Mrs. Beaver:

Give Me Jesus!

Our family loves this song!
This is not where we belong!
Take this world and give us Jesus!
We love Jesus.
We live for Jesus.
We long to serve Jesus!
Jesus is where joy is found.
Join us--find out for yourself

A Brother's Impact

Mr. Beaver and I knew our family would miss John during his trip to Ethiopia. He adds so much to who we are as a unit.

What we didn't suspect was how quickly and powerfully one of us would be impacted. Yet on the very night when we returned from the Omaha Airport and gathered at the dinner table, a poignant sentiment was quietly shared with the large group. Alexander, the 12-year-old we adopted from Russia 15 months ago, murmured, "I think...for the first time...I feel...lonely." As we all turned to gaze at Alexander, he went on, "When we're in our bedroom, we joke... When we brush our teeth, we share the same sink...we joke and laugh." He trailed off. His winsome sharing of his heart was finished.

We discovered over a decade ago, when we added our first trio of adoptees, that our existing children (Anna, Lissie and John) were instrumental in the adjustment of their new siblings. Each time since, when we've added another trio of older children to the family through adoption, the old and the new have grown close surprisingly quickly. The existing kiddos have offered immediate friendship, as well as advice, counsel, and a sense of security and comfort through the initial stages of adjustment. Alexander's statement simply reflected the profound impact John has had on his newest brother.

With a crinkle returning to his eyes, Alexander quickly returned to the perky, quirky, joy so characteristic to him. But we all really miss John and pray for His safe and quick return.

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BTW, we've heard John and the group from our church arrived safely in Ethiopia. Their trip is apparently going well, but they would be grateful for prayers for endurance, stamina and strength. They're already tired, and they have much yet that they hope to accomplish.

Off to Ethiopia!

Mr. & Mrs. Beaver:

Just two and a half weeks after Jaynie's departure from the Omaha Airport for her second visit to her Central Asian home, we were back at the same airport early this morning. This time taking John for a 10-day trip to Ethiopia!

John is traveling to that African nation with a group from our church who will visit and serve orphans. We thought John's group of 11 traveling internationally would tax the airline check-in system, but we really had no idea...

Just after the Ethiopia group arrived but before they could get organized enough to get in line, a very well-organized troop of about 25 young men from the University of Denver's hockey team stepped right up to the front of the line. We also thought John's group had a lot of luggage, but we really had no idea... The DU hockey team had enormous bags to carry all their equipment. Clearly, they were in the 'excess baggage' club! We were a bit worried about how long it would take to check them in, and wondered if their arrival on the scene would make our group late for their flight.

In any event, the long line allowed John's group to do some necessary re-packing. Below, John is working with the team leader, Russ, who traveled to Ethiopia just about a year ago when he and his wife adopted a little girl from the country. 

 The group of 11 travelers packed 22 totes full of supplies for the orphans, sacrificing their personal baggage allowance and packing all their own clothing, toiletries, etc. in small carry-ons to maximize the aid they could take for the orphans.

While the John's group waited in line, He showed Lissie his passport with his Ethiopian visa.

While they talked, they also prayed. Twins John and Lissie have spent almost every day of their lives together and are remarkably close friends. They will surely miss each other!

Fortunately, the airline ticket agents recognized the extreme backlog of travelers and invited John's group to move to the premier ticketing line. Some of the DU hockey players were gracious enough to help move our team's heavy totes! Way to go guys!

Ethiopian culture has been important to Tanya and her daughter Kaylee for years, as they also adopted two boys from Ethiopia about 5 years ago.

Unlike Kaylee who was going with her mom, Katie, whose a bit younger and pictured below was staying behind as her mom, Tess, traveled on the team. Tess' husband Jeff and their oldest son, Jack, are also traveling with the team. Katie is staying behind with her younger brother, Tommy, at their grandparents' house. Jeff and Tess are two of the nurses on the team.

Kaylee is shown below with Russ' daughter, Katie, who is also going with the team. These long-term friends planned to sit together on the long flight over!

Finally, after about an hour and a half, the team was all checked in and ready to go. We paused for a team picture, which turned out well for a group that had arisen around 4am and already weathered some of the travails of travel.

After another couple of good-byes it was time for the team to go through security and head toward their destination!

United didn't need both planes but didn't feel like moving one for a better 'photo op' for us. Oh well.

We headed back to our car with one less family member in tow.

As parents, we're in a season of adjusting. We're deeply grateful to God that that our oldest children want to serve others and are willing to live sacrificially to do so. As we've raised them, we've hoped their love of Christ would be strong enough to propel them out of our "quiver" and into a life that acknowledges the worthiness of Jesus by selflessly meeting the needs of the "least of these." Our hearts are full; our countless prayers about our children's futures are being answered in amazing ways by our great God. Our family "army" is on the move! But it's still hard to watch the nest empty out. (Sorry, mixing metaphors here!)

But we can't complain... we're still blessed to have enough children at home to nearly fill a van the size of a small county. And as grandchildren start to come along, we anticipate more than making up the difference!

We have dubbed our second 15-passenger van, the USS Iowa, in honor of the battleship Iowa.

"Haze gray and under way! Go Navy!"

In-Laws

Mrs. Beaver:

Anna and Aaron's first anniversary is just around the corner in mid-March. Their love story was recently featured on Scribbles n'Things.

Before this year passes, I want to thank God for one of the great blessings in our daughter's new life in Ohio--her in-laws. The Nix are a Christ-loving family. They've welcomed our Anna warmly. They've included Anna in their close-knit unit. Anna and Aaron go to their home once a week for dinner and a game or movie. Ric and Tina model what strong marriage looks like before the newlyweds; Aaron's parents bring the stability of having been married for more than 31 years.

