Don't Worry

What not to wear has been notified.

This is Sophie and her cousin Erin -- all dressed up and no where to go.

The Long Defeat

On our long drive home from Missouri this weekend I was listening to a Relevant Podcast. Sara Groves was talking about a doctor who is working to eradicate TB in Haiti. He is a very respected and sought-after doctor in his field but he will spend days at a time trekking through the jungles and mountains to go check on one patient who hasn't been in to pick up his meds in a while. He was asked if this was worth it, for him, being as important as he is, to spend his time working to save this one person. In repsonse he speaks of the Long Defeat, a idea from Lord of the Rings. He says that of course he wants to win but that he will lose if winning means turning his back on the loser. She connects him to Frodo who sets off on a journey to save his world with little hope of success and the near certainty that he will never return but he MUST go! And then there is Jesus who surely "entered into the long defeat for us..." abandoning all, to walk a long and lonely road for us!

This is sort of how I feel about the adoption ministry that we are praying about starting. I am certain that we will not make a large dent in the 143 million orphans out there in the world. BUT I also know that I can't sit in my house with my possessions any longer wondering what to do. It's a hill I'm willing to die on. In the song she says "it's too heavy to carry, but impossible to leave" Exactly how I feel!

The Long Defeat
I have joined the long defeat
that falling set in motion
all my strength and energy
are raindrops in the ocean

so conditioned for the win
to share in victor's stories
but in the place of ambition's din
I've heard of other glories

I pray for an idea
and a way I cannot see
It's too heavy to carry
and impossible to leave

I can't just fight when I think I'll win
that's the end of all belief
and nothing has provoked it more
than a possible defeat

I pray for an idea
and a way I cannot see
It's too heavy to carry
and impossible to leave

We walk a while we sit and rest
we lay it on the altar
I won't pretend to know what's next
but what I have I've offered

I pray for a vision
and a way I cannot see
It's too heavy to carry
and impossible to leave

I pray for inspiration
and a way I cannot see
It's too heavy to carry
and impossible to leave

Miley

My kids don't read this blog. My hope is that someday they will. I have journals for them that I write in each year at their birthday. I am hoping that this will be a little slice of our everyday life for them. I found this note on Makenzie's floor the other day. I laughed. She won't think it's funny for a couple years, but I am certain one day she will.

It reads: (emphasis mine)

Makenzie Miley Sames

• names both start w/ M


• favorite singer Kelly Clarkson


• look alike (really??)


• 2 bffs one in our hometowns and one where we are living right now


• both hate getting dressed up


• (THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE)my middle name is Joy hers is Hope both fruits of the sprit (I think she was going for spirit there)


• bffs became bffs when we meet and their our sisters and we fight like sisters (intrepretation please)


• love uncooked cookie dough


• gets hand-me-downs


• learning how to knit (for about 3 years now - again, emphasis mine :) )


• loves dogs (except feeding or walking them or care of any kind)


• both shop at Target


• both gets nervous (just the two of them for the record)

Good stuff!!!

REALLY glad it doesnt read "both pose topless for Vanity Fair magazine"

A new direction.....

Months ago, I came across a blog by a guy named Tom Davis. I immediately connected with his heart for orphans. He wrote a great book called Red Letters: Living a Faith that Bleeds. In the last several months I have been looking for some tangible ways to make a difference in the world of adoption and orphan care.

Laura and I attended the Summit IV by Christian Alliance for Orphans. It was an incredible weekend of education. It was so motivating to be in the same room with 500+ people who have the same passion.

I have come across another blogger, Angel, who is doing some awesome things for the orphan in the name of the LORD!!! Angel and some others are teaming with Tom and his people to start Red Letters Campaign. Check it out! I am excited to be blogging with these incredible people and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store!!!

So close....

Makenzie fell into the marketing trap on the box of Honeycombs. You dig in the box for a "postopia" code. You then enter your code online where you find out if you are the lucky winner of an autographed Miley Cyrus guitar or $10,000. In an effort to stall on her way to bed Makenzie HAD to check her code online. I informed her that she was unfortunately not the winner. Her reply was "Too bad, I would have given you some money to adopt Micah." She is so sweet!!!

Sophie is like an old man chewing on a cigar

This cracked me up. Mostly because I probably don't get out enough. Sophie fell back asleep on the couch after her nap. Here's what I was watching.

NiHao!!

Here's how we handle adoption talks around here:

Me: Sophie, were you born in China?

Sophie: (huge cheesy grin and waving) NiHao!!!

I'd like to take credit for keeping her Chinese language intact. Dora's World Adventure includes Dora taking a trip to the Great Wall though and when Dora talks -Sophie listens.