Summer fun!

A new, fun swimsuit is worth it for this "fish"!














An end-of-season soccer party that ended up being more football, swimming, and beanbag than soccer!



They found out that you don't really make a lot of money when you have 5 workers each shift of the lemonade stand!

Helpful tips on attachment issues ~

Although all of our friends and family see both kids as very well adjusted and endearing (as WE have also professed so many of the previous months), we have still had our difficulties at home with one of them. The issues are somewhat mild, but tough on the heart. As we struggle to work through attachment issues that are so common with children whose needs were not met in their early years, we found the helpful tips in the given website. Research shows that one of the most difficult issues with attachment disorders is that a family's support network does not see the same issues with the children. That, in itself, is part of the disorder. The child attaches more easily to others than the parents. Then, at home, they lie and manipulate and lack affection for their new parents. They have very low self-esteem and rely heavily on help from other adults, pretending to not know answers, etc.

So, in keeping with our vow to share openly with readers, we admit this struggle. We want to offer an honest reflection on this adoption experience. Soooo many more pros than cons...but hurdles around every corner, even 18 months after their arrival "home."

Read this article for some great tips on parenting your own child with attachment issues: http://www.attachmentdisordermaryland.com/parenting.htm

Encouragement as summer begins ~

Before I tackled the craziness of a new summer routine, I opened the Bible for some encouragement. As always, God spoke exactly what I needed to hear, through the words of Timothy:

1 Timothy 1:12 "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service."

This passage reminded me two things. First...whenever people say to me, "How do you do it?!" or when they praise Bruce and me for what we've done through adoption, I need to take the opportunity to tell them that it has only been by God's strength. There is no other human explanation, because this has required EVERYthing Bruce and I were lacking: 1) patience, 2) the ability to put God in the driver's seat, and 3) total trust in God for direction.

Secondly, this passage reminded me that God called me to this mission because he "considered me faithful." He knew it would force me to rely even more on him. He also knew it would further his kingdom in so many behind-the-scenes ways. When I share this adoption story, I can literally see people's minds clicking and hearts stirring. It is as if their spirits were starting to whisper, "I want to do something big. What can I do? Where would I get that strength?" THAT is where the Holy Spirit begins to do its work.

So, at the beginning of what is sure to be a busy (and sometimes stressful) summer ~ I still thank God for his trust in me...for these 4 precious souls that he entrusted me with. I know he waits for me each day to turn to him for strength. May he tug at me each morning to seek peace of mind through reading the Bible. Only with his help will I be able to do him even a bit of justice on this Earth.

I concluded my short devotion for the day, reading two verses farther:

1 Timothy 1:14 "The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."

Sooooo, I should be able to do this...right?! :)