The Evans Family

One Year Ago: July 28, 2010

2011-07-27T07:32:00.002-05:00

One year ago tomorrow my family and I embarked on one of the most incredible journeys ever...traveling 8,000 miles to China to finally bring home our little girl. I can get emotional really easy when I think about how amazing God is, how he has blessed us, molded us in ways that only He could do, how He continues to teach us through the eyes of our children, and how He has used and is using our 38-week-old son Kyler, who never lived outside my womb, for His glory! If you would have asked me in high school what I thought my life would be like almost 20 years later, I would have never guessed this. Mine was always the fairytale story living happily ever after. Certainly I have learned life is hard at times and not always happy. But I am thankful that the joy of the Lord is my strength even through the storms of this life.

What a year this has been!! August 2nd will be our Gotcha Day, the day we held our princess in our arms for the first time. Kylie has taught us so much about how to live. She gives it her all no matter what she is doing! She has survivor skills from being a former orphan that makes me sad that any child should have those. She is learning a lot about the love of Jesus at home and church. We can see God working in her heart by hearing her pray. She looks up to her big brother Karsten and he absolutely adores her. It has blessed our hearts this last year seeing Karsten playing out his role as a big brother. He waited six years to do that.

I have been a Christ follower for 13 years now. I am still learning everyday about what it means to follow Jesus. Following Jesus is the best journey you will ever take. I didn't say it's easy by no means, but God will take you places that you would never expect. This is what this life is all about, being the hands and feet of Jesus. We were created for His glory, to do His will, abandoning our desires to yield to His. I was born a child of wrath, now I am His daughter. I was an orphan, but He rescued me out of darkness and into His marvelous light. God gives each of us special gifts to use for Him. We all have a calling. The last three years God slowly began planting a seed deep in my heart for orphan awareness. That is what I was learning while we were waiting 4 1/2 years for Kylie. God does not waste time. It was a long time for us to wait, but He used that long wait to prick our hearts for something more. My family and I have a passion for orphans. I know that there will always be orphans in the world, but that doesn't justify to not do something. If we just help ONE. It may not be adoption and that's okay because God doesn't call everyone to adopt. However, He does call every believer to care for orphans. Jesus demonstrated His love for us, therefore we need to do the same for others. I am humbled and grateful to be a child of the King of kings. Everything I am, have, and do is all because of Jesus Christ my Savior. May He be exalted in each of our lives!

Recent picture of Kylie

Karsten and Kylie the day after we returned from China

Our New Adoption Journey

2011-05-18T16:11:00.030-05:00

We are blessed and excited that God has us on another adoption journey...this time to Ethiopia!!! Please join us in prayer for our child or children over there and also for our adoption expenses. Adoption is very expensive but we know that God is always faithful and will provide. We are having to get creative for this adoption.

Our family is selling personally designed short sleeve t-shirts to help fund our adoption. There are two designs: one for girls/women and one for boys/men. All shirts are $20 each. All the proceeds go to help cover the fees of our adoption. Please consider helping us out. We are all called by God to care for orphans. So by you purchasing a shirt, you are doing that by helping us bring our child(ren) home from Ethiopia.

The back of each shirt says the same: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...Prov. 31:8 Speak up for orphans

We have very limited Youth sizes. However, we can order more. Please help us offset our adoption expenses while at the same time wearing a shirt that shows orphan/adoption awareness! You can use the paypal button on the right corner of the blog or send me an email.

Please email us at evansfamily97@bellsouth.net and include your name, address, quantity and sizes of shirts. If you are in our area, we can bring you your shirt(s).

Blessings,
Jennifer

Blessed Beyond Measure

2011-03-02T16:03:00.021-06:00

I admit I don't blog like I used to. Maybe that's a good thing. However, five months is too long to go without a post. To say I am much busier is a great thing!

Kylie is 4 now and has had two surgeries since she's been home. Her last surgery was a lip revision on her right side and the doctor also removed the scar that was between her lip and nose. She is recovering well from it. Her next surgery will be later this year when the surgeon will take cartilage from her rib to build up her nose. She will most likely be in the hospital for several days.

Karsten is 9 now and it is great seeing him fulfill his role as a big brother. He loves his little sister, mei mei, and most of the time is very patient with her. It blesses my heart to see them playing together. Karsten is an amazing son. My prayer is that he will hunger and thirst for the things of God and continue to have a love for Him. God has given Karsten something that most children will never experience, the pain of losing his brother. Karsten talks of Kyler often and misses him. He has questions that I can't answer. But that's okay. I think God wants us to know Him more and become more like Christ, than us trying to figure out the whys of this life. We love and miss Kyler each day and that will never change. Having to bury your child is something that seems totally out of order. The great news is that God is making all things new. His works are wonderful and He does give garments of praise out of a spirit of despair. Last week I read something very meaningful out my Beth Moore devotion book:

If God can gain glory through the miracle I've requested, hallelujah! If I don't get my miracle but God gets greater glory, I believe I received the greater miracle with the most dividends. We are most blessed when God is most glorified.

As many of you know, Kylie Hope was born in our hearts through the pain of Kyler leaving this earth to join our Savior. God continues to amaze me. Kylie is a firecracker with an infectious personality. We are blessed to have her as our daughter. She is pretty much fluent in English and has forgotten most of her Chinese already. We still and probably always will say the three things for potty, brush teeth, and bath in chinese. Emotionally, Kylie is doing much better. When we first brought her home she had many 2- year -old like temper tantrums, which is very normal because like other children who live in orphanages, the emotional age does not match the chronological age. In fact, for every year a child is in an orphanage he or she is behind developmentally 4-6 months. So with Kylie living in an orphanage all but 5 weeks of her life, at 3 1/2 years old when we got her, she was emotionally on about a 2 year old level. However, as far as doing things like folding clothes, washing dishes, unloading the dishwasher, she was way ahead of most 3 and 4 year olds. My prayer for Kylie is that she will trust Christ as her Savior at a young age.

Karsten and Kylie both love playing the guitar. Karsten has been taking lessons for a couple years and is doing super. We are seeing in Kylie that she, too, has a natural gift from God for music. Hearing Kylie sing praises to our King is refreshing. She loves to sing to Chris Tomlin's "Our God." She especially loves the verse, Our God is Healer, awesome in power, our God, our God..." I cannot stress enough how perfectly God put us all together.

Kylie's Surgery

2010-10-08T22:59:00.019-05:00

Kylie continues to bring so much joy to our lives. She is a happy little girl who loves life and loves to laugh. I am amazed at how much she is talking and speaking English. Kylie gives some of the tightest hugs and sweetest kisses. She is all about brushing her teeth several times a day plus before bedtime she enjoys fixing all of our toothbrushes, and for an added bonus she may brush our teeth. ;o) Bath times are also highlights of her days, and have been since we got her. As you can see in the picture above, she gets excited about washing dishes. My daughter is all about cleanliness and hygiene.

We bought Kylie her very own pink princess Bible a couple weeks ago. She is so proud of it and asks for her Bible every morning. She loves to pray to God and here lately I have been teaching her the word 'obey'. So now just about every time I talk to her about the Bible and/or God, she will always chime in and say, "obey".

My family and I ask that you please pray for Kylie as her surgery is scheduled for October 19. She had two surgeries already in China, and this one is to repair the hole in her palate. She will be in the hospital for 5 to 7 days including ICU the first night. Her recovery time will be 3 weeks in which she will only be allowed to eat soft foods. We pray that God will prepare her and us for her surgery, that she will have no complications, for peace for all of us, and for God to guide the surgeon's hands. We love our daughter and Karsten loves his sister so much. I get teary eyed just thinking about her surgery, and wondering what Kylie will think when we get to the hospital. We trust God to carry us and we know that ultimately He is in control.

I will end with a video of my sweet girl dancing. She loves to dance to Toby Mac. Love and blessings to you all! (Don't forget to first scroll down and pause the music)

Blessed and Chosen

2010-09-16T14:51:00.007-05:00

We have been home from China now for five weeks. It seems like Kylie has always been here with us. After all, she has been in our hearts before she was ever born. She is doing amazingly well! Kylie Hope is so much like her brother in many ways. They both have a wonderful sense of humor and love to laugh.

The first few weeks were quite tiring with the jet lag but we cannot complain. The nights when Kylie was up during the night led me to think back to what I missed with Kyler. I had a lot of sleepless nights not having him with us and never got to experience the sleepless nights with him here. So with that said, I tried to embrace each time I was up with Kylie. Yes, I was worn out and yes I wanted to sleep, but I knew that all that will pass some day. And as sure as I type this, that has passed because she started sleeping through the night a couple weeks ago.

Kylie is such a sweet girl!! We love her so much and can't imagine our lives without her! She is our daughter and we are blessed so much that God chose us to be her parents before he ever created the world. Plus God chose Kylie to be our daughter. The love I feel for her is exactly the love I have for my sons. We have seen so many prayers answered from God and we thank each of you for praying for Kylie over the years. God definitely prepared her for us. To hear her call me Mommy is one of the sweetest sounds. She loves her daddy and adores her big brother. It's been joyful seeing Karsten getting to play his role as a big brother. He is so happy since he never got to play with his brother.

Kylie sees Kyler's pictures around the house. Every now and then she will point to his picture and say, "Kyler." I know she doesn't understand but I wonder what she is thinking. For now, we just tell her that Kyler lives with Jesus.

Kylie LOVES to be a helper. She never sits down to watch tv. She is constantly playing or looking for ways to work around the house. At night, she wants to get everyone's toothbrush ready. She loves to sweep, mop, vacuum, fold clothes, put the clothes in the dryer, carry groceries in the house, feed the animals, you name it. She is already saying many words such as popsicle, tea, juice, thank you, you're welcome, I love you, bye bye, hello, Bible, God, Jesus, ball, Where did it go?, plus she is singing songs in english. Kylie enjoys dancing and it was so funny the other night. She went to the ipod wich is hooked up to our radio, and was scrolling through. She stopped on Toby Mac and began dancing like crazy!! It was quite hilarious so the four of us have a lot of fun dancing and acting silly together. She keeps us in stitches constantly.

Kylie goes next week to the surgeon regarding her cleft lip and palate. We will keep you posted and we appreciate prayers for her in that matter.

AT LAST...KYLIE HOPE IS HOME IN OUR ARMS!!

2010-08-21T06:53:00.005-05:00

http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site?ID=30340

China had blogspot/google blocked so I was unable to use this blog over there. Praising God for a safe 16 day trip to China and back with our precious daughter/sister!! Follow the link above and then type in the password: kylie2010

Thank you for your prayers and love over the years. You all have been such an encouragement to me.

There are pictures posted on the travel blog above but I will update this blog with more pics soon. God's faithfulness stretches to the skies!!!

