Look Alikes??

Today, as I got Abbey out of the car to go to Harris Teeter, one of the workers was walking in the parking lot. She said hello and then, "She sure is cute. She looks just like you." Bless her heart, maybe she wasn't wearing her glasses? I'm not kidding, she actually said that! I just smiled and said, "Thank you." All the while I was laughing like crazy on the inside. See our picture? What do you think?

A Great Weekend

Beth and Greg

This weekend was a rarity for our family. All of us were home together. Beth had a friend getting married here in town, so she and Greg came. John, Jr was able to come also. My mom and dad wanted to join the fun, so they came on Saturday. We spent the afternoon at the pool, since John, Jr's birthday is Thurs., we celebrated with a feast of steak and seafood. We sat around the table and shared many funny stories for a while after dinner. Abbey adores her brothers and sisters. While we were at the pool, I gave her money to go to the snack bar to get popcorn. She marched right up to the window and told the attendant, "I need lots of popcorn, for me and all of us," as she pointed to all of us at the table. It was quite cute! She spent the evening entertaining us, with her gymnastic prowess. I'm so blessed! My family is wonderfully special. It amazes me whenever I get to see them all together to see the love they have for each other. There was a time when they were growing up that I thought they would never, ever be able to be in the same room without trying to kill one another. It brings me such joy to watch them grow! Children really are a gift from the Lord!

But as I type this, I'm feeling rather depressed. The time flew by and before I knew it, everyone was gone. The house is eerily quiet now. Anna has gone on a retreat with the youth interns, John has to travel for work, and Daniel is busy helping out at the church. So, that leaves me and Abbey. We will definitely be going to the pool tomorrow. Let's hope the weather cooperates.

John Jr.

Anna had to work. She had cleaning duty.

My Mom

It's all about the process...

I had an amazing devotion time today. I allowed Abbey to visit with Kai Lan and Hoho, while I sneaked off to the kitchen to try to hear from the Lord. Boy, did I! I've been reading, Wild Goose Chase, by Mark Batterson. I've really enjoyed it. The chapter I read today talked about Divine delays... ok, I'm so there, considering that I had planned on being in China in July. He quoted Rev. 3, esp. verses 7-8. He also talked about how many times we have our eyes on the end, but to God, getting there is the most important thing. He also stated, "that getting where God wants me to go isn't nearly as important as becoming who God wants me to be in the process". He quoted Oswald Chambers,"What we call the process, God calls the end. His purpose is that I depend on Him and on His power now. It is the process, not the end which is glorifying to God." I then opened my Bible. I've been reading through the New Testament for the past several months. I started the book of Revelation this week. I was less than excited about reading this book, with all the symbols and prophetic talk. But, today, the Bible proved to be the living, breathing Word of God. Remember the Batterson reading on Revelation? Well, guess which chapter and verse I just happened to be on in my travels through Rev.? Yup, you guessed it! Rev. 3. So, I say, "Ok, God. There is something there you want me to really get. What is it?" Then he spoke to me. The Word says, "See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut." No matter how long Ch*na or the US makes us wait, no matter that John has practically been unable to sell anything (thus no commission income), and no matter that our bills and expenses keep right on coming, God has placed this open door and we will get our boy home.

One more step to Elijah!

Today, I got an e mail saying that our I 800 had been approved. The interesting thing is that I emailed USCIS yesterday just to make sure they had received our application. I got a nice note back saying that she had just gotten it and would review it in the next few days. It makes me wonder if I'd not e mailed them, would I still have gotten the approval today??

Now, that approval, some other paperwork and money have to go to the US Consulate in Guangzhou. Then, they issue the "Article 5" which than goes to C**A, who then issues our TA. Whew! Then, we can travel, unless it is later than the end of Aug, which would mean we will have to wait until November. I'm praying that the Lord will let us go in September. We'll just have to wait and see what His answer is. It is going to be close. All of the time lines are estimates, and it could move faster or slower. Anyway, I'm just thankful that we're one more step closer!

Three Little Words...

Can make your day!
Tonight, I was leaving to go to a swim meet. Daniel can't swim because he has Sr. Champs coming up. So, John was staying home with Abbey and Daniel. They were sitting down to eat dinner. I went around the table and gave everyone a hug and a kiss. I got to the door, ready to go out. Then, out of the blue, Abbey said, "I love you". Oh, my goodness, I just melted. This is the first time she has ever said those words. Such a great feeling. I'm not sure that she grasps the huge impact of those three little words, but I don't care. She said them, and she said them to me!!

Oh, the power of Dora...

She has done what M&Ms, Starbursts, lollipops, toys, begging and pleading could not do... make Abbey want to use the potty. This weekend Abbey wore training pants, and did pretty well with them. Several times she went on her own to the potty. We have promised Abbey that when she goes several days without accidents, then we will buy her some Dora the Explorer big girl panties. Dora and Kai Lan are the new obsessions with our little one. She would sit and watch for hours on end. I must admit, I do find this to be majorly helpful to me. Not that I've let her sit for hours, only 30 minutes here and there. This is the first time, since Abbey came home that I've been able to go upstairs and not be afraid that she will open the door and start to walk to Wal-Mart. So, I've become a big Dora and Kai Lan fan also!

How Old Is She ??

I get asked this question about Abbey many times every day at the pool. She's actually swimming, not only swimming but flipping off of the diving board. And yes, she isn't even 3 years old yet. People want to know what we did to get her swimming at such an early age. I'm not sure if we can take much credit, though. She is just very talented physically. She was doing flips before she could walk. We did put her under the water from an early age, she has never worn any floatation devices and she has watched a LOT of swim meets!! All of this, combined with her desire and love of the water, has turned her into a little fish.

The little fish

Coming up to breathe

Swimming from the board

There she goes!