Lillian Rae's Baptism

Sunday, July 21st was a very important day for Lilly - the most important day of her life so far.  On Sunday she was baptized and became a child of God.  Her sins were forgiven (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16), she was rescued from death and the devil (Romans 6:3, Galatians 3:27), and received the gift of eternal salvation (Mark 16:16, Titus 3:5) through Christ's death on the cross.  Through the water and the Word spoken, Lilly received the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will create faith in her heart and strengthen that faith as she grows and learns more about God.  Our job as her parents and Godparents are to encourage that faith by bringing her to church, reading the bible at home, and answering her questions.  We are so thankful that Lilly's faith journey has begun.  It was such a special day.  One of the highlights for us was a surprise solo sung by my step-father, David.  The words to the song were from Jeremiah 29:11 - our wedding verse and theme for our family.

The VBS kids started the service by singing.  Liam just stood up front and took it all in.  I'm not sure of he was nervous, or just trying so hard to be good.  We gave him a big talk before church about behaving during Lilly's baptism.  He knew all the words and motions - he had been doing them all week.

Liam stood on a step stool next to the baptismal font and watched the baptism.  He did an amazing job!  We were so proud of him.  I remember doing the same thing when Remington and I were baptized.  I was three at the time too.  I wonder if Liam will remember Lilly's baptism.

Grandma & Grandpa Herman

Grandma & Grandpa Kusch

Grandpa & Nana Hart

Lilly's Godparents - Rick & AnnaMaria Hart

Our beautiful blessings!

our childrens' true personalities - Liam is full of energy and Lilly is our little lady

As I watched Lilly walk down the aisle I thought about walking down that same aisle when I married Dave.  God willing, Lilly will walk down this same aisle for her wedding day.

Our beautiful China doll

We bought her this dress in China.  It was hard to find a dress that was all white, but we think the Water Lilies are appropriate.

Lilly and Verona (Rick & Anna's daughter) having fun in the garden

They are six months apart in age.  I'm sure they will be great friends!

We bought Verona a dress in China too.

Liam had a great time at the party, but was disappointed there wasn't a Buzz Lightyear cake, like he requested.

This Water Lily bloomed at Denny & Carol's house the day of the party - perfect!

God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It

Stanza 1

God’s own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ!

He, because I could not pay it, gave my full redemption price.

Do I need earth’s treasures many?  I have one worth more than any

That brought me salvation free, Lasting to eternity!

Stanza 2

Sin, disturb my soul no longer: I am baptized into Christ!

I have comfort even stronger: Jesus’ cleansing sacrifice.

Should a guilty conscience seize me, since my baptism did release me

In a dear forgiving flood, sprinkling me with Jesus’ blood?

Stanza 3

Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ!

Drop your ugly accusation; I am not so soon enticed.

Now that to the font I’ve traveled, all your might has come unraveled,

And, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me!

Stanza 4

Death, you cannot end my gladness: I am baptized into Christ!

When I die, I leave all sadness to inherit paradise!

Though I lie in dust and ashes faith’s assurance brightly flashes:

Baptism has the strength divine to make life immortal mine.

Stanza 5

There is nothing worth comparing to this lifelong comfort sure!

Open-eyed my grave is staring: Even there I’ll sleep secure.

Though my flesh awaits its raising, still my soul continues praising:

I am baptized into Christ; I’m a child of paradise!

The Lord will Provide

I have never wanted this blog to be a place where I whine or complain.  I have however, wanted to be honest and real with this blog.  I genuinely want to show what life is like for us.  I was reminded recently that it is important for me to share our struggles as well as our joys.  We are after all human and have similar struggles as those around us.  If it will help others, it is valuable to share our experiences.  I think it's healing to share how God is shaping and molding us.  Had I started this blog sooner (in the years after we lost the twins, before getting Liam) it would be evident to see how much God has changed our hearts and souls.  I think I tend to post more of the happy moments and less of the challenges, because I don't want to dwell on the negative things going on in our lives.  We've been through the worst possible situation already, so we tend not to sweat the small stuff anymore.  This post is meant to share one of the real hurdles for us, not as a means to vent, but as a way to share the power of God's provision.