The Countdown is On!!!

2010-07-19T09:06:00.011-05:00

SOON we will be leaving to bring home our beautiful little girl!!! We have been overwhelmed emotionally and physically. I remember feeling this way being pregnant with Karsten and Kyler...so excited yet nervous too. My faithful Father has been so gracious and merciful to us. I look back over the last six years and see God's hand in everything. Six years ago when Kyler went to live with Jesus was devastating to us. There were times when I just wanted to give up and I had so many questions that I didn't understand. I still don't understand, but I have learned so much the last 76 months. It is not about my circumstances. It's about who God is and that I am who I am because of Christ in me. God has taught me to depend on Him, to trust His
character, that His will for me is to be more like Jesus, to comfort those who need to be comforted, to cry with those who cry, to pray for those who are hurting, to pursue righteousness, to hunger and thirst for Him, He has given me a desire to adopt my daughter in China, and a desire to see God set the lonely in families. Orphans need homes. It is God's will that we help the poor and needy and to care for orphans.

We humbly covet your prayers as we travel soon. Please pray for:

*good health for Brad, Karsten, Kylie, Brad's parents and me
*safety
*for Kylie to bond well with us and that she won't be afraid
*for the Chinese people to see the light of Christ in us
*all the orphans around the world who have no parents to tell them they are loved

We also deeply appreciate you who have helped us financially over the last few months. We had an additional increase of over several thousand dollars since we started four years ago. We praise God that 800 out of 1000 puzzle pieces have been sponsored!! If you would still like to donate, the money goes toward Kylie's orphanage fee of $5,000 so you are not only helping us bring her home you are also helping other orphans. We will put your name on however many puzzle pieces you sponsor and Kylie will forever see the ones who sacrificially gave to help her come home. God has called each of us to provide for the needy and take care of orphans. Jesus says in Matthew 25:40: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

I am forever grateful for God adopting me into His family through Jesus Christ. He loved me for who I was and still am, a sinner. I am eternally secured in His hands!

Update and Letter to My Daughter

2010-07-07T09:11:00.012-05:00

Last week we received the news we have been waiting to hear in a very long time..."we have your travel dates." We prefer not to post the dates on here but we wanted to let you know that we will be traveling to China soon to bring our precious daughter (and Karsten & Kyler's little sister) home. :o) Let the labor pains begin...

Dear Kylie Hope,

You are my little girl, my daughter who I have been praying for, for 5 1/2 years. I have loved you before God ever created you and I know that He has loved you even more before He made you and formed you in your birth mother's womb. You were born in my heart. You are 100% my daughter as Karsten and Kyler are 100% my sons. I love you so very much. Daddy, Karsten and I pray for you every day and often many times during the day. Karsten is so excited to play with you, his mei mei (little sister). He was 4 years old when we started our adoption process and now you are close to turning 4 in November. We pray that God would comfort you as you leave the only home you have ever known at the orphanage. Plus, you are leaving your dear friends. We know you will be grieving and someday you will probably grieve and have many questions about your birth parents. I hope you know that they love you and wanted what was best for you, just like our loving Father knows and wants what is best for us. We pray for your birth parents and will continue to pray for them. I think about your friends in the orphanage and wonder if they will ever get adopted. Oh how I pray that they will and that God would raise up a harvest of people to adopt orphans. Deuteronomy 10:8a says that God defends the cause of the fatherless. Kylie, God has a great plan for your life. Above all, He wants you to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. We were put on this earth to glorify God in all that we do. While we were made for heaven, this life is just a journey completing the work that God has us here to do. I praise God for how He is sovereign in all things. He brings beauty from ashes...He has in our lives and I pray that He will in your life as well. We love you sweet girl!! You have been loved and prayed for for many years and so many people are anxious to meet you. We will see you soon.

I love you,
Mommy

Please consider doing something. Ask God what you could do to help orphans. What is your local church doing to raise the awareness of orphans? Is it being taught? Is there an orphan ministry? If not, why not? God commands us to care for orphans and widows. Jesus was adopted by Joseph. Moses and Samuel were adopted as well. It's biblical. Most of all, we as believers in Christ were adopted into God's family. We as the body of Christ need to be helping orphans, whether through adoption itself or helping others with the cost of adoption. It is very expensive but it should not be an excuse to not adopt. It is all God's money anyway. This is weighing heavily on my heart so please pray!

We will keep you updated!

Blessings,
Jennifer

Our 3-Year-Old Daughter & Sister

2010-06-16T07:59:00.004-05:00

I have already announced this on facebook, but apologize for being late blogging. Meet Kylie Hope Xuerong Evans!!

Kylie is 3 years old and was born with a cleft lip and palate. She has already had two surgeries and was blessed with a terrific surgeon. We have three pictures of her post surgery, but this is the most recent one. I am not sure how old she is here, maybe 2 1/2. Kylie was abandoned at 5 weeks old under a building. When police couldn't find her birth parents they took her to the local orphanage where she has been ever since. Her first surgery was at 7 months and then her other one at 19 months.

We love her so much and have the past several years. To be able to finally see her has been very overwhelming. I want to hug her and kiss her cute cheeks and put a smile on her face. What is so amazing is that we have been praying for her before she was ever conceived. All along God had her picked out for us. He has used this long wait to open our hearts to a "waiting child." Since before creation, God had chosen her for us and we are so blessed. We are speechless for how our loving Father works in ways we don't understand. Even though Kylie nor any other child will ever replace Kyler, we are forever grateful for God's grace and mercy that He extends to us. He has given us a desire for orphans through the pain and suffering of losing Kyler. There are millions of orphans suffering with no love of a mom or dad and it breaks my heart. Soon there will be ONE LESS orphan in the world.

Update on our fundraisers: We've had an extra $5,000 added to our adoption over the last four years. To help offset this we have been trying to raise this additional money. Praise God for how He continues to provide! We have sold 571 puzzle pieces at $5 a piece, and have made $795 in yard sales and selling birdhouses which totals to $3,650. We only need an additional $1,350 to meet our goal. Please prayerfully consider helping us bring our daughter home. Her orphanage fee is $5,000 so the money you donate will also help other orphans. You can use the paypal button I have set up to the right. Up until now we have never asked for donations or had any fundraisers. God had provided every penny through my husband's bonuses. However, with the economy the way it's been, we haven't had a bonus in 18 months.

I have said before that everyone is not called to adopt, but everyone is called to care for orphans (James 1:27). Jesus is the Father to the fatherless. He loves children and I believe it breaks His heart to see these millions of children without earthly parents to love and care for them.

Please pray that God would prepare Kylie Hope for us. We have sent her a care package with several things, one including a t-shirt with our picture on it. Pray that she receives our package and that she will become familiar with our faces. Pray for good health for Brad, Karsten, Brad's parents and I as we travel to China hopefully in July or August. We will keep you posted. We covet your prayers and appreciate you all following us on our journey...God's journey for our lives.

WE'VE BEEN MATCHED!!

2010-04-22T16:18:00.004-05:00

After 5 years of our daughter growing in our hearts and over 4 years of waiting through the adoption process, yesterday we were matched with our daughter, Kylie Hope. I am not allowed yet to post her picture or her chinese name, but she is precious! To be able to see her face after all these years has been quite overwhelming. Kylie is 3 years old and we trust that God has been taking care of her. She has been prayed for and loved by so many people for 4 years. God has been faithful to us, on the mountain top and in the valley. After my beautiful son, Kyler, whom we miss every day, went to heaven, God gave me the desire and then Brad to adopt an orphan. It is all His work and we praise God for calling us to adopt. I am reminded of the verses that the Lord gave me in December 2004, Psalm 37:4-5, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to Him, trust Him, and He will do this." That verse has been so meaningful to me and it is so true. God is real and I cannot praise Him enough for all He has done in my life.

Thank you all for your kind words yesterday, today, and over the years. HOPEfully, this summer we will be traveling to China to bring our little girl home. I will post more info about her as soon as I'm able to.

Kylie Hope--we love you so much and are truly blessed that God has chosen you for our family and that He chose us for you!!

6 Years with Jesus

2010-03-22T00:00:00.010-05:00

My sweet baby boy, Kyler, we miss you so much. Words can't express the grief and ache we feel. We would love to be able to hold you one more time, and we know someday we will hold you forever. God never said that we would get to choose what comes our way, but He has promised to walk beside us. Jesus suffered for us and will never abandon us.

KYLER BRADEN

K--Karsten and Kylie--your brother and sister--Karsten misses you everyday and talks about you often. He wishes you were here to play with him. Through his pain, Karsten is depending on the Lord and growing to love our Savior more each day. He still continues to have many questions about why God allowed you to leave us along with other questions I find hard to answer. Kylie was born into our hearts after you went to heaven. She is named after you and her middle name Hope was given because of the HOPE we continue to cling to in Christ. Our prayer is that we bring her home from China this year.

Y--Yoke--Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

L--Life--Even though you are not alive on earth with your family, we know and believe that you are alive in heaven, and will forever have life in heaven with our Savior and King. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).

E--Endurance--Romans 15:4, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

R--Rejoice-- Romans 5:2b-4, "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.""

B--Beauty--Since you left this earth 6 years ago, we have seen beauty from ashes. God continues to be at work and is glorified. Isaiah 61:3, "to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

R--Refined--Our faith has been refined and strengthened over the last 6 years. 1 Peter 1:6-8, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

A--Adopted--Your Daddy, brother, and I praise God that He has adopted us into His family when we trusted Christ as our Savior. Salvation depends totally on God. Ephesians 1:5-6, "In love, He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."

D--Days and Denis--Psalm 139:16, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." It's no surprise to God that you would live inside my womb for 38 weeks. God made you, Kyler, to live for such a very short time, but with a great purpose and plan in mind. We don't understand and don't like it, but we trust our Father and continue to walk by faith. God knew you before He ever created you and loves you dearly. About 2 years ago we started sponsoring a child through World Vision named Denis. Karsten picked him out because you and him would be the same age. Denis lives in Albania and it is such a privilege and blessing for Denis to be a part of our lives.

E--Eternal life--1 John 4:11, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." Praise God for His glorious hope in heaven! We find great comfort in knowing that you are in heaven with Jesus and someday we will be reunited as a COMPLETE family forever, in which we will all worship as a family at our Savior's feet.

N--No good-byes in Christ--I'm reminded of Mercy Me's song, "Homesick"

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times...the reason why I'm broken the reason why I cry is how long must I wait to be with you...

Amazing song! Don't forget to first scroll down and pause the other music playing.

