Trust Me with Your Isaac

In light of our current insurance dilemma, I wept as I read the following poem written by Beth Moore. If you are at all familiar with the story of Abraham and Isaac from scripture, this will sing a sweet melody to your heart. It will bring hot tears if you have ever been asked by the Lover of your soul to return something to Him that you have been holding close to your heart with the whitest of knuckles....

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Trust Me with Your Isaac

For every Abraham who dares to kiss the foreign field

where glory for a moment grasped

Is for a lifetime tilled...

The voice of God speaks not but once

but 'til the traveler hears

"Abraham! Abraham! bring your Isaac here!"

"Bring not the blemished sacrifice.

What lovest thou the most?

Look not into the distance,

you'll find your Isaac close."

"I hear the tearing of your heart

torn between two loves,

the one your vision can behold

the Other hid above."

"Do you trust me, Abraham

with your gravest fear?

Will you pry your finges loose

and bring your Isaac here?"

"Have I not made you promises?

Hold them tight instead!

I am the Lover of your soul-

the lifter of your head."

"Believe me, O my Abraham

when blinded by the cost.

Arrange the wooded altar

and count your gains but loss."

"Let tears wash clean your blinded eyes

until unveiled you see-

the ram caught in the thicket there

to set your Isaac free."

"Perhaps I'll send him down the mount

to walk right by your side.

No longer in your iron grasp

but safer still in mine."

"Or I may wrap him in the wind

and sweep him from your sight

to better things beyond your reach-

believe with all your might!"

"Look up beloved Abraham.

Can you count the stars?

Multitudes will stand to reap

from one dear friend of God."

"Pass the test, my faithful one;

bow to me as Lord.

Trust me with your Isaac-

see,

I am your great Reward."

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What is your Isaac today? Is it a baby? A job? Good health? Hopes of financial success? A desire to be happily married or just married? Or perhaps it is a fear-of failure, of loss.. Start piling the wood my friend...He is the great Reward!

Wrestle Mania

This past week Wilson went to a wrestling camp. I, being naive about the sport, thought it would be a great time for him to roll around the mat with some other boys. He has so much energy and his very good friend Dylan was also taking the camp, so I figured the two of them could just wear each other out and learn something along the way.

Wilson and Dylan "wrasslin", as they say in the south.

I wasn't prepared for my reaction.

Have you seen this?

How do momma's do this? Is this what we have to look forward to? I thought I would be sick when I first watched my baby in the ring with a huge EIGHT year old who slammed him to the mat and began pinning his face and body into all sorts of contortions. It was all I thought I could stand until I found out it was the beginning of a TOURNAMENT! I had to watch this go on and on for over four matches. Don't get me wrong, Wilson held his own with each opponent, but mamma was not happy! I politely cheered him on and made up my mind at that moment that he would always play soccer or baseball or some other less ugly sport. His friend Dylan was quite good (dad was a wrestling coach) and plans to join the area wrestling club. Press on, I say. Not my boy, he'll be at soccer practice :-)

BTW, it was a great camp, and the coach was awesome..Wilson really thought alot of him. That poor man had some kind of patience with all those boys.

The boys were from ages 5 to 17. I can't believe how these little guys got down and dirty. Talk about testosterone...they seemed to be loving every minute of it.

This is our little neighbor, Austin, trying to put the move on his man. He just turned 5!

Ah, Democracy.

My aunt sent me this and I thought it was cute. It sures says alot about the way things are today.

