tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36885266491607914702024-02-18T22:08:01.155-05:00The Caldwell Connection - Adventures In Adoption and Parenting Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.comBlogger350125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-1356877073388797492023-10-03T10:17:00.002-04:002023-10-03T10:24:31.205-04:00Hello Everyone! I'm Luke. <p> <span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“Hello everyone, I’m Luke!</span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">”.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Even though there was no one around to hear Luke make this proclamation a week ago in the parking garage at the UK Hospital, hearing Luke say this thrilled my soul. I knew that </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">initiating</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> proper introductions was something Luke’s therapy team had been working with Luke on for some time now. You see, because Luke </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">has Autism, co</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">mmunication and social skills are especially challenging for him. What may seem like </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a very basic</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> social skill for most children, to be able to say “Hi” and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">state</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> your name, is something that Luke </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">has to</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> be taught. A</span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">utism</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> is a spectrum disorder, meaning each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges, and this is </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">certainly</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> true for Luke. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGrtja35yznv_iZnkEvZ7EzOrK4MYxsICZkqirnVXqcT3MvKBzfhZGIqpWUP6o7Go29kKmX6772p1Rg3ScQ17k-NtJpxgyzMV81ElBhFbkw0oj-vJF-NsGUQkIGhmC2U5ZRcPWFH6xRbdZPCEPd4ZhY0Eb9V2aK3QDDraRgtl-pGb8jZ8Nw9PC7y2tMo/s2603/luke%20on%20water%20slide.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2603" data-original-width="1548" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGrtja35yznv_iZnkEvZ7EzOrK4MYxsICZkqirnVXqcT3MvKBzfhZGIqpWUP6o7Go29kKmX6772p1Rg3ScQ17k-NtJpxgyzMV81ElBhFbkw0oj-vJF-NsGUQkIGhmC2U5ZRcPWFH6xRbdZPCEPd4ZhY0Eb9V2aK3QDDraRgtl-pGb8jZ8Nw9PC7y2tMo/w238-h400/luke%20on%20water%20slide.jpg" width="238" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7be5c799-7f0e-49d3-960b-35f13b7e6b87}{134}" paraid="1660579035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Though it has taken longer than I would like to admit, I have gotten past most of my worries and concerns about what other people might think when Luke communicates in ways that are different than most children his age. But something that still bothers me is that because Luke communicates differently, other people </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">don’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> get to see and know the amazing Luke that I am blessed to know and love every day. So, today, on Luke’s birthday, I wanted to share a few special things about </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNXB4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjNweCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUgMyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHhtbG5zOnhsaW5rPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8xOTk5L3hsaW5rIj4KICAgIDwhLS0gR2VuZXJhdG9yOiBTa2V0Y2ggNTUuMiAoNzgxODEpIC0gaHR0cHM6Ly9za2V0Y2hhcHAuY29tIC0tPgogICAgPHRpdGxlPmdyYW1tYXJfZG91YmxlX2xpbmU8L3RpdGxlPgogICAgPGRlc2M+Q3JlYXRlZCB3aXRoIFNrZXRjaC48L2Rlc2M+CiAgICA8ZyBpZD0iZ3JhbW1hcl9kb3VibGVfbGluZSIgc3Ryb2tlPSJub25lIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiIGZpbGw9Im5vbmUiIGZpbGwtcnVsZT0iZXZlbm9kZCIgc3Ryb2tlLWxpbmVjYXA9InJvdW5kIj4KICAgICAgICA8ZyBpZD0iR3JhbW1hci1UaWxlLUNvcHkiIHN0cm9rZT0iIzMzNTVGRiI+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0wLDAuNSBMNSwwLjUiIGlkPSJMaW5lLTItQ29weS0xMCI+PC9wYXRoPgogICAgICAgICAgICA8cGF0aCBkPSJNMCwyLjUgTDUsMi41IiBpZD0iTGluZS0yLUNvcHktMTEiPjwvcGF0aD4KICAgICAgICA8L2c+CiAgICA8L2c+Cjwvc3ZnPg==')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">our</span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Luke</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, i</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">n hopes that everyone can get a small glimpse of our boy. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7be5c799-7f0e-49d3-960b-35f13b7e6b87}{134}" paraid="1660579035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{cb731f17-e0b5-4b59-82f4-7718df65fd82}{50}" paraid="64685858" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Luke is so very smart! From </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a very young</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> age, Luke has shown an interest and aptitude for learning, but especially for learning and manipulating numbers and letters. Through what I am assuming came by watching educational television and looking at </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">books, Luke</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> learned the alphabet, how to count to 100 (and now far beyond), shapes, colors, etc. We read to him when he was young and I would play with him in ways to encourage learning, but he took off on his own and now reads full children’s books, writes in full sentences, and is currently skip counting and writing multiplication tables. He loves to go to the trampoline and write with sidewalk chalk. His newest skill is writing numbers and placing the less than/greater than sign between the numbers (correctly, I might add), then telling me which is </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">more</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> and which is less</span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He amazes me daily by </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">coming up with</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> new ways to learn, and his ability to recall what he learns is truly phenomenal</span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTBweCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIycHgiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMCAyIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgeG1sbnM6eGxpbms9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzE5OTkveGxpbmsiPgogICAgPCEtLSBHZW5lcmF0b3I6IFNrZXRjaCA1Ny4xICg4MzA4OCkgLSBodHRwczovL3NrZXRjaC5jb20gLS0+CiAgICA8dGl0bGU+aW5zaWdodF90ZXh0dXJlPC90aXRsZT4KICAgIDxkZXNjPkNyZWF0ZWQgd2l0aCBTa2V0Y2guPC9kZXNjPgogICAgPGcgaWQ9Imluc2lnaHRfdGV4dHVyZSIgc3Ryb2tlPSJub25lIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiIGZpbGw9Im5vbmUiIGZpbGwtcnVsZT0iZXZlbm9kZCI+CiAgICAgICAgPGcgaWQ9Ikdyb3VwLTItQ29weSI+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGlkPSJSZWN0YW5nbGUiIHg9IjAiIHk9IjAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyIj48L3JlY3Q+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0xLDEgTDUsMSIgaWQ9IkxpbmUtNCIgc3Ryb2tlPSIjNzE2MEU4IiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjIiIHN0cm9rZS1saW5lY2FwPSJyb3VuZCI+PC9wYXRoPgogICAgICAgIDwvZz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He keeps his therapists on their toes, as they daily </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">have to</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> find new skills and tasks for him because he learns at such a rapid pace. We are so thankful for the amazing mind God has given Luke, and we look forward with great anticipation to how God will use this skill in Luke’s life. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{cb731f17-e0b5-4b59-82f4-7718df65fd82}{50}" paraid="64685858" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{cb731f17-e0b5-4b59-82f4-7718df65fd82}{50}" paraid="64685858" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgj1Sl32KoVb1fAyqgAiN8CjZbtTqW2cEpziqxVOF_1jJmHfBqEQ2hHcbg_Ji6ppRawpW4Od2_mU1zppYxdsJCjmTIktPvmMeXkbUApQp89YOmB0OpNWWOo2wirHO_PaOWepzIAiD1pt0PZudeUIFMGxHNx56V_-tWC7Cl8-mN-HxHSxeKlWwT2kKOsk/s2679/sidewalk%20chalk.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2679" data-original-width="1986" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgj1Sl32KoVb1fAyqgAiN8CjZbtTqW2cEpziqxVOF_1jJmHfBqEQ2hHcbg_Ji6ppRawpW4Od2_mU1zppYxdsJCjmTIktPvmMeXkbUApQp89YOmB0OpNWWOo2wirHO_PaOWepzIAiD1pt0PZudeUIFMGxHNx56V_-tWC7Cl8-mN-HxHSxeKlWwT2kKOsk/w474-h640/sidewalk%20chalk.jpg" width="474" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{cae23136-f90d-42ec-aded-6f7cbb71aa58}{102}" paraid="883128439" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Luke loves music! One of the first things he does after he is buckled into the car is to say, “Music on”, as he always wants there to be some sort of music playing. He likes a wide variety of music, but he is especially partial to Toby Mac, which makes me, </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a lifelong</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> DC Talk fan and now Toby Mac fan, </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">very h</span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">appy</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. Even</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> more so, it blesses my soul to hear Luke singing about God’s goodness. I can often hear Luke singing his favorite Toby Mac song while he is playing inside the house or outside jumping on the trampoline. He also loves to read the lyrics of songs, and then write them on the trampoline with sidewalk chalk. His newest way of expressing his love for music is by writing his big sister Emmie’s entire playlist on the trampoline or pieces of paper. Emmie also likes a wide variety of music, so </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">it’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">p</span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">rett</span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">y</span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> funny</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> to se</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">e people try and figure out what Luke is trying to communicate when he </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTBweCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIycHgiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMCAyIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgeG1sbnM6eGxpbms9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzE5OTkveGxpbmsiPgogICAgPCEtLSBHZW5lcmF0b3I6IFNrZXRjaCA1Ny4xICg4MzA4OCkgLSBodHRwczovL3NrZXRjaC5jb20gLS0+CiAgICA8dGl0bGU+aW5zaWdodF90ZXh0dXJlPC90aXRsZT4KICAgIDxkZXNjPkNyZWF0ZWQgd2l0aCBTa2V0Y2guPC9kZXNjPgogICAgPGcgaWQ9Imluc2lnaHRfdGV4dHVyZSIgc3Ryb2tlPSJub25lIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiIGZpbGw9Im5vbmUiIGZpbGwtcnVsZT0iZXZlbm9kZCI+CiAgICAgICAgPGcgaWQ9Ikdyb3VwLTItQ29weSI+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGlkPSJSZWN0YW5nbGUiIHg9IjAiIHk9IjAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyIj48L3JlY3Q+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0xLDEgTDUsMSIgaWQ9IkxpbmUtNCIgc3Ryb2tlPSIjNzE2MEU4IiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjIiIHN0cm9rZS1saW5lY2FwPSJyb3VuZCI+PC9wYXRoPgogICAgICAgIDwvZz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">writes</span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTBweCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIycHgiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMCAyIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgeG1sbnM6eGxpbms9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzE5OTkveGxpbmsiPgogICAgPCEtLSBHZW5lcmF0b3I6IFNrZXRjaCA1Ny4xICg4MzA4OCkgLSBodHRwczovL3NrZXRjaC5jb20gLS0+CiAgICA8dGl0bGU+aW5zaWdodF90ZXh0dXJlPC90aXRsZT4KICAgIDxkZXNjPkNyZWF0ZWQgd2l0aCBTa2V0Y2guPC9kZXNjPgogICAgPGcgaWQ9Imluc2lnaHRfdGV4dHVyZSIgc3Ryb2tlPSJub25lIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiIGZpbGw9Im5vbmUiIGZpbGwtcnVsZT0iZXZlbm9kZCI+CiAgICAgICAgPGcgaWQ9Ikdyb3VwLTItQ29weSI+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGlkPSJSZWN0YW5nbGUiIHg9IjAiIHk9IjAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyIj48L3JlY3Q+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0xLDEgTDUsMSIgaWQ9IkxpbmUtNCIgc3Ryb2tlPSIjNzE2MEU4IiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjIiIHN0cm9rZS1saW5lY2FwPSJyb3VuZCI+PC9wYXRoPgogICAgICAgIDwvZz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the names</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> of so</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ng titles by Toby Mac, Taylor </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Swift</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">and M</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">iley Cyrus (I feel the eyes of judgement upon me already, lol). </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I’m</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> so</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> th</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ankful God has given Luke this love for </span></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{cae23136-f90d-42ec-aded-6f7cbb71aa58}{102}" paraid="883128439" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">music. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{cae23136-f90d-42ec-aded-6f7cbb71aa58}{102}" paraid="883128439" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{cae23136-f90d-42ec-aded-6f7cbb71aa58}{102}" paraid="883128439" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutwaTOjN3TdQNHMwCjOUa2T_OaZ1DU7uA_RKeWiIHRx4gqdbKYJfkATJwsv2tOczo_vol7LEimff9oKuXMp5woLhNBYiw5WP6fx5XzP8muvmCwkWMCn1gAOJOTGgfNzFH23YVQ5Jxh3LSRNQAwdDZby6YvadWzysrilR-6AkQtwIL8QqTIW0We2Xk28o/s2640/luke%20with%20siblings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2640" data-original-width="2579" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutwaTOjN3TdQNHMwCjOUa2T_OaZ1DU7uA_RKeWiIHRx4gqdbKYJfkATJwsv2tOczo_vol7LEimff9oKuXMp5woLhNBYiw5WP6fx5XzP8muvmCwkWMCn1gAOJOTGgfNzFH23YVQ5Jxh3LSRNQAwdDZby6YvadWzysrilR-6AkQtwIL8QqTIW0We2Xk28o/w391-h400/luke%20with%20siblings.jpg" width="391" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{6d2914f0-a97f-4892-ba42-b3155ad9af62}{198}" paraid="1678522489" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Luke is funny and loves to have fun! He has </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a great sense</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> of humor. One of his favorite jokes is to call “circle time” at therapy (where the children all sit in a circle on the carpet to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">participate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> in some sort of group activity) “square time</span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">”.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> His therapists always get a kick out of that. He also loves to play tricks on his younger siblings, like dumping water on Eva’s head in the bathtub or covering her up with her blanket on the trampoline and asking, “Where did Eva go?</span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">”.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> The minute Eva sees Luke get on the trampoline, that is where she wants to be. She absolutely delights in getting to be on the trampoline and </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">jump</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> with Luke! The beautiful thing about kids is that play is a universal language they all understand. So even though Luke might not communicate with them like the other kids do, they all still enjoy interacting and playing together. Luke also makes normal kid jokes about certain bodily </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">functions, if</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> you catch my drift. He can often be heard saying, “What was that? Shoo </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">that’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> stinky!” Luke keeps us laughing and smiling in his own </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">special way</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{6d2914f0-a97f-4892-ba42-b3155ad9af62}{198}" paraid="1678522489" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{6d2914f0-a97f-4892-ba42-b3155ad9af62}{198}" paraid="1678522489" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp-fkrDrtJ7dDh8Ivz8FMTZGH4rzgc7wZIHWGtKsxDS2a7pTeaoqvhRVNgAOKQljoK8ERf5XKTzhbDPgSmNWXLaBwIzlFT_oHbKfMqa1JZaMsm3Ys52Gw7kFWWUSaamjFQiLr97_yxcyBRAoeqJzpC7309rYJZyCwJ7nEKxSJLfsYa2jxsvRTlLIpXME/s828/luke%20and%20levi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="828" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp-fkrDrtJ7dDh8Ivz8FMTZGH4rzgc7wZIHWGtKsxDS2a7pTeaoqvhRVNgAOKQljoK8ERf5XKTzhbDPgSmNWXLaBwIzlFT_oHbKfMqa1JZaMsm3Ys52Gw7kFWWUSaamjFQiLr97_yxcyBRAoeqJzpC7309rYJZyCwJ7nEKxSJLfsYa2jxsvRTlLIpXME/s320/luke%20and%20levi.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3188d983-92af-499f-b698-dff6b4b305b0}{76}" paraid="160110803" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Luke is loving and affectionate. He will come over and plop down on my lap, snuggle up with Zack, and watch television on the couch cozied up to his brothers and sisters. He loves </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">snuggle</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> time </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">on mornings</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> when he </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">doesn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> have to get up early for school, and he loves to have a visit from the tickle monster. He has moments when he tells us, “I need space” or “I need a break” and we know that Luke needs to withdraw and have some time alone. God has given him a gentle spirit that is so </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">very sweet</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3188d983-92af-499f-b698-dff6b4b305b0}{76}" paraid="160110803" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{21fecda2-5322-4bff-89e2-a3728a9b5289}{63}" paraid="46901023" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Though all these things describe Luke, none of them define him. And though it may </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">impact</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> every part of his </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">life every</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> day here on this earth, Luke certainly </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">isn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> defined by a condition like ASD. He is defined by his creator, God, who made Luke in his image and knew and loved him long before the foundations of the earth came to be. To God be the glory.</span></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{21fecda2-5322-4bff-89e2-a3728a9b5289}{63}" paraid="46901023" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{21fecda2-5322-4bff-89e2-a3728a9b5289}{63}" paraid="46901023" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHFBNKgp2-nCm0f9mevdR9RdH8VACsadNHTYAgwTYILlHRSY4IptE6wDqXRmQ_rRkdskfiQ678oxzl5JW-wGFHWocqrZIWuXluF2B_1fI6q5sCOVTBRpTS0A5HEZLPoNQuugFPetnf5gl6ECuQUmXkWhwT3Hs-nouktQykO53RNm5-zy8FAg0MMP-LbY/s3600/2023_09_NoahCaldwell_395%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHFBNKgp2-nCm0f9mevdR9RdH8VACsadNHTYAgwTYILlHRSY4IptE6wDqXRmQ_rRkdskfiQ678oxzl5JW-wGFHWocqrZIWuXluF2B_1fI6q5sCOVTBRpTS0A5HEZLPoNQuugFPetnf5gl6ECuQUmXkWhwT3Hs-nouktQykO53RNm5-zy8FAg0MMP-LbY/w400-h266/2023_09_NoahCaldwell_395%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{21fecda2-5322-4bff-89e2-a3728a9b5289}{63}" paraid="46901023" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3188d983-92af-499f-b698-dff6b4b305b0}{165}" paraid="2122345178" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Life with Luke is a blessing. I thought about writing a post today about what life </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">has </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">been like as a special needs parent, something I never would have chosen to be, something I never could have imagined that I could or would be. Then God made it clear that there would be a time for that post, and there is a need for that post, but </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">it’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> not today. Today is a day to celebrate and share with the world what an amazing little guy Luke Keller Caldwell is. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3188d983-92af-499f-b698-dff6b4b305b0}{165}" paraid="2122345178" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{fe03ebee-ed5b-4a46-9618-48fc8916e8f7}{230}" paraid="846277656" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I consider it my highest honor and greatest blessing to be called “mom” by</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">all o</span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTBweCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIycHgiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMCAyIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgeG1sbnM6eGxpbms9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzE5OTkveGxpbmsiPgogICAgPCEtLSBHZW5lcmF0b3I6IFNrZXRjaCA1Ny4xICg4MzA4OCkgLSBodHRwczovL3NrZXRjaC5jb20gLS0+CiAgICA8dGl0bGU+aW5zaWdodF90ZXh0dXJlPC90aXRsZT4KICAgIDxkZXNjPkNyZWF0ZWQgd2l0aCBTa2V0Y2guPC9kZXNjPgogICAgPGcgaWQ9Imluc2lnaHRfdGV4dHVyZSIgc3Ryb2tlPSJub25lIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiIGZpbGw9Im5vbmUiIGZpbGwtcnVsZT0iZXZlbm9kZCI+CiAgICAgICAgPGcgaWQ9Ikdyb3VwLTItQ29weSI+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGlkPSJSZWN0YW5nbGUiIHg9IjAiIHk9IjAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyIj48L3JlY3Q+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0xLDEgTDUsMSIgaWQ9IkxpbmUtNCIgc3Ryb2tlPSIjNzE2MEU4IiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjIiIHN0cm9rZS1saW5lY2FwPSJyb3VuZCI+PC9wYXRoPgogICAgICAgIDwvZz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">f</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> my precious children, but there is something different when you hear your child with a communicative disability like ASD say your name. I know my calling is to be his voice when the world</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">can’</span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> hear his. And that is something that with God’s help and the support of Zack and the rest of our family, I will do</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">everyda</span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">y</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, to the best of my ability. Happy Birthday to you Luke! You are loved more than you will ever know. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e8ffe889-a413-46d6-92c5-ab3d1a2217c1}{3}" paraid="1796089610" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW5313902 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e8ffe889-a413-46d6-92c5-ab3d1a2217c1}{13}" paraid="644201324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW5313902 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW5313902 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div>Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-17920096563314877682023-08-09T22:39:00.002-04:002023-08-09T23:11:02.868-04:00Who Says You Can't Go Home? <p> </p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: verdana; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3984" data-original-width="2656" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4JggMFX1yqYe-UtInxsTfPiy4fjoVmPS_MU9KZHd1NHrh0vBaQpYAgHCRUyYEAeAWj0rBXLJf_DlVBw_TT02o3cYSQrnNJUYNWGUFmUiyQpa58spNHr0teY3S5qbDruZpFekCttDWQd-eY8-eNAW39lGVTpsXTWXTaf1aVxnPB22flvHQLyFOYJX_HM/w266-h400/IMG_4757.jpeg" width="266" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Noah took the field this past Monday night for his first home soccer game of his senior season</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">As so many parents have pondered before me, I sat looking at his senior soccer pictures that were taken just a few days earlier and said to myself, “How did this happen so fast?” It seemed like just a couple of years ago that Noah and Caleb were running onto the soccer fields together, on the same Optimist Club team, ready to take on whatever opponent came their way. I guess you could say that this journey</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> seemed especially fast for Zack and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, as Noah came to our family just a few days before his 5</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-fontsize="11" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> birthday. What we </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">missed out on</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> during his first four years of life, we have tried to make up for over the past 13 years</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f03e59f6-618f-419c-8b48-26ef9ec10b61}{114}" paraid="1424447003" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">When Noah took the field this past Monday, it </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">wasn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> here in Oldham County. He </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">didn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> take the field as an OC Colonel, but rather as a Jaguar, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">representing</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> North Laurel</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Noah </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">went home,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> to Laurel County, and yes, the rest of us are still here. Why and how? </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f03e59f6-618f-419c-8b48-26ef9ec10b61}{114}" paraid="1424447003" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4JggMFX1yqYe-UtInxsTfPiy4fjoVmPS_MU9KZHd1NHrh0vBaQpYAgHCRUyYEAeAWj0rBXLJf_DlVBw_TT02o3cYSQrnNJUYNWGUFmUiyQpa58spNHr0teY3S5qbDruZpFekCttDWQd-eY8-eNAW39lGVTpsXTWXTaf1aVxnPB22flvHQLyFOYJX_HM/s3984/IMG_4757.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgbDy8bxMgVg_JCHrlf82H4lensW06C3SODnMsZBG4KSv59JSiXwgfHYb4OkL1KGUT05EhIfnIOP4W9aGvvn9mzUQg8rjM5XvAY2SYN49mLc9cVuStdGjeA__oxdtaXuG8LKoVrdYxyeQF8o6FWQKb0gFSkuXFBkxSpNmWwFvBv_t4WUGn0KHCjSHZeM/s3984/IMG_4758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2656" data-original-width="3984" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgbDy8bxMgVg_JCHrlf82H4lensW06C3SODnMsZBG4KSv59JSiXwgfHYb4OkL1KGUT05EhIfnIOP4W9aGvvn9mzUQg8rjM5XvAY2SYN49mLc9cVuStdGjeA__oxdtaXuG8LKoVrdYxyeQF8o6FWQKb0gFSkuXFBkxSpNmWwFvBv_t4WUGn0KHCjSHZeM/w400-h266/IMG_4758.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9b5d0af0-51b5-49b0-98c8-ad4fb8a3e45d}{169}" paraid="850680501" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">When we felt God leading our family away from London so that Luke could receive the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">appropriate therapies</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> he needed for ASD (see </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">previous</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> blog posts for how God made this clear), we knew the sacrifice that meant for our children, especially the older kids</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Out of </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">all of</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> our children, Noah </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">definitely was</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the most opposed to moving, and we totally understood where he was coming from. He had been at North Laurel since 7</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-fontsize="11" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> grade with the same friends and soccer teammates. We were asking him to leave his friends, soccer teammates and church youth group during a very pivotal time in his life. Kind and well-meaning family, friends, and even coaches offered to let Noah stay with them, </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">as to</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> not </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">interrupt</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> his school and sports life, but </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Zack and I felt it</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> was very </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">important</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> our family </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">make</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> this move together</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Needless to say, our</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> decision caused some major friction in our relationship with Noah, but with time, lots of talks and prayer, we worked through those issues, and Noah </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">actually began</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> to show some excitement about the new opportunities our move presented him</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">.</span></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9b5d0af0-51b5-49b0-98c8-ad4fb8a3e45d}{169}" paraid="850680501" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">During his </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Junior</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> year, he did very well in his classes at </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">OCHS, and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">made friends at school and at church</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. He especially enjoyed playing club soccer for </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">LouCity</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, and he started working at Kroger and enjoyed </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">working hard and earning money. Most importantly, we saw Noah mature and his heart soften </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">in </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ways</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> that we had hoped and prayed for</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">His interactions with us as his parents and his siblings </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">were more kind and gracious .</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> We also noticed a greater interest and sensitivity to the things of God</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">We were, and are, very thankful for the ways in which Noah has grown</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> But, despite all these positive changes, several times this past year, I felt as though I could </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">almost sense</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Noah’s sadness. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He tried to mask </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">it for the most part, but</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a mom</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> just </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">knows</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. So, I </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">wasn't</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> terribly surprised when several months ago, Noah </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">brought up</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the idea of moving home for his senior year</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I think it</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> is natural for parents to have a desire to give their children good gifts</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, after all, our</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Heavenly Father desires the same for us</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">But sometimes what we want and what is best for us </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">aren’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the same, and that’s where God given wisdom and discernment comes </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">in. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">In my </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">heart, despite</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the pain and sadness I knew it would bring me, I wanted to give Noah this tremendous gift of returning home... but I knew there was much to consider</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Was this decision something that would honor God? Would it hurt our family? The goal of our parenting has always been to help our children grow in holiness, not necessarily happiness. Would this decision help Noah in that regard? What would we be </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">sacrificing</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> allowing him to move home? And last, and what should be least and probably not even matter at all</span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">....what</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> would people think</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">? </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{535c8f21-925a-4021-b3a8-d49241d760bf}{110}" paraid="1555374836" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9b5d0af0-51b5-49b0-98c8-ad4fb8a3e45d}{172}" paraid="955318307" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">The most </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">difficult aspect </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">to accept would obviously be the time away from Noah and the time lost with Noah, during </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">arguably one</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> of the most important and special years of his life and school career. The thought of that alone made both Zack and I feel a pit in our stomach</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Beyond that, we grieved for our other kids- we knew the little guys would miss their big brother. Watching Noah interact with Luke, Levi, and Eva over the past year had truly brought so much joy</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Emmie and Eden, though slow to admit it, would miss playing XBOX with their big bro and going over to the soccer fields to kick the ball around. And finally, Caleb and Noah. They had been together the longest- how would their relationship be affected? In a more practical sense, Noah was </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a big help</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> to our family- he helped Zack with the yard and took his siblings to practices, etc</span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. No</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> doubt our family would not be the same- in many ways and for many reasons</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9b5d0af0-51b5-49b0-98c8-ad4fb8a3e45d}{172}" paraid="955318307" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9b5d0af0-51b5-49b0-98c8-ad4fb8a3e45d}{175}" paraid="358210473" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> We spent several weeks talking about what the decision would mean for everyone and praying </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">through</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> what to do</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">There were lots of </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; 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background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">late night</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> discussions, talking through different scenarios and questioning motives</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">And </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">of course,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> some tears- especially from me. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">We spoke with both of our parents, and from the beginning, they both offered their homes to Noah, </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">which</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> was amazing and so gracious. They too, had </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">witnessed</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the tremendous growth in Noah’s life, and they knew how much this meant to him. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9b5d0af0-51b5-49b0-98c8-ad4fb8a3e45d}{175}" paraid="358210473" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{aa3503ae-188f-44d7-b798-90ad33b37ab8}{96}" paraid="952960654" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> In the end, we decided to give Noah what we truly consider a gift- to live away from his family and with my parents, and to finish his senior year at home</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Zack and I have certainly had our doubts as to </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">if</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> we made the right decision, and to be as honest and transparent as possible, I have doubts as I type this blog post. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">We've</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> already had to make a few adjustments and have worked through some issues</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">We’ve</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> never been long distance parents before. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">It’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> a strange dynamic, because </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Noah’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> not “on his own” yet (like when a child goes to college), but </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">he’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> also not here with us physically</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">We already deeply miss Noah</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">We missed his first soccer game in London, and realistically, we will miss many more games this year than we will see, simply because of logistics</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Thankfully</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> my parents and Zack’s parents and other friends and family will be there to support him. I will miss hearing him tell me how his first day of school went, what </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">friends</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> are in his classes, and what he thinks about his teachers. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I’ll</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> miss warming up his dinner for him when he comes in from practices, games, or work, and having a quick chat with him while he eats</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I know he is being well cared for and loved in the home of my parents</span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">....but</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">it’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> just not the same. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{aa3503ae-188f-44d7-b798-90ad33b37ab8}{96}" paraid="952960654" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9b5d0af0-51b5-49b0-98c8-ad4fb8a3e45d}{178}" paraid="298171861" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">So, that’s “the why</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">”.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> The “how” was also </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">pretty complicated</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">In order for</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Noah to re-enroll as a Laurel County student, we had to grant partial custody to my parents, as this is who Noah would be living with. A simple Power of Attorney or Educational Guardianship/Custodian order (or whatever it is called) would not suffice. Technically, my parents had to sue us to gain partial custody of Noah. What that meant for us </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">practically is</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> that we all had to meet with an attorney and sign paperwork that the attorney completed, granting partial custody to my parents. So, if anyone reads the Sentinel Echo and noticed that in the legal section my parents sued Zack and I.....</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">that’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> what that was about, lol. After that step was completed, we were able to enroll Noah. Once enrolled, they were able to complete everything necessary to get him eligible to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">participate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> in athletics. His eligibility </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">literally came</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> back hours before his first game...right on time. Shew. When I called him that afternoon and told him he could play, he let out a vivacious, “Let’s go!” and I could hear my parents cheering in the background. I only wish I </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">could’ve</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> told </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">him i</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">n person. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9b5d0af0-51b5-49b0-98c8-ad4fb8a3e45d}{178}" paraid="298171861" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9b5d0af0-51b5-49b0-98c8-ad4fb8a3e45d}{220}" paraid="1762460842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Though we miss Noah, we truly are excited for him and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">anticipate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a great year</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> for him</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">You </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">can’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> help but notice his upbeat attitude and extra pep in his step since returning home. I pray God will guard and guide him every day. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9b5d0af0-51b5-49b0-98c8-ad4fb8a3e45d}{220}" paraid="1762460842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ed111c8c-f31f-4e46-94cf-ac96b7dceb21}{225}" paraid="733460745" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">In other news, here are some quick updates on the rest of the kiddos....</span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ed111c8c-f31f-4e46-94cf-ac96b7dceb21}{225}" paraid="733460745" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ed111c8c-f31f-4e46-94cf-ac96b7dceb21}{225}" paraid="733460745" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQhat2nOD75BykSblOHOM0V8bgUko8ZYF-MqQ1SUD0SF1t8sZ8Mnw2sG2AIcDHTGXljtBOYwlFHAvkwmUwUDcAJPD4NJvqoreYwTaM4c5eOyapHRPx577zJplcOzA8ymLreu5sMTQ2aJsJq_Ui4Ne686x7zluuZl05KufBytD74TL0lx2rh-63SDx22I/s4032/IMG_4551.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQhat2nOD75BykSblOHOM0V8bgUko8ZYF-MqQ1SUD0SF1t8sZ8Mnw2sG2AIcDHTGXljtBOYwlFHAvkwmUwUDcAJPD4NJvqoreYwTaM4c5eOyapHRPx577zJplcOzA8ymLreu5sMTQ2aJsJq_Ui4Ne686x7zluuZl05KufBytD74TL0lx2rh-63SDx22I/s320/IMG_4551.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ed111c8c-f31f-4e46-94cf-ac96b7dceb21}{225}" paraid="733460745" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: verdana; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">This spring, Eden was invited to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">participate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> in competitive gymnastics at a Junior Olympic gym called Champion Gymnastics. She trains 6 hours a week and has been working </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">very hard</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. Her competitions will begin this fall. She was also recently asked to share some of her story in a book by local author Judith Victoria Hensley. In the book she shares in her own words how God has faithfully been her help. It is truly a treasure to read </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">and Eden's heart and passion for God and others shines through. If </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">you’re</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> interested in checking it out, I know it will inspire and encourage you. Here is the link to the book on Amazon:</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: verdana; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f1906787-0bdf-450b-a15c-a5f0c40f72b0}{248}" paraid="1377116069" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW231913521 BCX0" href="https://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Next-Generation-Warrior-Women/dp/B0C5YYPFRW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RW5TM4895KTR&keywords=the+next+generation+judith+victoria+hensley&qid=1691500471&sprefix=the+next+generation+judith+victoria+hensley%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1#customerReviews" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">https://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Next-Generation-Warrior-Women/dp/B0C5YYPFRW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RW5TM4895KTR&keywords=the+next+generation+judith+victoria+hensley&qid=1691500471&sprefix=the+next+generation+judith+victoria+hensley%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1#customerReviews</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f1906787-0bdf-450b-a15c-a5f0c40f72b0}{248}" paraid="1377116069" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3d13f278-a232-4a2c-a2cd-d3ce70fd677a}{165}" paraid="1178830886" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Emmie is </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">playing</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> with the junior </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">varsity</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> soccer team this fall instead of running cross county. We are very thankful that her collar bone has completely </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">healed</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> and she has been cleared for all activities. She also took </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a very active</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> role in helping with our garden this year</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">She did a large part of the work, and she makes sure to tend to our garden every day</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">As Emmie grows and matures, God has molded her into a beautiful </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">servant</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> and I love seeing her heart for others. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3d13f278-a232-4a2c-a2cd-d3ce70fd677a}{165}" paraid="1178830886" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3d13f278-a232-4a2c-a2cd-d3ce70fd677a}{165}" paraid="1178830886" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0F41yqExtvUp8Tm_1DJZ57UDVZX8lnfrBIT-0lpi8g2aaz2aWj34JB-DuazAXx5TTyvLyOtJsQRPBBJSFaKv2cMUoMRZzfAUOAPmbVWId0f4sIeF-KVCIoaPV001WQ9FHCLSRlooYnIDlaHJ_foW_Sq6ixDKBp0JVGQAWFnlnDGYcE1z_efGd2emaQ8/s4032/IMG-4663.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Caleb chose to do something new this spring and summer- he decided to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">give football a try</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. I </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">have to</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> be </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">honest,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> I was not excited initially for him to try football. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He's</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> been playing soccer in the fall in some capacity for over 10 </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">years, and</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> playing football for Oldham County would mean not playing soccer for Oldham County. That was hard for me, as </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">we've</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> all dedicated a lot of time and energy to soccer for most of his life. </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">But,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> he reassured me there was still spring soccer with </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNXB4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjRweCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUgNCIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHhtbG5zOnhsaW5rPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8xOTk5L3hsaW5rIj4KICAgIDwhLS0gR2VuZXJhdG9yOiBTa2V0Y2ggNTYuMiAoODE2NzIpIC0gaHR0cHM6Ly9za2V0Y2guY29tIC0tPgogICAgPHRpdGxlPnNwZWxsaW5nX3NxdWlnZ2xlPC90aXRsZT4KICAgIDxkZXNjPkNyZWF0ZWQgd2l0aCBTa2V0Y2guPC9kZXNjPgogICAgPGcgaWQ9IkZsYWdzIiBzdHJva2U9Im5vbmUiIHN0cm9rZS13aWR0aD0iMSIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgZmlsbC1ydWxlPSJldmVub2RkIj4KICAgICAgICA8ZyB0cmFuc2Zvcm09InRyYW5zbGF0ZSgtMTAxMC4wMDAwMDAsIC0yOTYuMDAwMDAwKSIgaWQ9InNwZWxsaW5nX3NxdWlnZ2xlIj4KICAgICAgICAgICAgPGcgdHJhbnNmb3JtPSJ0cmFuc2xhdGUoMTAxMC4wMDAwMDAsIDI5Ni4wMDAwMDApIj4KICAgICAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0wLDMgQzEuMjUsMyAxLjI1LDEgMi41LDEgQzMuNzUsMSAzLjc1LDMgNSwzIiBpZD0iUGF0aCIgc3Ryb2tlPSIjRUIwMDAwIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiPjwvcGF0aD4KICAgICAgICAgICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGlkPSJSZWN0YW5nbGUiIHg9IjAiIHk9IjAiIHdpZHRoPSI1IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjQiPjwvcmVjdD4KICAgICAgICAgICAgPC9nPgogICAgICAgIDwvZz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">LouCity</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, and that this was something he really wanted to give a try. So, we agreed. Caleb has been extremely dedicated to not only his practices but also going on his own to the gym to lift weights. His hard work is paying off in </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">more ways than one</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">w</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">e're</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> excited to watch him under the Friday night lights this fall. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu-hCViZuRWxwfjDYDNAmNlnUScGu0XvWj3E6kxLBSWpC_HmOdS-rhsr_vq8bjl-qpz2ICoq0BjADb4YGA_lXwq0WwLZGuf_jLatmii5hw0Doc_QEiOeEfy0CJf2_xALUoGINnLVmhMpYjK3MzkbhjpxZZtRcJ4bU_kXdPq6QsGuUSsN-GYhmoq1RObE/w400-h300/IMG_3688.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3d13f278-a232-4a2c-a2cd-d3ce70fd677a}{185}" paraid="1105319373" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3d13f278-a232-4a2c-a2cd-d3ce70fd677a}{185}" paraid="1105319373" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Luke is doing incredibly well in </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">all of</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> his therapies. In occupational therapy, they are working to strengthen Luke’s core and on basic tasks such as kicking and being able to catch a ball. In speech therapy, they are working on the “w” questions (who, what, when, </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">where,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> why) and helping Luke formulate </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">very simple</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> answers to </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNXB4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjNweCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUgMyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHhtbG5zOnhsaW5rPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8xOTk5L3hsaW5rIj4KICAgIDwhLS0gR2VuZXJhdG9yOiBTa2V0Y2ggNTUuMiAoNzgxODEpIC0gaHR0cHM6Ly9za2V0Y2hhcHAuY29tIC0tPgogICAgPHRpdGxlPmdyYW1tYXJfZG91YmxlX2xpbmU8L3RpdGxlPgogICAgPGRlc2M+Q3JlYXRlZCB3aXRoIFNrZXRjaC48L2Rlc2M+CiAgICA8ZyBpZD0iZ3JhbW1hcl9kb3VibGVfbGluZSIgc3Ryb2tlPSJub25lIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiIGZpbGw9Im5vbmUiIGZpbGwtcnVsZT0iZXZlbm9kZCIgc3Ryb2tlLWxpbmVjYXA9InJvdW5kIj4KICAgICAgICA8ZyBpZD0iR3JhbW1hci1UaWxlLUNvcHkiIHN0cm9rZT0iIzMzNTVGRiI+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0wLDAuNSBMNSwwLjUiIGlkPSJMaW5lLTItQ29weS0xMCI+PC9wYXRoPgogICAgICAgICAgICA8cGF0aCBkPSJNMCwyLjUgTDUsMi41IiBpZD0iTGluZS0yLUNvcHktMTEiPjwvcGF0aD4KICAgICAgICA8L2c+CiAgICA8L2c+Cjwvc3ZnPg==')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">these type of questions</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. Currently, Luke will answer yes/no questions, but the “W” questions are a bit more challenging for him</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">In his ABA therapy, which he attends every afternoon, they are focusing on helping him learn to initiate </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNXB4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjNweCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUgMyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHhtbG5zOnhsaW5rPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8xOTk5L3hsaW5rIj4KICAgIDwhLS0gR2VuZXJhdG9yOiBTa2V0Y2ggNTUuMiAoNzgxODEpIC0gaHR0cHM6Ly9za2V0Y2hhcHAuY29tIC0tPgogICAgPHRpdGxlPmdyYW1tYXJfZG91YmxlX2xpbmU8L3RpdGxlPgogICAgPGRlc2M+Q3JlYXRlZCB3aXRoIFNrZXRjaC48L2Rlc2M+CiAgICA8ZyBpZD0iZ3JhbW1hcl9kb3VibGVfbGluZSIgc3Ryb2tlPSJub25lIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiIGZpbGw9Im5vbmUiIGZpbGwtcnVsZT0iZXZlbm9kZCIgc3Ryb2tlLWxpbmVjYXA9InJvdW5kIj4KICAgICAgICA8ZyBpZD0iR3JhbW1hci1UaWxlLUNvcHkiIHN0cm9rZT0iIzMzNTVGRiI+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0wLDAuNSBMNSwwLjUiIGlkPSJMaW5lLTItQ29weS0xMCI+PC9wYXRoPgogICAgICAgICAgICA8cGF0aCBkPSJNMCwyLjUgTDUsMi41IiBpZD0iTGluZS0yLUNvcHktMTEiPjwvcGF0aD4KICAgICAgICA8L2c+CiAgICA8L2c+Cjwvc3ZnPg==')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">age appropriate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> play/communication, something he has never really done in the past. He is learning to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">participate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> in small social groups, circle time, and is even playing games with other students at therapy. We are so proud of his hard work and progress in this area. He continues to amaze us with his ability to read and write (and with such amazing penmanship!) and his new favorite skill to practice is skip counting. He has had a great summer.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3d13f278-a232-4a2c-a2cd-d3ce70fd677a}{185}" paraid="1105319373" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3d13f278-a232-4a2c-a2cd-d3ce70fd677a}{185}" paraid="1105319373" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Nj4chiPU8_WzUgxep9h9shnYCmwE8SKkgCLBwMaobo-gCmVP06vZfrSkBlPrbNIHpXFCrVGL7CWPraf13XQ2D5w3PCgDT0SbqKrpnqXTPFm76FI_ZmEmsZDM6q_8smgQ8V0e4-cDPz9p_1bg9Gh3nf7PDiw5-M24kQZgYm2RmiZu5wghqXWK0D8RyaI/s2679/IMG-4738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2679" data-original-width="1986" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Nj4chiPU8_WzUgxep9h9shnYCmwE8SKkgCLBwMaobo-gCmVP06vZfrSkBlPrbNIHpXFCrVGL7CWPraf13XQ2D5w3PCgDT0SbqKrpnqXTPFm76FI_ZmEmsZDM6q_8smgQ8V0e4-cDPz9p_1bg9Gh3nf7PDiw5-M24kQZgYm2RmiZu5wghqXWK0D8RyaI/w474-h640/IMG-4738.jpg" width="474" /></span></a></div><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" paraeid="{9fa3ef1f-2103-42a6-9c7f-c0bf31c27248}{163}" paraid="369335448" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" paraeid="{9fa3ef1f-2103-42a6-9c7f-c0bf31c27248}{163}" paraid="369335448" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Levi has become such a big boy over this past year. After his two hospitalizations in March, his asthma </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">has been</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> mostly well controlled- there have been a couple of nights where we thought we might end up in the ER, but thankfully he responded to his emergency </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">inhaler</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> and we were able to keep him home. He is </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">very active</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, loves to play with Matchbox cars and </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNXB4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjNweCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUgMyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHhtbG5zOnhsaW5rPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8xOTk5L3hsaW5rIj4KICAgIDwhLS0gR2VuZXJhdG9yOiBTa2V0Y2ggNTUuMiAoNzgxODEpIC0gaHR0cHM6Ly9za2V0Y2hhcHAuY29tIC0tPgogICAgPHRpdGxlPmdyYW1tYXJfZG91YmxlX2xpbmU8L3RpdGxlPgogICAgPGRlc2M+Q3JlYXRlZCB3aXRoIFNrZXRjaC48L2Rlc2M+CiAgICA8ZyBpZD0iZ3JhbW1hcl9kb3VibGVfbGluZSIgc3Ryb2tlPSJub25lIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiIGZpbGw9Im5vbmUiIGZpbGwtcnVsZT0iZXZlbm9kZCIgc3Ryb2tlLWxpbmVjYXA9InJvdW5kIj4KICAgICAgICA8ZyBpZD0iR3JhbW1hci1UaWxlLUNvcHkiIHN0cm9rZT0iIzMzNTVGRiI+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0wLDAuNSBMNSwwLjUiIGlkPSJMaW5lLTItQ29weS0xMCI+PC9wYXRoPgogICAgICAgICAgICA8cGF0aCBkPSJNMCwyLjUgTDUsMi41IiBpZD0iTGluZS0yLUNvcHktMTEiPjwvcGF0aD4KICAgICAgICA8L2c+CiAgICA8L2c+Cjwvc3ZnPg==')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">loves</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> when his neighbor friends come over to play outside. He has the funniest </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">personality</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> and his vocabulary has exploded- sometimes I just like to sit and talk with him. He </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">definitely keeps</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> us on our toes, and I </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">can’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> imagine a child </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">more full</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> of love and life than Levi! </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" paraeid="{bb955999-b6ea-4077-80c3-f18173ace2d2}{165}" paraid="116609150" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" paraeid="{bb955999-b6ea-4077-80c3-f18173ace2d2}{165}" paraid="116609150" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2MSFnMTbqS4MkneoSXiwalgQP-emcq4irvh5J1Lor6UO1y106i_xpF2nqDRc2tyb0RLBK4hZaW9fOap3PtPTI5bSwmLk3TIT3fATMfjPDHhuhBrlqtWTiBT7ZNXh6C_tPPm8zk_2HnOk2_Ry77oIU5q8SZ6YV5alWOvevYEsL6PdpwFE-FkqsF47vX4/s1792/IMG-4680.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2MSFnMTbqS4MkneoSXiwalgQP-emcq4irvh5J1Lor6UO1y106i_xpF2nqDRc2tyb0RLBK4hZaW9fOap3PtPTI5bSwmLk3TIT3fATMfjPDHhuhBrlqtWTiBT7ZNXh6C_tPPm8zk_2HnOk2_Ry77oIU5q8SZ6YV5alWOvevYEsL6PdpwFE-FkqsF47vX4/w185-h400/IMG-4680.PNG" width="185" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" paraeid="{bb955999-b6ea-4077-80c3-f18173ace2d2}{165}" paraid="116609150" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Eva is running all over the place now and jabbering up a storm- she can say a few words </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">pretty clearly</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">- ball, bottle, outside, please, uh-oh and oh-no, and slide just to name a few. She loves to be in the presence of her siblings, and I love watching her smile as she interacts with them</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> She has the most fun and sweet temperament, and we truly are so thankful God gave us this baby girl. She has completed our family. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" paraeid="{bb955999-b6ea-4077-80c3-f18173ace2d2}{165}" paraid="116609150" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" paraeid="{bb955999-b6ea-4077-80c3-f18173ace2d2}{165}" paraid="116609150" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkhxbHiN9qgQOXVQB_aqkTlS6CMFZ6LvxvpUolRkhSTwMw_GNdWlggpVBBp7-PEIkhYi88_pBNuPbrBQRqSQnTwMI49u3yZ7QlsK__cu9ng3Uy7GWHErX58UF1q5AMqW-ggtCDvAV6fQ1Qr1z-3NFAQNDbO9bdw6E2s8HahokoBgScIkg0QHdoqNGciM/s4032/IMG_4622.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkhxbHiN9qgQOXVQB_aqkTlS6CMFZ6LvxvpUolRkhSTwMw_GNdWlggpVBBp7-PEIkhYi88_pBNuPbrBQRqSQnTwMI49u3yZ7QlsK__cu9ng3Uy7GWHErX58UF1q5AMqW-ggtCDvAV6fQ1Qr1z-3NFAQNDbO9bdw6E2s8HahokoBgScIkg0QHdoqNGciM/w400-h300/IMG_4622.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" paraeid="{bb955999-b6ea-4077-80c3-f18173ace2d2}{165}" paraid="116609150" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" paraeid="{bb955999-b6ea-4077-80c3-f18173ace2d2}{171}" paraid="820152650" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Something </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">really special</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> has been able to watch the interactions between Luke, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Levi</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> and Eva. In the past, Luke really struggled to acknowledge any of his siblings, let alone interact with them. To see him smile at Levi and Eva, jump on the trampoline with them, play alongside them- though these are small steps, they are wonderful, and we are so thankful for what God has done. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" paraeid="{bb955999-b6ea-4077-80c3-f18173ace2d2}{171}" paraid="820152650" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{723278e8-1585-44b4-9eca-d332b91c7bb6}{149}" paraid="18962224" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">This summer our pastor has preached through </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a number of</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> different Psalms. A recurring theme that the Lord has brought to my mind and heart from these Psalms is the beauty of dwelling in the presence of the Lord. There is joy in this life and eternal security in knowing God. For the believer, God is our refuge, now and forever. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> May this be my prayer, and the prayer of my family, now and always. </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0d35426e-36ee-4e0b-a411-acb6e9a182dc}{99}" paraid="565432162" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0d35426e-36ee-4e0b-a411-acb6e9a182dc}{110}" paraid="1203926971" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Psalm 84</span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{438efdb0-8821-430e-9a48-45e735eeed5e}{113}" paraid="164825882" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">How lovely is your dwelling place,</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lord</span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Almighty!</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">2 </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">My soul yearns,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">even faints,</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">for the courts of the</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lord</span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">;</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">my heart and my flesh cry out</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">for the living God.</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">3 </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Even the sparrow has found a home,</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">and the swallow a nest for herself,</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">where she may have her young—</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">a place near your altar,</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lord</span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Almighty,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">my </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">King</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">and my God.</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">4 </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Blessed are those who dwell in your house;</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">they are ever praising you.</span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{438efdb0-8821-430e-9a48-45e735eeed5e}{122}" paraid="1032879456" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-fontsize="12" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">5 </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Blessed are those whose strength</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">is in you,</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">6 </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">As they pass through the Valley of Baka,</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">they make it a place of springs;</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">the autumn</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">rains also cover it with pools.</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-fontsize="12" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">7 </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">They go from strength to strength,</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">till each appears</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">before God in Zion.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{438efdb0-8821-430e-9a48-45e735eeed5e}{131}" paraid="1882042953" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-fontsize="12" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">8 </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Hear my prayer,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lord</span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">God Almighty;</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">listen to me, God of Jacob.</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">9 </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Look on our </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">shield,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">O God;</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">look with favor on your anointed one.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{438efdb0-8821-430e-9a48-45e735eeed5e}{140}" paraid="553415872" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-fontsize="12" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">10 </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Better is one day in your courts</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">than a thousand elsewhere;</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I would rather be a doorkeeper</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">in the house of my God</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">than dwell in the tents of the wicked.</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">11 </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">For the</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lord</span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">God is a sun</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">and shield;</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">the</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lord</span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">bestows favor and honor;</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">no good thing does he withhold</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">from those whose walk is blameless.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{438efdb0-8821-430e-9a48-45e735eeed5e}{149}" paraid="639711925" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-fontsize="12" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">12 </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lord</span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Almighty,</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW231913521 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, "system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">blessed</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">is the one who trusts in you.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face=""system-ui", system-ui_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a68ced28-3be6-47d2-93f0-d62a59365d28}{194}" paraid="589837387" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW231913521 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3d13f278-a232-4a2c-a2cd-d3ce70fd677a}{200}" paraid="1919990352" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="TextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: medium; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> As I finish this post, I know that many precious people in our community back home are mourning tragic losses of family and friends. I want them to know that we are keeping their families close in </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">prayer, and</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> asking God to be so near, and to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">provide</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW231913521 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> a supernatural peace and comfort to them. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW231913521 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div>Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-42257741677618184482022-08-13T23:00:00.004-04:002022-08-14T14:28:53.529-04:00Leaving London....Again<p> I'm so thankful to be able to share a very long awaited update of what's been going on with our family over the last few months, as we found ourselves leaving London, once again. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-vTL43CwlWifVtdoC04Pg57ZyEh78X3T3QtRcqr92tcFVqf1v4p_b-vesOd576nf5je1TZymvAkoqst_nPHE94vYm7Y-uIhrVaXuEW4LVz2uJkzhO23kGrYkvG8NJtcsUXHhK6-x9wckcsnc6tVuN0K_EvtbgzET4zh2ZsaUvqWs1dsZyt3-C67o/s5472/2022_06_Caldwell%202022_185.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-vTL43CwlWifVtdoC04Pg57ZyEh78X3T3QtRcqr92tcFVqf1v4p_b-vesOd576nf5je1TZymvAkoqst_nPHE94vYm7Y-uIhrVaXuEW4LVz2uJkzhO23kGrYkvG8NJtcsUXHhK6-x9wckcsnc6tVuN0K_EvtbgzET4zh2ZsaUvqWs1dsZyt3-C67o/w400-h266/2022_06_Caldwell%202022_185.