This past year has brought many good changes into our lives. We have now lived in Texas for a little over a year, and we have successfully made this home. The best decision our family made this year was to find a church to attend regularly. In April, we began attending Crossroads Church where we immediately felt welcomed and right at home. As a matter of fact, after attending one Sunday, we decided to try another church or two, but the kids kept telling us that Crossroads was our new church.
We aren't the type to give in to the kids, but in this case, they were right. We visited other churches and soon realized we had found our new church family on that first Sunday in early April. Since we joined the church, we have made many friends who have quickly become like family. We have also become a part of the core of the church body. Gina plays the drums and teaches adult Sunday school often. The kiddos have enjoyed singing on the worship team and even singing specials. It is a blessing to get to watch them grow in the Lord and to see the smiles on the faces of those watching and listening to them.
In 2010, Gina and I started new jobs where we are both thriving. We spent much of the year catching up on medical, utility, and student loan bills that were put on hold due to my unemployment, but God continues to come through right on time and not a minute early. We will start 2011 claiming God's promise of prosperity with the hopes of meeting our financial obligations and beyond that helping others who are in need.
One thing I know for certain: I could never put a price tag on these precious faces! On occasion Zack will ask how much he cost. I never like hearing the question and quickly retort that he is worth a million bucks. And, when I remember the financial valley bringing them home caused, I realize it is but a memory. No part of the debt will ever include any regret. I could never define these precious faces by dollars and cents.
I pray that the Lord will use us this year to help bring others into forever homes full of love. In 2011, we will move into our new home where we will get comfortable for a few years. We pray the Lord will use us in miraculous ways this next year.
For Zack (8 3/4), 2010 was a year of earning all As and grimacing at the occasional B on a six weeks report. His year included building with Legos, K'nex, Lincoln Logs, and anything else that can be assembled. He has also taken to digging up rocks and looking for fossils. His love for science has blossomed, and he has shown a true desire to learn to play the guitar and to sing. He loves to do laundry, and I mean do it all. He separates, loads the washer, dryer, and folds. What a blessing he is to us and will be to his wife, I'm sure! Zack is a deep thinker and just this year, he has begun to open up the inner workings of his heart. He has shared many of his feelings with Gina and me in regards to his life in the orphanage and his memories. The most surprising thing Zack learned this year is that Sophia is his biological sister. Gina and I had no idea that he did not understand this. To see the excitement on his face was priceless. How cool is that?
Josh is 10 now and in the fifth grade. He lives with his dad and spends weekends with us. This is cool because he gets to go to church with us each week. In 2010, Josh started wearing glasses after we found out that his eyes were working 16 times as hard as the average eyes need to work to see clearly. He is getting tall and catching up to Kenny very quickly. Josh still loves video games and enjoys eating spaghetti as much as ever! This year he is enjoying singing in the choir at school. We don't get to spend a ton of time with him, but he is very happy living with his dad doesn't miss a beat transitioning to our house each weekend.
Sophia is 7 now! I can't believe our baby is getting so big. As you can see, she is going to be tall just like Josh. These two are growing by leaps and bounds. Sophia continues to go to school for the social aspects and is still struggling to learn to read. However, her academic frustration level is much lower. Gina and I don't worry too much because Sophia is such a Type A that she will fare well in life even with average grades. Although, we do have high hopes that at some point, the reading thing will just click! Sophia got new glasses this year after we learned that she has nearly no sight in one of her eyes. She wears an eye patch for 2 hours each night in hopes that her bad eye will improve and align itself. Sophia is a non-stop energy ball and rarely is in a quiet restful state, but that is what makes her a great soccer player. :)
Kenny is 15 going on 16 and loves baseball. He also did very well in school earning all As and Bs in 2010. His baseball team went to the championship game, and he also made the off season high school team. He is already planning for his future which includes a summer job in a resort town out of state where he will stay with close friends of ours. Between working and earning, he'll get to boat, fish and camp. He's planning to begin driving in the next year of so which will include his paying his own car insurance. He's determined to reach that goal, and we are convinced that this is what is best for him in the long run. Kenny is also entertaining joining the Coast Guard after graduation. His love for anything that has to do with the ocean is driving him as well as all of the college tuition benefits. He's definitely planning which is a great sign. We are praying that by the time he graduates God will have led him to a well laid out plan for his future based upon what Kenny likes, wants and needs.
Kirstie lives in Nebraska and is getting ready to start her junior year in college. She hopes to pursue a career that involves public speaking. It's hard to believe that she's out there on her own, but we couldn't be more proud. She has spread her wings and flown. We hope for the same for the other four. As sad as it can be at times, we realize our job is to raise independent people who can fly without our help. Oh man, I am not ready for that. Good thing God gives us a few years between each flight.
Sophia is 7 now! I can't believe our baby is getting so big. As you can see, she is going to be tall just like Josh. These two are growing by leaps and bounds. Sophia continues to go to school for the social aspects and is still struggling to learn to read. However, her academic frustration level is much lower. Gina and I don't worry too much because Sophia is such a Type A that she will fare well in life even with average grades. Although, we do have high hopes that at some point, the reading thing will just click! Sophia got new glasses this year after we learned that she has nearly no sight in one of her eyes. She wears an eye patch for 2 hours each night in hopes that her bad eye will improve and align itself. Sophia is a non-stop energy ball and rarely is in a quiet restful state, but that is what makes her a great soccer player. :)
Kenny is 15 going on 16 and loves baseball. He also did very well in school earning all As and Bs in 2010. His baseball team went to the championship game, and he also made the off season high school team. He is already planning for his future which includes a summer job in a resort town out of state where he will stay with close friends of ours. Between working and earning, he'll get to boat, fish and camp. He's planning to begin driving in the next year of so which will include his paying his own car insurance. He's determined to reach that goal, and we are convinced that this is what is best for him in the long run. Kenny is also entertaining joining the Coast Guard after graduation. His love for anything that has to do with the ocean is driving him as well as all of the college tuition benefits. He's definitely planning which is a great sign. We are praying that by the time he graduates God will have led him to a well laid out plan for his future based upon what Kenny likes, wants and needs.
Kirstie lives in Nebraska and is getting ready to start her junior year in college. She hopes to pursue a career that involves public speaking. It's hard to believe that she's out there on her own, but we couldn't be more proud. She has spread her wings and flown. We hope for the same for the other four. As sad as it can be at times, we realize our job is to raise independent people who can fly without our help. Oh man, I am not ready for that. Good thing God gives us a few years between each flight.
Happy New Year from our family to yours!
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