The Little Red Hen-Modern Version

Once upon a time, on a farm in Texas, there was a little red hen who scratched about the barnyard until she uncovered quite a few grains of wheat.She called all of her neighbors together and said, "If we plant this wheat, we shall have bread to eat. Who will help me plant it?""Not I," said the cow."Not I," said the duck."Not I," said the pig."Not I," said the goose. "Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen. And so she did.The wheat grew very tall and ripened into golden grain."Who will help me reap my wheat?" asked the little red hen."Not I," said the duck."Out of my classification," said the pig."I'd lose my seniority," said the cow."I'd lose my unemployment compensation," said the goose."Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen, and so she did.At last it came time to bake the bread."Who will help me bake the bread?" asked the little red hen."That would be overtime for me," said the cow."I'd lose my welfare benefits," said the duck.I'm a dropout and never learned how," said the pig."If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination," said the goose."Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen.She baked five loaves and held them up for all of her neighbors to see. They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share. But the little red hen said, "No, I shall eat all five loaves.""Excess profits!" cried the cow."Capitalist leech!" screamed the duck."I demand equal rights!" yelled the goose.The pig just grunted in disdain.And then they all painted "Unfair!" picket signs and marched around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.Then a government agent came, he said to the little red hen, "You must not be so greedy." "But I earned the bread," said the little red hen. "Exactly," said the agent. "That is what makes our free enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who are lazy and idle,"And they all lived happily ever after, including the little red hen, who smiled and clucked, "I am grateful, for now I truly understand." But her neighbors became quite disappointed in her. She never again baked bread because she joined the "party" and got her bread free. And all the Democrats smiled. 'Fairness' had been established. Individual initiative had died, but nobody noticed; perhaps no one cared ... as long as there was free bread that "the rich" were paying for.

Camp Lucas

This summer has been abuzz with all sorts of visitors, and I have tried to keep this blog updated with the latest guests at Camp Lucas. Needless to say, I am a little behind.

Here, once again are the highlights. That is what I am known best for: capturing the moment in brief clips. I talk in novel form, and yet, my documenting or blogging is usually as brief as possible, because, honestly, I stink at just giving the facts. Ask anyone who knows me and is a "bottom liner"...it really annoys these people when they want a Reader's Digest version of an answer. So, anyway, here's the RD version of the past few weeks.

First came a visit from my dear friend and old neighbor Dana and her husband Jeff. This was their first time visiting our home since we moved away last June. They were on a childless (what is that like?) vacation and came for an overnight visit on their way to pick up two of their children from their grandparents in a nearby town. It was wonderful to see them both and to finally get to really visit. We had a great time and laughed a lot. Dana was intrigued by the military town and all of its novelties. She took a photo of the "pardon our noise" sign that I mentioned in the July 3 entry and another photo of "Saigon Sam's" which has significance to her right now, but I am no allowed to say why just yet..*insert wink*

Jeff and Dana

I sure do miss my friend. Lord knows how much butter, sugar and canned goods we swapped over the years, not to mention all of the stories we have tucked away. Our kids grew up together on that street and Wilson still cries himself to sleep sometimes wanting to play with Casey, her youngest son. Jeff and Dana are also in the process of adopting. They have been waiting for a daughter from China for almost two years now. The wait for a referral from China has gone to an estimated three years right now. Press on, my friends..."faithful is He who calls you,and He will bring it pass". You WILL one day hold your Aliana Grace. If you are interested you can check out their blog in the sidebar and learn more about Chinese adoption and their story.

What did I say about abbreviated versions?

Is this a mug shot?

My nephew came the next day to stay at Camp Lucas for a week. I am not sure he knew what he was in for. Being an only child and then being thrown into a lively household of Lucases may not have been what he bargained for..He loves his cousins and they love him, thankfully, they will grow up just the way my sister and I did with our cousins....thinking of each other as siblings and acting that way..fights and all. We have one cousin in particular that our kids call Aunt just like she was one of our sisters. I truly hope this generation will remain close and help each other along the way..goodness knows there are enough of them!

Ethan did great being away from his mom (my big sister) for the first time ever. Most of the week he slept in the spare bedroom, but the last few nights, he crawled into Landon's bed. He said it was because her bed was more comfortable, but I suspect he was getting a spot of what my friend calls "that camp feeling".

Oh, we did have one more visitor while Ethan was here, but he was NOT invited!

This little guy attached himself to the upstairs bathroom window. We had a full blown science project and front row seats to boot! He ate at least four bugs while we watched. Too cool.

Adoption: love/hate relationship with the USPS!

Sometimes the mail is a beautiful thing. Today was one of those days! I received a package in the mail from Jenn in Michigan. She is the mother of Joon Soo and she just got back from Korea in June. She was able to copy some video of our guy and sent it to us today. You should have seen me running from neighbor to neighbor looking for a VCR..we no longer own one. It was pouring down rain and I was frantic!