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"> First, we have so much gratitude for the many prayers, words of encouragement, and generosity that has been shown to our family through this very long transition. Leaving London for the second time has been a bit surreal and the time frame was not at all what we had envisioned. But, as scripture reminds us, man can plan his way, but God directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9). </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">After Zack unexpectedly lost his job last October, we quickly realized that God was leading us away from London (you can see my previous post for all the details that led us to this realization), and things began happening fast. Zack was offered two very good jobs at the end of December. We were thankful to have choices, and based on a number of factors (housing markets, school systems, and resources that would be available for Luke), Zack accepted a position that allowed us to be somewhat flexible in our location. We began our search in the Cincinnati/NKY area, but also looked in Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding areas. The housing market was super hot during our initial search, and we unsuccessfully made three offers, one of which was 30k above the asking price! Needless to say, as February rolled around, we were getting frustrated, discouraged and also feeling a little confused- it just seemed like doors weren't opening for us in terms of housing. We wanted to get our kids settled into a new school system asap, and baby Eva's arrival was coming soon as well- we were really hoping to be settled before her arrival. In addition to these concerns, a major mandate came down from the corporate level of Zack's new company regarding travel- what initially was to be only a few nights away every couple of months was now to be several nights away from home every month. This news came as Luke had been having some of the most difficult nights- hours of screaming, kicking, crying, and Luke being simply inconsolable. It was hard for me to imagine managing nights like this without Zack, especially when I considered having a new baby.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Around mid February, it all seemed to reach a tipping point when Zack was gone for a week to Pennsylvania and New York for work. Both little boys came down with bad cases of the flu, my mom had a serious case of bronchitis, the big kids were feeling crummy and my dad had quarantined himself to his room (can you blame him??). My father in law had tested positive for Covid and he and my mother in law were both quarantined. It was a very tough week, but it gave me a realistic picture of what the future could look like when Zack was traveling for work and I would be home alone. When he came home from that trip, we had a very honest, hard discussion. We both knew the new requirements of this job were not sustainable when considering the needs of our family, and Zack decided to resign from his new job. </div><div><br /></div><div dir="auto">So, there we were, a family of 8, soon to be 9, living with my parents, and no job prospect on the horizon. As hard as that week had been, at times it seemed even harder to think about starting from scratch with jobs, housing, etc. I was going to try and recount all the details of what transpired beginning around Mid-February to the end of April, but it's easier to just say this- Zack was offered several jobs, we traveled to three different states trying to figure out housing, school, systems, and therapy, but none of them worked out. It was a crazy time, and I’m sure most people thought we were crazy as well! It was like living in the Twilight Zone, or maybe like the movie Groundhog Day. Only with 6 kids 😂. We wondered if there was an end in sight. But, we knew what God had called us to, and so with strength and faith from the Lord, we kept going. It was beautiful to see the covenant and design of the marriage relationship during this time. On days when I would be weak in faith and discouraged, Zack would strong and such an encouragement to me. And vise versa. We kept reminding ourselves of our word- "together". </div><div><br /></div><div dir="auto">We began to realize that our plans to be moved and settled before the arrival of sweet baby Eva were not going to happen. So, we improvised and added a little space for her in the basement where Zack and I and Luke and Levi were already camped out in my parents house (the big kids were all upstairs). This would be a good time for me to pause and speak to the extra amazing love and generosity my parents showed to our family from January to July. What we all thought would be several weeks of living with them turned into several months, and they just rolled with the punches. Not something everyone could do, especially with our large family and all the different personalities and hormones...! I don't know what we would have done without them and their willingness to let us literally invade their space. They truly have blessed our lives more than they will ever know. My in-laws also played a huge role during that time, basically giving respite to my parents by offering their home on the weekends and helping with school transportation. They helped watch our little guys when we needed to make road trips to look at houses, etc. We truly have an amazing gift in our parents! </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWig-MnpnxLwcPEEcrdPQF2X85kRANv4O2TRpoQOgSgmslLANSCGQapNQEVZblEBCcG2_ZDmQkj2tPz8Pttzz2NJXEQYQomj1o4w4t60WjHTGvy1x-Kn1zEvD3ADdKW3lDqGH7MK0zI-j1rGw5wXErk6epZXMnalueIVxMCRqNG9sccO8Fu7CEUeD-/s2959/IMG-4431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2959" data-original-width="2078" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWig-MnpnxLwcPEEcrdPQF2X85kRANv4O2TRpoQOgSgmslLANSCGQapNQEVZblEBCcG2_ZDmQkj2tPz8Pttzz2NJXEQYQomj1o4w4t60WjHTGvy1x-Kn1zEvD3ADdKW3lDqGH7MK0zI-j1rGw5wXErk6epZXMnalueIVxMCRqNG9sccO8Fu7CEUeD-/s320/IMG-4431.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Finally, at the end of April we thought we were definitely moving to Birmingham after Zack was offered a good position. We made a few visits, and found a house that would work. It was a lovely place, and while some things still didn’t seem quite right, at this point, we had to move forward, or at least we thought. Even on the way home from our last trip to Alabama, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that something seemed “off”. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">A few days passed and we began trying to settle in with the idea of moving our family to Birmingham. But, before everything was official in Alabama, Zack received a call from a small automation company based in Indianapolis. They were looking for a sales rep to branch into Kentucky. The position would cover the entire state, but no over night travel would be required (except for some occasional trainings a couple times a year) and the person could live anywhere in the state, though Louisville would be the preferred location. We were, of course, skeptical. It wasn't a big name company like the other jobs Zack had interviewed for. But, the chance to stay in Kentucky and no overnight travel was all we needed to hear to at least explore the opportunity. Zack came home from meeting with the president of the company, and told me we had a tough decision to make. We talked, prayed, and the next day Zack called the realtor in Alabama and explained the situation. He understood and thankfully we were within the timeframe that allowed us to rescind our offer (they received another offer the same day). We were going to be able to stay in Kentucky! </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">We were thrilled, immediately began house hunting, and a few weeks later, after some unsuccessful offers, found a home in Oldham County, made an offer, and it was accepted! The most amazing thing about our new home is the location. As we thought through what it would look like for our family to move away, we realized that the location of the house would be key- without any family in town to help transport kids to and from extracurricular activities, and with Luke having to be transported daily to therapy, we needed our home to be central to everything, if at all possible. This house hit the jackpot for location- The preschool (Oldham County has one location that houses all the preschool classes), elementary, middle and high schools are all located on the same campus, and are literally within walking distance/golf cart ride from our home. Our kids actually walked to school/were transported on our golf cart their first day! Luke's therapy is about a 6 minute drive from our house. And, as an added bonus, a new Kroger is opening next summer about 1 mile away. The location of this house is an unbelievable answer to prayer, and truly something only God could orchestrate- we learned that through months of looking for homes in multiple cities! </div><div><br /></div><div>We have been moved in for almost a month now. We of course miss our home, especially our family, friends, and church family. The kids have been troopers throughout this entire process. Initially it was tough, and understandably so. We were asking a lot, especially for our older kids, as they had some pretty solidly established friendships and roles on their teams back home. We asked them throughout this process to first trust God, and then trust us, even if it didn't make sense. None of us did the first part perfectly, but for the most part, our kids did awesome, and once we finally got settled in, they have been very positive and huge helpers, doing whatever has been asked of them. They have some great opportunities here, and I think they are beginning to realize that. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5x0ym2j-I1RqsnZKslq9nSLf-5i6JWQL_RSt8Z2BFqYTn9sqgbUJ1li1pHREI5fHbE2Tx-zLxemb4XjLKVDce4nSZzAEHAw861YLaDDbDYKZeqrtbaqqUKe_Dy6AtVeURJl31xpbRM0-Sosr_Wcc-DR8lePWqRyYxE9YIsdJvNZrzeEDJwnH19rN/s3129/IMG-0236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2362" data-original-width="3129" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5x0ym2j-I1RqsnZKslq9nSLf-5i6JWQL_RSt8Z2BFqYTn9sqgbUJ1li1pHREI5fHbE2Tx-zLxemb4XjLKVDce4nSZzAEHAw861YLaDDbDYKZeqrtbaqqUKe_Dy6AtVeURJl31xpbRM0-Sosr_Wcc-DR8lePWqRyYxE9YIsdJvNZrzeEDJwnH19rN/s320/IMG-0236.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div dir="auto">Luke will begin therapy in less than two weeks. At the end of July, Zack and I met with his therapy team for a parent meeting, and the following day Luke came to the center to meet the team. The meetings couldn't have gone any better. The level of care, knowledge, and professionalism they showed us was amazing and undoubtedly an answer to months and months of prayer. During the meeting, I remembered being at Vandy almost a year and a half earlier, and receiving Luke's diagnosis. There were so many thoughts going through my mind then (and still are), but that is where the initial journey began of seeking out every possible resource I could for Luke. The journey certainly isn't over by any means, but this step is a huge milestone in our journey with Luke. Halfway through the meeting Zack verbalized what this coming to fruition meant to our family, and I think we both got a little teary eyed. The faithfulness of God is simply amazing and we stand in awe of his goodness and grace. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As I briefly mentioned above, the other kiddos are doing great. Noah (junior) and Caleb (freshman) have been busy practicing and preparing for their upcoming soccer season with Oldham County High School (the OC as they refer to it here). They also attended an evaluation earlier this summer for Oldham Soccer Club and have secured roster positions for their spring club teams. It's a really great opportunity for them, as they are affiliated with the minor league soccer team here in Louisville, Loucity. Emmie is running cross country for Oldham County Middle School and endured 6am practices the last few weeks. We are very proud of her hard work and look forward to her first meet. Eden has loved the first few days of school and already has friends. She is looking forward to beginning gymnastics soon. Luke and Levi love their new house and especially their fenced in back yard with their trampoline and playset- the fence has been awesome for everyone- freedom and independence!! Baby Eva is growing like a weed and is 4 months old! She is the sweetest and happiest little baby.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5lqWQdGFNsVCEKsei1SAg0raZInanmD-qDBy6FpTMMyQHp-Pjl0GHg5J04qCmb2RSYZ7OBkuKSZanh46KAjSWboZIS1FRyS9id3tzf6rSSm_kGgAr04SQOUXbxhn9MEgOF15qqaPxN3cSPS28gNb1xiqzFpR1-eqTXpNyfl3czxfMMCbugYnQ1XK/s3600/IMG-0237.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5lqWQdGFNsVCEKsei1SAg0raZInanmD-qDBy6FpTMMyQHp-Pjl0GHg5J04qCmb2RSYZ7OBkuKSZanh46KAjSWboZIS1FRyS9id3tzf6rSSm_kGgAr04SQOUXbxhn9MEgOF15qqaPxN3cSPS28gNb1xiqzFpR1-eqTXpNyfl3czxfMMCbugYnQ1XK/s320/IMG-0237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iPtw9IWpZ2uJxqYb7nl8inrOF9uMYdDE1M3bkOAD0h5tcKtXfgUS0r8U6WOLyponuJJ7uMt2K4PsS9cnF2UmGTv7wIikWlc_mYKyu73Fukox2KWOcthcYoTai0eWudyRBOuvEsDcwuPpeckxuwlt02mXxk3IXmN_KUghrCd9F94bbSbpbBfGfbpF/s3600/IMG-0238.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iPtw9IWpZ2uJxqYb7nl8inrOF9uMYdDE1M3bkOAD0h5tcKtXfgUS0r8U6WOLyponuJJ7uMt2K4PsS9cnF2UmGTv7wIikWlc_mYKyu73Fukox2KWOcthcYoTai0eWudyRBOuvEsDcwuPpeckxuwlt02mXxk3IXmN_KUghrCd9F94bbSbpbBfGfbpF/s320/IMG-0238.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyJKijveZgsHvHzqThWqhm_0UR5pKp1P6ffWkKHAwIvcYp7yG0IaLdu26DZw88IrWHZmy4JrlFeU2GYl8wEc66Cnc6m85tibXMWv1NnobUFOFIIdowrxqMxeb3Ow8lP8lHAtHxLoGe01bAOZctkej1xY0nec76VKi-USlL_oAIwBxxLIyDJ4lu040/s3600/IMG-0240.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyJKijveZgsHvHzqThWqhm_0UR5pKp1P6ffWkKHAwIvcYp7yG0IaLdu26DZw88IrWHZmy4JrlFeU2GYl8wEc66Cnc6m85tibXMWv1NnobUFOFIIdowrxqMxeb3Ow8lP8lHAtHxLoGe01bAOZctkej1xY0nec76VKi-USlL_oAIwBxxLIyDJ4lu040/s320/IMG-0240.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2pciYzprAvG2eWNC6SM-6lOcuMOABWafBkAYl8LUr6u12rscPlX0ypNDV5g59OUVQp2uzyRwwRLZ33BEFYa_Nv0K1buBo_L-alZ0LuiGj7l1h8jZu7bRLBcY2eIY5fXgld4Xw5Mf1F7gKK7sctlt16NXpIBb8fyXte7GnfV7d7oHHOGhz4IMHybz/s3600/IMG-0248.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2pciYzprAvG2eWNC6SM-6lOcuMOABWafBkAYl8LUr6u12rscPlX0ypNDV5g59OUVQp2uzyRwwRLZ33BEFYa_Nv0K1buBo_L-alZ0LuiGj7l1h8jZu7bRLBcY2eIY5fXgld4Xw5Mf1F7gKK7sctlt16NXpIBb8fyXte7GnfV7d7oHHOGhz4IMHybz/s320/IMG-0248.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2CAeyL7EvgJN3pLJ50O_AepunmZmuF0hMCWSiexEO83WJH1neEUxhQpF7pAXBxM2oVRgY4sIESAi1GEml_G--eOwQzrIDqva9v5Zn1s8IJ7ktRetpiH9i-ckexeCsDRTSjzjAK4LDZRaIz1WbPazTq8apU7kF2gnEIRzfZEdKyx5pnDtgtmjjPSL/s3600/IMG-0243.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2CAeyL7EvgJN3pLJ50O_AepunmZmuF0hMCWSiexEO83WJH1neEUxhQpF7pAXBxM2oVRgY4sIESAi1GEml_G--eOwQzrIDqva9v5Zn1s8IJ7ktRetpiH9i-ckexeCsDRTSjzjAK4LDZRaIz1WbPazTq8apU7kF2gnEIRzfZEdKyx5pnDtgtmjjPSL/s320/IMG-0243.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbHB0qpd-c_tcvVCmVbNPEsD2jJyCP0UnEi7Z3zvgfHS1OMdfauWABOFWwrwlIoOdO9zbpkKbrUCDAe04dA-dban-Nr2AooJudAKjhsimuhcFlYcmIfKuwg1zh7Oi6eI1xlY1Bq4DWxYLdGq0o5MmVh2kRHqQzEZrBGbVdFh3JA5cDjLMZ37HcWuP/s3600/IMG-0246.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbHB0qpd-c_tcvVCmVbNPEsD2jJyCP0UnEi7Z3zvgfHS1OMdfauWABOFWwrwlIoOdO9zbpkKbrUCDAe04dA-dban-Nr2AooJudAKjhsimuhcFlYcmIfKuwg1zh7Oi6eI1xlY1Bq4DWxYLdGq0o5MmVh2kRHqQzEZrBGbVdFh3JA5cDjLMZ37HcWuP/s320/IMG-0246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWNRXccxpP0a_AJzVBsD7Ecq_VcUZlxT7R9mq8YS76PUPRMFdhPzLW8VyevUCma6hiyTuNeKhXiT7j0YwrEmCO-eyQmSENvalqk5w0m757sP3dp4wNiuixRRBVstVZ0GR7EcZDsYAUb1uiTNDvg28lMafTeP9Ir-AFnTQ53T0dhLBj3Zqj4QSn17x/s3600/IMG-0244.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWNRXccxpP0a_AJzVBsD7Ecq_VcUZlxT7R9mq8YS76PUPRMFdhPzLW8VyevUCma6hiyTuNeKhXiT7j0YwrEmCO-eyQmSENvalqk5w0m757sP3dp4wNiuixRRBVstVZ0GR7EcZDsYAUb1uiTNDvg28lMafTeP9Ir-AFnTQ53T0dhLBj3Zqj4QSn17x/s320/IMG-0244.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div dir="auto">Zack and I are doing well. We are very thankful, very tired, and very blessed . Our biggest focus now is to find a church home to connect with so that our family may grow and serve, to the Glory of God. I’m sure it’s definitely an interesting sight to see when our family comes to visit a new church! They may or may not want us to visit again 😂😂</div><div dir="auto"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XCYg9dYQivczhpjPinedWLd6PZfLITqhlcLEUo6E6mjYXK4tHsmlTJIRH1uPyCjHA0yoBvNv_xJl3GeeYPFQjh6C8-Biu9Az9vghqAQLly0-pvM5JqXQc1o-dlALeMadUnA3Yue6IuNLb_xsBccydAvk0Uq6laWWoRV9R3lL8yuU02qCV2mxrLMH/s4441/IMG-0123.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2961" data-original-width="4441" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XCYg9dYQivczhpjPinedWLd6PZfLITqhlcLEUo6E6mjYXK4tHsmlTJIRH1uPyCjHA0yoBvNv_xJl3GeeYPFQjh6C8-Biu9Az9vghqAQLly0-pvM5JqXQc1o-dlALeMadUnA3Yue6IuNLb_xsBccydAvk0Uq6laWWoRV9R3lL8yuU02qCV2mxrLMH/w400-h266/IMG-0123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div>Thank you again for all your prayers, words of encouragement and support. London, Kentucky, will always be our home. We know that in our hearts, and have been reminded of that often, even with all the wonderful aspects of our new home. But we also know that God has led us here and directed our path, so we move forward with great expectation and hope in Him. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div dir="auto"></div>Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-43954908883213114882021-11-29T22:17:00.001-05:002021-11-29T22:17:25.719-05:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Before I dive into what has transpired since this past
March in the life of our family, I want to begin by making a disclaimer, of
sorts. </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">First, having a child with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and attempting to understand and navigate ASD is a
whole new world for us. We are still very much rookies in every way, and therefore,
I may use some words, phrases, or expressions in ways that might not be
“politically correct”,</span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">but please know
that I am being real and authentic, and don’t mean any harm or insult. My heart
is to share our experience for the Glory of God and in hopes that he might use
our story to encourage others. </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Second, the
decisions that Zack and I have made for our family have been prayed over for
months, through tears, anger, sadness, and ultimately peace, trust, and faith
in the Lord. They have not come lightly, and though everyone may not agree with,
or understand our decisions, as Luke’s parents, God has entrusted us with
earthly authority over his precious life, and we have sincerely sought God’s guidance
and wisdom for the decisions that we have made for Luke and our family. </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">We greatly appreciate everyone that has prayed
on our behalf these last few months.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">On a beautiful March afternoon, Zack and I, along with our
son, Luke, found ourselves in Fannie Mae Dees Park, or “Dragon Park” as it is
known to the Nashville locals. While we love Nashville and have visited several
times, this visit was to be different than the rest. The next morning, we had
an appointment to have Luke evaluated for Autism Spectrum Disorder at the Vanderbilt
Kennedy Center. </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our journey here had
been a God thing, as just a few months ago I sat in our pediatrician’s office
and heard words that though slightly anticipated, still were difficult to here-
“Luke needs to have a formal autism evaluation”. I say anticipated, because by the
time Luke was 18 months old, we knew he was a little different than other
children his age. </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">He had a keen ability
to recognize and manipulate numbers, letters, colors, and shapes, often times
being able to solve problems and manipulate them in ways that were well advanced
for his age. He also enjoyed engaging in his own world, with his numbers, letters
and other toys, much more than he enjoyed engaging with people. He was, and is,
an incredibly loving, sweet, and fun little guy, and he enjoys a tickle fight
and to wrestle just like any other child- but we just knew something was different.
By the time he turned two, some other red flags began to emerge. His speech was
definitely delayed- though he could say many individual words, he rarely, if
ever, used them in a conversational manner, or to engage anyone socially. He
didn’t acknowledge most people when they tried to speak to him or interact with
him, or if he did, they had to try many times to get his attention.</span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Again, we knew was super smart, so we thought
maybe he was just going to be a little different….but he also lacked the appropriate
body language you would expect for most children his age. He didn’t nod his
head or use gestures, and he failed to respond to his name being called most of
the time, or to follow my lead when I pointed at an interesting object. I
instinctively knew from my education background that these were all red flags
for autism, and knew it was something we needed to discuss with our pediatrician.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And so we did. Our pediatrician did a quick screening, and
felt that it would be wise to refer Luke for a formal evaluation for Autism. He
warned me that the current wait time for such an evaluation was close to one
year, but that in the meantime, we should go ahead and get started with some
early speech intervention through First Steps. I immediately arranged for an evaluation with
First Steps, and also decided not to settle for a one year wait for an
evaluation. I began to do some research and attempted to find other agencies
and offices that performed evaluations besides the one we had been referred to.
I found lots of long wait times, but didn’t give up. I ran across something
called the Autism Care Network, a network of children’s hospitals and clinics
across the country that bring</span><span style="background: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> together leading children’s
hospitals and academic institutions to develop best practices in clinical
care. The closest to us were Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Vanderbilt
Children’s Hospital, so I started there. Unfortunately Cincinnati was only accepting
new patients from surrounding counties, and our county didn’t qualify.
Vanderbilt was accepting new patients, but the wait time was several months. However,
there was an exception- If we would be willing to be part of a research study
involving comparing the results of evaluations done through telehealth versus
in person, then they would be able to see us in just a few weeks. I didn’t even
hesitate in saying, “yes!”. We would travel to Nashville a few weeks later for
both a virtual evaluation and then later the same day an in person evaluation,
and get a full report that day. I was elated and so grateful. God had already
began to answer prayers and provide for Luke and our family.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzD7K8JFp_WN-nAJXtYyxGfI6IE33VE0NbSn1sgpLNzCyYg23yvZ0LhQaQXvCK72ihFe4rzvSjJVJIyoSOMMSze_y7b2ALUP6SS0JLVdoO2xU_eI4jhsXTxnWyng1T94CFMBAN2nimts/s2048/IMG-7038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzD7K8JFp_WN-nAJXtYyxGfI6IE33VE0NbSn1sgpLNzCyYg23yvZ0LhQaQXvCK72ihFe4rzvSjJVJIyoSOMMSze_y7b2ALUP6SS0JLVdoO2xU_eI4jhsXTxnWyng1T94CFMBAN2nimts/w405-h304/IMG-7038.JPG" width="405" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dragon Park, March 2021</span></div><br /><o:p style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that’s how we
ended up in Dragon Park in Nashville on a beautiful March day. After a nice
dinner downtown that evening, we retired to our hotel and to prepare for a day of
unknowns for both Luke and us. The next morning, Zack dropped Luke and I off
for his evaluations (because of COVID, only one parent could accompany Luke). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, Zack was able to facetime with us
for much for the evaluation. </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The virtual evaluation was first,
and as I expected, Luke failed to interact virtually whatsoever. We then went
into a different room and waited for the in person evaluation to begin. Our
evaluator, Amy, was so kind and compassionate. She did manage to get a few
smiles and words out of Luke, and was very patient with him throughout the several
hour session. She put Zack and I at ease, and she is still a valuable resource
to our family. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the
evaluation she took some time to complete her paperwork, and then she spoke
very softly but solemnly to Zack and I. I can still remember exactly what she
said as she looked at me with such kindness in her eyes. “I don’t know what you
were expecting to find out today, but I can tell you with 100% certainty that
Luke should be placed on the Autism Spectrum”. She then went onto explain why
Luke didn’t just have a speech delay and helped us understand his diagnosis.
She felt that at this time, he was extremely impacted by his symptoms in terms
of social and communicative impairments, and though she couldn’t tell us a firm
prognosis, she gave us much hope by pointing out that Luke’s cognitive
abilities were strong, and that he was verbal, even if his speech and
conversational language skills were extremely delayed. She praised us for
intervening early, as she helped us understand why early intervention was so crucial
for any child with autism (that can’t be understated). She also shared with us
some of her personal story, including of her son that was diagnosed with ASD
and the amazing progress and strides that he had made over the years with the
proper therapies and interventions. We thanked her so much for her help, and the
rest of the staff warmly told us goodbye as we made our way out of the office. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">On the drive home, Zack and I sat mostly quiet for a long
time while Luke entertained himself in the backseat. I think we both knew that this
had been a life changing visit to Nashville. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we sat quietly, we were processing,
thinking. Though we were just embarking on this lifelong journey, we quickly recognized
that the life we had imagined for Luke was going to much different than what we
had planned. My mind was racing. I was overwhelmed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began to make a mental list of all the
resources I would need to secure for Luke. Amy had been very helpful in
recommending resources for us as parents- books, online trainings, etc. She
encouraged us to continue speech and occupational therapy, and highly
recommended a therapy that I wasn’t familiar with, Applied Behavioral Analysis
(ABA).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing that Zack and I both
agreed on before we made it home to London was that we were committed to doing
whatever we needed to do to help Luke reach his full God given potential, and
we would do it together. “Together”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>became
a very important word for Zack and I, one that we have held onto through these
last few months, through the best and probably most difficult times of our married
lives. It would only be together, as husband and as wife, and as God as the
head, that we would make it through the challenges we would face over the next
several months. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">We vaguely shared the news with our family. It was still so
new and difficult for us to process that we weren’t quite ready to get into all
the details with them just yet. There was a strong hope among our family that
Luke just had a speech delay and was very smart, different, but not in need of
any formal diagnosis and the therapies that would accompany it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the next few days, we would have
discussions with our parents about his diagnosis, and we had a family meeting
with our kids one evening to explain Luke’s diagnosis to them as well. It was
going to be a learning process for us all, but one that God would use, and
continues to use, for his glory and our good. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Over the next few weeks I did my best to educate myself about
ABA therapy. After the reading and research I had done, and after hearing from
other families about the benefits their children had experienced, I agreed with
what Amy had told us about the benefits of ABA therapy, and I began the process
of trying to find the appropriate ABA therapy for Luke. I quickly found that
securing this type of therapy wasn’t going to be nearly as easy as it had been
to find the appropriate speech and occupation therapy that Luke needed. </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">In fact, the options in our area were, and
continue to be very limited. I found waiting lists dating back to 2019,
insurance roadblocks, and agencies that could offer a few hours a week of
therapy, but not anything comprehensive like was indicated for Luke by
Vanderbilt. Zack and I decided to continue searching and to see what type of
progress Luke could make with speech and occupational therapy. He also would
begin public preschool when he turned three in October, so we were hoping that
this would help with his social engagement and communication as well.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Over the summer we were blessed to work with wonderful speech
and occupational therapists, and we saw Luke make progress with verbalization
in terms of learning more words, and being able to ask for some basic needs
when prompted, mostly related to food. His ability to understand and manipulate
numbers continued to grow, and basically overtook all other interests. One of
his favorite summertime activities was to write numbers on the trampoline with
sidewalk chalk. I could ask him to write any number- 75, 36, 49, etc. and if he
was willing to deviate from whatever he was doing, he could write any number I
requested! Though we were thankful for the areas of progress we did observe,
and for the amazing therapists he worked with through the summer, there were
certainly areas, mostly in Luke’s behaviors and in his sleeping, that had began
to deteriorate. It became very difficult to predict what would upset him and
cause a meltdown or send him into an emotional downward spiral . He was very
much insistent on the same routine each day, but sometimes even adhering to
that routine wasn’t good enough, and he would become overwhelmed with anxiety
and despair. He struggled with any change to his environment and to adapt to
new environments- the simplest of transitions was a daily struggle. It was heartbreaking
to watch our sweet boy deal with these big emotions and not be able to help him.
Many days we just felt helpless and could only hold and console him through these
difficult times. His sleep deteriorated to levels that I could never have
imagined. Those who know our family well know that Luke has always struggled
with sleep. After receiving his diagnosis, his sleep struggles began to make
sense, as over half of children with ASD have some sort of sleep disorder. In
getting acquainted with other families in the Autism community, my heart breaks
for some of the sleep struggles their children, and in turn, parents endure.
For Luke, some nights were full of hours of crying and screaming, with me
helplessly sitting with Luke, trying to understand what was going on. On those
nights, I would often find myself crying with Luke, while Zack would be in our
bedroom praying for us, as Luke responded ever more harsher if Zack would try
to help. Other nights, Luke would wake multiple times, not upset, but simply with
his mind racing as he would recite the alphabet, count to 100, or mimic other
sounds and phrases his toys would make. Other nights, he would awaken but could
easily be calmed back to sleep in just a few minutes. Every night was
different, except for one aspect- I knew Luke wouldn’t sleep all night long. At
some point, I knew we needed to seek help with the sleeping aspect, and though
I had been resistant to involving medication, we had exhausted almost every
other avenue of help. So, at the advice of our local pediatrician and the
developmental pediatricians at Vanderbilt, Luke began a very low dose of
medication to assist with sleepiness. In about 3-4 weeks, the very difficult
nights of several hours of waking decreased, and though currently no night is
perfect, we were and are thankful for this improvement.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4Ta8f5ZtuwrX2qugYR3TcKlj8dG8cp3cBmhIdvE2SQV4inWeUMG7k2Rrwm-UoZ78_51TqVGGwzQKhqAuLFcD38kvaER6eKnIGsHkUWB14EkN2p6aqDOcvHrXJzn9gZsz8ujX056x-IE/s800/IMG-1577.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4Ta8f5ZtuwrX2qugYR3TcKlj8dG8cp3cBmhIdvE2SQV4inWeUMG7k2Rrwm-UoZ78_51TqVGGwzQKhqAuLFcD38kvaER6eKnIGsHkUWB14EkN2p6aqDOcvHrXJzn9gZsz8ujX056x-IE/w220-h391/IMG-1577.JPEG" width="220" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Luke writing numbers on the trampoline....cool hair! </span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">As the summer came to a close, I considered the struggles
that Luke was having, and recognized that though speech and occupational therapy
had definitely been beneficial, and though preschool would provide exposure to
social situations with other children, Luke still had significant needs that
just weren’t able to be addressed by these therapies alone. I remembered Amy speaking
about early intervention, and was reading on a daily basis about the success
other families were having with their children and ABA therapy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was convinced after being with Luke day
after day and witnessing how his behavior had changed, after hearing from
multiple families from across the country, and after speaking with doctors from
Vanderbilt and Cleveland Clinic, that ABA therapy, combined with speech and
occupational therapy, would be in Luke’s best interest. The only issue was that
the closest centers that could offer the comprehensive therapy that Luke needed
were in Richmond, Lexington and Louisville, and it just wasn’t feasible for our
family to commute to these locations daily for several hours every week. I
began to realize that if we really wanted to take seriously Luke’s future and
his needs, moving where he could receive a combination of these therapies would
be necessary. My heart was torn because I knew what this would mean for our family-
a move away from friends, family and a community we all loved. I also knew what
it would mean for our parents, who love our children so well. There was no
question it would be a huge sacrifice for our family to relocate. But the
alternative, in my mind, meant not giving Luke every opportunity and chance to
thrive, and as his mother, that was not an acceptable option. Luke had both the
most to gain and lose in this particular situation. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">I began to share my concerns and heart with Zack regarding
the importance of therapy for Luke. He, too, had noticed changes in Luke, and
though he agreed that Luke needed the therapy, he didn’t think that moving was
in our family’s best interest, at least at the current time. Finding out God had
blessed our family with new life certainly seemed to make moving even more
complicated, and Zack remined me that we depended on the help our of parents to
transport our older kids to different activities, to help out around our home,
to give us a break from to time, etc., and he wasn’t sure how we could make
everything work without them. I agreed, and readily admitted that I wasn’t sure
how it would all work either, but I just knew in my heart that this was what
Luke needed, and that the earlier we could intervene, the better. I told Zack
that I trusted that in God’s sovereignty, he could put all the pieces together.
