tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30487315794106260402024-03-13T13:11:51.053-07:00Bringing Home EliasThis is our story of adoption...the story of our lives.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-28180950273621160012015-04-15T18:22:00.001-07:002015-04-15T18:22:35.948-07:00Happy 6th Gotcha Day Sweet Elias James...<div>
To celebrate his Gotcha Day, here is a video of the day we met Elias... April 13, 2009</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzj8_UEl8I_lEMX7R8LFZYk4nc5Clvcd4bgS1HFgJlaoURJtlPpdLS7_N3J1cxBy3TIY9kCtLN9Cqsu5ELNfg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-78629273385819408242012-07-28T21:08:00.000-07:002012-07-28T21:08:42.515-07:00A Lao Tong for Aimee?Wow, it has been such a long time since i have posted on this blog. But i have something really wonderful that i have decided to do for my daughter and i thought i would share it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkrZBRMLfMR9PCBzKyxw0eq8vwVEK4bpt4wwY_Hmx_K2UvIBG4OexIv6gJyQMjvo3wBV4KxFE9rphd6JAlyw8OJIYaPQz0LJDs-4BRJ5S4cNE0_coKgDGr9WIhRLuk7PTIOAi8JURfF0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkrZBRMLfMR9PCBzKyxw0eq8vwVEK4bpt4wwY_Hmx_K2UvIBG4OexIv6gJyQMjvo3wBV4KxFE9rphd6JAlyw8OJIYaPQz0LJDs-4BRJ5S4cNE0_coKgDGr9WIhRLuk7PTIOAi8JURfF0/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I just finished the book <u><a href="http://www.lisasee.com/snowflower.htm">Snow Flower and the Secret Fan</a></u> by Lisa See. It was a wonderful book that brought my imagination back in time to the ancient world of China. The book focuses on woman and their lives in the "inner realm" which means, inside their home caring for the lives of their men and mother-in-laws, attending to their every need. If you have not read this book, i highly recommend it. It is a beautiful picture of the condition of women in China and how they thrived and carried on their culture in the midst of much suffering.</div>
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If you don't understand why we China adoptive moms predominantly have daughters, you really need only to read this book to realize that this pandemic of disrespect and abandonment began hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago through the culture of the orient. And in this book we begin to realize that though woman were often seen in their world as equal with dogs, they had a way of surviving and thriving into their own. </div>
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The preface of the book is focused on the concept of a Lao Tong. This is translated in our language to mean "old same". Two best friends who have all the similarities that China sees as necessary to be "sisters" from another family. These <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">girls were paired as "old-sames" in emotional matches that lasted throughout their lives. They painted letters on fans, embroidered messages on handkerchiefs, and composed stories, thereby reaching out of their windows to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. </span>Meant to be together....for ten thousand years.</div>
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This is a sweet concept that to be honest i cannot relate. To me, the concept of a BFF in reality is a bit foreign. I do have many wonderful "besties" that i love and adore and I know we will be my friends forever and hopefully spend eternity with in heaven one day. But i never had a best friend growing up. And today my best friend, hands down is my husband. He is the one who knows me best, relates to me best, loves me most. I would rather spend a night with him than anyone because our conversations just flow like we are one. He loves me in a way i never thought i could know, being the child of a single mom with no father in my life. And I have never had a girlfriend to even compare to that level of friendship. But i do know that many women in the world do value their girl friendships as equal to, sometimes even above those of their spouses. They have a connection to one another that i cannot relate to. It is deep and honest and almost chemical in nature. I just happen to be one of the weird ones i guess.</div>
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And i do not want my daughters to necessarily be the way i am. I mean i do want them to have a marital relationship that goes as deep as mine. I want them to know that their is no friend like your husband and spend their young life looking for that man...NEVER settling. But i also want them to know what it is to have girlfriends and relate to them in the manner that this book describes. That deep, honest, almost chemical friendship. </div>
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So, to make a long story long, i have a great idea for those of us moms out their who have Chinese daughters. Let's connect them as Lao Tongs! First let me explain how this friendship is and how it can work. We would need to begin this great process at around the age of 6 or 7. We need to find our daughters one other girl of about the same age, also from China. These girls would begin their friendship the same way this friendship began in the book. We can acquire a fan and have the girls begin by writing simple messages to one another on it and send it back and forth. How wonderful it will be for them to then perhaps once per year if it is not too far to bring them together to meet and spend time together. Living here in New Jersey i think of how exciting an NYC China Town jaunt could be for them; eating dim sum and sipping Chinese tea. </div>
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Over the years hopefully their friendship will grow and blossom into something deep and beautiful together. To be at the place where one day as these girls are getting ready for their wedding day and their lao tong can be there by their side, truly knowing so much about them and seeing them off into their future as a wife, mom, and woman of faith...THIS would be magical to watch.</div>
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I think this would be a beautiful way to not only create for them a friendship like i mentioned above, but to also instill some of their beautiful culture in their lives and hearts. </div>
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Lao Tongs..."old sames" for Ten Thousand years...isn't it a beautiful concept?! I hope to make this happen for Aimee one day. Something just for her. Something she can keep close to her heart as she grows and becomes a beautiful and amazing Chinese woman.</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-69442786792931096422012-03-30T11:16:00.002-07:002012-03-30T11:30:26.428-07:00The ToothOk so i have to share the hilarious story of my tangled web of lies i have weaved....<div><br /><div>The other evening Juli lost a tooth at AWANA. She put it under her pillow but i forgot. YES, I, the horrible mother forgot to be the tooth fairy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well the next morning Juli wakes up and says, "Mom the tooth fairy didn't come!" I must have looked shocked and I cannot tell if she knew i was caught or not but i immediately jumped to a lie and here it is. "Oh no, maybe she was on vacation!" And as she was getting dressed this is what i did. I wrote a note with my left hand that said, "Dear Juli, I am Samantha, your tooth fairy's cousin. She is away in Switzerland. She will visit you later. Love, Sam" Pathetic, I know. But i folded it up and sneaked into her room and put it in her shoe when she wasn't looking. </div><div><br /></div><div>At breakfast she didn't bring it up so i thought maybe she had me figured out. But then when we got to school for drop off she says to me, (And this is how she read the note) "Mom i got a note in my shoe from my cousin Samantha's tooth fairy. She said that mine is in Switzerland and she will come tonight." Well at that moment i realized how ridiculous the whole thing was and just burst out laughing. I asked, "Are you sure you didn't dream that?"</div><div><br /></div><div>So, to complete my tangled web i went to the store and bought Swiss Miss Cocoa Mix, Swiss Chocolate and a block of Swiss Cheese. I left these along with $3 under her pillow and a note that said, "Dear Juli, So sorry i was away in Switzerland working when you left me your tooth. Here are some treats i brought you from the land of the Swiss. Hope you like them. Thanks for the tooth. Love Mrs. T" I think it was the most unusual gift she has ever gotten. Eric said she loved the cheese and the next morning she was cracking up telling me all about it as she drank hot cocoa for breakfast.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just another day in the wacky life of the Kobys. Hope you enjoyed the story.</div></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-78518101608988701522012-02-24T05:50:00.005-08:002012-02-24T06:29:26.568-08:00Home with a cold...<div style="text-align: left;">So this is a blah day. My little 2 have colds and one even has a fever, it is rainy and gray outside, and i can hear the train blowing in the distance as people commute to their jobs this morning. Don't get me wrong, i love the rain...I mean LOVE it. And so the question sparks, what exactly will this day accomplish? Not much maybe, but this post is a rarity and i am enjoying the muse of the moment.</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>My thoughts are on Aimee. I think of the difference in her since we first met in that poor, gloomy little room in South Central China. The weather today for some reason reminds me of that part of the world. When she was carried into the room, i was not expecting it. I remember looking at her and actually it taking a moment to register that it was her. She was thin, and had an expression of confusion on her face. She wouldn't let me touch her. I had to coax her to pay attention to me by feeding her fries. She stared at Juli quite a bit. It was obvious that Juli made her feel at least a tiny bit more comfortable.