I know that when I think of heaven I should first think of seeing Jesus. But, honestly, so many times I think of seeing my precious boy. Kyler is the first one I want to run to when I get to heaven. I'm working on that because I know that first and foremost I should want to run to Jesus. When you think of heaven what do you think of most? Is seeing Jesus number one? Or do you place seeing your loved one(s) above Jesus? It's hard. I think, too, that here on earth I have Jesus with me and the Holy Spirit living inside me. I can talk to my heavenly Father. Yet, I don't have Kyler with me here and can't really talk to him. Oh, I have talked many times to him. Every night before bed I kiss his picture and tell him I love him and goodnight. But can he really hear me? Biblically speaking, I don't think so.

So we continue to walk through life with a limp. God continues to heal us a little bit at a time. My prayer is that we will continue to be conformed to the image of Christ. God put us here on earth for His glory and to make Him known. Heaven is our real home and until then we must fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

Happy birthday, Kyler B.! We love you!!

Care for Orphans

2010-03-08T08:33:00.006-06:00

For those of you who do not know, Kylie Hope, was born into my heart over 5 years ago from the pain of my son, Kyler, leaving this earth to entering the glory of heaven. I have gotten asked so many times, "Why China?" Well, why NOT China, or Africa, or Guatemala, or Bulgaria, or Russia, or America, or Vietnam, or Korea, or...this list could go on. The fact is there are 143 million orphans in the world. Adoption is all about Jesus. I'm not a blood relative of Jesus, yet I was adopted into His family when I trusted Christ as my Savior. God doesn't look at our external appearances, what race we are, but He does look what's in our hearts.

I have never seen my daughter and yet words cannot express the love that Brad, Karsten and I have for her. We have prayed for her for so many years and love her as much as we do Karsten and Kyler. Although we have been waiting for Kylie for over 4 years now, we strongly believe and know that GOD IS AT WORK! He has been doing amazing work in our lives by allowing us to know Him more and giving us a STRONG desire to want to care for orphans and raise awareness for orphans. We want to encourage and see God do incredible work in the lives of others by giving them a desire to adopt an orphan or care for orphans as we are commanded by God to do. It will change your life and you will be blessed. So many people say, "Oh, you're doing such a great thing by adopting an orphan, she is so blessed." When, actually, we are the ones who have been blessed during this journey because God continues to change and mold us.

Many people would do anything to "adopt" a cat or a dog. Why not adopt a boy or girl? Or at least help someone who is adopting by doing a fundraiser for them. Store up a treasure in heaven by helping a family bring their son or daughter home.

God is a Father to the fatherless. If believers aren't going to care for the orphans, then who will? Jesus says in Matthew 25:45, "Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." We need to speak up for orphans. How will they ever hear of God's love?

Currently, the China Center of Adoption Affairs is in April 2006 and continues to move extremely slow. Our log-in-date is July 2006. We are still waiting for a healthy infant girl, but we are open to a special needs girl up to age 5. Please continue to pray with us and especially for Kylie and the other 143 million orphans in the world. Maybe even ask God what you could do to help orphans.

Visit our website to watch a 4 minute video about orphans. http://www.speakupfororphans.com/

Thank you all for continuing to pray with us throughout this amazing journey!

4 Years!

2010-01-17T20:24:00.002-06:00

I would have never dreamed that we would still be waiting for our daughter 4 years after we had our initial meeting at Bethany Christian Services. I am reminded so often that God is not on our schedule. He continues to remain faithful to us as we wait. And as I have said before, we wait with HOPE. That is what we cling to and is what we have clung to since God took Kyler to heaven. It's the hope that is found in Jesus that keeps us going when we want to give up.

Please continue to pray with us as we wait to bring our daughter, Kylie Hope, home from China. Adoption is all about Jesus. God has knitted or will be knitting Kylie in the womb of her birth mother while knowing all along that she will be our daughter, our REAL daughter. God's plans are truly amazing and we have so much to praise Him for. The past nearly six years have been really difficult at times, but it's been through those times that we have grown stronger and depended more on the Lord.

Thank you all for your love and prayers, and for always asking whether we have any news about Kylie. Please pray for Kylie and ALL the orphans around the world to get into a loving family so they will have someone to tell them they are loved.

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

Please Pray

2009-12-15T08:45:00.013-06:00

I know it's been several months since I have posted anything. There's been a lot on my mind and some things my family and I have been in prayer about. First, we are asking you to pray specifically for our adoption process. I have been patient through most of the past 4 years but here lately I am getting frustrated. I don't understand why the China Center of Adoption Affairs is moving extremely slow. I know that there are thousands of orphans in China so why is it taking so long? Just to remind you, our log-in-date is July 14, 2006. The CCAA is finally in April 2006, but they stayed in March 2006 for 6 months! So, do the math, and at that rate it could be another 18+ months for us to wait. At the same time, Karsten is getting older and growing up without a sibling here close in age. He was 4 years old when we started the process and he just turned 8 a couple days ago. Originally, we thought he would be 5 when we traveled to China to get Kylie.

The Christmas season is especially difficult at times. I don't want to sound like I'm complaining because I know I have so much to be thankful for. I have a Savior who knows and loves me and He has blessed me with an incredible family. But I am human and I struggle with things sometimes. My dream of seeing Karsten and Kyler playing together here on earth as brothers is gone. The every day things we do, I think--what would life be like if Kyler was here? Doing laundry, setting the kitchen table, getting Karsten tucked in bed, homeschooling, playing games, and so forth, these are some of the things I miss not getting to do for and with Kyler. Our hearts ache for him and we miss him terribly. Then at the same time, if God had not taken Kyler to heaven then we most likely would not be adopting Kylie. We wish she was here with us as well. In addition, Karsten grieves missing his brother and wanting him here to play with. He, of course, does not understand this long wait to get his sister.

I know that God does things in His own time. I know that. I do trust Him and His timing. I am reminded of so many Bible stories of ones who had to wait on things. Just as God sent Jesus to earth at just the right time, I do believe that He will give us Kylie at just the right time. It's just hard waiting sometimes and we feel like our life has been put on hold.

Please pray for Brad, Karsten and I to:

*be filled with Christ's joy
*to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength
*have patience and endurance
*find rest and comfort in God's loving presence
*comfort others with the comfort He has given us
*trust God's timing in getting Kylie, that 2010 would be the year we bring her home

Also, pray that the CCAA would move more quickly. Pray for orphans to get in their forever families. Pray that Kylie and all the orphans will feel loved and accepted and that God would protect them from harm and keep them safe.

The Christmas season is a joyous time of year and it's also a time of sorrow for many people. Whether you've lost a loved one recently or many years ago, it's something you don't "get over." So pray for the millions of hurting people around the world that they would know the HOPE that is found only in Jesus Christ. And for the suffering ones that do know Christ as Savior, pray that their strength would be renewed and that they would continue to grow in the Lord and His Word.

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

I look forward to the day when Jesus does come back to earth again! I enjoy and find great comfort in Casting Crowns music. From their latest CD is "Glorious Day". I shed tears every time I hear this song. I long to be with my Savior and my son FOREVER!

May you all have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!

Love,
Jennifer

Don't forget to scroll down and pause the music

LID (Log-in-date): July 14, 2006

2009-07-14T12:07:00.002-05:00

This is for you Kylie Hope~

Three years ago today our paperwork was logged in with the China Center of Adoption Affairs. We continue to pray for you and love you! We lift your birth parents up to our loving heavenly Father that He would comfort them and that they would experience His love and grace.

We are believing and praying that God will make a way for us to have you with us this year. Nothing is impossible with our Almighty and powerful God!

We love you, Kylie, and some day soon you will hear those words from us.

All our love,
Daddy, Mommy, & Karsten

Random Things

2009-06-08T08:24:00.007-05:00

I know it's been over a month since I've posted anything. Karsten finished 1st grade on May 22 and we are having fun and enjoying the summer break. Karsten's baseball season is about to come to an end. He has done such a great job and we are so proud of him. He even hit a homerun the other day! This was our first year not playing in a Christian organization, but it's been pretty good. It's made us get out of our comfort zone. We've met some wonderful people and some who are Christians.

Karsten has a new kitten named Tippy. She is a 6 week old tortoiseshell and is so adorable. Our 13 year old cat Priscilla died less than a month ago with kidney failure, and then two days later we adopted a kitten from the pound. Long story short, Snuggles was only with us for two days and spent four days in the vet. She was very sick and we had to have her put down. Meanwhile, this past Saturday, we got Tippy, who is very healthy and playful. However, Saturday night, Tippy fell 11 or 12 feet from the ledge of the banister onto the hardwood floor. We were in shock and thought that this cannot be happening. She wasn't moving and we thought she was a goner. We did a lot of praying that night and praise the Lord she is okay. Maybe cats really do have nine lives. =)

As far as news in our adoption, there's really been no change. The China Center of Adoption Affairs is still moving so slowly. We continue to trust our sovereign King because He has allowed this. We remember that God's timing is so much different than our own. It says in Psalms and in the New Testament that a thousand years is like a day to the Lord. What then does 3 1/2 years equate to? God knows the time, He knows what is right, because He made time and He's the One who even gives us time. That's why we need to make good use of our time. We can choose to complain about the wait, or not complain, and wait patiently for God to move. We know He is already moving!

One more thing for now, please pray for my family and me for God to give us wisdom and direction in finding another church. Through much prayer we felt God leading us somewhere else. It was a VERY difficult decision!! We love our church family, our Pastor and his wife, but we believe that if we didn't leave we would be disobeying God. We've been at our church for nearly 11 years and this was not an easy decision. In fact, the easy thing to do would just have been to stay where we are. We are very comfortable there; however, sometimes God calls us out of our comfort zone to do His will. This is something we have total peace about. We just started visiting another church yesterday. We have no idea where God will put us. I am so thankful for my church the past 10+ years. I was a new Christian at the time and I have grown so much there and appreciate my Pastor, Sunday School teachers, and my ladies Bible study teacher. There are so many people we will miss, but let me stress that no matter where we are serving we are still one and part of the body of Christ. We deeply covet your prayers for us!!

Another song from Karsten

2009-04-29T11:57:00.004-05:00

Here is Karsten singing and playing "Jesus Loves Me". Yesterday he received a black eye as he and his friend ran into each other as they were playing. His friend's forehead hit Karsten's cheekbone and eye. His eye was extremely swolen yesterday that we took him to the doctor to make sure nothing was broken and that his eye was okay. He is doing well and the swelling has gone in. Please pray for Karsten!

Here I Am To Worship

2009-04-28T10:47:00.003-05:00

I have to brag on Karsten. He started guitar lessons in January and is doing a great job. We are so thankful for his guitar teacher who is also a Christian. Yesterday he learned the song, "Here I Am To Worship" and Karsten has enjoyed practicing it. He wants to play it at his recital in a few weeks.

It brings joy to my heart to see Karsten using his talents for the Lord. It also, of course, brings tears to my eyes as he plays the song. I love the words!

