March 15--views in the air

Views from the window.
I moved to the back of the plane and John moved from the middle to the window. This is what he saw out the window of the plane on the way to LAX.

Beautiful clouds, and look at the ground photos.
--pretty!

March 15--in the air

Here's the view from the plane.
The one with me sitting way in the back is because I felt crammed in the window seat and asked if I could move. I NEEDED an aisle. I have a bad knee and no way could I keep it bet for 4 hours on a flight. Nothwest coach is cramped.

So if you never flew coach--this is what it looks like.

March 15--goodbye Wisconsin

This is the scene when we left the airport in Milwaukee to head to Los Angeles, Ca.

Take a good look at the beautiful sunset, we will not see the sun again until we leave China. There are no sunsets in China as the smog/clouds always cover the blue sky.

LEAVIN on a Jet Plane

Well, I thought I would share our most recent picture which is over 2 years old. Sad our agency didn't bother to even try to get us new pictures.

Oh sweetie, what do you look like now? I can't wait to see you. If you only knew how stressed your Mama was. Daddy has been packing and weighing our luggage most of the day.

I have all kinds of goodies packed for you. Raggedy Ann is coming with us to China to see you smile, so is your Ling doll who speaks both English and Chinese. I have a book with pictures so we can try to talk to each other. I have a blow up ball, a swimsuit for you, lots of toys, your own backpack, nail polish, some cute clothes, even a winter coat if you get cold. I made a picture book so you can learn some of our faces so when you return you know your 2 best friends who stayed behind---Alex and Dolly.

This will be the farthest I have ever been away from home. If God wasn't behind this, I wouldn't even go. I've had terrible dreams that I won't even be coming back. Against all the odds---we're coming to bring you home.

I bought you the prettiest Easter dress, I am hoping it fits. If not, we'll return it and actually have you along to try things on. Soon you and I will both have ruby slippers.

I hope those that are reading along can know that it's by God's grace that we have Rachel Qin. Without him, doors were closed that no one could open. God made this all easy and provided us with the funds to pay for this adoption. Praise God--money is not an option....it's all freely provided and available to us.

We leave tonight for the airport.
I need prayers and strength.

**s**

rosebuds and waiting

Are we packed yet? no, but we've started. Are we ready yet? I don't know if I will ever be ready. I think it's sort of a pre-baby experience, to ask yourself all these questions.

The dumbest question is: "Will she like me?"

The most asked question is: "Does she know we are coming?" I wish I knew the answer to that one. Everyone asks this one. If she only knew how many people awaited her arrival. If she only knew how many people can't wait to hug her. Everything is here waiting for her. There are clothes in her dresser, and hung on hangers in her room. New sheets on her bed to sleep upon. New toys and stuffed animals sitting in her room. I await her arrival with anticipation.

I printed a bunch of pictures of Alexander, Dolly, and what our house looks like so she can look at them. Also pictures of Will, and Gramma n Grampas. So many people waiting to see her.

I picked this beautiful rose picture as a sign that I have spring fever and then as a reminder about how beautiful a rose can be among a bush full of thorns.

3 days to go before we leave.
**s**

Amazing all around us are people that want to be led. Then there are those that say we can't lead without approval. How can you lead without knowing where you are going? How can you stop people from following your lead?

When do you need to step out of the boat and do your own thing compared to knowing when to stay in the boat where it is safe?

Those are my ponderings for today....although they probably won't make a bit of sense to anyone else.

Funny---ever heard of the slowboat to China? I think they should have flown...18 hours on an airplane! Are they insane? I'm not going to know what time it is anywhere as even the day is different.

Since our intl agency got paid, we haven't heard a word from them. They said they cared and this wasn't just a business. Guess again. I do love our travel agency. If anyone reading this is going to China --you must you Lawrence/Delight travel. (http://www.delightravel.com) I've had nothing but awesome service and he reads his emails and responds right away. Not many places do that. WOW!

I think overall as long as we can stay well, we are going to be ready to go to China on Wed.
**s**

Monday again --dogbutts

Sigh, so today was Monday. Funny we went to the Chinese restaurant and we are so not able to speak the language.
Qin sounds like dropping a metal key onto the floor. Sort of a "ching" sound but quicker.
The word "yuan" which is the money in China....is a word that's almost impossible to say. First you have to take your mouth and make an oooh face. Then say oh-an...in 1 syllable.
The city we are going to is one of the hardest words to say. Xi'an sounds like Shawn or Jwan...or something like that.

So speaking Chinese is going to be a BIG challenge!

Oh, you will love this, at the end of our meal at the Chinese restaurant they always give you a fortune cookie. This is John's fortune: "Life is like a dogsled team, if you aren't the lead dog, the scenery never changes." [This picture is dedicated to all the dog butts we have to look at in life.]

**s**

ponderings

Today was an interesting day. A day of reflection...we gave our introduction in the Sunday School class today. Funny how most people don't know anything about us. It's not like we live a deep secret life or anything, but most people are just too busy to make friends or even act like friends. If I am lucky I have 5 friends in this church, although going to that location to have "church" is really the only common ground we have in common.

