Mung Chua Nam Moi

Christmas Morning...look at our little angels looking for the reindeer tracks from Santa!! It was a great Christmas for our "babies." You might be able to see through the window, we have a little snow outside. It was the first time in 100 years that N. TEXAS got a white Christmas!!

Look at these happy faces with cool gifts:

Joseph = hockey gear;

Maile = rock star guitar & sunglasses;

Sammy = new basketball

Grandma Lizzy enjoying her grandkids...and holding picture ornaments.

Look how cute our Joe Joe Hockey Star is...He is so adorable, striking, ready for the ice and now stands taller than me!!! Oh how I love my "babies." They are the light of my life and gifts from God far more than I could ever ask for or deserve.

Chua Mung Nam Moi = Merry Christmas & Happy New Year in Vietnamese

We pray God holds you throughout the New Year and tells you WHO you are, not the "things" of this world or by people, status or jobs... Jesus Christ came INTO THIS WORLD to be a light and offer HIS gift of salvation for all those who open & receive His gift. May you KNOW He died on the cross for your sins and rose again to have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Whoa...where did JUNE go???

27 JUNE 2009...Yes, I know it's been a long while since my last entry...I don't know even know when the last one was. My American "blonde" twin Heather in GA says I need to update my blog so here is the BRIEF re-cap of the last 2 weeks in a tailspin, crazy, mind blowing but give GOD ALL THE GLORY events!!!!

God totally made me step OUT of my comfort box and into the arena of NOT only PUBLIC SPEAKING event, but share about MY PERSONAL JOURNEY of being adopted and then adopting our daughter, just over 2 years ago, March 2007. I had the distinct honor to be asked by Dillon International Adoption Agency to be the KEYNOTE SPEAKER to Vietnam Heritage Weekend this past JUNE 13, 2009!!! Yikes, I had NEVER spoken over 3 mins. in my life, did they even know this before asking me??? There was pressure leading up to getting ready for my DANCE studio annual season-ending concert, then this speech thrown in ONE WEEK before my Student Concert!!! God is good, He let me share slideshows, pictures, my heart, my fears, my story...past, present and future. I could learn some things I'm sure, but overall very well recieved by all. BEST compliment of all was when JERRY DILLON, himself (upper RT in pic), that I emotionally engaged the audience and he thinks I have a natural and hidden talent in PUBLIC SPEAKING!!! wow!!!

This adorable picture of Maile & Alex reunited from days in the Ninh Thuan Orphanage...the 3 little boys that Maile hung out with in the orphanage were back together again, out of their SANTA outfits and into "All American" clothing. CUTE as can be....SWEET as American Apple Pie!!!

I believe that Maile was prepared in being "trained up" to handle her BIG brothers here in TEXAS with the help of her playmates - SAMUEL (Left of Maile in Pic) and ALEX (Rt of Maile in Pic) with her Big brothers (on top of pic). Wow, as I shared in my speech, the FINGERPRINTS OF GOD has carried me through many hardships, heart breaks, blessings and honors in my life. And I see HIS HAND in it all when I kiss my babies good night...and then again in the morning!!! I am humbled to be Joseph, Samuel & Maile's Mommy...FOREVER!!!!

To my "Joe Joe," "Sammy Shoe Shine," & "Smiley Maile"....wow, to share my life, dance studio, passion in ministry to lead and love others, our dreams, hopes and fears...together--- I THANK YOU. We had an AMAZING year end concert, one week after my speech. Sat. June 20, 2009 we had almost 2 SOLD OUT shows (approx. 600 seats) to cheer, love and support my Encore DANCERS!!! I KNOW God was FAMOUS that day as we rocked the house for HIS glory...DANCING with PURPOSE for Him!!! We serve a Mighty God.... Heather, you're right... Jer. 33:3 "Call unto Me, I will answer you and show you Great and Mighty things that you do NOT know..." I made it through a tough season, leaning, crying and seeking God. He was FAITHFUL to show me HIS ways, HIS love, HIS truths. I cannot wait for a NEW season at Encore...renewed, stronger and better than ever!!! Yay God!!!

