The Wait For Deliverance

Today we sent in our postponement contract and are now officially waiting for Guatemala to reopen. I'm grateful for the peace I have from the Lord. Grateful also, that through a listserve group from our agency, we have 9 other waiting families to pass the time with through email and blogging. God is good!

Recently I was reading in the book of Exodus (during my Lenten time of "fasting" from Seinfeld) and a portion of the story really spoke to me. The Israelites have been released by Pharoah, but now the Egyptians are pursuing them. In their maturity, and their discerning ability to see the big picture (just kidding), they start questioning Moses. They wonder why he brought them to the desert to die, and they lament leaving Egypt, and so on. In chapter 14, verses 13-14, Moses answered them,

"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still."

I think this spoke to me so much because at this point in our adoption, we are powerless to do anything. It's so nice to know that we need only be still, that the Lord will fight for us. As we "be still and know that He is God", we need to stand firm in our faith, stand firm in our call. He brought us to this place, and I firmly believe, like He did for the Israelites, that He will part the waters and make a way in order for us to go where He wants us. I'm excited to see the deliverance the Lord has planned for us. It won't be as dramatic as parting the sea, but it will be miraculous none-the-less. I pray we will keep our focus, not be distracted or worried by the "Egyptians" around us, not regret coming to this place He called us to, but that instead we will be full of hope and anticipation for the place He is taking us. I want to joyfully embrace this choice to wait for deliverance, and be blown away when God stretches out His hand.

Frosting On This Cupcake Called Life

I continue to be amazed by the graciousness and lavishness of my God's love. At our church today we watched a video, which basically helped drive home the powerful point that our God is HUGE and we are small. But the best part is that even though He's soooooo big, He cares intimately about us. It's unbelievable that the God of the universe cares so much for me. What's even more amazing, beyond all that He's already done, is that He will do precious, priceless things for us, just because He loves us. This happened to me on Saturday when I was at a prophetic workshop at church (which is a while other discussion for another time). Anyway, there was an activity at the workshop where each person drew two numbers - one representing them and one respresenting someone else in the room. We were to pray and listen for God to give us a prophetic word for the other person, not knowing who they were. When we were finished, we found out who had the number and gave them the paper with the words God had given us. So, I look at my paper, and everything on it is so beautiful and enouraging - precious words from my precious Lord. I felt so loved by Him! But, the last thing on the paper was the best of all. We've been preparing to sign the postponement contract for our adoption, and continuing to seek God and His assurances that we are doing what we should. It is such a leap of faith, and it could possibly end with us not getting a Guatemalan baby girl. When I got to the last sentence of my paper, my word from the Lord, it said, "Dwell on what you don't see." My heart just melted. So much love in those words, so much compassion. My God, who has already suffered and died for my sins, healed me in numerous ways, and blessed me far beyond what I deserve, decided, out of His goodness and love, to speak these precious words to me. I was so grateful, and continue to be grateful. This, my friends,is part of the frosting on my cupcake called life. God's sweetness poured over God's goodness - "taste and see that the Lord is good..."

The Juice

So there's all this talk in the media about athletes being on "the juice". Steriods appear to be a rampant problem. I for one have much respect for hard work and sacrifice.

But the other day, I was thinking about how I want "The Juice". Not steriods, but Spirit. I was considering how there is fruit of God's Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I want this fruit, and I want His "juice" to flow through me. I want to get strength and energy from His vine, I want to "bulk up" on God and His Spirit. To get the juice, I need to be connected to the Source, a branch attached to the true vine. So, I plan to make sure I'm in the right place and then I'm going to STAY THERE, so I can be juiced up on Jesus!

A More Relevant Blog

As much as I know you find my blog to be interesting, insightful, and delightful (wow, I'm working it here), check out this blog for Buckner International . The blog is for people taking mission trips through their organization, which includes an adoption agency. I found this blog because it was on the blogger site's Blogs of Note list. Anyway, the recent blog posts feature Geoff Moore and Susan Grey, two Christian music artists. Reading the stories of what they are seeing in Guatemala, and especially the recent posts about Honduras, simply break my heart. Imagine how God's heart must feel!

