Saturday, December 27, 2008

4 videos of gorillas, tricks, hip-hop and santa...with Sophie

Atlanta Zoo

Our day at the zoo this summer.

WARNING--Sophie shows some aggression in this one...and a gorilla passes gas.



Skilz
Just having some fun at home on Thanksgiving night.




Sophie Dancing

Hanging out with the family one night turned into a dance party.




Santa 2008

Now when Sophie sees or hears about Santa she says, "scared".

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas everyone. We hope you have had a great day!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Sophie Mei 2008 in Review



The airport pictures are actually 2007 to be exact.

Songs can be found on i-tunes
Like a Dream- After Edmund
May Our Praise- Leeland
You and I- Scott England

Sunday, December 7, 2008

We are on the Billy Graham Christmas Special

We were asked in August by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to be part of their Christmas special that they do each year. We said yes with a big smile. From the beginning we have asked God to bring many people to Himself through this adoption and our daughter as we point to Jesus. The special has already aired in Atlanta but will air in other GA cities and all over the USA this week and month. You can check here for local listings.

They mention our story, show a small clip and point you to their web-site where there is a web-exclusive video of us.

Here is the Web-exclusive.


Friday, November 7, 2008

Pictures

These are the pictures we wanted on the last post.
New Album 11/7/08 3:46 PM

click on the picture to see the album

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Two months in review


Well, its Sunday morning, the time has "fallen back", and Sophie is busy watching Curious George, so I actually have a minute to blog. The days are getting fuller and fuller as we get closer to leaving for Thailand. We did go on a family vacation in September and Sophie had a wonderful time. Most of you saw the pictures on facebook but I'll add a few here. We were at St. George Island with my (Sherry's) family, 13 people in one house. It was a huge house so it was wonderful. Sophie was very hesitant of the beach for the first 10-15 minutes but she loved it. For a whole week afterward she was saying, "Daddy, beach", "Gigi, beach". If someone wasn't around she assumed they were at the beach. By the way, she calls my mom Gigi, short for Grammy.

Sophie is now 21 months old. She is finally wearing 18 month clothes, she's growing alot. She's also saying a lot more. Its very hard to believe that this week it will have been a whole year since the first time we saw her face. Its strange because in one way the time has flown by but in another, its difficult to remember life before her. It makes me a little sad to look at those first pictures now because when I think about the day the picture was taken, the reality that I wasn't the one who picked out her outfit, or fed her breakfast, or the one who was there trying to get her to laugh and smile for the camera, kind of hurts my heart. Strange but wonderful. Wonderful because its the way that God ordered it, "all the days ordained for me were written in His book before one of them came to be." Ps. 139.

Incidentally, Sophie is wildly, madly, obsessively in love with Elmo. How does that happen? :-) We tried so hard to limit her t.v. but she saw him a couple of times on Sesame Street and now she can't stop talking about him. At first I thought it was cute that she recognized him and would request him, so I bought an Elmo DVD but now as soon as her eyes open in the morning she is chanting, "Elmo, Elmo, Elmo, Elmo, Elmo, Elmo" I'm not exaggerating, she would say it 25 times if I didn't get in her face and explicitly explain either, "ok, right after breakfast" or "no, not right now." or "ok, be patient, mommy's trying to work the dvd player." Most any response besides "ok", elicits a very dramatic whiney cry. Wow, our little spicey girl is going to keep us on our toes. :-}

Thanks for listening.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Fesival of Light 2008

Festival of Light


click on the picture of Sophie to see more pictures from the festival.

This was our fourth year having the Festival of Light at Salem. It is a great time to relax with your family, play games, eat and watch fireworks. Our pastor Rick Statham shares the gospel in a creative way each year. This year he rode around in a golf cart with a present on the back of it. Many asked what the present was and inquired about it, but only one girl asked if she could have it. When the sun went down and the night began that little girl received the real gift...the golf cart! Rick used this to talk through the free gift of salvation through Jesus that leads us to and will keep us with God forever! Choose Christ! Don't just inquire. Sophie had a great time and loved the fireworks...so did I. We will miss this in the years to come.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Going to Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta Zoo 2
click on the picture to see more pictures of us at the zoo

