Jett's Birthday

Jett turned 3 this week. Here he is with his birthday gift...which is also Noah's birthday gift! Jett was asking for big, red drums. I was trying to convince him that he needed a little set his size. But he remembers that the last little set could not withstand his mad skills!

So I told him he would have to ask God for drums. He immediately got on his knees and prayed, "Dear God, please give me big, red drums, too big to hold." A flyer came in the mail one day showing several drum kits. Jett laid the magazine on the couch, got down on his knees and said, "Dear God, please give me drums. I want, I want," he stood up pointed at the red kit, and said, "I want these." Then he got back on his knees and said, "In Jesus' name Amen."

So of course I started scoping Craigslist for an affordable, used it. They sell so quickly that it took a while. But we got a great deal. Noah is planning on taking lessons. When Jett saw them, he just smiled really big and calmly said, "Yeah!"

By the way, there is that orange creamcicle wall!

When I grow uP

I was just telling a friend that I love reading Ernest Hemingway because his style captures me with just a few lines. Writing like that truly is a gift. My dream is to write when I grow up. Danny always says quit dreaming about it and do it. I guess I fear that I don't know enough about any ONE thing to write about it. But blogging is easy! I can write a little about a lot of things. And you are my guinea pigs!!

Writing out stuff always brings me to an awareness of who I am. Hemingway says when you are blocked, write one sentence that you know is true. When your writing trails off and gets stale, go back to that one true statement and start again. I think I will try that! I want to write with the eloquence of Ernest Hemingway, the style of Pearl S. Buck, and the wisdom of Elisabeth Elliot.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

2nd.wav

My boy had his first concert last night! It was so much fun. The kids are the 2nd wave of musicians in their families. The Parentals played as their opener.

Noah has often said that music is his calling. Now that he has a taste of sharing music with others, I have a feeling he will be doing this more often. It really choked me up to see my son doing what he loves. I remember when Danny and I were dating, I would hang out at his practice and go to every show big or small. When the band toured the country, I traveled on the bus with him even after Noah was born. We talked of homeschooling the kids and taking them on the road. However, after a few trips with a baby, I decided life on the road was not for me. Two years later, Danny decided he wanted to be home too. But hey, the homeschooling idea stuck!

Wouldn't it be fun if Noah picks up where Danny left off?

ORANGE - Good on pumpkins not on walls!

Wow! This is vivid color. Can't you just imagine God thinking, "I just can't take people from the bright color of summer to the drab gray of winter. I'm going to grow something orange in the fall!" I never tire of going with the fam to Burt's Pumpkin Patch every autumn. When I arrive and my eyes take in the color, it is as if I have never seen such beauty. But like I said, this color was meant for vegetation. I painted a room this color and beauty is not exactly what comes to mind when I enter that room. The thought is usually, "When can I find a couple free days to undo this decorating don't?"

Danny and I had a good time with the kids today. I love that they love a day like this. It was hot and they played in the stream. We ran into friends up at the Patch. Can't believe we didn't take a picture of Michael and Amy's kids! Argh! But I bet if you click her link, she will have some shots to share.

Hayride

Israel in China

I have a list of significant events I want to blog and China is the biggest. But I know it will take me a long time to tell about being in China, and I never have an hour to type so I keep putting it off. So tonight I will start with what affected me the most.

His English name is Israel and he is 10 years old. I am not allowed to post his picture, so you will have to take my word for this: He is the most precious child! My first hour in the orphanage, I knew why God had allowed me to visit China! This boy needs a family and God wanted us to meet him and tell his story. I am currently working with our host organization to get permission to post his information. When I do, I will tell you more. For now, I will say that this child has made such an impression on us that we talk about him every day and pray for him each night. He is going to be such a wonderful blessing to someone. He is so kind to the other children and is very smart. He has a strong mind and would love to be getting an education. He is eager to learn and laugh and play. I praise God for the brothers and sisters in Christ who are making a huge difference in his life. But I sure would like to see him have a mom and dad, brothers and sisters.

Seeing My Brother

Many of you have asked about my brother lately. I figured this is the best place to fill you in.

Last night Noah experienced jail for the first time. We went to see David. Sunday nights children are allowed on the visits. Boy, this shines a new light on the concept of Family Night. But it was great to see David and I think Noah's presence was good for both of them. Even for an adult, the first visit to someone in jail is gut churning. Noah was really nervous. We had a good visit and David was very grateful that we were there.

