Zion's Turns Five

 Zion turned Five on July 15th.  He had a party on the 14th with some of his friends (Jack, Asher, Hudson, and Cline).  They boys plus Moriah enjoyed ice cream cake and Root Beer Floats after eating fries and chicken nuggets (most decided the carrots and dip).  Party activities included squirt guns, dressing up, building with marshmallows and tooth picks, and a few treasure hunts.  Zion received a kite, army men, helicopter, police set, head lamp, box of Lego creatures, and a travel DVD player.  Part of the fun was having Jack and Asher overnight for two nights.

Ice Cream Cake

Presents

Cancer Update

Praising God that He continues to allow the Chemotherapy to work effectively in Zach's body.  Zach had a CT Scan on Friday morning and he will be continuing Chemotherapy every three weeks.  These Chemo drugs have lasted longer then expected, so we know that our prayers are being answered.  Zach continues to experience a lot of pain and fatigue.  His last day of work at Christian Care will be July 26th.

Happy Father's Day

Zion-What do you like about Daddy?
I like to have sword fights with him. I like his scary stories. I like to watch movies on the Ipad with him.  I like to give him wedgies. 

Moriah-What do like about Daddy?
I like to give him a kiss and hugs.  I like to eat chips with him.  I like to play outside.  I'm Daddy's Princess. 

Daily Devotion from May 14th

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

Zion asked me "Dad, do you know who my best friend is?" with a grin on his face.  I guessed myself first....and was wrong.  I guessed some old friends from Leo and was wrong.  I guessed some of his new friends from Bluffton Sunday School and was wrong.

Finally, he said, "Jesus is my best friend!"

I inserted my foot into my mouth. 

Is Jesus your best friend?

If you say "yes", how do you know?  Do you share everything with Him?  Is He the first person that you go to for comfort and support?  Do you communicate with Him throughout each day?  Does everyone around you know that He is your best friend? 

If the answer to these questions is "no", then He is probably not your best friend.....

Haiti

Its hard to believe that it has been a month since I was in Haiti. This week I started going through the hundreds of pictures from our trip. Looking at the pictures reminded me that I left a piece of myself in Haiti and that the people of Haiti have become a forever part of my life. Five years ago I would never have guessed that Haiti would be the country that God would place in my heart. I imagined adopting children from China, Colombia, or Ethiopia. Zach and I sponsored two children from Haiti and Zach had been on two mission trips there, but I didn't feel a strong connection to the country or the people. Forward to the fall of 2010 and Zach's desire to Redeem his Cancer. In a short amount of time we started sharing a dream to give children in Haiti forever families in Homes of Hope. While I believed in the mission it really didn't become real until I stepped into Haiti. I can't put in words my grief for the people I watched as we traveled through the city. The poverty, the trash, the crowded streets, the people... Leaving the city brought some relief as the green trees of the countryside hid what the city streets could not. The poverty continued,but there were less people. Children with few clothes, houses half built, tents, shelters made of sticks, women selling food from baskets, people crowded on the back of trucks. The children in matching uniforms walking home from school were the lucky ones because someone had enough money to pay for their education. The scenes outside my bus window were a great reminder of all the things that I fail to be thankful for. I wonder how many trips I will need to make to Haiti before I can take it all in.

Please join me in praying for the People of Haiti.

Port Au Prince

First view of the CRP Campus

The Wall between the two levels of the Campus

Abba's House of Hope and Ezekiel House of Hope

The Wall from a Distance

View from Campus

Welcome to Your New Home

12 girls 12 boys

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord,

 thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Moriah Turns 3- May 15, 2012

Favorite Colors: Purple and Pink
Favorite Food: Grapes
Favorite Song: The Wise Man Built...
Other Favorites:
Daddy's Stories
Dressing like a Princess
Play Shoes
Hide and Seek
Listening to Books
Watching Princess DVDs
Dolls