Well, our blogging has become more and more infrequent. Life has become a lot more "normal" and the days keep passing much too quickly. We have had a great summer that has been relatively uneventful. Sophie is really growing these days and has almost reached 20 lbs.!!!! She had her 18 month check-up a couple of weeks ago and she is in the 1 percentile for weight and 11 percentile for height,of course this is American standards. Though, by Chinese standards she's still below average. But the dr. said that she is gaining weight at a good rate and that I have nothing to worry about, she'll just be a petite little girl. She's babbling a good amount now, she can repeat just about anything we say and has a 20+ word vocabulary. She's very entertaining and absolutely full of personality. We have lots of fun. We will leave for a beach vacation in 2 weeks and will be there with my (Sherry) family. We are very excited about this trip, I can't wait to see how she responds to the beach.

We went to the zoo this last Thursday and had a lovely day. The weather was perfect and the crowd was very small. I had not been to the zoo in years and loved it. Sophie had lots of fun too. She loves making monkey/ gorilla sounds and was fascinated to watch them LIVE in front of her. Lots of the animals were out enjoying the weather so we were able to see them with no problem. We were enjoying looking at the larger than life elephant who was front and center in her exhibit area. She seemed to be enjoying the small crowd that had gathered to watch her drink muddy water with that amazing trunk, when she very smoothly turned completely around, with her rear toward us, and began relieving herself in every way imaginable. Well, I quickly turned the stroller and started rolling away, along with a few other women, and soon it was only men standing there mesmerized. Why? It was quite comical. A handful of men who were strangers suddenly had something to knock elbows and make obnoxious comments about. It could have been an illustration out of "Men are from Mars, Women are from Heaven"... I mean Venus.

Other than that, we are just enjoying time with our families and trying to prepare some logisitics for our move to Thailand. I will be having a yard sale next Saturday to begin down-sizing some of the things we've acquired over the last few years. I'm always challenged in the area of being proactive, this is not a strength of mine but I'm trying. God has been so faithful to provide as we raise our financial support. We still have about 11% more to raise but have been very encouraged by the progress.

Thank you for your continued interest in our lives. We will have lots to post over the next few months as we near our move to Thailand.

Sherry
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Saturday, July 12, 2008

Picture Review of the Past 7 Months

seven months already!?
click on the picture to see more

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

In the Hills

6.30-7.2.2008 Family Vacation
Click on the picture to see more

We had a refreshing time in the mountains of NC with my family.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Father's Day

6.17.2008 Father's Day Weekend

Click on my dad and Sophie for more pictures.

Having many loved ones congratulate me on my first father's day really got me thinking great thoughts.

1. I am a father
2. Sophie is my babygirl (no space)
3. Sherry is my wife and Sophie's mommy (this makes me happy)
4. I know nothing...others can help...Jesus loves me
5. We have had Sophie with us for 6 months
6. We have a great family that loves us
7. We have great friends that loves us
8. Sophie can say bible
9. She turns her ear close to me when I tell her I have a secret for her
10. She tells me secrets in a sweet whisper
11. She is busy and has lots to do
12. She is a good helper
13. I would do anything for her and her mommy
14. I have great parents and in-laws
15. My mom and dad love all their kids and grand kids
16. Joseph loved Jesus just like blood
17. Jesus loved Joseph with his blood
18. Sophie has been placed by God in my arms!
19. She likes to dance
20. She likes to laugh
21. I was a dad this time last year, we just didn't know each other yet
22. Grace is good
23. Messy toys
24. Friends
25. Jesus

Big Fish Bowl in GA

Georgia Aquarium


Click on Picture to see more.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Mother's Day

Braves Game, Rocks, Family Dedication

Wow, my first Mother's Day! What a beautiful day. It also ended up being Baby Dedication for Sophie, how appropriate. My whole family was there for the service and then we spent the afternoon at my mom's house. Marc's family lives out of town and his dad has been in the hospital, so they weren't able to be there. (His dad is now recovering from surgery- please keep him in your prayers). It was so sweet and encouraging to see everyone's excitement for me, especially my family. I didn't realize how long and deeply they had been waiting for me to become a mom too. I think they may have enjoyed the day more for me than for themselves.