And He would have to do just that. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">In the weeks that followed, Zack and I continued the
discussion about moving, and Zack’s opinion didn’t change much. One evening we
were taking a walk and having a discussion about therapy, and Zack just stopped
me and said, “Rebecca, if we are going to move, God is going to have to move
us, because I just can’t see how it’s going to work. That’s just the way it is”.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll admit, I was devastated and saddened,
and tears instantly began to flow. I know Zack, and I know the love he has for
his family, and his commitment to our well being. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew he was speaking from a place in his
heart what he thought was best for our family, and I wasn’t angry with him. I
just prayed that night that God would provide what we needed, whether it was at
our current location, or someplace and in some way that we currently couldn’t
see or understand - “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory
in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Though not on the same page about moving, Zack and I did
agree and were interested in at least checking out what a therapy center would
be like for Luke, and this was something I had been looking into for some time.
So, a few weeks after our last conversation about moving, Luke was scheduled
for a functional behavioral assessment at a highly recommended center that had
offices in Lexington and Louisville. This would give us an idea of what a treatment
plan for Luke would consist of, a more accurate understanding of how many hours
of therapy would be recommended, and allow us to see the type of environment
that he would be in for ABA therapy. My mom and I took Luke to the center. From
the time we walked in, everyone was so kind, positive, and helpful.
Surprisingly, Luke didn’t respond as he usually did to a new environment and
new people, and he stayed fairly calm. The BCBA (board certified behavioral
analyst) that worked with us was wonderful. She was a former public preschool
teacher and had a tremendous amount of experience working with children in the
classroom and children with autism. She did a great job of explaining
everything she was doing with Luke and the rational behind it throughout the
session. Luke played with and discovered lots of new toys, visited their gym
and jumped on the trampoline, and overall had a great time. At the end of the
visit, she explained that it would take her several weeks to complete her
evaluation of Luke and to begin creating goals for a treatment plan, but she
definitely felt like he would benefit from beginning comprehensive therapy
(meaning anywhere from 15+ hours a week) as soon as possible. She explained the
research and logic behind early intervention and the reasons for the intensity
of the therapy early on, and wasn’t afraid to answer my tough questions. I felt
like God used that experience to fill in so many blanks and answer so many
questions. I was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>excited to call Zack
and tell him about what a great day we had. He was very receptive to what I
told him and I could tell he was thankful that we had gone. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAl5IUkglgMW8jOIvZR53at1GqYSnLQi-Q6uI0AUuEhGpbVHBcKCCE5zrprpBvf9a8OJFcc3tQUjiJ9sdkwt7aqwYzuFdSv2oPg0qh4wS2fPLZ50VT2RrADfVFxcTXHpjMGadExWiAuY/s2048/IMG-2235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1539" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAl5IUkglgMW8jOIvZR53at1GqYSnLQi-Q6uI0AUuEhGpbVHBcKCCE5zrprpBvf9a8OJFcc3tQUjiJ9sdkwt7aqwYzuFdSv2oPg0qh4wS2fPLZ50VT2RrADfVFxcTXHpjMGadExWiAuY/s320/IMG-2235.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Later that night, Zack and I were on one of our nightly
walks. He had seemed to have a different attitude, one that was very kind and
tender when we spoke about Luke and therapy that evening. As we were walking,
he asked me out of the blue, “So, how have you been praying about us moving lately?”
I told him that I had been praying that God would give Zack wisdom and that God
would give him confidence in the Lord to know that He would provide all we
needed, even if we couldn’t understand how it would all work out. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">“Why?” I asked. Zack was quiet for a few seconds, then
proceeded to tell me that a couple hours after I had called to tell him about
our day at the therapy center, his boss had called him into his office. His
boss was very apologetic, but told Zack that his position was being eliminated-
immediately. It had nothing to do with Zack or his job performance- likewise
Zack had only helped to make many technological and economical improvements in his
role and time there. However, the board no longer felt his position was
necessary, and felt that combining his role with another position would be “more
efficient”. It was to be effective immediately. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Upon hearing this news, my mind was racing! My initial
reaction was shock, but almost immediately I was filled with an overwhelming
sense of peace, joy and maybe even excitement. Was this not what we had been
praying for? A clear movement by the hand of God. My mind immediately recalled
Zack’s words only a few weeks earlier, “….God is going to have to move us…”.
Well, God had clearly done so, or at least had set the ball in motion. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">After asking a few questions for clarification, and taking a
few minutes to absorb all that Zack had told me, I immediately told Zack that I
felt such peace, that I wasn’t worried about our future and that likewise, I
was grateful because God had moved, and that was what I had been praying for.
Zack agreed, and though he was of course in shock initially as well, he even
told his boss that this was in a strange way an answer to prayer (I’m sure his
boss was confused!). God had given him peace, and he knew that this was God’s
response to his mandate about moving. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Since that night, we have been continuing to seek God’s will
and path for our family. </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of preparing for a future that we are honestly completely and totally relying on the Lord for! We don’t know where we will end up, but Zack has applied for several jobs in areas that we know have the proper therapies for Luke, are as close to home as possible, and that could provide a career that would provide for our family and that Zack would thrive in. God has been incredibly faithful as Zack has already had several interviews that have led to some “final round” interviews in the next few weeks. </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">We trust that just like God has always provided and led our family, he will continue to do so. This may be the most logistically complicated and crazy move yet, but thankfully, not even our big crazy family with all our moving pieces is too much for Him. T</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">his experience has been a tangible, “real life” way that our big kids have been able to see God answer prayer,
even though it wasn’t the exact answer they were hoping for. I am so proud of
our big kids and the way that they have served our family through caring for their
younger siblings- certainly not perfectly, but they
do truly love their brother Luke, and they, too, are able to see the big
picture for our family and for Luke. We are all committed to walking this
journey alongside Luke.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFU_dQzSX1C3XV9YTChEcvdZt7Mg8uojZiPDas5L2dt9tbXenIH-WGkZWtx1zx84ghO-_Hzc7bqv_1xxn5Cf1luPZ4oPeeX4qC4RGJ96EJ3sSFqYW5gal0Dv303tVmUeOPZZdvd00rgY/s2048/IMG-0333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFU_dQzSX1C3XV9YTChEcvdZt7Mg8uojZiPDas5L2dt9tbXenIH-WGkZWtx1zx84ghO-_Hzc7bqv_1xxn5Cf1luPZ4oPeeX4qC4RGJ96EJ3sSFqYW5gal0Dv303tVmUeOPZZdvd00rgY/s320/IMG-0333.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I certainly don't want to make myself, or our family sound like we are always trusting the Lord and never doubting in His plans or purposes.... there are so many days when I worry, doubt, fear and
sometimes just feel sorry for myself, Luke, and our family. There are days when
I long for Luke to be able to just be a carefree kid- no fears, anxiety, and
meltdowns over things that seem so trivial, no routines he has to follow, no
walking on eggshells, worried about what might set him off next. There are days
when I wonder if I will ever have the chance to have a conversation with my
son, to hear him answer a simple question, for him to tell me how his day was,
all about his favorite toy or what he had for lunch. I long to see him smile or
say hello to someone as they walk in the door and greet him. There are days
when I grieve, wondering if Luke will ever know the beauty and treasure of
friendship and relationships in general. I have watched other children at
church and in his preschool class approach him and say, “Hi Luke!” to which he usually
won’t even turn his head in their direction or acknowledge their greeting at
all. </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I wonder if he will ever know what
it’s like to have a crush, or to fall in love. I wonder if he will ever be able
to experience being part of a team, a club, or any type of group activity. </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I ponder these and many other things, and in
all these things, I have so many hopes and dreams for Luke, because of my great
love for him. </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Zack and I love our sweet
Luke so very much, and the joy he brings to our lives is immeasurable. He is so
precious to all of us. </span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">And if, indeed, none
of my hopes and dreams for Luke ever materialize, and if God has a different
purpose for Luke’s life than what we desire, then I must say, “To God be the
Glory”, as His plans are greater and higher than our own. My desire is simply
to love Luke the best I know how, and for Luke to know one day that his mom,
dad, and family loved him to their fullest and best capability, with the help
of God our Father.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Though the last 7 months have been some of the most trying
for our family, the Lord has been so near to us as we have had to depend on him
for each day, sometimes each hour. I am convinced, now more than ever, that as
a child of God, there is no one else whom I would rather have guiding and
directing my life and family than the one who created me in His image, gave me
a purpose, and has numbered my days, already knowing every thought, experience,
and care I will ever have. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I pray that in someway hearing how God has been so faithful to our family will encourage you, whatever circumstance or situation you may find yourself in. May God bless you with his presence this Christmas season! </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: Constantia, serif; line-height: 107%;">“Whom have I in heaven but
you? And earth has </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">nothing</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart
may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: Constantia, serif; line-height: 107%;"><b>Psalm 73:25 </b></span><span style="background: white; font-family: Constantia, serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #272f37; font-family: Constantia, serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #272f37; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #272f37; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #272f37; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #272f37; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #272f37; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #272f37; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-17030661377399021812019-09-13T21:48:00.001-04:002019-09-13T21:48:21.504-04:00The Night I Bought a $1000 Baby Bed.....<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you alone, O Lord, keep me perfectly safe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Psalm 4:8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sleep. It’s one of those things that gets taken for granted….until
it’s gone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know moms and dads of
infant children can identify whole heartedly with this statement! Having five
kids, I don’t get the standard 8 hours of sleep that most doctors recommend. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many nights I spend an hour or so finishing up
some cleaning, doing laundry, taking a few minutes to work out, etc. Every now
and then Zack and I will turn on the tv and catch the end of a game, or an
episode of House Hunters, but not very often. I don’t say this in a negative or
complaining way- our lives are full, God has blessed us with a houseful of children,
and we are very thankful! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fortunately for us, when it comes to sleep, our four big kids
have been good sleepers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do have
some occasional sleep issues- Eden wakes up probably 2-3 times every week in
the middle of the night and needs help going to the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we brought Emmie home from China, she
didn’t sleep well for several weeks, but if she wakes now, she usually is able
to manage on her own. When we adopted Caleb, he was a year old and would
occasionally wake from time to time during the night. Noah is out cold the
minute his head hits the pillow, and always has been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I found out I was pregnant with Luke, one of the first
things I realized was that I needed to educate myself on infant sleep….and
hopefully how to “make” the baby be a good sleeper. I’m smiling as I type this-
I was extremely naïve).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began reading <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>books regarding sleep, and felt somewhat
prepared as Luke’s arrival got closer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had decided to try and breastfeed, so I knew that factor alone would mean quite
a bit of sleep loss in the first several weeks. I was not afraid of sleep
training, and believed (and still do) that routines and consistency are very
important. I also knew that Zack didn’t sleep well until he was almost 3 years
old. Yes, Punky has lots of crowns in heaven. I, on the other hand, began sleeping
through the night at one month old. I was really hoping Luke would take after
me in this regard, and armed with my sleep books, I felt somewhat confident
about the whole sleep issue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, October 3, 2018 a little after 1pm, sweet baby Luke
was born. And all that “knowledge” went out the window, just like my sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I still remember the first time we tried to lay Luke down in
the bassinet in the hospital room. He had been sleeping so peacefully in my
arms. Anyone who has had the amazing experience of holding a newborn while they
sleep knows just how precious moments like these are. I really didn’t want to
put Luke down, but I knew I needed to try and get some rest myself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I gently laid him down, swaddled up just
right, in his little basinet. The second his tiny little body touched that
bassinet- instant screaming and eyes wide open. Hmm, I thought. He must like to
be held. So, that’s what I did. Then we tried again to lay him down. Same
result. I remember being a little concerned, but not too worried. The first
couple nights we let the nurses keep Luke in the nursery throughout the night <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and bring him to us for feedings, and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they never mentioned anything about him not
sleeping, so we just thought maybe it was just a coincidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When we brought Luke home, like many babies, he had no
problem sleeping all day long. No noise, no movement, nothing could hardly wake
him from his sleep during the day. But when it came night time, he was ready to
party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We realized that he had his days
and nights confused (as they say). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
knew to expose him to as much daylight during the day, make his room dark at
night, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also knew that in the
first several weeks of life, there really isn’t much of a circadian rhythm
going on with infants. I figured this stage would last for a few weeks, maybe
two months, then all would be well. Everyone kept reassuring and tell me he
would “get himself straightened out.” In the meantime, we did whatever we could
to get Luke to sleep and keep him asleep- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>white noise machines, swaddles, rocking,
walking, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But none of our efforts
seemed to affect the amount or quality of sleep he got at night. When he did sleep
at night, it was usually for two hours at a time (he always wanted to eat!) and
absolutely only in the rock n’ play (yes, the product that has now been
universally recalled) with vibration and motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worried that in the long run this would be
a bad decision, and sure enough I developed a love/hate relationship with that
thing, but at the time, it truly was the only thing he would sleep in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As time went on, Luke
did sleep less during the day, but his night time sleep didn’t improve as it
should have. A large portion of every night was spent with me rocking,
bouncing, walking, singing, swaying….whatever I had to do to get Luke back to
sleep and to buy myself an hour and half or so of sleep. Sometimes he would
sleep for two hours, sometimes an hour and a half, sometimes three (this seemed
miraculous!). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent many hours with my
phone screen brightness turned all the way down, lying in my bed, reading about
promising baby products on mom blogs and browsing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazon while trying to coax Luke back to
sleep. This honestly became my pastime. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ordered a steady stream of sleep help products.
We’re talking an Amazon Prime package in the mail like every other day. Everything
from “miracle” swaddles, tummy wraps, homeopathic elixirs, vibrating mats, a
variety of portable baby beds, mattresses, you name it, I tried it. Thankfully
Amazon has an awesome return policy, because none of them fazed Luke! Time
after time, disappointment, and no sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began to develop
anxiety about the night- I would feel the anxiety creep in during early
afternoon. What would the night hold? How much would Luke cry? Could I really do
this another night? What affect was this sleep loss having on Luke…and me? How
would I have energy to make it through another day? It was during this sleepless
time that Luke also began to develop acid reflux (we didn’t realize what it was
at the time). He cried the majority of the day and night, and though you would
think he would be exhausted by nighttime, he still didn’t sleep. As the sleep
experts love to say (and its true) sleep begets sleep. Needless to say, he was
not a happy baby his first few months of life, and again, we did whatever we
could to keep him content, even if it was for a couple hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully a close friend and the Lord’s
providence put us into contact with a wonderful pediatrician that helped
tremendously with Luke’s acid reflux, so that was one less thing to keep him
awake!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zack and I continued to do
whatever we could to help him sleep, or at least we thought we were helping. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking back, I now<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>realize this was part of the problem to some
extent- We were so intent on helping him sleep, we never gave him the chance to
learn to sleep on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More on that
later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By the time Luke was about 3.5 months old, I was on the
verge of total exhaustion, physically and mentally, as I was only getting about
four hours of fragmented (not consecutive) sleep at night. When I looked in the
mirror, I barely recognized myself. Breastfeeding had taken a toll on my body,
and because we suspected a dairy sensitivity with Luke, I had eliminated dairy
from my diet and could not keep at a healthy weight. I had the biggest rings
around my eyes I had ever seen, and my eyes always looked red. I felt guilty
because I didn’t have the energy and stamina I needed to give my big kids the
attention they deserved. I was cranky and not much fun. I didn’t like it.
Something had to change. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was at this very low point when I read about a “magical
baby bed” called the Snoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As part of my
Amazon purchases, I had tried lots of different mattresses and portable type
sleepers. I had even paid well over $100 for a portable baby bed that was supposed
to make your baby feel like it was being cradled <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in your arms all night long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it didn’t work and Luke screamed as
soon as we laid him down in it. So needless to say, I was very skeptical of any
baby bed that made such claims. But, the Snoo had basically perfect reviews on
Amazon. Aside from that, it was being used by major hospitals to help premature
babies sleep. And it was created by the best selling author of “The Happiest
Baby on the Block”. It seemed legit, and it had to work, right? There was only
one problem, and it was a major one. The price tag- it cost over $1000! I knew
we could not afford that. I knew Zack Caldwell wouldn’t even entertain such
nonsense. But, I also knew we had to sleep, and that I could no longer function
in this condition. <span style="color: #0d141b; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This bed seemed to be the answer to all our problems. We had
tried everything else, so in my mind, this was our last hope for sleep. Notice
where I was putting my hope….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One night while Zack
and I were both lying in bed awake, I rolled over and asked him, “How much
would you be willing to pay to get to some sleep?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, I had figured out the monthly,
weekly, and daily cost of the Snoo, and in my mind, it was totally worth it to
get some sleep! And, as luck would have it, that particular weekend, it was on
sale! Now if I could only convince my frugal husband that we needed this bed! Well,
the lack of sleep must have gotten to him as well, because he didn’t need any
convincing. Once I told him it had a 30 day money back guarantee, he was sold.
I laid in bed and ordered it right then and there on my phone. I began counting
down the days until it arrived. Finally, we would get some sleep!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I still remember the day the Snoo arrived. It came in a huge
box and was very heavy. My mom and I brought it in from the front porch, and
unpackaged it. If you google it, you will see a very modern and sleek looking
bassinet type bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I didn’t care so
much about how it looked as I did how it would help our Luke, and us, get some
sleep! I got out the instructions and read them over very thoroughly. I
downloaded the app on my phone and did everything I needed to do to pair my
phone with the bed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The technology
aspect of the bed was super cool. The Snoo also came with its own swaddle. The swaddle
hooked into the baby bed. Once the baby was secure in the bed, the Snoo could
be turned on, and then you could use the app on your phone to control it, or
allow the bed to sense when the baby was upset, and do its magic- either way,
the parent could always be in control. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was so excited for bedtime that night…I couldn’t wait!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We were still living with my parents at the time, so we all
gathered in Luke’s room to see what was going to happen. It was like a live
exhibition or something. We put Luke in the new swaddle, hooked him in, and
walked just outside the door and watched- I had the app on my phone, turned on
the bed, and we waited. As usual, it didn’t take long for Luke to begin to fuss
and move about. That’s when the Snoo kicked in. Here’s a brief synopsis of how
the Snoo works-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at the first signs of the
baby’s agitation, the Snoo begins to move gently back and forth in an attempt
to calm the baby- this is level 1. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
that doesn’t work, it progresses to the next level, where the motion is a little
more intense. If the baby calms down, the bed reverts to the previous level
after a certain amount of time. If the baby doesn’t calm down, it moves to a
higher level, which involves more motion (there’s a reason the swaddle must be
strapped into the bed before it will turn on). The cool thing is with the app,
you can actually override the bed’s suggestion and put it at whatever level you
want, or just let it do its thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, let’s just say Luke never made it back to level one
that first night. In fact, within about five minutes, he had the Snoo at the
highest level and it appeared there was an earthquake happening inside his
little bassinet! He was being shaken, rocked and his feet were flailing up and
around in the air while he screamed and cried! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like a crazy ride at the Chicken
Festival for newborns or something! This was not at all what I had hoped and
longed and prayed it would be! My mom couldn’t watch it any longer, she had to
leave the room. Zack and dad just stood there with their mouths open, and I was
screaming, “Turn it off! Turn it off! “ (even though I had the control in my
hand). I shut down the Snoo, unstrapped Luke and tried to calm him down. The
Snoo was no match for baby Luke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
admit, I didn’t give it a second chance. The sight of Luke’s body being bounced
around and his legs flying up in the air were just too much for me. We
repackaged it the next day and sent it back, and they did thankfully honor the
money back guarantee. Another hope of sleep dashed. At this point I had used up
all knowledge of any remaining sleep products. Where to go from here? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had read enough about sleep to know that most healthy
babies could begin sleep training <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at
around three to four months of age. Our pediatrician encouraged this, but I just
felt like Luke wasn’t ready. Why? I had no answers. Because he wasn’t a good
sleeper? The logic of that statement, well, there is no logic to that
statement. That’s the whole point of sleep training. It’s training your child
to sleep. Sleep comes easier to some children than to others. Training is also
easier for some children than others. But one thing is for sure- the parents
can either hinder or help the training along, and looking back, the first few
months of Luke’s life, I believe we were hindering it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor Luke never got a chance to learn to
sleep on his own because we never let him! We trained him to rely on us to go
to sleep. So, now, it was time to, well, retrain him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, we went cold turkey, straight up Cry It Out sleep
training. I was done with anything in between and ready to endure whatever Luke
threw at us. First night, about two hours of non stop crying. We were still living
at my parents house. Sorry mom and dad. I had to leave for the house for a
while. I thought my mom was going to have to leave as well. It was tough. But
the second night was better, and the third night was much better. His sleep
ever so gradually improved for several weeks (by improved, I mean he would
sleep for 4-5 hours at a time).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,
around 8-9 months we hit another wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, we embraced another sleep training method, the Ferber Method. By
embraced, I mean that I read the entire book and took into consideration what
the author had to say about every part of sleep, including naps. I would
encourage anyone who attempts sleep training to read the entire book of
whatever you choose. I worked very hard with Luke to keep his naps in synch
with his night time sleep and on a schedule, as well as his feedings. It was
really hard work with Luke, and involved our entire family sacrificing in some
way. I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>know this drove Zack crazy, as he
felt like our life was dictated by Luke’s schedule, but I knew that if we
didn’t come up with a plan and stick with it, it would mean more sleepless
nights and the inability to have any sort of routine or normalcy in regard to a
family schedule at all. It took a week or so, but the Ferber Method of sleep
training seemed to be more effective for Luke at that point, and so we have
been sticking with it ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
be the first to say that sleep training isn’t easy, but it is well researched
and documented, and if we hadn’t tried it, I honestly believe that I would have
had a physical and emotional breakdown, and that Luke would still be a very
poor sleeper and a very unhealthy and unhappy baby. It’s tough, but if you can
hang in there and be disciplined in whatever approach you take, you will see
positive results. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our sweet baby Luke is now 11 months old, and he has finally
become a mostly normal sleeper for a baby of his age. Some nights he will sleep
from about 8pm-6:30 in the morning. Other nights he will go to sleep at 8, wake
up at 4 or 5 to eat, and then sleep until almost 7. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He takes only one nap a day (gave up his
morning nap before he was ten months old), which was very hard initially, but
it’s usually a good afternoon nap, so I can handle that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Helping Luke to be just an average sleeper has been a long
time coming. I have cried many tears and have had many frustrating days and
nights. I have felt like giving up on any sort of sleep training multiple times
and sleep, in general, plenty of times. I prayed for God to give me wisdom,
strength, to help Luke sleep, to help me sleep, many times not understanding
why my prayers hadn’t been answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Looking back, I think I now know why my prayers for sleep
weren’t answered in my timeframe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
made sleep an idol, a God almost, in my life. Please don’t hear me say that
sleep isn’t important. It certainly is! Sleep was created by God and God knows
our bodies require it in order to live and to be healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I had made my peace, my contentment,
basically my existence, subject to the quality and amount of sleep I got and
how well my baby slept, not the fact that I was a child of the living God, the
Creator God who alone could give me peace and rest. Again, please don’t hear me
say that sleep deprivation isn’t an extremely difficult thing to deal with and
live with- it certainly is and it certainly has real consequences, but nothing
that is too much for the Lord to see us through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My new petition to
the Lord is that Luke will continue to sleep well and will be unhindered by the
arrival of baby <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Levi<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in late January. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray that God will help me keep my focus on
Him and the peace he gives, despite what type of sleeper Levi is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the beginning of
this post, I referenced Psalm 4:8. This is a verse my mom used to recite to me
at night when I would be afraid or anxious, which was quite often. As a young
girl, my mom spent plenty of nights lying in bed with me until I fell asleep.
Little did I know at the time that she was using this same scripture to quiet
her anxieties and fears over the many trials and tribulations they were
experiencing with my adoption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
committed this verse to memory as a young child, and it is a verse that I share
from time to time with my children when they are afraid at night. I always
explain to them that God is the one who gives us peace and takes away our
fears, so that we may sleep in peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Recently, the Lord has shown me how the entire chapter of Psalm 4 speaks
to what we place our hope in, and how placing our hope in the Lord can bring
more joy than anything else. It has brought great comfort to me, even on the
most difficult nights, and I hope it will do the same for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Psalm 4- A Night Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1</span></b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Answer me when I call,
God, who vindicates me. You freed me from affliction; be gracious to
me and hear my prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2</span></b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> How long, exalted men,
will my honor be insulted? [How long] will you love what is worthless and
pursue a lie? Selah <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3</span></b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Know that the Lord has set
apart the faithful for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4</span></b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Be angry and do not sin; on
your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Selah <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5</span></b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Offer sacrifices in
righteousness and trust in the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6</span></b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Many are saying, "Who
can show us anything good?" Look on us with favor, Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7</span></u></b><u><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> You have put more joy in
my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. <o:p></o:p></span></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8</span></u></b><u><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I will both lie down and
sleep in peace, for You alone, Lord, make me live in safety.<o:p></o:p></span></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hang in there moms and dads. Sleep will come….eventually. It
may not be when you want it, how you want it, but it will come. Through those
difficult times,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>put your hope in the
One who can give more peace than even the most fulfilling night of sleep. Our
bodies need sleep, but our souls need peace even more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(ps: I would be more than happy to share all the specific
things we tried with Luke- what didn’t work, what worked a little, what worked
a little more <span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just send me a PM! )<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-17697215120149191452019-07-05T14:57:00.000-04:002019-07-05T20:25:36.233-04:00Eight is Great! <br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you ended up here, then you must
be a little curious….</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">or you want to see just how crazy we are…..or both! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5pREwiuvYKvQcyyVwzY171d7tfHiw1FkbK0dYf-UeoSIMAVzWvmJLdqpoHNavmXLDcw9kmjHk-KyL245UlJGhUhDRK1zMn7ulRWOTvhjZi6qPwzSiHMCH8gmOFjTjRTFLC-8RZC_9Ew/s1600/baby+luke+with+ultrasound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1229" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5pREwiuvYKvQcyyVwzY171d7tfHiw1FkbK0dYf-UeoSIMAVzWvmJLdqpoHNavmXLDcw9kmjHk-KyL245UlJGhUhDRK1zMn7ulRWOTvhjZi6qPwzSiHMCH8gmOFjTjRTFLC-8RZC_9Ew/s320/baby+luke+with+ultrasound.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes, that's right baby Luke!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You're not going to be the baby anymore! You're going to be a big brother!! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Caldwell child #6 is on the way, </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">scheduled to be here in late January 2020. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caldwell, party of 8.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Eight is great. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That’s
going to be our new motto! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So let me just go ahead and answer your first two questions 😀 yes, Zack and I do understand how babies are made,
and no, we weren’t trying to conceive 😄 </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So this baby
is very unexpected, but such a blessing to think that God would entrust us with
another precious child. As Psalm 127 says, “<span style="background: white; color: #001320;">Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a </span><span class="intexthighlight"><span style="background: white;">reward</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #001320;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #001320;">from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are
children born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them”.
I think ours is filling up! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many thoughts went through my mind the day I held the pregnancy test in my shaking,
trembling hand! </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I must admit, that one of my first thoughts upon finding out that I was pregnant
was “What are people going to think??!!” I worried that we might be seen as irresponsible?