So here Karsten is making a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Way to go, Karsten! We are so proud of you!

Praying, Praying, and More Praying

2009-04-26T14:28:00.003-05:00

Just an undate on our adoption...we are still waiting on Kylie Hope. Things are moving really slowly with the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs). July 14 will be 3 years that we were logged in and when the official wait time began. So hard to believe. Yet we continue to trust our loving and sovereign God whose plan is always perfect. We may not agree and may not like it, but He knows us better than we know ourselves and wants what is best for us.

We love you, Kylie, and just know that so many people are praying for you. You are so loved!

Please continue to pray for the millions of orphans around the world who are waiting for loving families. I get so wrapped up in my selfishness and think about our long wait when I forget about all the babies waiting for so long just for someone to hold them and tell them they love them. It breaks my heart.

Brad and I continue to seek God's direction on our second adoption of Karsten's second brother. Currently we are searching adoption agencies and praying. We told Karsten the other day and I cannot even begin to tell you how excited he was. He said something like this with a big grin on his face and eyes open wide, "You mean I'm getting a sister plus another brother...I don't care where he's from...he can be from Atlanta, China, Mexico...I don't care...I am so happy." I smiled and tears welled from my eyes. Karsten has such a tender heart. He looks at what's inside a person and not what color they are. He has the kind of love that God wants all of us to have. I love that about him.

Thank you Karsten for being who God wants you to be. Daddy and Mommy love you so much! Never forget that you ARE a big brother even though your little brother Kyler is not here.

Thank you family and friends for praying for us and for our daughter, Kylie. Someday soon I look forward to posting pictures of Kylie.

Resurrection Day

2009-04-09T09:53:00.004-05:00

I am so thankful for my risen Savior. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I would have no hope of eternal life. I hope each of you has a blessed Easter and always remember that Jesus loves you. In fact, He loves you so much that He died for you. He took our sins away when He gave his life on the cross. And three glorious days later, He arose from the grave!

A friend of our's called just a while ago and asked if I had ever heard of the song, "Always" by Building 429. He described to me what it was about and thought of us. I just had to search for it and found it on you tube. Whatever storm you are going through, remember that Jesus never changes, He is sovereign and is always with you.

Don't forget to scroll down to the bottom to pause the music playing.

Joy and Sorrow

2009-03-26T20:35:00.018-05:00

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me...

to comfort all who mourn...

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair."

Isaiah 61:1-3

Thank you all for the cards, e-mails, phone calls, kind words, and prayers! We most definitely felt your prayers for us on Sunday. Tough day, yet peaceful; full of tears, yet we laughed. Sunday afternoon we went to the cemetary. We know that Kyler's soul is not there and that he is in heaven, but for now that is where his body is and his place on earth. Karsten sat in front of Kyler's headstone for the longest, in very deep thought and touching it. He really misses his little brother. That night we ate cupcakes that Karsten wanted to make for Kyler's birthday and then we sang Happy Birthday. That was the first time we had ever done that, and it was very hard! Brad and I knew how important it was for Karsten. It was actually good for us as a family. We cried, talked, and spoke about Jesus' return and how the dead in Christ will rise first and then we who are still alive will meet the Lord in the air. The time we shared was part of the healing process and we needed that. God continues to use our scars and our brokenness to bring Him praise, honor, and glory. Thanks again for showing us love and for lifting us up in prayer!

A song titled, "The Blessing in the Thorn" has amazing lyrics and stirs my heart. May we all find the blessing in "the thorn in my flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

I read about a man of God

Who gloried in his weakness

And I wish that I could be

More like Him and less like me

Am I to blame for what I'm not

Or is pain the way God teaches me to grow

I need to know

When does the thorn become a blessing

When does the pain become a friend

When does the weakness make me stronger

When does my faith make me whole again

I want to feel His arms around me

In the middle of my raging storm

So that I can see the blessing in the thorn

I've heard it said the strength of Christ

Is perfect in my weakness

And the more that I go through

The more I prove the promise true

His love will go to any length

And reaches even now to where I am

But tell me once again

Lord, I have to ask You

On the cross You suffered through

Was there a time You ever doubted

What You already knew

Kyler's Birthday and Homegoing: March 22, 2004

2009-03-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." (Psalm 119:28)

It's been a difficult week for Brad, Karsten and me. Actually a difficult month. We can testify to the fact that time does not heal all wounds. Anyone who has ever lost a child knows that life is never the same again. God is our Healer and Sustainer. He has chosen this journey for us. We may limp or crawl at times and we trust that He is going to get us through. This life on earth is a journey, for we are just passing through until we arrive to our final destination...our home in heaven.

For those of you who are new to our blog, I would like to share with you the story that God has written for our lives about our second son, Kyler Braden Evans.

On the morning of March 22, 2004, at 38 weeks pregnant, I went into labor. Brad and I took Karsten over to Dean and Elaine's house then we headed to the hospital. Although in some pain, I was anxious to hold and see my baby. After arriving there and getting prepared, when the nurse checked Kyler's heartbeat, she said it was low (I forget, it was somewhere in the 80's). They called my doctor and he performed an emergency c-section. Since I was still under anesthesia, I didn't get to see Kyler when he came out. However, while the Lord was with Brad, he had to witness things unimaginable that any father should not have to do. Kyler was not breathing and the doctors and nurses did everything they could in the 45 minutes to try to revive him. On the day Kyler was ready to be born into this world, he went straight into the arms of Jesus, our Savior.

We had found out a few weeks later that I have a genetic blood clotting disorder called factor V leiden. With that, a pregnant woman has an 8-10 times greater chance of having a blood clot. When I went into labor, a blood clot had formed in the placenta which had cut off oxygen and blood flow in the cord.

Eight hours had passed until we got to hold Kyler and take pictures. That explains why Kyler looks the way he does in the pictures. I am so thankful for the pictures and for nurses Bethney and Carol. We didn't realize it right away, but I was also sick with HELLP syndrome, therefore I was in the hospital for a week.

Kyler Braden Evans

"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139:16

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail."

Lamentations 3:22

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with
the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

"Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

Five years! Our little boy would be 5 years old today. Five is like a milestone age, a fun age. Brad and I both agreed that this has probably been the most difficult age to miss. Don't misinterpret that, they've all been hard and not a day goes by that we don't think of and miss Kyler. This Fall he would have been starting Kindergarten and since I would've been his teacher it hurts even more. The older Karsten gets, the more he misses his little brother. He has also been sad about one of his close friends moving away and just this week Karsten told me, "It's just not fair. My brother died and lives in heaven and now my best friend is moving." He continued on with, "Why did you and Daddy get to keep your brothers here on earth and I didn't?" I was crushed. I don't know why God took Kyler. But I do know that we serve a God who loves us. Please pray for Karsten. If I focused all the time on the things that I don't understand, I wouldn't want to get out of bed each day.

I am so thankful for the resurrection power of Christ. Jesus rose from the dead and lives for us today. He has already won the ultimate victory. We do have HOPE beyond the grave. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 says, "Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

I think of the aching of our souls and the emptiness we often feel, yet I am so grateful for the empty tomb. Without that, we would have nothing to look forward to and no hope. Jesus says in John 11:25, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" I believe the Bibles that were sent to Taiwan from Kyler's memorial fund are having an effect on many people's lives. God's Word is powerful and according to Isaiah 55:11, it will not return empty. So how can we feel so empty, yet so full? Because of Jesus. Remember His tomb is empty (which is the true meaning of Easter) and Jesus LIVES. God's Word will not return empty and it will accomplish what He desires and achieve His purpose.

God never promised any person on the earth a happy life. He does, however, want us to live the abundant and purposeful life He has planned for us. God revealed something to me as I was typing this. I had mentioned at the beginning that the doctors and nurses were unable to revive Kyler. God immediately took my mind to the word revive that I knew was somewhere in Psalm 119. "Revive me according to Your word"(v.154). God continues to revive us. Psalm 119:50 says this, "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life." Verse 92 says, "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction."

Our passion for Jesus Christ was born from the pain and suffering of losing our son and brother. We know that Kyler is alive and happy in heaven running and playing. We miss him so badly and have missed doing so many things with him that we thought we would do! Life is so short. God has taught us that. Don't take for granted one day. We wish we could watch Kyler today blow out his five candles after we sang happy birthday to him. We know and believe that someday we will all be together FOREVER. What our holy and righteous God has allowed us to go through, He will bring us through. Our precious son, Kyler, is now and forever being held by the One who continues to hold us.

I know that there are only a handful of people who read our blog. Would you mind sharing with us how Kyler's life and death have impacted you or someone you know. We would love for anyone to share your thoughts even if you don't know us. Your words will encourage us! Thank you all for your love and prayers.

"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD."

Job 1:21

Grieving with hope,

Jennifer

Disney World

2009-03-16T10:57:00.012-05:00

Brad, Karsten, and I had a fun-filled week at Disney World last week. Even though we walked and walked and walked, we felt so refreshed just getting away for a week. Karsten enjoyed meeting different characters and getting their autographs. It was so much fun seeing Karsten so excited getting to meet some of his favorites such as Buzz, Woody, Goofy and Donald Duck. Then, of course, Brad and I had our times of missing Kyler and wishing he was at Disney with us. As fun as Disney World is and is probably considered one of the funnest places on earth, we had to shift our focus towards heaven and realize that he is in a place that does not even compare to Disney World. It is still painful and we wish so much Kyler was here with us, yet God continues to give us the grace to trust Him.

Continuing on with our trip, Karsten's favorite rides were the Aerosmith's Rock-n-roller coaster at Hollywood Studios and the Mt. Everest Expedition roller coaster at Animal Kingdom. At Magic Kingdom we enjoyed Space Mountain and Splash Mountain, and then Epcot was the very cool Soarin' ride. The shows were also very entertaining such as Indiana Jones, Star Wars, The Lion King, The Muppet's 3-D, Cars and Motorcycles stunt show, and It's a Bug's Life 3-D. We thank God for allowing us to get to go on this wonderful trip and for the safety He provided. Here are some pictures to enjoy.

All Star Sports Resort
Chip-n-Dale

Flik

At our hotel

Epcot

Lightning McQueen

Buzz and Woody

Goofy

Mickey and Minnie

Pluto

Praise and Prayer Request

2009-02-22T07:52:00.012-06:00

Today is Karsten's 3rd spiritual birthday...the day he was born (adopted) into God's family by trusting Jesus as his Savior. Karsten was 4 years old at the time. Karsten has had many questions about heaven since he was 2 when his brother went to heaven. He has watched his mom and dad shed many tears over the last almost five years. When Karsten turned 3 he began asking all sorts of questions about heaven. Some things we couldn't answer, but we shared with him what God says in the Bible. We told him that Kyler went straight to heaven because he was a baby and God holds babies and children so precious in His sight. We were able to share with him how we know that we are going to heaven some day. Salvation is a gift from God. Jesus did all the work when he died on the cross. All we have to do is admit that we are sinners, ask for His forgiveness, and make Jesus the Lord of our lives. The minute we confess Him as Savior the Holy Spirit lives inside us forever.