Being a mom has been incredible these 5 months. Its so strange that I can barely remember what life was like before Sophie. It has been an adjustment but one that has brought nothing but joy and thankfulness. The Lord has been so good to us and my biggest desire now is to be faithful in this new role. Sophie is a precious life that has been entrusted to us to care for, protect, nurture and especially to bring up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. What an accountability partner!! There is no bigger accountability than to know that the way I live out the things I say I believe, will directly affect the life of my child and the way she views God. Of course this is too tall an order to think I can carry myself, I have got to walk by faith in His grace. It is only by His grace that I can be a faithful mother.

Please enjoy the pictures of this beautiful child. My word, she is beautiful! I've told several people that as we were dreaming of Sophie before we ever saw her picture I would automatic picture a beautiful Chinese baby with pig-tails. Then I would have to say outloud to Marc, "Ok, she might not be cute at all, so I need to stop picturing this perfect little child. She's going to be precious to us no matter what she looks like." Well, not that it matters (it might even make things even harder:-)) but I think we may have gotten the cutest baby in China!! (but I know all of us mothers think so). We'll have to post another video soon so you can see her little personality too.


God Bless you all. Thank you for being interested in our lives.

Sherry

Friday, April 11, 2008

Visit to Arkansas

Visit to Arkansas

This week we were able to visit with my (Marc) sister, brother in law, their kids, and my mom. It was great. Dad was there with mom the week before but needed to get back home. We had a wonderful time. It was also a time of first meetings, they were able to meet Sophie and we were able to meet their new baby girl.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Getting Mommy

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Pig Kissing??

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Easter Sunday

Easter
Click on Flower Girl for more pictures.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

"if"

Easter Egg Hunt, Good News From Mike, and Llama
Click on the egg for more pictures.
…if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied."

1 Corinthians 15:17-19

The weight of this verse struck hard the core of my soul 6 or so years ago in a town on the edge of nowhere in Thailand. It is not that I had doubts about the resurrection of Christ, although the claims of men constantly say otherwise. No, I had wrestled with those questions years earlier and found the evidence for the truths of Scripture overwhelming. What busted in on me was the "most to be pitied" part. Was I living my life in such a way that if there was not a resurrection, which there was, that my life would be looked at as wasted and therefore to be pitied by all?

In other words, am I fully living like I believe in my risen Lord and Savior? Is the evidence of Christ's resurrection power in my life very convincing? Or am I living an apathetic, me-centered, status quo life that would make the world feel like I lived like I should if there was not a resurrection? Which again for clarity, Jesus did indeed raise up from death on the third day. I realized that my daily choices really did matter when it came to living out the faith that I claim.

Jesus did raise from the dead.

Am I fully living like I am alive or like the dead?

Would my life be pitied? Would yours?

Have a great Easter, worship Jesus!

Friday, March 21, 2008

Easter Week

Good Friday-It is Good
click on sophie for more pictures

Monday, March 17, 2008

Walking, Falling and Laughing


OK, OK, we have heard your demands. A video. Isn't she so pretty and funny!!

Here is evidence of the power of a girlscout cookie. Sophie was very hyper. It wasn't until I made the comment that someone must have slipped her some suger that Sherry remembered that it was her. Fun.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Playing in the Dirt

Playing in the dirt

Some pictures of Sophie playing in the dirt and a few crazy hair shots. Just click on the picture.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Protected, Refreshed, and Covered

Sophie Mei Lewis 2 and 3 of 08

Click on us to see a few more pictures.

As I prepare to speak at a men's prayer breakfast in the morning I have been reminded of some of my roles as a Husband and Dad. Isaiah 32:2 says that "each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land."

The ultimate end and example of this verse is Christ. He is our protector and salvation. He has secured us from God's just wrath. He "bore it [God's Wrath] in the room and stead of his people, has turned it away, and delivered them from it, and all the effects of it, so that nothing of it comes upon them; he has endured the whole force of the storm himself; and his righteousness, blood, sacrifice, and intercession, screen his people from it". Gill

He protects us from the storm of God's holy wrath, and the storm of evil that seeks to steal, kill and destroy.

