A New Year

2011 was certainly a banner year for the Lancaster's.  So, so many things happened.  Some great - some agonizing.   Some pushed me to "my" limits (only God really knows what my limits are.....), some things were thrilling and full of excitement.  Others brought grief.  However, no matter what, we trust that each day's happenings come to help us reach the person Christ desires us to be.  So we try to remain thankful and grateful for the grace and mercy to get through whatever may come. 

I did read some great books during 2011, and made a promise to myself to be intentional during 2012 with slowing down a bit and reading more.  I love to read and can devour a good book in no time.  Some top picks for me lately have been:  Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God, the biography of Ann Judson, The Help, and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.  I have really enjoyed autobiographies this last year of great Christians that have paved the way before us.  They inspire me.  They help me feel like ordinary people can acoomplish the extraordinary.  I've also enjoyed reading everything I can find about China.  I want to help Lori understand the life she was born into.  I want to be able to give her some answers - someday.

Speaking of Lori - during these last few months - we've seen many of Lori's friends from China come home to their Forever Families.  We've also seen several of them continue to live life at the orphanage.  These kids need families - I'm using this moment to make a desperate plea for our readers - if there is any way you could offer a home to one of the least of these - now is the time.  They need you know.  Please pray for them.  At the very least - they need good, committed intercessors praying on their behalf.  You could be that for one of them.

As 2012 enters, we say Happy New Year to Lori's parents - wherever they may be.  We also wish our friends and family a very happy new year and hope each of us pursues the purpose God has planned for us. 

As a family, we have all recently sat down and talked about adopting again.  All the kids are in agreement that we have room for one more.  The majority have asked for another girl and most of us agree that China would be our country of choice.  I know this is absolute insanity.  I get that.  But, we just can't shake the feeling that this is the way God is leading.  So, please pray for us as we seek clarity for what steps to take next.   Adoption is VERY expensive and time-consuming.  Those parts of it scare me.  One common theme I've met with lately is that we should seek to replace our fears with faith.  Amen!  There is one particular little girl that has caught our attention.  We have sent off asking for more information on her.  We'll keep you posted.....