It's sad at times, some of the crazy things people say to me. I was asked if we plan on bringing Rachel Qin with us to church. Yeah, I'd assume she'll come to church with us sometime, most 5 yr olds follow their parents lead.

Someone shared that they would like to adopt locally but they don't want a birthparent to be involved in their life. I am amazed everytime I hear this, first the bmom picks the family to place her child and then without her you wouldn't even have the child. So sending a picture or letting someone see the child 1-2 times a year isn't too much of a burden. How can people be so selfish?

I was thinking today in church that I am going to cry when I see her. I am going to want to hold her in my arms and twirl in circles. It's like a dream that's ending, since I haven't gotten any new pictures or an update, I look at my 2 pictures of our little girl and wonder what she looks like. Does she even know we exist? Does she know we are coming? What will she understand? Does she speak English? Will she like us?

Since it's LENT, I've heard "you should be thankful" --do you know how thankful we are? Imagine not having a family, or anyone who really loved you. Imagine feeling like a caged bird. You own nothing, have nothing, are treated like nothing......and then you become my daughter.
IT's like winning the lottery--one minute you have nothing and the next minute you are smothered with everything. OVERLOAD!

I can't wait to go to China, but then again...I am afraid. So many people fill my head with the "what ifs" and then I wonder. God is in control and he knows our limiations. I put Rachel Qin in God's hands and pray that we can be worthy parents.

I pray that we can safely fly to China and home. I would hate to die in a planecrash and have Alexander not have us to care for him anymore. That's the biggest fear. I would want to live to see 100 so that I can see Alexander graduate, go to college, walk down the aisle with a bride, and give me grandbabies to love. I don't want to cheat him or me out of life. I just have to believe that God would not be so cruel as to have John and I die and leave Alexander to fend for himself.

Lots to think about in this blog today.
**s**

gimme a break

Hello, I guess I haven't thought about counting down yet. We were working on figuring out why our outlook express doesn't work on our laptop. Of course, it can't be fixed without reloading Xp --and you have to have the startup disc, who knows where that is. So I guess it stays broken for now.

Since I am typing....the church is having a foreign foods Sunday which is 2 days before we leave. We told them NO, we're too busy to make food for this event. I would think the secretary could get it but I got a recipe in the mail today. It's annoying to think people are so stuck in their own zone that they think no doesn't really mean no. I think we will give the letter to the pastor and tell him "our no---means no."

We have a box that we've been putting items in that are going with us to China. If Dolly knew about this box, she'd sit in it. I hope that by Wed I can have most things packed up. My Avon order should be in this week and I need to get it all delivered this week too. Plus I have a Am Legion Aux meeting that I might be running.....the verdict is still out on that yet.

So, I think with packing for China, getting our businesses ready to be on their own for 15 days, and everything else I have to get done.....I don't need to be hassled.

**s**

checking our list

Soon we will stop ladybug looking and will actually collect our ladybug out of China. Our tickets arrived while we were in Chicago. They seem to be done correctly.

John picked up our Chinese money today at the bank...so we're mostly ready.

Now to mail out my family newsletters to let everyone know we are finally going. I also made an insert for our church bulletin (glad I have lots of secretary skills.) And I called to get some things organized for next week.

Next giant thing to finish is packing. We're going to pack to bags to check and pray that they arrive, or at least one of them since we will co-mingle our clothes so if either one is lost forever we can manage.

Next week is going to feel like a blur. Funny among everything I have to do, I have to deliver some Avon orders IF they arrive before Wednesday or I have to hope that my helper or sister can get them delivered for me. Oh, don't forget not to stress....it's bad for your skin. :)

I used this verse at the bottom of my bulletin:

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."
Matthew 18:5

Happy Weekend!
**s**

Chinese consulate in Chicago

Greetings from Chicago. We are here to get our Chinese Consulate Visa :) so that we can go to China. Glad it was warm out, they moved the location it's not at 100W anymore but 1E ---so we had to walk a bit farther.

It was pretty easy, we walked in and took the elevator. The hardest part was that there wasn't a sign when we got off the elevator. You go left :) and then to the end of the hall and stand in line. We had everything ready, so we walked in and everyone starts smiling at Alexander. He's such a flirt.

You don't pay upfront which I thought was funny. They were very nice. So John will walk over tomorrow and pick them up.

It's been a nice day.
**s**


"Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good." (Psalm 85:12a)

Why Adopt?

I was shocked that the local Evangical Magazine had an article in it about adoption with Steven Chapman. He did say some wonderful things. I like that he said "Adoption is a visible gospel --we were once without a name, without a hope and a future, but God took us in and called us His children." So if we're all adopted by God, then why are so many people almost anti-adoption in today's Churches?

He said that not everyone should adopt, but there are other ways to help out. It's nice to see that even he mentions that those that won't ever adopt should help those that are willing to do an adoption. Adoption is a ministry. I would hope that children are loved in all the homes that adopt. Jesus loved kids. I believe that if money were no object we'd have a bunch more.