Happy Valentine's Day

Much love to you all this Valentine's Day. It's always extra special here because Ryan and I got engaged on Valentine's Day. So, 12 years ago God gave me the gift of Ryan, a gift that will keep on giving until the end of time. What always amazes me when I receive gifts like this from God is that he doesn't have to do it. He's already given way more than He had to, way more than I deserve. So, these bonuses in life are especially sweet. I am aware, however, that this day can be puke-inducing for some - I was one of you once. All I can say is that our media and our society is full of images that depict love in a way that just isn't real. I see a commerical, or a tv show, and I'm like, "that's love?" What is love anyway? How can we know what love is?

God's word gives us great guidance in this.

1 John 2:16-18 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

Jesus deserves so much glory and honor for the great love He showed for us when He laid down His life. I desire to serve Him in such a way that my love for Him has hands and feet, it has movement and action,and it is firmly founded in truth.

My Favorite Things - Vol. 2 - American Idol

It's that time of year again. American Idol is back in full swing, and it's finally to the portion of the show where I start watching. I'm not into the early audition episodes, so I only catch bits and pieces of it. I really start watching when you can start voting, although I watched the Hollywood episode last night, while flipping over to catch The Biggest Loser, another one of my favorite things. The only problem with The Biggest Loser is that I can't stop snacking while it is on! It's like watching these people work out and deprive themselves of food is more than I can bear and the next thing I know I'm at the pantry looking for something to eat. I could probably use some help with that, but I digress...

This is suppposed to be an American Idol post, so I'll get back on the topic. I've watched American Idol since the top 10 of the first season (which I've watched reruns of on American Idol Rewind and man, are some of them just HORRIBLE singers!). My favorite season continues to be season 2, with Reuben, Clay, and Kimberly. They were all excellent singers. I'd like to pretend the Fantasia season didn't happen - I'm NOT a fan. And, as much as I enjoy Carrie Underwood now, I was always sad for Bo Bice, who was one of my favorites. It's a shame Bo's loss didn't net him the career that Chris Daughtry's loss got him.

I liked some of the changes to Hollywood week, especially the exclusion of the group sing portion. It was always a lot of fighting and whining, which, although it can be entertaining, would just become annoying. That said, no one should be allowed to play the drums and sing, especially a Tom Jones song. I'm not sure the instruments really added anything - they didn't show too many people who were successful with it. The homeless kid is getting on my nerves, and I don't think the Janis Joplin/rocker nurse is going to make it too far. My favorite of who they showed (that I saw) was one of the first guys - the one who sang "Love the One You're With".

So, what did you think? Any favorites? Who are your favorite idols from the past? What would be your audition song? Mine would be DankaShane (sp?).

Random Monday Thoughts Vol.2

I think on Mondays I'm incapable of pulling multiple ideas together to form one coherent post, so I'm copping out by once again just listing some things at random.

My first random thought is that my kids have the flu. I think we're on the flip side of it now, and I think we escaped the really nasty symptoms that many people are enduring. We've mostly had high fevers, sore throats, headaches, and tummy aches. Madison and Michael both had fevers nearly 105 degrees. Madison said to me, "I have a question, but I don't want to upset you. Am I dying?" That folks, is a fever.

My other random thought is really just a question with no answer: Why do we live in this ridiculous climate?

Last Thursday afternoon, I took Madison and Michael to the Northern Indiana Center for History in South Bend. It was my first time there, and it was much nicer than I expected. We spent most of the time in an exhibit called "Voyages", learning about the indians who lived in the St. Joseph Valley and how the area was established. The musuem is connected to the new Studebaker Museum, which I'd like to visit sometime.

For a while now I've been mulling over a concept I'll call "Life Words." I was introduced to this whole idea over 2 years ago by a husband and wife team that came to our church and spoke at a Spiritual Renewal weekend. To sum it up, it's the idea of putting God's truth, His "Life Words", into your heart and mind. So many things around us speak death - there's divorce, addiction, disease, disaster - it can be a discouraging to live in this world! But God's word has so much power and life in it, we can combat the death this world speaks into our lives. I want to be more aware of my words and make sure that whenever I have the opportunity, I speak words of life into the lives of those around me.

