7 December 2007
First Friday — December Edition
Posted by BaBa under: Daily Life .
As I get older I am more comfortable with talking about my faith while still walking that fine line of not forcing my beliefs on others. I am much more aware of God and his blessings. I was recently reading the Mitford series again. Well not exactly as the car is reading it to me as I drive. In one of the last books, Light from Heaven, Father Tim urges his flock — In Everything Gives Thanks. I believe that we are called to see our blessings, and to be blessings to others.
First Fridays is a blessing to MaMa and I that keeps giving. We are so thankful for Dan and Susan and can not express in mere words what their ministry has meant to us except that it feels comfortable and reassuring since we are all in this journey together.
We began our evening at La Dolce Vita for dinner. We arrived and met Michael and Amy. In fact the restaurant was a good choice made by Michael. The food was good and 18 of us met there. We had a separate room, but still not enough room to seat us all. We scooted in close as we wanted to soak in each other’s news and enjoy the fellowship. Sheridan had food from MaMa’s plate and slices from my pizza. He had bread before dinner and still after this feast got up to work the room. He is a pro at flashing that smile and asking more to get additional food. Ah well, he is a growing boy.
This month’s First Friday had so many blessings to be thankful for. Matthew had come home and was with his forever family. Donna was finally home with Shelby and no longer had to proudly wear a picture button of her little one. Shelby is getting adjusted to her brothers, Caleb and Travis and her BaBa. Tymm and Laura had photos of babyE to share. We got to socialize before dinner and I talked with Tony about his recent trips and the all orphan choir. Another story involved seeing a blind orphan in Hong Kong who according to the story wanted to show her room off and ran with her guest to show off her room. I got to watch Lily size up and warm up to Shelby. Lily has no idea how much her story touched Donna and how the red thread ties them together. However, watching them it seemed that she did indeed know. Ah, another God moment.
Bruce and Karen had just received their referral for a little boy with a cleft lip (repaired) and cleft palate. We got to talk to Bruce and answer several questions. These are the first of many such questions and we welcome each and every one as they journey to get Micah knows as Tong Tong. Sheridan will soon have another boy similar in age to play with. We hope to get together with them soon so that Bruce can some toddler experience prior to the trip. It was great to see Mark and Rebecca along with Sophie. They still wait anxiously for Claire to be revealed to them and join her new little sister. As you can see in the photos — this is one proud PaPa with an adorable little girl. I wish we had more time to talk with them, but we will have to make time soon to get together with them.
Our evening started with music from Carol Ford. She is quite talented and it was a special moment when she ended with us all singing together. The speaker tonight was Amy Eldridge from Love with Boundaries. She told her story about how she and 3 other mothers began their ministry to the orphans in China. You could feel God’s presance in her stories and how this group has made a difference in countless children’s lives. Each and every one of us has a story to tell. Some have been too busy to see their story unfold in their lives. Some undervalue their experiences, but there is a unique tale for each of us and God is weaving our red threads together to create the patterns in his cloth.
Amy did talk about the reasons why the children are abandoned and it is not just the one child policy. Children with special needs are not allowed to attend school. They are considered disruptive because of their appearance. Some are abandoned because to keep the child means to become ostracized by their family. In some cases the extended family will not allow the child to remain. In other cases it is because of the cost of medical treatment. In China, there is no free healthcare. This is a misconception about the communist system in China. China is a pay as you go for medical treatment and as such many cannot afford the surgical repairs needed for their children. Whatever the reason, there was a sadness to hear the stories and a sense of relief that this organization is there to provide comfort and care.
As a group, we are sponsoring a bed for the year for a child awaiting surgery. This bed will be used by many children over the course of the year and the group will receive a report about our bed. One small step, but a journey of a thousand steps begins with the first one.
As Amy Eldridge spoke, I could see the effect her story was having on many hearts in the audience. She touched me with her message, but I think that the seed has been planted in many to seek special needs children to add to their families. Specifically I could see the effect on two families. We will have to wait and see how this seed grows.
We got to socialize a little more after Amy finished her talk and Sheridan got to run around after being still. He again worked the room for more people to smile and look cute in order to get a cookie. He is quite successful at this. Right before we left, he put his bottle in a drawer and then I made it vanish. Of course he did not know I made it vanish. Laura got into the game as well and it was fun to watch him look for the bottle.
In the parking lot, he and Lily wanted to give each other a hug and kiss. Well before you knew it, she had tackled him to the grass. I think this maybe repeated again in the future.
All I can say to finish this piece is that it is marvelous the work that Love Without Boundaries does for those orphans in China. Please check out their website linked to the logo at the top. Thanks to Dan and Susan for another wonderful unforgettable night. Be sure to check out the new First Fridays website.
Here are a few photos from Friday for you to enjoy —
3 Comments so far...
Amy Says:
10 December 2007 at 12:15 pm.
Oh what a night it was and for us it was the beginning of an amazing weekend. I can not wait to see whats going to happen. We have so much in common as I too find it easier to talk about my faith but now I have the joy in doing so! Talk to yall soon I hope!
Amy
Susan Says:
11 December 2007 at 7:37 am.
You guys look great and your little guy is about the cutest thing I have ever seen! Miracle, is almost not a big enough word to describe the way I feel when I see you guys together. I remember sitting at the coffee shop “The Daily Grind” with Kim right after you guys got your referral, almost one year ago. I love what becoming a mother does to a person, there is nothing like it!! We are so blessed every FF to see each family and the changes that happen to our community every month. I am thrilled to say that we, as a group, have now officially sponsored “crib #18” with LWB, God only knows where that will go……
Mark and Rebecca Says:
11 December 2007 at 9:53 am.
FF blessed us tremendously as well. What a gift from God it is to see all of the beautiful new forever families. It is with great joy that we watch little Sheridan run around playing with a big smile on his face!
We feel as though we never get enough time to talk with you guys as well. Hopefully next time we’ll be able to join you guys for dinner.
The pictures are adorable, thanks!
