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....
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....
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