The video is just a short glimpse of them eating lunch and riding home from school that day. It was adorable and so current, which seems to be a luxury. Most of the videos I have of Jae Ho are so dated.

Here are some photos she sent:

Joon Soo and Stephen Jae Ho

An older photo. Stephen reportedly loves and cares for the younger babes.

Apparently, he and Joon Soo are very good buddies. It breaks my heart to think what must have gone through his mind when his little friend just left one day and didn't return. Thank goodness he will see him again one day.

Thank you Jenn for the much needed photos and video!

Take me out to the water park

While Amelia was here visiting we spent one of the days at the Jungle Rapids Water park in Wilmington. The kids (big and small) had a slippery and soaking wet wonderful time. My crew certainly misses having access to a swimming pool. The ocean is great fun, but just not the same for frolicking and relaxing. Guess that means we have to make some arrangements next year..huthem.Bathing Beauties!

I can't believe Wilson stood still long enough to let Jon cover him in SPF30!

But I am sure glad he did!

He would have never caught him again. Wilson was in hog (hawg) heaven!! This was just before he stood up on the raft and plunged into the water.

Who is having more fun? The girls or big J?


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Suffice it to say, the waterpark is one good way to insure a quiet ride home.

And a quiet night...........

Over the river and through the woods...

Sometimes there are just not enough hours in the day. We just got back from a whirlwind visit to my parent's home. It always feels like that moment at your wedding reception when, just as you are visiting with one person, another dear friend or family member steals you away, and you end up feeling like a dangling participle....

Here are some highlights of our trip:

Beethoven and Olivia

It was good to see mom's finches were settling in nicely. These were a birthday gift from Too Too, the grandchildren and us. Mom has really seemed to enjoy them. They brought in the new day by singing to each other in the most interactive melody. I could have been caught at any moment acting like a real birdbrain as I talked to and whistled with them all week. Such character!


Wilson and Meme (his g-grandmother)

We had a wonderful lunch with my grandmother and my aunt. The kids love to visit with them and play with their cocker spaniels. I hate we don't get to see them more often. We sure love you Meez!! Austyn stayed behind this week and spent her days with Meme and DeeDee learning how to sew and going for a swim. I know she has had a blast being an only child this week. It is her idea of heaven. We have missed her so much, too. Luckily, as most of you know, she is quite savvy with that computer and has kept up with the happenings around here as well.

Aunt Joanne and Cole

Did someone say adorable? My cousin was in town from Indiana with her two boys. Her husband was on a mission trip to Bosnia and she hightailed it to her momma's. Do you blame her?

She has the sweetest little boys and this was the first time we got to meet the newest baby: Ty.

My girls were in heaven with all of the fresh baby meat around. Luckily, they didn't fight over them.



Austyn, Ty and Julie (my cousin)

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Cheryl and AliciaA friendly get together.

We also had a blast at my friend Cheryl's house. We rented the movie Stomp the Yard (long story) and laughed until we cried. They made so much fun of me wanting to have the captions on..this helps me comprehend the movie better. By the time it was over, they were sure glad they could read the words and follow along. Does that mean my ADD has been confirmed or we are just getting old? Anyhow, it was wonderful to see them again and have a moment to laugh and catch up. BTW: Cheryl did state that she could do some of the stomping and stepping in the movie, bu that she might wind up in traction! LOL!

Wilson, Torrie and Noah had a blast just hanging out and harassing Alicia's kittens. Her husband was kind enough to let Wilson stay at their house while we were visiting. Noah has been his friend since he was just a toddler. Thanks Mike!

Calling all prayer warriors

I don't usually solicit prayers publicly. Today I am feeling a little discouraged and I need to call on any and all of my circle of prayer warriors.