We spoke up in church and told the whole church that we are really going to China. Everyone was like "it's about time." Yeah, it sure is. Although I have no new pictures or updates to share with anyone, we will have pictures once we go to get her!

Have a good week, I'm sure ours will be busy.
Pray for our finances and our travel arrangements.
May God open doors financially to help us pay for all our adoption expenses.

**s**

Happy Birthday Alexander!

Happy Birthday Alexander!

I am blessed to be your mommy.

Or as you say "the Ma Ma"

We love you!

**s**

Bloom where you are planted

I'll have to find this poem and share it. It's written by a nun, and it basically says: "God put you here for a reason in the spot that you are in." I was thinking about this today when John and I were talking and asked what he thought about that with Rachel Qin.

Very interesting topic....and John's right. She isn't planted anywhere. She's sitting in an orphanage waiting as life passes her by. She's a seedling sitting on a hot rock waiting for help. She hasn't bloomed and she hasn't been planted. We're not uprooting her---she's never been planted, sprouted, watered, loved, adored, admired, etc. She needs me.

Look at the opportunities that we're giving her. Beyond the fact that she'll feel like Pollyanna...winning the shopping lottery.... She'll have her own room. Her own clothes. She'll be a part of a big family with a mother, father, little brother, grammas, grampas, and lots of aunties and uncles who already love her. Not to mention all my friends and online friends who can't wait to meet her or see her picture. She already is being loved. Prayers are already prayed for her.

Someday soon we will go and scoop her up, bring her home and plant her right in the middle of Wisconsin soil. She will not only be a US citizen, but she will become an American woman. Yes, she will be MY DAUGHTER! I will water her, groom her, love her, and teach her to blossom.

Her "bloom where you are planted" story might start in China....but it detours to USA (Wisconsin) and where will she end up?

Amazing!

***s***

China chatter

Hello Kitty Dolls picture "borrowed" from ebay :)

We have no new travel info about China yet. Maybe early next week.

We did get Rachel Qin insurance today. Hurray! We called around and didn't think we'd find any, after about 4 phone calls we got some. WOW!

John ordered Chinese money from the bank, so we'll have some to spend in the airport. $1 of ours will buy 8 of their money. We'll need a bag to carry our money around there :)

I need to find my travel/packing list. I had one, if I can't find it I guess I'll have to ask someone online to give me a new one.

**s**

TA --Travel Approval for China

Okay---TA (our Travel Approval) has arrived!

We're officially going to China! HURRAY!
Rachel Qin, pack your bags--your coming home to America.

Everything is not officially confirmed yet but we are going about March 15th and will be back about March 28th. Already called the travel agency to get things rolling.

DANCE WITH US!

Alexander--is almost 2

Hello,
Here is a picture of Alexander. He will be 2 on February 26th. What a blessing! I can't explain to those that don't know me, how important he is to me. They will never understand the prayers, the tears or the joy of bringing him home to our house. We have been blessed to share our lives with Alexander.

His happiness and outgoing personality is such a gift to us and those around us. He could easily become a Walmart greeter. He loves to say hello to everyone he sees. He loves to smile and he loves music.

Sometimes we say "DollyAlex" and "AlexDolly" several times a day. It's nice that they can play so nice together. :)

Valentine's day

Sad to celebrate Valentine's day in bed sick. John went to visit his brother and family and we booked the fancy room at the hotel.....well I had such a terrible pain in my jaw that I just couldn't go. I was in bed with the heating pad on my face praying the pain went away.

Finally the pain went away, and John and Alexander came home from Ma's at the end of Valentine's Day. He bought me some cookies and a DVD--The Corpse Bride.

It came and went. I loved it no more or less than other V-days.

**s**

Olympic games have started

Do you even care? So much going on how could I possibly add watching the Olympics into my day? This was a cool site someone sent me about the Knitting Olympics....here's the website: http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/olympics2006.html

So Valentine's day is fastly approaching...do you plan something special to your sweetie's day or don't you even bother? Is V-day only for young couples and those that have been married a while don't even bother? How do you make holidays exciting (and V-day is a BIGGIE for me)?

Anyways, I am going to try to post more often, I need to make this a priority.
TGIF!
**s**

February --the month of love?

Thursday blues

When is being normal okay? When is being a leader okay? Who decides? I think a lot of our mental decisions are made by people around us who set us up to fail. I also believe that sometimes people don't want us to be the best we can possibly be because that means it would show others that they aren't as ____________ (whatever) that they have been pretending to be all along.

Maybe you agree, maybe you don't. It really doesn't matter.

I found this story and thought it would be a good place to add it, as well as read it aloud at this meeting where all the grownups act like children. Some grown-ups need to hear "grow up and act your age!" Some people play stupid mind games their entire life.

Wake up people, life is too short to play mind games!
Say what you mean, don't backstab. Amazing how many people will say they are Christinas and then turn and do the complete opposite of what they believe in. These are the people that will tell you Jesus is all warm and fuzzy and never lost his temper. Guess they missed a few verses here and there, eh?

Oh---here's this story:

Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody
This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did. Somebody got angry about this, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it,but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done!