Here they are at the wedding rehearsal.

All photo credits to Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante Photography

This is one of my favoirte photos from the wedding. What a joy for the mother-of-the-bride to see her daughter's soon-to-be mother-in-law beam at her just before the ceremony!

Lighting the "unity candle" was completely sincere in this ceremony. The four parents were unified in their belief that the Lord was creating a beautiful, one-flesh, till-death-do-we-part marriage.

Toward the end of the ceremony, the four parents rose from the pews to pray over our children's union. This idea came from our friends Krista and George. George grew up in Nigeria, where a prayer by the parents is a traditional part of the ceremony.

Ric's tenderness in hugging his new daughter-in-law immediately after the ceremony was beautiful.

Unbeknownst to Tina and Aaron, I was watching their interactions during our time together. I knew from my own experience that if a man treats his mom well, there is a good chance he'll also love and honor his wife.

The affection and gentleness I saw in Aaron when he and his mom had a few moments "alone", reassured me that Anna would be cherished by him. In the past year, our new son-in-love has certainly lived up to my unscientific predictions.

Mr. Beaver and I approach Anna and Aaron's first anniversary deeply grateful to God for Aaron's parents, Ric and Tina. They've offered ongoing support to these two young marrieds. Just last night, Ric and Tina picked up Aaron and Anna following an auto accident as their car was towed. Anna's in-laws are a dream come true! And, soon, we'll share the role of grandparents with these dear people! God is good!

More Snow Fun

Mrs. Beaver:

Although the snow storm was a few days ago already, I can't resist sharing a few more pictures from my impromptu shoot of Oksana (7), Alexander (12) and Amy (9).

That afternoon I hadn't planned on being able to get any photos of them playing out in the white stuff that's been so rare this winter. When they went outside, big, wet flakes were still falling, and I knew I couldn't risk getting the camera wet.

However, when I heard laughing and giggling from my bedroom, I peeked out the window to discover they were romping just below. I had the perfect perch to catch some of their silliness without putting the camera at risk. (I apologize for the graininess of these photos, but they were taken through heavily falling snow.)

And they were silly--what a variety of expressions and reactions I got to watch as the trio kindly posed for me!

I think here Alexander is reacting to Oksana throwing her very wet and cold glove around his neck. He's so good-natured, though, that he just grimaced a bit and carried on with his posing, smiling all the while!

Then, for some resaon Alexander decided it would be helpful if he leaned down. The only problem was that then both sisters followed suit.

About this time I realized the melting snow on the window frame was dripping on my lens. Needless to say, the shoot immediately ended, but not before three kids and their mom had shared some serious snowy silliness.

Recently, one of our friends commented that he enjoyed when I posted pictures of the siblings together. Isn't our God amazing that these three are just that--siblings? None of them is biologically related and yet they're family. Love is thicker than blood. God places the lonely in families. (Psalm 68:6) He is so good!

A Kid's Dream Come True!

Mrs. Beaver:

After a nearly winter-less winter, northeastern Iowa finally got snow today. Many thankful children in our home, watched eagerly in the early afternoon as the white precipitation flew sideways.

I took these photos during the time each afternoon when I read aloud to our youngest four children.

I wasn't surprised to see Oksana's happy countenance as she watched the snow fall. If EVER there was a child who loves sledding, it is Oksana!

While his sisters watched the weather, Alexander was more interested in his Legos.

Although Alexander hadn't shown much interest in watching the snow, he was more than eager to play in it. By late afternoon, the wind had calmed enough for those who've waited all winter for snow play to go out.

Homeschoolers don't usually take snow days. While traditionally-schooled children get time off for weather, we just keep pluggin' away. But tomorrow I'm calling a snow day around here. What fell today is the wet, sticky kind of snow that is a kid's dream--perfect for fort building, snow angels, snowball fights and the crafting of snow men.

I better get the hot chocolate ready!

Great news -- Jaynie's Arrived!

Mrs. Beaver:

With deep gratitude to the Lord, we share the news that Jaynie has arrived back at her "other home". We're so pleased to report that all went well on 96-hour journey for Jaynie and the family with whom she traveled. Thank you for your prayers! We've already been able to talk to her on the phone and Skype with her.

Just before we arrived at the Omaha Airport on Tuesday, Jaynie requested we listen to Matt Maher's song, "Christ is Risen." The song is a family favorite, really that's too weak. The song is more of a theme for our family.

After Jaynie requested the song once and we all sang along heartily, she requested it again...and again.
Then Jaynie quietly said, "That's why I'm going back." I looked back to the seat behind me to see tears rolling down her checks. I squeezed her hand. No matter how hard the good-bye...no matter how much we all will miss each other, Jaynie went to live her faith.

Baby Hats on Way to Afghanistan

Mrs. Beaver:

A few weeks ago, Lissie posted a video produced by the radio station K-LOVE about a need on the other side of the world. In the video, K-LOVE's DJ, Scott, made a plea for Americans to knit baby hats for Afghan babies. He shared the heart-rending news that the infant mortatlity rate in Afghanistan is the HIGHEST in the world. Scott begged listeners to knit while praying for the baby to whom the hat would go and for the baby's mom. Our hearts were especially touched since Jaynie had just recently come from Central Asia.

So, the very day after the broadcast we visited Hobby Lobby and bought knitting needles and yarn. Lissie, Daria, Cassandra, Tatiana and Natasha all knit the little head coverings. Lissie was so enthusiastic that we even caught her knitting during an intermission at a Toby Mac concert the family attended in late January.

Yesterday, eleven baby hats were mailed to K-LOVE. And many prayers went with those hats, asking the God who loves all the nations and people groups to extend His tender mercies to the precious women and babies of Afghanistan.

Photo by Lissie

Photo by Cassandra