A Former Orphan's View of Her Daddy...

Mrs. Beaver:

One of my favorite photos of Jim in his role as father
Taken on "the little girls" first Christmas with us

Two years ago, when Tatania was just twelve, she wrote a very special letter to her daddy as his Father's Day Gift. Her words have an eternal truth about them regarding a father's role in his children's lives. Even though Tatiana was a former orphan and had only had a daddy for 5 years, she really GOT his significance in her life. Take a peak at her powerful assesment of what every child needs in a father here:

What a Happy Milestone!

Mr. & Mrs. Beaver:

Happy First Father's Day, Aaron!

We're so grateful to the Lord for blessing you with precious Brielle!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one's youth.

Blessed is the man

who fills his quiver with them!"

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV

Your in-laws' counsel now that you have reached this momentous change in your life is to yearn for God's word like a newborn longs for her milk. (Peter's word picture in 1 Peter 2:2 is powerful now that you've witnessed Brielle's zeal to be fed, isn't it?)

The time you invest in your Bible will pay off richly; God has truly given us everything we need for life and godliness (including parenting) (2 Peter 1:3). As you grow to be more and more like Christ through time spent meditating on the Living Word, you will wash your wife and children in His wisdom and truth. Your family will reap strength and peace, and, most importantly, they will develop a desire to know and draw near to your Savior. And isn't that the ultimate goal of parenting?

Teen Travel for a Purpose

Mrs. Beaver:

While Lissie and I traveled to Cincinnati, others in our family were on the road also.

Jaynie (19 -- in the center) and our four high school-aged teens, left to right -- Mark (16), Cassandra (17), Tatiana (14) and Daria (17) left Friday, June 7 for New Orleans with many other youth from our church. Their reason? To bring hope, love and the gospel to the desperately poor inner-city children, almost all of whom are at least fatherless. Our teens are finished now and driving the long way back, but while in New Orleans they worked with a long-term ministry there called Urban Impact.

We've missed the missing fivesome very much! We're eager to hear their stories and sees ways in which the Lord has changed each of them through their denying-self service to Him

Secretly Glad

Mrs. Beaver:

Since Brielle's nursing had to be supplemented with bottles due to her initial weight loss, Lissie and I each got the delight of aiding in her feeding many times during the few days we spent with her.

Here Lissie is feeding her first niece on a quick stop we made at Aaron and Anna's to say our good-byes early Thursday morning before we headed to the airport.

New Take on an Old Ad Campaign

Mrs. Beaver:

This is week-old Brielle's version of "Got milk?"

Last Evening Together

Mrs. Beaver:

For Anna's Birthmother

Mrs. Beaver:


Photo Credit -- Lissie

Photo Credit -- Lissie

Photo Credit -- Lissie

  

New Generation Joy

Mrs. Beaver:

Both Aaron's mom, Tina, and I are first-time grandmothers...

very, very happy first-time grandmothers.

God has been so kind!

The Perfect Nap

Mrs. Beaver:

Tonight Lissie and I offered to babysit for the new parents so that they could get in a date. Not long after Aaron and Anna left. Lissie decided to rest for a bit.

Puppy Spurgeon immediately decided he wanted to share the cuddle time.

It wasn't long before the canine got evicted so the real napping could begin.

Then Aunt and baby slept on and on...

...the very picture of peace.

Their slumber reminded me of Psalm 4:8:

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep

for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety."