tribute

Last Saturday (Jan 24), my friend Norman Goehring entered into the waiting arms of Jesus, his Lord, Savior, and Comforter. Norman had spent a little over two years battling the ravages of ALS on his body. Today is the service that will celebrate his life. Norman was gregarious--full of joy and energy. He was kind and encouraging. He was a man who lived out the power and peace of his faith. His laugh was one that anyone who met Norman cannot forget. I think God gives that kind of laughter to few people--Norman was one of those people. The last time I saw Norman was at his home in Clovis during the Christmas holidays of 2007. He could speak through a device in his trach, which I found difficult to understand. But, his eyes communicated so much. He was at peace then and was always gracious. I found encouragement in Norman's walk with the Lord. He never wavered outwardly (and I believe never inwardly as well)in his faith and confidence in Christ as his redeemer. Christ paid the price of all our sins so that we can be remade in His perfect image. Norman was confident in this redemption of his soul and so even as disease ravaged his body and perhaps Satan tempted Norman's mind, he always confessed Jesus as his Lord, Savior and mighty redeemer. Norman bore testimony to this truth in the almost 20 years that I knew him. While I left Fresno nearly six years ago, Norman remained my friend and I am convinced that neither death or life has separated Norman from the wonderful and holy love of Jesus Christ. My friend would say even now as he walks in the presence of God, "To Him be all the praise and glory. Amen."

we're still waiting

Just a couple "older" pictures of Will

very disappointed

In response to my email to my adoption agency, I was told that no court date has been set and that perhaps, we will not know until Feb 6. Obviously, that is not what I wanted to hear. Would you pray?

still waiting

I'm beginning to have a difficult time focusing for long periods of time on anything without the distraction of my anxious pleas: when oh Lord?

Please pray

This post will be brief and without pictures. Please pray that I will hear of the dates that I am to travel back to Russia to finalize Jonathan's adoption. Initially, I was told that I would return around the first of February. I have yet to hear and I confess I am growing weary and anxious. In chapel this morning, we sang from Psalm 139--As we began the third stanza, "Your works, how wonderful to me; You knew my frame when none could see In secret like the depths of earth you wove me long before my birth."--I began to cry as I think about Jonathan and God's hand on him. The next stanza--"My unformed substance You did see; The days that were ordained for me Were written in Your book, each one, Before the first day had begun." Words of hope and comfort for each of us but also a tender reminder of a question that Will asked me a couple of days ago--"Mommy, is Jonathan's name written in the lamb book?" We pray about Jonathan daily and that God would protect him and that God would be gracious to Jonathan and that his name is written in the Lamb's book of life. Amazing to me that Will remembers those words of our prayers and how mindful I am that God has ordained all of Jonathan's days, including those that will begin here, long before he was born. Please pray for us.

Oh my......Happy New Year

I won't spend this entry writing--too much time has passed. Highlights: spent Christmas in CA with family and a quiet New Year here in Beaver Falls. Classes began today--still waiting to hear when my exact travel dates to Vladivostok will be. I confess that I'm struggling to continue waiting. I pray that I do leave on Jan 31--it's the time frame I was told.....Enjoy the pictures--I think the camera caught Will's joy of the season! I do have to share that he has been talking incessantly about Jesus dying on the cross--particularly for him. I'm humbled to be entrusted with parenting Will.