One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him" (Psalm 103:13).

It's hard to believe that it has been 9 years already since we had to say good-bye to our dear dad.  I am so thankful for the many years that I had the privilege of calling him my dad.  I am also so thankful for the many fond memories of him and the love that he constantly showed to his children.  He never held back showing his affection to us, and to our mom, and he always said how proud he was of all of us.  I look forward to the day that we will be reunited and I know that he'll be waiting, as he always was, for a kiss on his chubby cheeks!

Continuing to give thanks...
#4297-#42319

-for the many fond memories of my dad
-his compassion
-for the love that he poured out to all of his children
-how he would go the extra mile for us
-how he aways told us how proud he was of us
-his passion and dedication to Christian Education and to his work for the Canadian Christian Education Foundation 
-my Heavenly Father's perfect love and His compassion

-how much fun a box can be

-enjoying family day, a day later

-a fun event for the whole family

-her fascination with every fish that she saw

-God's amazing creation

-creepy, but amazing

-God's creative creation (my favourite fish, the Weedy Sea Dragon)

-the many delicate species from around the world

-the only one brave enough to touch the sharks and crabs

-new hobbies

-how he willingly plays her favourite play station game

-my new favourite hoodie
-our marriage series at church and the reminder of how our marriages should always point to Christ/ reflect Christ's love for His bride

-how she the snow doesn't hold her back from enjoying spring activities

-an eager cadet and a willing father to help with cub car carving

Adoption

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed." 

(Psalm 82:3)

There are many things that I strongly dislike people saying regarding our adoptions.  I do not hold grudges against these people, because often it is said simply due to ignorance.  Also, thankfully, my memory is not the greatest, so often I forget who said these things anyway!  However, some people can be very insensitive.

For example...  our precious, energetic daughter was running around and someone said in an accusatory tone, "And you're going to have another one?!!"  First of all, don't make comments like that in front of our children -they can hear you.  Secondly, it's not like we are buying a toy or something.  This is a child's life.  This is our calling.  We strongly feel that God has called us on this path called "adoption" and we feel very blessed to be traveling on it and following His voice.  We feel that God has spoken to us that we are not finished having children yet, and that our family is not yet complete.

We admit, there have been a few bumps in the road.  Thankfully, we have felt God's presence and His arms around us throughout this process.  We have also been blessed with a few strong supporters and prayer partners.  Yet, it has been said to us, "Why don't you just forget it."  Like we should just throw in the towel.  Deborah has been such a blessing to our family.  It is all worth it!! We strongly believe that God has chosen a child for us. Although he is halfway across the world, we believe that God has chosen him just for our family.  We look forward to the day, however long it takes, when we can bring him home and call him our son!

Although I love this book, I would like to change the wording to "Why GOD chose you".  This book lists 100 reasons why I believe God has chosen our daughter and our son to (hopefully soon) join our family.  Here are just a few reasons...
      God chose you..
     1.   to fill our house with laughter
     2.   because He wanted us to hold your little hand
     3.   because being parents is what we enjoy most
     4.   to add new joy to our lives
     5.   to keep us young at heart
     6.   because we weren't ready to stop raising children
     7.   because we believe every child should have a loving family
     8.   because you needed a loving family, and ours needed you
     9.   because we wanted the pleasure of watching you grow
     10. because we wanted the extra love that you would bring to our family

We continue this journey, trusting in our loving Father and His will for our lives.

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preservers. Love never fails." 

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

It was the best date ever!  We had so much fun!  I found the idea from http://loveactually-blog.blogspot.ca/2009/05/bookstore-date.html.  The bookstore date challenge was a blast, and it was the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day.

We had to find a date idea for a future date night...

...a new recipe we'd like to try...

...a self-help book that applies to ourselves...

...enjoy a hot chocolate and a pastry while reviewing the fun we had...
and much more!

I am so thankful to God for my Valentine!  I am thankful for the fun that we can have, for our friendship, and the love that we share.

Continuing to give thanks...
#4272-#4296

-the love that Paul and I share
-our fun date night and the fun that we have together
-our friendship
-his patience
-his patience as a land lord to his mother-in-law
-his sense of humour
-how he is so often whistling and/or singing
-his love for his children
-his willingness to have sleep overs with the children in the TV room
-Christ's love for us-the perfect example of love

-his interest in trying different Science experiments

-taking pride in his homemade play dooh

-his enthusiasm and desire to make origami Valentine's hearts for his classmates

-her love for flowers

-a long weekend and doing fun things together as a family

-Jesse's hours of babysitting

-how he plays with his little sister and teachers her about sports and to enjoy the outdoors

-how Curtis plays in boxes with her and teaches her about electronics and many other things

-how Nicole teachers her little sister how to play so nicely with her toys and to enjoy crafts

-willing Sunday School teachers and helpers (especially my children)

-a relaxing, fun, productive day of scrapbooking with my sister-in-laws

-his patience making a cub car with Curtis 

-Nicole's passion and the hard work she did preparing for her speech about Euthanasia 

-woman's Bible study/ coffee break  and learning from each other

-a willing sponsor for 2 children from Compassion Canada

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings" 

(Psalm 61:4).

One of their highlights was building shelters known as "quinzees".

I am so thankful for the comfort of knowing God is my shelter.  When I put my trust in Him, I am "taking refuge in the shelter of His wings".  He is my comfort, my strength, and refuge.  Similar to a baby bird taking shelter under its mother's wings, God is our shelter and He wraps His loving arms around us.  Through all the storms that we face, He is our shelter.  In all of our circumstances, in Him we can find comfort and refuge.  He loves us and will never leave us.

Continuing to give thanks...
#4260-#4271
-God, our shelter and refuge
-God's protection and safety for the grade eights during their camp experience and drive home
-another snow day
-a nice visit with a friend/spiritual mentor
-my helpers while Paul was gone with the grade eight class

-having fun building snow shelters

-beautiful blanket of snow

-a fun class trip

-that Paul and my brother were able to accompany the grade eights on their class trip

-Christian camp and Christian leaders

 -learning new things

 -perfect conditions for snow shoeing and out door adventures!