Weird? Crazy?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> What would our explanation
be? I felt like we had to have an explanation.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> This must have been an accident, something must
have failed, etc. As my mind was reeling and thoughts were racing, it was then I realized, I don’t need to explain a miracle such as this. When
God chooses to </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">create a life, to God be the Glory! He is the
giver, and taker of life (</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Genesis
2:7, Job 34:14-15)</span><span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-size: 12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> All life is
extremely valuable and precious to Him. I began to
wonder, why does it seem that our modern culture no longer values and beholds life
as the great and amazing creation it is? I fear that often times we come to see children as more
of an inconvenience and surprise pregnancies as more of an "oops” than a life intricately created by our
Heavenly Father. I speak these words to myself, as it was something that I was forced to think about when I found
out I was pregnant this time. I had to search my own heart and ask myself, do I
really value life the way God does? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have always unashamedly been
pro-life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an adopted child and an
adoptive parent, and believing that God knew us before He formed us in the
womb, (<span style="background: white; color: #001320;">Jeremiah 1:5) </span>I
believe life to be precious in all forms. But if I claim to truly be pro-life,
then I must hold to that belief at all times. When life is “planned”, and “unplanned”.
When the timing seems to make sense, and when the timing doesn’t seem to make
sense. The value of life isn’t dependent upon circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I must confess that i</span>n years past, I have observed families with multiple children and at times wondered why they would choose to have so many children-
maybe even thought they were a little “different”. I was tempted to think of
things from a very worldly perspective. But as the Lord began to lay on our
hearts to add more children to our family through adoption, and now with the
addition of Luke and our new baby, God has began to teach me through His
Word and through my daily interactions with my own children just how much He
values life. I am grateful He is so patient and willing to remind me of the
things that I should already know. He is a merciful Father. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please don’t hear me say that we have
don’t have any doubts, anxiety or concerns about what adding another baby to
our family will mean- we certainly do! Do we feel overwhelmed? Yes! Our lives
are very full with our 5 precious children. It is hard to imagine how life will
work with a new baby. Do we feel anxious? Yes. I especially worry that the new
baby will sleep like baby Luke and I’ll be a zombie for several months all over
again! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder if my body can sustain
another pregnancy so close to the first, the toll it will take, etc. Do we wonder
how everyday things will work? Yes! I worry about how I will spend enough time
with our big kids, help them with their homework, watch them play sports, keep
the house clean, keep up with the laundry, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Yes to all of these and more!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> But then we ask ourselves
the most important questions: Is God the author and creator of all life? Yes.
Before He formed us in the womb, did He know us? Yes. Is He faithful and
trustworthy? Yes. Does He loves us? Yes. To every doubt, objection and fear I have, comes a resounding
“yes” from the eternal, uncreated, holy and loving God. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Praise Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God has also given us some very
tangible displays of his mercy as we have adjusted to being a family of 7, and now soon to be to a family of 8. We have four awesome big kid helpers that have
really stepped it up over the last 9 months, and we know they will be up for
the challenge. I can’t say enough about what a huge help they have been. It has
been a beautiful thing to see God work in each one of their hearts, helping
them to become little servants and more selfless as they help care for their
baby brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not perfect, by any means.
There are many days that we have to have a family meeting because the kids have
been so mean to one another, or haven’t honored their parents like they should. It's not a pretty picture some days. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will undoubtedly have to continue to work in all our hearts as we
welcome and prepare for the new baby.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another display-thankfully, just a few
weeks ago, sweet baby Luke began to sleep for about 9-10 hours at a time,
finally, at almost 9 months of age. It was a long time coming, and took a lot
of praying, crying, reading, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ordering
from Amazon and returning products that are supposed to help your baby sleep, etc.
but I think God’s timing was just right. If I had found out I was pregnant
while Luke was still sleeping about 4 hours at a time, that would have been extremely
difficult!! </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">God’s grace to us is never
ending.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And we would be amiss if we failed to
mention the unending support that our parents have given us. God in his mercy
allowed us to move back home to Kentucky, and I can’t imagine what life would
have been like if we hadn’t. We simply couldn’t have thrived without the help of
our parents. We would have barely been surviving and our big kids would have
suffered greatly. Our parents have time and time again helped take our children
to practices, performances, given us breaks so we could sleep, helped with our
laundry, spent time loving on our kiddos,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>given the kids breaks from one another and the list goes on and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It truly does take a village! It’s also the
beauty of family and the body of Christ in action.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Being a parent has truly been the most
sanctifying experience of my life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be
very honest, we never planned on having 6 children. But, life doesn’t always
work out liked we planned, and for that, I am very thankful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My plans could never equate to the greatness
of God’s plans. Though it might stretch our comfort zone, grow our faith, takes
us to distant lands, and at times cause our hearts to break more than we could
have imagined, if we believe in God’s sovereignty, then we must trust His
plans. And in doing so, we see how He is conforming us to the image of His Son,
even through the long days and sleepless nights, well, especially through
those. With each child God has graciously added to our family, parenthood has
truly shown me just how in need of God’s grace and mercy I am, on a daily,
sometimes hourly basis. It has also shown me a glimpse of the amazing love,
patience, and goodness that God has for his children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Please keep our family and this new
life in your prayers. It will definitely be a transition, in every sense of the
word. We need God’s wisdom, grace, and mercy to cover us every day. We pray our
family will bring glory to God, even if it means we might look different,
bigger and crazier than “normal” families.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> After all, eight is great! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-62512278408455186072018-04-18T09:48:00.001-04:002018-04-18T09:48:45.413-04:00Pregnancy Update and "My Story"<br />
This is an exciting week for our family, as at the end of the week, we will discover how the tie between estrogen and testosterone will be broken!! After much prayer, Zack and I decided to have the first trimester blood work performed (an added bonus, of course, is getting to find out the sex of the baby sooner!). Because of my age and medical history, my doctor also suggested it. Zack and I knew that the results wouldn't change anything, but would help us be more prepared, if necessary. So we look forward to revealing our results this weekend with our parents who are coming to visit for this exciting time!<br />
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11 Weeks and Growing!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyyfS8E_FMGb-mO7DWUViVkhvn94Iu_P8NLabdSBbdPrNlTF4rraJa6mwlWKuJP4gzxFUnzXbhu8tHvianblmbD1673bafDbu3YZhflJYCKtaqlh1bQjh_ZQqCadsoxVQZrSfV5Dgfwo/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyyfS8E_FMGb-mO7DWUViVkhvn94Iu_P8NLabdSBbdPrNlTF4rraJa6mwlWKuJP4gzxFUnzXbhu8tHvianblmbD1673bafDbu3YZhflJYCKtaqlh1bQjh_ZQqCadsoxVQZrSfV5Dgfwo/s320/IMG_0409.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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12 Weeks and I am not quite as far along as Caleb...hahaha!<br />
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I am thankfully feeling so much better. The nausea has subsided greatly, and I beginning to get some of my energy back as well. The smells still get to me, but I am tolerating them better. And as you can see, I am growing! </div>
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Pregnancy certainly is a miraculous thing. I have always marveled at how God created life out of nothing, how he forms us in the womb, and all the amazing intricacies of his creation. There is no doubt there is a creator, God, when you view His handiwork. Being pregnant has brought a new perspective to all this for sure! Each day I enjoy learning new facts about all that's going on in this little miracle living inside me...and so do my kids!<br />
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Speaking of miracles, I recently have been reading a book given to me by my amazing mother in law. It's written by Karen Kingsbury and titled, "A Treasury of Adoption Miracles: True Stories of God's Presence".<br />
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It has some amazing, miraculous stories of adoption. As I was reading it this week, I began to think about how, really, each and every adoption is a miracle, just as is each and every life God creates. My own adoption is a miracle. The adoption of my four children are all miracles. My life has been a story of adoption miracles. And truly, it has. So, I decided to spend some time on this blog post telling "my story".<br />
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Many of you are familiar, at least somewhat, with my adoption story. Many of you, however, might not even know that I was adopted as an infant, and what entailed over the next several years of my life. From the outside, it might have looked more like a nightmare than a miracle, and at times, I am sure my parents felt like they were living through a nightmare.<br />
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It really is an amazing story and quite interesting to hear. I wish my parents could tell it to you, the reader. A book could literally be written about it, not only because it's an interesting, unusual and emotional story, but because the legal battle with my birth father spanned the course of about 13 years. Yes, 13 years.<br />
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It all began when I was born on August 21, 1982 in a hospital in Louisville, KY, to a very young lady, my birth mother. She felt that she didn't have the support system or means to provide the life that she would want her child to have, so she had chosen my parents to adopt me. A co-worker of a cousin to my mother knew of the situation through a friend of a friend. I am not sure about all the details and how they got it all worked out, but I just know I am thankful they did! From what I have read in newspaper articles and from his own statements, my birth father was supposedly not on board with me being placed for adoption. He attempted to not allow me to go with my mom and dad from the hospital, but a judge denied his request.<br />
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When I was 4 days old, I was brought home to the small town of London, Kentucky by two beautiful people, my mom and dad, Glenn and Linda Toney. Here are those beautiful people....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVTTfabtNu5wJ6kacZQVEbXcfapnSKL7yKNJAVnUJ34mOC2zVmNqDrIEOlyPQ9sIlrVychTKC9Ba2-pKhyphenhyphenftrYimk5uvwEbVc2CUq9ThMygOWRVWXQS6IR5b5TRgl2k9rw-gYc3u_8fc/s1600/10533551_838219219522249_1900383028950252563_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVTTfabtNu5wJ6kacZQVEbXcfapnSKL7yKNJAVnUJ34mOC2zVmNqDrIEOlyPQ9sIlrVychTKC9Ba2-pKhyphenhyphenftrYimk5uvwEbVc2CUq9ThMygOWRVWXQS6IR5b5TRgl2k9rw-gYc3u_8fc/s320/10533551_838219219522249_1900383028950252563_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQePgdkfoMOWVJEnm9BZNRKTUFRF5XiPERuifWGZU37lsODg9_YJvsiV0mC4jyZjZoXhw6vQ8iIgQ_fnuWSehSL4FC2BFhmphAfoz0yMBiPCrPcPuoQqFaBmCMbTzebzX47mlmAJdKL4c/s1600/20526303_1658728604137969_8981069067433532900_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQePgdkfoMOWVJEnm9BZNRKTUFRF5XiPERuifWGZU37lsODg9_YJvsiV0mC4jyZjZoXhw6vQ8iIgQ_fnuWSehSL4FC2BFhmphAfoz0yMBiPCrPcPuoQqFaBmCMbTzebzX47mlmAJdKL4c/s400/20526303_1658728604137969_8981069067433532900_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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They had tried to conceive a child biologically but had not been successful due to my mom's medical issues. They had also attempted to adopt through the state of Kentucky, but had grown weary of the long wait. Many people in our small community of "Swiss Colony" knew of my parents longing to have a child, and, well, that's how they ended up with me!<br />
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I was received with open arms from everyone in my community, the way I understand it. My parents had a wonderful support system, and my adoption was finalized on March 11, 1983 in my hometown of London, KY.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUKShyphenhyphenvODbsODNubPHBKJE2AFpqkUPEWwlZTFsH2aCvPVfOuB_i_Pzqw4Lo34Htvjyn8JMeDZsoMOb5xCbFHBFLOfmaPp7dxN-DDzHVFFM-TI5e3lt_Ufwk8Qs5AbFOT-eT3Hx7hv-_8/s1600/10431463_847296751947829_293809749683886242_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="718" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUKShyphenhyphenvODbsODNubPHBKJE2AFpqkUPEWwlZTFsH2aCvPVfOuB_i_Pzqw4Lo34Htvjyn8JMeDZsoMOb5xCbFHBFLOfmaPp7dxN-DDzHVFFM-TI5e3lt_Ufwk8Qs5AbFOT-eT3Hx7hv-_8/s320/10431463_847296751947829_293809749683886242_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I always thought I looked like a little boy....and that hair!!! </div>
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To my parents knowledge, their attorney had performed everything legally needed to terminate my birth father's parental rights, and had done so in the proper way. Unfortunately, there was some room for debate in this area, and thus ensued what would be a 14 year long custody battle. Again, it would be impossible in one blog post to document what occurred in those 14 years, but in doing some research (it is strange doing research about your own life), I found this timeline published in the Courier Journal. For those of you not from the Kentucky area, the Courier Journal originates in Louisville, KY and is the most widely circulated newspaper in the state of Kentucky.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fOFIHVmFL7BUh0oS373tJ5oFSEVmTnvp_z1qZDWqei3y744bLnpLaeg5wFqsPl2imPF9W7omcmM9HDPE4L0MG-ntjlaoTQ5ihNR4drLJhTLBFod3tYSvkyO49YB91y7SM5v7d3sNoLM/s1600/The_Courier_Journal_Sun__Sep_8__1996_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1144" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fOFIHVmFL7BUh0oS373tJ5oFSEVmTnvp_z1qZDWqei3y744bLnpLaeg5wFqsPl2imPF9W7omcmM9HDPE4L0MG-ntjlaoTQ5ihNR4drLJhTLBFod3tYSvkyO49YB91y7SM5v7d3sNoLM/s640/The_Courier_Journal_Sun__Sep_8__1996_.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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Because of the back and forth nature of the court battle, and the decision in 1986 that restored my birth father's parental rights, there was a time when my birth father legally could have taken custody of me. Actually, an entire year passed from the time his rights were restored, until the time the ruling was appealed in my parents favor. During this time, he would call my mom at night and threaten to come get me. My mom would beg him to please not do that. My dad worked the night shift at UPS during that time, making these nights even more terrifying for my mom.<br />
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I knew I was adopted from a very young age. It was a fact that my family celebrated, and that I felt very special because of. However, I knew nothing of the threatening my mom had to endure, or anything about any of the court proceedings. I knew nothing at all, other than I had wonderful parents, an amazing extended family, and a pretty awesome life, overall. It was a happy childhood.<br />
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One story that has always amazed me occurred when I was around 7 or 8 years old. My birth parents made a surprise visit to our home that evening. Somehow, they had found our home, and though not visiting as a "couple" they supposedly were visiting for the purpose of securing a picture of me to give to my birth mother's father, who was dying of cancer. My birth father, we would later learn, had ulterior motives.<br />
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I was in my room playing my Nintendo that night. My dad has told me this story several times, and he always notes that I never closed my door when I played Nintendo. But for some reason on that night, I decided to close my door. When my birth parents arrived, my mom immediately called her parents and sister. My grandpa came over with a shotgun (gotta love Kentucky) and my uncle came over and stayed with me in my room while I played Nintendo. I had no idea anything was going on, I was just concerned with advancing on to the next level in Mario. My parents called their attorney and were advised by him to not give my birth mother the picture, but my parents tender hearts made the decision, and they gave her the picture anyway. My parents learned shortly after the visit that the father of my birth mother did pass away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftK827GZqjW_6745rfc2cj4tkvOlcOaU_n32kAEmU-tIcZfvbjI_4p2Sm2b-tGt2iw3PHRRAQrjj-mu0RUHxYJrPTL0tQ3cTChUW8eT6pe83Iw-4Pvs-QtJJx8rukQtAEh7UVcKZ7VgM/s1600/The_Courier_Journal_Sat__Dec_18__1993_+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1397" data-original-width="1600" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftK827GZqjW_6745rfc2cj4tkvOlcOaU_n32kAEmU-tIcZfvbjI_4p2Sm2b-tGt2iw3PHRRAQrjj-mu0RUHxYJrPTL0tQ3cTChUW8eT6pe83Iw-4Pvs-QtJJx8rukQtAEh7UVcKZ7VgM/s320/The_Courier_Journal_Sat__Dec_18__1993_+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The photo my parents gave to my birth mother </div>
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and that subsequently appeared in the Courier Journal on various occasions</div>
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Curiously enough, the very picture they gave my birth mother appeared in the Courier Journal (the newspaper I mentioned earlier) along with a front page story, written from the viewpoint of my birth father. It did include the "facts" of the case, but certainly appealed to sympathizers for my birth father. In doing my "research", I found that my adoption case/story appeared in the Courier Journal at least 4 times, with three of those times featuring a front page story. My parents never commented about the court proceedings, and did so per the advice of their attorney. Therefore, almost every story that was published in the Courier Journal was heavily weighted from the viewpoint of my birth father. Here are some examples of the headlines and a few excerpts from some of the stories:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEcuiMaeWIT678z3RqMNwhGM7cHLEoTzoBk3elbkweEe1I4hy79l-rr5X-n3Fb7YzVtwfCc5sqNoJy1ZfwJyzALmQBq_EPkU4s9bZYMKQh3S8DksIA7LWxGZZMyvrJI1mBorjSU0fcBA/s1600/The_Courier_Journal_Sun__Nov_23__1986_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEcuiMaeWIT678z3RqMNwhGM7cHLEoTzoBk3elbkweEe1I4hy79l-rr5X-n3Fb7YzVtwfCc5sqNoJy1ZfwJyzALmQBq_EPkU4s9bZYMKQh3S8DksIA7LWxGZZMyvrJI1mBorjSU0fcBA/s320/The_Courier_Journal_Sun__Nov_23__1986_.jpg" width="228" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5k3n02568iMf8AVo2pu_0RgmAFlGHImblgkEoDwm3ZqG73B9her5MHsyyQYFF0P5qmqH0HAIE93veyxiQzw4TzjyUVuxemvmXowaWqZ9bZFsbQE7KZAvSqahZya_nhTZAjoI5hOW12k/s1600/The_Courier_Journal_Fri__Jun_12__1987_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1473" data-original-width="1600" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5k3n02568iMf8AVo2pu_0RgmAFlGHImblgkEoDwm3ZqG73B9her5MHsyyQYFF0P5qmqH0HAIE93veyxiQzw4TzjyUVuxemvmXowaWqZ9bZFsbQE7KZAvSqahZya_nhTZAjoI5hOW12k/s320/The_Courier_Journal_Fri__Jun_12__1987_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNf-u7T8l5b_TNTyJ7e4mhImnfgJyDUShpQqmPj_aeVlOBiyI92ai1yoStR692jBQGR6v1yqb8jTe8vetRPPpw28pRV0tH_ztqAbRFsq7IzhyphenhyphenlsqSowitmFLlGw5IO6H0Z3ROjj674Yh4/s1600/The_Courier_Journal_Sun__Sep_8__1996_+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="1600" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNf-u7T8l5b_TNTyJ7e4mhImnfgJyDUShpQqmPj_aeVlOBiyI92ai1yoStR692jBQGR6v1yqb8jTe8vetRPPpw28pRV0tH_ztqAbRFsq7IzhyphenhyphenlsqSowitmFLlGw5IO6H0Z3ROjj674Yh4/s320/The_Courier_Journal_Sun__Sep_8__1996_+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpOQFuYsWI7DAxLs7Nl_aakjXvWgBFeGrfLdAwI40z3PWootqsmAKCL33vsHfJKvlkmM7i9LKyA3Hd6UlydPaf20gRhVEy9Mv0k8drLBlEHGIW9L2yI4FUwA0ZYg0Gc-C-TTgr2e6Tv0/s1600/The_Courier_Journal_Sat__Dec_18__1993_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpOQFuYsWI7DAxLs7Nl_aakjXvWgBFeGrfLdAwI40z3PWootqsmAKCL33vsHfJKvlkmM7i9LKyA3Hd6UlydPaf20gRhVEy9Mv0k8drLBlEHGIW9L2yI4FUwA0ZYg0Gc-C-TTgr2e6Tv0/s320/The_Courier_Journal_Sat__Dec_18__1993_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In 1996, when I was 14 years old, my adoption case was settled, legally, once and for all. Throughout the 14 year long battle, our case had reached the Kentucky Supreme Court twice, and had been sent to the United States Supreme Court of Appeals, but was never heard. The financial costs associated with the 14 year long battle literally cost my parents everything they owned, including our house. The emotional costs were high as well. Because of the stress of the case, my dad began having seizures and actually passed out while driving his UPS truck, which further complicated our financial situation. My mom has dealt with heart issues for as long as I can remember, no doubt at least partially because of the stress and anxiety of the custody battle. This case definitely took a toll on them in many ways. But through it all, my parents provided the most loving and stable home that I could have imagined. My childhood was full of happiness, and I believed we were blessed. I will never know how they did it, aside from eventually having an amazing attorney who knew adoption law inside and out, the support, prayers, and generosity of family and friends, and of course and most importantly, their faith and trust in God.<br />
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As with every story in life, will never know it all, at least not from the side of my birth father, and especially, I think, my birth mother. There are many questions left unanswered as to my birth father's choice of timing, his motives, etc. There are certainly "off the record" situations that occurred that will never be published in the Courier Journal or any other newspaper, such as the time he visited my home unexpectedly. There are numerous more. Thus, at the very least, I will always believe that his motives were very suspect. I think it is very important for you, the reader, to know that I came to these conclusions on my own, as my mom and dad never spoke an ill word of either of my birth parents. In fact, they always let me know they would support me and my efforts if I ever chose to seek out either of them. And they have kept that commitment. Shortly after Zack and I were married, at my request, my parents helped me contact my birth mother, and I, along with Zack and my parents, met her for the first time and had dinner together. I may blog at some point about that meeting.<br />
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I began this blog post speaking about miracles. Maybe after reading this, you aren't quite sure what the connection is, or how any of my adoption story could be considered a miracle (it was quite a mess!)<br />
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Well, I find it quite miraculous that I was adopted by two of the most loving, kind, selfless people that I have ever met. That out of all the people who could have adopted me, I was given these two parents. That I have my mom's eyes and love for hospitality, and my dad's love for music and sometimes his temper. That I grew up with the kind of relationship with my parents that I would just as soon as hung out with them on a Friday night than to have gone out with my friends. That I could approach them at any time, with any problem, and I knew they would listen. We have always been the closest of close. I don't know what I would do without them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalE6JoHy8TUx9TWQTaL27PWXwMqXjUg1V3yoJ69TuR95l5os_DyQChzcPrpkLSSKiUL2sjDiB8ifDWZXganyyT9t8Q79X5LJLAzReF3H4TvKbm5UFtRroTvZk-8UxMh24Y9swp0MzVPM/s1600/885563_946739395336897_2039301180475223963_o+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1380" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalE6JoHy8TUx9TWQTaL27PWXwMqXjUg1V3yoJ69TuR95l5os_DyQChzcPrpkLSSKiUL2sjDiB8ifDWZXganyyT9t8Q79X5LJLAzReF3H4TvKbm5UFtRroTvZk-8UxMh24Y9swp0MzVPM/s320/885563_946739395336897_2039301180475223963_o+%25281%2529.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiSMq2vF00kGVOx3X9ZkQlohyphenhyphenrH4tW2GsaeGp1yDC01CLFgS6LVAJ5TXGl00k_sAL8rLVIkTz__wrqxPxDOd7fNmN1vTPtR8oxj3CO6nU-o0nrb-ShNzYcx4TWJBqR2uO6yb7xEakIMk/s1600/21762006_1699651910045638_7350855008740413448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiSMq2vF00kGVOx3X9ZkQlohyphenhyphenrH4tW2GsaeGp1yDC01CLFgS6LVAJ5TXGl00k_sAL8rLVIkTz__wrqxPxDOd7fNmN1vTPtR8oxj3CO6nU-o0nrb-ShNzYcx4TWJBqR2uO6yb7xEakIMk/s320/21762006_1699651910045638_7350855008740413448_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnpq_2ZodZyvQXPwNkkMln1p_DymuFHbaUICEZ3NPuNygBTNLTe7d8m6n0rD2tCQHufW5hzIqwhQIIR5kn325LF_4acTksgTQ6s06XXAqKKODSDqdEGpH2xpL93P0CPoyp3fIuhb6D30/s1600/15232179_1362882113722621_1309916739441588479_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnpq_2ZodZyvQXPwNkkMln1p_DymuFHbaUICEZ3NPuNygBTNLTe7d8m6n0rD2tCQHufW5hzIqwhQIIR5kn325LF_4acTksgTQ6s06XXAqKKODSDqdEGpH2xpL93P0CPoyp3fIuhb6D30/s400/15232179_1362882113722621_1309916739441588479_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I find it miraculous that God can take what was intended for bad and what seemed like a desperate situation at so many points in time, and use it for good. That He could use the trials my family faced throughout my adoption to build perseverance, character, faithfulness, and a deep, deep love for one another. That, because of my adoption and the impact it has had in, and on my life, God opened my heart to adoption, and we now have four beautiful, precious children from all over the world (more on this in the next blog). Not only this, but God has used my parents, and now Zack and I, countless times to minister to families who have had difficulties in the adoption process, or whom are considering adoption, etc. He, the one true and Sovereign God, has brought beauty from ashes in many ways. And that truly is the picture and beauty of adoption, in my opinion.<br />
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Please don't hear me say that adoption is a cake walk. Adoption isn't always easy. Being part of the adoption community, I know of many families who struggle daily with adoption related issues. Not every adopted child feels favorably towards adoption, as some children have been placed in very negative circumstances due to adoption. In my case, the adoptive process was difficult, but the relationships I have with my mom and dad are priceless to me. Adoption has been a tremendous, unspeakable blessing to me.<br />
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We live in a flawed, sinful world, and that sin taints everything. We are all born into the world as sinners, and we take this sin with us into our relationships, whether those are biological, or are formed through adoption, etc. None of us, or our relationships, are exempt.<br />
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The most miraculous news of all is that there is an adoption that we all can be a part of, one that only brings life, light, and love, and that is secure for all eternity. We can be adopted into the family of God, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:5 tell us that God chose us, before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in his sight, and that <b>in love,</b> he chose us to be adopted as His children, through his son Jesus Christ. This means we have the opportunity to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, not only now, but forever. This is the very best adoption of all.<br />
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Thank you for taking the time to read "my story". It really isn't just my story, as God clearly knit the story together using various people, circumstances, etc, as He does with every story. What an amazing God we serve. I don't ever want to miss a part of the story He has for my life....how about you?<br />