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Finally she was handed to me. At that moment life changed forever. The screaming began. It never stopped, no matter how many fries i gave her. She was angry, sad, scared.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So when i see her this morning sitting on the couch with her Dora blanket, in her cozy jammies, watching a movie happily even though she is sick, I can't help but remember those times. Things are far from perfect now. I mean she still is not the most cuddly kid you will ever meet. But she is comfortable. She is joyful most of the time. She is at home here. And so much of that is thanks to her siblings. Because when i just had no more patience to give with the struggle of bonding, they just kept loving her, smiling at her, hugging her (too much probably) and accepting her. For that i am eternally grateful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I thought i would post 2 pictures of Aimee. One from the first day we met. And one more recent. Her Christmas picture for this year. She has changed so much she is almost unrecognizable. And only God can do that. He sets the lonely in families. Even when we think we will never know normal again, things get better. Your sense of normal just morphs into something different than you had expected. And now there is one less orphan in the world...</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aimee on the day we met...</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVPaIEcTWi2zRfXg3tKZtu7nrjoauXTnu264KPgJyXiY5rYdsvumwfWh_fdXS1aS4SjwqI2tMc88e9anthtnKISbOR-mG1I6lPeYez1N_5E80G7_vKLw_u8QlJmDDWdsZOWm40VeHnic/s320/IMG_2227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712707334599560626" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aimee now...</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRBzoXVNtLUPjTMFM9bLWxr9_F4cWPQOODPmCtcYWkFgkkhmVCtDnPBaKSbzkBjr7iHwLuDm2mxkqsnLzE_GW826oVl0EFRxTp0SLIGT3gOgISCcOfLZk7s2GIN1yhvAcCFZvwc53LpI/s320/KobyH_LZ266-S5GL4A2_17.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712706927318195762" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-77386785715787684712011-04-14T04:18:00.000-07:002011-04-14T04:23:45.485-07:00Gotcha Day for Elias James...<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-size: 11px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; font-weight: normal; "><span class="messageBody" style="line-height: 14px; ">2 Years Ago today Elias James came out of a life of loneliness and entered what many orphaned children around the globe would call an unthinkable dream.<br />We became Elias' forever family on April 14th 2009.<br />He has changed our entire perspective on life, bringing joy and tons of laughter into everyday. God has given us the gift of sunshine in Elias' sweet being. I am so incredibly honored to be his Mommy.</span></h6><div><div class="mvm uiStreamAttachments clearfix" ft="{"type":"attach"}" style="display: block; zoom: 1; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><div class="UIImageBlock clearfix" style="display: block; zoom: 1; "></div></div></div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cSoDF1diSx0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></div></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-64855263689234793632011-03-23T06:11:00.001-07:002011-03-23T11:21:36.751-07:00America World Seminar....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JNM44b0xB2QAK_4OPQ3fWpv4H_U1Pl4B8oKh40ztfi7yFa-qbg6m6npGO3cg6qsa-rabBGubs-_9aXUBUUhXyW7o_tnhJwXQo2BsP3EDGfPhs8NsW4nfHqjoWEvV1j-glIFZJ7MA1uA/s1600/6a00e54fbb40928834013489a68e08970c-320wi.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JNM44b0xB2QAK_4OPQ3fWpv4H_U1Pl4B8oKh40ztfi7yFa-qbg6m6npGO3cg6qsa-rabBGubs-_9aXUBUUhXyW7o_tnhJwXQo2BsP3EDGfPhs8NsW4nfHqjoWEvV1j-glIFZJ7MA1uA/s200/6a00e54fbb40928834013489a68e08970c-320wi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587286446517298194" /></a><br />I will be holding an America World Adoption Seminar this Saturday at 11am.<div><div style="text-align: center;">Grace Community Church</div><div style="text-align: center;">2839 Route 94</div><div style="text-align: center;">Washingtonville, NY 10992</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I would love for you to stop by if you are interested in hearing what God says about adoption or if you have been thinking about it at all. Or perhaps you have adopted with America World, live in the area and want to testify to how good God is when he calls us to adopt.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.awaa.org/forms/registration.aspx?id=1208">To Register, click here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And let me know if you would like more information on America World Adoption. I would love to tell you more about who we are and how God is working.</div><div><br /></div></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-78187037977097043382011-01-04T10:14:00.001-08:002011-01-06T11:07:05.255-08:00Let's bond, shall we...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI-HaaQRnOKmWRLfZJpuohaXIOUXOHFgy3IRRbdzV3Un8Ep6iGItVLdRfqti0-yBYH4Aqhj553EoiTv79luk77VTWPlyBr-r7mga-nD98Tz6lfWNR0biRCvszg88BEwFq7ULq-GpczSo/s1600/IMG_4543.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI-HaaQRnOKmWRLfZJpuohaXIOUXOHFgy3IRRbdzV3Un8Ep6iGItVLdRfqti0-yBYH4Aqhj553EoiTv79luk77VTWPlyBr-r7mga-nD98Tz6lfWNR0biRCvszg88BEwFq7ULq-GpczSo/s200/IMG_4543.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559059602600806754" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">I want to take a moment to talk about something that a lot of adoptive parents struggle with and many are afraid to admit. Bonding issues. I have had them with all 3 of my kids. All in completely different ways. And I am at the point where I have accepted that I just take a while. Having said that, while I am going through it, i still feel shame and guilt.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">Bonding is different for everyone. I hear stories of so many moms who, whether by birth or adoption, fall madly in love with their children the moment they are in their arms and never have an issue. Take Mary Beth Chapman for example. In her book </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">Choosing to See,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"> she talks about that very thing, while discussing another topic completely. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">"I </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">saw it. The second she was placed in my arms, I would have fought to the death to protect her. I loved her with everything inside of me." </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">Now, let me clarify something. I have never felt love so strong as I do for my children. I too, would die to protect them. But for me in the beginning, I had to become familiar with who it was I was protecting. Who it was that I traveled the spanse of the globe to claim and name as my own and protect forever. God had designed that each of my children would be mine from the moment the universe was created. He knew each of us as Kobys and he would bring us together in this destiny that is our story. But He also knew that it would take me a little while to bond. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">It was a decision i had to make at first. As Aimee was plopped into my arms in that stuffy little smoke filled office in the far reaches of south central China, screaming bloody murder and clawing to get away from me as she watched her foster father leave forever, I had to make a decision. "I will love this child. No matter what we go through together, in the end it will make us stronger. It will make us mother and daughter. Forever." I at times had to remind myself of that. Eric had to remind me of that as she (and I) continued to cry for the duration of our trip, overwhelmed by the stress of so many factors. But we would get there. That even though things seem a bit off balance for me now, they will one day just click. And there we will be. Her and I....truly bonded forever. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">I remember the moment it happened with Elias most clearly. To be honest it was when we were in China. When I left, I loved him. I knew he was my son. He made me laugh and smile more than any little boy on this earth. He was yummy to hug and sweet to rock to sleep at night. But when I saw him on ichat, so far from me, so out of my reach, I realized at that moment that I loved him madly. Did you get that? I REALIZED it. I had had those feelings all along. But they just clicked at that moment. It was like a light bulb went off in my head and God said to me, "See Heather, I told you. I made every hair on his head and when I did I knew you were the mommy he needed. No one else could love him that much. Right there. You see it? That much...You love him that much. Take it in, let it warm you to the core."</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">And you know what?! Today is that day for me with Aimee. My light bulb went off and there we were. She and I, and it was beautiful. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">Sometimes we need to just be honest with ourselves. Everyone is different and our feelings and struggles are all legitimate. It doesn't make you less of a mother because you struggle. Heck if that were true we'd all be done for. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">We also need to remember that love is not just a feeling. My mother always used to remind me that love is a responsibility. It is work, and tears, and defeat. But it is also play, and joy, and triumph. And those are things we need to remind ourselves of. Those are the things that make great memories. And those are the things that allow us to be honest in times of struggle.