***s***

China adoption update --

Okay, so before I forget----a China adoption update.
Our paperwork was logged into China on Nov 22nd.
We were told by our agency it takes 8-12weeks afterwards before we find out when we are even going to China.

We are trying to wait patiently. Everyone keeps bugging me about going....I wish we'd know; I'd wish we'd go too.

No, we aren't a fraud. No, we didn't spend the money...
Yes, we really are planning on going. Yes, when we find out we will tell you, and we won't leave without saying first.

If I knew something I would say....I can't wait to know myself, but I don't know anything more.

No, we don't talk to her, or we have no new pictures to share. International adoption is very difficult because there is no communications. There are no updates. It's as if it doesn't matter to them. I guess children are looked at as a business, so they see no reason to send the new parents updates or pictures. Sad---but true.

We await the great day to announce we are going to bring her home....
I can't wait to know and schedule my life around that travel day, but as for now....we know nothing new.

**s**

Jan 4th--where's the snow?

So December was terribly snowy and so far January is melty? Where's the snow? Not that I am complaining, but I wish winter would pick an angle.....is it going to be snowy or not?

We took all the Christmas stuff off our lawn since it's melty and now it's outta season. Also before some loser steals it off our lawn. Some years it has to stay on the house until Spring as it's frozen solid and it's just too dangerous to climb on an icy roof. Oh, we put our sleigh and reindeer on our garage roof so that kids (or adults) don't cut the lights on them like they did one year. This way they don't walk away either. Our friend Fred, said we had one of the prettiest yards in town....that was nice to hear. We try to make it different every year. I love decorating outside!

Oh---you will love this one. Our church called to ask "what our kid's name is? Since no one at the church knows..." Wow! Now that is really sad. Aren't we suppose to be members? Our little Alexander is a blessing to anyone who could possibly know him. He loves to smile, he is always positive and upbeat....why don't you know his name? Sad! Again another reason why going to church is a waste of time. Do they ever know we are there? Do they even care? It's almost easier to stay at home and have church. (shakes head!) "Orgainzed Religion" stinks!

I guess this is a good place to discuss why this blog has the avesselofhonor name. A Vessel of Honor is what John and I try to be. We want to be chosen because we are mold-able (not moldy) and able to do God's work....either in our comfort zone or out of it. It's sad when other people can't even remember your name, but they would say they are our "friends."

Here's a question: If our "friends" don't know our names (or kids' names) what makes them friends instead of strangers?

Have a good one....
**s**

Today was a crazy day....we sent my suburban off to get a new engine, and John's car got a new windshield. I think the cold weather is the reason it cracked. Can you imagine there was a $70 difference in price between the 3 places I called to put in the SAME windshield? That just seems crazy!

We also got a rental car since the "loaner" at the auto place might or might not be available. I hate small cars so we got the best car on the lot. A 2006 Cady....and you know, it was a nice car, but I like my suburban better. Although people look at you driving that big expensive ride and say "oh baby!" :)

Some days are so busy around our house/work that I am sure our assistant (nanny/assistant) thinks we are insane to live in such a mad house. I know she's happy she doesn't live in this mad house all the time like we do.

Pick a corner---something needs cleaning. :) Funny, I run a flybaby list and I think I am a flybaby dropout. No, I've come a long way since the roof was tore off our house and our main floor was gutted of knick-knacks. Now to work on getting everything back in his/her knick-knack place. Clutter and dust bunnies beware.....

**s**

Jan 1 --Step aside old man

I picked this graphic for Jan 1st....because he's about to peck you in the head. Some people need a good peck to start thinking correctly...........

Did you see Dick Clark on New Year's Eve? Why didn't he retire since he wasn't on last year? Dang, he's rough looking. Why can't people just let people remember them in their best light instead of staying around far past the time when they need to step back and let someone else take over?

I see this all around me. There are far too many 70-80 yr old people running things, and not enough younger (less than 80) running things.

The Bible states this many ways....but people can't read the truth. Read Matt 9:17 Jesus said, "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. That way both the wine and the wineskins are preserved."

I've seen organizations (like our local AM Leg Aux) that would rather run the group to the point of death than let the younger people help out. They have a Juniors group (for under 18yrs) and they don't want them at meetings. They don't come because they aren't wanted....but they are wanted to pay dues? If you don't teach the younger ones to lead, who will lead when you are dead?

Some local churches run that way....we tried to minister at a church like that and we were told "who cares what happens to this church when I am dead." Wow! What an attitude. Why wouldn't you want the church and the things you enjoyed to live on?

There are many problems that time can fix --and this is one of them. But what happens in the mean time? Groups and Churches will die because some stubborn people cannot embrace anything new (the youth, technology, etc) and they become ignorant and selfish.

Here's a few more verses to share: Psalm 96:1 "Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth." If singing something new was spoken about years ago, why can't new things be done today?

Oh----how I hate to hear someone 50+ say "Oh, I just hate computers (or technology) and therefore, I don't have any use for such a thing...." Are they crazy? A toliet is a modern thing....so why are computers so bad? Because they haven't taken the time to learn how to use it. LEARN? "I graduated high school (or 8th grade) so my learning days are over." Check your pulse! If you're not dead, you can learn.