Finances have always been a struggle with us.  We are both very frugal people and have really tried to be good stewards of what God has given us.  We try to make the best financial decisions possible.  We don't like to have debt other than our house and one vehicle at a time.  I guess you could say we live simply.  We don't eat out, or buy impulsively.  We discuss purchases together before making them.  However, even our best financial planning wasn't enough for the financial curve balls we've been thrown.
When we first started trying to have a family, we learned that fertility treatments were necessary if we wanted biological children.  We wanted to exhaust all options before we moved forward in another direction.  Unfortunately, health insurance does not cover fertility treatments and we had many.  Medication for fertility is also pricy.  Next, we had adoption costs.  Adoption is expensive - no other way to say it.  We have been through cycles of saving, depleting our savings, trying to save again, and on and on.  We have become experts on grant writing and fundraising.  We've had to ask for financial assistance, which is both humbling and helpful.  The other night we sat down and tried to figure out just how much we've spent in the journey to have a family.  I think we've spent over $100,000.   In spite of spending that amount of money we have had a roof over our head and food in our stomachs.  We have never lacked anything we NEEDED.  Yes, we've wondered where grocery money is coming from sometimes, or wondered how we would pay some bills.  But, each and every month God provides.  We have really had to learn how to trust God fully.  Trust is not always easy, but each and every time we have needed God's provision, He has shown us He will take care of us.  There are many examples in the old and new testaments of times God provided for His people.  Elijah (1 Kings 17) had an unending supply of flour and oil.  Jesus fed 5,000 (Matthew 14).  Jesus tells us not to worry about earthly things, because He will provide (Matthew 6).  One of the bible passages that sticks out to me is in Job 38.  Job questioned God and God responded to him by explaining that HE is God, not Job.  We as humans can't fully understand all the ways of God.  The same God who formed the universe is still in control now.  If our powerful God can do all those things, He is also able to take care of our daily needs.  In the bible the name Yahweh-jireh means "Yahweh will provide" or "I AM will provide."  That's it - that's all we need.  After the twins died I remember feeling like everything was stripped away from me (all my desires and dreams), but I still had HOPE.  My hope was not in having a family.  My hope was that in the midst of my sadness I had Christ.  I had hope in an eternity with my Savior, who pulled me out of the shadow of death.  I had hope that even if life were a living hell, I had the promise of heaven someday.  I had my Redeemer who made me for a reason and would provide me with the strength I needed.  Once I was given the opportunity to be a mom, I knew that my goal was to share that hope with my children.  No matter what hell on earth they have experienced or will experience, they have a Savior who loves them to the cross and back.  So, honestly, what is $100,000 in the big scheme of things?  It's just money.  There is no value on earth we can place on having children, but more importantly on being God's children.  Christ paid that debt in full.  We are debt free!
We have been on our knees a lot lately asking for God's provision for earthly things, which we know God encourages us to do (1 Peter 5:7).  He wants us to lay our worries and fears at His feet.  Each time we pray to Him to provide for us He reminds us -

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Three Rivers Parade

We took Lilly to her first parade.  She loved it!  She clapped and waved and enjoyed the views.  Liam loves parades also.  Some of the highlights for him were trying cotton candy for the first time, seeing firetrucks and tractors, and collecting candy and goodies.  Last year we took Liam to two small town parades near us and he was really restless.  We were so impressed with how well he sat and waited.  We arrived at 8:40, the parade started at 9:45, and ended at noon.  That's a long time for a three year old to stay still.  Dave and Liam did walk around before the parade started.  They got free juice and a brownie at the Republican head quarters.  Lilly and I saved the seats.  I had packed plenty of ice cold water, snacks, and a picnic lunch.  We were in the shade for most of the parade, which helped a great deal.  We also had a lovely view of our courthouse.  It was a great day!  We love making memories with our little family.

IPFW Mastadons

"Wook!"

Chinese Cultural Society

(We felt like we were back in China for a moment)

Zoo Trip

Last week I took the kids to the zoo.  It was a beautiful summer day.  The kids were well behaved and had a wonderful time.

Grandma Kusch bought Liam a zoo keeper outfit.  He loves to wear it to the zoo.

I love Liam's face in this picture.  He looks so concerned about Lilly's driving.

looking at the lions

camping out in Africa

Liam fed a giraffe

Liam is having a chat with the ostrich.

Of all the ponies, Liam picked the smallest one - poor pony

It was a hot day, so Liam enjoyed the misters.

Lilly got comfortable too.

Family Field Trip to the Wellman Farm

Liam has been asking all summer to go to the farm.  So, we called the Wellmans and asked if we could come for a visit.  Liam was SO excited!

"Wook Mom, kittens!"

Lilly wasn't too sure about the cows at first.

(This brown and white cow will be in our freezer in a couple months)

Liam was especially excited to see all the farm equipment.  He wanted to sit in the cab of each tractor.

Even Lilly liked sitting on the tractors.

Since we were out near Woodburn, we decided to stop at the John Deere shop.  We were surprised how many toys they had.  Liam picked out his favorite truck, an excavator.

Lilly really did enjoy sitting on the little tractor, even though it doesn't seem that way by looking at her facial expression.

It was a great Family Field trip.  Our adventurous little man loved everything about the farm.