Mission Safari: The Next Chapter(s)

Offense and Defense

Yesterday, I spent most of the day out watching the boys play.  It was a hot fall day (the temperature got up to 91 degrees) but there was a nice wind to cool things a bit.  Happily, both the boys won their respective games and contributed to the win.

In the morning, I took all the girls to see Sam play baseball.  Sam went 2 for 3 with 2 doubles and an RBI.  He stool a few bases and scored a run.  He also got to play catcher and did a decent job.  He was in line to pitch the last inning, but we had to leave early to get to Ben's football game.  I was bummed for Sam but he'll get another chance.

At Ben's game, his team dominated the other team winning 13-0.  Ben carried the ball six times for 21 yards including a 5 yard TD.  He also played solid defense making 2 sacks, one for a loss of 12 yards.  Ben's team improved to 3-2 on the year.

Today we went to church in "split shifts" as Kate has a terrible snotty nose.  In fact, this whole week everyone has had some sort of cold and we have dutifully shared it around the house.  Hugs and kisses have mostly been banned this week (or at least truncated).  Hopefully everyone is recovering and can have a better week this week.

Even though we have enjoyed the summer we are definitely looking forward to the cooler weather of fall.  We see the leaves starting to change colors but not feeling the nicer weather.  Hopefully that will start this week.

More On Gotcha Day

Last night after posting my letter to Kate, I looked up our videos of our trip to China last year and re-watched the Gotcha Day video.  It was incredibly emotional.  I had forgotten how overwhelming it was for the babies and the families.  I shed a few tears last night re-watching it.

 I also realized that I hadn't ever posted the video.  Below is an unedited Gotcha Day video from last year. It is 12 minutes long. We don't even show up until about 3 minutes into the video.  However, you can see and hear all that was going on that first day we met Kate.

 

Dear Kate: 365 Days Later

Dear Kate,

Today might not have seemed that different to you compared to yesterday. As a two year old I know that day blends into day.  Some days seem to be a little different in whether we get you up early and put you in a nice dress like we do on Sundays, or whether we let you sleep in a bit and then let you walk around in your jammies all day like we did on Friday.  But for me and Mommy, today was a special day.  Today was the one year anniversary of when we first got to hold you, our newest little daughter, in our arms for the very first time. I can't fully express what a wonderful day that was for you and for us as a family.

It is hard to believe that 366 days ago we had never met you or held you.  All we knew about you was how old you were and what city you were from.  We did have a picture of you, but it was already a few months old by the time we met you.  In the picture you looked very concerned about having your picture made.  We were so anxious to meet you.

On the morning of September 20th, we travelled from Beijing, the capital of China, to Nanchang in Jiangxi Province.  We were tired when we arrived in our hotel, the China Hotel, because we were still jet-lagged from our trip from the United States to China just a few days before.  We weren't expecting to meet you until the next day, September 21st, but the officials had made different plans for us to meet a day early.  We were excited and anxious.  The long wait was about over.

Around the appointed time, we gathered with other families who were meeting their little daughters for the first time as well.  We all sat in a room waiting for you all to arrive.  We were anxious, and tearful, and tired, and excited.  Finally we heard a commotion outside our meeting room.  Then, after another 15 minutes, they brought you into the room, introduced you to us, and we held you for the very first time.  

As a new family we mostly just hugged and cried the first hour we met.  You were scared but you were very sweet.  Mama held you tight for a very long time.  I also got to hold you and hug you and kiss you.  And on that very first day, Sarah, your oldest sister got to meet you as well.  After a little while, we all went up to our hotel room and began our lives together.  Over the next 10 days or so, we stayed in China, finished official adoption paperwork, and even got to tour around a bit enjoying some of the beautiful things about your country of birth China. After that we finally travelled home together where you met your other sister Amy, and your two big brothers, Ben and Sam.

So much has happened since that wonderful day, September 20th, 2009.  We have watched you grow bigger and stronger; you were such a tiny little thing when we met you. We have watched you scoot around on your bottom, then stand, walk, and even run.  We have enjoyed watching you learn a new language.  We have delighted in seeing you be loved by your sisters and brothers; we have delighted in seeing you love them back.  We have been amazed at your quick smile and spunky personality.  Your smile is incredible.  And boy do you ever give the best kisses!

Since that day, you have become a part of our family.  We have celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas, and lots of birthdays (which goes without saying in a household of seven). We have gone on vacations in the mountains (where you played in the snow and went sledding) and the beach (where you played in the sand and the surf). We have visited Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles.  We have made all kinds of wonderful memories since that wonderful day 365 days ago.

One of the more important things that we have done this past year was to have you baptized.  It was a wonderful time of acknowledging that God is the one who has brought you into our lives and how He makes us into a family.  It was a reminder of how He adopts us as sons and daughters into His family.  It also reminded us of the wonderful promises He makes in proclaiming us joint heirs with Jesus, His son. And when you think about that truth, it makes your adoption into our family even more wonderful.  

