Moores of Boston

Today was a travel day for us. We were on our way to visit the family of Lissie's fiance in Boston. 

It was a wonderfully relaxed day blessed by the Lord with countless travel mercies. John was especially mellow. Although he's only 21, he's been working in a career position since finishing his business degree May 2012. He was quite ready for a respite from the demands of ice cream marketing.

On our layover Daria was sharing some movie out-takes with her dad and siblings.

After landing at Boston's Logan airport, we walked together through the busy international concourse... that is until Lissie spotted Eric on the other side of the security barrier. She took off and practically flew into his waiting arms.

 

Once they were together again, she only had eyes for him.

Did I mention that Lissie only had eyes for Eric?

She hung on his every word!

We thanked God when we counted suitcases and found we had all eleven of them.

Next it was time to pick up our rented 15-passenger van. Both the Moores family and ours waited in the car park for the van rental company to pick us up and take us to their lot. Even as we waited the fellowship began.

We traveled about thirty minutes to the van lot, and I don't think Lissie took her eyes off Eric the entire time. 

Alexander was sitting next to the love-struck couple, but he was oblivious to their romance. His attention was held by a book. After switching languages at age 11, Alexander has just now acquired enough vocabulary in written English to love reading. Seeing him hovering over a book like this brought me such joy, and again I thanked the Lord.

When we arrived at the Moores' home, it was almost dinner time. Bless Tara's heart! In order to feed the 23 of us, she had three crock pots going!

Throughout the late afternoon, a great deal of energy was expended outdoors. Our Mark (left-17) and their Kevin (right--15) finally came in for water and a rest.

At dinner, I sat next to the youngest Moores and learned that Caleb really loves his mom's macaroni and cheese!

The evening ended with what else but...

..BLUE BUNNY.ICE CREAM!

Great fun was had by all today as the two families strengthened their bond through food and fun.

Eric and Lissie: So Close!

Eric and Lissie's wedding is less than eight weeks away. The bride is doing a fabulous job of pulling together the hundreds of details such an event requires--with much help from her sisters. Despite all that Lissie is doing, my limited role in the wedding planning has slowed the pace of my posting. I'm so behind! In order to post about even a selection of the incredibly special moments the Lord has given us as a family, I may have to do one record post with a couple hundred photos embedded. Yikes!

Suffice it to say, we can sense that God is with us as we go through this unusually busy season--busy even for a family of 14! He is our strength and peace as one daughter prepares to marry and her older sister is due with baby #2 any day now. He is our refuge and wisdom. The busier we get the more we find ourselves leaning into Him. He is our all!

"Behold, God is my helper, the Lord is the sustainer of my soul."

Psalm 54:4

Sandwiched!

Late this morning, I sat in our 15-passenger-van surrounded by most of our twelve children in the parking lot of a memory-care facility in Lawrence, Kansas. Mr. Beaver and a couple of the kids were taking Grandma back to her apartment following a breakfast at a restaurant. While we waited, a news story on the radio rang true while leaving me bemused at its ironic timing.

The newscaster said that some are renaming the "Baby-Boomer" generation. Apparently, Baby-Boomers are now being dubbed, "The Sandwich Generation". This is because so many of us are involved in the care of what the story called "veteran" parents, while still parenting children of their own. In some cases those in the "Sandwich Generation" are also now grandparents themselves. Mr. Beaver and I are among those who fall in this camp.

The newscaster implied that a real stretching takes place for those seeking to meet the needs of generations on both sides of their own. Even with just the short taste we've had of being involved in Grandma's care since the death of her beloved sister and caregiver in January, we'd have to agree that it is easy to feel like a rubber band as you're pulled in opposing directions by the needs of those, both older and younger, whom you love and want to serve.

The news story failed to mention any help for those sandwiched by the very real needs of their parents and their children. But as I listened, my mind was recalling words from the Bible that were enough to encourage me. First, I know Jesus wants Mr. Beaver and I to spend our lives in service of others. Our leisure wasn't what our Savior listed as His top priority for our lives in this season. While Jesus was walking the earth, He told His followers, "Even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve." (Mark 10:45 NASB) His life was about service to others, and we're to follow in His footsteps.

Second, God provides just what is needed to live selflessly: grace. While the context of this next verse was a gift of money the church in one city had promised those struggling in another location, I believe the principle behind the passage also applies to our use of time:

"Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." (2 Corinthians 9:7,8)

Did you see how many versions of the word "all" are captured in God's promise to His people when they set out to serve others? Grace, grace and more grace. The very power of God will be at work in us as we do His Kingdom work here on earth in His stead. Wow! All we have to do is cry out for help and He'll enable. I find that so reassuring.

Finally, the news story I heard just after breakfast never mentioned the reward of being sandwiched. I believe you can see it in the picture above. Mr. Beaver and I are well aware that we're blessed to watch as something fleeting-but-oh-so precious is taking place--the tender affection of grandparents and grandchildren who've had years to build deep relationships. Our kiddos adore their grandparents, and that feeling is more than mutual. What a privilege to witness the depth of this love! The happiness Grandma exhibits when surrounded by her grandchildren makes the tiring road trips we're trying to make monthly worth the weekends they take. The sense of belonging and rooted-ness that Grandma's love gives our children will keep us heading south to Kansas over and over. We're weary around the edges, it's true, but the reward of witnessing mutual multi-generational devotion goes a long way to energize.