I come...Just as I am...

Today 3 9 2009 my heart aches on many fronts, it's a season of growth for me...and I am feeling the growing pains. I have had to come to learn to stand on my own 2 feet, finding my identity in Christ alone...no one else, not my husband, mom, family, friends, job, etc... We had an "Encounter" with God at church this past weekend and it was humbling and encouraging to feel God's presence. It is VERY hard for me to wrap my brain and heart around HIS blood was shed for ME too, there is forgiveness for me as well. I DO have the Faith of a MUSTARD SEED, so I thought that alone would be enough. However, I know the enemy is trying to weigh me down, I feel I'm under attack. I KNOW the Enemy will NOT win, but my heart is searching healing, love, grace and peace...

My American blond, sometimes red head "twin" Heather shared with me this past summer the SIMPLE ASIAN VERSION of a verse that I have come to find great peace & comfort in, " Call unto me and I will answer you & show you great & mighty things that you do not know..." (Jer. 33:3)
Where there is brokenness, I am seeking God to restore...
Where there is betrayal, I am looking to God for trust in the truth...
Where there is rejection, I am searching to God for acceptance...
Where there is guilt & shame, I am praying for God's grace...
Where there is loss, I am hoping for God to fill me...
Where there are fears, I am waiting for God's peace...
Where there is lonliness...I am counting on God to hold me...
Where there are tears...I am holding onto God's LOVE...


2 years ago we were packing and anxiously anticipating our travels to get our baby girl, Thuy Trang from VIETNAM. We would be traveling to meet lifelong friends, the Willis Family - Jason & Heather, who would be receiving their first born son!!! THIS SAT 3/14/09 We (& total 4 other families around the USA from our agency) will be celebrating our 2 years anniversary of our "GIVING & RECEIVING DATE" of getting our babies FOREVER!!! Wow, look at how amazingly well Miss Maile Girl fits into our family of 5 now!!! She is tenacious, sassy, incredibly sweet & sensitve, determined, so smart and most importantly...FOREVER OURS!!!!

Here are our sweet babies from last spring, true love...forever true!!! Could I even imagine it getting any better than this?? I think not.. We love you Joseph & Samuel & Maile Noel...we are honored & privileged to be your parents. We thank God for you everyday!!! We pray to the core of your souls, you know how VERY MUCH we LOVE YOU & so PROUD of you, not what you DO in life, but WHO you are in Christ!!!!


One of my FAVORITE pictures of Maile with dance friends, Taylor & Savannah, back stage getting ready to dance in Student Concert. How sweet are these glitter girls...ahhhh makes my heart DANCE to see them!!! Encore & these dancers (all of my dancers at the studio) are a dream come true...to see the Handiwork of God in HIS purpose & glory be shown through the ministries in DANCE!!! Wow, THANK YOU GOD!!!

"If they could see us now..." We have all come a long way and continue to strive to serve Him daily. I heard this song today and the lyrics made me cry...just to feel so vulnerable to God, trying to do the best I can...yet it's NOT about MY WORKS on this side of heaven...it's about coming to Him "Just as I am" (by Kristen Michelle Reynolds for lyrics). Here's some of the lyrics:

I wondered how to come to You,
I did not dare believe it true, that You regard the orphaned ones:
beloved daughters, worthy sons,
the broken and the barren too,
I heard I could find some rest in You.

What kind of love in injury's place,
would leave instead the stain of grace?
So I come in sorrow and I come in shame.
I come to the cross with my pain.

