Maeghan Elizabeth Edwards Heaven Day

I have a very clear memory of this day three years ago. I was on my way to the hospital to visit a dear friend of mine whose five week old daughter was gravely ill. Many of our dear friends had stayed in close contact over the phone for the past several days updating each other of this sweet baby's condition and praying and believing for her recovery.

As I drove that night to be at my friend's side, I cried out to the Lord on her behalf and asked Him to give me words of comfort for her and her aching heart. I just wanted Him to give me a magic statement that would encourage her for the journey and give her hope. I reasoned that He knew I was awful at these kinds of situations and generally chose to avoid them. I so earnestly hoped that He would whisper some profound word that would let us know she would live to be a hundred. He didn't. Instead, through the tears that poured down my face He simply spoke to my heart and as audible as He can be said "Dawn, tell her that I am good and that I can be trusted." I told her what He had said. Her daughter went to be with Jesus later that night.

I am sure (I have heard her say this many times) these past three years have not been easy for my friend or her family, but our God has proved Himself faithful. He is good. He can be trusted.

On any given day she can be found giving a good word of encouragement or leading a lost mommy (who just lost their tiny son or daughter) down the road to salvation. Not because she is so happy with circumstances, but because He is good and He can be trusted. She is assured she will again see her Maeghan and for that she is hopeful!

If you happen to read this post today...whisper a prayer for Maeghan's mommy and daddy and her brother and sister. This is a tough time for them and for all of those who have sent their children to be rocked by the Savior ahead of them.

Her life continues to give: Just click on the link in the side bar to hear how she is still making a difference in the lives of heart babies!

(Maeghan and Heidi Heart Foundation)"You shall be called Oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor..." Isaiah 61:1-3

Signs of the Season...

There are a few clues around the Lucas house this time of year that are a sure reminder that Spring has sprung and Summer is on its way..................

Here is our first culprit. Four tiny Kildeer (spelling??) eggs in our backyard..on the GROUND no less. This brave mom decided Chaya (pooch) and Stella (feline) were no match for her, and she meant it. She would chase them out of their own turf in nothing flat. It was enough to alert the cavalry if she was really miffed. You might be able to make her out in the photo...just disregard the yard...grass just won't grow well in this sand! We have thoroughly enjoyed our personal WildKingdom.

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Here is our second clue....

Can you smell it? It is one of my favorite smells of all time..


It is the smell of the fresh dirt disturbed only by a batter in the box or a player in the field!

Nothing thrills my soul like seeing my children enjoy one of my greatest childhood memories:

The Ballfield.The Game.The Dirt.

The back of Wilson's jersey says Buffalo Tire. Jon got a huge kick out of the cheap advertising!
Softball and baseball in Jacksonville are a wee bit different than they were in Indian Trail. I have mentioned this to a few of you, but I have to admit, I am not sure which is better for the kids. Here, the kids play for the Recreation league which is funded by the city and is considerably cheaper ($35.00 for both of them to play=total). The problem is that the competition is not nearly as steep here. For example, t-ball here does not keep score,record outs or allow a player more than one base at a time. I can assure you this is making Wil's blood boil. We have had some "hang in there, chin up talks". Then, for softball they are using a machine which is good, but apparently it is not a very hot topic and competes with a huge soccer population. Most of the parents have NEVER seen a painted helmet and thought Landon must be hot stuff since she sported one with her name. Those of you from IT know that you wouldn't be caught dead borrowing someone else's helmet and if you did, their mom was beside herself that your kid had theirs on her head after she paid all of that money!LOL!

Can't wait to squeeze him!

One of the highlights of this adoption journey is always getting to see new and different photos of the child you already love and learning more about them. Well, this week has been an explosion of new photos of Stephen and we couldn't be more thrilled!!

One of the precious moms on our yahoo group (families that have adopted or are in process to adopt a Korean child from AMSA rehab center in Seoul, South Korea) has a son named Braiden, and apparently, he and Stephen were quite close in their time together at AMSA. The two of them are pictured above waiting to leave for school. They are both just over 2 years old here. These are some photos that were given to her last May when she traveled to bring Braiden home. The Korean ladies that care for these children truly love them. They prepare a photo album and write endearing letters to each child, so they will remember that they were deeply cared for at AMSA. This is one of the first times I have seen this much emotion on his face. I just wanna kiss those sweet cheeks!

