The Fantastic Four

Well, suddenly my garden is bursting in bloom! Over the last few weeks God has been doing some incredible things and soon my oldest daughter and her husband will be bringing FOUR little boys home. Our whole family is excited about how God has brought us through this journey, one that started nearly two years ago. Audra and Brian met the boys over dinner just a few weeks ago and they came for a weekend visit not long ago. We all know that their lives AND OURS is about to change forever. We are so excited about the adventure ahead and covet your prayers. I will do my best to keep my 'garden news' posted frequently to let you know how my garden is growing. I won't get to actually meet the boys face to face until April 5. You can't imagine MY anticipation. Like Audra, I'm scared, excited, apprehensive, thrilled... about being Gigi to the FANTASTIC FOUR!

Frogs and snails

As I write this, four little sweet ones are sleeping. I bet Audra and Brian are NOT. They are too excited. I can hardly wait to hear how the weekend goes. Trying to wait patiently.

Meanwhile, I've been unpacking wall pictures today - some of which I haven't seen in nearly five years. They were packed up in Africa for three years and once they all arrived here in Singapore there was no room to hang them. So they sat packed up for two more years. Most of them are pictures of my own little ones. Glamour shots... just fun stuff... and even some pictures that I had when my children were born.

One - is a cross-stitched piece that someone did for me when Ross was born. I wonder if he and Stephanie would want that?

Can't wait to have new wall photos of grandchildren! Oh, my. the very thought...

Lord, make the weekend last and make the memories wonderful!

Seeds are planted

Seeds are planted in my little garden and in no time at all, I suspect you will be able to see the little sprouts poking their heads out from under the soil! I am so excited about my little garden! I know that each little plant in it will be different - and yet each one has been created to bring glory and praise to the Gardener Himself! I have already been praying (for years actually) that these little ones will be useful in a mighty way!

As I contemplate these little seedlings, I can't help but think about the three original plants in this garden... my children. I have the MOST amazing children and every day I am so blessed by them...by their walk with the Lord... by their faith and courage... and by their obedience to His will.

My little peanut - struggling to become a woman dependent on Him alone and yet so strong in Him she doesn't even realize it. Wow. She inspires me to bring joy in the lives of others the way she has brought it into mine.

My Bud - a man now - and in just a few months - a husband. His quiet spirit, his tenderness - he reminds me so much of my own daddy (whatever blows your hair back!). He is a servant. He has the best hugs in the world (and I need one right now!) He challenges me to be more than I am (InDesign and all) and to never give up.

Boot - my strong willed child, independent, courageous - and ready to bring a whole mission field right into her home. Give her a task - she is on it. Give her a challenge - she will make the impossible seem possible. Of all my children, she is the one who reminds me most of myself. She speaks truth... unapologetically. (Okay, that part of her doesn't remind me of me!) She gives me courage to try a little harder, to burst through the boundaries, to expand my territories.

With all of these "plants" who have come before - what a beautiful environment to bring these new little seedlings into! They have no idea how they are about to be blessed. We have no idea how they are about to bless us! We are ready to change their lives and we are ready to be changed!

I'm watching for those little seedlings to part the ground ... any day now!