God is refreshing like streams of water in a dry place. His grace is abundant in Christ, "and the freeness of it, which flows from the boundless ocean of divine love, and which greatly comforts and refreshes the souls of the Lord's people in this dry and barren land, and makes them cheerful and fruitful, revives their spirits, makes glad their hearts, and causes them to go on their way rejoicing." Gill

He is our cover. "Christ is the ROCK that is higher than they, to whom they are directed and led when their hearts are overwhelmed within them; on whom not only their souls are built, and their feet are set, and he is a shelter to them, but he casts a shadow, which is very reviving and refreshing, and that is the shadow of his word and ordinances, under which they sit with delight and pleasure, and which makes their travelling through this wilderness comfortable." Gill

Christ has accomplished these things for us and applies them daily upon us.

As a husband and dad I desire to follow Jesus in being his vessel to express protection, grace, and covering. I want to be these things to my family and others. Jesus alone can do it in the ultimate sence, but we can model this type of love as far as we can through the Holy Spirit.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Sophie and the Girls

Leaves and the girls

Click on the picture to see more.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

To Grandmother's House We Go

To Grandmother's House We Go

Click on the picture of Sophie and Sherry to see more.

We had a wonderful time with my mom and dad in NC last week. Sophie loved getting to know them. We enjoyed our time with mom and dad's church family.

Saturday, February 9, 2008



Its been a while since we've posted, sorry. Life is pretty busy these days. We are getting into a pretty good routine and loving every minute of it. Have I told you lately how much we love this baby girl? There absolutely cannot be a baby who has ever been kissed so many times by her mom and dad. Marc and I can't keep our hands off of her. She is doing really well, I would say she's thriving. I've been learning a lot lately through some very helpful books about "adoption parenting". I think I'm finally clear on the fact that because of the uniqueness of Sophie's first year of life, she has some unique needs that most 12 month olds might not have. I guess you could say I was a little naive and just subconsciously kept telling myself that I had been taking notes long enough and everything would work just as smoothly as I had always dreamed. Not that there have been any major issues, just all the books I've always sworn I would follow don't always apply to our circumstances. I'm clearer now more than ever that the only book that is applicable in all situations is God's Word. Wow, again, I love feeling peacefully needy for the Lord and HIS wisdom.

Sophie is really a happy baby. It doesn't take much to get a smile or a squeal. The sweetest of those squeals happens when her daddy walks in the door in the evenings. Boy does she love him. She is a pro at giving kisses back too. Actually, she is almost kissing too much these days. At first she was only kissing us and pictures of animals in her books. Now she kisses every picture: apples, balls, chairs. She even kisses the floor in front of her daddy. (I told you she loved him :-)). She also loves blowing kisses. I can tell she is getting more and more secure which is such an answer to prayer. She is very mobile and doesn't think a thing about crawling out of the room. We now have to close most of the bedroom doors. She is also picking up a few more words. As you saw on her birthday video, she loves to say "duck", by far her favorite word. But she will also say "mama" (though not on command) and "da" whenever Marc comes in the room. Sometimes we can get a "bye bye" out of her and I can tell she is trying to say "amen" after I do, but it comes out more like "mayme". She is standing on her own without holding on to anything, I think she'll be walking in no time. Watching her grow and learn is absolutely thrilling. Thanks for listening. God Bless.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Birthday Videos

Reading Before the Party

Presents

Are You a Duck?

Sophie's 1st Birthday Party

Sophie's 1st Birthday party
Wow, what a beautiful day! We had a party planned at Grammy's house. Mommy was busy getting things ready for family and a few of my new friends. By lunch time we knew that the weather may change our plans. Several friends were driving in from north of Atlanta and family from out of state. It ended up being just my mommy's family since we live so close. We had a lot of fun. I really liked being the center of attention, I'm not use to that (right!). My Aunt Melissa (a.k.a. Sissy) made me a beautiful birthday cake. Mommy really didn't want me to have too much sugar yet so she made me an all-natural cake. The icing was just cream cheese sweetened with apple juice. I'm not sure why she thought I would like it, she wouldn't even eat it. The cake was pretty good but I left the icing alone. I also enjoyed opening my birthday gifts. Pulling paper out of bags is funner than I thought. By the end of the night I was pretty tired but I didn't want to leave. I cried the whole way home (5min drive). I can't believe that I'm already a whole year old. Time sure flies when you're having fun!! Please feel free to enjoy my pictures. Daddy is working on my birthday video, it should be on here soon.