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"> I am so proud of where God is bringing me as a mom with my family. If it weren't for him we surely wouldn't be where we are now. And we do have far to go. I have a son in Haiti as far as I am concerned and I know God is concerned. But for some reason he has us at this place. In an untraditional set up. Me loving him from afar, but still able to care for him through the love of others. That is the way it must be for now. But I will not stop until we are where he wants us to be. Because our journey ends when we die. My pastor said that once, and I have never forgotten. We don't get to retire from being his hands and feet. We must press on, no matter how we feel or hurt, or tire. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">And that is the story of us. And my story for today as I enjoy my light bulb moment. </span></span></span></span></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-71989409171993685192010-12-16T13:52:00.000-08:002010-12-17T11:40:50.870-08:00A Gift for Christmas...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYwk-brBtg5b3LEdSrGZLqwwkfSFVZsOa3mmrd47cu5x6OIRGd6Ydxon1sNDag_BikLzrx5JSwUQ6SAwJwruKJZdtjclGKm3MB1skUT7za3w2VHYsVABk8VM154fOvK4mapFGGn4eJ04/s1600/IMG_4487.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYwk-brBtg5b3LEdSrGZLqwwkfSFVZsOa3mmrd47cu5x6OIRGd6Ydxon1sNDag_BikLzrx5JSwUQ6SAwJwruKJZdtjclGKm3MB1skUT7za3w2VHYsVABk8VM154fOvK4mapFGGn4eJ04/s320/IMG_4487.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551353886858953698" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><div style="font-family:Cochin;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">As we approach this amazing holiday of hope, and the birth of our redemption, there is so much to celebrate. No matter where we are in life, we are better off than the vast majority of those living in poverty and bondage in other parts of the world. And while stories of Santa and his elves make us feel jolly inside and out with the giving of gifts, cookies, shopping etc.; it is important that we remember what true joy really is. It is the hope of eternal life through God's son, who was born to this earth with a willingness to die for us. That is the only joy worth celebrating in my book.</span></div><div style="font-family:Cochin;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I try amidst the clamor of our world to make my children realize that there is nothing important this Christmas season, or any season for that matter, but Jesus. He is our gift, our joy, our hope. And no man in a red suit can supply that for us. No one should outshine Jesus. He is my redeemer, the light of my life. He is the reason i am who i am today. And I am FAR from where i should be. But He is bringing me there a little at a time. Through my hardships, I find joy in him. </span></div><div style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">So, though i do love all the other fun stuff Christmas has to offer, I love the specials on TV and the decorations wherever i go. I have to be sure though to keep coming back to what has given me that joy. I have to remember that I have done nothing to earn it on my own. It was a gift. A gift that all started one starry night in a stable, when amidst sheep and sweet donkeys, our redeemer was born of a virgin named Mary. That is not just a fun story to read before bed. It is the truth of our salvation. Jesus' birth was the beginning of our great hope. </span></div><div style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">May you find that true peace in the gift of redemption this Christmas. It is the best gift you will ever get! </span></div><div style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Merry Christmas from the Koby family.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></div><div style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">And if you do not know our great redeemer, we would love to introduce you!</span></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-61893447711242721222010-12-06T20:03:00.000-08:002010-12-06T20:12:00.479-08:00A Christmas of Hope to the World...<div>We are to be His hands and feet...showing Jesus to the world. </div><div>Our one true HOPE! </div><div> Merry Christmas, World Vision Style.</div><object width="400" height="200"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QcBMtG662mc?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QcBMtG662mc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="200"></embed></object>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-53544533413927271082010-12-01T11:19:00.000-08:002010-12-01T11:29:57.444-08:00AWAA Calendar 2011...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0LDrmb4SIUatK18jaYaBx-a7lgLC7McNm4mVGcu4TV2HO048-SyGcTke3PSruCuGkK0k4R524TmPmcAZDljUir2PX45Wf3gc9FkUgLzC_OQDtbK-zyf4p5Kc8AKDK0C9Eci_Y7zEhFw/s1600/6a00e54fbb40928834013489a68e08970c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0LDrmb4SIUatK18jaYaBx-a7lgLC7McNm4mVGcu4TV2HO048-SyGcTke3PSruCuGkK0k4R524TmPmcAZDljUir2PX45Wf3gc9FkUgLzC_OQDtbK-zyf4p5Kc8AKDK0C9Eci_Y7zEhFw/s320/6a00e54fbb40928834013489a68e08970c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545797956849839954" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Great news! Aimee, Julianna, and Elias made the cover of our adoption agency's calendar for 2011. So exciting!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here is the link...</span></span></div><div><a href="http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2010/12/2011-calendar-sneak-peek.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">America World Adoption Agency Calendar Sneak Peek</span></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you would like information on our agency, America World Adoptions, please feel free to reach out to us. We have been honored to complete 3 adoptions with their help. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They were consistent, professional, and with us every step of the way both here in the US during the paper process as well as in country. </span></span></div><div style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The highlight of America World for us is the faith behind their work. They have a heart for God and orphans. That is what they are all about. They pray as a staff daily and I know they have prayed specifically for our family a number of times through our journeys. That means so much to us, that we were more than just a client, but a partner in fulfilling God's plan for our lives.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.awaa.org"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">www.awaa.org</span></span></a></div><div><br /></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-53962821402673577622010-09-15T14:58:00.000-07:002010-09-18T19:16:22.974-07:00A New Season...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomf5shBLyLXORiVDIjVqoxqG1_w3XrIWrmhTmqv3EJHEyt24u41WraG51CxyFQbbtZ_Rt9jmHab-SNrvMNKSHNToDLBTi5kHX5o9GxMqqslsR-E2UD0Z9pjueCEH79weRkNkbRn5z0SQ/s1600/Hello_Autumn__by_Fumou.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomf5shBLyLXORiVDIjVqoxqG1_w3XrIWrmhTmqv3EJHEyt24u41WraG51CxyFQbbtZ_Rt9jmHab-SNrvMNKSHNToDLBTi5kHX5o9GxMqqslsR-E2UD0Z9pjueCEH79weRkNkbRn5z0SQ/s200/Hello_Autumn__by_Fumou.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518440850630612850" /></a><br />As i walked outside this morning something wonderful happened...i saw my breath as it steamed up into the air of dawn. It was a perfect morning. One that seemed to usher in one of my favorite seasons, Autumn. I must admit, my least favorite season is the summer! I just am not a hot weather girl. My idea of a wonderful vacation is a road trip up to New England as the leaves burst into an array of colors.<div><br /></div><div>There are just so many great things that come with the fall season that have to do with family. So i have decided to compile a list of the top 20 things i love to do in the fall (you will find many have to do with food. I find it funny that so many of the joys in my life revolve around food. My mother nurtured that in me. LOL)...</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Collect leaves with Juli and make crafts with them.</div><div>2. Bake a Pumpkin Pie </div><div>3. Have a bon fire in the back yard and toast marshmallows.</div><div>4. Our church ladies retreat at America's Keswick.</div><div>5. Run through a local corn maze.</div><div>6. Go pumpkin picking.</div><div>7. Carve our pumpkins.</div><div>8. Make homemade Applesauce (my recipe below)</div><div>9. Apple picking</div><div>10. Bake an Apple Pie</div><div>11. Halloween at Aunt Lora's.</div><div>12. Thanksgiving here at our house with our family.</div><div>13. The start of all our favorite fall shows.</div><div>14. School festivities that as a mom i love to participate in.</div><div>15. Fall scented candles in the house!!!!!</div><div>16. Making caramel apples with those silly wrappers that come in the box in the grocery store.</div><div>17. FOOTBALL Season!!!</div><div>18. Getting to wear hoodie sweatshirts with jeans.</div><div>19. The smell of fire places in the air.</div><div>20. Local harvest festivals. They have a great one at <a href="http://www.quietvalley.org/programs/specialevents/harvest/harvest.htm">Quiet Valley Historical Farm</a> in Pa.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is my recipe for apple sauce.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Easy Homemade Chunky Apple Sauce:</b></div><div>(Thanks Karen I.)</div><div>*8 apples, peeled, cored and cut into chunks or slices.</div><div>*1 tsp. cinnamon</div><div>*1/2 cup water</div><div>*1/2 to 1 cup sugar</div><div><br /></div><div>Combine all ingredients in a crock pot and cook on low for 8 to 10 hrs.</div><div><br /></div><div>This recipe is so easy and yummy! You will love it. My kids do!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-16940246926453283942010-09-07T17:54:00.000-07:002010-09-08T19:11:22.097-07:00Milestones...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdPV3t4Z3kwcSKOJ_5wy6nRt-6XRe4eTd-qx0go7uzXQOziOPtmp-rdMS0_QIB2ykfAk9_uP-kaKRYZj0eRWXVmaBsibXr1mNMKgdCJywrjlKSly5gZ66VgOZ52y06k82P3byAWtOaOI/s1600/IMG_3297_2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdPV3t4Z3kwcSKOJ_5wy6nRt-6XRe4eTd-qx0go7uzXQOziOPtmp-rdMS0_QIB2ykfAk9_uP-kaKRYZj0eRWXVmaBsibXr1mNMKgdCJywrjlKSly5gZ66VgOZ52y06k82P3byAWtOaOI/s200/IMG_3297_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514607641145491458" /></a><br />We all make them, experience them etc. We all have so many memories surrounding great milestones, in our lives, the lives of those we love, even the history of our nation. Markers of where we are and where we are going<div><br /></div><div>My daughter hits a milestone in the morning. Her first day of kindergarten. I know every mom goes through it. The blubbering as your child walks onto that bus and drives off into their future, leaving their toddlers years officially behind. </div><div><br /></div><div>Amidst the sadness there is such triumph though. I think so often of my kids' lives and try to put them into perspective. There is a song Juli and i love because it begins with this music that sounds like a chinese music box playing. And we used to listen to it as we prepared to travel to China for Aimee and giggle about how lucky we were that we were going to see the Orient!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>But the song has such an awesome message. It is called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVjKrmvYYQ">"Forgiven"</a> by Sanctus Real. Sometimes when i listen to that song I am actually brought to my knees. When i think of all that was done for me on the cross. Completely forgiven. But the one set of lyrics that stood out to me went like this...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVjKrmvYYQ">"When I don't fit in, and I don't feel like i belong anywhere </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVjKrmvYYQ">When i don't measure up to much in this life, </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVjKrmvYYQ">I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ."</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This verse puts every piece of my kids' lives into perspective for me. My children could have been nothing more than a statistic... 3 of the 145 million orphans around the globe. According to the majority of the world, orphans don't measure up to very much. They often live in institutions where they are fed, bathed, taught to go potty etc. in mass groups. Often they don't get much personal interaction from their caregivers, maybe not because they don't want to but because there are just too many. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My 3 amazing, beautiful children could have grown up forgotten by this world, measuring up to what others may have not seen as very much in this life. But to God, they are his treasures. When they weren't being held by people, they were treasures in his arms. And because of his love, we were brought together to be this family that now can celebrate their milestones. Just like tomorrow for Juli.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, while i am sad tonight that we are taking this step tomorrow and leaving her baby years behind, I rejoice that because of a divine plan, my daughter will make this and many more milestones in her life. And so will all the children who were once orphans but are no longer. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wow! God is so good!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Who am I oh sovereign Lord, and who is my family that you have brought us this far?!" </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>2 Samuel 7:18</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-73806115406966509242010-09-04T19:17:00.000-07:002010-09-04T20:12:41.101-07:00Responsibility...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jtIRHHNOKUR6TAIOvDiw3XuHoyz3wz5BzluhFa51s3kzSDzvb5aLeQxa_-WHaOE4dRsz-LlL_26g1jvDNooy51y9MSzEVk1uahtHKcevsz2ORa960DnIdxUxU4zd6n3jum7gV-CNzTY/s1600/darfur1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jtIRHHNOKUR6TAIOvDiw3XuHoyz3wz5BzluhFa51s3kzSDzvb5aLeQxa_-WHaOE4dRsz-LlL_26g1jvDNooy51y9MSzEVk1uahtHKcevsz2ORa960DnIdxUxU4zd6n3jum7gV-CNzTY/s320/darfur1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513260039952874082" /></a><br />Do you ever sit back and wonder if you are doing all you can? I don't mean when it comes to cleaning the house or socializing. I mean when it comes to humanity.<div><br /></div><div>I ask myself this almost daily and I cannot seem to ever say yes. I sit down and think about all the things that require people to stand up and make a difference...</div><div>1. 145 million orphans globally (UNICEF 2008)</div><div>2. Genocide and displacement in Darfur </div><div>3. Haiti's millions of people who are still homeless following the earthquake</div><div>4. The HIV epidemic in Africa</div><div>5. The millions of people world wide who cannot freely worship Jesus Christ and are persecuted for doing so.</div><div><br /></div><div>These are only a few.</div><div><br /></div><div>And when i sit and look at this list a few things come to my mind. </div><div>First i feel helpless. As a mom who spends her days changing poopy diapers and watching elmo while practicing piano with my daughter i cannot help but feel helpless and often useless in this crazy world that we live in. I at times fight the question of my purpose here. Yet i know that God has called me to be this mom right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>I look at that orphan statistic and again, though i know i am doing what i have been called for this season to do, there are still so many more children in this world who deserve, no, have the right to a mother and father.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then i look at the government. I pay taxes to a government who is squandering it all away over greed and useless politics when they could be using the wealth and freedom we have to help others when they are in desperate need. How often do people around the world pray for the United States to come and help them when they are in the midst of a tragedy. I think we would be surprised to know this answer.</div><div><br /></div><div>And i cannot help but wonder if God cries. I know he knows everything that has, and will happen on this earth from the beginning of time until eternity is here. But still, when i think that God loves us more than we can fathom.... when my daughter is hurting I am torn up inside. And he is our father, imagine the grief he must experience when he sees the vast amount of suffering we endure and even cause one another.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, he is faithful. No matter how things seem to be, he is faithful. And he will be victorious at the end of this earth. His plan is grand and will overcome the sufferings we face here.</div><div><br /></div><div>But i still am brought back to my responsibility. I need to examine if i am holding up my end so to speak. The blessings i have... am i showing my gratitude for them? </div><div><br /></div><div>I love the new song out by Matt Maher called <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2s0k7hGOQc">Hold us Together</a></i> when he says,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2s0k7hGOQc"> "love will hold us together, make us a shelter to weather the storm. And I'll be my brother's keeper so the whole world will know that were not alone."</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I want the whole world to see how we as Christians hold one another together with the strength of Christ as our support. I have experienced that support; my Christian family holding me together. It is an amazing feeling. And I have seen it and been a part of holding others together when i traveled to Haiti with Dayspring. That was mind blowing. I want to be and do and see more of that. On a global scale. And I am going to pray that more people will see the difference they can make. I just hope that more people will answer the call. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I can serve as a mom in so many ways. We all can serve right where we are in so many ways. We just need to step out in faith and take that leap for Christ and his kingdom and his suffering world. And i want to step out...here I am...send me...please.</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-64334151976015138492010-09-01T20:00:00.000-07:002010-09-01T20:14:41.385-07:00My Son...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5x5Wt29xIVZxoeUNq_8f7DEI66HLiyx7gFkudLE8MP99YU17lme34q6XZA-awVvap6G1ynb6ouXQ5bML45lmFgp2nziBCeKcxjme_BrpjMII230wlrAMAYnabRdGtGtC78a27Z1SS2U/s1600/37843_410708720661_661995661_4727665_4603828_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5x5Wt29xIVZxoeUNq_8f7DEI66HLiyx7gFkudLE8MP99YU17lme34q6XZA-awVvap6G1ynb6ouXQ5bML45lmFgp2nziBCeKcxjme_BrpjMII230wlrAMAYnabRdGtGtC78a27Z1SS2U/s200/37843_410708720661_661995661_4727665_4603828_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512149014687354514" /></a><br /><div>So, Elias is at stage in his life where he lacks any form of self control. He is TERRIBLY TWO!</div><div><div>I daily get so frustrated with him. He respects no boundaries i set for him, no matter how i try to impress them upon him. And he so enjoys pushing the limits. </div><div><br /></div><div>The other day he kept turning on the water in the tub in my bathroom while i was putting my make up on. Finally after trying all angles, i put him outside the bathroom door and said "do not pass this door way." Well, he stood their and inched his toe forward just enough to get it past that door way. Then he would giggle hysterically to himself almost falling on the floor he thought he was so funny. On a side note, he thinks he is the absolute funniest person on the planet. And I have to say he is quite a laugh grabber! </div><div><br /></div><div>Long story short...every time he gets me angry with him for his behavior, I find myself saying, "You are so lucky that you are so stinkin' adorable." And he TOTALLY is. And that is what gets me by most of the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, with that said, I have decided to encourage myself as another tough day has ended with some proof. That he is super cute!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQs6O2pxz1R31GcLQFUHioGe3WoBTO_0NUSAMBCdbMknFa92CyvrZ5q6Q8faD-v2-w-AHlrTb-mlaG7WrPJ_FR4XZd_e2nnngv2Dpx2UoKfTQyIo-hwF5AWhoHTA77r8kB1ppCIsK6HZU/s1600/37843_410708720661_661995661_4727665_4603828_n.jpg"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mostly Funnies of Elias...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5POhnCvS7Ft_BMxCMehyphenhyphen1IkvoNUqRKNTigHCgcu1o4FGdrq0j-uKhkNaltBupvYQ2_aXRBDdUl4l58dW_g_sjEogUwQ-Mdt0Gat8j2S-kpH5jaC3TeK7l33kCGEpyAJFVZF_cdB6GZfs/s1600/37621_411955990661_661995661_4760328_4751342_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5POhnCvS7Ft_BMxCMehyphenhyphen1IkvoNUqRKNTigHCgcu1o4FGdrq0j-uKhkNaltBupvYQ2_aXRBDdUl4l58dW_g_sjEogUwQ-Mdt0Gat8j2S-kpH5jaC3TeK7l33kCGEpyAJFVZF_cdB6GZfs/s320/37621_411955990661_661995661_4760328_4751342_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512148073919665842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj115_kMH4SIHi0VPJZocxEgsd0kC8foRgb-JzKZqkKaU4sak-a69XTPmQ4J-_U_ZfwnrJaePzG_vFFRalJ06rneFyzkC0pqgMQKP50-63AsxeMsfWwLPTf8uBovsezkCUHyUwPJGYDYIA/s1600/8735_157908115661_661995661_2909239_2494307_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj115_kMH4SIHi0VPJZocxEgsd0kC8foRgb-JzKZqkKaU4sak-a69XTPmQ4J-_U_ZfwnrJaePzG_vFFRalJ06rneFyzkC0pqgMQKP50-63AsxeMsfWwLPTf8uBovsezkCUHyUwPJGYDYIA/s320/8735_157908115661_661995661_2909239_2494307_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512148065755733106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2fbzeWWpdU2Kz_hqe7hXZeEX_bI0rQ5JSxa8e06iP8rKB03xutuQ2srYgM48v0ZBW9f3ZBiWh2SAgk2kBjxBwlMjYm8-yZYVptmp86NJ6SGVd56GswXZuIf77xnTm5E5XxdBOA2FCD8/s1600/5013_95269705661_661995661_2175019_4285191_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2fbzeWWpdU2Kz_hqe7hXZeEX_bI0rQ5JSxa8e06iP8rKB03xutuQ2srYgM48v0ZBW9f3ZBiWh2SAgk2kBjxBwlMjYm8-yZYVptmp86NJ6SGVd56GswXZuIf77xnTm5E5XxdBOA2FCD8/s320/5013_95269705661_661995661_2175019_4285191_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512148064140911762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxn8eOG_we9LqATJBNlhNLrEgZnNG38ih93JvxPJh2Zg_fBvRuqTH9fWHaCte7b3p_2fY2d7WYoUaINmL_bZA6Nh4yzX2zOFZQhzLCitHvqm2ddPAJyfUR6538947qEjudA5CaHDi5HWM/s1600/IMG_3091.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxn8eOG_we9LqATJBNlhNLrEgZnNG38ih93JvxPJh2Zg_fBvRuqTH9fWHaCte7b3p_2fY2d7WYoUaINmL_bZA6Nh4yzX2zOFZQhzLCitHvqm2ddPAJyfUR6538947qEjudA5CaHDi5HWM/s320/IMG_3091.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512147496527302002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6Gx5ONd83K1HF8vPxd0udXWD5dhg07out6qkzVFoVhDCwKNxCCkSPb4mwu531kUPfyNsjyqVL90zxrsL0nKudAmorS_sa2Cg3PZzI-6brBoYvrw3fhVYwnemEhBMlPFJfqv5xxHOsXA/s1600/IMG_2997.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6Gx5ONd83K1HF8vPxd0udXWD5dhg07out6qkzVFoVhDCwKNxCCkSPb4mwu531kUPfyNsjyqVL90zxrsL0nKudAmorS_sa2Cg3PZzI-6brBoYvrw3fhVYwnemEhBMlPFJfqv5xxHOsXA/s320/IMG_2997.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512147341727799426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xoVtjHnuir3ymVhAiysa7W6hyGYELZ1PqedikfmyjKoXif74XGwe6kCpcggD0Iufl4o6P7CLAJFZCbXR3t7icaBOnYc__wYkBybsqR3xnEMjQwjCDJIxHUWA1wg4Hm3-op7cmM0FSp8/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xoVtjHnuir3ymVhAiysa7W6hyGYELZ1PqedikfmyjKoXif74XGwe6kCpcggD0Iufl4o6P7CLAJFZCbXR3t7icaBOnYc__wYkBybsqR3xnEMjQwjCDJIxHUWA1wg4Hm3-op7cmM0FSp8/s320/IMG_0245.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512147325452682386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJjZ39KEssEpJtdPFBaCXWV7zqYEfzEoTp68y1QeRV7N0VEkTn8Da9Xr7AvN-3_VQxerUTsqEVVhxG3RwkJ5h1EwY4NaykEw0uT5pqUd1DCqgQ7FWjuOSTy8s0Y4PbSUvvHXQpxTBZVg/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJjZ39KEssEpJtdPFBaCXWV7zqYEfzEoTp68y1QeRV7N0VEkTn8Da9Xr7AvN-3_VQxerUTsqEVVhxG3RwkJ5h1EwY4NaykEw0uT5pqUd1DCqgQ7FWjuOSTy8s0Y4PbSUvvHXQpxTBZVg/s320/DSC_0084.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512147314732545954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hhsCvMUIbuELhx7Zq3BvcZ9XQ05Yq7IY_P0FgYs-eESHqgdl2QBXrvRQoeqwV_YRukrHYhgRqKB8lJZ5FP46qt-9pbNH7EHHZFnj36q2_T-Sk0l3vLC_JKaJKqxxdNvJ6owrt-uPVGE/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hhsCvMUIbuELhx7Zq3BvcZ9XQ05Yq7IY_P0FgYs-eESHqgdl2QBXrvRQoeqwV_YRukrHYhgRqKB8lJZ5FP46qt-9pbNH7EHHZFnj36q2_T-Sk0l3vLC_JKaJKqxxdNvJ6owrt-uPVGE/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512146970624549554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBOPLZVyGj4GIZ96mFBQWlJoMajxv_Z54psr-jlN3-uXbJFOKqogPSOCc4sTQ0Unya2xG8OtO-TgvtgqL8vR2DD_Ldk26kn53O-rH6V2G70zEXn4vaQjSSj-UM4AVYEhmn-Idu6u6XOk/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBOPLZVyGj4GIZ96mFBQWlJoMajxv_Z54psr-jlN3-uXbJFOKqogPSOCc4sTQ0Unya2xG8OtO-TgvtgqL8vR2DD_Ldk26kn53O-rH6V2G70zEXn4vaQjSSj-UM4AVYEhmn-Idu6u6XOk/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512146968271025202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqOsYU4w1QqewDjr1L06faXxe8bLuc3KRJSR9ySkeHjdzQ40OTAoXI2M9nuwKtY25CMDw8Xi6N_n9uVGglyAsg-e1YalRkKnNe0I1KXkWxfbOxP-8KqMBQ_NGbaArShVYD4CX56ecwOA/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqOsYU4w1QqewDjr1L06faXxe8bLuc3KRJSR9ySkeHjdzQ40OTAoXI2M9nuwKtY25CMDw8Xi6N_n9uVGglyAsg-e1YalRkKnNe0I1KXkWxfbOxP-8KqMBQ_NGbaArShVYD4CX56ecwOA/s320/DSC_0022.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512146787927875490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwLU4XERnVYhI4s5KdebOL54q1a4JOaHr2ekYBITA9pi1kdO567hxt7U651qXHdbXtXcBRbGl8_tjP4KIqrqvdd4tocRHZWL98hx9tnKoLib5DVrjUhaGTR7fklojnw90GebSAk1P1as/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwLU4XERnVYhI4s5KdebOL54q1a4JOaHr2ekYBITA9pi1kdO567hxt7U651qXHdbXtXcBRbGl8_tjP4KIqrqvdd4tocRHZWL98hx9tnKoLib5DVrjUhaGTR7fklojnw90GebSAk1P1as/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512146779673032274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUCeuk4rjjVjotrkH7QjCEuTxtCu8t7TauHbTWFFZrwgUA2btBKQhEnITPFubtr8igcFnwhrtEKoETibq8GBUTNmBBWnCjpa1onEYlhKPj82Or75D7kY3VUGA1tLMabpjwqVH_e49BeA/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUCeuk4rjjVjotrkH7QjCEuTxtCu8t7TauHbTWFFZrwgUA2btBKQhEnITPFubtr8igcFnwhrtEKoETibq8GBUTNmBBWnCjpa1onEYlhKPj82Or75D7kY3VUGA1tLMabpjwqVH_e49BeA/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512146770487009826" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-33711041470661467112010-08-26T05:18:00.000-07:002010-08-26T05:48:08.184-07:00Valuable Possesion...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmAVzjS4-EGbK0IIR7nEPS_1oC3ePzjSYvNcD7iiG-mRUH5_t7jbslsmtMrQ7zT09bD-U6B0AhSwn52ddo9s5pcXJiOkyGamIrVusv-KYsL3uMoeb7oTHpaB1HSmp8q9ZfqDjpXm776k/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmAVzjS4-EGbK0IIR7nEPS_1oC3ePzjSYvNcD7iiG-mRUH5_t7jbslsmtMrQ7zT09bD-U6B0AhSwn52ddo9s5pcXJiOkyGamIrVusv-KYsL3uMoeb7oTHpaB1HSmp8q9ZfqDjpXm776k/s200/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509699472818151458" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;">This morning i was sitting in my office checking my email and i heard Juli yelling at Elias and calling me. This is not unusual. Elias spends most of his day getting into trouble. I am told that is just what boys do. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;">Well, this morning when she called me i actually went over to the family room to fix the situation. You see Elias was writing with a pen in my Bible. Do you have a Bible that is so important to you? To all of us our Bible should be one of our most treasured possessions. In many countries a Bible is their most treasured possession. In fact in countries like China where i recently visited, people are not free to read the Bible or gather to talk about it in Bible studies or churches. So, if someone has one, they often only have parts of it and they often keep it hidden as a precious treasure. If it is found, they can go to prison and often times endure torture. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;">The Bible tells us to hide his word...in our hearts. Psalm 119:11 says "I have hidden your word in my heart that i might not sin against you."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;">I also think of Corrie Ten Boom and her sister. These were christian women who lived through the Holocaust in German occupied Netherlands. They hid jews from the Nazis in their home and eventually got caught. They were sent to a concentration camp for their illegal actions. I remember that towards the end of their sentence in the camp, her sister dies. But before this, these ladies orally discussed and taught one another the Bible. When they didn't have this treasure on paper, they had it hidden in their hearts. Amazing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;">Then i think of the recent movie which i loved, "The Book of Eli". Long story short, everyone thinks this man has a rare and valuable Bible in his possession. It is thought to be the last one on earth. But in the end we see that he himself is the Bible. For he has memorized ever verse from cover to cover. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;">And so i am brought back to my precious treasure. My Bible that was on my coffee table that Elias was writing in. It is just a book, not some relic of holiness or anything. If it is destroyed, God will not punish me. But to me it is precious. It was my mother's Bible you see and she died in 2000. And i at one point thought i had lost it and could not find one like it anywhere. It has such a great concordance and references in it. And i have highlighted all my favorite verses and written little notes throughout. But i really need to spend more time hiding this treasure in my heart. So that i am in constant communion with God. If I have his word in my heart, I will remember it in my conscience. I will be more likely think before i act in a way unpleasing to him. And His spirit will guide me through whatever i am struggling with using this word spoken right from God's lips. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';font-size:large;">Do you realize the value of your Bible? Is it hidden in your heart or just a pretty decoration on your book shelf? Get it down and mark it up a little...you won't regret it.</span></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-16584959351601688782010-08-25T06:19:00.000-07:002010-08-25T08:52:25.174-07:00The Koby Family has grown!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';color:#3F5B97;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">God has richly blessed us with these 3 amazing children... Thank you my Father in Heaven.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 91, 151); font-family:'Academy Engraved LET';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"Who am I oh sovereign Lord, and who is my family that you have brought us this far?" 2 Samuel 7:18</span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnnms0cWsnc0O52I08H0mrv-TsuhOtxJ5-pFiwwSftxVZqCLNmW_y5WZLQsT3tYfZe5Bk_JL9mokwZVNYMH-8U4uPkmhLOxXKDXlnezGTXJUoqGTQVeuS660bgtRjcbSvz-8kkuj-9aU/s1600/IMG_3052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnnms0cWsnc0O52I08H0mrv-TsuhOtxJ5-pFiwwSftxVZqCLNmW_y5WZLQsT3tYfZe5Bk_JL9mokwZVNYMH-8U4uPkmhLOxXKDXlnezGTXJUoqGTQVeuS660bgtRjcbSvz-8kkuj-9aU/s320/IMG_3052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509370874027747458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RjW9GQPcIRmwknf4g_qHJ25q5AimB11m2EpAGDuT928ZpoNld8OqczmRg6JiADu5yuFx6WMVGjvaMFkLITX4-Qq0ecHIGKRJvhsxnj392mQmv_Rp77UWAs7viQyQpi_OyAQxiHC9vzU/s1600/IMG_3079.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RjW9GQPcIRmwknf4g_qHJ25q5AimB11m2EpAGDuT928ZpoNld8OqczmRg6JiADu5yuFx6WMVGjvaMFkLITX4-Qq0ecHIGKRJvhsxnj392mQmv_Rp77UWAs7viQyQpi_OyAQxiHC9vzU/s320/IMG_3079.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509370862819110738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZTW1-RWALiQGj6K7LX3qnXzYQwLSK0_wF_qkdDwyH_wDqGhcu7kZ2MdniwMm6brvTxXrmQdSsmIs0W1UfS8mBl3rqw9iP7TjgGw38joGzO-UMYvnNIvT-z5LSachB1F1pG3mTsoWpyc/s1600/IMG_3098.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZTW1-RWALiQGj6K7LX3qnXzYQwLSK0_wF_qkdDwyH_wDqGhcu7kZ2MdniwMm6brvTxXrmQdSsmIs0W1UfS8mBl3rqw9iP7TjgGw38joGzO-UMYvnNIvT-z5LSachB1F1pG3mTsoWpyc/s320/IMG_3098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509370854906857298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8yk-nk-ptlsDa23HpuamO6iHRZjKOyZyO3-jaOCzYQ4_pY8NmqBnNbhvHnetMvjdruGq07jNEajUzOVrmbLqPIfaCAdLYaomJRnZsUv2SEia1xi5Ah2C29E9vJ3i123TCpnbHAVzXkg/s1600/IMG_3107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8yk-nk-ptlsDa23HpuamO6iHRZjKOyZyO3-jaOCzYQ4_pY8NmqBnNbhvHnetMvjdruGq07jNEajUzOVrmbLqPIfaCAdLYaomJRnZsUv2SEia1xi5Ah2C29E9vJ3i123TCpnbHAVzXkg/s320/IMG_3107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509370846835164738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBGdx_QrMQw6JNXkN6t8Lee3wEdpdHMg1ZajvpW1Zu-CAx2PG0jaPnKc8jcOCEH_b9vhjP9creTyjWrWKXl3In14KwVkaGEmlvYCU-nOtVxnXhts7NmsDUxGJ6yixIYQ31ava4G4WmeU/s1600/IMG_3115.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBGdx_QrMQw6JNXkN6t8Lee3wEdpdHMg1ZajvpW1Zu-CAx2PG0jaPnKc8jcOCEH_b9vhjP9creTyjWrWKXl3In14KwVkaGEmlvYCU-nOtVxnXhts7NmsDUxGJ6yixIYQ31ava4G4WmeU/s320/IMG_3115.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509370837769541666" /></a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-64102980414966356792010-07-19T21:38:00.000-07:002010-07-19T21:40:30.767-07:00Family...Comes in all colors, from every corner of the world. That is how it is in our family. And that is how it is in the family of God. <div><br /></div><div>I LOVE my family...both of them!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-68388829258175608572010-07-19T04:29:00.000-07:002010-07-19T21:32:39.469-07:00PackingAlways a struggle for me. I never know what to wear or what others will be wearing so i feel like it is such an overwhelming task. When i went to Haiti, at first i was frustrated that we had to always wear skirts. Mostly because i had NO skirts...I just don't wear them. But in the end it was so easy to pack everything because the weather was always HOT and i could only choose skirts. Simple living...It was beautiful. <div><br /></div><div>I have borrowed a friend's travel guide on China but it is a bit old. Does anyone have any recommendations on a good guide book? This one was Lonely Planet. It was good so i may just go get a newer version of that. I was going to just use this one but so much has changed in China, that i found the guide book showed places that are no longer there etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>And packing for Aimee is the hardest part. I can only really guess her size at this point. And so i need to bring enough clothes for roughly 2 weeks and in multiple sizes just on case some don't fit. And it all has to fit in our bags because we are only bringing 1 each due to our in country flights... Ugh! </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, the one thing i know i will not leave behind is my Bible. God has carried me around the world so many times for His great purpose, and he will carry me yet again to a new unknown place. He is always gracious in His patience with us. He always shows us His love in other places by the amazing people we meet who want nothing more than to serve him. And He carries us through the tough first moments as parents to a toddler who's world has just been turned upside down. I need all the help i can get with that one. </div><div><br /></div><div>So many people can't wait as soon as they get there to meet their kids and take them to their hotels with them. And not that i don't want to...I cannot wait for Aimee to be a Koby. But the moment i have that new child in my arms and the chaos begins, i just want to get out of Dodge so to speak. Our experience with Juli first taught me this lesson. In Russia, after you go to court, you have a ten day waiting period where you stay in the hotel and go back and forth to visit your child. As new parents to this experience we were so saddened by this...every time we would go visit her we had to leave her behind. But then the day came when we would just visit her for the last time. Our lives changed forever in that moment and i am not talking changed as every new parent does. We were suddenly in possession of a child who was terrified of her surroundings, only knew us, understood nothing we said, screamed ALL night long if we weren't holding her...and at times we would put her down just for a couple of minutes and she would scream so loud that at one point we heard footsteps coming to our door of the hotel. Now being in a country like Russia where many people think Americans adopt children for their organs, we did not want any trouble. So hold her we did....for 6 more days and all the way home on the airplane as she screamed and others moved their seats in disgust. </div><div><br /></div><div>Therefore, i now think the policy should be in every country that you get your kid as you board your plane home. LOL But it is not and so we will see what this new venture brings for the Kobys. God is good...ALL the time!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-48838197229761241922010-07-05T15:24:00.001-07:002010-07-06T05:29:33.832-07:00Traveling...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uj6YfuiukFuUWiDKsLJPkuM7iwRNPx_7q-9YFUzemYuv26XnNH8p_ih2FPcWfDvn-Db-GY0QbdUEUhetT5EBEWg5YTQcJDRav5z5_TsH-E2LaLaGBy5WVbeHZAcsXEWzsD-uleEYd_Q/s1600/air-china.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uj6YfuiukFuUWiDKsLJPkuM7iwRNPx_7q-9YFUzemYuv26XnNH8p_ih2FPcWfDvn-Db-GY0QbdUEUhetT5EBEWg5YTQcJDRav5z5_TsH-E2LaLaGBy5WVbeHZAcsXEWzsD-uleEYd_Q/s200/air-china.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490769361557084322" /></a><br /><br />Well, we finally know we are heading to China! Aimee Grace is coming home on August 5, 2010 forever to be a Koby!<div>We are so excited to meet her, especially Juli. She said she wants to get matching Chinese outfits for them to wear. I think she is going to be surprised by how much like Elias she will be. Steeling her toys, smacking her, following her around pestering her. But she will discover that for herself. I just hope she doesn't have her expectations that high. I have been trying to prepare her for her reality check.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, we are getting Aimee's room already. I decided to paint it red and cream with white chair rail. It is so pretty...very Asian. It will be perfect for all the little collectibles i will buy to decorate with. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am above all amazed that i will be traveling to the Orient. It has in my mind for so long been such a place of wonder and beauty. I know i will not be going outside of any cities, and i am disappointed in this, but just to go to that part of the world will be such an amazing experience. I have had the privilege of traveling to so many countries in my lifetime, England, Israel, Jordan, Russia, Ethiopia, Dubai, Haiti... but i never did imagine i would get to China. I don't know why. Perhaps it is because as a child it was always considered the farthest place on earth. The place your parents would always joke that you should try to dig to when you were at the beach. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love to watch Bizarre Foods with Andre Zimmern. It is a great show. You learn so much about other cultures and the truly bizarre, often gross foods they eat and consider delicacies. I one episode, he traveled to China. And i do not remember too much about it because it was quite some time ago, but one of the foods he ate was a seahorse on a stick. Weird foods like this were sold on the side of the road from carts. And there were all kinds of odd things on sticks too, not just seahorses. So, i was telling Juli about this and she insists she will eat a seahorse while we are there. And i do not doubt it either. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-70848590113858847712010-06-23T04:46:00.000-07:002010-06-23T14:22:46.120-07:00Lazarus...Have you ever really looked deeply into the story of Lazarus in the Bible? It is so amazing. I was doing my devotions yesterday and they were focused on this story in the book of John. <div><br /></div><div>It teaches so many things. </div><div>Patience. When Lazarus was dying, his sisters, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus in hopes that he would come and heal him. But He didn't. I would have expected Jesus to rush on the scene, like a super hero to save the day. I mean that is how we as Americans tend to live life isn't it? Instant gratification. When i pray for something i hope desperately for God to hear me and answer...right then. But most of the time, He doesn't. In the book of John 11:6 it says "Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for 2 more days." I can see so much of how God works in that verse. No pressure. He just knows everything is in place and the reason behind it. He has no need to rush. But when Jesus finally gets to Mary and Martha's house, they are totally like i would have been...frustrated and filled with worry. Martha runs out to meet Jesus and says to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." That would so be me. But she is still faithful, continuing, "But i know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."...And he did!</div><div><br /></div><div>As Jesus walked to the tomb, He wept. That is one the most profound verses in the Bible to me. God, wept. He loved Lazarus his friend so much, that even though he knew he was going to heal him, his humanity caused him to actually weep with sadness over death. Reading this, we know that he feels our pain in the sadness of loss on this earth.</div><div><br /></div><div>But i love picturing what happened next. I see him gathering himself back...straightening his shoulders with authority, then he prays the most amazing prayer. He says in verse 41, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me..." And with great strength in his voice i picture him calling..."Lazarus, come out!"...and he did. Can you picture the mouths of all the people standing there? Their jaws dropped to the floor in amazement? How some of them probably became faithful followers of him right there in that moment! God is sooo amazing. Why do i doubt him? </div><div><br /></div><div>Yet in my daily life, i will often, lose faith, doubt, worry, and or fear the unknown. But, why? I know that the God of the universe that performed miracle after miracle has me in the palm of His hand. He has always cared for me and always will. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love the verses of the new Chris Tomlin song, <i>Our God. </i> </div><div>Water you turned wine</div><div>Opened the eyes of the blind</div><div>There's no one like you</div><div>None like you.</div><div>Into the darkness you shine</div><div>Out of the ashes we rise</div><div>There's no one like you</div><div>None like you</div><div><br /></div><div>Our God is greater, our God is stronger</div><div>God you are higher than any other</div><div>Our God is healer, awesome in power</div><div><b>Our God.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>If you'd like to read the devotion that i read on <i><a href="http://www.ourdailyjourney.org/2010/06/22/waiting-patiently/">Waiting Patiently</a></i>, just click this link. </div><div><br /></div><div>Johnny Stone this morning on Star 99.1 fm declared today national no fear day. He was not serious totally. But he challenged everyone to go forth into this day without fear, trusting that we are in the hands of a mighty God. How appropriate for my recent reading. So, i will go forth today, putting all fear aside. Knowing there is no reason to fear. </div><div><br /></div><div>Psalm 27:13 & 14 say, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord: be strong, and take heart and wait for the Lord."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-54400032828155183422010-06-13T04:40:00.001-07:002010-06-13T04:56:58.107-07:00Bringing Up Girls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl30-Z-LFepVFprIeXEYg_dLX5dvHJLMVi2D_i44n3QvXNKjF_bpe_hsUYx2uFIs3PMma7eNuuDFWJ1WeEhzp6qUWJ0vWqf_M_8we6itkdLUlRcOaVdaTwIpsWKnz9vR0lH7cmdr7QaIs/s1600/978-1-4143-0127-3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl30-Z-LFepVFprIeXEYg_dLX5dvHJLMVi2D_i44n3QvXNKjF_bpe_hsUYx2uFIs3PMma7eNuuDFWJ1WeEhzp6qUWJ0vWqf_M_8we6itkdLUlRcOaVdaTwIpsWKnz9vR0lH7cmdr7QaIs/s200/978-1-4143-0127-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482225260882546674" /></a><br />I recently began reading the book <i><a href="http://family.christianbook.com/bringing-up-girls/james-dobson/9781414301273/pd/301273?item_code=WW&netp_id=683499&event=ESRCN&view=details">Bringing Up Girls</a>,</i> by James Dobson. What an amazing insight into the minds and hearts of girls. I never knew for example what an impact Daddy's have on their daughters. Don't get me wrong. I knew they were super crucial. I grew up without one and reaped the consequences of it for a very long time. But i never saw just how deep that need for a Daddy and his approval goes. But now that i know, when i watch Juli with Eric i see so much more. It is amazing!<div><br /></div><div>This is what the book has to say about Daddy's and their influence on their daughters. This excerpt is actually taken from another book called <i>Strong Father, Strong Daughters,</i> by Dr. Meg Meeker.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><i>I have watched daughters talk to father. When you come into the room, they change. Everything about them changes: their eyes, their mouths, their gestures, their body language. Daughters are never luke warm in the presence of their fathers. They might take their mothers for granted, but not you. They light up - or they cry. They watch you intensely. They hang on your words. They hope for you attention and they wait for it in frustration - or in despair. They need a gesture of approval, a nod of encouragement, or even simple eye contact to let them know you care and are willing to help. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>When she's in your company, your daughter tries harder to excel. When you teach her, she learns more rapidly. When you guide her she gains confidence. If you full understood just how profoundly you could influence your daughter's life, you would be terrified, overwhelmed, or even both.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you have a little girl, you should really pick up this book. I think it will change how you think about raising a daughter.</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-23933406424129448812010-05-11T06:54:00.001-07:002010-06-13T04:40:05.695-07:00Pictures of Haiti<div><br /></div><div>Here are just a few pictures of my amazing trip to Haiti...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzw-61xiKKf_YMZ1PQJrEUpiOe49BBuqJTrTc6ANPHuWJDqlgwnfam7BR7qi0pxCcdP531a4sHgEIEVO2ArDCiUPccDR0krX46yfxLjuEoRyih01lBZjczH_T9Am5Jk3bddUADS79FK0/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzw-61xiKKf_YMZ1PQJrEUpiOe49BBuqJTrTc6ANPHuWJDqlgwnfam7BR7qi0pxCcdP531a4sHgEIEVO2ArDCiUPccDR0krX46yfxLjuEoRyih01lBZjczH_T9Am5Jk3bddUADS79FK0/s320/DSC_0258.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470013706488314338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5Bnj_oywEZO2KHMjccn4Zc41J_NrJpyNsZ-fia1bh4h4rZ5XWDsJFxrqfcNvVSozZGL62lIZvT2Rnh-rJPZ1dCC8X7SdxxIO5L9RVRrN74rmiFABDehAli44VHLP9mJYKL5cx0zqi2A/s1600/DSC_0245.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5Bnj_oywEZO2KHMjccn4Zc41J_NrJpyNsZ-fia1bh4h4rZ5XWDsJFxrqfcNvVSozZGL62lIZvT2Rnh-rJPZ1dCC8X7SdxxIO5L9RVRrN74rmiFABDehAli44VHLP9mJYKL5cx0zqi2A/s320/DSC_0245.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470013699849706690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1tTA94guf1awmqvSKCVsB4vf_LK8cQHDJt0vpgp6qCY27Ctkk649eNjobq7h78RbW-wd8XeaqwphWmnuVRy7P_vp2jkZIglt4QCci4IXSRUF__3z7JJjEWOa0oLwBQorpME4oLdxsFA/s1600/DSC_0214.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1tTA94guf1awmqvSKCVsB4vf_LK8cQHDJt0vpgp6qCY27Ctkk649eNjobq7h78RbW-wd8XeaqwphWmnuVRy7P_vp2jkZIglt4QCci4IXSRUF__3z7JJjEWOa0oLwBQorpME4oLdxsFA/s320/DSC_0214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470013693451023010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGqsdPi1hEFB-LFZ-umyT6stn1bUzi9Q9VNN4FewepJTcKAoT5i9tVsTs-WNt-jiCaGWVcmbyiv9uBfmHxjqqsdOyJP5BXgv3XOhTJbTDD3wwPb1BFVf-PaPHrnmHhSvVZ_p29uwHjr4/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGqsdPi1hEFB-LFZ-umyT6stn1bUzi9Q9VNN4FewepJTcKAoT5i9tVsTs-WNt-jiCaGWVcmbyiv9uBfmHxjqqsdOyJP5BXgv3XOhTJbTDD3wwPb1BFVf-PaPHrnmHhSvVZ_p29uwHjr4/s320/DSC_0201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470013200145775250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLStX7Yk4WUQ5OHye-IyE2ShU_s6RiDyrub_MOOdU7vEOJXBDasO492e8-zrPBkIf-6x0L6FbP9a5DIenObdvJnmEcFabVepA-hyW-CHTbYCkprXj0b6oDXQs-LXqewKRnXLFYFNFu7os/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLStX7Yk4WUQ5OHye-IyE2ShU_s6RiDyrub_MOOdU7vEOJXBDasO492e8-zrPBkIf-6x0L6FbP9a5DIenObdvJnmEcFabVepA-hyW-CHTbYCkprXj0b6oDXQs-LXqewKRnXLFYFNFu7os/s320/DSC_0195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470013195542724050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hQz3KlHsLzG8rLK0LqhhCPt2Sot0vIT5Vd9jzYzKVPoDkWbABP7h9gTG8VfsqwsgXZVbKkN4MA9c9k3b8XRnP4YBv_ueI8S0YX_tKXu4a1WtHZ-bURsbB9YqSIVankZrijiVjsjFfb4/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hQz3KlHsLzG8rLK0LqhhCPt2Sot0vIT5Vd9jzYzKVPoDkWbABP7h9gTG8VfsqwsgXZVbKkN4MA9c9k3b8XRnP4YBv_ueI8S0YX_tKXu4a1WtHZ-bURsbB9YqSIVankZrijiVjsjFfb4/s320/DSC_0078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470012701336678242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXp6Cjp1zfoMKeE4-Vg927y2yuc2qezeIAplt1RE6zwuAPVdFOX3YjHNEaTWB6PAdlJhuLOUxUYlDBHLy9K9C0gBnRaduSun2JY8dnoUquxffX8iyIm8g0t5Zy-pujD8cwyfTRwsEzrM8/s1600/DSC_0075.