Finally, here's a link to my new favorite worship song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0F109Acx14
You'll have to cut and paste the link.

Ash Wednesday

My thoughts for Ash Wednesday really started on Monday night. I attend a small intercessory prayer group at church, and this Monday night it was just one other wonderful lady and me. Before she came, I was led to read 2 Timothy chapter 3, and as always, it brought fresh, rich lessons to me. I won't put the whole text here, if you find a few minutes today, give it a read. Anyway, 2 things distinctly stood out to me:

1. Vs. 5 - "...having a form of godliness but denying its power."
2. Vs. 14 - "continue in what you've learned and have become convinced of..."

I can tell you this right now: I never want to have just a form of godliness. I want God! I want true godliness, fruit of a life connected to God. I picture a candy mold, where you would pour melted chocolate in to make bunnies or flowers. I don't want to just be the "form", the empty mold, so to speak. I want FULLNESS, DEPTH, actual 3 dimensional shape. I don't want an empty, shallow existence with God, I want Him to form me and fill me. I also do not want to "deny its power". I want to be full of God's presence AND His power, and to be ready for what that power can do. I want to welcome that power, knowing that His power often comes when we are submitted and surrendered to Him. And here's a good question: Why would anyone want to serve a powerless god? We need to embrace the power of God, not fear it, or deny it.

The second point that really struck me was "what you've learned and have become convinced of...". One dictionary definition I found of convinced said, "to bring by argument to belief, consent, or course of action." The question is: How convinced am I? Have I learned enough and been convinced enough to take certain courses of action? How many believers do you know who have learned much, but are not convinced? When you are convinced, you develop a conviction, and I believe it is our convictions that bring us through our persecutions. That is why some, when times get tough, turn their backs on God, because they were never fully convinced. I want strong conviction. I want to continue to learn more so that I can become convinced of more, and so that my convictions can be strengthened. This supports something the Lord led me to weeks ago, that I need to be spending more time in His word. There is so much strength and power in His truth. Verse 16 of chapter 3 says: "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." I want to be thoroughly equipped to serve Him, so that I can give Him everything I have, because He gave me everything I didn't deserve, and nothing I did deserve.

So, this is adds to the motivation for starting my "power hour" this Lenten season. Jesus deserves so much glory, honor, and praise, more than I feel capable of giving. So, what I can give, I will, with love and gratitude.

Random Monday Thoughts

So, I have a variety of thoughts I decided to just throw out there tonight. First of all, I was incredibly pleased with the outcome of the Super Bowl last night. I did end up scrapbooking after the game because I was so pumped up and couldn't possibly go to sleep. During the half-time show, I was reminded of the time Ryan and I were playing a trivia game and there was a question about necks on a guitar and we came to realize it was possible to have FIVE, which just seems excessive (see the above picture). Remembering this brought fresh laughter and a renewed question of "why?".

On a completely different topic, I was going to start a "fast" of sorts tonight, but then I realized that this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, so why not wait and make it what I give up for Lent. Thus, starting Wednesday, until Easter, I will no longer watch Seinfeld from 10:00 - 11:00 every night. Instead, I will read my Bible and pray. I hope this will become a habit, my new "power hour" of sorts. It seems the least I can give up to honor the One who gave up so much for me.

So, were you plannning on giving something up, or starting something new, during Lent? Why would a guitar ever need five necks? What does the case look like? This is only a portion of the random thoughts racing through my mind tonight.

Super Sunday

As I'm sitting here waiting for the Super Bowl to start, I'm reminded of last year when we watched my current team of choice, The Colts, win the championship. We watched from the comfort of our hotel room at Walt Disney World. Actually, we watched the beginning of it at the Rainforest Cafe while we ate dinner, and then finished the game back at the hotel. I can't believe it's been a year since we made that trip, yet it feels like a long time since we were there. Anyway, tonight I watch from the comfort of my own home, and pray that the Giants can pull off a miracle and beat the Patriots, whom I have no love for whatsoever. So, I'm off to get some snacks, and then I'll probably get out my scrapbooking stuff, since I can hardly bear to watch the Patriots. My hope: Giants 28 Patriots 24. My prediction: Giants 17 Patriots 31