Toodles,

Sophie Mei

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Today is Sophie's Birthday

We love our little Sophie so much. We rejoice in her life! God has blessed us so much in such a little bundle of awesomeness!! We will have some pictures later, snowed in or not.

She loves saying DUCK! a DUCK! even as I post this she is laughing as she says it. She is also acting like she is typing on the table.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Making the Paper

My friend, Jimmy Cochran, will be writing a little article about our sweet journey and our sweet Sophie in the Henry County Times. It should be in this Wednesday's paper. Thanks Jimmy.

Please pray that God would be honored and that He would use this to encourage and inform others who are interested in adoption.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Social Studies Fair!!!!




My (Sherry) cousin, Julianna, goes to Luella Middle School. She chose the topic, "Why are there so many Chinese girls who need to be adopted?" for her Social Studies project. Her project was chosen to represent her school at the county wide fair. We were so proud and excited when she wanted to use some of Sophie's pictures for her display board. Today was the big day. Sophie and I went up to the school where the county wide competition was being held. It would be a few hours before they would know the results, so I took Sophie home for lunch and her nap and my mom and I returned to the school to see how Julianna's project faired. Well, she won a "Best in Fair" ribbon which means she will move on to the Regional competition. Julianna did a wonderful job with her display. Marc and I are continually praying that God uses Sophie's life, our journey to her and our journey with her for His glory. Adoption is a beautiful and powerful thing that, I believe, God has so much to teach us through. Whether it be through a conversation with a curious Wal-Mart clerk or through a Social Studies project in a public school, may God be exalted through this little life and the way God has brought her into our family.

Friday, January 11, 2008

BOOKS?


Today's blog is a question.

Please click on the comment tab under this entry and give us your advice.

What is your faviorite children's book? Maybe it is one that you remember from childhood or just being with kids. For you parents, what books have your children really loved and learned from?

Please comment.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

"In Love He Predestined Us For Adoption"

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Last night in our Middle School student service we introduced Sophie to the students. Sophie just kind-of looked at all 75 of them wondering what was going on. I told the students not to clap and be loud and they were very sensitive with Sophie. The service was more of a Show and Tell service. I showed them, introduced them to Sophie and then told them about our journey to get her. Sherry and Sophie went back home after the introduction. They were glued to the projector screens as I showed them each video. I concluded with a challenge and encourgagement from Ephesians 1:3-6(quoted above)

God came and got us through Jesus!! Our journey has showed me so much more about the plans, love, power, and goodness of God.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Watch Me Crawl

Last week Sophie did not even like to be on her hands and knees, now watch her move across the floor! Putting a sweet potato puff on my camera helped her to give it her all. Please pray for Sophie.

Monday, January 7, 2008

ZZZZZZZ...there, I think I caught them all.

Sophie Mei Lewis 1.6-7.2008

Sophie slept through the night, with the exception of a 5 min. see mommy and daddy break. She is getting back on track, but as you can see in the pictures she fell asleep at dinner. How rude, just when I was trying to explain to her the difference between sanctification and propitiation. Some of our friends came over tonight and brought us some yummy dinner....thank you! We had a great visit and play time. Sophie is now beginning to crawl and I love watching her figure it out. She did a great floor crossing for us and you would think that she just won a gold medal in the Olympics by the way we all got so excited and clapped....maybe she will one day...maybe I will...maybe I would break every bone in my body. Today I went back to work and it was good. We had a pleasant staff meeting and then I spent the rest of the day catching up with Kevin and then Jerrell in some one on one time. It is great seeing young men love Jesus and desire Him. I did however miss being with Sophie and Sherry all day.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

New Friends, Heaven and Jesus

Sophie Mei Lewis 1.4-6.2008

Click on the picture of Brooks and Sophie to see more pictures.

