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.