And so my dearest Kate, that is what makes today so wonderful for me and Mama.  It is a day when we get to think back about the first day we met you.  It is a day when we get to reflect on what a wonderful little daughter you are.  It is a day for us to be thankful to God for picking you to be in our family.  It is a day to count our blessings for all that God has accomplished in your life this year.  It is a day for us to remember the great promise that God makes to us about our own adoption into His family.  We thank God for that wonderful day one year ago.

God bless my little one.

With Much Love,

Daddy

 

 

 

Thinking Back

Marti took Sam and Sarah down to Orlando this weekend.  Six months ago we came across a sweet deal ($99 for 1 week) for a 2 BR condo a mile from Disney. Marti initially was only going to take Sam because he was the only one in the past two years not to go on a special trip with us.  Last month she decided to take Sarah so they have been enjoying summer like weather down at Disney the past two days.

Yesterday they went to EPCOT and had a blast.  Sarah called me in the evening from the China Pavilion in at EPCOT's World Showcase.  She wanted to know where we were a year ago while we were in China.  I checked out the blog and saw that we had spent the 18th touring Beijing, specifically the Temple of Heaven.  As I re-read the entries ( check them out here)  I was blown away by the fact that last year, at this time, we had not yet met Kate. As much fun as we had in China touring, getting to visit a new place and experience a new culture, it wasn't nearly as much fun as getting to know Kate.

Tomorrow is our Gotcha Day 1 year Anniversary.  I will post a little bit more about my thoughts about this year and getting to know Kate. 

Hornets Stung

Ben's team, the Hornets, were soundly beaten today, 34-0.  The game was much closer than it sounds, but two goal-line stands by their opponents prevented the Hornets from getting back into the game.  The Hornets fell to 2-2 on the year.

Ben did have another solid game.  He carried the ball six times for 28 yards and made two catches for another 6 yards.  On defense, he made 6 good tackles including causing a fumble which he recovered.

Hopefully the boys can work hard this week, working on preventing big plays and doing the small things right.  Next week will be a good indicator of how the rest of the season will go.

Dear Sissy: Faith

Dear Sissy,

I "hope" this finds you settling into your new school year.  I know you are working hard to settle into a good routine and staying caught up with your classwork.  I also "hope" that my last letter about Hope was encouraging to you.  

As I was writing my letter last week, I was reminded of how hope is intertwined with the idea of faith.  In fact, Hebrews 11 is a very famous passage in the Bible that talks about faith.  The author opens up the chapter with this verse: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  That is a pretty powerful statement.  It tells us that faith is the realization of the things we put our hope in.  It essentially conveys the idea that there is a CERTAINTY to God's promises and a CONFIDENCE in God's power to make these things happen.

In verse 3 we see that faith allows us to understand God's purposes and designs; "by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." It first tells us that the things that we see didn't come into their own without being created. This in turn reminds us that when things happen that we can't initially understand (or like) we can trust that God is in control of the situation.  

As you go through the next several verses in Hebrews 11 you see that this faith was active in people's lives.  This faith allowed people to act on God's promises.  Noah built an ark in the desert. Abraham left his family to wander in the desert. Sarah had a baby when she was nearly 90.  Then  you learn in verse 26 that Moses did crazy things acting on God's promises. The author states that Moses "passed the pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt." Because of faith, Joseph gave up the easy life because he believed that Christ was more valuable.

Finally in Hebrews 11:29-38 you read how many others overcame incredible odds in walking out their faith.  They faced lions, the sword, fire, and many other temptations and afflictions.  Their faith gave them the confidence that the things they hoped in (namely God's promises and the person of Jesus) would deliver them from their circumstances and trials.

So what are we to do with this incredible reminder of how important our faith is? First, we need to live with the same confidence that God's promises are real.  We need to live with the certainty that He will do what He says He will do.  We need to esteem Christ above all.  We need to believe that He will help us overcome obstacles.  And we need to do what the author of Hebrews 11 exhorts us to do in Hebrews 12:1-2:

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..."

Running the race with you,

Daddy

As Promised

As promised, here are a few new videos of the kids from last weekend.  The first one is a bit longer but shows highlights of Amy's party.  The second two are of Kate.  Enjoy

 

A Touchdown For Amy's 3rd Birthday

Today has been a big day around here: Amy turned 3, Ben's football team won 13-6, and Sam went 2-2 in his first baseball game of the fall season. It was a beautiful sunny day and even though I had to sleep through most of it (I'm working the night shift this weekend) it still was a fun full day for Marti and the kids.

Sam started the big day off with a good performance in his ball game. He went 2 for 2 including a double and a walk. He had 3 RBIs, scored 2 runs, and stole 3 bases. He also started at catcher and really seemed to enjoy that. His team won 10-5.

Ben's team, the Hornets, came from behind today and won 13-6. Ben carried the ball 9 times for 50 yards and made two catches for another 20 yards. With the game tied 6-6, Ben scored the winning touchdown while earning the nickname, "Night-Train." He carried the ball 5 straight times and each time had to be gang-tackled. It was pretty cool as he had told the coach before the game that he really wanted to score a touchdown for his little sister Amy who turned 3 today. Ben made it happen.

