pumpkins are nice.

even elephants don't wait this long

Some African elephants have a gestation period of 660+ days. If you want to adopt from China -- well, consider the wait for a mother elephant, and then add way more time... double it. Best case for us? Around 1275 days -- and that can still increase.

Today, we received disappointing news. While not surprised, we were holding out hope that the timeframe for our adoption would not increase anymore. Originally, the whole process was 12-18 months. As time has passed, it turns out the process has grown each month. Our log-in date is April 14, 2007. That means, all of our paperwork was received in China (We started that paperwork in the summer of 2006). Currently, China has processed applications (meaning referring orphans to parents for adoption) through February of 2006. Ready for this one? The wait time for a referral is now 31 months FROM log-in date -- which would be (at best) November of 2009 -- but the wait time is growing every month by almost a month. Read more on the calculation.

What we know? 

God loves our Anna Grace more than us. 

God knows we'd get on a plane today to get her if we could. 

God knows the best time frame for her to be with us. 

God knows the longer the wait, the more awareness is raised for more than 100 million orphans worldwide. 

longhorn friends

Last night, we had dinner with friends, celebrating the 24th birthday of Cihan Uzunpinar. Jason and Scott helped us play zone defense with Josh and Caleb, while we caught up with old friends at the end of the table. Santa Fe Chicken + Bleu Cheese Wedge Salad + Julie's Turkey Cake. Good. 

zoorific.

another angle.

read more from a friends perspective

shine - part 2.

... as you hold fast to the word of life..." Phil 2:16a.

Last week at encounter,we talked about what it means for us to work out our salvation, living it out, with fear and trembling, because it is HIS life in us, causing us to will and to work for His purpose. 

What does it look like for followers of Christ to shine His light?

Tonight, a very simple thought: hold fast to the word of life - hold out the word of life.

Word of Life? Jesus. He is whom we cling to. He is the One we share.  

I do not know this family, but they shine the light of Christ so clearly. 

a day in the park.

adventures in modeling clay and ice cream

all this fun was followed up with a nice walk in the dark to our neighborhood brusters for free cones for the boys. 

FIDELITY.

This weekend, I spoke at our church on the issue of fidelity in marriage. Husbands and wives enter into a covenant relationship with God, to express to one another and to a watching world, a picture of "... as Christ loved the Church." For me, to see that God has expressed His highest value through Jesus: Redemption of man for the Glory of God --- and that I can display (imperfectly, but faithfully) that love of God (as Christ loved the Church) in the way that I love my wife... wow. Glory to Him on the days I obey. Grace from Him in the moments where I fail. When the highest purpose of marriage becomes wrapped up in a spouse .... then the gift of marriage has been hijacked. The HIGHEST purpose of a Christ-following husband and Christ-following wife in marriage is to put on display "as Christ loved the Church" and "as to the Lord". See Ephesians 5. Still thinking a lot. 

callaway babay.

This weekend, we went over to Callaway Gardens on Saturday afternoon. 30 minutes. You're there with more than enough space to breathe deeply. We packed a great lunch, got everyone into the car, got the stroller, 2 big-wheels, and headed out for the open road. 10 minutes later, we discovered, we left our lunch, in the kitchen. Classic. While the nature and gardens are beautiful... the food there... well... I'll be sure to remember the lunch next time. It was a great day with the family.