Little Cabin In the Woods

Where is Xiao Hua?

On an island which is linked to the Fujian province located on the south eastern coast of China,  anxiously waiting for her mommy to pick her up. :)   Oolong tea is produced in Fujian. You can also look on the map to see Guangxi in southern China where Sage is from and Hubei in middle-southern China where Piper is from. 

Xiamen City, an island right on the coast of China....  I will travel to Fuzhou as that is where the Civil Affairs office is but would love to visit Xiamen if at all possible.  I believe Xiamen is about 3 hours from Fuzhou and I would have to do this before I get Paisley . I do not want her returning to the orphanage after placement as this can be upsetting and confusing to a child.  The weather is warm and humid (ewww) there so the end of February travel would be nice indeed. :)    Xiamen is an island city with a rich a exciting history complete with pirates and European merchants.  Being a port city it is now linked to mainland Fujian. 

Xiamen Island

Xiamen Nanputo Temple,  1,000 years old situated below the Five Old Gentlemen Peaks in the southern part of the island.  I have heard they serve delightful vegetarian dishes.   

Shown here is Proboscis Peak above Nanputuo Temple. The Rock is shaped like a person's nose.  But,  the best thing about Xiamen is....

this little sweetie.... our precious XiaoHua .

Milly-Molly-Mandy

Milly-Molly-Mandy is an ingenious little girl who lives on a farm with her Mother and Faver, Grandmother, Grandfather, Aunt and Uncle in a little white cottage with a thatched roof.  These are the most darling stories, simply told and the girls have been thoroughly enjoying and learning from them.  MMM is quite an innovative little thing who is kind and obedient.  She is just adorable and I must say I delight in her sweet freshness of these stories myself.  We have decided to do a map of our own little town much as the one seen on the inside of the books.  We also found a site with lesson plans!  You can see for you self at http://wonder.riverwillow.com.au/home_education/english/millymollymandy.htm   I am always thrilled when I find story books that teach good morals and character.  This is one of them with lots of extras. 

On another note... on Dec. 21st we received PA - Pre-Approval from China to adopt Xiao Hua!!  This is exciting news as it brings us one step closer to our little one.  I can't wait to snuggle her on my lap and read her these stories!

Milly-Molly-Mandy with friends...

Knowing God...

What a peaceful Christmas....  a time to remember the birth of our precious Lord.  The girls were quite content with their gifts and play happily.  I would like to say everything is gay and merry, and do try to put on the front but the truth is I have a terrible bug,  my front tooth chipped off (again), our car engine light is blinking, our pipes froze, I need new tires, my husbands company informed us that we have new (worse) health insurance and my windshield is cracked.   These things have only made me uncomfortable and I am so very thankful for all the gracious gifts we have!  In spite of all these inconveniences I am so grateful I have a strong immune system,  thankful I have teeth and a dentist, blessed to have a car that runs, health insurance and indoor plumbing.  The Lord watches over me as I come and go keeping me safe and over flowing my life with blessings. 

As this year comes to a close I can't help but ponder on the marvelous & individual plan God has for each of us.  We each have a uniqueness given to us by our Creator.  We are also at different locations in our spiritual walk.  What one family  practices  another may view from a different perspective.   When I was younger and my heart was not as dependent on Him as it is now I walked much differently, often wandering off the path,  sometimes stumbling along.  But, He was always there to catch and guide me.  I had only to reach out.  As I have become more intimate and developed a dependency upon Him I have changed.  Much as in the the journey of a tree beginning as a seed, watered and nourished by the sun,  taking in nutrients needed for sustenance and growth from the rich soil.  Next, a tiny delicate shoot peeping up from the earth reaching up to the suns light.  With the proper nourishment from the earth, water and sun the shoot matures and heightens stretching to wards the sun to grow even more.  Eventually, if properly  cultivated a wee bud will appear, immature yet eager for growth.   This eagerness bringing the expectancy of the little buds goal... a delightful bloom bursting forth   to produce more shoots, stems,branches,flowers and eventually fruit.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Are Are we not like the seed needing the nourishment of our heavenly Father ?  Do we not need  his love and care to grow and blossom into a purposeful vine worthy of producing good fruit?   If the Lord provides so carefully to the little seed giving it all it needs in order to grown into a mature fruit bearing tree will he not do the same for us who are so much more important to Him?  He freely offers us the soil and rain,  the sun and nourishment we need.  However, it is up to us to reach up and take it in continually.  If we fall short trying to supply our own nourishment we lapse and again begin reaching for the sun who is waiting, call us in to   the light, offering all the sustaining substance we need.    I am constantly falling and reaching, sliding and growing.    It is when I stop reaching that I cease to grow.  He has given me everything I need but I must continually stretch out to Him.  When the weeds thicken and I can't see the light  I reach for my sword and yield it until I can see His rays of hope.  He is always there... waiting.  I strive to be completely dependent on Him so I can become whole.  On my own I am incapable of knowing God because of my sinfulness.  I fall short of the standard of holiness acceptable to confer with Him.  Through no effort of my own Christ bridged that gap providing a way to Him.    I am just amazed today and always at His care for me.  How foturnate.... how astonishing I have been chosen to be a child of God.

Christmas morning... gifts and the story of the greatest gift

gifts for mommy.... :)

gifts for Xiao Hua...

Do you know how difficult it is to get a decent photo of 2 boys , 2 girls and a cat?...

Very difficult...

very very difficult...

daddy and his girl...

Passage of the Heart

How surprising it was to receive this issue of National Geographic Traveler in the mail yesterday.  I have been receiving this magazine for over a year and never once was there an issue featuring China.  Within it's pages are amazing articles full of colorful, emotional pictures of provinces from all over China today.  From the magnificent, symmetrical rice terraces of Sage's birth home of Guangxi, acrobats from a school in Hebei, rising skyscrapers in Shanghi, snow capped villages in the Anhui province,  diminishing cultures in Yunnan, the captivating Tibetan skyline in Qinghai, cities on the water in Zhejing, thousands of uniformed children singing in Guizhou, an enchanting young girl weaving threads of silk in Xinjiang,  intriguing Shaolin monks in Henan and so many more.... it is a must have for anyone who has a child from China or is in the process of adopting from this beautiful country full of rich culture and history.    I have high hopes this  will precede our PA (Pre-Approval) for Xiao Hua next week which we are anxiously awaiting... A passage to the heart.

In the Blue Ridge mountains the sky is exhibiting that gray foggy shade.  It seems the air is filled with quiet as if  introducing the snowfall...     The semester is over for our middle son who is a majoring in law at ASU.  He received all A's and B's.  :)  His girl friend who is an interior design major topped him with all A's :)      There was a cookie exchange at church Wednesday evening.  We have never been to one and throughly enjoyed it.  We contributed three dozen peanut butter cookies and returned home with a couple dozen of yummy cookie varieties.  The pastor told the Christmas story to the young ones, quizzing them on details in playful banter.  We sang Christmas carols to the accompaniment of a guitar then enjoyed sweet homemade hot cocoa and treats.  It was a simple, lovely time for all. 

I dragged Jax (ok, so I bribed him with a free lunch) into town this week with the girls in tow to do a bit of Christmas shopping and found some nice items..... buckwheat pancake mix and walnut syrup from the Hampton Grist Mill which I snuggly wrapped in gold and mulberry wine ribbon will make nice gift bundles.   We let the girls decide on three gifts they would like and also give them books and educational games making sure the focus remains on Christ, telling the story of His birth often throughout the season.  Our gifts to our beloved sons and others also remain quite simple.  While I was shopping I found a basket. Now, those of you who know me know I just love baskets. :)  I like 'em a lot....  Well, this basket was really BIG and was on sale just beckoning me to bring it home.   Jax said "Mama,  What in the world are you going to do with this huge basket?"  I just had to have it and as you can see found the perfect things to put in it.... for now anyways.  Hope your days are filled with merriment and joy in  anticipation of celebrating the birth of Christ.  May your basket be full of peace and hope!

A basket of beautiful gifts?? ... smiling and winking

Sailing in a boat???.... there are lots of uses for such a grand basket

Gingerbread Burdens

We had such a busy, lovely weekend.   We enjoyed making Cinnamon gingerbread ornaments with a recipe from Patty.  Hers are much prettier, but the girls had a joyful time glittering them with sprinkles and accessories. :) We then made some you could actually eat and I must admit between the ornaments and the cookies the smell was tantalizing. We did however, forget to inform  Jax that there was a difference between the  scrumptious Cinnamon cookies made with glue and the ones that were edible.... they did all look the same...  Well, I guess glue isn't too toxic. :)  We finished up our Christmas CD for Xiao Hua, went to church and completed the evening with Sage's performance in the Nutcracker.   She appropriately was a Gingerbread girl.         

