Chinese Fortune Cookie - Fortune

"An unexpected event will soon make your life more exciting". Wouldn't that be neat if that was true?

Brief Update on what's happening with Kyrgyzstan Adoption

It's been a while since I've said much about what's going on with Kyrgyzstan. So here's a brief update:

1. The 7 extra documents were certified and sent to Nightlight. Yippee
2. An e-mail was sent out from NL just updating everyone on what's going forward.
3. Weekly updates from NL starting now to what's going on. This is a good thing since so many rumors can fly around.
4. We were told that we are now 3rd in line for a little girl...so that means we could hear some good news in August. In April we were #6...so we've moved up 3 since then. That's really good news.

Stayed tuned.

Risk in Faith: Where God Guides, God Provides!

What a perfect E-mail this was for today. This says it all!

By Rick Warren
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
If God tells you to do something, he will give you the energy, talent, resources – whatever you need – to do it. Where God guides, he provides.

In 1979, I was finishing seminary in Texas when God said, “I want you to go to the Saddleback Valley and start a church.” There were two problems with that: I had never been a senior pastor, and I didn’t know anything about the Saddleback Valley; I’d never been there, and I didn’t know a single person there.

But my wife, Kay, and I decided to take a risk and launch out in faith. We loaded a U-Haul truck and moved with our four-month-old daughter to the Saddleback Valley.
We arrived during rush hour in January, 1980. I grew up in a town of fewer than 500 people, so when I saw the jam-packed freeway, I thought God had chosen the wrong guy.

But where God guides, God provides. We stopped at a real estate office and I met Don Dale. I said, “My name is Rick Warren and I'm here to start a new church. I need a place to live and I don’t have any money.”

Within two hours, Don found us a condo with the first month rent-free. Don also became the first member of Saddleback Church. Saddleback’s first service was in our home with just seven people – my family and Don’s family.

God began bringing others to join us in planting a church. And in April of 1980, 205 people streamed up the ramp at Laguna Hills High School for our first public worship service. It was amazing. I thought, “God! You have provided! This is the place we’re supposed to be.”

Kay and I believed in the dream and the vision that God gave us for the Saddleback Valley, and we followed that dream, even when it involved risks. If you’re going to live by faith, you’re going to have to take some risks. In some situations, you’ll wonder if God is going to come through. But keep believing – because where God guides, God provides.

John and Kate Plus 8

Has anyone seen this show? Last night for the first time I actually watched it. It's really adorable. How does she do it with 8 kids? It amazes me to see how well she does by her self too. Wish I could be that organized. She doesn't get all freaked out either. That's really good. She said the one thing to getting organized is writing notes. Sure wish there was a organization class on how to organize your life or something like that. I'm sure many need it.

Here are a few links:

http://tlc.discovery.com/beyond/?playerId=203711705&categoryId=210014208&lineupId=252316881&titleId=744698880

http://tlc.discovery.com/beyond/?playerId=203711705&categoryId=210014208&lineupId=252316881&titleId=932592635

Tips For a Smooth Household
by Kate Gosselin

Tip #1 OrganizeAs a mother of sextuplets and twins, one of the best methods for keeping a family organized is lists! No one has the memory of an elephant! Keep a constant running list of "To Dos" and then cross things off as they are completed! My to-do lists consists of meals for the week, which loads of laundry need to be done, and which parts of the house needs attention. Lists will keep you and your family organized.

Tip #2 Shop on a BudgetShopping for a family of 10 means planning ahead and staying on a budget. The good news is that you can have healthy, home cooked delicious (even organic!) meals for a large family. Look for sales! Watch the sale papers and take advantage of store promotions, coupons and rainchecks. Keep a constant running list of things that are on sale and that you need at the store from week to week. This will avoid buying things that you don't need. It's also good to stock up on items that you use a lot of and that are on sale!

Tip #3 Prepare for OutingsPlan ahead! If outings are well thought out in advance, it will allow for a better time for all! Always take plenty of drinks, snacks, clothing and supplies. Make a mental plan of how the day will unfold and then adjust it as necessary!