And if that wasn't enough, Ben played solid defense again, including making a game winning tackle. After Ben gave his team the lead, his opponents drove the field and had the opportunity to win the game with a 4th and goal on the 2 yard line with only seconds left. They tried to score on a sweep to Ben's side but he stuffed the running back and preserved the win for his team. With the win, the Hornets improved to 2-1 on the season.

And then, to finish off a pretty good day, we celebrated Amy's 3rd birthday. As is our tradition, we let the birthday person choose the birthday meal. Amy choose Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches! We also had chips, gummy bears, and pears to go as sides. We then had white cake with chocolate icing. The theme of the party was Mickey Mouse. Amy was so excited. She loved all the favors, the food, and of course the presents. I'll get some pictures and video posted early next week.

Happy Birthday Amy. And way to go Sam and Ben.

Dear Sissy: Hope

Dear Sissy,

You have officially started your (gulp!) Senior year in High School.  It is incredible.  Where did the time go?  Can you believe it?  I certainly can't.  Seems like just yesterday you were having trouble spelling "CAT"; oh, yeah, it was yesterday!! Ha.  Anyway, even if I am being a dad desperately wanting to ignore the fact that my little girl is growing up really fast, the reality is that you only have 9 months until you graduate high school.  I'm hoping over the coming weeks and months to write you a few letters that will be an encouragement to you as you navigate the many opportunities and choices you'll be facing.

As I've listened to you, Ben, and Sam prepare for school the past couple of weeks, I have noticed that a word that has been used a lot is "Hope." Statements like: "I hope I enjoy my photography class", "I hope I do well in my Literature class", "I hope I have fun at youth this year", "I hope it is clear what school I should attend next year" and so on have been uttered quite a few times.  And that's what makes the beginning of a school year exciting.  It is a new year, the slate is clean, these are times to look forward and dream dreams.

But what exactly is hope? Is it more than just a wish or a desire?  I think so.  But more importantly than asking what hope is, I think we should ask a few deeper questions.  What do we hope "in"? How do we grow in hope? And, how is true hope satisfying?

First, the Bible clearly teaches that our hope should be in Jesus.  Psalm 39:7 states, "And now Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You."  The Psalmists follow up with a similar statement in Ps. 71:5, "For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth." I think it is significant that the writer points out that his hope began while he was a youth.  Don't ever forget that decisions you make now can last a lifetime.

How do we grow in this hope?  How can this "trust from my youth" last? Again, Psalms points to an answer. In Psalms 119:147 it is written, "I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word." Not only is the psalmist talking about a morning Bible reading, he is talking about meditation on the words of God; he is talking about not only reading the words but being moved by them. That is how you grow.

And finally, before this letter becomes a sermon,  does this hope in Jesus satisfy us? Can our relationship with Him meet our needs? I think the Word is clear on this as well. Romans 5:5 points out, "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit." That is pretty powerful stuff.  Even more amazing our these words from Hebrews 6:19, "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast..." This two verses seem  good indicators that placing our hope in Christ will be pretty satisfying. 

Anyway, I hope this is an encouragement to you as you begin your Senior year.  I "hope" that you enjoy your year and I "hope" that you have amazing success.  But more than that, I hope that you place more hope in Jesus and learn that He can be the anchor for your soul.

Love,

Your Daddy

Wake Up Call

A week ago, the Hornets were feeling pretty good after a 26-0 win.  This weekend, they were on the losing end of a 26-0 football game.  Although they were able to move the ball pretty well on offense, they were never able to punch the ball in the endzone.  On defense, they gave up three big plays that gave their opponents, the Gloucester Red Knights, an insurmountable lead.

Despite the loss, Ben had another solid game.  He ran the ball 7 times for 26 yards and made 3 tackles on defense including a sack.  He also recovered a fumble on offense to preserve a drive.  He looks forward to practice this week to put this loss behind him.

In other family news, Sarah returned from Maryland on Friday.  She was away for a week visiting her best friend Rachel Keeler.  The big news from that visit was that she finally joined FaceBook.  She is excited.  Since her return she has been getting herself organized for her senior year. School starts tomorrow for the kids.

Sam has been busy the last couple of weeks practicing baseball.  He is playing "fall ball" which is a lower key instructional league.  His twelve game season starts next week.

Marti has also been very busy.  Not only is she getting ready for another year of homeschooling, she has been busy wrapping up things in her role as Children's Ministry Director at church.  She wanted to continue in this role, but the church is rapidly growing and her role really needs someone dedicating at least 20 hours a week to the job.  We felt that was too much of a commitment especially as this is Sarah's Senior year of school. She is sad but relieved to be in her final weeks there.

The weather has been great the last several days.  It is warm but not overwhelming.  Fall seems to be really right around the corner. We have enjoyed the summer but are ready for a change in the seasons.