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXp6Cjp1zfoMKeE4-Vg927y2yuc2qezeIAplt1RE6zwuAPVdFOX3YjHNEaTWB6PAdlJhuLOUxUYlDBHLy9K9C0gBnRaduSun2JY8dnoUquxffX8iyIm8g0t5Zy-pujD8cwyfTRwsEzrM8/s320/DSC_0075.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470012700307710466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMp53opTiW1ft7M1e22KhU_r8cwqUsyYN3OvVtnQ3t6oQPLkVX1JQkb4E0ICZBQYCh2_2Y4TF1PguAKKsuMStiQABKwzbiFpuZGD1yNq5wOZbHVXsw0skkKWKd2BY8WuxJ-plnW-sQ_-E/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDQhrc8xbyixaSEiVW6itCCtNy0hY_LnOFiDLjyXrHUPhw9nnF9oxB1F3b2ElluSxr2F1IhJI7a9fsv6cYw0gj7x6WPI9xLsYfzHMcnLJ7ogdqU7BK_6BEd-BJNFeIqhvURIMj21um_E/s320/47a0da36b3127cce98548ad7bc4500000035108Aat2bVq3auV.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470010863538120802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KVWOwzpyQu0is1Ka1fxN_voMImuI0-Nlg93mmEP2aq-4peem-o9w7xnxZquoqJeUOn_Cm6h_0ZzYsNMoQqhCG_cpaDnrDXS9m0AOxKQxaKz_0Rq5cpdkJ7gEJMjAWMabsXwvH6tu9s8/s1600/47a0da36b3127cce98548a1dbc8f00000035108Aat2bVq3auV.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KVWOwzpyQu0is1Ka1fxN_voMImuI0-Nlg93mmEP2aq-4peem-o9w7xnxZquoqJeUOn_Cm6h_0ZzYsNMoQqhCG_cpaDnrDXS9m0AOxKQxaKz_0Rq5cpdkJ7gEJMjAWMabsXwvH6tu9s8/s320/47a0da36b3127cce98548a1dbc8f00000035108Aat2bVq3auV.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470010862223925506" /></a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-16398806678720650252010-05-06T17:02:00.000-07:002010-05-10T05:18:20.509-07:00My Journey to Haiti<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>A few weeks back i had the amazing privelege of going to Haiti to serve. It was an experience unlike any other. <div><br /></div><div>I have to admit i wondered along the way if it was really what i was supposed to do. I mean i have 2 kids at home and it is far from easy to just up and leave for a whole week. But though i felt doubt along the way God took care of everything. He gave me amazing people who stepped up and took care of my children during the day while Eric was at work. And then there were people who cooked for my family while i was gone. And of course there were the people who prayed for my family and i the entire trip. Never doubt the power of prayer...I have seen it demonstrated too many times to push aside.</div><div><br /></div><div>Haiti has a beauty to it unlike any other. The skies are almost always blue. The rains come hard in the evenings and they are warm and cool all at the same time. The people are amazingly beautiful despite their hardship and the sweltering heat on a daily basis. The children are happy and have so much love to give that at times it overwhelms you. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>But then there is also the sadness. The first realization I had of the state of Haiti was when i looked out to the mountains. I did notice that they had no trees, but i just thought perhaps that was how they were. Until i was informed that they have over many years been completely deforrested. So much so that you could see the massive errosion from the hurricanes that beat them down yearly. This gave me a realization of their situation. They have almost no natural resources, they import just about everything including now wood from the Domincan Republic.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there was the tragedy of the earthquake. A people already struggling through their everyday now faced such intense devastation. Why must they suffer so.</div><div> </div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_hMo7NTFa_4Ixrkk1pSrQRu4df0dm-KaIUhWjMKR0aMEJouQsCNLP4wIwlQVeL5IqbSC9vbwF-EMUZ5abLyhaogS4bkLw94ZiC-RGWJGHwily7kBqmFxJa2TQjrdFsKcwcss-edIO1k/s320/DSC_0417_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468316296436350882" /><br /><div>The tent cities that we saw were a far cry from the state of the art tent cities we see on TV on the news channels. They are entire towns made of sticks and sheets sitting in massive pools of water, filling higher every day because it is the rainy season. In this water the people as well as sometimes their livestock live. Too sad for words really.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">But in the midst of this sadness and tragedy i got to spend a week with a group of people that God has a shield of protection over. They are the people of Light and Peace Mission and My Father's House Orphanage. The people in these communities were fed, clothed, together, and praising God for how he cared for them as they worshipped under a tent in the heat of the day. Their praises were unending...literally. We attended a prayer service; one of many that last for 4 to 6 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>So my prayer today is with Haiti...for the people that suffer daily, living in pure desperation. But thanking God for the example of their faith. I learned so much from this trip. True faith is exemplified not through people of plenty, but through people of need. Those who live everyday completely dependent on God to carry them to the next.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will post more pictures of my journey tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-55620832424122788502010-05-01T05:57:00.000-07:002010-05-01T07:02:48.653-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD93ud5k0BbXQJRcBW6UDGiBH43-LlJsBFISrg9dOQTE4H-noK1H5pYRTiRAB5tgU6-cPnw92iiRsBmr1sy94vhI4bt2AXO79TnXPupQw_9I3VfY-83tXcZEYktDqDzoA88l-3tOA4fo/s1600/Yan+Meng%27er+Photo+1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD93ud5k0BbXQJRcBW6UDGiBH43-LlJsBFISrg9dOQTE4H-noK1H5pYRTiRAB5tgU6-cPnw92iiRsBmr1sy94vhI4bt2AXO79TnXPupQw_9I3VfY-83tXcZEYktDqDzoA88l-3tOA4fo/s320/Yan+Meng%27er+Photo+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466286294263679010" /></a><div>Aimee Grace Koby, or baby Aimee as Juli calls her, was born October 3, 2008 in Guiyang City, China.</div><div>Guiyang City is nestled along the Nanming River in the south central part of China, in a province called Guizhou. It is from what i have read and heard from others who know China, a beautiful, more remote, and poor area (except for the capital) of China, consisting of mostly farmers. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are so excited to travel there. Our Journey will take us to almost every corner of China too! We will begin by flying into Beijing, seeing the Great Wall, and the Forbidden City, etc. Then we will fly to Guiyang, where we will meet Aimee for the first time! We will also see some local history so that we can document Aimee's culture for her. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our next flight will be to Guangzhou, a little further south, closer to the coast. Here we will visit the American Embassy to get Aimee's passport etc. And from here we will begin our journey back home with Aimee in tow. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have to admit, i am a bit torn about it all. While i am excited to see China, and super excited to bring home Aimee, all that flying is a bit daunting. We have done it all so many times. It is starting to get old. Especially the way home. On the way there, I am always so excited, ready for our newest adventure. I say to myself that this time i am going to be a pro, ready for anything. But once it is all happening, the jet lag, the drastic difference in our surroundings, the constant watchfulness of everything Juli does from what she is eating, to who she is looking at etc. the energy needed, to just go constantly to keep up with all the details that need to be attended to with paperwork etc. And finally there is Aimee. The moment we have been waiting for for, well with this adoption, we have been waiting for 3 years!!!! What a great moment that will be. But everything will change once again in that moment. How will she like us? Will she be happy go lucky, or will she be terrified? Will she fit into any of the clothes we brought? Will she eat our food? Will she be ok with the fact that we speak so differently than anything she has ever heard before? And how long will it take for her to adjust? Better yet, how long will it take for me to adjust?!</div><div><br /></div><div>When all the dust settles and we are home, i will be able to answer all these questions. Of course, that will take time, as i am just now answering some of these questions for Elias and it has been over a year. These questions that at the moment consume my thinking. Because our whole existence for the next year, rides on all these factors. Through it all however, i know that God is in control. He has composed every moment into a symphony that is our lives. I just hope i choose to play my instrument in a way that will glorify Him. </div><div><br /></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048731579410626040.post-6895643773161732022010-05-01T05:52:00.000-07:002010-05-01T05:57:02.796-07:00Catching UpAs i read a few emails of friends over the past few weeks and months, so many of them asked if i will be blogging on our next journey. At first i said to myself, "I really don't have time to do this with 2 kids." But then i came to the conclusion that it might be a bit selfish to say that. Aimee deserves a blog too. LOL So, today i will begin attempting to blog that last portion of our journey to China.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460595855872567154noreply@blogger.com0