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<br />Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-72641701867057636872018-03-23T21:38:00.000-04:002018-03-23T21:39:18.377-04:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZHQ59vqHs_2oVl8NsXV6QsS1EJs1Nzf9MVCYZDgKGQWzM-obSCqoxxrl3UplLVhx9vzY2Tw1aJ6M8YpwOp1MsrGfEjbJZ1OuTJetSotBeCk4wL7G7LPyLsf-mTCWghYkcHcsC7bPhqA/s1600/1521855203249blob-758402.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZHQ59vqHs_2oVl8NsXV6QsS1EJs1Nzf9MVCYZDgKGQWzM-obSCqoxxrl3UplLVhx9vzY2Tw1aJ6M8YpwOp1MsrGfEjbJZ1OuTJetSotBeCk4wL7G7LPyLsf-mTCWghYkcHcsC7bPhqA/s400/1521855203249blob-758402.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6536319862419699346" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YJXs_U7kRL04Hvj7fOzqHL3eoKFZgekRMXfrKh-Uh3WvBjxlIbx8XKjv5DCVOP9TJJUuGA6RrwGHesECT-KfqmzSFYSQKypuz5rK5TMzhPludgnm6iBAchlfb1y8BZRmS2eSZg0sLYI/s1600/1521855274009blob-761569.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YJXs_U7kRL04Hvj7fOzqHL3eoKFZgekRMXfrKh-Uh3WvBjxlIbx8XKjv5DCVOP9TJJUuGA6RrwGHesECT-KfqmzSFYSQKypuz5rK5TMzhPludgnm6iBAchlfb1y8BZRmS2eSZg0sLYI/s400/1521855274009blob-761569.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6536319868146256034" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6fG2f-_ijNhOrw3IV2tzDcWiw9DO9EAbiayUCVRC3-8NItn1ryH9lnY7_lHAsfsqDXZ3lWfbmGjrLpUcw-ZWpNXCo_6sikoEO11wIeyh0a-ITrXfx0W0i3n7ILkHKp1rU-bKtI7aQeg/s1600/1521855394283blob-764121.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6fG2f-_ijNhOrw3IV2tzDcWiw9DO9EAbiayUCVRC3-8NItn1ryH9lnY7_lHAsfsqDXZ3lWfbmGjrLpUcw-ZWpNXCo_6sikoEO11wIeyh0a-ITrXfx0W0i3n7ILkHKp1rU-bKtI7aQeg/s400/1521855394283blob-764121.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6536319880551944770" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq10s2g1r8jk8sSvdXbmZZbsqlLbJ8cr_UOu6RMf6JIjeEcbuzHbMTJadDb8pdU2h7YH8JmajlwqoCafuxEsROKXrjdF44BfFxf6RjE_M57uoTEn-Ll9UxcLz3kaT9aK4FdZflrRPuCHw/s1600/1521855461552blob-766036.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq10s2g1r8jk8sSvdXbmZZbsqlLbJ8cr_UOu6RMf6JIjeEcbuzHbMTJadDb8pdU2h7YH8JmajlwqoCafuxEsROKXrjdF44BfFxf6RjE_M57uoTEn-Ll9UxcLz3kaT9aK4FdZflrRPuCHw/s400/1521855461552blob-766036.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6536319888067413826" /></a></p><div style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><div><br></div><div><p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"> </p> <div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">The Caldwell family is "moving on up"….in size and location!! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin"><img title="Inline image" alt="Inline image" src="cid:18bacdba-1b7b-150b-1e2e-0eaca883e9ed@yahoo.com" class="yahoo-inline-image" draggable="false" style="max-width: 800px;" data-id="<18bacdba-1b7b-150b-1e2e-0eaca883e9ed@yahoo.com>"><br><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin"><br></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">Surprise!!! In a super shocker to everyone, and I do mean everyone, we are excited, blessed, humbled and to be totally honest, somewhat terrified, to be expecting a new little Caldwell this October. That's right, Caldwell child #5 is scheduled to make his or her appearance late October 2018! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin"><img title="Inline image" alt="Inline image" src="cid:3a527c10-d99c-88c6-ef9d-68654a155219@yahoo.com" class="yahoo-inline-image" draggable="false" style="max-width: 800px;" data-inlineimagemanipulating="true" data-id="<3a527c10-d99c-88c6-ef9d-68654a155219@yahoo.com>"><br><br></span></div> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">"How did this happen??!!" to quote my mother in law </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif;mso-ascii-font-family:"Calibri Light";mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:"Calibri Light";mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-char-type:symbol-ext;mso-symbol-font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji"">😊</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin"> All we can say is Proverbs 16:9, "</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#001320;background:#FDFEFF">We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps". We felt very content and our lives were very full with our 4 kiddos….so I can only imagine having a 5<sup>th</sup> will only sweeten this family God has given to us. </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#001320;background:#FDFEFF">To be honest, having children biologically was never something really in our plans. I plan to write an entire blog post on this later, but Zack and I felt called to adoption from the very beginning of our marriage. Through different experiences God allowed us to have both independently, and as a couple, adoption is how we felt called to grow our family. And once we adopted, God fulfilled any desire to grow our family and parent children. So, having a child biologically just really wasn't on our radar….but it certainly is now! </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#001320;background:#FDFEFF">I began to suspect something was up when we were staying a few days in a hotel in Winston Salem before we closed on our house. I noticed the usual pregnancy symptoms…but honestly, I just figured the stress of being separated from Zack for 6l weeks due to his job, selling and buying a house, and moving were just throwing things off. On the day we closed on our home here in NC, I decided that I better check, just to make sure. So, while I was at the grocery, I decided to pick up a pregnancy test. Self checkout, please!!</span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#001320;background:#FDFEFF">I was shaking as I carried in the groceries, but I tried to carry on as normal, as I was surrounded by my mom, our kids, and the painters and other workers doing a few fixes in our home. I ran into the bathroom downstairs and read the directions as fast I could. I struggle with even peeing in a cup (sorry if that's too much info ) so I wanted to make sure I got this right. I did the deed then laid the test on the vanity with shaking hands, and waited, but I didn't have to wait long. As soon as the urine passed the little window, both lines appeared and my heart was beating a million miles a minute. Could this really be happening!? I double checked what I was seeing and compared it with the little instruction pamphlet. Yep, two pink lines meant….pregnant!! I shoved the test inside the box and stashed it under the vanity. I walked out like no big deal and realized that our world had just changed! In an amazing, blessed way of course, but still changed dramatically! A thousand thoughts were going through my mind until I heard little Eden's voice, "Mom, what's this?" You guessed it, she had found my secret box under the vanity. I quickly stole it away and put it in my pocket, and mumbled, "Oh nothing". </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#001320;background:#FDFEFF">The next few minutes I thought about how to tell Zack, then my mom and dad. Zack was at work, though I was supposed to be meeting him soon to secure a U-HAUL so we could finish unloading our storage unit. I was supposed to drive the van with the trailer hitch, but my mind was so blown that I drove the wrong van all the way there, lol. I told Zack I had a good reason for my mistake, then I pulled the test out of my pocket. I can assure you, he was in shock as well! He was thrilled, though overwhelmed. He wanted to tell everyone immediately, but I assured him we needed to think through some things first . I also wanted to take another test, just to be sure. So, the next day, I went back to the grocery store, only the self checkout lane was closed, so the poor teenage boy that was my cashier and I had an awkward conversation, to say the least. </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#001320;background:#FDFEFF">The second test confirmed the results of the first, so we were pretty sure we had a 5<sup>th</sup> child on our hands! The next day I told my mom before church, she and I together Facetimed my dad, and later that day Zack and I called his parents after church. All grandparents were shocked, thrilled, and excited. Now they are just totally elated! </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#001320;background:#FDFEFF">I am thankful that so far I haven't had anything more than nausea off and on everyday (not just in the morning….Morning Sickness is inappropriately named, in my opinion ), and have just been flat out exhausted. One of the most interesting things is that I have had an extreme aversion to certain smells, unfortunately those smells happen to be the smells of our home. So, I just wear a mask in most rooms. I can stand to be in the kitchen and most of the time our den, and my bedroom and bathroom are okay. Walking into the living room, foyer, hallway, basement, and any of the kids room results in some serious gags. I actually have a box of surgical masks I have been wearing, and that seems to keep the nausea at bay, though I do get some weird looks from the neighbors if I forget to take the mask off when I go outside.</span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#001320;background:#FDFEFF">Yesterday was my first ultrasound, and we are thankful that everything seems normal and that the heartbeat of the baby is strong. My mom and Eden were able to be there, and Eden couldn't help herself when she first saw the baby- she let out the longest "Awe!" followed by, "The baby is adorable!". Zack unfortunately was out of town due to work, but with the wonders of technology, I was able to send him the photos and video, to which he responded, "Wow, wow wow!". As this is our first ever pregnancy, and as I am early in the pregnancy (9 weeks), we know that there are still many unknowns. We also realize we are totally clueless about anything to do with being pregnant, and all that having a newborn entails. We trust God is in control of every aspect, and we look to Him for our joy and peace throughout this process. </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">Switching gears….We have also moved on up North in location, to North Carolina. The weekend of February 18<sup>th</sup>, we said goodbye to our home for the past 3.5 years in Charleston, SC, and began a new adventure in the other Carolina state. </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">First, just to catch you up on the family (I realize that almost two years have gone by since my last blog post. That is rather shameful, and though my mind had lots of ideas and topics I wanted to blog about, I guess other priorities just won out…not saying that those priorities were better, or more important). </span></p> <div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">Noah is now a middle school student! So hard to believe as I can remember meeting him for the first time (now almost 8 years ago!) and seeing his sad eyes looking up at Zack and I…then that first smile…then the first time he experienced Ketchup. He has made a great transition from elementary school to middle school. He is in the band and plays the trombone. He is playing soccer this spring and beginning Tae Kwon Do. He is a strong, independent young man and we are very proud of him. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin"><img title="Inline image" alt="Inline image" src="cid:37d6349b-585c-861d-d739-f5080e9de2ce@yahoo.com" class="yahoo-inline-image" draggable="false" style="max-width: 800px;" data-inlineimagemanipulating="true" data-id="<37d6349b-585c-861d-d739-f5080e9de2ce@yahoo.com>"><br><br></span></div> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">Caleb is in 4<sup>th</sup> grade and keeps us on our toes! He is full of life and laughter, and has had no problem making friends here. He (like his mom and dad) loves this time of year because March Madness is in full swing-he is my basketball watching buddy. He is also playing soccer and beginning Tae Kwon Do. </span></p> <div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">Emmie is in 2<sup>nd</sup> grade and has really grown to be a fabulous big sister to Eden. She is a huge help to me around the house and God continues to grow her sensitive, servant heart in beautiful ways. She is also playing soccer this spring and looking forward to beginning Tae Kwon Do soon. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin"><img title="Inline image" alt="Inline image" src="cid:2f6381af-1d5a-46a1-6648-b41e0472c702@yahoo.com" class="yahoo-inline-image" draggable="false" style="max-width: 800px;" data-inlineimagemanipulating="true" data-id="<2f6381af-1d5a-46a1-6648-b41e0472c702@yahoo.com>"><br><br></span></div> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">Eden is 4 years old now and though tiny for her age, has a huge heart and is a little firecracker! She made the most seamless transition into our family in almost every way. She has acquired English amazingly and is very articulate….just ask her brothers! She won't start Kindergarten until 2019 and that is just fine with her. She is looking forward to beginning gymnastics soon! </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">So, how did we get from one Carolina to another? For some time, Zack and I had been praying about a job opportunity that would allow us to be closer to home, (Kentucky will always be home) as the trip for us and our parents was starting to get old, yet we all desired to be a part of each others lives as much as possible. We also missed the Kentucky like seasons, hills and mountains, etc. God certainly was gracious to us during our time in South Carolina, and to be honest, we struggled to know if it was selfish to pray for God to open an opportunity for us to closer to family, as everything was going just fine in Charleston. </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">During the early spring and summer of 2017, we had three different possibilities that seemed "sure things", not work out. The first would have put us in Nashville, TN., the second outside of Atlanta, and the third in Greenville, SC. Each time the door seemed open, but then would eventually close. The first opportunity in Nashville was offered to us, but we just didn't feel like it was right for various reasons. The second and third seemed so sure that we even put our home on the market, but then at the last second, the opportunities were removed. As 2017 began to come to an end, we began to think that maybe it just wasn't God's will for us to leave Charleston at this time. Then Zack got two phone calls from two different companies around the same week, and things got kicked into high gear, to say the least. Both opportunities would have taken us North- one way North, to Cincinnati, the other to North Carolina. In the end, it was a pretty easy decision. Zack accepted his current position in North Carolina around Thanksgiving and was to report the first of the year. </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">We knew this meant we would be separated for some time- until our house sold. Zack would commute early Monday morning and stay through the week, then come home on Friday evening. I would be with the kids during the week and get our home ready to sell. It certainly wasn't the ideal situation, but we also knew the commute and separation wouldn't be forever. We listed our home around Thanksgiving, and we had it under contract the early part of January. We were thankful it didn't linger on the market too long. Getting a house "show ready" with 4 kids can be a little maddening, and we had some interesting prospective buyers….some wouldn't come in our home because the driveway wasn't long enough, some became upset because we asked all potential buyers to remove their shoes or wear the provided shoe covers- in our minds we were preserving the floors for someone who would buy our home…not everyone shared our perspective however! Others would cancel just a few minutes before a showing was scheduled. Needless to say, we prayed fervently for a buyer for our home! Wouldn't you know it, the family that ended up buying our home came the weekend I came down with a stomach bug and literally couldn't get out of bed… we had four showings scheduled! Thankfully my in-laws happened to be in town and helped get the house ready. Zack also knew the drill and directed traffic. A few minutes before the scheduled showings, he carried me out to the car, robe and all, and I just laid in the backseat until the showing were over, while he perused the neighborhood. </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">We already had a home picked out here in Winston-Salem from our house hunting trips, so once our house was under contract, we were able to make an offer on the home here in Winston. We were hoping to find a home with a basement, a larger yard than our home in Charleston, and in a neighborhood where there would hopefully be lots of other kiddos for our kids to play with, as they had grown accustomed to that in Charleston. Graciously, God answered those prayers. Our street is full of kids, we have a small basement that is a great little hangout spot, and a bigger yard with beautiful trees and privacy. More than we deserve! </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">The kids seem to be adjusting well to school. I am always amazed at their resilience. Eden is here with me, and will be for another year, as she can't begin Kindergarten until August 2019. I am working on getting my school counseling certification for North Carolina, so that when it is time for me to return to work, I will be ready (still determining when that time will be, especially with our new addition coming). My job may always be inside our home, which would be fine with me!</span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">We knew when we moved, the most difficult aspect would be finding a church home. Not because there aren't wonderful churches here in Winston-Salem, but because we so dearly loved our little church family in Charleston. I <a>say</a><span class="ydp18dc2930MsoCommentReference"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><a class="ydp18dc2930msocomanchor" id="ydp18dc2930_anchor_1" name="_msoanchor_1">[RC1]</a><!--[endif]--> </span></span> "little" because we were members of a church plant when we left Charleston, and though our congregation was small in number, we were full of love for one another and for the Gospel. I can't say that I was excited about the church plant in the beginning (this should also be a blog post because God has done an amazing work in my heart in this area), but I can now say that I truly, truly, miss this fellowship, as does our entire family. </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">A quick rundown: a few weeks before we left for China in 2016 to bring home Eden, our current church at the time had a division that resulted in the current Pastor resigning and many members leaving. Our family was one of the families that decided to leave during this time (once we returned from China). Our hearts were broken over the events, but we felt we had no choice but to leave the church. We weren't prepared to bring home Eden to an unknown situation in terms of our faith community, but that is what happened. In the beginning, I was very, very unsure of becoming part of the church plant, not because of the events that led to its formation, the leadership, the theology, or anything like that, but because there wasn't very much structure in terms of kids church, Sunday School, youth group, etc. Of course, when any church is in its infancy, none of those things just automatically happen, and that is okay. This was our first experience being part of a church plant, and there were many things I just didn't get and struggled with. Didn't I say I needed to write an entire blog devoted to this? I better just do that. Let's just say that I am so thankful that God is so gracious and patient with our hearts, and I am forever grateful that He allowed our family to be part of such a sweet fellowship. </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">We have visited a couple different churches here, but have yet to feel fully called to a church home. There is definitely a huge hole in the life of our family as we miss the community that results when Christians fellowship, worship, and serve with one another. We pray that God will lead us to a church home very soon. </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin"> </span></p> <p class="ydp18dc2930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin">So, there you have it, the quickest run-down I can give you of our lives over the last almost-two years. It has been an adventure in so many ways. The one thing that has remained the same- the steadfast, faithful love of God. Scripture says in Hebrews 13:8 that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." So many things in this world can change- our location, our profession, our health, our church, our families. But praise be to God that He is unchanging, as is His love for us</span></p><br></div><div class="ydpe2ebccfesignature"><div><font color="#0060bf" face="Comic Sans MS"><br></font></div><div><font face="comic sans ms"><font color="#00407f">Our Blog: <a href="http://www.faceoflove.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.faceoflove.blogspot.com</a></font> </font></div><div><font face="comic sans ms"><font color="#0000bf">Adoption is a GOoD thing :)</font><br><br></font><br><br></div></div></div>Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-33589367246433004082016-07-08T13:57:00.001-04:002016-07-08T13:57:35.781-04:00All things new...One month home with Eden It seems somewhat shallow to be posting this on a day like today in our country- a day in which our country seems so divided and so broken. But my prayer in sharing this is that the power of God to work in hearts will be seen. God still changes hearts and changes people. He can still bring beauty from ashes and make all things new. I know this because I have seen it in my life, and the life of my children. I have seen the grief and pain that loss can bring, and the power of God to transform that pain and grief into love and joy. It appears from all that is taking place currently in our country that God's healing power and the power of His love living in and through us is what is so desperately needed in this country. God help us.<br />
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On July 3 we had been home for one month home with our Eden. One of the meanings of the name "Eden" is delight, and what a delight she is to our family! We have seen her personality blossom so much in the last month. As I mentioned in my previous post, after giving God the praise for the work He has done in the lives and hearts of Eden and our family, we give a tremendous amount of credit to our three "big kids". Whether it is buckling Eden in her car seat, or helping her wash her hands, or entertaining her while I cook, all of our children have helped out in big and small ways and we are so thankful and proud of them. It has been a beautiful thing to watch them learn more about servant hood and selflessness through serving their sister.<br />
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Eden is doing great with her new routine in America. She is sleeping well- not perfect, but much better than we expected. Lately she has been getting up multiple times when we first put her to bed, so it is making bed time take quite a while, but once she is asleep, she usually sleeps all night long, which is nice :) She usually always wakes up with a smile on her face, and loves to come into Baba and Mommy's room to tell us "Ooh - yah (using phonetics here :) pee-pee". So we take her to the bathroom, then she will hop in our bed and snuggle for a few minutes. She has a very playful disposition and can be a little ornery sometimes as well- she fits in great! She has not been displaying many signs of grief, though she does like for our entire family to always be together. If either Zack or I are gone for more than a couple hours, she begins to fret a little, but nothing too major. She also loves to go, go, go. She will sometimes begin to seem anxious to go somewhere, anywhere, and will repeat, "mommy's car, mommy's car". This may be some type of grief or transition issue- not quite sure. Her English skills are progressing, and she is beginning to repeat many words and phrases now. We all love to listen to her jabber :)<br />
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Eden loves the water- she is a huge fan of the pool, and as we have recently discovered, the ocean as well! She was a little hesitant at first, but after she got used to the feeling of the sand on her feet, she was ready to hit the ground running! She wasn't intimidated at all by the waves, and even wanted to ride the boogie board! Now she just needs to conquer the lake...that will happen soon enough when we visit Kentucky :)<br />
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The most amazing thing about Eden is just her sweet heart. Now that she is home, I think she is feeling more and more free to love. She is quick to give a kiss and hug, and just grab your face in the sweetest way. She also says "I love you" in a way that will melt your heart.<br />
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It's all very humbling and overwhelming to take in- my family, that is. I am in awe that God would give this family to me. Sometimes at night I worry about something happening to them. An accident, or an illness, or some sort of tragedy. I am sure that part of it this angst can be related to the craziness and uncertainty of the world we live in, But I also recognize (thanks in part to my Godly and wise husband) that I must be careful to not idolize my children, or to place these gifts above the most amazing Giver of all, God. We know from his Word that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father (James 1:17).<br />
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This is our first adoption to be so far away from our family, and honestly, after the adjustments to having four kids and a two year old, this has been the hardest part. It is hard to not be able to share these amazing days and experiences God has given us with our parents. We have been so blessed to have had our parents involved in the lives of our other three kids- they are such awesome grandparents! Our parents thankfully were both able to spend some great quality time with our kids and us this past week, celebrating Independence Day with us. It was just the best thing ever to have our entire family together! I am so thankful that they are having the chance to get to know Eden, even if it isn't quite as often as we would like. Eden seems to already love them and had a great visit with them. I think there were some tears when they left....and it wasn't just the grandkids!<br />
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I end this post with much more on my mind than adoption and our family, as wonderful as those two things are. My heart is breaking for our Nation, and I wonder how God wants to move in our hearts to care for the hurting and make right the wrongs that have been done. I wonder about, and fear the America that my children may grow up in. I worry that it will be an America full of hate, division, and discord. We must pray, love, and act, to make sure that we overcome evil with good, through the power and love of Jesus.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">2 Corinthians 3:17</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Romans 12:21</span></div>
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<br />Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-36237706970786027542016-06-10T21:12:00.000-04:002016-06-10T21:12:00.098-04:00At Home....Our First Week With Eden<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to apologize for the belated update- so many of
you have emailed or messaged us to check in and see how things are going, and we
so appreciate that! I promise that we haven’t been ignoring you, it has just
been a whirlwind week since we got home last Friday night. <o:p></o:p></div>
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First, just a few words about our trip home. Thank you,
thank you, thank you for your prayers. We were really worried about how
traveling home was going to go, given how our last day in China went with Eden.
The trip home started out a little rough. There was a discrepancy with the spelling
of Eden’s Chinese name on her passport/Visa and her airplane tickets. Believe
it or not, one space in the wrong place in her name almost caused us to be
unable to fly home! Thankfully Delta went to work and corrected the issue and
we made our first flight. There were some nervous moments in the Guangzhou
airport! The first flight was a little rough for Eden. She cried about half the
time. It was about a 3.5 hour flight to Beijing. Once we landed we had about a
4.5 hour layover in Beijing, and Eden did awesome the entire time! We were on the
same flight with another family adopting with our agency, so it was great to be
able to hang out with them. We had a wonderful surprise waiting for us once we
boarded for Detroit….the plane was half empty! That meant the three of us ended
up with 6 seats- that gave us room to spread out and made the 13 hour flight so
much more comfortable! And Eden did amazing! She didn’t cry once. She slept for
about 8 of the 12 hours. We felt your prayers and trust me, we were praising God!
After we landed in Detroit, Eden continued to do well. She was definitely ready
to be done with airports and airplanes, but after 8 flights in two weeks, so
were Zack and I! She cried some on our last little flight, but it was only
about 1.5 hours, so we could handle that <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>
It was a wonderful feeling to have our feet back on the ground in South
Carolina!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eden has been in her new home for one week now. To say that
we are amazed at how wonderful she is doing is an understatement. Her comfort
and ease in her new home is truly miraculous! Other than some sleep issues,
which are to be expected after traveling through 12 time zones in two weeks and
adjusting to an upside down schedule, she has had a seemingly smooth
transition. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We know without a shadow of a doubt that having our 3 “big
kids” at home has helped her transition tremendously. We can’t say enough about
what an awesome job Noah, Caleb, and Emmie have done with helping their little
sister feel right at home. They have been kind, gentle, playful, helpful-
whatever the circumstance has called for, they have been up to the task. We
have seen them be selfless in ways that have brought tears to our eyes. We are
so proud of them. The evidence of their
kindness can be seen in the way Eden looks at them, calls for them (it is so
cute to hear her pronounce their names), and lift her little arms up to them in
hopes they will pick her up- and they do! </div>
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My mom also was here this week to
help out with the household chores and daily tasks so that we could concentrate
on spending time with Eden and our kids. This was a huge blessing and it was so
hard to see her go. We are truly so blessed with amazing parents. We couldn’t
do it without them! <o:p></o:p></div>
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She is warming up to everyone, including me- I even get
kisses and hugs now! Zack went back to work Monday, and so she was “stuck” with
me, for better or worse, and thankfully, she chose to see it for the better.
The time together has been great for us, and I think we both feel much more
secure and at ease with one another. Again, I am not saying we have arrived,
but the progress is incredible. We just can’t believe it and we are so
thankful. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Eden’s first few nights in the USA were tough for her and us.
Though she went to bed without protest, she also wanted to go to bed very early
(jet lag and time zone change). She
would wake around midnight and then about every two hours after. It was a
tiring few days. Thankfully the last two
nights she slept through the night- she went to bed around 7:45 and then woke
around 6:30, which is a huge improvement! She had been waking at 5am…and
staying up! And that made for one tired mom and dad! We are praying that she is
adjusting to her new schedule and this pattern of sleeping through the night
will continue ;)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eden’s personality has really started to shine here in
America. So many times the grief that a child is experiencing overshadows
everything else, and that makes it hard to see the “real” child through all the
grief. This is what we experienced in China with both of our girls. Though we
realize that Eden still most likely has moments of grief and will for some time,
this girl has been nothing but smiles for the most part. It brings a smile to my face just to think
about it! She loves playing with her siblings- whatever they are doing, she is
more than happy to be involved. She loves playing outside, she loves going to
the pool….she seems happy to be here! She is still very protective of her
backpacks, though she has begun to remove some of the things she placed in them
while in China. She often will take some snacks out and share them with her
siblings. She has a very kind heart and loves to share. She also has allowed
the backpacks to stay behind a few times when we have gone to the store. They are
definitely still her security, however, and this is evident at bedtime. She wants
them either in the bed with her, or on the floor where she can see them. We
feel like her backpacks are very much something that she uses to maintain
control and a sense of stability, and as she releases control of her backpacks,
she is also releasing control of her life, and allowing us to be a part of it.
That might sound a little kooky, but from what have seen, it makes perfect
sense. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So, as you can tell, we are just blown away with her progress.
It’s hard to explain unless you could see the “before” Eden. It’s almost like a
house renovation or a makeover- Sometimes the after is so different than the before,
it’s hard to believe they were ever the same! I remember thinking the same thing once Emmie
had been home for several weeks, amazed at the difference in her personality,
her attitude, and just being in awe of how God truly can bring beauty from
ashes. We just never expected so much to occur with Eden in the first week! I guess
this could be some sort of “honeymoon” phase that we are experiencing right
now, but it certainly feels like the real deal. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In terms of what it has been like to be a family of 6- it
has been awesome! Yes, it is a lot of work, and there are times when I feel overwhelmed with
the reality of having 4 kids. I doubt if I have the energy and stamina for it
all- the laundry, the cleaning, the cooking, the bedtimes, etc.. I am not as
young as I used to be, and I admit, I am exhausted at the end of each day. But
then I look at these four precious children and I think to myself, what better
task could I be giving myself to then being their mom? I have not been able to
come up with an answer that even comes close…and I doubt I ever well. Being a
family of 6 rocks! <o:p></o:p></div>
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After every adoption, even
our first, we have always said we are done- no more children…the first
few weeks home can kind of make you feel that way <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> This time, however, I feel as
though I can respond to future possibilities of another child in a different
way. I truly feel that I can say our family is complete. Once we were home
Friday night and all of our children were sleeping, an overwhelming feeling of
peace and completeness from the Lord washed over me, and I fell on my knees and
I felt God’s Spirit tell me- this is the family that I want you to have. It was
such an amazing, full, and content feeling. We will always be advocates for
adoption and orphan care, but I feel as though God has brought a child to our
family through adoption for the final time this time. I know that He will call our family to orphan
care through other avenues- He already has, and I already have dreams of taking
all of our children back to their native countries on vision trips, short term
mission trips, etc. I never want to stop sharing the story of all God has done
in our lives through adoption with interested couples and families. Adoption is
something that has forever changed our family’s life, and we are so thankful
for it. Now, if in a few years we are adopting again, you all don’t
rub these words in my face too much, okay? :) </div>
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I hope to update once
every couple of weeks. I know this
sounds like a broken record, but we can’t think you all enough for your
prayers, messages of encouragement, and every kind email, post, etc. You will
never know how much they have meant. Words truly do have the power to give
life, and you all gave us much life, and we are forever grateful. <o:p></o:p></div>
Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-29532187770941556882016-06-02T08:53:00.000-04:002016-06-02T08:54:02.410-04:00Last day in Guangzhou...Could use some prayers!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJuw9oiDkphJYnPJGhVw-VetTCP97GKYDFT1dy1Bxj-axO01zX7JYHu9pddVWeRmUp410sDYODTY2EMLKX1UEdH-OTTc2_XYsTTDVeY7k1mX82z9l4tENL0CdHlAVRQKAiOgiYHFfLnw/s1600/image1-742411.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJuw9oiDkphJYnPJGhVw-VetTCP97GKYDFT1dy1Bxj-axO01zX7JYHu9pddVWeRmUp410sDYODTY2EMLKX1UEdH-OTTc2_XYsTTDVeY7k1mX82z9l4tENL0CdHlAVRQKAiOgiYHFfLnw/s400/image1-742411.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6291577520763891618" /></a></p>Today is our last day before leaving bright and early tomorrow morning! We are more than ready to come home, but after this evening we are a little concerned about how the trip home might be....
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<br>The day started off great. We enjoyed one last breakfast in our hotel, then we led some of the families in our group to the toy market we visited the day before. They hadn't been able to visit it because yesterday three families had their consulate appointments. They were excited to pick up some souvenirs! Eden seemed to be doing well all morning and she ate s good breakfast and was ready for the day after sleeping great last night.
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<br>After leading the families to the toy store, Zack and I took Eden to the local zoo. This is the same zoo we visited during our last trip with Emmie, and for the price and proximity to our hotel, you can't beat it! We hopped on the subway and in about 15 minutes and a line change we were there! It was again another hot day- the heat index was around 110! Eden was able to make it through about half of the exhibits before she fell asleep.
