The Weight of Good

Today: the day we've been waiting for. For 3+ years in one way, for 12 years in another way... for what has seemed to us a very, very, very long time. Today, in a court hearing to finalize Eva's adoption, legally conveyed on Eva were all rights and benefits of a daughter born to us. And on us, all the responsibilities of a birth parent.

Of course, we needed no court to tell us she is our daughter, or we her parents; our hearts tell us these things. But there is a beautiful finality in having this good, right, God-ordained relationship recognized also by the laws and government of our land.

There is a certain weight to the best gifts God gives us. Like holding a piece of jewelry that is truly gold - or a vase that is truly crystal. You know that it represents something true and valuable. In its earthly endurance, it hints at something of eternity; something that is truly lasting. All of us have received such gifts, perhaps in different measures.

What astounds me is the ordinariness of the days in which these gifts pass into our hands. Today is just a Tuesday. Just another 24 hour period in temporary earthly lives that could maybe last 70 years or so. But gifts like these spark the mundane like sunlight on a breeze-swept lake. What an amazing paradox God has created - that things which speak of eternity enter in so naturally here, bringing joy and hope to a temporary world. Still, the gift of this child: only a glimpse of the weight of His greatest Gift.

Jesus: the weightiest gift of eternity bestowed on those who, in body, are perishing. And the day of His birth - was it an ordinary Tuesday? - another 24 hour period. But how long, how long, had the world awaited His coming. And how long we wait still - for the fulfillment of that coming. It makes me look harder, watch more intently. Eternity will reach again into this dying place. (Actually, He dwells here among us even now - God in our place). May all of us be ready and reaching back. Come, Lord Jesus.

12 Steps To Save The Day

1. Before you can save the day, it has to be in a steep downward spiral. Nothing says potential like leaving a full container of Vaseline on your toddler's bedside table.

2. In middle of night, find toddler's bed, carpet, bedside table - AND HAIR - full of petroleum-based (non-water-soluble) Vaseline.

3. Return to bed and leave mess till morning. Be sure to set alarm earlier.

4. Rise early and throw toddler in bath. Wash hair multiple times making no dent in said Vaseline.

5. Rush child to daycare prior to work. Resist temptation to care that everyone she comes in contact with will think you haven't washed her hair in a month.

6. Enlist hubby to research Vaseline removal, and purchase needed removal supplies: (cornstarch, coke, eggs, peanut butter, Dawn, Tide, etc.)

7. Return home to find 7 web articles on Vaseline removal; at least one recommending shaving child's hair off.

8. Notice bottle of Goo-Gone as you grab the 409 to clean countertops.

9. Notice bottle of Goo-Gone has warning that it contains petroleum distillate. Hmmm... Lightbulb moment!

10. Spray Goo-Gone on paper towel and carefully apply to hair (not skin) of devilishly/angelically laughing/screaming child.

11. Rinse hair with Pantene Clarifying Shampoo and blow dry.

12. Presto-chango! Petroleum hair, schmetroleum hair. The day (and imminent 4th b-day pictures) is saved!!

Birthday Girl

Sometimes, with all the partying around here, it can get a little hard to tell who the 'Birthday Girl' really is. I'm just sayin'...

Love At First Snow

The Condensed Version

Each morning, first thing on the agenda is a Bible story with Eva - and a quick prayer. 'The Beginner's Bible' we have for toddlers is wonderful, but still a little involved for one so new to English. Lately, I've been thankful - and somewhat amused - at how easily we're able to translate Bible stories into Eva-digestible condensed versions. Here are a few examples; maybe you'll even be able to guess which stories they are...

1. Naughty snake; bad apple.
2. Big boat; two elephants; raining, raining.
3. Jacob sneaky; Esau hairy.
4. Baby hiding; water, basket.
5. Bush, HOT! God talking.
6. Hitting rock; water out!
7. Loud trumpets; wall falling!
8. Naomi crying, Boaz kissing.
9. David's rocks; mean giant fall down.
10. Lions grrrrrr; no bite!

Her First Day...

A letter from Eva's first day of 'day care':

E&V-

We are having a wonderful day. Eva is so smart, and fun. We have been reading books and doing activities about colors, letters, and shapes. I'm so surprised and thrilled about all the letters she already knows. She picked out an "E" and an "M" and an "A" for me today. She also correctly identified something yellow! I get a huge kick out of every shape being a "triangle!" Her vocabulary has increased so much since last week already. She loved music time, and really liked the song where we included everyone's name.

I can't believe how well she does at waiting for the whole group before we go outside, and already she is understanding the concept of turn-taking. (She's not always ready to DO it however, which is very typical for a three-year-old!) She is definitely checking me out for boundaries, looking at me when she does something she is not sure about, or looking to see if she can get away with something when I have told her "no". I love that she is getting comfortable enough to do that! She does listen VERY well when I reaffirm the boundary and redirect her.

I don't need to tell you that she has this amazing energy. She makes everyone around her smile. She is extremely likable, and all the girls are making deals about whose turn it is to sit by her.

She asks about you some, and loves to know the schedule leading up to your return. She has been showing everyone your picture all day. She speaks of you both with such love and enthusiasm.

Eva is awesome at cleaning up, and wanting to help.

I absolutely love your daughter! Thanks so much for letting me be a part of her life. I feel so blessed to have her here twice a week. She truly is amazing.

-inthestory-

T... what a precious friendship; what an amazing gift. Thank you for loving our daughter and so eagerly taking on this key role in her little life. She is so precious to us - and we are truly happy that she is with you during these times each week. We're finally here and God has so obviously done this! We love you and are full of gratitude...

In the Moment, Over Time

Ever have one of those life 'moments' where you get a glimpse of where you are - and, with it, where you've come from seems less important, serving only to magnify the beauty of the moment you're in? Today is one of those days for me. In this moment, I am aware of the following things:

1. There is much to be thankful for.
2. Precious few things are worthy of fear.
3. Love covers over a whole bunch of crap.
4. Time heals deep hurt.
5. Grace is afoot.
6. Joy comes with wanting what we have.
7. In God, nothing is wasted.
8. The good stuff is just a taste of what's possible.
9. Thank God He doesn't always give us what we think we want.
10. The Peace to come might look different than what we thought.