On Wednesday, February 22, 2006, as we were driving home from the funeral home on our way to church Karsten said, "I want Jesus to live inside me." So we pulled over in the Kroger parking lot and as he talked to God, he trusted Jesus to be his Savior. That was such a sweet time. It's all about God's grace, His undeserved kindness.

The "22nd" has always been a hard day for Brad and me each month since Kyler went to heaven on March 22. We miss him terribly. It isn't ironic that God saved Karsten on the "22nd" of February...that is God's perfect timing and something He wanted to give to us so we can also celebrate and rejoice on the 22nd.

Speaking of Kyler, Karsten is wanting another brother. We've been praying for God to give him another brother the last 4+ years. Karsten asked this past Friday if we could adopt a brother for him. Wow! That is something Brad and I have talked about and prayed about, but the financial part of it is so expensive. However, we serve a mighty God and all the finances are in His hands. None of it is ours' to begin with. Please pray for us that not only we bring Kylie home this year, but also we would step out in faith again and begin another adoption journey for our third son, Karsten's other little brother. As Ephesians 3:20 says, "God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us."

I want to close with this quote from the Daily Bread devotions.

Have you thought of where you're going ,
When this earthly life is past,
Will the seed that you are sowing,
Bring a harvest that will last?

Live for Christ,
Jennifer

While We're Waiting

2009-02-14T10:55:00.004-06:00

My husband and I watched the movie "Fireproof" last night, which I recommend every couple seeing. There was a song on the movie titled, "While I'm Waiting" and I love the lyrics. It tied in so well with our waiting for our daughter and sister.

Happy Valentine's Day!

**Don't forget to scroll down to the bottom to pause the music.

Spiritual Growth

2009-02-10T07:47:00.007-06:00

Hi everyone! I hadn't realized it had been 3 weeks since I last blogged. When I started this blog in the summer I was posting a new entry every week, but I had more free time then.

As I was having my morning quiet time with the Lord, I was thinking about where I am spiritually. I don't want to just go through the motions, which I know I have been guilty of doing before. I thought back to this past weekend when we were in Chattanooga visiting my parents. My mom and dad still have the game Twister that my brother and I used to play with our friends. In the last few months I have only played that game a few times because my sweet son REALLY wants to play. Whew...let's just say that I didn't last as long as I used to. I'm not as limber as I used to be and I'm a lot older =).

Fifteen years had probably passed since I had last played Twister. If I was playing it on a regular basis I would be more fit. Well the same is true in our spiritual walk. We must train diligently for the Christian life. In other words, we must steadily repeat spiritual exercises to be spiritually fit. Here are a few things from God's Word:

In Isaiah 27:11, our spiritual growth is compared to a tree. From my Life Application Bible, here is what the commentary says, "Isaiah compares the state of Israel's spiritual life with dry twigs that are often broken off and used to make fires. Trees in Scripture often represent spiritual life. The trunk is the channel of strength from God; the branches are the people who serve Him. Tree branches sometime waver and blow in the wind. Like Israel, they may dry up from internal rottenness and become useless for anything except building a fire. What kind of branch are you? If you are withering spiritually, check to see if you are firmly attached to God."

Time alone with God is vital everyday. Matthew 14:23 says that Jesus had alone time with God. That time needs to be prayer time, including thanking God and praising Him, and being diligent in reading the Bible. If we don't then we are never going to grow spiritually and 15 years from now I don't want to be in my spiritual life as I was in my physical life with the game of Twister.

John 4:13-15: Jesus is our Living Water and the Bread of Life (John 6:51). Just as our physical bodies need food and water so do our souls. We need to feed our souls everyday with God's Word for He alone satisfies our hungry and thirsty souls. As Christians, let's remember to train diligently--"we do it to get a crown that will last forever" (1 Corinthians 9: 25b).

Sorry no pictures from our wonderful Twister game, but I thought I'd share several pictures from the Aquarium.

That was such a beautiful weekend!

Also, please continue to pray for Kylie and us as we wait to have her. Currently, the CCAA is working on March 2006 dates, where we are July 2006. Believe and pray with us that God will make a way for us to have our daughter this year. Thanks so much for your prayers!

The Power of Prayer Changes Lives

2009-01-20T07:57:00.002-06:00

1 Timothy 2:1-2
"I urge, then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

Today we have a new President and according to the Bible we are to pray for our President and all of our government leaders. Regardless of our political views, President Obama and his family, Vice President Joe Biden and his family, and all leaders need our prayers. I pray that they would seek the one and only true living God, and that God would give them wisdom and insight and I pray for their protection and God's blessings.

We as a nation need to turn to Jesus Christ and seek His face above all else. We need to bless God with our lives, for He has immeasurably blessed us.

Remember that God is ultimately in charge of world politics... "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)

Being Patient is Not Always Easy

2009-01-15T12:39:00.014-06:00

1 Corinthians 13:4--"Love is patient..."

It seems so simple doesn't it? Love is patient. Then what is love? According to 1 John 4:16, God is love.

It will be 3 years next week since we began our adoption journey...the paperwork anyway. It was actually 4 years in December that God gave me a desire for an orphan girl in China. Kylie's lilac colored room is ready, Karsten is anxious to play with his little sister, and Brad and I are excited about becoming parents to our daughter.

We live in a world where we think we just have to have things now. We don't want to wait for anything. I have been so guilty of that. However, these past three years God has taught me about patience...the word most everyone dreads hearing. God wants me to be still and know that He is God and that He will work out everything in His timing. In the meantime, we must wait...and wait...until one day He will say it's time to have our daughter. I want to be in God's will. Just as Christ coming into the world as a baby was God's perfect timing, so I know it will be for us to bring Kylie home.

I know that patience can seem impossible at times, but that is a fruit of the Spirit quality that God wants us to have. When we seek Christ's love He will give us His love so that we can be patient.

May all of us be on our knees more this year as we seek our Savior and strive to be more like the One who died for us so that we can have eternal life in heaven.

Love & Blessings,
Jennifer

The Christmas Season

2008-12-26T18:21:00.014-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I trust that everyone enjoyed Christmas with family but most importantly celebrating Jesus' birthday. We had a wonderful time on Christmas Eve and Christmas day with family. We did miss my parents who are in Oregon visiting my brother and sister-in-law. We celebrated an early Christmas with my parents and grandparents a couple weeks ago, which was also Karsten's birthday. Karsten is 7 now and growing up too fast!! He had a fun day going to Chef Wang's and opening up a LOT of presents. Today is my brother's birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALAN!! I can't believe he's 35...and that we're ten years apart =). Okay...that's not true but he is 35.

Karsten had a lot of fun opening presents yesterday. We surprised him with a Wii. We had bought him one a month ago and then a couple weeks later Brad called me from work and said that he won a Wii. We gave all the praise to God for providing that, so we returned the Wii we purchased. God has given Karsten such a thankful heart. We had hid the Wii and he thought he was done opening presents. Karsten was so grateful for his other gifts and never mentioned about not getting a Wii, just thankful for the presents he received. Below is a picture of Karsten opening his Wii.

I had my moment missing Kyler but rejoice knowing that he was with Jesus celebrating His birthday. And then we think about Kylie and long to have her with us. I have another praise to share. Some of the adoption expenses have been increasing and one of them is the orphanage donation fee that's increasing from $3,000 to $5,000 (we just found out last week). Brad and I never told anyone about it. We just believed God would provide somehow...He always does. And God did miraculously provide what we needed this past week. I get teared up thinking about it. Glory to God!

I hope everyone has a blessed 2009. Please pray with us and for us, believing that we will get to bring Kylie home in 2009.

Happy Birthday, Karsten. We love you and are so blessed to be your Mommy and Daddy!

Dec. 13: Karsten's new guitar

Delicious sugar cookies!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!!

Pressing On

2008-12-03T07:34:00.009-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We enjoyed some time with Brad's family on Thanksgiving day and then went to my parents' house in Chattanooga for a couple nights. Friday evening we went downtown to the Christmas lighting boat parade where we enjoyed having hot chocolate down by the river, and then enjoyed the other festivities they had going on. Here are some pictures from that night.

And here is Karsten with his great-grandparents--

I want to be transparent for just a little bit. Here lately I've been having a hard time missing my son Kyler. I know that while here on earth I am always going to miss him. I have said before that time does not heal, only God does. It is evident that until I am with my Husband Redeemer there is going to be sadness and sorrow here on earth. I am ever so grateful that God says in His Word that sorrow and sadness will flee away (Isaiah 35:10). This time of the year is especially difficult for people who have lost loved ones. There are many in this world broken and hopeless. The loss of a child is something you never get over. Recently, I was talking with my neighbor and found out that her 2 day old son went to live with Jesus 43 years ago. As she was telling me tears formed in her eyes. She is still grieving, yet with hope for she knows that one sweet day she will be reunited with her son.

I will admit that I have been focusing on my pain rather than the ultimate goal--the assurance of eternity in heaven where there will be everlasting joy and no more pain. As 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, I need to fix my eyes on what in unseen which is eternal because the things that we can see are temporary. I pray that the resurrection power of Christ will strengthen those around the world who are suffering.

I thank God for His many blessings over my life. He is so gracious to me. The pain and suffering that Christ endured for me is unspeakable. He alone is worthy of my praise and I bow down to Him. God is so patient with me and I am so thankful for the wonderful husband He gave me, for Karsten and what a kind and loving son he is, for little baby and Kyler and how God continues to use them to teach me to cherish each day, and for Kylie who has been growing in my heart for 4 years now--I love Kylie as much as I do Karsten and Kyler. How I pray that we will have her soon. I am also so thankful for my mom and dad and seeing them grow in the sweetness of the Lord. I've said it before and I'll say it again...I am so thankful that this world is not my home and that God is preparing a home for me in heaven! This life is only an introduction to our eternity.

Caring for Orphans

2008-11-17T13:30:00.004-06:00

God continues to stir my heart for orphans. The almost four years that God first called me to adopt a girl from China has grown into caring for more orphans. Throughout the Bible, God shows His love and compassion for orphans and we as believers need to be doing more. I believe the first thing is through prayer. I pray that the Lord will stir the hearts of other people who will take care of orphans. From what I have read there are 130 million orphans in the world. Little boys and girls that long to have a mommy and daddy to love and care for them. As it says in the Bible, God is the Defender of the orphans. I pray that He will set the lonely in families.

