Surely we will see the goodness of God in the land of the living...

On Monday morning at 3:45 a.m., our family sat huddled in the basement under blankets and pillows praying out loud for the safety of our home and those of the families here in Birmingham. It was so, so hard to watch my children visibly trembling as they remembered the devastation caused by April's tornado. At 4:30, we realized that the tornado had passed and we had been so, so graciously spared - again.

Today was our first day out...as we drove out, a mile from our home looks like a war zone. The children just silently stared out the window, then Drew said, "Mom, it seems like this tornado was worse than April." It wasn't, but what was real to them was that it was so close to home. They knew those homes...we drove past trees with children's toys strewn in them like the tree was decorated for Christmas. Pictures don't do justice. Words can't describe. And yet...there is life. If you were to look at the devastation, you would think that no one survived. No one. We are so blessed that there were not more deaths. My heart grieves for the families who lost their homes and those who lost loved ones - please pray for them.

The people are reaching out, just as before. The streets are lined with cars of people helping with chainsaws and trucks hauling away debris. We know that the Lord will use it for "good"...not good meaning "happy, happy, joy, joy", but GOOD - usefulness, benefit, His glory. I have heard some of the victims of this tornado say, "Look up. It is sunny. God is good. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away." What an amazing testimony. May my heart be that in love with my Lord that I take whatever He brings my way.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEARS!!!!...

WE GOT LOA THIS MORNING! TOO EXCITED TO POST ANYMORE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO CHINA TO BRING OUR BOYS HOME!!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Landon!!

I am so incredibly UN-blog savvy. I tried to add this photo at the end, but instead it is at the top...anyway, I just had to post this picture. Aunt Michelle sent a stuffed elephant for each boy (I almost kept them for myself - they were so soft!). Anyway, CJ looks like he just loves his elephant...it looks like it may be almost as big as he is.

On January 2nd Landon celebrated his 3rd birthday! Mommy was a little late getting his birthday box to him :-/ (with Christmas just being one week before, it really threw me off!) We just got our "gift" in return - precious photos of the boys opening up their box (of course, we had to send CJ something, too :-)

Look at this big boy standing STRONG!

A fellow New Day Mama waiting to go get her little one (who I am hoping we all get to meet someday soon!) gave us the idea of sending a recordable Bible book. Daddy and I recorded our voices reading scripture and sweet prayers to Landon. He can "hear" our voices now anytime he opens his book!

Do I see a little older brother frustration here? :-)

We can't wait to come and get you boys!!

While we're waitin'.....

This LOA (Letter of Acceptance) wait for our little CJ is beginning to wear on me. While we rest in His perfect timing, we are ready to have our boys home. Sooooo, I thought I would post some photos of what we have been doing while we wait (not that we are lacking things to do :-)

Nerf gun wars are always a blast...

Making stethoscopes for our science lesson...

Workin' hard on the stethoscope

One of my girls just loves Fancy Nancy books. So, she decided to have her "best" big sister down to try out her Fancy Nancy spa.

It was all fun and games until Maggie and Abby decided to create their own spa. Wow. No pictures of that mess because sweet Bailee helped to clean it up before I could get my camera, but when Maggie says, "Mommy, I need you to come keep an eye on me", I know that I am in trouble.

New Year, New Growth

Our family's prayer for this year is that the Lord would challenge us and give us the faith to live out that challenge. I heard about this book from a friend of mine, and we have begun reading it for our family time in the evening. In ways, it is similar to Crazy Love and Radical, but it is challenging us in new and unique ways. What will the Lord call us to? Will we be willing to follow where ever He leads? What are we going to do about world poverty and hunger? Are we willing to quit simply discussing good theology over our lattes and espressos and get a little uncomfortable?

Mike has loved this quote for a while, but it has become my new favorite quote. It is from St. Francis of Assisi, "Preach the gospel always; when necessary use words."

I am excited and a bit nervous to see what this year holds for us and pray that you, too, would use this year to get a little closer to Him...and maybe get a little more uncomfortable for Him.