs. She was amazed that most of the folks in the US keep their children...even if they are born with cerebral palsy! She was then amazed at the chairs and the equipment. I like a challenge so I made some phone calls. Scripture clearly says, "We have not because we ask not." I called a medical supply company in Columbus. THe president got on the phone and asked me to bring the director up for a visit. We spent three hours with him. He then donated five chairs to this home. They are used, but in great shape. He fitted them with the sizes of the kids that the director gave him. I then started calling the project, "Wheels for Joy." The name of the home is "Home of Joy." I then had the task of trying to get them to China. I had a volunteer offer to take the chairs with him on a cargo ship of supplies for quake victims. The bummer part is that he couldn't guarantee that customs would allow them through since they are used. I had that confirmed with someone else. China does not allow used items to be shipped it. The only way the chairs would be accepted is if they were new. I contacted several other organizations that I thought would help and was told, " just have them use regular wheelchairs and use velcro." Well, maybe that would work a little, but these kids would not get the full support they needed for their little bodies! I was told by two reliable sources that the best way to get them in was with people who would be travelling into China. I then called a ministry connection I have with Bring Me Hope. He made a connection for me with a guy in MN. I just heard todaythat this man will take the chairs with his family at the end of the month. THese "wheels of joy" are getting there through the generosity of people! A medical supply company donated them. Another company is crating and shipping them to MN. A guy and his family will take them on a UA flight. Another connection will greet them at the airport and take the chairs. This person will then ship them to the Home of Joy! Wheel's for Joy!
Please pray for a friend of mine in the Philipines (TD). They had some damage to their community with the typhoon that hit a few weeks ago. She's a bit sick. Their home had a lot of water......and probably some other things. She even maintained a bit of humor in all of it! Plus, she has seen the hand of God (and His people) move in a mighty way. She's been a blessing to me and I've yet to even meet her! One day maybe!
I haven't been able to follow any of my blogs! :( So, if you are one of my blogging buddies, I'd like to hear from you and save your blog to my favorites on my husbands computer....just in case we have another mishap with my computer!
Well, I wrote plenty. Off to recover from a big birthday celebration!
Kathy
