China - Travel day 2/19-20/11

Wow! I left Charlotte at 7am. The moon setting during the sunrise was beautiful - the ball of white on a pastel background. We flew over the Charlotte Motorspeedway and it is as big from the air as it is from the ground.  The flight offered us peanuts - something most airlines don't anymore and I chuckled to read that the bag warned that it was packaged in a plant that processes peanuts and other nuts. 

Once at JFK I had to walk outside to change terminals. That was different. I arrived 30 min. early so I was able to go to my friend's apt on the Upper West Side earlier than planned. Andy and I had an AMAZING visit. We chatted. We prayed. We walked through Central Park in the snow and she treated me to a yummy Indian lunch. We've known each other for 17 years!! 

I met up with the rest of the team back at JFK and we hopped on our flight to Beijing. After a 13 hour flight where I managed to sleep 6 solid hours and a few more scattered here and there we arrived in Beijing.  Immigration was a breeze. Checking into our next flight was easy also. One gal was missing one of her suitcases. Hope it shows up soon. 

Then we flew to our final destination and  marveled at all the New Year decorations in the airport.  We chatted and grabbed luggage as it went around and around and around. I was so busy talking that I didn't notice that my bags were not there ... until an agent came up to us and told us all the luggage had arrived. Both of my bags decided to take the scenic route from Beijing. I know they are in China ... somewhere!!!!  We completed paperwork. Our translator helped and was amazing. One of the gals is letting me borrow a shirt so I have something clean to wear.  

The hotel is absolutely beautiful!!  The beds are hard as a rock - typical of Chinese hotel beds. The sun is shining this morning as we get ready for our first day after 4 hours of sleep in a bed. 

God is good and is taking care of everything. Please pray that all of our bags arrive intact today and that we are able to have an excellent first day at the orphanage. 

Going to China

I am going to JinJinag, Fuzhou, China on Sat., Feb 19 to help train teachers who work with special needs students in orphanages.  Please pray for the 4 of us traveling and for the teachers and students that we will be working with. I will post updates as I am able. 

EQ - Citizenship Day 6/2006 & Gotcha Day 5/30/2010

Preschool Graduation - with her teachers from

Wesley Chapel Child Development Center

6/4/2010

Easter Sunday / TA's 5th Gotcha Day

April 4, 2010

EQ and TA - of course they coordinate!!  

They also got baptized today and TA took first communion. A big day for all!!!

Pastor Ed and Pastor Fran at SOJ. 

TA almost started a fire.  

Thankfully someone was praying with their eyes open!

overheard ...

T: You broke it. 

E: I know that. But I don't know how to fix it. 

T: That's 'cause you aren't a fairy.

The Great Church Hunt

We have had a frustrating time looking for a church as I have typed about on here.  I am happy to say that The Great Church Hunt is O-V-E-R!!!  Of course God knew where we would land.  And we, being the stubborn sort of human that we are...ignored him.  Until he knocked us upside the head with a 2x4!

We are going to pursue joining Spirit of Joy.  It does feel like home. It is a church where a person can be real. the kids are loving it. We are meeting people. S and I are in a bible study.  The pastor truly 'pastors' and cares and you KNOW it without a doubt.  They welcome people to come in and pray and talk to God in the sanctuary. (and sometimes cry, scream, yell) 

So, if you come visit us, expect us to invite you to join us at Spirit of Joy...our new family.

Happy 6th Birthday in heaven

My little boy, Lucas David, would have been 6 years old today.  He was born still at 2:01am on Saturday, January 24, 2004. He had pudgy little cheeks meant for squeezing. wispy black hair.  And he was a linebacker already at 8 pounds 13 ounces and 21 inches long.

God, for reasons unknown to me, took him from my womb where he grew and leapt and slept straight to heaven. This image is the one I hold of my peapod.  And despite this journey of grief that I am currently on, I WILL hold him in my arms one day. I know that!  It is a hope that I cling to...

I created a new blog for a bible commentary I am following and a year long project I am undertaking.  You can find Streams of Consciousness in a Desert Land here

This will still be the place to go for fun photos and all the normal Kramer Crew antics!

How did it happen??? My baby girl is 5!!!  

Pink from head to toe...

...a total knockout - look out boys!