Sandra
Wow. So we’ve been pretty busy, and I’ll tell you why. We’ve had a major change (related to the teaser from a previous post). We are no longer living at Im Jai, but have rented a house near the new site. We have bought a car (a truck, actually). We have been busy cleaning and fixing up our new place. We bought pink bedsheets. All because we’ve gone from zero to parent in about three weeks.
So there’s no confusion, we weren’t and aren’t pregnant. I’d tell you if we were.
We do, however, have a child.
Her name is Sandra. She’s 11 years old. She is a Thai orphan adopted by Cindy’s cousin in America. For reasons that I can’t really go into here, Sandra has been to boarding schools for the last couple of years, and now Cindy’s cousin has asked if we can take care of her.
We feel that it would be best for Sandra to be with her mom, but that is not a possibility, so we both agreed that the next best thing would be for her to be loved in a place where she would not have to be afraid of being moved again. We’re 100% certain that caring for her is God’s will. So as of March 4th, she has been living with us. And we are very suddenly parents.
I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, but we just found out about the possibility towards the end of my parents’ visit. After that we weren’t certain it would happen or not, and by the time we were certain, we had a lot to do.
What does this change? Cindy will be homeschooling Sandra, so she won’t be at Im Jai during the day most days. I will continue working at Im Jai as the computer guru (which is going to be a major job as they move). Hopefully, as our new schedule becomes better established we’ll be able to spend some more time with the kids at Im Jai again. Pray about that. We really don’t know how this new call fits in with our current one of serving Im Jai, but we don’t want to back out on Im Jai if we can help it. We want our relationship and commitments to Im Jai to be a blessing to our new family rather than a burden. Besides that, we believe God has called us to Im Jai, so we figure He’s got something figured out – we just don’t know what it is yet.
That’s all details though. What this really changes is us. When I get a chance, I’ll talk about some of the awesome things God has been doing in our lives already through this little girl.
Well, first of all wow, then congrats, then, praise the Lord, then, WOW, and then congrats again, then, lots of smiling and dncing around, then a giant–”WELCOME TO THE FAMILY SANDRA” lots more people love you that you haven’t even met yet, and now throw in a WE are proud of you guys, and mix it all together with a whole new level of prayer, a deeper commitment to love, and sense of justice and joy.
Love Bear and Ella (and Asabear)
WOW is right, and can anyone say it better than Bear alrady has? so……ditto his response and I’m soooo excited for you guys!! ~j
Since I know all of the intimate details already, I’ll spare you everything I’ve already talked to Cindy about. But I had to write because Sandra is SO much cuter in person than the photo you posted! Please post another picture without the sun in your eyes!!!!!! I love you guys! Please give Sandra a big hug and kiss for me and tell her that Alyssa is asking about her.
Well, every picture we took that day had her either squinting or sticking her tongue out or something. On the plus side, I showed her pictures of me when I was her age (and younger), and in every single one I was doing something equally silly. So we have that in common.
I can certainly attest to the fact that in all our family pictures, Adam was “doing something”. If we’d been on Funniest Home videos, he would have been the one in the background fooling around while his sister tried to recite a poem or something…
I am so glad Sandra arrived safely, and to such love. Funny how when God works in our lives, He sometimes just does it “bam!” That’s the most exciting thing ever! Congratulations!
Yep. WOW.
Congratulations guys! It’s nice to see all of you in a picture together.
I can only imagine how much your life has changed. That’s just awesome!
Congratulations!
:)
As always, my prayers are with you guys in this transitition. I’m confident that Sandra living with you is and has always been in God’splan for your time in Thailand! Love you both! …I mean…Love you ALL!
Congrats and my prayers are with you during this newest transition and call.
Jesica and I are super stoked for you guys!
And wow is right!
That’s wonderful news! It sounds like the Lord’s blessing you both in ways that you’re both gifted in and putting you in places where you can serve effectively. I’m very excited for you both in these changes in your lives. Press on, good and faithful ones!