According to the Bible, Moses, Samuel, Esther, and Jesus were adopted. And we as believers were adopted into God's family when we trusted Christ as our Savior. That's how beautiful adoption is. I was not born into God's family...I was adopted. Ephesians 1:5 says, "In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ..."

If God loves us so much that He wants us to be adopted into His family, then I believe that we need to love and care for the orphans. I'm not saying that everyone is supposed to adopt a child, however I do think each of us should begin on our knees praying that patient and loving families will adopt a child. Ask God to protect orphans who have no place to call home. Also, please pray for waiting families who are anxious in getting their children.

Submit to God's Leadership

2008-11-05T07:21:00.011-06:00

I'm sure it came as no surprise to God that our President-elect is Barack Obama. I do stress that God, not our world leaders, decides the outcome of history for He alone sets up kings and kingdoms.

Romans 13:1--"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

Again, we must pray diligently for our leaders as God instructs us to in 1 Timothy 2: 1-2--"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

Our nation needs to turn to godliness and holiness, which comes from knowing Jesus as Savior. The killing of unborn babies is not godly and holy. Abortion is murder! There are many families who are unable to have babies that would love to adopt. I pray that women would choose adoption rather than abortion. Did you know that the heartbeat of a baby begins around day 18? That's before women even know for sure that they are pregnant. That is a life! I take abortion issues very personal having miscarried a baby at 8 weeks followed by the loss of my full-term baby at 38 weeks. God is the giver and taker of lives.

Psalm 2
" Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. 'Let us break their chains,' they say, 'and throw off their fetters.' The One enthroned in heaven laughs, the Lord scoffs at them...therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him."

It is obvious that over half of the Americans that voted do not agree with God's standards of living. It is clear from God's Word, that those who forsake the Lord will suffer the consequences. Just like in 2 Chronicles 7 where God told King Solomon that if he turns away from the Lord to go off and serve other gods and worship them then God will uproot Israel from His land...people will then ask, "Why has the LORD done such a thing?", and the people will answer, "because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them--that is why He brought all this disaster on them" (vv.19-22).

God is omnipotent and omniscient. I may have lost confidence in our nation, but I do have confidence in God. I serve a holy, righteous, and just God. For everything He has a purpose. I pray that our country will seek God's face and turn from their wicked ways.

Psalm 1:6 says, "For the LORD watches over the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."

I rejoice as I listen to the song being played that "I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand...till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand."

Our True Hope: Christ our LORD

2008-10-30T07:47:00.008-05:00

As I was driving down the road yesterday, I stopped at a red light behind a woman who had a picture of Obama on the back of her vehicle. What surprised me was what was written on this picture...the word "HOPE". I thought to myself, how sad that she puts her hope in a man. Whoever you are voting for, please don't put your hope in Obama or McCain. Each one of them will let you down at some time because they are human. Instead, put your hope in Jesus Christ, the only sinless human being that walked the earth because he was and is 100% God and will never let you down. We live in a corrupt and evil world because of our sinful natures. I'm not worried about the election because I put my trust in the Lord and He alone is in charge of this entire world. I pray that His will will be done on November 4th. We as a believers need to pray for our leaders to turn to Jesus. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (God speaking), "If My people who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, will forgive their sins, and heal their land." Thank you, Lord, that this world is not my home...as the apostle Paul stated we are strangers on this earth. Those of us who know Christ as our Savior will spend forever and ever in heaven. On the other hand, there are thousands dying each day and going to hell. People need the Lord, and He wants us!

*PLEASE VOTE ACCORDING TO GOD'S STANDARDS

Marveling at God's Creation

2008-10-21T09:03:00.032-05:00

Brad, Karsten and I had the wonderful privilege of going to Florida over fall break last week. My mom and dad are there for a month and invited us to come down...thanks Mom and Dad!! I enjoyed some quite moments in the presence of God just admiring His creation of the ocean, the beautiful sunrise and sunset, and just listening to the sound of the waves. I had some very sweet moments with God and He revealed to me through His word things in my life where I need to change. I am ever so thankful that His compassion never fails!

No fish, but Karsten caught some seaweed :-)

Looking for ghost crabs at night

Playing putt-putt at Hawaiian Falls

Karsten with his Grammy & Happy

Taking a break from the beach

Praising God for the hope we have in Him...still waiting and praying for Kylie Hope.

Looking Back

2008-10-07T16:26:00.004-05:00

I came across this picture of Karsten from last October at the dairy farm. This was such an enjoyable field trip and as you can see he thought giving the calf some water was really neat. Karsten loves animals and has told his daddy and me that he wished we lived on a farm. I guess a dog and two cats are not enough for him :-). Karsten is such a caring person that it doesn't surprise me that he wants cows, goats, horses, etc.

So I'm sure you all have noticed my blog had a makeover. Thank you again, Becky. It was such a wonderful privilege meeting Becky via the internet and learning that she and her family home school and are in the process of adopting their 2nd daughter from China. It's encouraging to have the support and prayers of others who are waiting along with us.

God gave me these verses this morning that spoke to me. In Romans 8:24-25, Paul says that "hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

God knows what He's doing. As we wait patiently for our Kylie Hope, we continue to trust Him and serve Him. We don't know what the future holds, but we do know Who holds the future.

As We Wait

2008-09-25T08:03:00.007-05:00

"Bless the LORD O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name." (Psalm 103:1)

We deeply covet everyone's prayers for our adoption. Too many sad things going on in China with the poisoned milk that has sickened over 50,000 babies. As my heart breaks for these babies I can't imagine what it does to God. As it stands, the CCAA is only doing 6 referral dates per month which means if that continues it could be another 2 years before we get Kylie (even though we are only 5 months away from our date). I know that is probably confusing to most of you and believe me it took me a while to figure it out. On the other hand, I serve a BIG God and He can do what we think is the impossible. We are still believing God and trusting that we will get our daughter at just the right time.

Last Friday we had to get re-fingerprinted for the 3rd time. Can you believe that? Every 15 months our fingerprints expire according to Immigration services. It starts to get more costly having to redo things...there again God has a purpose. In May 2009, our orphan petition expires--it lasts 18 months, so if we don't have Kylie before then, then we will be refiling for that for the 3rd time.

As I type this information, I am by no means complaining. I'm doing it so one day we can look back and recall the journey that God had us on. I believe that through this God is preparing us for something. He does everything for His glory and He just wants us to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Some people have made comments about changing to domestic or to another country. My heart has been burdened for a chinese girl for nearly 4 years (December '04). Brad and I were in prayer about it for a year. Only God has given us that desire and when He does the peace of it is so real. We just know that China is where our daughter is. We have prayed for Kylie Hope long before she was ever born (she still may not have been conceived yet). But our heavenly Father knows who she is and He has chosen her for us and us for her.

As we wait, we want to bless God with our lives. All that is within us we should be blessing God with our thoughts (Phil. 4:8), our tongues (James 3), and be striving to live holy and godly lives (2 Peter 3:11). God has blessed us tremendously through giving us salvation, forgiving our sins, and redeeming us from death.

Holy and gracious Father, thank You for this journey You have us on. Thank You for how You've taught us so many things and how You continue to reveal Your loving presence to us. Help us to always bless You with our thoughts, our tongues, and our actions. We know that from You and through You and to You are all things. In Jesus' name we pray.

The Only Wise God

2008-09-17T07:50:00.002-05:00

I am so thankful I serve a God of truth and righteousness! There is only one God. I feel sorry for people who either do not believe in God or who put their faith in other "gods." The Bible is clear all throughout that Jesus Christ is God and apart from Him there is no other.

Isaiah 44:24-
*The Lord says that He's our Redeemer who formed us in the womb
*He made all things who alone stretched out the heavens

Isaiah 45 (God speaking)-
*I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God (v.5)
*Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker (v.9)
*It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it (v.12)
*My own hands stretched out the heavens (v.12)
*He who created the heavens, He is God (v.18)
*He who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it (v.18)
*I am the Lord and there is no other (v.18)
*I the Lord speak the truth--I declare what is right (v.19)
*And there is no God apart from me (v.21)
*A righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me (v.21)
*Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear (v.23)
*They will say of me, 'In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength' (v.24)

The only thing that will matter when I depart from this earth is what I have done for Christ and His kingdom. I am saying this for my benefit because at times we all tend to get caught up in the worldly things and can lose focus on what truly is most important. Money, power, worldly pleasures, only last for a little while. We can never find contentment or satisfaction in those things because we'll always want more. We can, however, find lasting contentment in Jesus and His eternal Word. Isaiah 40:8 says that "the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." As believers we need to encourage fellow believers and pray for one another. Also, as believers we need to fervently pray that we will be used as vessels for Christ, pointing unbelievers to a new life in Christ. Lastly, we need to lift up our government leaders in prayer and that our country will turn back to what is was founded upon.

So undeserving yet so thankful to be His,
Jennifer

The Joy of Homeschooling

2008-09-09T08:00:00.007-05:00

I know it's been a while since I last posted. Karsten and I are enjoying 1st grade. I thank God for the wonderful privilege of being able to homeschool. I want Karsten (and Kylie) to be grounded in their faith and one of the advantages of homeschooling is that we can talk about Jesus all throughout our school day. I desire them to obtain godly characteristics and virtues. I realize that everyone has his or her own opinion of homeschooling, and just with public and private schools, there are pros and cons. However, Brad and I believe we are doing what the Lord wants us to do. Plus, we ask Karsten and he says he likes being homeschooled. He is not socially deprived. We are involved in a homeschool association where we get together with other moms and children to go on field trips. Karsten gets to attend Valentine, Christmas, and other holiday parties. He plays baseball, soccer, and soon will be playing basketball. And, most importantly, we spend much time at church and have many activities there for the children. I know of at least ten families at our church who homeschool.

It's amazing to know that there are over 2 million children homeschooled in the United States. We need to remember to pray that our homeschooling rights will not be taken away from us. The government doesn't think that parents are capable of teaching their children. The government wants to decide what is best for our children. We know that God's Word says different.

Changing the subject, I wanted to give you an update on our adoption. The CCAA has completed referrals through 2/9/06. It is exciting to see that the months are getting closer to ours' (7/14/06) =). Please keep praying!

In closing, I wanted to ask everyone to remember Brian and Heather Laird in your prayers. On September 3rd their infant daughter, Ella Joy, was born into the arms of Jesus. Having been down that dark road over 4 years ago, I know they have some tough days ahead. It's something that never goes away and life is never the same. Please pray that God's loving presence will be revealed to them, that they will grow in their faith and draw closer to God. Satan loves to attack during these times. Pray that God's loving strength and grace will sustain them and that they will have comfort and peace from the Comforter and Prince of Peace. Also, pray for their two young sons who I know will have many questions down the road. I know they covet your prayers!

Each life is valuable to God, and life begins at conception. So for Ella and Kyler, I want to end on a very special verse to me.