Last Sunday night I saw David for the first time in almost a year. My mom and I went to see him. He has been sentenced to 4 years in prison on drug related charges. He is waiting to be transferred from the county jail. I went last week thinking it would be my last time to see him for a couple years. He will get time served. So he will most likely be in prison two years. He was so skinny. He shaved his head since that is what they would do upon his arrival in prison. He looks so old it was hard not to cry. But he didn't need to see me cry; he needed to be encouraged. And as I read some scripture to him, I became filled with a boldness and faith that God is indeed doing something in David's life.

A little background: David got out of jail one year ago. He accepted Christ while in there and I saw a true change in him. But when he got out, he drifted back into isolation from support and ended up on the street again. He has been doing alot of meth this year. That is why is body looks so old. But there is joy in his eyes! He had a GIANT study Bible and followed along as I read from Isaiah.

Sometimes when I think about David, I just feel sorry for him. It's like he is stuck in a current and can't swim out. Before I saw David, I read Isaiah 49. It was as if this were written just for him! I saw notes written in the margins where I had prayed this for David in 1998. But when I read this time, there was an assurance and comfort that only comes from the Spirit. I couldn't wait to see David and read him this stuff!

Chapter 49 starts out with "Hear This! Before I was born the Lord called me." I told David, "You need to say this outloud! I don't know why God calls people when he does. I don't understand God's timing in calling you. But this I am sure of! God has called you now."

Isaiah 49:3-4
He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor."
But I said, "I have labored to now purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.
Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God."

The chapter goes on to say more like this that is just so perfect for David's life.

I assured David that God is going to be glorified in his life. And I believe for the first time in a long time, that there is freedom for David. I prayed for David before our visit was over. I prayed that he would allow God's forgiveness to saturate his heart. I encouraged David to let go of guilt and regret. There will be a time for making things right with people. But now is the time for restoration. I want him to receive from God all that he feels unworthy of receiving.

This may not be David's last bout with drugs or jail, but God is extending his grace and forgiveness to David. And if David will cling to God for his very survival, he will make it. I was glad to hear him say that he is filling out an application to go into a Christian men's recovery program upon his release. He needs 24 hour accountibility. David has always told me that the drugs have a voice. He has been powerless to resist it for so many years.

Please pray two things for my brother:
1. That he will truly embrace his need for ongoing accountibility and follow through in going where God wants him.
2. That he will be able to pray. His words were that he is reading his Bible all day, and that he is getting a little better at praying. I have thought about this several times this week. Knowing David, I believe this stems from guilt. He feels unworthy of communion with Christ. The devil is using his old tricks on David's mind. So please pray with me that David can see and understand the love the Father has for him.

Thanks for taking time to read this!
Cindy

Autumn's Glow

Summer heat will soon give way
To cool, to breeze, to laid back day
To memories and childhood play
To warming glow of autumn.

Just before the sun does set
There is a soft content I get.
A peace that calms if I will let,
The warming glow of autumn.

Gentle movements. Leaves fall down
Red and yellow, orange, brown
Draw my mind to God's renown,
The warming glow of autumn.

When I sit to meditate
On all the good that's come of late,
A peace will still my busy gait
The warming glow of autumn.

Though winter death is drawing near
This memory my heart will hear.
Beauty shines above all fear,
The warming glow of autumn.

Missing China

I am really missing the people I met in China. Just this week, the memories are getting a little less vivid. I hate that. I guess I am starting to accept that we really can't pack up the family and go back yet. Also, I am having to wait for the green light from our host organization to start actively searching for a home for Israel. That is the English name for the 10 year old boy we fell in love with while we were visiting the orphanage. I know there is a family who will just love him to pieces! And I know that our family is supposed to play a part in helping unite Israel with that family.

Homemaker

I just love that term. In my early 20's I would not have thought it cool to write that on the blank of "vocation." But now at a ripe old age of 41, I consider it an honor. I love that I get to be home raising my own kids. I love that my husband sees value in my being here. I love that he works hard to make this happen for us. I don't necessarily love the toilet cleaning. But, hey, not everything's a party!

Recently I was filling out a contact sheet and I wrote "homemaker" under the job description. When I turned it in, I noticed that someone else had written the same thing. "Awesome," I thought, "someone else is willing to call it what it is!"

Silent Retreat

I spent this past weekend at a Jesuit retreat center in silence. It was fabulous! This was my third annual visit. There is nothing that compares to removing myself from the chaos of daily life and spending a couple uninterrupted days just listening to God. www.ignatiushouse.com is 20 acres of natural beauty. My friend Nikki, who was on our travel team to China this summer, went with me. I'll try to post some thoughts on this experience later.