My Favorite Things - Vol. 1 - Lost Season 4

So, Ryan and I have watched the TV show "Lost" from the very first episode. We were hooked from the start. I have been known to listen to podcasts online featuring information from the writers/producers, as well as read message boards for theories. But, I have never posted a frame by frame analysis of what Mr. Eko saw in the black smoke monster, though I was grateful someone else did. "Lost" was the reason we bought a new VCR, since we had lost the remote to our old one and thus could not program the new ABC channel into it and had no way of recording the show (it is a "watch after the kids' bedtime" show). Anyway, the show has had it's highs (Hello, they took Walt off the raft!) and lows (what was up with the Jack's tatoos episode?) and we have hung in there. Even through the death of my favorite character, (I don't want to spoil past seasons too much, so HE will remain nameless), we have persevered. Well, I must say, that perserverance paid off last night. WOW! The new season premiere blew me away, and resurrected those feelings of seasons past when my mind races after it's over and I have trouble falling asleep. It was so intense at times, I felt like maybe I shouldn't watch. So many questions, I can't take it! So many questions, yet I want more! Let's hope the writer's strike gets settled soon so we can have more than 8 episodes this season, and won't have to watch shows like "My Dad can beat Your Dad."

Here's the web address for the entertainment weekly recap/analysis of last night's episode. You'll have to copy and paste, since I still can't get the blog to post links.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20036782_20037403_20175395,00.html

Waiting Room

Isaiah 30:18-21 - "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice from behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it."

I'm so humbled by my God today. I will never cease to be amazed by his goodness. The final verse of this passage came to my memory today when I realized that this was the type of direction the Lord was giving me. I believe today he gave me a gentle reassurance that Ryan and I know the right path, and he is releasing us to walk in it.

All along, our hearts have been set on a baby girl from Guatemala. As delays and problems come up, we've always had the option of changing programs. Our hearts, however were not changed. At one point I thought I could change to Nepal, but then I realized we were not eligible to adopt from there (due to already having a child of each gender). Now, there are 3 programs we could switch to if we wanted, and only one slightly appealed to us right now, Vietnam. My heart wasn't there, but I thought, well maybe if I'm supposed to, or if I have to, I could do that. But I just felt more compelled to wait for Guatemala than to switch to Vietnam. Today on the phone a friend asked me a question about our agency's Vietnam program, and when I looked it up online, I saw a new warning message that do to circumstances in Vietnam, they are not taking applications for the program. What a blessing this was! I am right to wait for that which God has placed on my heart, and he reassured me of that today.

In the verses prior to the ones I posted, the Lord is talking about how "repentence and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. You said,'no we will flee on horses." It was the idea that they were fleeing seeking what they wanted, rather than waiting on the Lord for what he had for them. That's why it said, "blessed are all who wait for him." How often do we do this, take matters into our own hands because we can't wait. I can think of a couple of jobs I had that I didn't like because I rushed in and didn't wait on the Lord. Just think, last week, or even last month, I could have said, "it's too long to wait, let's switch." and then that news today about Vietnam would have been a tragedy instead of a blessing. Sometimes we get so worked up because we have it in our head that we really want something, or that something is soooo important to us, that we prioritize it higher than God and his will. It then becomes an idol of sorts, we pursue it with passion and vigor, trying to make it happen, rather than pursuing God with passion and vigor, and letting him do as he pleases. The verse following the ones I posted says, "Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, 'Away with you!" Gross, right? But, that is how things in our life that are contrary to God's will and plan for us should be, offensive. I want to cast down my idols, give my heart and soul only to God, and the reap the benefit of a life that is surrendered to him in everything. If it means being in the center of his perfect will and plan for me and my family, then I have plenty of waiting room in my soul. I'll wait the full year my agency projects for Guatemala to reopen if I have to, and will not change unless God says so. He offers repentance, rest, salvation, quietness, trust, strength, and I want ALL of it. I will not flee on a horse and try to make something else happen. I will wait here until he whispers, "This is the way, walk in it" to me again.

