Our lap top is down so I have not been able to blog for a while, we will update as soon as we get it up and running again.

Happy New Year!

Jessica, Jon, and Grace

HUMILITY

Humbly approaching the cross is something that has been on my mind lately. This weekend I finished Galations and read Ephesians....both have amazing lessons about being crucified with Christ and its not us living, but Christ living in us... being rooted in Christ's love and approaching HIM with peace and confidence....

This morning I listened to a podcast that reminded me of this...."God doesn't show us our whole path for life, He takes us step by step because He wants to be in relationship with us and honestly- if we knew the path God is going to lead us on then we wouldn't need him..."

Okay so we need God, we know that and we hear that ALL THE TIME.

But how often do we live our lives in complete surrender, in complete humility where we are constantly on our knees relying on God's strength...on HIS timing...on HIS understanding...on HIS peace.

I wish I could say that I'm at this place where I'm in complete surrender in front of my Savior. But truth be told I am slowly opening up my hands and allowing my HIM to take my burdens, my pain, my anger, my brokeness...

Praise God that He desires to heal us and make us whole again. Praise Him for giving us everything. I believe he is victorious over all our pain and depression and has already defeated those things.

He will bring me through, in His timing...I just need to trust.

The best things in Life aren't things....

Jon took Grace out to fly kites last weekend at Shenzhen University. I went along of course to take some pictures but really it was a special afternoon for Grace and her dad! One of those days that make you stop and realize that life is about moments like this....



LOVE how much they enjoy each other!

Tuesday Night Chaos

In case you are wondering what Tuesday Nights look like for us when we invite 6 extra Children into our home...Here are a few pics. 6 five year olds + one 3 year old equals = excedrin migraine. KIDDING!! Well kind of ... But we really love it, they are SO much fun. And Grace thinks it's time to party down every Tuesday night. My ears are still ringing from tonight. Take a look :)

Walter, Ray-Ray (love that name), Julie, Yancey, Snow, and Grace


BESTIES

Snow, Grace, Julie, and another Grace!

Tonight I gave them these "awards" for sitting through English tutoring before they ran into Grace's room to play...As you can see they are pretty stinkin' proud. Grace got one too for being my assistant!


I posted this blurry picture to show you the energy that comes from this group of crazy 5 year olds... this is not for wimps people! Oh and by the way - this was taken last Tuesday night... and YES that cute little guy in the middle named RAY RAY is wearing a cape to English Tutoring. Don't try him, he is not playing around!


Me with Julie - This little girl is HILARIOUS and Such a sweet girl!


Hope you enjoyed the peek into our madness!

Rainy Day Fun in Shenzhen

Grace had a blast making english muffin pizzas and cupcakes on our rainy saturday last weekend! They were sooo good and she had a blast! Great idea if you are stuck in the house with little ones, and not all that messy either :)





Followed by cupcakes...
Love this picture... she is ROCKIN the peace sign!

Blessed by four little angels

Saturdays are our orphanage days. We have 4 kids named Louis, Tommy, Pat and Olivia. We get to act as their foster parents on these Saturday's taking them on outings that they would not get to do otherwise without the help of volunteers here in Shenzhen. They get to see the outside world and experience things like the park, mcdonalds, dinosaur exhibits, etc. which is a HUGE treat to these precious kids.

On our way to the park - Tommy and Pat are the boys in the back


This is Olivia. She is about 4 years old. Absolutely PRECIOUS and so happy. Grace loves playing with her! Olivia kept tugging on my hand calling me ma-ma during our outing this past weekend.

Jon with little Louis


I must say it is quite amazing when we stop and see the world through a child's eyes... But even more so when you have the opportunity to see it through an orphans eyes. 
Grace and Olivia blowing bubbles









Time to head back to the orphanage...Until next time sweet children..

On our way back they got to check out bunnies for sale on the side of the road...small things that make children happy!

I hope that these pictures of these 4 precious children will be A reminder to PRAY, A reminder to GIVE, & a reminder that we all have a responsibility to be a VOICE for those that don't have one of their own.

It is estimated there are between 143 million and 210 million orphans worldwide.

Every day an estimated 5,760 more children become orphans.

Each year 14,505,000 children grow up as orphans and AGE OUT of the system by the age of 16.

Studies have shown that 60% of the girls become prostitutes and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals.

Another study reported that of the 15,000 orphans aging out of state-run institutions every year, 10% committed suicide, 5,000 were unemployed, 6,000 were homeless and 3,000 were in prison within three years…

I know for myself it is very difficult to really think about these statistics and what they represent, but when we become PERSONALLY involved and risk HEART ACHE they become MORE than statistics… these 4 orphans we spend time with on the weekends have become REAL children with REAL hearts that ache for parents with REAL bodies that hunger for love and attention.  

These precious children need men and women willing to make a difference...

“Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless; Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Deliver the weak and needy from the hand of the wicked.” Ps 82:3-4


statistics above from:
www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren.org

Love this idea...

Saw this on pinterest..... My new addiction. So inspiring. Now if I could just get off of the website so I can actually make all of the things I've pinned my house would be beautiful and my husbands belly would be happy...

For now I wanted to share this cool idea that I am going to start doing tomorrow. Just wish I would have done it a little sooner.

Source: ashleyannphotography.com via Jessica on Pinterest

This woman has a journal for each of her children, filled with letters to the child and thoughts about them. She started each one the day they found out they were having the child. Gave them when the kids moved out. So sweet and sentimental.