I Stand Amazed

I have just spent the last four days standing in amazement as I watched my oldest daughter be a mother! She didn't have nine months to prepare. She didn't have tons of showers to help her prepare for all she needed. She didn't have anyone "instruct" her on HOW to raise FOUR boys. She didn't even have anyone who could really relate to her situation. Oh, yes, she has other friends who have adopted. But most of them already had a child when they adopted or only adopted ONE or TWO children. But two very important things that she DID have: a wonderful husband who is as passionate about these four boys as she is and who feels as called to do that as Rick and I did to go overseas. AND she had/has a wonderful heavenly Father who can give her EVERYTHING she needs. As I sat back and watched her with the FANTASTIC FOUR I was so proud ... so moved by her willingness to sacrifice everything to be obedient to what God has called her to do ... so convicted to spend MORE time on my knees for her and for Brian and for each one of the FANTASTIC FOUR ... so inspired to draw closer to the One who can also give me all I need.

I stood amazed these few days as I watched God's grace pour over this family. There were hard moments, that's true, but there were some incredibly sweet moments ... unexpected hugs, little voices calling me "Gigi", wonderful meals and conversations around the table, playing "Mother May I" as a spelling game, helping dump a trailer of sticks in the woods, cooking a meal with my oldest grandson, changing a diaper after MANY years, ... I could go on and on. Sweet, sweet moments.

I have been praying for my grandchildren for years ... not by name, but with the confidence that they were coming and that God had a wonderful plan for their lives. Now those prayers have faces and names and hopes and a future. They are part of my family. They are changing my world!

Heading for a weekend vacation with them on Friday. Will update later.

In Love

Today I fell in love four times over! How can four very different young men touch my heart in so many ways? There are no words. I am SO blessed. Met my four new grandsons today for the first time. J is such a handsome young man with a vibrant smile. Like all twelve year olds, he's strugging between being a young man and a kid. I so remember Ross at this age... same kind of thing. Wanting to be grown up and treated like an adult one minute and then remembering he is not quite as old as he thinks the next. Lord, be his stability. So much change in his life ... new home, new family, new school ... and all this in the midst of his own body and mind changing. T is so strong-willed, and I say that in a good way - because I know what strong-willed children turn into - people like AUDRA who can do anything they set their mind to... people who God calls to do extraordinary things. Lord, YOU alone can turn T's will to be YOUR OWN. Bring his strength and will under YOUR control. D has the biggest heart you can even imagine. He is so easy going and easily satisfied. He reminds me so much of Brian. Lord, being the third of four brothers is not an easy place. Show him his identity in YOU. Help our family to cultivate the love in his heart so that it can encompass all the new in his life. Little I is a typical two year old and can steal your heart in a moment. He is learning to express himself. Lord, give him the words he needs to do that. They are all sleeping now. Give them a precious night's rest, sweet dreams of Gigi and Grandpa Rick. Take away all of their cares for YOU care for them. Give Audra and Brian the rest they need to begin another day. Give them YOUR strength, YOUR wisdom, YOUR words, YOUR heart. Teach our family how to love these boys in the way that YOU design. We lay our whole family at your feet. Make us into what you want. Bring glory to YOURSELF as we bring praise to You for what You have done and are doing and for the new adventure you have led us on. Our lives will never be the same.

Flowers are in Bloom

Audra and Brian brought our four new grandboys home yesterday. I have talked to them briefly on the phone (as a group) and am excited that Rick and I will get to meet them face to face on Saturday! You can't imagine how excited I am or how apprehensive. I've never had grandchildren before - and now - all of a sudden I have FOUR. My heart is overflowing...my cup runneth over. I promise to keep you updated on the boys. I apologize for not blogging more but I have not been sure what I could write publicly. I would ask you to pray these things for my grandboys:
* for J - peace in his heart
* for T - that he will recognize unconditional love
* for D - comfort and security in his new forever home
* for I - health
* for A - patience and an overflowing of understanding and wisdom
* for B - leadership in guiding this family
Thank you, Lord, for bringing these sweet little boys into our family. Help me to be a good example of your love and mercy. Help me to be the best "Gigi" I can be!