Psalm 116:15
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

How the Matching Room Works

2008-08-25T09:02:00.011-05:00

So many have asked and wondered how the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) determines what baby we get. Actually, it is some process! First, our dossier went through the review room over a year ago. From there it goes to the matching room which will remain there until they get to our log-in date of July 14, 2006. Currently, the next referral batch is for February 2006 (slowwwwwly getting there) ;-).

It's very peculiar, I think, how the matchers match families and babies. First they look for something that stands out: a matching birthday, a baby who looks a lot like a parent --any blonde-haired chinese babies?:-), a baby who likes music and a parent who teaches music, sometimes they match by bone structure of the baby's face and the parent's faces, which is why they need a picture of our passport photos, and some use chinese astrology. Once they've matched they then start to look at things like age of child requested; however, the age of child is not a priority for them because they feel they are matching families and not filling orders.

Now with that all said, I know that the baby we get is ultimately up to God. In fact, He already knows who she is. Her mommy, daddy, and brother all have brown eyes so we will have that in common ;-). As I've said many times, we already love Kylie so much. We praise God for impressing upon our hearts to adopt her.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:13-16)

The Sweetness of God's Word

2008-08-17T21:10:00.003-05:00

Has everyone been enjoying watching the Olympics? We've been watching about an hour or so of it at night. Obviously, with the Olympics being in Beijing all we can think about is our little girl over there in one of China's provinces. How we think and pray for you through out each day, Kylie!!

As I think about prayer and praying God's Word over my children, I'm reminded of the sweetness of God's Word. Psalm 119:103 says, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth." Something really sweet happened the other night that Brad and I will never forget. We try (notice I didn't say every night) to do a family devotion after dinner, which has turned out to be such cherished moments. Karsten and I usually have our morning Bible time together, but the times when his daddy is with us is even better. We were sitting in the living room and Karsten was on his daddy's lap. We had just finished our devotion and then each of us took turns praying. What Karsten said was unforgettable. He said, "thank you God for my mommy and daddy teaching me the Bible." I'm not saying that in a bragging way because I sin everyday and will never be perfect here on earth. However, that was very encouraging and reminded me that when we sow in the Spirit we'll reap in the Spirit. One of my prayers is for Karsten and Kylie to live pure and holy lives and have a passion for Jesus Christ. Even if you have infants, read the Bible to them. Or better yet if a baby is in your womb. We can keep our way pure by living according to God's Word (Psalm 119:9). We need the sweetness of God's Word so others can know Jesus.

Love & blessings~
Jennifer

The God of All Comfort

2008-08-07T07:40:00.012-05:00

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the suffering of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows" (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

As I reflect upon the last 4 1/2 years, these verses have given me new meaning. Losing a child is one of the worst things a parent can go through. I remember at the beginning there were many mornings when Brad and I did not even want to get out of bed. Still to this day, Kyler is who I think about when I fall asleep and I think about him when I wake up. Grief is such a strange thing. Brad, Karsten and I will always grieve over him, but the pain has lessened somewhat. I don't feel guilty anymore for laughing nor do I still cry everyday, but when the tears do come they really fall hard.

God said that we shouldn't be surprised when trials come our way. They are going to come in this life, it's a fact. I know of at least 9 families, 8 of them have lost babies and 1 was a 5 year old just in the past year. They are the Piper's, Kenderdine's, Hasenbalg's, Smith's, Skagg's, Marks', Sponberg's, Larsen's and Chapman's. I do know that all these families are grounded in their faith and they hold on to hope. The verses I listed above mean that through the suffering we endure we can help comfort others who are going through a similar situation. Oh how I pray for these families and ones around the world everyday who are suffering but may have no hope. That's the difference. We who have trusted Christ as our Lord and Savior have the hope and promise of eternal life with Him. The hope of being reunited with our loved ones, the hope of not having to be separated from our children anymore, we have this hope as an anchor.

God has a purpose for each thing He does and gives us. He doesn't want us to become bitter, he wants us to become better, to be more like Him. I think of Steven Curtis Chapman's song, "Not Home Yet," that says, we are not home yet, we are not home yet, keep on looking ahead let your heart not forget we are not home yet. I am so glad this world isn't my home. God has prepared for me a home in heaven someday. As for now, my journey here continues.

In Christ alone,
Jennifer

LOVE

2008-07-31T07:42:00.007-05:00

Hi everyone! We still continue to wait and pray for Kylie Hope. With the Olympics beginning next Friday, we are unsure right now if the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) will be working on referrals. The next referrals are for part of the month of February '06. As a reminder, our date is 7-14-06. We do know that families from our adoption agency will be traveling to China during the Olympics, which is a praise because originally we were informed that families would have to wait until the Olympics were over before traveling. I do believe God was behind that. :-)

Brad, Karsten, and I pray and think about Kylie so much. Even though she is not with us yet, she is already a part of our family just like Kyler is and will always be a part of our family. As much as I love my children, I can't even fathom how much more God loves them. After all, they are His and He has given us Karsten and eventually Kylie to raise for a while. I know that they are in God's hands and protection. I am blessed that He has given Brad and me the privilege of being their parents and being able to point them to Christ and to live for Him.

Getting back to 'love', I was curious about how many times that word appeared in the Bible. Depending upon the translation, the average was about 550 times. Wow! Enough said right there. Jesus says a lot about love. Here are just a few:

*God loves us (John 3:16)
*God is to be our first love (Matthew 6:24; 10:37)
*We are to love God (Matthew 22:37)
*We show that we love God when we obey Him (John 14:21; 15:10)
*Those who reject Jesus don't have God's love (John 5:41-44)
*Jesus proved His love for us by dying on the cross so that we could live forever with Him (John 3:14,15; 15:13,14)
*God loves those who hate Him and we are to love those who hate us (Matthew 5:43-47; Luke 6:35)
*We are commanded to love one another (John 13:34,35)
*Jesus extends His love to each person (Mark 10:21, John 10:11-15)

Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life for us, so we are to love others as Jesus loves us. Just as we want to give our children good things, imagine how much more our Father wants to give us, His children. Whether or not Kylie has been born yet, I know she is being loved by God. Each of us were valuable and loved by God before we were ever created in our mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5). We were on His mind when He was on the cross. If Kylie is already on this earth, again I know she's loved by God and we pray that someone in an orphanage or foster home is loving her. Thank you all for your continued prayers for Kylie and us. Thank you church family for already caring so much about Kylie. It's so encouraging to us each week when asked about our adoption. Keep praying! We love each and everyone of you.

Love & blessings~
Jennifer

God's Faithfulness

2008-07-24T09:40:00.001-05:00

We live in a world that is constantly changing, but I am so grateful that we serve a God who never changes. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." It has been encouraging to me reading this verse again, for I have an unspoken prayer request and would appreciate your prayers.

I have enjoyed focusing on God's promises. Not only is He unchangeable, God is holy, just, righteous, sovereign, loving, faithful, compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and forgiving. Psalm 33:4 says, "For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does." God's promises are always fulfilled. His Word says that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and God will supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19).

All of us, I'm sure, can testify that we have broken a promise at least once in our lives. Aren't you glad that God never has nor never will! He is the promise keeper. Even in Noah's days we read where God promised to never again destroy the earth until the judgment day when Jesus returns to wipe out evil forever. Even the change of seasons is a reminder of God's faithfulness and promises, "as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease" (Genesis 8:22).

As I ponder on God's faithfulness to me, I realize my need to be more faithful to Him. God is faithful to those who obey Him. Just like how God was faithful to Noah because he was righteous, blameless, and obedient. I am reminded that being faithful to God springs from a trusting, believing heart. This summer I have been doing a Wednesday morning Bible study called "Believing God" by Beth Moore. I actually did this same study four summers ago at a time when I really needed it because it had only been a few months since Kyler went to heaven. I know that God knew then what I needed and even then, He was and still is faithful. Now 4 years later I'm doing the same study, and again it's at a time when God knew I would need it. In that study, there is a five statement pledge of faith we do every week and I wanted to share them with you.
1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God's Word is alive and active in me.

I'm believing God!

If I allow any unbelief to take root in my heart then I cannot be faithful to God. Hebrews 3:12 states, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God."

What an awesome reminder that our faith is in the God who created the whole world by His word. God's Word is powerful and it is alive. I am living proof that God and His Word can transform lives. He is the King of kings, Lord of lords, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, El Roi--the God who sees, the First and the Last, God Most High, along with many other names. God knows all that we're going through and He wants us to come boldly to Him. Jesus experienced all that we go through plus much more. Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." The Lord preserves the faithful. While I've been typing I've had the song "Great is Thy Faithfulness" going through my mind. It's something worth clinging to. I'll close with the lyrics of a verse and the chorus. May we all remember to live by faith and God's promises, not what we see.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand has provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

In Christ alone,
Jennifer

2 YEARS TODAY!

2008-07-14T07:41:00.007-05:00

Our precious Kylie Hope,

You've been growing in our hearts for quite some time now. For me, 3 1/2 years. Today is the 2 year mark we've been "officially" waiting for you. When we started the adoption process it was only suppose to be an 8 month wait. Now it's over 2 years. We love you and pray for you everyday. I believe and pray that God is preparing you for us. Your Daddy and Mommy and big brother, Karsten, love and adore you. We know that our loving Heavenly Father is watching over you and protecting you. He loves you so much!

Romans 15:13 spoke to my heart this morning. "May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit."

We love you, Kylie,
Mommy, Daddy, & Karsten

Patiently Awaiting God's Timing

2008-07-10T09:18:00.004-05:00

I wish I could say I have stuck to this title over the last 2 1/2 years, but I haven't. Patience is not easy, but it is one of the nine character traits of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). God wants us to live by the Spirit and walk in the Spirit; therefore, we need to be patient people.

Monday, July 14, will be 2 years since our dossier (pronounced "doss-ee-ay") was logged in at the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs). Two years waiting for our daughter, Kylie! We long for the day we will hold her and tell her we love her. We know that God has a plan and a purpose for the long wait. Ultimately, God is in control. I have learned that we need to trust God to give us patience during those times when all we must do is wait. Our desires are worth waiting for...Kylie is worth the wait...God is worth waiting for. Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

God has taught me a few things while waiting for Kylie. He has showed me that it's not about what I want in my life rather it's what God wants. God knows what is best for each of us. God has been teaching me and maturing me as I wait for Kylie. Lamentations 3:24-26 tells us to wait for the Lord and that He is good to those whose hope is in Him. In addition, I have had the privilege of telling others about Christ and what He's doing in my life. I usually get asked the question, "Is Karsten your only child?" My reply is, "No, I have another son who lives in heaven, and I have a daughter in China who we're waiting to adopt." From there I am able to share God's goodness and faithfulness. God always has a purpose for everything He does and I truly believe He has a purpose for our waiting. I have to keep believing God that He is who He says He is.