2 Cute!! This is Matthew,?, Braiden and Stephen.

Matthew is getting a new brother soon who lives at AMSA with Stephen right now.

His name is Joon Soo!! We have a video clip of Stephen giving baby Joon Soo a sugary smooch right on the lips! It was the kiss that stole my heart just a few months ago.

BUDDIES!!

Left to right: Stephen,Braiden,? and Matthew

Braiden and Matthew live here in the US with their new families. The other little boy (I haven't figured out his name yet) is now the only one in their little group still waiting for a family. I have really prayed that he would find a home soon. His whole story is featured on Rainbowkids.(Which you may go to by clicking on the sidebar link) We have some video of this little guy and he is a real character. Wink, Wink.

Ready for bed? Not a chance!

Ok, well, maybe we were a little tired...........

It is very normal to sleep on the floor in Korea as the floors are often heated. Stephen is sleeping each night with five other children in the room and one care nurse. Yippee...sounds like his adjustment here will go just fine. Move over Landon and Wil, make room for one more ;-)

As if this wasn't enough to make a momma proud...I got an email from Peg (Children's Home Society) who is my contact person and the one who travels to Korea to learn more about each child and advocate for them. She sent an updated report and this always includes new photos. We were thrilled!! The kids and I spent the better part of the evening analyzing every photo and compiling a collage of all his sweet expressions. I am amazed at the pictures that really take my breath away. The last time it was a picture that showed his bare feet for the first time. In these recent ones it was a photo that captured him watching television. It only showed the back side of him and how tall and lean he had gotten. It was overwhelming. He had gone from babyish toddler to big boy three year old seemingly overnight. I missed it....again. *sigh* Not too much longer....hold on JaeHo mommy is coming.

I have been praying this verse over our adoption process from Isaiah 45 that says "He will go before you and make the rough places smooth, He will tear down walls and break through iron bars.."

If I have learned anything over these past three years it is that "He who calls you is faithful and He WILL bring it pass" 1Thessalonians 5:24, but He decides when and where. No matter how much you beg and scream and cry yourself to sleep: He has a plan and it will not be overdue a single day! Be patient. He can be trusted.

Happy Mother's Day

Let me start off by saying when it comes to family, I feel like I am one of the most BLESSED people on the planet! Truly, I have a wonderful mother and father, a "do anything for you" great sister, great grandmothers and aunts, cousins, and you get the point. Thank you to each one of them and I love you so very much!! The good Lord smiled when he set me in this flavorful group we call our family :)

Then, there are the ones who live under this very roof with me that I am so thankful for, and on days like today....I am just overwhelmed with emotion as I reflect on how I really do not deserve the great husband and kids that I have. Each of them went out of their way today to show me just how special I am to them in their own unique way. I have come a long way, you see.. Not too very long ago, Austyn (the oldest) came home from kindergarten with her special Mother's Day present she had made just for me. It was an All About Mom book that consisted of pictures she had drawn telling about her mom and what made her mom special. Mine had two pictures: a pot of coffee and a telephone! *sigh* I cried for two days.BUT, many moons later, I have moved up to a hand painted pot and freshly blooming Begonia that is adorned with a tongue depressor that states the following in HUGE 1st grade handwriting" MOM, I am so glad to be your son!". YAY! I am making progress..still not perfect. Not by a longshot.

They are the greatest kids I could have ever asked for and it is so much fun to be their mom. Being their maid, on the other hand, is NOT what I signed up for and somehow....

After a wonderful breakfast and opening cards and hand made goodies by my sweet sugars, we were off to end the gymnastics year at the recital. Austyn and Landon did a great job, even though they were a bit burned out by this time of the season.

Look out Beijing, here we come!!

