Creation + Family + Friends = Memories!

We have had a great Labor Day weekend! We decided this week to travel to Cincinatti and meet up with some very special friends for the weekend and visit The Creation Museum together. I am so glad that we went! It was sort of a spur of the moment decision, but it had been awhile since we'd had the opportunity to skip town, and we were ready for a road trip! I went to Wal-Mart on Thursday night and bought a portable DVD player for the car and the kids enjoyed the trip as well. Mike and I had such a great time driving down, talking about things, listening to and learning the new Hillsong praise and worship songs on our new CD, and just being together.

We were so delighted to see our friends, John and Aggie, and their beautiful children, Johnny, Noah and Mayra. We first met this sweet couple in Guatemala City in 2006 during our trip to bring Abigail home. They had travelled to bring Mayra home as well and were staying in the same hotel. We began eating our meals together in the hotel restauarant and immediately bonded as brothers and sisters in Christ AND adoptive families. For those of you who may not have personal experience with international adoption, it may be difficult to imagine the bond these families share. However, having gone through the ups and downs of the international adoption process, there was an immediate sensitivity and closeness. Upon leaving Guatemala, Aggie and I exchanged contact information and the Lord did the rest.

We began talking on the phone frequently, sharing our lives, checking on each other's children, praying for the great Physician to work in little Mayra's life miraculously (as He has so graciously done) and getting to know one another. We both began blogging and it has been a great way for us to stay in touch and share in one another's lives.

John and Aggie called us on Tuesday and said they were going to be in Cincy...we committed almost immediately to meet them. We've shared so much over the last two years by phone/email, but it was awesome to hug their necks and spend about 12 hours with them. Our children bonded well and enjoyed the time together. Abby and Mayra spontaneous walked hand-in-hand through the garden - so precious - not realizing that their road to America began together!

AND, I must add that if you have not made a trip to the Creation Museum in Cincinnati, it is definitely a must-see. It was an all-day experience in God's Word. It was worshipful, eye-opening and enlightening. We were able to share with our children - and remind ourselves - of the vastness of God's creation, His power to create, destroy and save. The biblical account was fully expounded upon and was brought all the way home to the cross and the need to fully trust this God of creation with our lives. All of our children especially enjoyed the petting zoo and the delightful Creation garden, which celebrated many of the beautiful plants, flowers, colors and wonders of God's creation. There were quite a few little bridges to cross, including swinging bridges, arches and "smokey" bridges that just intrigued our children so much. All four of our boys were so excited with what they saw and what was around the bend that we spent half the afternoon chasing after them, trying not to quench their excitement but ensure that they didn't get too far ahead of us.

John and Aggie - special friends - thank you so much for thinking of us, travelling so far and including us in this special day. We look forward to seeing God work in so many areas of your lives - Liberian adoption, missions, ministry, homeschooling, church life and John's work.

Friends are blessing to us - and wow - we are truly blessed with many incredible friends.

We are all home tomorrow for the Labor Day holiday and we are so glad to be able to spend the day together. I am planning on cleaning house, doing laundry, and just hanging out with my great kids. Daddy is planning on cutting the grass in the morning, studying some and relaxing at home.