My Latest Creation

Just thought you all (if there are any of you left!) might enjoy seeing something I've enjoyed making for a dear baby girl I know. The skirt was knit with Bernat Floral Jacquard yarn on 24 inch size 4 circular needles. It took 1 week to complete.

The shirt is just a little onesie to which I added a bejeweled iron on.

I just LOVE having an opportunity to create something unique for a little one to wear. :-)

Blessed to be a blessing,

Chris

Tecumseh

Nathan, Rachel & Faith with "Tecumseh"

One of the beautiful horses used in the drama

One of the actors demonstrating the high fall

Firearm demonstration

Behind the scenes tour - Faith, Nathan, Emily,

Brian and Rachel

What a fun, fun evening we had going to see the outdoor drama, Tecumseh, on Friday! I came away inspired to learn more about the life of this gifted Native American leader. We had some good discussion about how Tecumseh's decision to leave his younger brother, Tenskwatawa, in charge was the downfall of what he had worked for 10 years to build. Tenskwatawa was hungry for power, but not at all ready for leadership. Not only that, but both Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh led the people to believe that Tenskwatawa had a gift of prophecy that in reality had been given to Tecumseh. Deception and lust for power...very dangerous combination that resulted in a tragic end.

Ohio history...here we come this year!

By His grace,

Chris

Lots of Cement

Basement floor and garage floor are being poured today. Woohoo!!! Framing should start by the end of the week.

Will try to post pics this evening,

Rejoicing in forward progress after weeks of waiting!!!

Chris

Closing Date!!!

Yes, 'tis true....after weeks of working out details and waiting, we will close on the loan for the new house on Friday afternoon!!! HALLELUJAH!!!

Our builder will be able to get back to work next week. The original estimate of a timeline for the new house was 4 - 6 months. We would LOVE to be in by Christmas, but we'll take whatever time schedule Jesus has in mind. :-)

Just a word of encouragement about dealing with local businesses...we ended up going with a private, locally owned, smalltown bank and it has definitely been the right decision! They have been so kind and have provided us with a loan that will allow us to have the new house paid off before Mark is ready to retire. Not only that, the loan officer is interrupting her vacation this week to come in and do the closing. How's that for service?!?!?

Ephesians 3:20 &21

By His grace,

Chris

Thought for Your Tuesday

Read this on a friend's blog and thought it might encourage someone else like it did me!

"God can turn a MESS into a MESSage, a TEST into a TESTimony, a TRIAL into a TRIumph and a VICTIM into a VICTory."

By His grace,

Chris

Georgia Tech pregame speech before Notre Dame game

I have no idea if this is going to post the way I want it to or not...first time for everything...like posting a video to our blog. But here goes!

Pastor Wendell shared this with us in our morning worship service. Mark & I immediately identified with it. He (Jesus) has called us to this ministry of parenting, Christian foster care and adoption. It is rewarding like nothing else ever could be, but it can also be more difficult and challenging than any other task He has ever asked us to do.

As long as He continues to call us and give us strength for the assignment, we will, in the words of this amazing speech, "fight until we can't fight no mo. Gonna lie down, bleed awhile, get up and FIGHT SOME MO" for every single child that He trusts to our care!!!!

As an old Baptist missionary in Haiti once said, "Refire, but NEVER retire because He says, 'Occupy 'til I come!' "

By His grace,

Chris

Surprise Gift from the Lord

Don't you just love those times when the Lord gives you a surprise love gift out of the blue??? Today was one of those days for me and I am so grateful.

As a foster mom, one of the things dearest to my heart is an opportunity to receive an update on one of the little people that has graced our lives over the years. Those opportunities are so valued because they are VERY rare.

Those of you who know us in real life know that we had the privilege of caring for a precious tiny angel named Baby "A" last summer. She was very dear to us and we all treasured her. After she had been with us from the age of 6 weeks until about 14 weeks, she was securely placed with her loving aunt and uncle. We have not seen her from that day'til this, except for a picture that her aunt e-mailed a couple of months ago.

Guess who was walking out of Children's Hospital today as I was walking in??? Baby "A" and her aunt!!! Only my loving Heavenly Father could have arranged that timing for me. :-)

We had a lovely visit and I came away so blessed by this totally unexpected gift.

His love for us knows no bounds. He delights to bring joy to our hearts. Oh, that we would have that same level of desire to bless His heart.

By His grace,

Chris