Happy 4th Birthday Adam!

Adam is now 4!! We can't believe how fast time flies by and how big he's getting. Here are some pics from his birthday on the 21st, birthday pancake, prince crown, presents, pillow train, personal spider-man mask, and precious sisters and brother

One Year Ago Today

This is a picture from one year ago, September 8th/9th, in Congo (depending on which time zone, Congo is a day ahead of California time), as I prepared to get on an airplane. Today last year I was flying from Africa to the East Coast of the U.S. by myself physically, but spiritually I was accompanied by the special presence and blessing of God and the joy he had filled my heart with in regards to this special boy He had planned for us to adopt.

The little 19-month-old didn't know what was going on, but he had a toy moto-car now and that was good enough for him. It was just 3 days earlier that he was placed into my arms and I spent as much time as I could bonding with him before I left. I had a much bigger smile on my face than I imagined coming home from my trip after burying our first adopted son Mark Joseph. Those 3 days I couldn't get Bonheur (later re-named Matteus Samuel) to smile, but I knew it was in there. That day with Didier's help, I said to this little guy in Swahili the words of John 14:18 "I will not leave you fatherless (or "orphan" in some translations) I will come again to you." By the grace of the Heavenly Father who adopted me and with the help of His beloved Son who said those words many years ago, that was fulfilled in our family with my beloved son Matteus.

As I watched him joyfully playing in our house this morning, I couldn't imagine a more joyful child or a more different and transformed child than the one I met that day, and I marvel at the grace of God who brought him into our household and who brings us in Christ into His (Eph. 2:19) and who transforms us as well in even greater ways (2 Cor. 5:17).

To God be the glory great things He has done, so loved He the world that He gave us His Son!

Summertime!!

Yes, yes, it has been a long long time since our last post.  We sold our house, school ended,we MOVED! went to S. CA for a week, went camping, and just have had fun enjoying our summer! Here are a few pics!

 He looks like he didn't have fun, but he did!

Six Flags, lots of fun!

Matteus loved the rides!

VBS!

Cuties

 Crazies

The Girls Got to ride in an Airplane!

Annalee's 8th Birthday!

 She liked her present :)

Dress-up!

Georgia Turned 6!

 Ella drew Fairy's, and decorated the cupcakes for the Tinkerbell Party

Matteus' first time at the ocean, he loved it!

The girls had a blast boggie boarding

Family Camp

Adam asked for "Smarshsmellows" for breakfast, why not? It's camping!

Yes, as you can see it's been a crazy summer!

Message Video from Compassion for Congo Benefit Dinner

As a follow-up to our last post, I found out just today that one of our friends video'd the message I gave at the Compassion for Congo Benefit Dinner on 4/28/2012. It takes about 40 seconds for the light to adjust.

Click here for message

Click here for just the text notes of the message

Congo Reunion and Benefit Dinner

A little while back our friends the Wilmarths put on a benefit dinner for Compassion for Congo. Matteus Layton and Brandon Wilmarth had fun with matching ties, with sister Kara Wilmarth.

5 kids who once lived in the same orphanage on the other side of the world, got to sing on a stage together "Mokolo ngai nakokufa" and "Jesus loves me" - precious moments. Left to right: Jamie Loucks, Kara Wilmarth, Jordan Loucks, Brandon Wilmarth, Matteus Layton.



There was a great video they put together for the evening that talks about the history of the ministry and the families involved. What a blessing it was and what a blessing we have!

Compassion for Congo Bennefit Dinner

We are in the midst of planning the first benefit dinner to raise money to help the ministry of Pastor Didier.

Please check out the video here http://www.congobenefit.org/

Latest...

Lot's of fun has been going on here!

Chair spinning...

Kitchen Creations

Picnic table Dancing

Tea Parties

Easter Activities...

We are so thankful for our Risen Savior who conquered death on our behalf.  He did what we could not do for ourselves, and paid our debt with His blood. We praise Him that we can be sons and daughters with Christ!

Praising God for all our blessings!

And one more reason it's great to be an American...