Happy Birthday Seth!

Today is our grandson, Seth's, Birthday. He is 11 years old. Happy Birthday Seth! Have a great day!

Faith and Trust in God

Today I took Trent to see a dermatologist to check out a small purple sore on his ear. Two and a half years ago, in April, he got a very bad sunburn. He was playing soccer in Special Olympics, and since it was April we had no sunblock with us. Neither did the other parents or coaches. Nobody expected the weather to be in the high 80's with a hot sun overhead. All the athletes had a bad sunburn. After the sunburn, Trent was left with this little purple sore on his ear, and from time to time his ear peels. When I mentioned it to the doctor, she listened to what I told her, took one look at it and said, "Oh my!" Giving me a serious look, she continued, "I will give you some ointment for that. But that is going to have to be watched for the rest of his life. If there is any change, bring him in right away." I replied by shaking my head yes. I knew what that meant.

Unfortunately, when one has a disability, his or her immune system seems to be compromised. Such has it been in Trent's case. He has had more than his share of medical situations.

Today, however, on the way home I felt my self feeling depressed. I kept hearing the words, "...that is going to have to be watched for the rest of his life..."

I began to think--"Who is going to be there after I'm gone? Who is going to take care of him the way I do? Who will even know to watch this?" I immediately recognized this for what it was--a lack of faith and trust in God. When Trent was little, I would worry about certain things that might happen to him. One day my husband wisely said to me, "Why are you worrying about that now? It may never happen, and if it does, we will cross that bridge when we get there."

My, how those years have flown! Here we are at the time in our life when these worries could really take over all of our thoughts. I can not do that. God will be there for Trent when his dad and I can no longer be there. We have prayed for Trent for 28 years and must entrust Him into God's hands. He will continue to take care of him even after we are gone. He will always send someone into Trent's life to help care for him.

I do not know how parents of a child with a disability make it without the Lord Jesus in their lives. To know Him and His love is the greatest gift in the world. He will not fail me and He will not fail my son!

Merry Christmas

What a wonderful day it is--the birthday of our Saviour!

Thank you God for sending your Son as a baby many years ago. Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross. Thank you that you rose again and that you are alive and sitting on the right hand of God. Thank you for my salvation. Thank you that I have a promise of eternal life in heaven.

What a joy to have Matthew Wyatt Evans join us for Christmas Eve celebration last night. We had such a wonderful time. I thank God for all of our children and grandchildren and all that He has given to us.

Have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas and may the love of God fill your hearts today!!

Happy Birthday Landen!

Happy Birthday to our grandson Landen! He is six years old today. What a Christmas present he was six years ago!!! Hope you have a great day today Landen!

Our China Doll Is Here!

Chet, Phyllis and our new grandson from China, Matthew Wyatt Evans, are home. They arrived safely and on schedule yesterday, at O'Hare Airport around 4:30 p.m.

How good God was! The weather was horrendous Thursday evening and Friday morning. I prayed that God would clear the roads and let the storm pass before we had to make the dreaded trip to O'Hare. (As those of you living in the Chicago area know, driving in that area can be hazardous.) On Thursday night, they advised those who could take a day off and stay home on Friday to do so. Apparently many took that advice, because both our trip to O'Hare and our trip home were during the rush hour and the traffic was wonderful. We were able to travel at the speed limit and there was no stop and go. Thank you God for answered prayer!

We are so happy to finally get to see Matthew. Up until now it has seemed like a dream. Chet and Phyllis are like two excited little children. Matthew is adorable. Welcome Matthew!

Congratulations Rachel!

I want to congratulate our daughter, Rachel, who graduated with an Associates Degree last night. She worked very hard on this the last few years and we are proud of her! Congratulations Rachel!

My Sons - The Sound Men

Trent loves running the sound system at our church. I guess it must run in the family because Brett, another son of ours, ran the sound system at the church where he attends for a long time. Brett is an excellent sound man as is Chet who trained Trent. Most of the time Trent does an excellent job. Chet is always there for standby in case he has problems.

But Chet has been in China for the last week and a half and Trent has been on his own. At the last minute on Sunday morning, one of the specials was changed and the couple who were now going to sing were using a CD. Not only was the schedule changed, but he had to keep track of the CD for this couple and the CD that he needed to play for the choir.

Trent does well at many things. But when he is trained to do something, and there is a change, it throws him for a loop. I am proud to say that he handled the change like a pro. I am so grateful to an older brother who was willing to take the time to patiently teach Trent.

New Grandson!

Yes! We officially have a new grandson. We received the call last night and then talked to Chet again this morning. I wish I could have seen the looks on their faces when their son was handed to them.

It appears that they are back on schedule and should return home on the 19th. Our precious Matthew has congestion in his chest, so please pray that God will touch his little body and heal him.

Thank you God for being so good!!!!

Big Problem - Not for God!

Chet and Phyllis reached a snag (a big one!!) when they reached California. The first international plane they boarded had a problem. They boarded another one and it had a problem. Then they boarded a third one, but there was no crew available. They had to spend the night in California.

The BIG problem? They would miss their appointment to pick up Matthew. They contacted their agent. Yes, they were told, this could be a very BIG problem. We prayed. Phyllis' family prayed. Our church prayed. Our family and friends prayed. Chet and Phyllis were allowed another 24 hours. Instead of picking up Matthew on Monday morning (China time), they will now pick him up Tuesday morning, which is late tonight our time. It's still going to be very, very close. God is in control. At times like this, it is hard to trust Him, but we must. He ALWAYS knows what is best.

I have watched these children of ours and they have had such tremendous testimonies! After going through years of infertility, they decided to adopt. I only know parts of what they have faced, but it has been a steep uphill battle the entire way.

Big problem? Yes, but it's not too big for God!

They're Off!

We just got back from O'Hare Airport! The roads were very slippery and the traffic slow. We saw five or six accidents and several more vehicles that had slid off the road. We thank God we were able to get Chet and Phyllis to the airport in plenty of time and then we arrived back home safely. Phyllis' mom and brother joined us.

Soon they will be in the air on their way to China. As I write this, their plane is scheduled to take off in 14 minutes. Please pray for safety for them. I had tears in my eyes as I hugged both of them and yet, happiness filled my heart. When we see them again, as Chet said, they will no longer be a twosome, but a threesome.

Matthew Wyatt Evans, we can't wait to meet you!!!

Grandchildren Are Precious!

Grandchildren are precious. When we are raising our own children, sometimes the busyness of our lives gets in the way of our enjoyment of them. That's why grandparents are so important.

We have had two prayers that God has recently answered in a very direct way. Our grandson Andrew (age 9), had been going through some struggles. Every night before my husband and I go to bed, we get on our knees and pray together. We pray for EVERY member of our family (and that list is getting quite long). We pray for specific needs for each one. We prayed that this year in school Andrew would find favor with his teacher. The other day he told me, "Grandma, my teacher says that she is so proud and happy to have me in her class." What a difference I can see in him, and what an answer to prayer!

About a month ago, my grandson, Brandon (age 8), received a D+ in spelling on his report card. He was really upset about it and about the fact that he would be grounded for it. I told him that Grandpa and I would pray for him every day and encouraged him to study harder. Two weeks later, when we saw him again, he had received A+ on both of his tests. He told his mom, "That's because Grandma and Grandpa were praying for me." What a testimony of God's love to these young boys. I hope they begin to see and understand the power of prayer and to have faith in God's answering their prayers.

Because my grandparents lived hundreds of miles away, I never really got to know them. The same thing happened to our children. I am thankful that most of our grandchildren live close by. If they remember nothing else about their grandparents, I want to leave each of them with this legacy--Grandma and Grandpa loved me and prayed faithfully for me.

Everything I Need

I hope all of you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Every day should be a day of thanksgiving!

Diane, the friend of mine for whom I have been praying, seems to be doing somewhat better. At first, they held out very little hope that she would live past Sunday the 23rd. Here we are eight days later and she is slowly improving. Praise the Lord!

The shower for my daughter-in-law went beautifully on Saturday. She and my son are looking forward to flying to China on Saturday morning to pick up their precious son. I am looking forward to them getting back on the 19th. Being a mother, it is hard not to worry about their safety, but I must put them in God's hands and trust Him (and I do trust Him).

I had asked her mother (the maternal grandmother) to say a few words at the shower and then I also spoke for a few minutes. I would like to share with you what I said.

Most of you have heard or read this story, but a few years ago I found something very unique in this story.

The story is found in I Kings 3:16-27. If you haven't read it and have a Bible, look it up. It is about two women, who were harlots, and they each had a newborn baby. The one baby died and during the night the mother of the dead baby took her baby and traded it with the baby of the other mother. When that mother awoke in the morning, she discovered the baby she had was not hers. To make a long story short, they went before King Solomon. Each woman argued that the living baby was hers. King Solomon in his wisdom said, "Bring a sword....Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other." Of course the real mother said, "Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it." Solomon then knew who the real mother was.

For years, whenever I heard this story told, it was always to emphasize the wisdom of Solomon. But here is something new I saw and I used it at the shower.

These women were harlots. Although the Bible doesn't tell us so, it is highly probable that they had not had a very good life before that. Perhaps they had not had mothers who had taught them how to mother. And yet, God put EVERYTHING in them that they needed to be a mother. This was evidenced in how natural it was for the real mother to be willing to give up her child rather than to have him killed.

To my daughter-in-law I said, "Phyllis, God knew from the very beginning that you would be the mommy of Matthew. You are going to face some circumstances of which most of here today know very little. But God put everything in you that you need and when those difficult times come, remember that. "

How true it is! When God gives us things to do that seem too hard, He already put everything in us that we need. When God gives us a child with special needs, He already put everything in us to parent this child. When I start to complain about something in my life that seems too hard, I must remember that He has given me everything I need. He is always there for me. He is my best friend, my Comforter and the answer to every situation in my life.