One Wild Weekend

I'm finally recovered from my scrapbooking weekend. I would have posted yesterday, but I was needing all of my brain power just to function due to lack of sleep over the weekend. I was feeling my full 35 1/2 years yesterday (although this woman at prayer group last night was surprised when I told her I was 35, she thought I was like 26 or 27. She's my new best friend, by the way.) We had such an awesome weekend! It was perfect. My old friends, Tee & Ed, clicked so well with my new friend, Kimmie K., and we had so much great soul-cleansing laughter. We had some great food at the Essenhaus, although Ed and I consumed a few Rolaids afterward. I got 43 sides done throughout 4 different albums. My kids albums are now current, and my family album is ready for December. Kim and I stayed up until 8:00 AM Saturday morning, and got up around 11:00 AM. (Tee and Ed stayed up almost as long). The next night, Tee, Ed, and I stayed up until 3:00 AM, then we got up at 8:00 AM, so Kim and I could come back to go to church. Kim and I stayed at the crop until 6:00 Sunday night. There were also lots of fun free goodies that we received throughout the weekend. We can't wait until next year! If anyone is interested, the Winterfest crop will be the last weekend of January next year, so if you want to join the loudest and most obnoxious table there (as well as the most fun table), let us know! I'm posting some pictures of layouts from each album, as well as a picture that has a 12X12 album I bought for Max, and 2 albums I got for free during the weekend.

Crop Til I Drop!

In a about 5 hours I leave for the big weekend crop. I'm excited for a chance to get away, to work on albums, and to hang out with friends. Oh, and for a chance to laugh, which I expect to have happen a lot over the next few days. I'm cropping with my old friends, Debbie "Ed" DeBoer & Tina "Tee" Green, as well as my new friend from church, Kim "Kimmie K." Carpenter. We'll also be spending time with my friend, and Creative Memories Consultant, Jodi "Artistic Hair" Oldfather, and her friends - Mindy "Can't Remember Her Last Name", and Rosanna "I Never Knew Her Last Name". I giggle just to think about! So, on Monday I'll be back online to brag about how much more I got done than Ed, I MEAN, to blog about how the weekend went. (I'm posting pictures of the cover of the new family album that I got for Christmas, and the calendar page I did to start off that album)

Following God's Heart

Today we heard from our adoption agency. Things are not progressing in Guatemala, and they do not see the country developing a new process until the end of this year. That is simply an estimate, and something could happen sooner than that, but based on how things are going with the cases in process, they just don't see the process for new cases being established sooner than that.

So, we have 3 options: Postpone our adoption and wait until the country opens again, transfer to a different country program, or stop altogether. We have no intention of stopping, and we don't feel called to any of the other countries right now, so I guess we're on board for the wait. We don't have to decide right away, so we'll take to pray and to consider everything, and most importantly, to listen for the Lord's wisdom. I'm disappointed, but not discouraged. I have faith that God knows exactly what will happen, so I plan to follow Him and His heart for us. There are moments when I think that such a wait is crazy, but if you read Hebrews 11, maybe waiting isn't so crazy after all.

A Defining Dream

Recently someone asked me how I was doing (in relation to our adoption), and when I said "I'm doing great", this person seemed surprised. So, I thought I would write about something that happened that brought me tremendous peace concerning our adoption.

It was probably early in December, and I had a dream. In the dream, our family was in the van, and I was driving, and we were going up a very steep highway. It was winter, and the road was basically a sheet of ice. As we were headed up this steep road, an animal, with the head of a moose and the body of a mastodon came out of the woods on the opposite side of the road, about 50 yards away (is anyone still reading?). So, the animal is like lumbering out into the road, and traffic is stopped, and the road is so icy that this thing slips and falls to the ground, knocking itself unconscious. It's body then begins to slide down the slope of the road, and it is headed for our van. It continues to slide and knocks our van over the drop-off on the side of the road. Our van rolled, but when we came to a stop, we were all okay. Next, we have made it back to the road, and our van is on the road and all the traffic is stopped. At that point I realize that my mom was a couple of cars in front of us when the accident happened. She is coming back to check on us, and when she sees us all standing on the road, she sinks to the pavement, sobbing uncontrollably. When I see her do this, I get very angry. I am mad that she is crying, when she can see that we are all perfectly fine.

