Happy, happy day

Today was Kevin's birthday,

And he received one of the best presents ever !

In fact, it will be hard to top this gift!

Sophia and Philip accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior,

and Kevin had the immense privilege of baptizing them both!

First Philip,

and then Sophia!

Our minister said right before their baptisms that God chose us to be his sons and daughters and that perhaps Philip and Sophia knew better than most what it was like to be chosen. For they were chosen by Kevin and me, their mommy and daddy, and they are chosen by God. 

How beautiful is that?

Now Sophia and Philip not only have a forever earthly family,

But they also belong to Jesus forever and ever!

Amen!

We could feel Heaven rejoicing that two more were won for Christ.  We are just sure God told our dads the good news about their little grandchildren! 

Happy earthly birthday Kevin.

Happy birthday in Jesus, Philip and Sophia.



Happy Birthday Grandma

Last night my mom came over for dinner.  It was her birthday and since we weren't celebrating until tonight, we didn't want her to be alone on her special night.

It has been difficult since my dad passed away.  Her home is lonely at times, full of memories of the life she and dad shared together.

She misses Dad terribly.

And on those special days, it is especially difficult.

This side of Heaven can be hard.

But last night it was sweet.

And fun.

And joyful.

And a tad noisy!

All good things.

Happy Birthday, Mom.

We love you.

A random conversation

Today at breakfast . . .

Elijah:  Philip, are you gonna let your kids pick out their food when you grow up?

Philip:  Yes. 

Then it went on from there.

Sophia:  When we get older, we get married.  I let my baby eat healthy food.

Philip:  Popa says when I get older I can have my own key to get to your house.

Mommy:  Yes, that's right.  When you grow up, you will probably get married and have your own children.  Then you will have your own key to come back home just like Daddy and I do for Grammy and Grandma's homes.

Philip:  You and Popa lived in the same neigborhood and didn't even know each other before you got married.

Elijah:  Mommy, were there volcanoes ploding when you and Popa got married?

Mommy:  (giggling) How old do you think we are??

Sophia:  Member on Lion King and they got married?  Simba and Nila both say, "Ew, married?!"

They're grownup, they get married.

Elijah:  And Mommy, when you and Popa got married there were volcanoes ploding! 

Too funny! 

Kevin, as I remember it, Elijah might be right!  In fact, I was so happy on our wedding day, that I am sure there must have been volcanoes somewhere, someplace exploding!  

"Membering" our wedding day and all the happiness it brought, I just couldn't imagine life getting any sweeter!

Well, I was wrong! 

Who would have known back way back on November 1, 1980, just how much joy we were to experience!  Look at our life now!

Good Friday and the Resurrection

For God so loved the world that He gave His

one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him

shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

We have such wonderful news to share!

On Good Friday, Sophia and Philip asked Jesus to

come into their hearts!

Now, not only are they home with their

forever family, but . . .

They are also forever His.

Hallelujah!  Christ the Lord is Risen today!

Two more reasons to celebrate that beautiful, amazing truth.

Happy Easter!

Watch out! The dinosaurs are back!!

Yikes!  There is a dinosaur in our living room!

And there's another one!

Oh my!

Now there are three!  Help!!



Happy Birthday Philip Bao

Last Monday was a wonderful little boy's seventh birthday!

Happy Birthday Philip Bao!

Can you really be that old?

Wow!  It seems like just yesterday we were stepping out of a van at Shepherd's Field Children's Village in Tianjin, China, and seeing your sweet, round, little face for the first time!

It has been a wonderfully wild and joyful time since that first glimpse of you!

What an amazingly happy and full life we have with all of you!

Love, love, love it!!

Love, love, love you to the moon and back!







God loves the orphan

Oh how God loves the orphan!

Last night it came through loud and clear as our team who will travel to China this coming June to serve at Shepherd's Field Children's Village in Tianjin held an auction and dinner to benefit the orphaned children with special needs who call the village home.

What an evening it was!



Kathy busy at work in the afternoon

Justin and Ted pausing a moment to pose

Amanda, Ted, Kelli, and Danny ready for action

A mommy and her China treasures ready for an evening of fun

to benefit precious orphaned children half a world away

Oh, did I mention we served an Italian dinner on

an Irish holiday (St. Paddy's Day) to benefit

children in China - truly an international affair!

Some of Philip's China travel group was there as well,

and we can never resist a picture of our children.

Sorry Ted, you didn't make it into this picture!

So many details had to come together to make this event a success, and God handled each and every one from the company who catered the event, to the prizes donated, to the family business who said they would work for free to provide us with online bidding, to all of the generous folks who attended to support children they have never met. 

Only God

Giving Him all the praise and glory for a very successful night!