Christmas can become a time of consuming engagements taking our focus off  the meaning of the season.  God's marvelous wonders are endless and we experienced many of these gifts this weekend.  Like a father to his child He touches my heart, gently nudging me when I avert from His path.  I  often become distracted when difficult times encroach my life.   As I strive to live nearer to Him in complete dependency I realize  how entangled I can become in self .   Weather I am experiencing financial, physical or spiritual burdens I need to become enslaved to Him.   Christ invites us to come and rest in Him.  My burdens may be heavy but His yoke is light.  I must take His yoke in order to receive peace and comfort.  I am given great courage in this knowledge. So when the world is heavy and my burden great I fall into His open arms where I find rest for my weariness and it is well with my soul.

Rest for the weary ...

Gingerbread...

Always something to find on a walk...

and always a gift  for mommy....

A spring like day after the snow.... prefect time for a stroll

Cozy dinner after a walk...

Gingerbread girl ...

Dresses from mimi...

Piper and her hats....

Bye!  Have a blessed day! 

Winter Wonderland...

As we drove home last night the snow fall was already canvasing the mountains.   We pulled into our wooded drive and there sat our little log house nestled in a picturesque winter wonderland.  A simple single candle burned in each window and lights were sparkling around the door.... it was quite inviting and beckoned us to come in and sit by the fire.  Piper hopped out of the car and immediately plopped down on her back waving her arms and legs in jumping jack fashion to make a snow angel.  It was truly a kodak moment... unfortunately I didn't have my camera.  We awoke this morning to a canopy of white.  Snow fall is peaceful and full of wonder.... Purity comes to mind.   I get giddy every time it snows.   After a delicious breakfast of  banana nut buckwheat pancakes we started some bread and while we were waiting for it to rise the girls rushed upstairs and began the process of layering their clothes so they could venture out in the fluff.  We decided to meander up the road and enjoy the unique beauty of God's gift to us.  Occasionally the girls would plop down and begin the jumping jack popping up to inspect the angel left behind.  I wonder who first discovered this...  Our cat always walks with us whenever we go out, running and frisking about.  I find this unusual.  Does anyone have a cat like this?   Upon returning home we opened the door and the aroma of rising bread embraced us letting us know it was just about ready to bake.  We punched it down and set it to rise a bit more then worked on math and read a story before placing it in the oven to bake.  It doesn't get much better than this.... beautiful children, snow, fireplace buring, baking bread, Christmas...

 

Face down snow angel??

Yep,  It works either way...

Hiking in the snow with kitty...

 

Blogging With A Purpose Award...

I'm so  honored and to receive an award for my humble blog.  Morning Ramble has honored me with this nomination.  I often visit her site to steal glimpses of her magical photographs.  She is also quite gifted in word and I am inspired whenever I visit.  The history of this award is meaningful too Eric Novak came out with the Christian award Blogging with a Purpose in late April of 2007. With so many secular awards around, Eric thought it would be a good idea to come out with a Christian award.

Rules:
1. Awarded parties must nominate five people who have not received the award.
2. The blogs that receive the award must serve some purpose.
3. In their post about the award they need to link back to this entry.
4. Awarded parties must post the award banner on their site. The banner must remain linked to this site.

With so many inspiring blogs it was so hard to chose who to pass this on to but my 5 nominees (in no particular order) are...

Ms. Klaus at Clothed in Scarlet.  Her blog gives a honest account of godly motherhood and life.  I honestly believe she dedicates her life to what is most important.  She encourages and always has something new to share, from sewing to recipes and words of wisdom.

Simply Godly Living.  I just want my school room to look like hers... all nice and clean and picked up.  lol  This mother of five  is striving for  a simpler godly life.  One that will encourage her children to grow in grace.

Good musician friends Robbie Trice and his wife Marhtha.   Using their gifts to glorify the Lord, Robbie and Martha have dedicated their lives to His will.   Robbie is a notable song writer having written songs such as Alpha and Omega (recored by the Gaither Vocal Band).  His songs are rich, and delicious to the soul.   This family is dear to me and my husband and we use to enjoy playing music with them.  You can also visit their site at The Trice's.  They are truly living and blogging with a purpose.

LifeSong is a beautiful place to visit.  I always feel enriched when I read her musings --whether she is just speaking her heart or sharing a recipe.  I visit her blog often as it is comforting and unstressful.  I think she has a beautiful life.  Oh, and she is adopting a little one from China. :)  You can visit her adoption blog at  Bringing Home Lydia.