Okay, that was the dream (at least part of it anyway). So, I wake up in the morning, and I go into the bathroom and I'm thinking about this dream, and I'm like, what was up with that? Why was I so mad at my mom for reacting like that?

Then, God spoke to me, and this is what He said: "Why would you mourn for something you haven't lost?"

That's when I realized I had been doing that about our baby girl. I was mourning like I had lost her. I had taken the news about the adoption delay in such a way as if it was over, even though I knew it wasn't, but that was how I was responding. (Just like in the dream, mom knows we're okay, but she responds to what could have happened.) God didn't tell me my baby girl was lost, and until He does, she isn't. She's just delayed in coming, fashionably late. Taking after her mother already!

This dream, and God's words to me about it, were a defining moment for me. I'm thankful for the encouragement God brought to me and the creative way He did it.

Countdown to the Crop

In three more days, I'll be headed to Winterfest, that January tradition of spending the weekend scrapbooking with friends. I've been cropping pictures, organizing paper, and trying to get everything I might possibly need altogether in my bag. I'm looking forward to getting caught up with all my albums. I'm also looking forward to lots of fun with friends. Winterfest is a great time to talk, laugh, and just get away for a break. Last year we also learned many valuable lessons, such as do not opt for the gas station hot dog at 2:00 in the morning, just say no to too much carmelized puffy snack, and perhaps most important, not everyone appreciates the pie already being on the table at dinner. So, let the countdown begin, and I'll let you know what we learn this year!

Living Like A Daughter

I've recently finished reading a couple of books about adoption. I greatly appreciated both of them. I wanted to share a portion of the one with you. This excerpt is from Carried Safely Home by Kristin Wong. She has been explaining the adjustment her sons (who were both around age 2) went through from being orphans in Vietnam to being sons in their family. I appreciate the challenge to live like a daughter!

...behaviors occasionally surfaced that reminded us of the boys' fearful reactions those first days in Vietnam...The changes in their lives were enormous...So many changes had just raged through their lives - how could they know that there were not more coming? There was nothing we could do but continue to be present for them until they felt secure. I wanted to be able to speak directly into their souls to alleviate their angst: 'Stop acting like an orphan,' I pled with Josiah (knowing he couldn't understand)'You're not an orphan anymore; you're our son!'
The legal declaration of a child's status usually comes in black and white: With signatures on paper and the ruling of a judge, a child changes from being a ward of the state to being the son or daughter of parents. But other changes from orphan to son or daughter spread through a child's life more gradually. It takes orphans time to live fully in their new identity. It takes time, when you have been an orphan, to believe you are a son. Pockets of orphan remnants may remain hidden for years and then surface unexpectedly...
As I think about the coping behavior of abandoned orphans, and observe my own boys struggle to understand what it means to live in a family, I also think about my own life. As God's adopted daughter, I too, am being gradually transformed, as my behavior and emotions come to more closely match my real identity. My own hidden orphan remnants surface at times...
Orphans transformed into sons and daughters delight the hearts of their parents. I was sad for my sons when they showed their orphan remnants and delighted when they began relaxing and feeling secure...
He {God} must be honored when our freedom and joy show that we trust his care for us. I am not an abandoned orphan, but a beloved child of God. But sometimes I forget. And he tells me: 'Stop acting like an orphan; you are my daughter!"

Upward Basketball

Michael had his first Upward Basketball game today. It was very exciting for all of us. The kids his age played better than I expected, and it was fun to watch. Michael is certainly learning a lot, and will probably learn much more before the season is over. This is our first experience with Upward Basketball, and we're finding it to be as enjoyable as our soccer experiences have been. So, for the next few weeks our Saturday mornings will be spent at Trinity Evangelical Free, cheering on Michael and the Golden Eagles!

Madison's New Do

The boys got a haircut today, but Madison got a new look. She decided she wanted her hair cut shorter than usual. So, she got probably 6 inches cut off. This is the shortest her hair has been since preschool. Since she's approaching her 9th birthday, it seemed like time for a fresh look.