Children of the World

Lighthouse Family Church

January 29, 2006

My dear friends, their families and the babes from India,Uganda, Philippines and Brazil

So many of you have to hear me talk about my precious babes that sing in the Children of the World choir all over the US. I am posting a link of them singing at the Crystal Cathderal on the West Coast. Most of these Indian children live in the Gilgal children's home where we visited in the NE corner of India. They come to the US to raise awareness for the plight of the orphan and to promote sponsorship of these children. They have 3 teams that travel throughout the US over a 10 month span. If you are interested in seeing them you can go to the link in the sidebar and click on "view schedule" and see when they will be in your area next. If you have small children it is an awesome opportunity to show them how blessed they really are to have all of their needs met and a great way to teach about other cultures.

They are an absolute blessing to watch and to get to know.

Here is the Link:

http://www.worldhelp.net/MusicOutreach.aspx?pageid=37053

Matthew 28:19 tells us to go into all the nations and tell them them about Jesus, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Child sponsorship is an excellent way to fulfill this commandment without having to board a plane. These children are introduced to the GOOD NEWS from an early age and will have access to education and shelter that would not be possible without an American family sponsoring them.

Now, I have manipulated my way to introducing our precious Tingneitling

We call her our "daughter in India" and have been sponsoring her for over two years. Through the COTW choir we were able to spend a great deal of time with her and have her spend the night in our home. She is a treasure and I am sure God had a perfect plan when he wove her into our lives. Ask anyone who met her...she is a jewel with a bright future. Her sister Tingneignak is here in the US right now touring with the Central team of children. She clung to my side while we were in India and was affectionately named "Nga-Nga" (Nya sound). I was later told by the children from Uganda, this means tomatoe in Ugandan. OOPs!

Happy Birthday! We were able to visit the children last year on November 26, which Ting and I happen to share as the day we were born. Isn't God good?

All of these ladies are touring in the US right now. Left to right: Elise and Nga-Nga (Central) and Deborah (West). This is Deborah's second tour in the US. It seems she was very homesick for the US when she returned last year and they allowed her the opportunity once again.

My Man and His New Toy!

How could I post a blog and not tell about Jon and his new toy? I will give you one guess for the man who loves the water and loves to fish...................wonder where he gets the love of the water?

I am okay with the boat. I like it. The problem comes when my children are all in it going 35 miles an hour on the Intercoastal waterway and hitting massive typhoon-like (well, they could be) waves from other boats steaming by...and look who has control of the vessel!

These things tend to make a momma a bit edgie!! We are all good swimmers and I trust Jon and his many years of nautical expertise, but...........................

Okay, so Austyn sure looks at ease on the water. She is having the time of her life and begging her dad to let her jump in. She reminds me so much I my grandfather with her love for the ocean and desire to just float with the tides until days end.

Wilson on the other hand.... Check out that face. Where have I seen that before? Oh yes, on Wilson the day before. LOL. Really, he does love the water just as much. I think he was just mad that he wasn't driving.

He has decided to take over the lifevest we bought for Stephen and give his Spiderman to him instead! Sounds like a fair trade, huh?

Landon's Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Landon! Okay I am a little late posting this, but it took me a while to figure out this computer (kompyoota in Korean) LOL.

Each of these girls are in her class at school...they all get along amazingly well!!

Landon celebrated her 9th (can you believe it?) birthday with eight of her friends. They had a sleepover and enjoyed lots of girl stuff, including gymnastics until MIDNIGHT!

What did you say? That looks like who? My mother...where? Oh, there! Yes, that is Grammy. She was a GREAT sport and hopped right in that bouncer just to make her grandchildren happy! It was a memorable moment to say the least and all of the children LOVED it! We all had a turn before the night was over. Even Chaya!

Cousins are the greatest!!

Since we are in the process of getting this blog started, we thought we might introduce several of our cousins to you...

This is our cousin Ethan and the Cable crew!!

(Jake, Katie and Anna Claire)

After a great trip to the kid favorite

Chuck E Cheese!

Where's Wilson?

We are not sure we claim this woman....what is Too Too doing in the tub with Landon?Austyn smiling with Madison...aren't they sweet?

Here are the boys...Hampton and his beloved cousin, big Wil!

Did I miss anyone?

A Day at the Beach with friends

My long time friend Missy and her two children (Abigail and McLean) came for a weekend visit. The children thoroughly enjoyed playing together and dancing to some crazy music!! The beach is always a hit with kids!