Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts

If you follow my Facebook feed, you know that I have been posting pictures and links related to adoption for the month of November (National Adoption Awareness Month). Today, November 30, is the last day of the month, so I thought I would post something a little bit different (Don't worry, I'll link it to FB as promised there). And so, as we draw Adoption Awareness Month to a close for the year 2016, I wanted to give you a snapshot of my adoption story.

At Mother's Choice

Some of my readers will have followed along as we processed the adoption of our fourth child (first adoption, fourth child, second son), Ryan. We called him "The Little Emperor" and to this day (2 1/2 years after he came into our home) he still fairly rules the roost. Ryan was born with a genetic anomaly known as Coffin-Lowry Syndrome. As with many of the innate genetic syndromes, people affected have varying levels of restriction. Ryan's biggest issue has to do with speech: he understands more than 90% of what is said to him in English, he is unable to reproduce the sounds with his mouth. Consequently he communicates often with points, grunts, and his version of ASL (American Sign Language). He is getting along beautifully.


Ryan's physical limitations and medical needs early in life spurred his birth parents to relinquish custody of him to an adoption placement agency in Hong Kong called Mother's Choice. It was there that we found, fell in love with, and eventually adopted Ryan. He is ours forever an

Easter 2016

d a day, and according to adoption laws, his bond to us is more legally binding than that of his siblings (who are our biological children).

But wait, there is a chapter 2! Approximately one year ago we began discussing the possibility of adding yet another little Potter to our crew through adoption. Dillon International (our adoption agency here in the USA) had just been granted rights to assist adoptions from Vietnam (which had been closed to US adoptions for about seven years at the time). And off we go. We began asking friends and family members to pray for a Christmas trip to Vietnam. Then comes sad news: paperwork being what it is, we finally submitted our dossier (the last item that finally goes to the country from which you hope to adopt), and were given a more realistic timeline. We probably won't head to Asia over Christmas, but are looking at anywhere from February-August of next year. At any rate, we are in high hopes to have our new offspring in home before this time next year (pictures can only be shown after the dossier has cleared both US and Vietnamese scrutiny). We welcome all support--prayer, moral, and monetary--that anyone would like to cast our way. We are so close to finishing this journey that we can taste it!

But wait, there's more to my adoption story. You see, I'm adopted by the King. One of the things that makes this process so dear to our family is the picture that our earthly adoptions paint of the ultimate adoption that God offers through Jesus Christ, His Son. Are you adopted by the King? He wants to offer you that adoption today. You can become a child of the King and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. Here are the words to an old hymn that teaches of the best adoption story ever:

My Father is rich in houses and lands,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.

I'm a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior,
I'm a child of the King.

My Father's own Son, the Savior of men,
Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them:
But now He is pleading our pardon on high,
That we may be His when He comes by and by.

I'm a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior,
I'm a child of the King.

I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice, and an alien by birth
But I've been adopted, my name's written down,
An heir to a mansion, a robe, and a crown.

I'm a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior, (A Child of the King," words by Harriet Buell, found in the Baptist Hymnal, 1956 edition, emphasis added)

That's my adoption story, what's yours?

Thanksgiving has always been a favorite of mine. I remember the year that I noticed the retailers putting in their Christmas displays earlier and earlier (I think perhaps this year it was in late September or early October) and my only thought was, "We haven't even had Thanksgiving yet!"

So I've always had a tender spot for this particularly American celebration. (I know that Canada has a Thanksgiving Day, too; and that it's on a different day--so the third Thursday of November is American Thanksgiving.)

And so, it isn't just a coincidence that we chose to make Thanksgiving weekend the big time in our family history. And for the past 15 years I have had special reason for giving thanks. God's special gift to me came packaged in a beautiful, loving heartstring named Hannah.

Happy Fifteen my heart of hearts.

It's been two years since I posted a happy/sad announcement about the funeral services of my Aunt Laura Allen. Tomorrow, my family will celebrate the Home-Going of my Uncle John Henry Weaver. Preacher, Farmer, Friend, Family-man, and Example. Uncle John walked each day with honesty and justice. He transitioned from earth to heaven in one moment on Sunday August 23.

I am thankful for his friendship, advice, and example. He always had a smile and a good word. To my Aunt Norma, and my cousins-Jamie, Julie, Joel, Jana, and Jennifer- I give my love and prayers.

With Thanksgiving just a few days away for the country--I thought I'd share my Thanksgiving Day with you all. Here is a starry-eyed young couple that turned Thanksgiving into a day (November 25) rather than a Thursday. I love my Blushing Bride:

Today my family will lay to rest my mother's oldest sister - Laura Allen (Weaver) Weatherford. She passed away on Tuesday (August 20), only one week shy of her 82nd birthday. We will all miss her, and would appreciate all your prayers, especially for her children;  grandchildren; brothers and sisters.

Aunt Laura was one of the most caring, loving people I know. Her commitment to Christ and to missionary work was always the first thing that I thought of when I heard mention of her. Memorial services are this morning.

As we stand on the brink of a new year, it is time to now think about where we shall go. Should we make plans? There are many who would say we should not presume on God and making plans does that. I say, there are things that we can look forward to without neglecting God in our lives. No resolutions this year, just expectations. And so here are a few of the things I have calendared to see happen in 2013:

• Following God in the paths that He has chosen for me.
• Becoming more like Jesus each new day of the new year.
• Moving forward in the process of adoption - we even have our initial home study visit scheduled within the first week of the new year! 
• Watching more evidence of growth in the First Baptist Church of Mulberry Grove.
• Burning the Renovation Note on the first Sunday in 2013.
• Spring Revival in March as a partnership with my Alma Mater, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
• Vacation Bible School in July - Colossal Coaster World!
• Yet to be planned missions adventures.
• And of course end of year events like our annual Christmas Eve service.
• Moving forward in the adoption process. We hope to reach the travel point to bring home our new child at some point during 2013 - We ask all of our friends, family, and faithful acquaintances to pray that God will open the right doors at just the right time for this to happen.
• and finally, one of the big milestones that I plan on seeing this year: 50!