Long story short:

We have had a major delay in getting our study approved for our adoption of little Jae Ho. It has been complete for over a month. We need to get this to get our paperwork to Korea to get all of his needed documentation moving. We have had to find medical insurance for our family that will add him once adopted. We were just denied yesterday for a policy based on the fact that it was involving an adoption from another country. This could set us back another week or two or possibly longer. I have trusted the Lord and His timing fully to this point, but I am beginning to LOSE it with this one hitch. GRRRHH! Anyway, I had hoped we would be way past this at this time and we are not and he is WAITING still. So goes the world of international adoption.I so wanted to have him home while the weather was warm. Perhaps the Lord has other plans, perhaps He is waiting to be petitioned.

Bottom line: Our son is in Korea and our paperwork is here.

Will you pray for our family and little Stephen Jae Ho?

Side note of praise:

PTL! Little Jung Woo (previous post) has found a family. His name will be Micah Jung Woo and he will live in Iowa. Not too close for Stephen to visit..but at least he has a family and will not be left behind *again*. Thanks to all of you who have been praying for this little sugar.

07/07/07 The Perfect Day

Since the first day of this year I have been looking forward to the 7th of July. Those of you who recognize that our God is into numbers and perfect order know that this day was just a little neater than most. It was 7/7/07..three sevens. A friend of mine came to share the day with me and to celebrate in a sense. We decided to spend the day giving God praise just for who He is, and His majesty shone throughout the day.

My friend Mika Kay and her Rebecca

We parked the boat right next to Bear Island for a time and let the kids play and enjoy lunch. It was a task trying to make a sandwich while the tide was rolling in minute by minute and the thunder was booming in the distance. I kept smiling thinking it was just His way of reminding us who He is...although it was a bit unnerving..we never felt like we were in any real danger. That is good considering at that point, we would have had NOWHERE to go except back in the boat..all exposed to the elements and everything.

Lu Lu and La La

Landon and her friend Amelia who is visiting for the 2nd Annual "Amelia week". These two are dear friends and pick right up where they left off when we moved away last summer. She is originally from Sweden and moved to the States as a three year old...such a doll. I love to hear her on the phone with her parents..she transforms into a whole new person speaking in her native tongue. My kids walk around mocking her little sentences for weeks after she is gone. Sometimes it brings a tear to my eye if we haven't seen her in a while. Oh well, I know no one pictures me as a sap..but there is something about her that I just love like she is my own.

PS. Landon was furious about having her picture made in the Spidey vest..she was gracious enough to let our guests take the "normal" ones.

If you look closely you can just see the dorsal fins of a dolphin (top) and a mom and her calf (below). It is very hard to see in the picture. They were IMPOSSIBLE to photograph with my simple camera, but just amazingly visible from the boat.

Once we packed up the boat, Jon took us on a journey through the inner coastal and into the Atlantic..Yikes, BIG difference, the wind picked up and the boat started to jerked about just a bit more. Just as I was pretending to love our extreme sports ride..I spotted a dorsal fin in the distance, and then another..as we approached the mouth of the waterway we could see several pods of dolphins that were apparently feeding on a school of fish. There must have been twenty of them (we decided three pods of seven!) and they would come completely out of the water and then slap the water with their tails to stun the fish so they could gorge themselves. It was truly the highlight of the day. I couldn't believe how close they would get to the boat so we could monitor their activity..time stood still as all eight of us on the boat watched on in amazement.

Once again, the creator of heaven and earth took the time to stoop down just for us and display His splendor.

Little Becca had all of the excitement she could stand for one day. She is literally asleep slumped over the side of the boat. Guess those late night chats just wore her out.....

"How great is our God, Sing with me, How great is our God, and all will see, How great, How great, is our God!" -Chris Tomlin

America! God shed His grace on thee...

Yesterday I was driving past the MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) and the huge sign at the front posted "Pardon our noise...it's the sound of freedom". As I finished my drive I whispered a prayer for our mighty nation, its leaders and the men and women of this country who give their blood, sweat, tears and often their lives, so we can move about freely in this land that was born so many years ago out of the overflowing blessings of our God! Tomorrow, make a special effort to thank God and possibly someone else who put their life on the line, for this amazing blanket of freedom that we enjoy. Remember all that we stand for: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance" Psalm 33:12

God bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home.

(Irvin Berlin 1918, revised 1938)