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me
and that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Chuc Mung Nam Moi = Happy New Year 2009

Thank goodness 2008 is over and we begin a New Year... Last year was NOT horrible, but not great to be completely honest. It was year of loss, grief, sadness, rebuilding and growth for me. I KNOW God will continue to use me for HIS glory as I push through the pain of change, learning and growing closer to Him and others that He blesses me to be in relationship/ friendships with. Just like my "twin-kie" Heather and my "S.A.V." (Simple Asian Version) of the bible verse: "Call unto me and I will answer you, show you great and mighty things that you do not know..." - Jer. 33:3. I get a sense of renewal in beginning a New Year of HIS Grace, Hope, Love & Mercy...May it bring healing, truth, unconditional love and friendships that are built on HIS foundation of honor, respect and integrity.

This is a poem from Heather that she shared on her blog. Having the honor and privilege to visit our "2nd" family: Willis in GA after Christmas, I see more and more the blessing of seeing the bond & friendship building from Maile & Rocco sharing days from the Ninh Thuan Vietnam Orphanage to days together on this side of the ocean!!! Wow, that is a GIFT from God...and to love & respect the Willis Family even more than we could even imagine for their hospitality, love and generosity is humbling and overwhelming! When you read this poem you will in the following pictures how these littl' lives could grow and heal when LOVE comes into their heart/ lives!!!! THANK YOU GOD for giving us these babies that YOU hand picked for us!!! Forever grateful...Forever changed!!!

Every call has a beginning. A quiet moment when God whispers a promise to a mother’s heart A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts the journey set before him. A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns…Casting its first light on a chosen threshold. A gentle knock..a closed door opens. A sacred invitation sent by the Father..Leads to the other side of the world. Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows Praying for someone to care.. And then one morning, On an ordinary day An orphan’s life changes... God sends them a second chance...Through you.--author unknown


(L to R) Joseph, Drew, Samuel, Maile & Rocco sharing in Sunday Lunch at Jason's Grandparents trailer on their property. As predicted like our last visit in June, everyone got along great...played, laughed, cried, whined :), rested and played some more... It felt like we were "back home with family" on the Willis property/ farm. We love you. THANK YOU....

My Twin-kie, Heather, took my crew and niece/ nephew out on one of her CRAZY go-cart rides...it was a chilly 40 degrees out so they had to bundle up esp. with the crisp winds blowing around in farm country. I decided to sacrifice my spot so there would be room for the kids! :) They had a great time and Sammy asked for an "Encore" performance everyday after... ha! We LOVE you Aunt Heather :)...

Here's a sweet pictures of the Mommies and our babies...Rocco stands just a inch or two below Maile...Rocco's growth in height and words were amazing to see/ hear!!! He has shot up just from 6 mos. ago of seeing him!!! We are back at "Cave Spring" GA - where the fresh spring water flows from the rivers down to the springs from the caves and you can drink "straight from the tap." We enjoyed a "warm front" with weather beaming 60-65 degrees outside with warm breeze and sun rays dancing around us. It was a fun and relaxing am with the "3 Musketeers" - Joseph, Drew and Samuel and our littl' peanuts in tow: Maile & Rocco. They are so precious.

I can only post 4 pictures at a time with this photo program and one of my FAVORITE photos is the last one I took before leaving GA!!! Uncle Jason kissing Maile "good-bye" (I mean, "see you later!!!") How sweet and content is that littl' Maile girl's face with Uncle Jason's kisses on her cheek. Our Maile Noel THUY TRANG took to Jason right away in Vietnam (before "Ba" = Daddy) and it's almost like this kinship she knows/ remembers how strong and safe Uncle Jason feels to her. Feeing SAFE in the arms of a man is my heart's desire ALWAYS for my baby girl...my prayer is God would allow my babies to RUN 2 HIM, Trust in Him, Love & Serve Him COMPLETELY...and feel SAFE in the Palm of HIS hands to carry them through EVERYTHING in life. This side of heaven is so tough...but we serve a Mighty God who will NEVER forsake us. He is ALWAYS wanting relationship with us, waiting for US to go to HIM, not US thinking He has left us...Hard concept for me to wrap my brain around. I have been learning to TRUST everything I have, especially MY HEART, in the Palm of God's hands and NO imperfect "man" here on this side of heaven... (Prov. 3:5-6)

Willis Family: We love you...we thank God for you...(Phil. 1:3) - we can't wait to see you again!!!

xoxo Kim-Lan & crew

If they could see me now...

