Gifts

We have been under a bit of stress lately, Steven trying to finish his first year in CRNA school, finding a house to rent in Nevada, getting ready to move across country, preparing documents for grant applications and for our new homestudy agency in Nevada....ugh! yet God's has graced us abundantly.  In the middle of my worry of "how will all of this work out".... our amazing God has proven to me over and over again that He is working it out!  I wanted to share with you some of the amazing gifts we have received recently. Gifts that He used to teach me that He is here walking with us, taking care of each of us (all seven)!

First of all we had an amazing fundraiser last weekend.  Our friends, Michele and Steve, hosted a paintinng party for the children at their art studio, ArtventureUs! here in Maryland.  Michele is an amazing artist.  She designed an adorable picture of a Great panda surrounded by a red thread (I love that part) to be used at this event.  She lead the children in painting their own versions of this panda.  We had an amazing turnout, and the kids did a wonderful job!!!  Check out the pictures---

Clare creating her masterpiece

Anna painting the ears of her panda

Everyone with their finished panda paintings! Thank you for helping us to bring Ellie home.

Outside of the White House.  And yes, my children picked out their own clothing!

The next gift happened last weekend.  This is our first and only year here in Maryland and we have enjoyed so many of the amazing things there are to do here and in the surrounding areas.  We have been excited about seeing the Cherry Blossoms bloom, but were concerned they would not do well this year because of the crazy weather.  Well it just so happened that God opened up these amazing trees with their glorious blooms this past week....earlier than they had predicted!  The best part about this was that Steven had just started his Spring Break from school. So..... we were able to spend some much needed family time together enjoying the beauty of the Cherry Blossoms.  Last Sunday we visited them in DC.  This year is the 100th year celebration of the Cherry Bloosom trees in Washington DC!!  Then last Tuesday we had a wonderful "date" together peacefully wondering around the quiet and beauty of the National Arboretum.  The trees there were breathtakeing.  I have official decided I LOVE cherry blossom trees. Of course they make me think of my sweet Ellie.  Their beauty is breathtaking, revealing the amazing grace of God (just like our Ellie)

In the middle of the Cherry Blossoms in DC.  We even had a picnic under the trees.

Jon and Anna.  And they did find these blooms on the ground....no picking them from the trees!

Picture of us courtesy of Anna

Clare and her daddy

Some of the amazing colors at the National Arboretum

This one is from the field in our back yard!  I get to awe at the beautfy of this Cherry Blossum in the morning with the sunrise.

The next gift was a wonderful surprise!!  Back in December Steven and I saw an advertisement for the Shun Yun Chinese Cultural show coming to the Kennedy Center in DC.   We both really wanted to go, but after looking at the prices of tickets, we decided that it was not a possibility for us right now.  Then after visiting an amazing Christmas light display in a local park, we entered a trivia contest.  One of the prizes for this contest was two tickets to this show.  Guess who won the tickets?  That's right, we got a call in January that we won two tickets to this show.  I was still a little nervous, because with Steven's school schedule, it is hard for him to take an evening off.  But not only did we receive these great tickets, but when they arrived in the mail, they were for the Thursday evening of his Spring Break!!!  Wow! We had an amazing time together.  And watching these outstanding performers on stage made me feel closer to our daughter.  I truly am falling in love in more with the beauty of the Chinese culture.   

So....lesson learned... why worry about today?  or the things that are out of our hands?  God is working everything out for us.  We just have to let go and let Him work!