Happy Birthday!

Makenzie turned 14 on Sunday. To say the time has flown by is a dramatic understatement. This girl is incredible! Not a day goes by when she doesn't ask "Can I do anything to help you?" She has such a caring heart and is such a gift to our family!! We love you, Makenzie Joy Neal!!

This girl

Remember this? We had a visit to the neurosurgeon last week because Makenzie was having some pain in her back. Apparently there is a "spot" in the spinal column that they have been "watching". I am thankful that the Dr's didn't inform me that they were watching said spot. We've had a worry free couple of years. We go every six months for MRI's. December's scan showed the spot growing a bit. So, we go in on Monday afternoon for another scan to see if there has been significant growth. Makenzie turns 14 on Sunday. Nothing like a MRI post birthday bash. The Dr. doesn't think the tumor is the cause of the pain. He will likely refer us to an orthopedist after he evaluates the tumor. This girl will amaze and impress you. She had a moment of teary questioning on our way home from the appointment. We talked through waiting, knowing that God knows and she has been (seemingly) peaceful since. I've been listening to Francis Chan's Forgotten God. He talks about supernatural peace from God. This is what we are praying for as we wait.

The "Plan"

Micah Awate Neal has been home with us for 17 months! How time flies when you have a young child screaming "NO!!!" a lot. We thought it was high time to do our 6 month follow up appointment with our social worker. Dan and I have been kicking around the idea of getting started on another adoption. We didn't really know where or when, but felt like it was probably just a matter of time and prayer. So, I thought we should be frugal! We can combine our 6 month follow up appointment with the social worker at the same time as we get our home study back up to date. After all, who wants to have an outdated home study at ANY point? I jest. I jest.

At the same time, I had been in contact with our agency discussing different options and countries. All the while, Sophie continues to pray every night "Dear God, Please give me a baby from China." So, we narrowed it down to China! On June 28th, I got an email from Mary Ann at Wide Horizons indicating that their fees will go up $400 on July 1st. So, if we wanted to save that money we should go ahead and fill out the first packet of information and pay our first installment. Remember our attempt at being frugal? I know in the big scheme of things $400 doesn't seem like a lot of money, but it all counts. So, we pressed onward. On July 1st, our social worker came and is now working on our home study. Somehow, we are back on the road again. I am excited about what God is going to do!!

Bible in a year

In all my years of following the Lord, I have never done this! I have had several failed attempts. I read an article by Noel Piper today where she mentions the same problem. So, I feel good. At least I am in good company. I am tackling it now though. I started yesterday. The plan I am working from started on June 1. I caught up and am on track now.

When I read this book, they had a great suggestion. As you are reading through the Bible, you journal for your kids. I am doing this for Makenzie now. I bought a journaling ESV Bible. As I read through it this year, I will jot down notes that I feel she would benefit from. My first entry was based on this verse...

Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.

I simply wrote: I pray this would be true of YOU. That you would be righteous, blameless in your generation and that you would walk with God.

It's a really neat way to connect with God and with your kids at the same time. Pray I will remain faithful to it!

Theology...

Apparently, Sophie and her cousin, Erin have been talking a little theology. Dan and I were talking about the Lost finale. He was mentioning that the "flash sideways" were really after life. They took place in LA. So, I made the leap that LA is actually heaven? Are you buying that? Since we weren't talking to her, Sophie hears every word. She comments that Erin told her that not everyone goes to heaven when they die. They can go somewhere else. We proceeded to talk to her about praying to ask Jesus into "your heart". An interesting concept to explain to a four year old. Sophie prays aloud "Dear Jesus - please come into my house for a second -- I want to see what you look like". We ask - would you like to ask Jesus into your heart? Response? Not today. Don't worry...Dan closed it all with a rendition of Tomorrow by CeCe Winans.

2 minutes

Of my life...Please feel free to mock my crazy talking...I do.

The big 1-2!!

Seth turned 12 a couple weeks ago. He was my baby. Dan and I had a moment this weekend where we were playing cards with some friends. They were going home to a kid-free house and would be able to sleep in. Seth came to kiss us good-night and asks if he can watch tv after 9am. Makenzie comes to kiss us goodnight and says see you after 1pm. Then, we started over... That is completely not the point of this post though. Seth's birthday...remember?

Seth is the size of a grown man. He is wearing men's clothes, men's shoes, and smells like a man. But, he is a 12 year old boy. Dan and I got a lot of laughs about him getting a cell phone and an iron man mask probably designed for a six year old. He is an awesome big brother.