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<br>The heat was getting to all of us- we were just one big wet mess! We drank plenty of water and thankfully made it back to the hotel in time to tell the Lunde family goodbye. We are so thankful to have met them and had a great time with them in our daughters province and Guangzhou. It's bittersweet to see them go, but we are happy for them as they are one step closer to being home! Another family that was in a different province but that we met while in Guangzhou also left today as well. We wish them the best and pray for safe travels.
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<br>While we were telling the Lunde's goodbye, Eden's disposition seemed a little off- I hadn't seen her this way in a couple days. I thought it was because she had just woken up from her nap a few minutes before, and maybe that was part of it. Then she did something she hasn't done the entire trip- she just stood and peed in the floor! We were told she was potty trained by her nannies, but I brought diapers and pullups because she is only 2.5, and we were told the same thing about Emmie who was 3.5 when we adopted her, and it turned out to not be true at all! She was definitely not potty trained :) However, from the first day we met her, Eden hasn't had one accident and sleeps through the night without peeing. It's pretty amazing. That why today's incident was so curious.
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<br> After that we went upstairs and gave Eden a bath. She had a great time playing in the tub and everything seemed fine. At the same time I was packing things up, Zack was helping, we were just working away and taking turns playing with Eden. I could tell when she got out of the bathtub that she seemed sad, and that's when the grieving started again. She grieved hard, crying and shouting for about 30 minutes. She let us hold her, but could not be consoled. And she was again calling out for her foster mother and friends. It is so sad and makes me feel helpless. None of the things that had made her happy the last few days seemed to make her happy this evening.
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<br>When she calmed down we walked across the street to McDonalds and got her a Happy Meal. She ate part of it but again was very sad. We walked around our hotel a bit to see if she wanted to play outside or even swim, but nothing seems to make her happy or catch her attention.
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<br>Once back in the room she seemed like she might cry again, but she pointed to her bed and let me know she was ready for bed. I was getting her pajamas when she again peed in the floor. I had just taken her to the potty but she said she didn't need to go. I really think this is part of her grieving- it's almost like she is regressing as she realizes that more change is coming? She got back in the bathtub after that and seemed happy as she could be- singing snd playing. After a while I heard her hollering and peeped my head in- she pointed in the bathtub to some poop! Again something she has never done! Three accidents in the course of about 4 hours. I just pray this doesn't continue tomorrow at the airport!
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<br>Thankfully she was happy at bedtime and we went through our normal routine, and she allowed us to read to her and we were silly and giggled and had fun :)
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<br>She fell asleep fairly fast which is a blessing as we still have some packing to do and would like to go to bed early tonight.
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<br>We know so many of you have prayed for us during our time in China, but would you please continue to pray, especially tomorrow? If you count our flight times and layovers, we have around 25 hours of traveling ahead of us- a flight from Guangzhou to Beijing, a flight from Beijing to Detroit, and then a flight from Detroit to Charleston. We should be home by 10:30 Friday night....
<br>It's going to be a long day, and then I have a feeling it may be a long night too.
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<br>Could you pray specifically for:
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<br>-safety in every part of our trip
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<br>-peace and calm for Eden and for us
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<br>- if and when Eden becomes upset we will know how to comfort her and that others will allow us to do so
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<br>- for all flights and connections to be on time
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<br>- for Eden to be able to rest on the flights
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<br>-for Eden to resume her normal bathroom habits :)
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<br>- for our kiddos back home- for them to understand that as much as we will want to hold them and hug them for the longest time, we might have to deal with Eden once we arrive home.
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<br>Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We know we still have a long way to go, but we also know we serve a God who has the whole world in His hands, and He has promised to never leave us.
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<br>With that, I will bid you one final goodnight from China. Not sure when the next post will be, but it should be interesting :)Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-71018875462422662622016-06-01T11:25:00.000-04:002016-06-01T11:35:23.985-04:00Favorite night part 2 :)Eden stayed awake until we got back to our hotel. She was in good spirits and even a little playful tonight at bedtime. She also allowed me to hold her several times tonight and even reached for me a few times- my heart was delighted! Still a daddy's girl, but we are making progress, I think- a good test will be to see how things go at the airport!!
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<br>Every smile, every laugh and positive interaction gives us so much hope, and we praise God from whom all blessings flow for the subtle, yet beautiful changes we are seeing in our sweet girl. Adoption is truly one of the most challenging, yet rewarding blessings we have ever experienced!
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<br>Goodnight from China! One more full day here and then we will be coming home!
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<br>Sent from my iPhoneRebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-46935612314444427632016-06-01T10:54:00.000-04:002016-06-01T10:55:11.562-04:00One of my favorite nights ;)<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vyw7VHVQFXuugzzfCNe1NxqTyPEC9GPZw5II-MLmAxiTnR-Nwa5ANTGofFbgXWhZOlxgqoi2wM4obJee1vvYSwGAS9lHbPc2esZdv6s-h5xPEWauLxj-v1E7BT1mQhAWQwyjdvMv5bg/s1600/image1-711564.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vyw7VHVQFXuugzzfCNe1NxqTyPEC9GPZw5II-MLmAxiTnR-Nwa5ANTGofFbgXWhZOlxgqoi2wM4obJee1vvYSwGAS9lHbPc2esZdv6s-h5xPEWauLxj-v1E7BT1mQhAWQwyjdvMv5bg/s400/image1-711564.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6291237655115593282" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAq109z-kODTLVsZqtJuv-TQ7Us23npPx3JkrwSViIwHAU-m-wjJ3bxCA3tsswFxNgmsPdUK0Ndg0WguN5PiIhpOJEbJLQxL3FOgAi0Iwszd85QoAe0xkvSaViGnwq0lg2BuSNxvqeGjM/s1600/image2-713311.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAq109z-kODTLVsZqtJuv-TQ7Us23npPx3JkrwSViIwHAU-m-wjJ3bxCA3tsswFxNgmsPdUK0Ndg0WguN5PiIhpOJEbJLQxL3FOgAi0Iwszd85QoAe0xkvSaViGnwq0lg2BuSNxvqeGjM/s400/image2-713311.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6291237664990311618" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKCZqb7Xl7d1tfvBLgdFw8rB_ffrD6oEt3NgEhyphenhyphen83AFmhPl03TSt2c4n69TgekIlxS1kT09l8DBRAnHnnEGQcFVXta0zM2QKWPRPdsCcfLOEdt9FQDvqADuQ93Jh7OD05kbuktvsPl6I/s1600/image3-714738.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKCZqb7Xl7d1tfvBLgdFw8rB_ffrD6oEt3NgEhyphenhyphen83AFmhPl03TSt2c4n69TgekIlxS1kT09l8DBRAnHnnEGQcFVXta0zM2QKWPRPdsCcfLOEdt9FQDvqADuQ93Jh7OD05kbuktvsPl6I/s400/image3-714738.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6291237668459183042" /></a></p>Today was a beautiful and once again hot and humid day in Guangzhou. We were able to really take it easy today as we didn't have a scheduled tour until this evening- and it's one of my favorites :)
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<br>After breakfast a few of the other families and our family went to the giant wholesale toy store. It's pretty much exactly like the jewelry wholesale market I posted about except it consists of floor after floor of toys, jewelry, home goods, clothing, shoes, more toys, it's like a flea market on crack- I think it is at least 5 stories? It's pretty amazing and it's just a few subway stops past our hotel, so it is easy to find and convenient. Eden did very well on the subway today and at the toy market, which is pretty impressive because both of them were very busy, crowded and hot :)
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<br>We arrived back at our hotel a little after lunch. I followed the lead of another couple in our travel group and this morning at breakfast made some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and saved them for lunch. Talk about a welcomed treat! It was so good and Zack and I were thankful to have a break from ramen noodles for lunch....there is only so much your belly can take and both of ours are to their limits :) Eden was not too impressed by the pb&j but hopefully it will grow on her.
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<br>We rested and stayed around our hotel until this evening. Our guide met us and gave us Eden's passport compete with her Visa! This is a huge praise as there was some talk about a delay in the Visa processing/approval. If we hadn't gotten it by tomorrow that would have meant we wouldn't have been coming home Friday....and that would have been bad news! Please pray for the remaining three families in our travel group to get their Visas tomorrow as scheduled.
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<br>After we got our Visas half of the families loaded up and went to the river cruise this evening. This is my favorite night in Guangzhou because it is such a beautiful and relaxing time floating down the river and seeing the sunset and then the beautiful lights of the city. Eden seemed to really enjoy it and be intrigued by the sights as well. We opted to not eat the traditional Chinese buffet like we did during our last trip and instead ordered Papa Johns and carried it on...yum!Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-56871466301952936252016-05-31T08:51:00.001-04:002016-05-31T08:51:41.467-04:00Fun in Guangzhou part 2 :)<div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later in the afternoon we went with our group to a wholesale jewelry market. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before- floors and floors of jewelry booths- every kind of jewel and gem and stone you could imagine had to be under that roof! We didn't buy anything- just window shopped.<br><br>After the market we made a stop at Shaman Island. This is a beautiful area of Guangzhou that is usually not very crowded and has beautiful architecture. It also is a beautiful spot to take pictures and we saw many brides being photographed during our visit yesterday. Eden seemed to really enjoy herself here, even interacting with the other children in our group and running and skipping. It was good to just see her be a kid and carefree even for just a few minutes. <br><br><br><br>When we got back to the hotel, Eden was more than happy to take a bath while we waited on our food the guide ordered for us.....Papa Johns Pizza! I can't even tell you how excited I was to eat that pizza!! It wasn't exactly like home, but it was a wonderful treat and we had no leftovers ;)<br><br>Eden was so content during bath and bedtime- no tears, happy to look at books with us. It was a true blessing and a hallelujah moment! She was a little restless while trying to go to sleep and it took some time, but she eventually she went to sleep with no crying- unfortunately she rolled off the bed in the middle of the night and that was quite traumatic for her, but she was consoled and slept the rest of the night. Her restlessness remind me of when Emmie first came to us. She was very restless also and especially once home, it took several weeks for her to sleep through the night.<br><br>I was more concerned about Zack resting well last night, as his cough has not improved and even with the antibiotic he isn't feeling much better. Thankfully he slept well too :) <br><br>We had to be up early this morning for our Consulate Appointment. We left the hotel <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">at 7:30</a> to make sure we weren't late for our <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">8:30</a>appointment. Sadly that meant no big breakfast....haha.<br><br>The Consulate is in a new location since our last trip- the building was very crowded and there was a line all the way around it. It was pretty chaotic getting to the right line, but our guide led us all the way and we ended up in the right room. I would have loved to have taken some pictures, but they don't allow pictures near the Consulate (we did take some pictures before however in our lobby :)<br><br>Once inside we were there for about an hour or a little more. Eden did great and even played with some other children in our group for a few minutes. We are so proud of her- she is being very brave :)<br><br><br>I believe that the consulate appointment is the last of our "official" appointments. Everything went well and we are now good to go! I wish that meant we could go home now, but we do have to wait for Eden's visa before we can leave the country, which is why we aren't leaving <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2">until Friday morning</a>. While we are here we still plan to visit the local zoo, go on a river cruise, and maybe visit the park once more- hopefully that will keep us occupied :)<br><br>This afternoon was very hot once again. We tried the pool but Eden accidentally swallowed some water and after that she was done with the pool! Some of the families in our group went with our guide to a new park this afternoon. Though very hot, I am glad we went. It was very beautiful and it was good to get out of the hotel. <br><br><br><br><br><br><br>We plan to spend the rest of our afternoon just hanging around the room and maybe trying the local noodle restaurant for dinner. Just taking it easy and spending time with Eden.<br><br>Before I go, I want to take time to thank four very, very special people- my parents and Zack's parents. They have taken amazing care of Noah, Caleb, and Emmie while we have been away. It is wonderful to not have to worry about them, along with everything else we are experiencing and feeling here:) of course we miss them like crazy, but we know they are being loved by wonderful grandparents....and for that we are so grateful. We love you Bobbi and Pap and Nanna and Papaw :) <br><br><br><br></span><br>Sent from my iPhone</div>Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-59827703348484182222016-05-31T07:36:00.000-04:002016-05-31T07:51:35.795-04:00Fun in Guangzhou :)<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzTWNjmmsld7I-cqvVkO1PPL6Itb6r1VR4_IqFwDxl09H_2RhNtDqx0Lbn5llKvI9xi7-ZjMyweUrwOhXdmLq94T_HyNdm6cW5z1VC_9QzUEeOLDKIZF3_-q_J8AhEWo5zNHLM1mT2kk/s1600/image5-795796.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzTWNjmmsld7I-cqvVkO1PPL6Itb6r1VR4_IqFwDxl09H_2RhNtDqx0Lbn5llKvI9xi7-ZjMyweUrwOhXdmLq94T_HyNdm6cW5z1VC_9QzUEeOLDKIZF3_-q_J8AhEWo5zNHLM1mT2kk/s400/image5-795796.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6290819259344365746" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_kcY5dYao2KaP1NVDlVv62_AMZ8F86O7uWbmxF9KJp3ok0EkkEMreXqPla-yLex2aPbv4cj3TwVfZ0oDxSUujHRXueYrt2_JJmVw71B7LqWPCmwCDvjvGNR8xNEkWiSZXvXbG20X7GA/s1600/image6-798617.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_kcY5dYao2KaP1NVDlVv62_AMZ8F86O7uWbmxF9KJp3ok0EkkEMreXqPla-yLex2aPbv4cj3TwVfZ0oDxSUujHRXueYrt2_JJmVw71B7LqWPCmwCDvjvGNR8xNEkWiSZXvXbG20X7GA/s400/image6-798617.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6290819272578514658" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCKqM2lBiAIW2iYgTSHcIcc9w5ldBLUILf0iqZvY6JVHdNCVr4L66FcJmdE8g7BB3aMlya3oxkA0hiVZSbbyBIypFN7G075dSqE_oJy4Xs51DW4r5cpgYfUPf7jMZC2q6Vdd3F3cabQU/s1600/image7-701154.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCKqM2lBiAIW2iYgTSHcIcc9w5ldBLUILf0iqZvY6JVHdNCVr4L66FcJmdE8g7BB3aMlya3oxkA0hiVZSbbyBIypFN7G075dSqE_oJy4Xs51DW4r5cpgYfUPf7jMZC2q6Vdd3F3cabQU/s400/image7-701154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6290819281385400482" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBgaPOQi04Cl_TD4SQ-9JtRvjvCRCrLCl-VsPGOhgFmuixsHjtGylRma-VP3qPxwSBg9RPzGv-b6Mf3q4d96vcnk_u9lPsLEcb75h7hFWBFtQ5gcO9KRihCsiOvW9Ov6xVcc_kTvOBm8/s1600/image8-703619.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBgaPOQi04Cl_TD4SQ-9JtRvjvCRCrLCl-VsPGOhgFmuixsHjtGylRma-VP3qPxwSBg9RPzGv-b6Mf3q4d96vcnk_u9lPsLEcb75h7hFWBFtQ5gcO9KRihCsiOvW9Ov6xVcc_kTvOBm8/s400/image8-703619.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6290819293981322242" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqI9AnqjyR1AbOIR63nLOCMxklC9ExUZAPHcYpIzBiSlfPA1uQhPvBanqu99adPcvL56azr7ahwZUoD3NOa3UT6rekfkRVH8gc6UapHoyv7a2gBgDjwg67eOPHN0VJimPB9R2GloxRA_A/s1600/image4-706207.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqI9AnqjyR1AbOIR63nLOCMxklC9ExUZAPHcYpIzBiSlfPA1uQhPvBanqu99adPcvL56azr7ahwZUoD3NOa3UT6rekfkRVH8gc6UapHoyv7a2gBgDjwg67eOPHN0VJimPB9R2GloxRA_A/s400/image4-706207.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6290819302887763314" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQb-tNLYE55m14rZVaKlcuLZCUPUy0HHlkDIIbtATo6ibyMR7Vx5-zh55Ci6RioUJxh-xQ7uHdzj1mkXBB7068KP6cp3R0o8TFtwv6Mp9rqaU0VWUChcQDFD4CS8ZSJ29LbTb2K5-1ozc/s1600/image1-708562.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQb-tNLYE55m14rZVaKlcuLZCUPUy0HHlkDIIbtATo6ibyMR7Vx5-zh55Ci6RioUJxh-xQ7uHdzj1mkXBB7068KP6cp3R0o8TFtwv6Mp9rqaU0VWUChcQDFD4CS8ZSJ29LbTb2K5-1ozc/s400/image1-708562.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6290819310003741426" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisTAj_lsd_a2TB1xJ4HvNt7wbXw_bp3IB-jVfLxNXwn-5g2g-7fS1wk0DsciHlSSzWGYcuiwqDTnsPpieOROPcy6NK0w4cgjGxnLVws4TNoqNapb_wHjZVzGiyspEABCNvQAZoswcSNY/s1600/image2-710757.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisTAj_lsd_a2TB1xJ4HvNt7wbXw_bp3IB-jVfLxNXwn-5g2g-7fS1wk0DsciHlSSzWGYcuiwqDTnsPpieOROPcy6NK0w4cgjGxnLVws4TNoqNapb_wHjZVzGiyspEABCNvQAZoswcSNY/s400/image2-710757.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6290819323418714962" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMd-WMMMvpPVfC-XA66I7bcdeeho3b3QVn4Tg17k07UpEPYyC8KtYlMWjpTN-BQ2xeuv0bmwAeZPGsn-UBh6ShnOwnIJku3JQcvRU-ckYqdGnaobc0e36FzU4xU-Cd-M5m165aK4vqgA/s1600/image3-713459.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMd-WMMMvpPVfC-XA66I7bcdeeho3b3QVn4Tg17k07UpEPYyC8KtYlMWjpTN-BQ2xeuv0bmwAeZPGsn-UBh6ShnOwnIJku3JQcvRU-ckYqdGnaobc0e36FzU4xU-Cd-M5m165aK4vqgA/s400/image3-713459.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6290819339450068802" /></a></p>Yesterday was our best day since meeting Eden- so thankful to be able to say that!
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<br>She seemed more at ease with us yesterday, and there was only one brief moment when she seemed to be visibly grieving. I am sure she was and is still inwardly grieving, but outwardly things seems better. Praise the Lord! We know we still have a long way to go, but we are so thankful for each positive step along the way :)
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<br>We visited the park nearby our hotel yesterday during the morning hours. It was very hot and humid yesterday, and in no time we were all wet with sweat, but that didn't keep us from having a good time :) There is a small amusement park inside the park and we discovered that Eden likes to ride- the more adventurous rides seemed to be her favorites...so she will fit in well with our boys who love the scary rides!!! After the amusement park Eden took a nap and Zack and rested up as well. This was the first day that she took a nap at her regularly scheduled time (according to her nanny) and I do think it helped to set us up for success for the rest of the day.Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-64366015666977140602016-05-29T10:04:00.000-04:002016-05-29T10:05:15.718-04:00A New City & Maybe a New Start?Today marks our second full day in Guangzhou. I do love this city. Both today and yesterday, thought still marked with grieving moments, have been better for Eden. We are so thankful and feel encouraged. As always, Thank you for your prayers. One other prayer request and setback is that Zack's sinus/allergy issues have moved into his chest and he began to feel very achey and very fatigued this afternoon, along with a deep cough. He began an antibiotic today, so please pray that it will do the trick. He has done such a wonderful job with Eden and I can't imagine going through any of this without him. As you can tell from the pictures on Facebook, Eden is so fond of Zack, and for good reason- he is a wonderful husband and father, and he has been amazing with Eden.
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<br>Yesterday we had medical appointments for Eden and all the other children. She did very well, especially amidst a crowded room full of loud and crying children and nervous parents (we all were). Each child was first seen by a nurse that takes their basic measurements, then an ENT evaluates them, and then finally a general pediatrician does a complete physical. We went with Eden to each evaluation and she did very well. She even allowed me to hold for her a little while, which thrilled my soul! She still strongly prefers Zack, but I will take whatever I can get! The most difficult part of the exam comes at the end when they draw blood- the nurse takes the children alone into a room and it doesn't last long, but it's very scary for the children and hard to not be with them during such a frightening ordeal. Eden came back crying, but she did at least come to Zack for consolation.
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<br>After the medical appointment our guide took us to Wal-Mart (yes, another trip ;) to pick up any supplies we might need while in Guangzhou for the week. We have learned that Eden loves pistachios and peanuts, so we picked up some of those, along with some fruit, which Eden also loves- she is a very healthy eater :) The Wal-Mart in Guangzhou is much nicer than the one in Guiyang- still underground but much more calm and cool.
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<br>Eden took a nap on the bus and during part of our Wal-Mart trip- it was a much needed nap as we didn't get much sleep the night before because of our late arrival, and we had to leave the hotel at 8:30am for the medical appointment.
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<br> When we got back to the hotel, we finally had a chance to let Eden explore our amazing hotel- it is the same one we stayed at during our trip with Emmie. This hotel is a huge part of what makes the stay in Guangzhou so nice!! There is an indoor and outdoor playground, a pool, Starbucks, and lots of shops to browse through with the stroller. There is also a beautiful park not far from the hotel and it's super close to the subway, so it's easy to get around the city.
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<br>We explored the hotel and we found the pool. Eden seemed pretty interested, so we went back to the room to change into our swimsuits. Back at the pool, she was a little hesitant to get in the water, but after Zack and I showed her how much fun it could be, she sat down on the side of the pool and slid right in :) Our kids all love the water, so it was exciting to see that she seemed to like it as well.
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<br>After the pool we relaxed in our room, then we went to dinner with some of the other families to a local noodle restaurant. On the way to dinner Eden fell asleep on her stroller, and we had to wake her up to eat- I think she was just exhausted from the day and didn't want to wake up- and on top of that she began to grieve again, so Zack and I took turns eating as our food had already been served. The other took Eden outside and tried to console her. We ate as fast as we could and went back to the hotel.
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<br>She had almost calmed down by the time we got back, and a nice warm bath seemed to calm her down even more. She was a little restless at bedtime but no tears and she slept well. Overall, a better day for her than the day before.
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<br>This morning we didn't have to leave until 9:30 for some sightseeing, so we were able to sleep in and take our time at the wonderful breakfast in our hotel- think Shoney's or Frisch's breakfast buffet but only on steroids and with a Chinese twist :) Let's just say it's amazing and you could easily over do it without some self control :)
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<br>This morning we went to a local museum and also a local store that sells traditional Chinese art, tea, dresses, etc. we had a tea tasting experience and the tea was amazing! It was very hot and humid in Guangzhou today, but even still the hot tea was refreshing. For lunch we took some noodles and beans to go from a local restaurant and ate them in the hotel room- very yummy!!
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<br>We played for a long time in our room this afternoon as it was rainy and stormy here. I was a little nervous about how this would go as Eden hasn't been able to tolerate being in our hotel room for long periods of time, but she did well. We went for a stroller ride outside when the rain quit, and again she fell asleep- a double edged sword as she needed the rest but waking up from nap time has been difficult for Eden. Zack and I are partly to blame as we are still trying to figure out her nap times and the timing- it has been quite a while since we have had nap times and we are a little rusty :) It was tough for her for a little while, but we headed on over to McDonalds and a Happy Meal and some weird tasting green tea ice cream seemed to do the trick :) She allowed Zack and I to feed her and laughed with us and smiled a lot. Very thankful for times like these :)
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<br>Once we got back to the hotel she became very serious and it wasn't long before the grieving began. I would say this time it lasted around an hour, but the wonderful thing was that she allowed us to hold her the entire time, and even thought it didn't stop the crying or sadness, she didn't reject us, and we are thankful for that. I think that we have accepted the fact that she may grieve everyday for some time. It of course still saddens us greatly, but I think we feel comfortable with it and are okay with the fact that we can't make it better right now...if that makes sense. We can just continue to love her and provide safety and security for her.
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<br>It is now bedtime and Eden is resting quietly. A few funny things I want to share about this sweet girl- she came to us on her Gotcha Day with a backpack with Pleasant Goat on it- a very popular kids cartoon here in China. The backpack had the things we sent Eden in her care package inside. We also brought a backpack with us that was given to us as a shower gift and was filled with lots of fun toys and snacks for Eden. We brought this with us on Gotcha Day. Eden didn't want much to do with it that day, but ever since, she won't let either backpack out of her sight! Anytime we go anywhere she has one backpack on her back and the other in her hand! They are definitely a security "blanket" of sorts for her. She also puts her most prized possessions in her backpacks and gets very upset if you try to remove them, even if it just to try and play with the items. Bottom line- don't mess with Eden's backpacks :)
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<br>We also found a new favorite fruit of Eden's today. It's called dragon fruit. We passed by some today in the tea store and she went crazy pointing and moaning! We are all about doing whatever we can to please her right now (remember we are in survival mode :) and so we bought a bag for her. The fruit itself tastes like a sweet raisin or fig. Eating them is quite an adventure. I posted a video on Facebook where Eden displays how to do it :)
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<br>Goodnight from Guangzhou! And Happy Memorial Day!!