Last verse to share: Ecclesiastes 3--A Time for Everything: 1 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:....." that means there is a time to LEARN, a time to grow old, and a time to step over and let someone new have a chance.

OLD PEOPLE BEWARE---YOU WILL DIE FIRST!
**s**

DEC 31st--Happy New Years!

Today is the end of December, and also the end of 2005.
Looking back, it was a great year for me. No surgeries, or health problems. For that I am grateful--it's hard enough doing everything I do each week (including this blog) and then trying to be sick.

I picked this graphic because we are still in war, if the Pres W wants to think so or not. I heard about a guy who keeps a sign in a storefront remembering how many die and get injured over there "in war" and people are mad that he's doing that. WHY? #1 he's a vet and has a right to care. #2 it is really happening if you bother to care or not.

I guess it's another boring New Year's Eve for us. Drunks have made it too dangerous to travel the roads at night, so going anywhere on NYE isn't worth it. I wish more people were responsible and stopped acting like infants. (helpless and needy!)

Talking about stupid people --my Aunt just found out that my nephew and his girlfriend are going to have a baby. They are both about 20. They live at my sis' house, neither of them have a car, or a job, or a plan for the future. I guess they expect my sis (or us--you and I) to pay for them laying around the house and making babies. My nephew can't even read--maybe if he is lucky he can read a 2nd grade book....so he's going to be a father? Stupid! Funny, I knew this was going to be coming about because his girlfriend hasn't worked all summer....she's probably been trying to get pregnant all along. Guess what nephew, she's screwed you good now......deadbeat dad laws could put you in jail. I guess maybe you should have learned a few more things in school before you dropped out.

So today we decided to chill out, make some punch, watch some tv, and watch the ball drop in NTC before we call it a night. Even Alexander is going to stay up until 12mid to see the ball drop. He's seen some of the commercials and says "ooooh ball!"

HAPPY NEW YEARS!
**s**

Resolutions

There's a buzz going on now about resolutions...or the anti-resolution people are voicing their opinions again. Don't make them, because you won't be able to keep them....what?

I think of Jan 1st as my restart, although this year it seems that I have dragover stuff to finish. I need to step back and figure out what works, what doesn't, make a list of things to change....and then go forward.

Resolutions are goals. So those against them must not make goals either. They are the flopping fish that never planned ahead before they jumped out of their fishbowls! Duh? No goals!

"So Sandra, are you going to share your resolutions or what?" I guess if you bother to read my blog you should get a glimpse of what I even need to plan ahead to do, right?
Okay--they are simple---but goals shouldn't be set so high that you can't do them:

2006 Resolutions
1) go to China and safely return w/Rachel Qin
2) Spend more time reading (I bought a new bible chroni. book at the local bookstore...now to find it)
3) Spend more time doing crafts and fun things. "me time"
4) Finish my Bachelor's degree (I have 2 classes to go)
5) Would be nice to loose 25-50 pounds this year.
6) get organized.....(declutter/clean bedroom, office, avon stuff)
7) write my cookbook

There they are, simple---but a good plan of action for 2006.
Now onward to 2006!

**s**

Loosing the Christmas Spirit

So, did you notice that as soon as Christmas is over, the Christmas Spirit dies? The stores rush to clearance out the old and now Valentine's stuff is up everywhere. Just cruising from one holiday to the next.

What's the deal? Christmas was on a Sunday but everyone except the kids get Monday off from school. Post Office holiday.

The last week of 2005 --make the best of it.

**s**

Santa or No Santa?

Since I am now an official parent, I hear people ask "Do you do Santa?" Well, I guess we do. Alexander has been Santa sighting since October. He finds a guy with a white beard in the store and he yells, "look it's Santa." Amazing for being under 2, what will happen when he's older?

We take Dolly and Alex every year to Petco (where the pets can go) and get their pictures taken with Santa. It costs $5 and there is no line. Petco also has the Easter Bunny too, and we go and see him too. What's the big deal?

We did the Christmas Eve service last night, and on Christmas Day---we do presents and Santa!
This year we found a flying Santa and 1 reindeer and he run on a cord across our big room, so you can see Santa flying and singing "Have a holly Jolly Christmas...." It's fun. Shouldn't it all be fun?

Yes, as he gets older he will be able to tell people the whole nativity story, but I think Christmas is more fun with presents. We've had some years where there were no presents, and we still put up the tree. Christmas came and went---and we still had a wonderful time.

Christmas is what you make of it---the true spirit lives inside of you.
**s**

Christmas Eve service

Dec 24th is one of my favorite nights to go to church, I love the candlelight service. I brought a glowstick for Alexander so he could have a candle too. Overall it was one of the worst church services we went too, it looked unplanned and thrown together at the last minute.

What ever happened to telling the Christmas story AS WRITTEN? It seems every program I attend is rewriting the best story ever told. To make it a creative twist on an old story, but why?

Why not tell the story as written and act it out? Why can't the angel appear to the shepherds and have an angel say "hark!" go to Bethleham and see a baby being born.

