"Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

Have you been watching the Olympics? It's so incredible to see such talented athletes giving their ultimate performances. We saw the final women's 400m baton race. Wow! The women who won it had her eyes fixed on the finish line. The women she passed in the last few steps did not have her gaze set on the finish, but rather on her competitors. What a reminder to myself to be pursuing our Lord, and not all the other "stuff" that can be so distracting.

Remembering Isaac

When you mention the date 8-8-08 t0 most people, they probably think, "Olympics!"
When I hear that date, I think of our baby that may very well have been born to us at St.Francis hospital on the 8th. Our due date was actually the 12th, but since Esther was a few days early on hers, and my favorite number is 8, we are considering this our due date. We are remembering our child as he is now in heaven, and we can't wait to meet him. We miscarried in January of this year, after excitedly announcing to everyone at Christmas the great news. We gave a picture frame to Lance's folks with a drawing resembling a necklace I wear with a diamond for each child. It had 3 sparkles instead of 2, thus giving the joyous news.

Isaac

Your little name is Isaac
we saw you in a dream
You're smiling with Jesus
You're dancing with the King

We went to hear your heartbeat

we waited for the sound

Could've heard a pin drop
the silence was so loud

I've never shed more tears

than in the parking lot that day

I don't know why you're home
but Jesus wanted it that way

We have so many questions...

Why'd you have to go?

Why can I not hold you?
Things we'll never know

God knows all the answers

to things in our hearts and minds

We just have to trust him
in Him our rest we'll find

On Him we are falling

to Him we dearly cling

He gives and takes; sometime it breaks
but to His name our hearts still sing

Glory to the Lord,

our Savior reigns on high!

He is our love, our Adonai,
Messiah is our King

Jesus, thank you, Jesus

Your ways are so far above

I don't understand your gracious hand
but I know that you are love

Isaac, I want to hold you

I want to have you near

but God know best, it's time to rest

with Him and not down here

Goodbye my darling baby

You are so blessed to see

our Redeemer's face, His saving grace
You are so immensely free

Your little name is Isaac

we saw you in a dream

You're laughing now with Jesus

You're dancing with our king

Yes, you're playing, running, singing, clapping,
living with the King!

Woo-hoooo!!!!

It happened!! Never really thought it would..... but it happened!! Hans voluntarily went #2 in the potty today!!! Wonderful, wonderful day!! Immediately proceeding the momentous occasion, we packed everyone into the car and drove to the store to purchase the much anticipated truck as a sizable award for the effort and production of well, you know. He is now lying in his bed "taking a nap" as he plays with his new wheeled treasure. Annette has really been working a lot with him this past week on training, and it's been paying off. I haven't had the guts to dive into that very much yet. Thank you, Annette!!