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<br>Sent from my iPhoneRebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-87248805785951672002016-05-28T05:11:00.000-04:002016-05-28T05:12:44.123-04:00Days 3 & 4 with Eden...<div>Yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday) seemed especially tough for Eden. It seemed as though she would go through cycles of grief- an hour of happiness, an hour of being restless, and then an hour of grieving. Nothing seemed to trigger the grief but grief itself. It is very difficult to see Eden grieve so strongly. She cries for the same people and looks longingly out the window, or if we are out of our hotel, cries and can't be comforted by either myself or Zack, though she does favor Zack much more than me at this point. She does allow me to help her, but does not like for me to help. </div><div><br></div><div> Only time brings the grieving moment to an end, and we know that only time and consistent care will help the long term grief as well. As it is, we feel as though we are just surviving in a way, until we can go home and begin to help Eden establish her new normal. </div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday and today were rainy in Guiyang. We walked around the city and visited a couple of city parks- a park in Guiyang is the equivalent to a large open space with lots of concrete, beautiful landscaping with flowers and trees, but no grassy areas. Many times you will find people doing traditional Chinese dances or some form of Martial Arts, or men playing a game where they use a whip and hit a giant top over and over again to keep it spinning. When the whip hits the top it makes a very loud popping noise, almost like fire crackers exploding! Very interesting the parks in Guiyang. Eden enjoys taking in the scenes at the parks and being able to run around in an open space. </div><div><br></div><div>We also made a trip to Wal- Mart yesterday. It was our fourth trip so we knew the route well, but we decided to take an alternate route from where we were in town. Well, that didn't end up going as planned, and it took quite a bit longer than usual to get to Wal-Mart. By the time we got there, Eden was literally pulling down her pants because she needed to go pee-pee. We looked for bathrooms in the park above Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart is under ground...and that is just one way that it is drastically different from USA stores) but had no luck, so we raced down into Wal-Mart and looked for bathrooms near the customer service area at the front of the store- again no luck. We tried asking everyone- police, store workers, but no one could understand! We raced through the store with Eden in her stroller looking everywhere for a restroom. We stopped in the baby/children's area and asked the workers there if they could help us find a restroom. Picture two lone white people, in a store full of Chinese people, basically doing charades for "pee-pee", and anything else we could do to help them understand we needed a bathroom and quick! They were very kind but kept leading us to panties, training potties, but not to a real restroom. We finally gave up and went back to the front of the store, knowing there had to be a restroom there somewhere. I thankfully caught a toilet picture out of the corner of my eye and raced to it. It was a nasty squatty potty, but I had never been so happy to see one! </div><div>Eden was a trooper and made it without having an accident! We rewarded her for putting up with our craziness with a ice cream sundae:) </div><div><br></div><div>The rest of the afternoon we hung around our hotel and went with one of the other families to KFC and to the park nearby. Eden had some grieving moments while we were out and then once we returned to our hotel, she was very upset. I imagine that she thinks our hotel is her home at this point, and I can't blame her for being upset about that. I truly think the best thing for Eden will be to meet her new family in South Carolina and experience her new home and life there.</div><div><br></div><div>Today is the day we are finally able to head to Guangzhou! This morning we had some fun times with Eden but she still went through the cycles I mentioned earlier- she has fun and laughs and smiles with us, then she becomes sullen, then she grieves. It is so hard. I have felt like most of the day today Eden has just been miserable with us. We are just continually trying to show her love, encouragement and meeting her needs, despite the reaction she gives us. </div><div><br></div><div>Once we made it to the airport we were hoping she would really like the airport, seeing the airplanes, and finally getting to ride in an airplane, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. </div><div><br></div><div>We arrived at the airport at around 3pm, as our flight was to leave at 5:10. Eden wasn't impressed with the airport and the sights there, as I am sure to her it just seemed like more of the same. We did have fun riding up and down the escalators and playing in the small kids area, but grief seemed to overtake Eden every few minutes. To make matters worse, our flight, or at least boarding it, ended up being delayed about two hours. By the time we got in the plane it was 7pm, Eden was crying and lots of Chinese people were staring at us. Then came the announcement from the pilot that our flight wouldn't actually be able to leave until 8pm- so that meant one hour in the plane not going anywhere with a crying child that we couldn't console no matter how hard we tried. This was not an ideal scenario :)</div><div><br></div><div>I truly know that it was out of the kindness of their hearts that the Chinese ladies around us tried to help, and it was a crisis type moment, but the worse possible thing for bonding happened- a sweet lady sitting beside us reached for Eden speaking soothing Chinese words to her and of course, Eden accepted. Both Zack and I knew this was not good for our relationship with Eden- it's textbook to not let anyone else comfort, feed, and care for your newly adopted child but the new parents, as bonding occurs through the child realizing that her new parents are meeting her needs. It may appear rude to others, but it is essential. </div><div><br></div><div>In this moment, with Eden screaming to the top of her lungs and everyone realizing we were stuck on the plane for an hour without going anywhere, the Chinese lady prevailed. As I type this on my phone, I have calmed down quite a bit, but watching a stranger ( even with wonderful intentions) feed, laugh, entertain, and even put to sleep my daughter on the airplane was very difficult. Perhaps what was even more difficult was watching Eden scream and resist leaving this stranger, and realizing that Eden has not really learned to trust Zack or I quite yet. </div><div><br></div><div>When we finally landed the struggle to take Eden from the lady didn't last too long, but of course she cried and screamed, but thankfully did go back to sleep fairly quickly once we were off the plane and we laid her in her stroller. </div><div><br></div><div>We ended up arriving at our hotel at around 11 that evening- we were planning on getting here closer to 7pm...It was a long day, but I am thankful we all made it safely and we are all healthy and can hopefully start anew tomorrow morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking of "morning" One of my favorite scriptures says this: </div><div><br></div><div><h1 class="passage-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-weight: 500;"><span style="font-size: 21px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 10px;">Lamentations 3:22-23</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: inline;">English Standard Version (ESV)</span></span></h1><div class="poetry top-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; margin-left: 1em; position: relative; padding-left: 2.6em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span id="en-ESV-20377" class="text Lam-3-22" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; position: relative;"><br>The steadfast love of the <span class="small-caps" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> never ceases;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"> </span><span class="text Lam-3-22" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; position: relative;"><span class="crossreference" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-20377B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" data-cr="#cen-ESV-20377B" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;"></span>his mercies never come to an end;</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span id="en-ESV-20378" class="text Lam-3-23" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: absolute; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-weight: bold; display: block; left: -4.4em;">23 </span>they are new <span class="crossreference" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-20378C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" data-cr="#cen-ESV-20378C" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;"></span>every morning;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"> </span><span class="text Lam-3-23" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; position: relative;"><span class="crossreference" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-20378D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" data-cr="#cen-ESV-20378D" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;"></span>great is your faithfulness.</span></span></span></p></div><div class="footnotes" style="box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.2s; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s;"></div></div><div>So thankful that each morning we have new mercy and can depend on the unfailing love of our Savior, no matter how difficult our days may be sometimes. </div><div><br></div><div>Having said all that I said in this post, holding sweet Eden while she slept on the van ride to our hotel reminded me of why we are doing what we are doing and how precious she is to us and our Creator. I also remembered holding another little girl who was dealing with the same grief issues 3 years ago, and wondering if our lives would ever be the same. </div><div><br></div><div>Thankfully, they never were. We are so, so much better with Emmie in our life, and I can't wait to experience that same joy for Eden, the joy that comes when God begins to turn beauty into ashes in all hearts involved, and gives us the perseverance to continue on.</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you for continuing to pray for our family. We are so honored and encouraged to know that we are being lifted up to the one that makes all things new. </div><div><br></div><div>Sent from my iPhone</div>Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-21221416931143099492016-05-26T07:36:00.000-04:002016-05-26T07:39:03.580-04:00Two Full Days With EdenWe have now had two full days with Eden and we are working on finishing day three. Tomorrow afternoon we will fly to Guangzhou, something I think all the families in our travel group are looking forward to. Though it has been great to take in Eden's province, I think the change of scenery almost symbolizes a new beginning for us and Eden- it seemed that way for Emmie as well on the last trip. And it doesn't hurt the hotel in Guangzhou has a pool, there is a nice zoo and park in Guangzhou, and it's a much more international city :)
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<br>The beginning of Eden's first full day with us (which was Tuesday) started off pretty tough. Though she did sleep all night, she awoke crying and screaming and continued to do so off and on for a couple hours. I let Zack go on to breakfast and I stayed in the room with Eden, as we didn't think it would be feasible to take her crying and screaming to the hotel restaurant. You could tell she was just still so sad, and nothing we did would console her. I just prayed constantly and I knew this could be a tough next few days. However, I also knew there are so many people praying at home, and that was, and is, such an encouragement to us, and we know it has helped all of us in amazing ways.
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<br>When Zack returned from breakfast, Eden had calmed down a bit, and we decided to just all go to breakfast and see how it might go. Eden had not had anything more than a fruit snack and a few sips of water for over 12 hours, so we were really praying she would want to eat something.
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<br>We got on the elevator and off on the hotel restaurant floor with no tears....miracle #1! We went in and I held her and pointed at things to see what she might like to eat. Then we sat down and she took a few bites of food from us....miracle #2! Zack and I were both praising God for this progress! We never dreamed this would happen after the morning we had.
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<br>After breakfast we had to get in the van and travel to the same building in which we had just met Eden the day before. I was extremely nervous that this place would trigger some very bad memories for Eden. As we rode the elevator up and walked in the room, I couldn't believe my eyes...one of the ladies from Eden's orphanage was there!! I just knew this would trigger another grief reaction and I so worried that all the progress we had made thus far would be undone. Amazingly, Eden walked up to her, she spoke something to Eden, and that was it. Eden walked back to me! Major miracle #3!!! Zack and I were both so encouraged by her non-reaction to seeing this familiar lady.
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<br>The rest of the afternoon we just kind of hung out with her. Eden did well, and had a little rough time at bedtime that night, and also awoke a few times through the night, but was fairly consolable every time. All of this is to be expected, and overall, we were just amazed with the progress she made on her first full day with us. Thanks be to God and thanks for all those prayers!
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<br>Wednesday Eden awoke with no tears...miracle #4! We had a fun time interacting and playing in our room before breakfast. One thing you learn as an adoptive parent is that one of the best ways to bond is through play, so we have played as much as we can. Eden seems to be curious about many things, so one toy doesn't keep her interest too long :) She again ate a good breakfast and did well most of the morning.
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<br>We made a very cool visit to the Buddhist Monastery in Guiyang after breakfast. As cool as it was to see the architecture, the culture, etc., it also brought a deep sadness to my heart to realize that such a great spiritual darkness exists among the people of China. We saw many people bringing offerings to place before the giant gold Buddha statue, and others praying and lighting incense to the idols. I pray that their hearts will
<br>Be awakened to the one true sacrifice made for them, and I am so thankful that Eden will have the chance to hear about that great love.
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<br>Our trip to the Monastery was followed by lunch at a very popular noodle restaurant. I didn't add all the options presented (raw fish, raw egg, weird mushrooms) to my noodle soup, but it looked interesting :) I just stuck with the broth, noodles, and some lettuce.
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<br>After lunch Eden had a difficult afternoon- I think most of it was due to exhaustion, but she began rejecting me and only allowing Zack to soothe her and help her. That's tough when that happens, but it isn't uncommon. I had s few tears in the bathroom and then reminded myself of all that she must be going through. I am truly just thankful that she is allowing either of us to help her. Bedtime was also pretty rough, but she allowed Zack to comfort her and she did sleep all night long....and no tears this morning!
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<br>Each day we see progress, more smiles, more eye contact, and more bonding is happening. It's an amazing thing to see happen and a beautiful picture of how love can change hearts- Eden's and ours! It's like a marathon in a way- it takes a lot of endurance, but there is an end in sight in terms of the intensity of the grief, and the end is worth the struggle :) It is sooo worth it.
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<br>Of course we have a long way to go, especially once we are home in America, but we are thankful for each little victory along the way.
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<br>Time to put Eden to bed, so that's all for now. I will update on our last two days in Guiyang tomorrow. Goodnight from China!
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<br>Sent from my iPhoneRebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-49271778808024696152016-05-24T09:26:00.000-04:002016-05-24T09:28:16.367-04:00Gotcha Day - story Wow what a couple of days! I am again typing on my IPhone email, so excuse any typos and if I don't go into great detail...
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<br>Yesterday was Gotcha Day for us and Eden and the rest of the families here with us- I woke up with butterflies in my tummy because you never quite know to expect- logistically (will she already be at the place we are meeting her or we will arrive and wait on her?) or emotionally (how will she react, how will we react?) and you realize your life is about to change forever....it's a whole lot to take in, and of course we know that since we have done this three other times...but still, all the nerves and racing thoughts are there every-time!!
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<br>We met Eden in a very large and nice government building on the 20 something floor. She was already there, along with her nannies/orphanage workers. She initially walked right over to us (as you can see from the video on Facebook) and seemed like she was going to be calm- but as time went on the tears started flowing big time. She didn't hit or kick or spit like Emmie did, but she didn't want to be with us and was just grieving so hard- crying and crying. You could tell she was trying to be brave as her nanny would point to us and tell her that we were her mama and baba, but it was just too much for her. Even through the tears she let us embrace her, which we felt was a huge step in the right direction. I just held her and patted her back gently trying to console her. The paperwork that had to be completed took a while, and I just remember thinking "could we please leave?"And of course the orphanage workers mean well, but they stayed the entire time which certainly didn't make things any better.
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<br>She had calmed down somewhat when we got in the van and she sat in my lap- the traffic was horrible and it took us almost an hour to make it back to the hotel- Eden fell asleep which was both good and bad- good because I knew she was emotionally exhausted. Bad because I knew she would be so disoriented when she woke up in a hotel room. Well, all "you know what" broke loose when she woke up- loud and violent screaming and banging the floor, etc. She ran to the window, the door, wherever she could to escape. It was very reminiscent to how Emmie reacted. We decided to not leave our hotel room with Emmie so this time around we thought we might try something different and venture out, as the one thing she wanted was to leave that room, and the other couples were going to dinner with their babies, so we thought we would try to also....that lasted until we sat down in the restaurant and they asked us to leave or at least go somewhere else because of Eden's crying :) So we left and ordered room service.
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<br>Eden refused to eat or drink and I was getting a little concerned as I knew a hungry and weak child would only add to the difficulty of the grief she was experiencing. We decided to turn on the tv and see if a familiar cartoon would help soothe her, as nothing else seemed to be helping. She refused to play, eat, drink, or anything else. Believe it or not, that did help to calm her, and after Zack and I finished eating, he went on a quick Wal-Mart run with the other dads, thinking maybe some familiar formula she had been used to drinking might do the trick. I got her ready for bed ( which I was very nervous about and totally unsure how it would go) and went through the same routine we go through at home- brush teeth, story time, prayers....amazingly she let me hold her in my lap and read to her- she held her two favorite animals the entire time :) Then I just laid her down with her animals and blanket we brought, laid down beside her, and off to sleep she went....for the entire night!
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<br>You have no idea how thankful we are for that because we were exhausted in every way. I have to say, there is nothing quite like being in another country where hardly anything is familiar and meeting your child who is also unfamiliar in basically every way. I think you experience about every emotion possible all in one day, and I can only imagine what her little heart and mind and must have been feeling. It is a helpless feeling to watch your child grieve and to not be able to comfort them. It is just draining.
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<br>We have no doubt that what gets us through are the prayers of God's people and the Holy Spirit living in us and giving us strength and grace. You will never know how much your prayers have meant and how seeing those comments on Facebook encourage us. Please keep them coming!
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<br>I would love to talk about our day today, as we have seen some awesome progress with Eden, thanks be to God, but I am just spent and ready for bed :) So I will try and work on that in the morning. Goodnight and keep praying!!
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<br>Sent from my iPhoneRebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-30723047543095765082016-05-24T09:13:00.000-04:002016-05-24T09:19:14.058-04:00Gotcha Day<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOc-E8ynxMEidwfJ3KtoNaK5Njlw0U0_pqBkJISZwB2a_waye7fECy15-ypZqAQnnPRhyphenhyphenlATzs2Z2OsM4tUvLFEOxHSybuIUwSJJXfQp5JZsSIqgWv5J9vGPgjGzvm9S7YKnnd16huuo/s1600/image1-754059.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOc-E8ynxMEidwfJ3KtoNaK5Njlw0U0_pqBkJISZwB2a_waye7fECy15-ypZqAQnnPRhyphenhyphenlATzs2Z2OsM4tUvLFEOxHSybuIUwSJJXfQp5JZsSIqgWv5J9vGPgjGzvm9S7YKnnd16huuo/s400/image1-754059.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6288244245589568978" /></a></p>Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-40924146251368298402016-05-22T19:03:00.000-04:002016-05-22T19:04:02.819-04:00<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='326' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy-v1BhWg-uHdBMg3GPGGX-Xw2baRM4CEX3j3cMbJah9_VhDwG1HtK_Z1WyoqM4WwqCNI_kqJ9ZaIWWv50SYw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-25292738682720841742016-05-22T19:02:00.000-04:002016-05-22T19:03:30.961-04:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek3uJxRipNJjaUauekULhH4nOWeMAGb1aPGaIbzpO9N9rTk2dbxB6gC0OP0-DgcHBbFEasPVcAjhniGlo1JsWk3ck3tobfmnYso2s4AdNNRGxsb-L4wfxQs7Rcnrq2PnMppfFiUKiK74/s1600/image1-710962.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek3uJxRipNJjaUauekULhH4nOWeMAGb1aPGaIbzpO9N9rTk2dbxB6gC0OP0-DgcHBbFEasPVcAjhniGlo1JsWk3ck3tobfmnYso2s4AdNNRGxsb-L4wfxQs7Rcnrq2PnMppfFiUKiK74/s400/image1-710962.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6287652639697412130" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHilIG65UcFnWkIQdDVA1vrgQ_tetmWo41WWE1UTetdlBobywsU-7E3Rr9mf4T-uqteIX5IWriqMTaGx6iaD51hIrhZiCasJRO6a-Zzi0MGDiTr6rUBX3AOcp44aFbmAcnqbJdWSgeB8/s1600/image3-712595.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHilIG65UcFnWkIQdDVA1vrgQ_tetmWo41WWE1UTetdlBobywsU-7E3Rr9mf4T-uqteIX5IWriqMTaGx6iaD51hIrhZiCasJRO6a-Zzi0MGDiTr6rUBX3AOcp44aFbmAcnqbJdWSgeB8/s400/image3-712595.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6287652648702675074" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnHTBWXXMdur83PjdDE42aJLJHK9kRByvrQHJfgbi4XogDJAwWlz0DnpZ6jZoGZSxJBGz1U8-Kh-s_IDeECB2qNcVP1ar2UPA1LM9OrZMciN5YY7sfwFSJADPo8ms_S2MoVYo7P-pYrY/s1600/image2-714102.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnHTBWXXMdur83PjdDE42aJLJHK9kRByvrQHJfgbi4XogDJAwWlz0DnpZ6jZoGZSxJBGz1U8-Kh-s_IDeECB2qNcVP1ar2UPA1LM9OrZMciN5YY7sfwFSJADPo8ms_S2MoVYo7P-pYrY/s400/image2-714102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6287652657678257010" /></a></p>Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-5418427371181881012016-05-22T19:01:00.000-04:002016-05-22T19:02:13.573-04:00<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='326' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzb1E00LkBQ-FFJJt2ucEo0NMfLGe_jOHWkGa2sC_OqBdPHUnQs6OTnfGqaz4DqcBhtwCycFaysRCyf_eDmpQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='326' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzw7qGKTunxtIlKOPtsgsma0PoOmZTJNfpjJmuVY_iJxa5B4RZv7PcfoHbt9goUho8-u6AFnsXzMN0FEzKYXQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshMom223klT0qKhTIvBAsEMeKg2Cx5uH9hwbfKHRtvB58fy2zYV3eB8Sdo75-6Ua6rgjRybteMCxW0g6UYT7hC0fpAX5w_2FV_eHOUPmUMf7ddClClI-xCiFshIVh2iK60_SYza2XDSg/s1600/image1-734756.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshMom223klT0qKhTIvBAsEMeKg2Cx5uH9hwbfKHRtvB58fy2zYV3eB8Sdo75-6Ua6rgjRybteMCxW0g6UYT7hC0fpAX5w_2FV_eHOUPmUMf7ddClClI-xCiFshIVh2iK60_SYza2XDSg/s400/image1-734756.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6287652314317867362" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMBKHjFtlTy3kB_xDWOL7oWR1Oxz5fLdowQ96lE7PAvcWZlp0PJj13JkscIF7cFVTVSViW9EcZQeCXYMHS-9m6qG2vtMnHLrmpHuWjzNZnxRpQpSHGpGuP1EZPWPWvI5JzHv5h7aDGL4/s1600/image2-736361.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMBKHjFtlTy3kB_xDWOL7oWR1Oxz5fLdowQ96lE7PAvcWZlp0PJj13JkscIF7cFVTVSViW9EcZQeCXYMHS-9m6qG2vtMnHLrmpHuWjzNZnxRpQpSHGpGuP1EZPWPWvI5JzHv5h7aDGL4/s400/image2-736361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6287652325185356642" /></a></p>Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-88893911327539519192016-05-22T18:56:00.000-04:002016-05-22T18:57:00.416-04:00Hoping this will work- I am having trouble accessing my blog from China-
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<br>Anyway, this is the start of our 4th full day in China- we arrived around 9pm Thursday night in Hong Kong, found a shuttle to our hotel and had no trouble going to sleep after around 30 hours of traveling :)
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<br>We awoke to a very windy and rainy Hong Kong morning, but were excited to explore the city nonetheless. After grabbing a quick bite of breakfast at McDonalds, we took a high speed train into the center of the city. Our goal (one of them) was to visit Victoria Peak, a beautiful lookout spot which provides beautiful views of the city.
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<br>When we arrived to the central terminal, the directions were fairly clear as to how to get there- we hopped on a double decker bus and that was it!
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<br>The bus ride in itself was quite an adventure. We sat on the top in the front row, and had an awesome panoramic view of the city. It was about a 30 minute twist turvy ride up the mountain- one that was exciting and a little scary as there was nothing separating us and our bus falling down the mountain except the skill of the driver- no wall, no fence- nothing! Once at the top we walked around a Shopping mall and went out on the observation deck. The view, though cloudy and foggy, was still amazing! We rode a tram down the mountain which was wasn't nearly as scary....
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<br>We "landed" near a beautiful botanical garden and were able to explore it for about 15 minutes before the heavy rains came- we found shelter under a gazebo and waited out the rain, then we went to find a place to eat lunch. It was tough to pick a spot because there were so many choices, but we found a little pub with an interesting menu and it was pretty good (we knew we would have plenty of opportunities for Chinese food the remainder of our trip, so we opted for more Western food this time).
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<br>After lunch we explored the waterfront portion of the city, and took a ferry ride to a small island. It was very quaint and had a small beach. From there we took our bus back to our hotel, got cleaned up (we were a mess from all the rain) and had dinner at the mall attached to our hotel.
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<br>Hong Kong is a magnificent city, clean, beautiful and very international. There is so much to do there and it is all very accessible- we would love to come back sometime for a visit as one day doesn't begin to give you enough time to explore! We were very impressed with the time we did have, however :)
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<br>We flew to Eden's city, Guiyang, Saturday morning. It was a two hour flight from Hong Kong. This was our 4th flight of the trip- so we are halfway through our flights- we have 4 more to go before making it home (but honestly, I am done with flying already) :)
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<br>The topography here is very mountainous. The temperature is pleasant, around 70, and so far it has been very cloudy with rain off and on. The city is the Capitol of the Guizhou province, and there are about 5 million people in this city. Despite the large number of people, it is not an extremely international city- before our other travel group members arrived, we were the only Americans/non-Asian people we saw and no one speaks English :) Zack and I explored a little on our own Saturday and it was quite interesting- parts of the city seem very poor, and parts seem thriving. They are in the process of building a subway here, so lots of construction. We are dinner at a beautiful restaurant but no one spoke English so ordering was a challenge :) we pointed at pictures but really didn't know what we were pointing at! We ended up with some very, very spicy food and bony chicken! We made the best of it....but weren't able to clean our plates :)
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<br>Yesterday the rest of our group arrived which was wonderful! They are super sweet couples and we are very thankful to be sharing this experience with them.
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<br>Yesterday we had lunch and dinner with them (our guide also came to lunch so that helped with ordering) the went to Walmart (will have to post more about that later- what an experience) and had a good time getting to know one another. It instantly made things better having them here.
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<br>Today is the big day! This afternoon at around 2:30 (so while everyone in the USA is sleeping) we will meet Eden. I have decided that no matter how many times you do this, the nerves, excitement, fear, and the sheer unknown are still the same. We have no idea what her reaction will be to us, though we feel like we have been prepared for the worst thanks to Emmie's reaction to us three years ago- and I mean that in a good way :) If it goes smoother than that, it will be a pleasant surprise :)
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<br>I am so excited just to meet her- to see her sweet face in person, to watch her expressions, to see what makes her smile, laugh, etc, and to probably learn what makes her cry as well :) We have our room all ready with her toys, stuffed animals, and her backpack is packed with goodies that will hopefully assist in making our first meeting as smooth as possible (i.e. candy, treats, toys :) The other children being adopted by the families with us are right around 2, so they are all close in age and I feel this will be a fun and helpful thing for all the girls (yes, they are all girls)!
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<br>We know countless people have been praying for us since the moment we left Charleston, and we can't thank you enough for all of those prayers. They bring us great comfort in a foreign land, and especially on such a life changing day as today will be! No matter what happens these next few days we pray God will receive the glory and that our story will point to Him.
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<br>I would love to type more but as I am doing this on my IPhone, this is all I can take!
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<br>Our specific prayer requests are of course for Eden, and for her little heart to understand that we love her and are here to be her mom and dad forever, that she won't be afraid of us and that she will be able to feel safe with us, rest with us, and enjoy her time with us. Please also pray for the other two precious families and their babies. Please also pray for good health while we are away- we had an early scare with Zack and some respiratory issues on Saturday but thankfully we used the medicine my mother in law sent and God seems to have healed him! I have been fine other than some dizziness that I attribute to being older and not being able to handle all this traveling and time changes and new smells and tastes :)
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<br>A huge thanks to my inlaws and parents for taking such wonderful care of our kiddos. Though we miss them terribly we have the assurance of knowing they are in such good hands :)
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<br>That's all for now- the next time we update we will have Eden!
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<br>Sent from my iPhoneRebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688526649160791470.post-91150545314534268592016-04-11T22:25:00.004-04:002016-04-11T22:25:53.041-04:00Room at the Table For One More?<div>
Whoa.....it's been over one year since the last blog post....that is evidence of the whirlwind that the last year has been! Here are a few photos from our last year in Charleston:</div>
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The highlights included a wonderful visit from friends back home, visits to the beach, Disney World, all three kids entering school FULL TIME, becoming Awana Commanders at our church, a new job for me, and filling a seat at our table, which is the most exciting news (in my opinion :)<br />
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We are currently wrapping up the last 9 weeks of school. The kids are doing great, and seem to have really settled in pretty well this year. They are growing faster than I would like, and I am truly reminded that each day as their mother is one that I shouldn't take for granted. This year has been a sort of "trial by fire" for me, as I began working as a 9th grade guidance counselor last August. I never, ever, ever, could have imagined learning all that I have learned in such a short amount of time. I am extremely grateful for the experience, for the friends I have made, the students I have met, and hopefully the difference I have made in a few lives of students. Zack's job is going well, and he also have been given some wonderful opportunities to expand his skills and knowledge. We have much to be thankful for. </div>
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Now, back to filling the empty spot at the table. Just before moving to Charleston (going on two years now!) we bought a table and chairs from close friends. I had always loved this table. We spent many hours having dinner and playing cards on this table back in Kentucky. I was so thrilled when Julie told me they were going to sell it....I knew I wanted to buy it! Just for fun, here is a picture of the table...<br />
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When we moved the table into our new home, it fit perfectly, and even matched the color of our cabinets. At every meal, 5 of the 6 big, strong chairs are always filled with our family....it's kind of nice because there is room to spread out the kiddos if one is determined they can't sit by another....you know how that goes. But, as useful as it may be, there is always one empty chair.<br />
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A little over a year ago, I started pondering what it would be like if that last empty chair was filled. Emmie had also been asking Zack and I about having a sister every now and then. She recognized that the boys had each other, and though they do a great job of including her, they are getting older and like to do things on their own, without any girls around. Emmie desired a companion other than me, someone to share her dolls with, to play dress up with, all that fun girl stuff. We agreed with her- the boys have each other, and they have someone to share their cultural heritage, and all that entails. We knew it would be a wonderful thing for Emmie to have a sister to share her cultural heritage with as well.<br />
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On the other hand.... we certainly already had a full life and a full family. Our kids keep us plenty busy, laughing, sometimes crying, sometimes crazy, but always feeling blessed. We don't have many free nights or much free time. There is plenty of laundry, dirty dishes, and messy rooms to go around. Why in the world would we think that last chair needed to be filled? </div>
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After much praying and lots of late night conversation, here is the answer we came up with: We have room at our table, we have room in our hearts, we have room in our home, and most importantly, we serve a mighty God. Do we have it all together? No. Does it scare the pants off me to think about taking four kids to the grocery...yes! Are we a sometimes crazy and dysfunctional family?...yes! But what defines our family isn't the craziness, the mistakes, the fear of the unknown, or the imperfections. It is the grace and mercy that we rely on every day from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is only through his strength that we are able to even fathom being a family of 6! But with Christ as the head of our family, we know that there is room at our table. </div>
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So, it is with much thankfulness and joy that we introduce to you our new daughter, </div>
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<b>Eden Elizabeth Caldwell </b></div>
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We received a call to review her file in early March, and we were officially approved by China to adopt her a few weeks later. She will be 3 years old in September. She lives in Guiyang City, which is in the province of Guizhou. Our agency has told us we could travel in late May or early June to bring her home! Our entire family is excited to meet sweet Eden. She seems to have such a quiet and calm spirit. We are praying for God to prepare our hearts, as well as hers, for the big changes we all have in store! </div>
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Please pray with us that Eden will know the love that we have for her already! Pray for her little heart as she will soon be leaving the only life she has ever known. Emmie had a strong grief response when we met her, so we feel prepared and know that God will meet our every need if Eden has the same response. We feel so thankful for the opportunity to be the family God has chosen for her. </div>
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The next few weeks will be very exciting and a little anxious for our family as we anticipate our travel and Eden's arrival. We wait with great anticipation for all God has in store for #4! </div>
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Rebecca Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10099409749032728667noreply@blogger.com7