Why don't we use the work HARK in conversation?
Hark, I think you are boring :)

**s**

FIRST CORINTHIANS 13 CHRISTMAS VERSION

Someone sent me this and it was so wonderful I thought I would share it with my blog friends. Also I found this beautiful picture somewhere in my travels around the web and thought I would honor it as well by placing it here.







FIRST CORINTHIANS 13 CHRISTMAS VERSION

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen,
baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals
and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime:
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen
carol in the nursing home,
and give all that I have to charity;
but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels
and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties
and sing in the choir's cantata
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way,
but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return;
but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things
endures all things.

Love never fails.
Video games will break,
pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust;
But giving the gift of love will endure.

~author unknown~

Merry Christmas
**s**

Happy Birthday Dolly

This isn't the best photo I have of my birthday girl, but it will work.

This is Dolly. She's my baby substitute, and she's now 4 years old. Dolly isn't ever too far from her Mama. I love her so much it's not possible to say.

Dolly was adopted into our home at a time when I had suffered our 2nd m/c and I needed a baby to hold. Dolly was thankful that that baby was her. She's fulfilled her every purpose in my life. She's always been there when I needed a hug and she's always nearby in case I need her.

In Chicago, they call this a "comfort dog" and they are allowed to attend everyday life with someone like me that needs her. Wisconsin doesn't have such a law, so Dolly has to wait for us in the car. We love Petco because we can all go shopping inside. She loves to look at all the animals.

She's even been to the fair, parades, and even fireworks. (She's decided she doesn't like fireworks)

I could talk all day about my faithful friend and first child.
Happy Birthday Dolly!

**s**

Stores saying Merry Christmas

You know all the Christmas hype about saying "Happy Holidays" in the local stores got me to thinking. So I went out shopping and purposely said MERRY CHRISTMAS to almost ever cashier I met. Most said "thanks same to you." Or some said it first to me.

I think maybe it's a regional thing.

Maybe more than a store policy, it's an individuals choice NOT to believe in/share the Christmas spirit. As one gal at Fashion Bug said, they put up the wreath and start playing Christmas music at Halloween. Now that's a long time to say Merry Christmas!

Sometime in November we finally put away our shorts and sandals and had to wear winter style clothes. It was a wonderful autumn. Now there is snow everywhere. Although it's been a mild winter for the most part.

So Merry Christmas--Happy Holidays or whatever to you.
Someone online said "Holy Holidays" -I thought that was unique!

**s**

Is that your final answer?

I am so tired of reading all the crap about people who are anti-Christmas. Also I'd think hearing Happy Holidays is better than nothing. Even the President is on the political correctness list this year. Seems he sent thousands of "Holiday" cards out instead of wishing all his Christian friends a Merry Christmas or a Blessed Holiday....he left out any Christian comments. Figures, play the Christian card only at elections?

It all makes me sick.

Another one that drives me insane is someone who wants to say "so-and-so isn't saved?" That's not up to me or you to decide. See someday, this person (or you and I) are going to have to stand before GOD and recount all the things we've done in this life.

Unlike what college thinks---THERE IS NO GROUP PROJECTS when you are talking to GOD! You can use 1 lifeline if you even know you HAVE a lifeline. That lifeline is called JESUS. But face it, if Jesus doesn't know you....you are in serious trouble.

I had a friend once tell me he only attended church twice a year. He went on Easter and Christmas. He thought the church was always decorated as I guess one year he went 3 times and that one time was just an average Sunday. No bells, whistles, tree, decorations....just a dull, boring sermon. Where were all the people? See, I HATE Christmas morning service because I have to fend for a seat that any other Sunday is empty. I have to sit next to someone who goes to church 2x a year and thinks God is all razzle/dazzle.

Okay, I sure hope heaven isn't one long sermon....but come on.....how do you know if what you are doing is enough for God?

I sent out a letter---to everyone on my mailing list. Practically begging them to help us bring Rachel Qin home from China. I got 1 reply (see the $2 story to read about it.) Only 1 person could help me. Yes, we all have bills....but isn't there some things that you could help out with? I'm sure you really need pie at a restaurant, or a super-sized drink, or to buy another scratch off ticket....or whatever your vice.

It's hard not to feel bitter when you ask for help---when you sound the alarm and no one comes. No, I'm not Chicken Little and don't ask for help very often. I think this was the first time EVER. It's almost as easy to erase all the names from my mailing list and close the book. Then I realize that God will remember, even after I forget....that they couldn't even help at all.

So, when you stand before GOD ---when it's finally your turn. Will your lifeline help you or burn you? Literally BURN you....or HELP you into the boat? If you are clueless of who Jesus is, or why you should even care....maybe you need to find a seat in a pew on Christmas Morning and hear the watered down message prepared just for you.

Oh, the churches expect you to GIVE money for sitting in that pew. Since you come 2x a year....you owe 5% of your gross now and 5% of your gross on Easter Morning. Oh--then you also owe 10% of your time for the whole year. (so that's about 2.4 hours a day times 365 days is 875 hours owed to God.)