So we have Jesus' command to love through service, His promise of grace to make this possible and His kind reward in watching a bit of heaven on earth in the form of a grandparent-grandchild love exchange. Perhaps its not so bad being sandwiched after all.

Russian Adoption: What Was Going Through Her Mind?

When we were blessed to travel to California in April, Daria, age 18, was able to stroll the ocean's edge for the first time. Her beach combing was an experience she most likely never would have had without having been adopted. I wonder what she was thinking as contemplatively sifted the sand with her toes.

Preaching to Myself...

Mrs. Beaver:

Me and 13-year-old Natasha, April 2013

I tape a great many index cards around my bathroom. Some of them have scripture verses on them, while a few hold a sentence or phrase that's caught my attention. Usually these 3"x5" cards will eventually go unnoticed. If I leave them in place too long, I just don't see them after a while.

There is one exception. I have one card posted that has been part of the room's decoration for months and months without fading into the wallpaper. This card I purpose to read several times a day because I need its crucial reminder. I need the words to penetrate my thick head and stubborn heart. I need the words to penetrate my self-absorption. What does the card say? "Every child needs a protector, an advocate and a confidant.*" 

It's a simple message. Just 10 words. Ten very insightful words. The need of every child is as profound as their soul is fragile. Kids need someone to shelter them from the worst the world has to offer. Kids need someone to stand up for them. Finally, kids need adults in their corner who will nurture their dreams. The only way I can function in those roles is to know each of my children. And the only path to knowing my kiddos' is to slow down long enough to listen when they're ready to talk--no matter what time that takes place--day or night. So when I'm tired, I return to the card in my bathroom and read it yet again, "Every child needs a protector, an advocate and a confidant." That 24/7 availability is what differentiates me from an orphanage caretaker. Orphanage workers have their own homes and families. They go home at night. Not me. I'm a mom. 24/7--by God's grace, through His power, in His strength.

***********************

*I wish I could give the author credit of the phrase credit for her wisdom. One day while at my computer, I flew past this sentence on a blog when I didn't have time to read the author's post. I just jotted the note and thought I'd return to read the her full explanation later. By the time I made it back to my blog roll, the article was long gone in today's cyber world and couldn't even remember which blog the words had come from. My apologies.

Russian Adoption: A Promise Kept

Mrs. Beaver:

In a Russian courtroom 2-1/2 years ago, then 15-year-old Daria told the judge she really wanted the opportunity to learn how to ride a horse. He looked us squarely in the eye and asked if we'd protect that dream and see that her wish came true. Daria beamed as our words were translated into Russian: we promised we would make sure she got the opportunity. She had hope!

For the past couple of years, Daria has been taking horseback riding lessons. Here she is today, relaxed and exceedingly happy following a family ride near the foothills of Denver. Her joy is our joy! Few things in life feel better than keeping a promise to an orphan!

Eric and Lissie: From Courtship to Marriage Preps

Eric is visiting for a few days as he and Lissie await their October nuptials. This trip is affording the opportunity to attend to a number of the details it takes to plan a wedding. First on the list was securing a marriage license. The couple was at the county recorder's office shortly after it opened this Monday morning.

First Lissie filled out her portion of the form...

...then it was Eric's turn.

I think he might have been a tad bit nervous. He was gripping the pen so hard that his skin was two colors! 

Lissie laid a reassuring hand on his as I'm sure she will many, many times during their years together.

Being downtown provided the opportunity for some interesting backdrops for engagement photos. We took full advantage of the architecture! We had a great deal of fun and a few silly moments together. Mostly, however, I tried to stay out of their way and just make use of my telephoto lens. This allowed them to interact with each other in a more natural, relaxed manner that was full of the happiness of being together.

A Happy Fourth

Mrs. Beaver:

To celebrate our country's Independence Day, we traveled south to Lawrence, Kansas, to have some fun with the kid's Grandma (Mr. Beaver's mom).

We stopped at a popular Tex-Mex restaurant on the college town's main street and order food to go. We then walked 1/2 a block south to the oldest park in town. The park dated back to 1847 and was the site of a Civil War battle. Now the green expanse seems nothing but peaceful.

We enjoyed dinner together and some play on the equipment.

The playground equipment was so much fun--even I got in on the act!

After a stop at a grocery store for some Yoplait Frozen Yogurt (one of Wells' new yummy products), we found another park overlooking a large reservoir as our venue for dessert.

The park was laced with trails. At one point, Amy and her parents went for a long walk, while others played Frisbee or simply strolled and chatted.

The exquisite evening was over before we knew it. All-in-all, the holiday was spendiferous! T.O.G.T.H.E.R continues to be my favorite word! We thank God for making us a family!

Thank You , Lord, for this Fourth of July fellowship!

Decision, Decisions, Decisions...

This week I took Lissie wedding gown shopping. She quickly grasped that what seemed like an endless array of choices were available to her. Even just the selection of headpieces was enough to make Lissie's head spin!

Lissie felt especially overwhelmed since she'd only just returned to America days earlier. Her life in Central Asia had been much simpler.

Lissie's angst didn't last long, though. Prayer calmed her spirit and after a short time spent amongst the lace and frills in the bridal shop, she was able to relax and enjoy...

But wait. I've gotten ahead of myself.

First I need to share with our readers the story of the night Lissie arrived home after nine months of teaching overseas only to find the surprise of her life. Read all about it in my next post!

(Photo credits for this post go to Lissie's 13-year-old sister, Natasha)