Tip #4 Count Your BlessingsOn days that your role as mom seems mundane and pointless and repetitive(we all have those), remember to count your blessings! Take a moment, see all that is positive in your life and the life of your children and it will give you that boost that you need!

Tip #5 Promote SafetyTalk about different scenarios and what is safe and acceptable and what is not safe and what they should not do in different situations! Remind them to come to YOU as a parent if they hear something that they don't understand, think that is bad or don't know what it means. You want to position yourself as their resource person to keep conversation lines open. This needs to start at a very young age.

Tip #6 Provide OrderA schedule will help everyone in the family. It removes the guesswork and a lot of frustration. It allows the things that need to get done to get done because life becomes somewhat predictable.

Tip #7 Reward Your ChildrenReward them for their helpfulness and kindness—if only with your words, this will mean a lot to them. They want your approval!

Tip #8 Make Housework a Family AffairEspecially in a large family, involving all of the kids in the housework, chores, cooking, cleaning etc. This helps to provide family unity, and a sense of belonging. It also teaches kids to develop a strong work ethic. And encourage Dad to get involved—n our situation,much of what a successful mom is able to accomplish, is due to a very present and helpful dad!

Bring your dog to work day! Friday, June 20th

Wouldn't it be so cool to do that? Anyone reading this...have you done this at your office?

Four Rules for Sleeping with Dogs

Rule Number One: The deeper the sleep the heavier the dog. Most people who sleep with dogs develop spinal deformities rather than rent the heavy equipment necessary to move their snoring canines to a more appropriate part of the bed. Cunning canines steal precious space in tiny increments until they have achieved the center position on the bed - with all covers carefully tucked under them for safekeeping. The stretch and roll method is very effective in gaining territory. Less subtle tactics are sometimes preferred. A jealous dog can worm his way between a sleeping couple and, with the proper spring action from all four legs, shove a sleeping human to the floor.

Rule Number Two: Dogs possess superhuman strength while on a bed. As you cling to the edge of the bed, wishing you had covers, your sweet pup begins to snore at a volume you would not have thought possible. Once that quiets down, the dog dreams begin. Yipping, growling, running, kicking. Your bed becomes a battlefield and playground of canine fantasy. It starts out with a bit of "sleep running", lots of eye movement and then, suddenly, a shrieking howl blasted through the night like a banshee wail. The horror of this wake-up call haunts you for years. It's particularly devastating when your pup insists on sleeping curled around your head like a demented Daniel Boone cap.

Rule Number Three: The deeper the sleep, the louder the dog.
The night creeps on and you fall asleep in the 3 inches of bed not claimed by a dog. The dog dreams quiet slightly and the heap of dog flesh sleeps - breathing heavily and passing wind. Then, too soon, it's dawn and the heap stirs. Each dog has a distinctive and unpleasant method of waking the pack. One may position itself centimeters from a face and stare until you wake. The clever dog obtains excellent results by simply sneezing on your face, or they could romp all over your sleeping bodies - or the ever-loving insertion of a tongue in an unsuspecting ear.

Rule Number Four: When the dog wakes - you wake.
So, why do we put up with this? There's no sane reason. Perhaps it's just that we're a pack and a pack heaps together at night - safe, contented, heavy and loud.

Author unknown

We're going to Aspen

We just recently confirmed our trip to Aspen, CO in Sept. We can't wait. We are planning to drive from Denver to Aspen stopping in Beaver Creek for the night. We will then stay in Aspen/Snowmass Village for 4 days. We hope to visit a lot of our favorite places.

Stormy Weather - Church Cancelled

Today we woke to a very stormy day. It was very windy and rainy. It took down a lot of tree limbs around the college area. Our church was cancelled due to the fact there was no power. It seemed to be all over that area. Because of no power over at 703 we all ended up going out to dinner for Father's Day.

Happy Father's Day

Hope everyone had a enjoybable Father's Day.

Are you Limiting God's Blessing? Click here and find out.

If you want the Best...especially the child that God has picked out for you...this is just the right sermon for you. Feel free to listen for a while.
A message from Charles Stanley, First Baptist Church in Atlanta GA

http://www.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2287421/k.944D/This_Week_on_TV.htm

Delay is not rejection

Although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days and did not go to them. Finally, after two days, he said to his disciples, "Let's go to Judea again."
John 11:5-7 NLT God often delays His response out of love, as He works all things together for good.

Waiting with hope
Mary and Martha had sent their friend Jesus a message about the critical condition of their brother, Lazarus, and their urgent need for his help: "Lord, the one you love is very sick" (John 11:3). But instead of rushing off to Bethany, Jesus stayed where he was for two days before responding to Mary and Martha's plea. When he did arrive, he raised Lazarus from the dead in a magnificent display of his power.

Just as Mary and Martha struggled when Jesus answered their prayers for Lazarus in a time and way different from what they had expected, we get frustrated when the Lord delays in coming to us and answering our prayers.

As it did for the grieving sisters, two days (or two months or two years) of waiting can seem like an eternity to us. But in the midst of the "delay," God is not inactive. He is teaching us patience, perseverance, and faith and is planning to glorify himself in our circumstances. While we are waiting, he wants to cleanse our hearts and refocus us on Jesus. The Spirit always knows what will glorify God, and we can trust him when we're in the waiting room.


LORD, help me to wait for you in hope and perseverance, knowing that you will come. Grant me patience and faith in the waiting room of life yet to be.

God's Timing is Perfect! Right?

Today referrals came out and they only got through the 20th of January and no referrals for our agency...was really hoping they'd get through the 22nd of January. Seeing this is just so hard. January referrals have now taken 5 months and they aren't even done with this month yet. This is where faith comes in...the only thing to hold on to. Because it's just so easy to give up. God does care about what's going on even if it is a new condo, or an adoption, etc. I have to think that when we got our condo his timing was perfect. We weren't really even thinking about it...and there it was for us. Everything we wanted in a bigger place. Soon after we moved out of our apt complex it went condo. Therefore, we would of had to have moved or brought anyway. Of course his timing and our timing aren't always the same. This is probably the hardest for a lot of people.

But if he's in control, we shouldn't have to worry about it. But that can be easier said than done. Just like most everyone else...money for IA is a big deal. I keep thinking, where will the money come from? Doing two adoptions at once is very expensive to say the least. So this is another thing to have faith on. Where does one come up with $40,000+? At this point I have no clue. But of course God knows. :)

Confident assurance: What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot see. God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith. Hebrews 11:1-2 NLT

Certain of what I could not see! I led my husband from one room of the condominium to the next.…"It's perfect for us. Let's make an offer." That evening Charles pored over the numbers, making sure we could afford it. "I think we can swing it," he said. I tingled at the thought of moving into our very own home. When the owners accepted our offer, I whooped with joy. "Thank you, Lord." …"We don't have the money now," Charles said soberly. "You're right," I said. "We don't have the money. But God does. I'm going to ask him for it." The sum of $10,000 came to mind. Each morning I prayed in faith, "Lord, thank you for the $10,000 now hidden, to be revealed according to your will." Was I treating God like a vending machine? Pop in a prayer and out slides the answer. I remembered times in my life when I have been more focused on my own agenda that on his will. But somehow this time was different. Our new home had come into our lives in such a miraculous way. With a failed job and a bankruptcy in our past, it seemed we had lost our chance to have a place of our own. I prayed, believing, sure of what I hoped for and certain of what I did not see. Two weeks before closing, Charles flew to Kentucky to visit his ailing parents. Charles told Robert about the condominium and my strange prayer.

A knowing smile spread across Robert's face. "I think I know the answer," he said. "Mom just released $10,000 to each of us form Dad's estate. I planned to tell you about it today." What had been hidden was now revealed—and the timing, God's timing, was perfect.

What is it about Change? Why is it so hard?

Quotes on Change:
We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance.
Harrison Ford, quoted by Garry Jenkins in 'Harrison Ford: Imperfect Hero

Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.
King Whitney Jr.