Today we made our first church visit. Sherry took Sophie by to meet the ladies in Sherry's SS class, they have been so encouraging and involved with us...thank you. Sophie was very sleepy, so was I, she decided that it would be a good idea to play all night instead of sleep. She is still on China time. As I did my normal rounds to the student SS classes Sophie went with me. It was so much fun to see her just taking in the students...and Phil Wrye...instant friends.

Today in church Don Piper, author of 90 Minutes in Heaven spoke, and will do so again in the night service tonight at 6:30. It was encouraging to see the power of prayer and the need to tell our friends about Jesus. The only thing I would add to thoughts and reality of Heaven, according to the Word, is the greatest part of all....that is where Jesus is, that is where God is. Our identity and joy is wrapped in Who we are united with, Jesus, a fruit of that union is the destination, a glorious Heaven that Don so richly experienced and shared.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Doctors Visit

Sophie Mei Lewis 1.4.2008

I was going to get Sherry to write about the visit to the doctor today, but she is knocked out on the couch. Sophie decided to play through the night and mommy and Sophie both are now sleeping like babies. Sophie checked out very well today with the doctor. Everything is great. She liked the doctor and did not like the shots. Man, that was hard seeing her take a finger prick, a skin test needle, and four shots of vaccines in the legs. What a trooper! We were going to let her eat a Big Mac for lunch but she fell asleep in the carseat about a min. away from the doctor's office. Just kidding about the Big Mac...Whoppers only. Notice that in the pictures there is Lamb Chops. This has been a little joke ever since Sherry Marechale became Sherry Lewis. Remember Lamb Chops?? One of the families actually called Sophie Lamb Chop while we were there.

Mela-Whatin?

Sophie Mei Lewis 1.3.2008

Yesterday we needed to get out of the house to get our "melatonin straitened out" so we we could know that we were in the USA and not China. Sounded smart but...we are all still pretty mixed up with our sleeping schedules. I took the week off so I really don't mind, I actually like helping Sophie to get back to sleep. Pray that God would give us good rest and a more "normal" schedule.

This morning we will be having our first doctor's visit in the USA. Sophie has been thinking about being a doctor or taste taster, I think she is training more in tasting everything, I will keep you posted about her career choices.

Please pray for my mom and dad (Pat and Jerry Lewis). My dad has Shingles and it may last a few weeks or more. Mom was coming down to visit again, they saw us at the airport, but we all listened to Sophie's doctor and put that on pause. It hurt my heart for my mom, dad and even my sister's family, her family was "exposed" to it too. My sister used the words "God is Sovereign" about three times on the phone with me. I think it was to comfort all of us. Pray that my dad would recover fast and not be in to much pain. Pray that God would help them to wait just a little longer.

Sovereign. In the time of the puritans, this was a name that was frequently used in referring to God. Not just "God you are Sovereign", but it was used as a name. What aspects of God do I ascribe to God when I am talking with Him? In our culture today it would be more of the names like...Giver, Provider, Helper, Sustainer...these are all right and good and we can never seek to diminish these names of God, but what about the names...Wisdom, Judge, Justifier, Sovereign, Leader, King, Sanctifier, Propitiator, Knowledge, Life, Love, Long Sufferer,....and on and on. It is good to be reminded that I don't know much about he greater plans of God...I think my head would explode about second 2. He is Wise and Good. He is Sovereign and in that Kingship works with ultimate authority causing "all things to work together for the good, for those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose".

It is good to have a place to think out my faith and even have others be encouraged, be encouragers, or even criticisers....don't know of any but hey....you know we do it.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

When Love Takes You In, EVERYTHING Changes


Here is a video that was posted on godtube by someone. The song is by Steven Curtis Chapman.