So what's your final answer?

**s**

party party party

This week would be called "Party, Party, Party..."
It seems that everyone planned their Christmas parties in the first week of December and then the rest of the month is pretty dry.

3 parties in one week. So far 1 done....2 more to go. The first one was fun. There was a grab bag gift exchange with a $5 limit. We brought 2 of them to exchange --you can buy 2 boxes of chocolate covered cherries and 1 box of mints for $5....that's a lot of chocolate. Somehow we always end up with junkies gifts in return. John got a candle. I got 3 small snowmen figures. I'd rather had chocolates :)

I seem to have way more Christmas graphics than others. I guess I must like this holiday season.

**s**

holiday headaches

Well, Thanksgiving came and went --while I had a terrible headache. The week is a blurr. I must have done something worthy of reporting but I can't remember.

I guess I'll just make this one short and sweet then.

I think the holidays always move too quickly for me. One minute it's Thanksgiving and the next minute it's New Year's Eve. BOOM! That fast.

No word yet on going to China. No updated pictures to show, no log in date....nothing to report. All is quiet but busy working on getting ready for Christmas now.

**s**

Happy Thanksgiving!

I thought I would share with you a poem I wrote. For those that don't know, I love to write poems. Someday I hope to gather them all together and publish a book of my poems and stories.

This week I shared my poem with our local paper and it was published in their paper. Isn't that wonderful? Well, I thought it was.

In our time of celebrating, remember that OUR Blessings are far more than just food....loved ones, faith, health, etc are the bounties that we need to be thankful that we have.


Thanksgiving Blessings
By: Sandra L Wellens

Thanksgiving is a day to count our many blessings
Sharing in our bounties of harvest we'll partake
To celebrate our ancestors journey and hardships
To examine their paths they endured for our sake.

Thanksgiving usually involves a great feast
Planned over many days most made by hand
The table is set all the fixings displayed
All our family gathers to eat the feast the was planned.

We always say a blessing before we ever start.
We all have a blessing for which we are proud
We all go around the festive table
Each one saying their blessings aloud.

The feast represents our bounties gathered to share
These are the ones that have grown bigger all year
Some forget that our bounties are more than just food
It's what we hold in our hearts that are cherished my dear.


Happy Thanksgiving!
**s**

Adoption update

Not much to tell. Still no LID (log in date) for China.
They promised it should be done before November ends.
I begged to see if they could call and get an update or at least a new picture. Some kids on their site have gobs and gobs of pictures, while our little girl has 2 pictures that are a year old already. I wish time would quicken so we could go and bring her home.

Rachel Qin, Mama loves you! Someday you will come home and see your new room. I have toys for you and even some clothes hanging in your closet. I bought you a winter coat that I'll bring along to keep you warm during our journey.

Soon my angel you will be with us in the USA.


**s**

My $2 story

National Adoption Day --Nov 20th

I wanted to bless everyone with a story. I need to write it out anyways as I want to share it on a few of my lists. Remember the story of the little mustard seed?

We sent out our newsletters and enclosed an envelope to all that received them. I got one back. It was from my long-time friend and ol' first grade teacher, Sister R. She's a retired school teacher and is a nun. I read her letter and it made me cry.

She wrote she doesn't have a lot to spare but she gave me $2 to help bring Rachel home. I saw she had enclosed my envelope but I thought her letter was far enough. To hold her $2 (which to someone who has just a bit more than Qin herself...), it's like holding a million dollars in my hands. See she understands following God....she lives it too. I might not get any other envelopes back, but I asked anyways.

Most don't have much, or could spend it on something else....but her $2 was a bigger blessing than she could ever have imagined. I shared her story with a lady at my Avon booth on Saturday. Her $2 story still makes me cry with love.

God knows our heart, and he loves a cheerful giver. There are many on my mailing list that are quite wealthy. I have a couple Aunts that are VERY well---off. Time will tell if they can even match a nun and her $2 pledge to bring Qin home. This nun is also one of my references that took the time to fill out all the adoption reference paperwork for us. And I know she prays for us. :)

Isn't it a blessing? Doesn't this $2 story really show the meaning of Christmas? I think it does.

In our upcoming time to count your blessings, how are you helping orphans?
This is National Adoption Week ---think about those that need help and have nothing, then think of all that you have that you take for granted. I too have many, many things.

**s**

Nursery blues

I know I shouldn't complain, but when Alex was little he could sit in the pew and be silent. Toddler age is much harder. He didn't even make it thru the song service today. It was my turn to go to the nursery. Sitting in the nursery is like staying at home--you don't get anything out of the service.

Lots of people just drop off their kids at the nursery door and go back to the pew. I would have had to rush my kid to the ER after every service since there is 1 lady for however many kids show up. There were 3 kids almost 2 yrs and an infant. This infant is one that they hold constantly so they don't have to do anything else. If I wasn't in there, Alex would have split his head open playing on the play slide they have in there. Of course the floor is cement covered over with cheap carpet.