This isn't good or bad. It's just the way of things. Nothing stays the same.
Real Live Preacher, RealLivePreacher.com Weblog, January 03, 2004Anonymous author of RealLivePreacher.com

Here's what Dictionary.com says about change:

Audio Help (chānj) Pronunciation Key v. changed, chang·ing, chang·es v. tr.
To cause to be different: change the spelling of a word.
To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform: changed the yard into a garden.
To lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; switch: change methods; change sides.
To transfer from (one conveyance) to another: change planes.
To give and receive reciprocally; interchange: change places.
To exchange for or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category: change one's name; a light that changes colors.
To lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; switch: change methods; change sides.
To transfer from (one conveyance) to another: change planes.
To give or receive the equivalent of (money) in lower denominations or in foreign currency.
To put a fresh covering on: change a bed; change the baby. v. intr.
To become different or undergo alteration: He changed as he matured.
To undergo transformation or transition: The music changed to a slow waltz.
To go from one phase to another, as the moon or the seasons.
To make an exchange: If you prefer this seat, I'll change with you.
To transfer from one conveyance to another: She changed in Chicago on her way to the coast.
To put on other clothing: We changed for dinner.
To become deeper in tone: His voice began to change at age 13. n.
The act, process, or result of altering or modifying: a change in facial expression.
The replacing of one thing for another; substitution: a change of atmosphere; a change of ownership.
A transformation or transition from one state, condition, or phase to another: the change of seasons.
Something different; variety: ate early for a change.
A different or fresh set of clothing.
Money of smaller denomination given or received in exchange for money of higher denomination.
The balance of money returned when an amount given is more than what is due.
Coins: had change jingling in his pocket.
A pattern or order in which bells are rung.
In jazz, a change of harmony; a modulation.
Music
A pattern or order in which bells are rung.
In jazz, a change of harmony; a modulation.
A market or exchange where business is transacted. Phrasal Verb(s): change off
To alternate with another person in performing a task.
To perform two tasks at once by alternating or a single task by alternate means.

Transmute, transform; vary, mutate; amend, modify. Change, alter both mean to make a difference in the state or condition of a thing or to substitute another state or condition. To change is to make a material difference so that the thing is distinctly different from what it was: to change one's opinion. To alter is to make some partial change, as in appearance, but usually to preserve the identity: to alter a dress (to change a dress would mean to put on a different one). 3. replace, trade. 4. trade. 7. convert. 10. vary, mutate, amend. 18. transmutation, mutation, conversion, vicissitude. 21. exchange. 25, 26. replacement.
—Antonyms 10. remain. 18. permanence.

Memorial Day Weekend

It's been a while since I last posted. Just so much going on I haven't had time to update things.

Memorial Day weekend was just so much fun plus nice and sunny...well most of the time. It might have rained a little on Sunday afternoon. But we were able to get all our flowers in. Yipppeee. It really looks nice too. It was a perfect day to plant. That evening we joined our neighbor friend for dinner in Naperville. For those that live around here...we had never been to the Riverwalk in Naperville. How deprived can we be? We had a wonderful early dinner at Sullivans Chart House. Great food. Then we walked the River walk for a short while and came back and had ice cream. What a great night it was.

Sunday was another nice weather day. Church in the morning and then around noon we got a phone call from our golfer bud...Blaine McCallister. He had arrived in town for a tournament in Glenview...Bank of America Open. We were sort of hoping he'd call on Saturday so we hung around home most of that day. It was just so good to hear from him again. We met Blaine for a nice lunch...and then came back to the house to watch car racing. There are just certain people in our lives that mean the world to us...and Blaine is for sure one of them. He has been a very special friend for over 20 years. We were supposed to meet on Monday but things didn't work out for him. We had hoped to get our annual yearly picture together. He had said when he called on Monday that he'd call back but he missed the cut and must have left on Saturday. The rest of the weekend we spent planting more flowers. I trust everyone else had a great Memorial Weekend too.