"Everything changes" is one of the lines of the song and it is so true, not just for Sophie, but for us, our family, and friends. My family now has new DNA, literally and metaphorically. Sherry and I are no longer the same family that we were just a month ago, yes much is the same, but that much is now touched and involved by a new member of us. Much of adoption is often focused on how the child's life is changed, and that is sooo true and good. But, having Sophie in our lives has been such a blessing and privilege. She is teaching us in new ways about the love, peace, discipline, persistence, hope, faithfulness, glory, and the sovereignty of God. There are pictures that God paints in His word about being a father and caregiver, but there is a breakdown between me and God. He does it perfectly and relies on no one. I do it imperfectly and realize more than ever how much I am dependant on God, family, and friends. I can give, love, encourage and do many things like God, but not completely like Him. That is the beauty of God in me as the Holy Spirit accompanied by His Word...He longs to love Sophie through me and with me. What a relief, what a burden bearer He is, what hope that gives me. I really do exhale when I think about His desire for Sophie...It is so much larger than mine...I CANNOT fathom that. So I breath and I welcome the changes He has made in my life for the magnification of His nature. He longs for me to trust in Him. So a part of my self dependence has been exposed and crushed, maybe a painful change, but a good one. Pride in me will constantly need a chisel and hammer in the hands of Jesus. Always needing to see the "I have been crucified with Christ" aspect of the faith leads to freedom, obedience and joy.

Pray that we would all get back to a good sleeping schedule. Sophie decided to play thourgh the night. Her clock will soon change.

He has brought Sophie into my family for many reasons but today I am thankful for His purpose in changing me and helping me to rely upon Him and the body of Christ.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Successful Bathtime

Sophie Mei 01.01.08

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions on bathtime. Yesterday was our first successful bathtime with no tears. Sophie's cousin, Isabelle, gave her a bathtime Cabbage Patch doll named Quinton. We started off by sitting Sophie on the edge of the sink, fully dressed, while I gave Quinton a bath. She slowly started playing in the water with her feet. I filled the other side of the sink with warm, soapy water and let her put her feet in there. It was a good thing I wasn't on a time schedule. I took off layers of clothing little at a time and finally slid her in. She whimpered for 1/2 a second but then resumed playing in the water. I thought this was such good progress that I didn't wash her hair. Then, today she had so much banana wiped through her hair I decided I would take the plunge. But as you can see she was all smiles with a sudsy mohawk. The tears and screams came when I tried to rinse her hair. She doesn't want even one drop of water to touch her face or eyes. I know this will get better with time. The time of day was better too. I'm going to continue giving baths in the daytime for now and we'll move to nighttime later. Thanks so much for your suggestions. This blog thing is way too cool. Don't be surprised if I post many questions for you.

The other pictures were from the Rocker girls coming to visit. Mary Elle has been dying to see Sophie. Everytime I have seen Mary Elle for the last two years (on atleast a monthly basis) we have the same short conversation the second she sees me, "Where is Baby Sophie?", "She's in China.", "Why?", "Because that's where she lives right now?" "Why?" "Because that's where she was born.". "Why?" "Because that's where God wanted her to be born." "Well, go get her." "I will.", "Go get her now." ..... That conversation always made me smile. Mary Elle was also adopted and her intense interest in my bringing Sophie home was beautiful to me. It meant something more deeply to her than the other kids her age in our family. I know that was from the Lord. When I say intense, I mean intense. The day we got our referral picture on the computer she and her mom came over and I thought she was going to run over her mom to get through our door. She ran through the door yelling, "Where is she? Where is Baby Sophie?" She was a little disappointed when she found out it was just a picture. She did the same thing when she walked in the door today, "Where is Baby Sophie?" She came around the corner, saw Sophie and let out the biggest, "Awwwwwww." She started asking her, "Did you come from China?" Sophie proceeded to tell her all about our flight home. :-) I was unable to get that initial meeting on video. I'm not as quick as Marc is.

I'm not sure if many people are still reading our blog now that we're home but its pretty therapeutic for us. Right now its 12:15 am and Marc and Sophie are asleep. I'm hoping both will sleep through the night.

Airport Welcome Home Video

Airport Greeting...Wow!!! (Pictures)

Sophie Mei Lewis 12.28.2007 ATL. Greeting

Seeing our family at the end of the tunnel from the plane to the terminal and bringing to them the newest member of the Lewis family was priceless, getting out to the baggage claim area and seeing so many friends and family was so encouraging, thrilling, unbelievable and filling. All of your prayers, posts, e-mails, facebook wallings, messages, words, silence, and involvement over these weeks has been unmistakeably AWESOME. We are indeed created for community. Well, Sophie was awakened by the new year fire crackers and is still awake. Mommy is sleepy so I get to have Sophie and couch time as she falls back to sleep. Happy New Year!