How I pray that I choose to learn and grow in the Lord as I wait rather than complain. Complaining never changes the outcome anyhow. I serve a patient God...oh how He has been so patient with me over the years! 2 Peter 3:8-9 tells us, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." If a thousand years are like a day to God, then our waiting 2 years is probably less than a minute to Him. Waiting for God doesn't mean we sit around and do nothing. Walk with God and live for Him. He is what really matters.

Love & blessings~
Jennifer

Treasures in Jars of Clay

2008-07-02T08:29:00.007-05:00

First let me start by saying thank you for the sweet comments, emails, and for your prayers for Kylie. I know that God is still working. Yesterday I was thinking about what to post on the blog. In the adoption process, we have been in the "waiting period" for almost 2 years so it's only about once every month we receive an update from the adoption agency. (The next referral batch will be for the February 2006 LID, our's is July 2006). So I began to pray and ask God to help me what to say. I believe that the Holy Spirit living inside me does give power to my words so it isn't just me, it's God speaking through me. He truly is amazing! I was thinking about and remembering my friend, Paige Pickard, this morning. Today is her birthday. She would have turned 33 today. God took her home to heaven when she was 17. I always remember Paige as being a one-of-a-kind friend. She had a glow and sparkle about her that I had always envied. Paige wasn't like most of my other friends when I was a teenager. She lived that separated life (that I now know about). What made her different than my other friends? Paige loved Jesus. She lived a godly and holy life. After she departed this earth, God used Paige to have an impact for Christ. I heard things at her funeral that I had never heard. I wanted what she had. God used Paige to plant seeds in my life and then God did the rest. I didn't surrender my life to Christ right away; in fact, it was 5 years later when I gave my life to Christ and trusted Him as my Savior. I thank God for Paige. I want you to know that if you are going through a difficult season in your life right now, hand it over to God. If you don't have a personal relationship with Him then tell me, I want to pray for you. God will not waste a single hurt that we endure. He is loving toward all He made and is faithful in keeping His promises.

I know of other people who gave their lives to the Lord after Paige's death. Thinking of Paige, I am reminded of how our lives here on earth are so short compared to eternity, whether it's a really short time like Kyler's or someone who lives to be 100. James 4:14 says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist (or vapor) that appears for a little while and then vanishes." I realize in my own life I need to be doing more for Christ. Think of all the persecuted Christians in other countries that are being imprisoned or even killed for telling about Jesus. How I pray to have more boldness and courage in witnessing to others.

I am weak, that's why I need Jesus. Those of us in Christ are His personal representatives. 2 Corinthians 4:7-8 says, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." How I pray that we draw attention to the treasure that is inside us and not to ourselves. I want to end by asking you all to please pray for continued strength and comfort for Paige's mom, dad, and sister. I think Casting Crowns' song "Who am I" would be perfect to listen to. Enjoy.

Love & blessings,
Jennifer

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)

2008-06-24T13:50:00.007-05:00

Hi~as I mentioned in the previous post, in December 2004 God gave me the desire to adopt a baby girl from China. At the same time, I also wanted to be pregnant again. After a year of Brad and me earnestly praying for God's direction in this matter, I still wasn't pregnant, God had taken away the desire for me to get pregnant, and He had given both of us a strong desire to adopt. We knew without a doubt that God had chosen us to be parents to an orphan girl across the world. As I titled this post, Psalm 37:4 had become evident in my life. Let these words sink in--"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Does that mean that God gives us everything we want? No it doesn't. God wants us to delight in Him, have a passion for Him. God says in Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know." God wants to pour out His blessings on us. He loves each and everyone of us.

You may be wondering where we came up with the name 'Kylie Hope.' Just three months after Kyler Braden entered into heaven, Brad and I had picked out names for a girl and boy if God should give us more. 'Kylie' is of course named after Kyler and 'Hope' is, well, there is hope in Jesus. We know that we have the hope of heaven someday, meeting our Savior face to face, and living forever with Him, worshipping at His feet, and being reunited with Kyler forever. That is what we cling to. Revelation 21:4 says that God "will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Let me go on to verse 5: "He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!'" I hope each person reading this knows that there is more beyond this life. The only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. Put your faith and trust in Him. God is faithful and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Let me get back to telling you about our adoption process. In January 2006 we started the paperwork. God was so faithful in providing the money everytime an installment was due. Which reminds me of the next verse in Psalms I was mentioning earlier. Psalm 37:5 says, "Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do this." So we delighted in Him and He gave us the desire to adopt Kylie. Then we committed and trusted in God and He provided what we needed. God is the God of wonders. Originally, from start to finish, the whole process was only supposed to be 1 1/2 years. Do the math and yes it has been 2 1/2 years. I have learned that God is not on my timetable, but that I am on His. God has taught me much the last couple of years about waiting and patience. God's timing is perfect and we all know that we will get our daughter in His perfect time because we serve a perfect God :-)

Our dossier (paperwork) was sent to China June 29, 2006, and our log-in-date (LID) is July 14, 2006. That's when the official wait time begins. It continues to increase but I am holding on to Mark 9:23, Jesus speaking, that says--"Everything is possible to him who believes." God is huge so we are trusting Him. We know that He is still at work even if we don't see. Afterall, that is what faith is--believing what we don't see. We are now waiting for her referral which is her picture and identity. Once we receive the referral, we will travel approximately 8 weeks later and will be in China for 2 weeks. In addition, Karsten is so excited about his little sister. He had just turned 4 when we started the process. He prays for her everyday and asks regularly when we're getting Kylie. I ask that you especially pray for him because you know how time seems so slow when you're a kid. Karsten is already a great big brother.

Words cannot express how much we appreciate everyone's prayers for Kylie and us. Our family, church family, and friends are always so caring by asking about our little girl and through their encouraging words. Kylie has been growing in my heart for 3 1/2 years now. Am I in labor or what? I don't even think the gestation of an elephant is that long :-). Kylie is so loved. So many people have been praying for her before she was ever born. Oh, and for those of you who may not know, Kylie will be around a year old when we get her. We look so forward to that day!

Love & blessings~
Jennifer

The blessings and trials from God

2008-06-20T10:12:00.008-05:00

Thank you for visiting our blog. This is something I have been wanting to do for a while, but first we needed a new computer which we were able to purchase a few months ago. I am excited to share with you the blessings of God in our lives and the valleys we have been through and that God has brought us through. It hasn't always been easy, which God said it never would be; however, Jesus Christ has been our source of strength, comfort, hope, peace, and healing over the years. It is only by the grace of God that we are who we are and that each day we will conform to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

My husband and I were married in June 1997. Four years later, the Lord blessed us with Karsten Bradley. In Psalms 127, it says that children are a blessing from God. Karsten is 6 years old now and loves Jesus. I see God doing mighty things in Karsten's life. God has gifted Karsten with wonderful attributes. He is generous, kind, caring, compassionate, and has such a heart for the Lord. Brad and I are so thankful and blessed that God gave Karsten to us. We have a big responsibility in being parents. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." In Deuteronomy 6, it talks about loving God with all our heart, teaching the Word of God to our children, and to live each day according to God's Word. God emphasizes how important it is to teach our children the Bible and not to leave it to the church or school. It is soley the parents' responsibility. We do not take that lightly. That's why everyday we need to read and study the Bible and have prayer time with our Father.

When Karsten was 11 months old, I found out I was pregnant again. We were so excited especially since Karsten and his brother or sister would've only been 19 months apart. God had other plans, though, because at 8 weeks I had a miscarriage. As difficult as that was, we knew that God had a reason and we trusted Him for it. We thank God for "little baby." Meanwhile, six months later I found out I was pregnant again. Karsten was 1 1/2 years old. We were a little nervous since having the miscarriage but we gave our worries to God and prayed for a healthy baby. In November 2003, I had my ultrasound and we found out we were having another boy. We didn't have a preference, we wanted whatever God wanted us to have. Since we knew Karsten and his brother would only be 2 years apart, we were imagining how close they would be and what best friends they would become. We named our second son, Kyler Braden, a few weeks after the ultrasound.

My pregnancy was going great and we were excited and nervous about becoming parents again. On the morning of March 22, 2004, at 38 weeks pregnant, I went into labor. After dropping Karsten off at a friend's house, Brad and I were off to the hospital. Kyler Braden was born at 11:51 a.m. after having an emergency c-section. As it says in Isaiah 55:9, God's ways are not our ways. Kyler had fallen asleep in my womb and woke up in the loving arms of Jesus. God had made him so beautiful; he weighed 6lbs. 14oz. and was 19 inches long. At a time when it's supposed to be one of the happiest moments of our lives, we were left devastated, confused, heartbroken. But praise be to God Most High, even though we were devastated, confused, and heartbroken, through Christ we had joy, hope, and peace. Yet, we had questions and we wanted answers. Why God? What was your purpose in taking our baby to heaven? Why us? Needless to say, we didn't get immediate responses. But I do know that God's ways are holy, just, and perfect. He doesn't make mistakes and He does things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). God has taught us so much the last four years. Jesus says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." It's all about the cross. Circumstances aren't the barometer of God's love and goodness~the Cross is. God won't let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. Kyler would have turned 4 this past March. It was even more painful this year as his birthday was the day before Easter. God has helped use my suffering to strengthen me and to glorify Him. It makes me focus more on my dependence on God and not myself, and to think about the suffering Christ endured on the Cross for every person. It's not about me...it's about Him. I truly believe that through every suffering, God's glory will be revealed...if we let Him and trust Him. A verse that God has given to comfort me is Romans 8:18, Paul speaking, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Glory to God! 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

There have been many good things that have come from Kyler's death. Kyler's memorial fund of $1500 was sent to Taiwan for the purchase of Bibles. Only God knows the souls that have been forever changed through that. Brad, Karsten and I wouldn't be who were are today if we hadn't gone through the loss of Kyler. God is doing amazing work in our lives. Heaven is real and with Kyler now there it seems even more real. Karsten has had many questions as well about his brother over the years. Since we have read and talked about heaven many times, God began working in Karsten's heart. He made Jesus the Lord of his life when he was 4 years old. Again, praise God!

Another major blessing in the thorn is that after Kyler went to heaven, the Lord was burdening my heart for adopting a baby girl from China. That was in December 2004. I told Brad and we prayed about it for a year. We started the adoption process in January 2006 and we are still on the exciting journey that God has us on. I will discuss more in detail later about Kylie Hope. We are blessed that God has chosen us to adopt an orphan. She's been growing in my heart for 3 1/2 years now. I want to end on something I read in 'Our Daily Bread': "God tries our faith so that we can try His faithfulness."

Love & blessings~
Jennifer