One of the reasons that I am always thankful, and especially thankful during the month of November, and even more especially thankful on the twenty-fifth day of November is because this is the day (twelve years ago today) that my Beloved Blushing Bride stood before our fathers (yes both of them), a host of friends and family, and God Almighty Himself, and chose to become my Blushing Bride.

I am blessed by God through her. I am honored by her. And I just can't be thankful enough for all that happened over a few weeks at our missionary orientation and training so that I could be so blessed.

I am thankful for my Bride.

Before you get all excited. I'm not thankful for biscuits today (although I do like biscuits--with or without gravy, with butter, and with jelly, or just plain right out of the oven). Today, I am thankful for parents of parents--or grandparents!

I have the memory of two sets of my own. When we went to Grandmother's house (my mom's mother) we slept on the floor, woke up early to hear Grandmother making breakfast (including biscuits!), we explored the barns and sheds, played in the pasture, and had general fun. Somewhere there's a picture of several of us posing around the little tin wagon that we built and then painted with red tempera paint (every time we played with it afterward the paint came off on our hands and clothes).

I recall the story of my farmer Granddaddy as he was getting older. My cousin who was helping on the farm at the time heard something out on the porch in the middle of the night. He looked out on the porch to find Granddaddy in his sleep attire and a rifle in his hands. "What is it, Granddad?" he asked.

"There's a blame deer in the corn," came the reply. At this point Granddad raised the .22 and shot out into the dark. Next morning my cousin and our uncle went out in the field in the direction of the shot and found blood drops! Apparently, there was a "blame deer" in the corn.

MawMaw and PawPaw loved having the family to their place for holidays. When we went to San Antonio for a visit we had holly berry wars, and played with my Dad's cousin's boys (especially "Andy across the street" who was our age and bore the same name as my youngest brother). PawPaw told really bad jokes--always the same jokes and always just as corny. Q: Why did they bury the old Indian in the side of the hill? Reply: I don't know, why did they bury the old Indian in the side of the hill? A: Because he was dead!

I'm also thankful for my children's grands. We live so far away from both sets of parents' parents that we only get to see them once a year (if that). We relish phone calls, letters and packages. And we are thankful that our children love our parents as much as they love us.

And finally, since we do live so far from our own parents, I am extremely thankful for the friends who have generously stepped in to fill that grandparent gap for our children. Thanks to all of you who love on our children as if they are your own grandchildren.

You've seen how much I am thankful for children. Today I want to express my thanks for the three children who are closest to me, let's call them Puddn' N Pie, Bubba, and Little Bit.

Over the last decade or so, these children have invaded my life. They demand my attention. They fill my thoughts. And they bless my heart with blessings beyond measure.

I love the Psalmist's assessment: Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
    are the children of one's youth.

Not everyone can boast of the best brothers and sister in the world. But of course everyone is not me. One of the greatest blessings in my life is the joy of growing  up with two brothers and a sister who are all special in their own way. I will never have the ability to understand the life of an only child (which may be a blessing for them) because I've never been one. I'm the third of four.

I have a big brother who has always been practical and protective of his younger siblings.
I have a sister who (aside from the time she wanted to give me away because there was a new baby in the house and she was "finished with Benjie") has always understood and loved me.
I have a younger brother who has always been good to listen and (when we were young) play the games I suggested.

In their own right, each of them has grown to be a person of deeper faith; marrying God-loving Christ followers which allows for their own homes to be filled with the same kind of influence in which we were all reared. What a great blessing to have such siblings. I am thankful.

Just because my daddy was a preacher doesn't necessarily mean that he is a godly man. But because his greatest concern is to share the love of Jesus Christ with those around him does. I would have to say, though that the most godly (godliest?) person I know is not my preacher father, but his wife--my mother.

I'd tell you her age, but then some of you would make comment about me instead of wishing my beautiful Blushing Bride a wondermous birthday. So, instead I'll just say, "Happy Birthday, my Love!" (she's *29* today!)

I'm not very good at saying
     What I've got upon my mind.
For better ways I now am praying
     To say these things the words I'll find.
You have brought me
     Up and taught me
Things I know were meant to be.

I am not the only kiddo
     That you've helped to grow up right.
I've still got to grow, and you know
     Your strength will help me win the fight.
This my tribute
      However minute
Is to you and my family.

(1980)

Bubba had to have a breathing treatment as Christmas Day wound down. Aunt Liz got a video of his demeanor during the process:

All of the children were in the Christmas program @ MGES this year. Here are a few of the selections-- (1) starring Little Bit; (2) featuring Bubba; and (3) the whole school (K-6). [Sorry, I didn't get the camera set right to feature Puddin' N Pie's class by herself.]

For a quick pause from our Christmas music, I'd like to share a couple of videos with you. You see, Bubba had a birthday recently and one of his gifts was a real treat. To introduce this gift, I want to share David Gates and Bread's version of "Guitar Man"



And  now for the REAL Guitar Man:

Today is Bubba's birthday - He is a Star Wars/Transformer fiend--actually anything with laser weapons or mechanical men or aliens will do.

Bubba, pictured here with Puddin 'n Pie and Lincoln (Photo taken earlier this year in Vandalia, IL)

Happy birthday, Bubba!