Picture this: One little Orphan girl, 3.5 years old, 33" and 23 lbs. in Saigon, Vietnam...end of the Vietnam War when Saigon is "falling" and Operation Baby Airlift is underway...this would be the one of the FIRST photos my Mother would receive of me - a snapshot into her future daughter's eyes. During a period of time when there was so much uncertainty, change, chaos...one brave, single woman would have the COURAGE to adopt a little Vietnamese toddler! COURAGE: It is not the action in ABSENCE of FEAR...it is the action INSPITE OF FEAR...

Thank you to my Mom & Grandma for having the COURAGE to raise me and do the best you could!!! Without a father figure or brothers or male role models in my life, I am learning from my God-given friend :) that self-reliance, self worth and self survival comes from leaning and trusting in God through my WEAKNESSES (not just my strengths!) My GA *twin* girl :) - shared a verse with me this past summer that I meditate on now daily - Jer. 33:3 and the SAV (Simple Asian Version) translation = "Call unto me & I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know..."

Little would we realize from the photo above, of my 3 generation women family, would then lead into our 3rd generation adoption legacy. My mom was adopted by my Grandma (& Grandpa, he passed away before I came along) and then my mom adopted me as toddler from Vietnam . Then Oct. 16, 2006 at 5:15pm - this would be the one of the FIRST photos that I would receive of MY daughter- a snapshot into MY future daughter's eyes... If you look closely from MY orphan picture and my orphan daughter's picture, you will see the common "look" of fear, strength, survival and tenacity...However, my daughter would not be the "lonely only" child but have 2 amazing big brothers to protect her and one awesome daddy who loves her and thinks she is sooooo pretty & beautiful. Those are gifts to Maile that will transcend her lifetime...I weep at those thoughts and grateful she will have a different foundation to build her littl' soul from. Thank you God.

This is one of my FAVORITE photos of Maile in recent months. LOOK at her NOW...THOSE EYES!!! WOW!!! Our littl' Thuy Trang is thriving, growing, so beautiful & strong...Her English, verbal skills and comprehension is amazing, she LOVES school, dancing, talking about her "friends" and stands so tall and confident at almost 4 years old and now 35" and 25 lbs. (already ahead of me from where I was at that age!)

Maile Noel: we KNOW God has special plans for your life and we cannot wait to see HIS purpose & will for your life. We are honored you have shared your gift of love, hugs, kisses, joy, singing & pure innocence with us. We pray for you (& your brothers) to receive the greatest gift you could ever get on this side of heaven, the gift of SALVATION, to truly know Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior. We pray Jesus will direct your heart and pathways in life as you TRUST in Him in ALL your ways... (Prov. 3:5-6) While this gift is FREE for you, the rewards are PRICELESS...Please know how very proud we are of all you, Joseph, Samuel & Maile, you are our heartbeat and the reason we live, breathe and work so hard!! We love you forever!!! xoxo your FOREVER MOMMY

Happy Birthday Noc Nguyen

Thurs. 04 Sept. 2008

Across the ocean-across the sea....A life born in Vietnam that would now affect me...
Maile's birthmother birthday is today, is she alone -is she OK? Does she know her baby girl is fine & English is what she says?
Noc Nguyen we thank you for giving us hope, Now with Maile with us- Our rainbow in the storms, we can cope!!!
I am forever humbled & changed by His amazing grace & plans for our lives...
(For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord...Plans to give you a Hope & a Future...Jer. 29:11)


This picture is a freeze frame from a video of Maile being fed at lunch time in Vietnam just months before we would get to feed her!!! She appeared to be so dossle, weak and totally dependent on her care givers...

