missionaries serving with Campus Crusade for Christ and FamilyLife

Sunday, October 6, 2013

It just happened so fast ....

 
 Hi Friends- Here are a few recent pictures of our new normal. Many people are asking if the girls are settled in. It is a complicated answer. It brings smiles to our face and a thousands words rush to our minds. The answer is yes AND no. They are doing well in many ways. We have many ups and downs. We have heard it said that adoption is a marathon and not a sprint. We are in the race, huffing, puffing, wiping our brows and pressing forward with GREAT joy. It is a long, winding and holy road. We are very grateful to be on it!
 
We are learning to celebrate moments of victory in PRAISE to GOD! We are learning to CALL on HIS power in moments of fear, worry or stress. We are learning to live moment by moment.
 
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-8
 
We have so many funny stories to share with you. We are working at building touch in our group. We do backrub "trains". Just picture us in a line with giggles, smiles and lots of fun. Everybody rubs/scratches the back of the person in front of them. The person in the very front gets a brake until they run to the very back and start the train again. Mercy loves it. We do, too.
 
Recently, we had a funny incident while at a doctor appointment for Jacob. It just happened so fast. The doctor was working with Jacob and talking with Mama. Mercy ran behind the doctor to start the "backrub train." She enthusiastically started scratching his back and nearly caused the man to have a heart attack. Ha! It was REALLY awkward, inappropriate and hilarious. Wow, we realized she has so much to learn about social interactions, safe boundaries and family relationships. The doctor was flustered, but able to pull himself together to finish the exam. Mama held it together, too. We had some great laughs and conversations (via the translator) in the car on the way home. Wish we could have captured his face and Mama's face on film. What a moment!
 
What a privilege to watch God work in our family. We see it moment by moment.
 
While in China during this last trip, we had an opportunity to leave some food/water for a homeless women. Mercy was pretty shocked and scared to see us try to help this woman. We didn't have a lot of connection at the time but she witnessed the event. Fast forward to her first week home.... we were out in town and stopped at a light when we saw a homeless woman. We rolled down our window to offer her an extra bottled water. Again, Mercy was shocked, but we had more relationship now. We explained (via translator) that we wanted to be kind and show love like JESUS! She watched. Just this week, we pulled up to a light in Little Rock to see a homeless person nearby. Mercy screamed, "Mama, help." We looked for an extra bottle of water in the van but we didn't have any. We told Mercy we were sorry, but we were out. We didn't have anything. It just happened so fast. Mercy reminded me that she had picked a granola bar snack for later in our errands. She handed it to me and gestured for me to help the person. Wow, we realized how much she is learning, watching and growing. Zoey caught on pretty quick with what was happening and yelled at Mercy in Mandarin to make sure she didn't give any of her food! :) Mercy told Zoey very directly that she is showing kindness and love like JESUS! Ha!!! Amazing!
 
Isn't GOD AMAZING?!?!?! We are in awe. Every day is filled with steps forward and steps backward- and that's just Art & Jen! :) We have so much to learn. We are being stretched, loved, comforted, trained and encouraged by our Savior- JESUS CHRIST!
 
We are clinging to the truths of HIS WORD-
We put all of our HOPE & TRUST in HIM!
 
Art & Jen
 
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
 
 
 
 
 
My grocery buddies.
 



These girls are quickly becoming precious friends.
 
 
 
Learning some things in the kitchen.



Zoey supporting Jacob as he waits for the prosthetic eye doctor.


 
Zachary is a great big brother. He is the favorite for silly, loud, crazy fun. He's a pretty good buddy for evening walks, too!

 
Fall temps, fall decorations and some of our favorite pumpkins here!


 
Mercy found Jacob's sunglasses and Bethany's little keyboard. She was making a music show for the family!

 
 
Silly girls waiting in the doctor's office.