Enjoying time with our new family member!

 At D&D

 The Big Pecan! This was actually David and Avelyn's first picture with it too!

 At the Mission's Baseball game. No, we didn't get another kid, but he's cute and I would have taken him;o)

 The boys got to go out on the field during the anthem and shake the player's hands (Carson in red, David in orange, and Shuntaro in black)

 Right behind home plate!

 I asked Dave to take a picture of me since I'm not in pictures much. Thanks babe!

 My sweet girl

Crazy kid!

Open mouth...proclaim God's goodness

I am a talker. If you know me, that is not surprising. I am likely to reveal my whole life's story within the first ten minutes of meeting you if it seems applicable. I LOVE to share each and every detail of what God is doing to move forward Share-Affirm. I don't often worry about jumping ahead of myself because I figure everything has a purpose so even if it doesn't pan out exactly the way I think it will it won't be fruitless.

All that said, I'm not going to share this latest bit of exciting news just yet. I WANT to! Believe me I do. But I'm just not sure for what purpose God is going to use it yet. I can say that just when I was getting discouraged about one particular aspect of our preparation "this" popped up. I so want to know what God's plan is and how he is going to use this, but I don't and that's ok.

On Sunday Pastor Nick talked about getting in God's will, not asking him to be in ours. That really really clicked for me. The devotionals I have read in the days following have been right on par with that same theme. As have the scriptures I've been reading in James (gotta love James).

So, I'm not going to jump ahead on this one and make plans that I ask God to bless. I'm going to put one foot in front of the other and let him lead the way. So excited!!!

You Have Been Forgiven

Please take a minute to read:

http://japandailypress.com/japans-aging-population-has-a-lot-of-potential-needs-a-chance-025720

I was reflecting on just this particular subject the other day. How often do we talk about forgiveness and second chances in the American Christian community. What if there was no such thing in your society. 

That is a dark sad thing for me to think of as I reflect on the immature and life altering decisions I made as a teenager.

But what a joy to know our Lord has called us to share His message of forgiveness. Oh I pray that it will be received. It may take years to have one person understand but we will preach that message faithfully even if it takes ALL the rest of our years here on Earth.

Because God wants us to grow

I eluded to a special opportunity for our family on Facebook the other day. It just  popped up out of no where but I believe it could be a blessing. There is a foreign exchange student program that brings Greek and Japanese students to America for 3.5 weeks each summer. The students range in age from 12-18 and they hope to match them up with similarly aged American children to "shadow" during their time here.
Recently I spoke out loud to someone about how my highly social 10.5 year old needed a shadow, someone to talk to for hours and hours. Because, talking and being heard is his love language.
 Also, we have been wanting to practice our Japanese and trying to make our home a safe and regular place to do so. We would have someone in our home that speaks Japanese fluently and English limited. What a great way to practice!
We have not officially been approved to be a host family. Hopefully this weeks home visit will go well and they will approve us. We are all looking forward to the opportunity and to giving this young man the opportunity to learn about American culture.

This post's picture is of Aine in her new Kimono (all the way from Japan).

The Fourth of July

 It's hot in our town on the Fourth of July

 Real Hot

 But that didn't stop us from going to the biggest small town parade for what may be one of the last times in a long time.

 In case you can't tell that vehicle has little "virgin Mary's" all along the bottom of it. Yes, it was a "float".

Why did I post cars for pictures of the parade? Well because I'm not sure anyone else does it quite like our town. There are more low-riders than actual floats and I'm certain I will miss that some day.

Run for your life

I'm not a runner by hobby. In fact I am one of those that often said "If you see me running call 911." However, running is free, and it doesn't require equipment. So as a mom of 4 and a very busy individual I took up running to keep in shape and get alone with God for a few minutes.

I shared with one of my closest friends that when I am having a particularly hard time getting through my run I'll pretend I am in a unfriendly nation running for my life with a kid under each arm. Then I tell myself I'm "running for Jesus".

That may seem silly but it often brings up thoughts of what we have been called to do and I'll begin to dream. I'll dream of what the Pregnancy Center will look like and what it will be called. I will dream of that first young woman who walks through our doors in need of help. I will dream of my children growing up knowing that what is most important in life is that we lay down our lives for others. Some times I tear up when I think of the first child whose life is spared or maybe a set of grandparents who learn to forgive.

By the time I get to the end of my run I'm usually so ready to hop on a plane that I might just run towards the airport instead of back to my house...but I'm pretty sure I'd miss my kids so I don't;o)

Would you dream with us? You don't have to run, just sit and meditate if you wish. Let God speak to you about his vision for his children.