Now, look at these eyes, Thuy Trang Nguyen, strong & determined to survive all that life gives her. With 2 boy playmates by her side she would be well trained and equipped to fend for herself in the coming days as God prepared her for her 2 big brothers!!!!
Amazed and relieved to make it home on USA soil...Miss Maile Noel snuggled close to me as we passed US Customs and ready to greet family & friends. Of course then the TANGERINE STORY comes into play minutes after this photo (we were NOT so happy!!!) you will have to read March 29, 2007 post to get the full effect of the details that would make me irate & frustrated with Don's confession...(ps - it involves fruit...hence the TANGERINE story!!) Ha ha, NOW we can laugh about it... :) LOL...

We are all settled in as a family of 5. Miss Maile hits the ground runnin' each AM, yelling, "Ba, I'm a awake!!!!" Princess Maile Noel Thuy Trang is the light of our lives, rainsbow in the storms & a joy in our hearts. My kids, all 3 of them, are the reason I live, move, breathe and DANCE!!!! I work tirelessly for them daily because I want to teach them hard work, dedication, commitment, etc. will allow them to pursue their dreams in live and through Christ they can do/ be ANYTHING!!!!! We serve a Mighty God, for that, I'm humbled by His mercies being NEW every AM and His Grace being sufficient for me!!!! THANK YOU GOD for the 3 pairs of eyes that call me, "Mommy!!" - THANK YOU for Encore Centre for DANCE, THANK YOU for drawing me closer to YOU in the trials in life to once again show me, YOU ARE GOD & carrying me in the Palm of YOUR Hands... I love you Lord!!! xoxo

LOCK IN with our Encore DANCERS!!!

We had so much fun FRI Aug. 15, 2008 with our Encore Company DANCERS hangin', playin', cleanin' & "runnin' around town" at 3am...YES, I said 3am. Like in "tradition" of our 2nd annual LOCK IN before our OPEN HOUSE Aug. 16, we walked, visited and shopped at CVS & Walmart!!!! I love my girls, they are PRECIOUS!!!! I KNOW more & more WHY God called me to open Encore...to love, minister, teach & be with these young lives! I'm honored and humbled...

Here were are showing "our guns" - deliriously TIRED and maybe even "slap happy" but I don't know who was slapping who...haha. We didn't even get KICKED out this time :). I guess because last year, I WAS the only "adult" with them and the worker at CVS wanted us to be "supervised." This time Ms. Melissa kept us in line :)...and it was still SO FUN.

Here we are "RUNNING" through the DRIVE THRU at CVS...The Pharmacy was still open & I'm sure the Pharmacist thought we were crazy...probably wanting to give us FREE sleeping pills...ha ha. LOL -- I did NOT post the picture that Olivia took of me trying to order "Pho" (Vietnamese Soup") from KFC... Idk why no one answered my request :). I guess because it was 3:30am and they were NOT open and do NOT make Pho there...Wrong place, wrong time!!!

Finally, after wandering around Walmart, dodging trouble and attention from lurking Police around :) (J/K) and running toward (?) I mean AWAY from sprinklers...we sacked out in the studio... We got a whole 3 hrs. sleep from 430am-730am before I woke everyone up to kick them out to get cleaned up and return for Encore's 3rd season OPEN HOUSE!!! Wow, 2 full years under our belt and God remains steadfast in training me up in many ways at Encore & trusting and leaning on HIM...always!!! (Prov. 3:5-6)

To each of my Encore DANCERS, please KNOW I love you, I pray for you and I KNOW God will do great and mighty things in your lives (Jer. 29:11) - so while you DANCE with me at Encore - I will do all I can to build you up in Mind, Body & Spirit...that you may KNOW "YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS YOU!!!" (Phil. 4:13) I love you. So, here's to movin' on by HIS glory & grace...we DANCE with Purpose!!!!!