As I tucked the children into bed and we said prayers, a wave of emotions over took me. It was the final time I would kiss our children goodnight here. As a producer, I have been in get it done mode. I wasn't expecting these emotions or the flood of memories. But the children needed to process what was happening and I am thankful that they led me down this path with their questions.
"Was I nervous when I moved here from China?"
"Who will live here? Will we take our cups, bathtubs, paper, and.....? Where will you sleep at the new house?"
"Will you rub my back an extra long time tonight? Our last time here?"
And so I feel a need to write these things down. I don't ever want to forget.
In this house, Jimmy and I planed our dreams for the future. We have had more late night conversations on this screened porch than any other location in the world. We have grown as individuals and as a couple. We have fought. We have loved. We have laughed.
In this house, we brought home our first baby from the hospital. We first felt the overwhelming gift of love God gives us in a child. We have watched her grow into an 8 year girl full of life, passion and creativity.
In this house, we made the decision to adopt. We brought home a beautiful two year old boy from China and labored through the early days, weeks and months as we all celebrated and grieved. We have watched him grow into an 8 year old boy full of smiles and kindness; a peacemaker among siblings.
In this house, God told us there was a third child for our family. Through her he began to open our hearts to trust. We brought home this gift from Ethiopia and watched as she taught us about Joy. We are amazed that our baby is now a four year old full of laughter, curiosity and presence.
In this house, a small group of people that hardly knew each other dreamed of a church where people would love well and live differently. They came together here and shared their lives.
In this house, a community of friends have surrounded us. They have welcomed us home with each of our children. They have prayed with us and for us. They have been here to paint, to build, and to repair. And now they have come to help us move. We have been blessed in this house with a family of friends that we know would (and have) dropped everything to support us.
And let's not forget...in this house, there have been some Epic parties.
"Was I nervous when I moved here from China?"
"Who will live here? Will we take our cups, bathtubs, paper, and.....? Where will you sleep at the new house?"
"Will you rub my back an extra long time tonight? Our last time here?"
And so I feel a need to write these things down. I don't ever want to forget.
In this house, Jimmy and I planed our dreams for the future. We have had more late night conversations on this screened porch than any other location in the world. We have grown as individuals and as a couple. We have fought. We have loved. We have laughed.
In this house, we brought home our first baby from the hospital. We first felt the overwhelming gift of love God gives us in a child. We have watched her grow into an 8 year girl full of life, passion and creativity.
In this house, we made the decision to adopt. We brought home a beautiful two year old boy from China and labored through the early days, weeks and months as we all celebrated and grieved. We have watched him grow into an 8 year old boy full of smiles and kindness; a peacemaker among siblings.
In this house, God told us there was a third child for our family. Through her he began to open our hearts to trust. We brought home this gift from Ethiopia and watched as she taught us about Joy. We are amazed that our baby is now a four year old full of laughter, curiosity and presence.
In this house, a small group of people that hardly knew each other dreamed of a church where people would love well and live differently. They came together here and shared their lives.
In this house, a community of friends have surrounded us. They have welcomed us home with each of our children. They have prayed with us and for us. They have been here to paint, to build, and to repair. And now they have come to help us move. We have been blessed in this house with a family of friends that we know would (and have) dropped everything to support us.
And let's not forget...in this house, there have been some Epic parties.