They keep the sound low in the nursery and you can't hear anything that goes on outside in the church part. I guess I liked the Catholic church's idea that the kid should scream and hang out in the pew with the parents. Playtime should not replace churchtime.

I can see Alex's point, why sit in boring church when I can be playing with kids my own age. Maybe that's why grownups don't attend too? Who stops and thinks about this stuff?

So John leaves church refreshed and refilled. I leave the nursery and go home to take a nap. Who wins? Next Sunday Alex is staying home with my brother while John and I go to church and enjoy a quiet prayerful time away from home. :) Awwww I can't wait!

**s**

Vendor Sales ROCK x2

Hi:
I had to use the same heading --vendor sales rock!

Here's the whole story...I got hooked up with this tupperware person who said she would love my help making the posters for her sale. She said the whole space cost her $75 and she'd split the cost among the vendors. I guess she forgets who she tells things too...... So I made the posters and hung them up as I promised. Then she decides to rename the event and redo the posters.

What makes more sense: "Christmas Craft & Gift Sale" or "Deerhunter's widow sale" --you decide? My idea is to say what it is so people won't get confused. Oh, then she uses my poster in the paper. Crazy!

Oh, split the costs must have gone to her blonde head....I paid $40 for 2 tables space.

Guess who's laughing? I made a profit baby! Most of the vendors didn't sell too much or not at all. Some were not happy campers. I was there selling Avon, like I know how to sell it....and blow the rest of them out of the water! Hurrah for me! :) Toot toot, my own horn.

Maybe next year I'll organize my own sale since I did most of the work for this one.

Fall colors amaze me.

Here's a picture taken just outside our town/city. I love the trees! Autumn is my favorite season.

We bought a new digital camera not too long ago. It's much smaller than the last one that we had. The other one put the pictures on a disk. I'll have to get use to downloading the pictures onto a CD now that they are just loaded into my computer so I don't loose them just incase my computer crashes.

You know what it means when the trees change color? It means that winter isn't too far away.

Turkey Day isn't too far away anymore. It seems like the last 2 years I have slid from Halloween into New Year's really quickly. I'm trying to enjoy everyday more this year so it doesn't seem like such a slide again this year.

**s**

tail chasing week

Do you ever find yourself chasing your own tail? Ever meet yourself in the bathroom? I was going to sleep while I was getting up. Who wins?

Then the funny question is when someone says, "Sandra, do you work?" I like to tell them, nope I sit on my butt all day and watch tv. John usually corrects me because people can't tell I am being funny. Maybe that's what they wanted to hear?

Of course, silly! I wonder if I ever stop working? Do I? My many hats --online I run probably too many yahoogroups. I love some of them and almost avoid other ones. I also talk on lots of them that I don't own. I probably read about 300 emails a day. I won't tell you that I have more than 10 email addresses.

Then I sell Avon. I actually do make a profit at selling it. I could always sell more, or reach a higher level---but I get bored or distracted. I love the products. This is my 5th year at it.

I am involved in the American Legion. Can you believe I am 2nd Vice Chair? That means 2 people have to die before I am President. LOL! I have to be careful who I tell that too, some people can't take a joke.

I make a family newsletter. I read about 2-3 books a week (it's slowed down.). I love to do crafts and quilting. I need to do some more crafting as I owe a few people some exchanges. I love to cut coupons and exchange the ones I can't use. I dream of making a cookbook with my Mother's favorite recipes. I write poems and would love to see them in a book someday. (Imagine my poems on a shelf in a book.) I write letters.

Then there is the Mommy hat and the housekeeping hat. I'm a flybaby. I even own a list. Although at times I seem clueless on what the heck a flybaby even does. (Where are your dust bunnies hiding?) Our house now has 3 bathrooms and 4 bedrooms, 2 offices, and 2 living room areas. One is becoming a library/craftroom when I get it all organized. Also the Christmas tree is going to go up in that room before Christmas -"no pressure."

Oh, did I tell you we added a 2nd floor and the builders walked away before it was officially completed? (Another long story!) And we are adopting a 5 yr old girl from China....so I read lots of emails on that, and have done lots of paperwork this summer to get our dossier (a group of papers needed) to send to China. It's finally done and we are awaiting our date to go to China.

My hubby, John works out of the home. He is a WI Tax Assessor. I am more or less the main office manager and hold down the forte when he isn't home. I answer the phones and have been learning to look up the information needed.

Do I work? What do you think? Tell them to come over sometime and see all the activity that goes on during the day. Our helper, Laura is probably ready to go home after she's here a few hours working. LOL

Oh---tell me I'm doing a GREAT JOB, instead of asking if I work here, okay?

**s**

A helper a Helper

If I remember I should start every month with these cute teddy bears.

We found a Mother's Helper! Hurray! Actually the local rural school put it in their family/school newsletter and someone answered. She's been a great asset to our household. Alexander says "Laura" so cute. That's her name.

She's been working around here helping me out. It's been nice to have someone watch Alex so I can go somewhere else in the house and get things done. Somedays he seems like he's into everything.

Little by little things are getting back into their spots since they were boxed up in early May when we started building. It's nice to see some of our favorite things finally get unpacked.

**s**