Guest Post by Aunt Shel

Here is a little ditty from Chris' baby sista, Aunt Shel:


To my new nephews...

I'm so excited to meet you in just a few short weeks. A lot is going
to change for you REALLY quickly. Hang in there. You're coming into
a great family (meaning your mom, dad, and brother--me, you're just
stuck with, but I'll keep the cheek pinching to a bare minimum and
will NEVER use my spit to clean anything off your face).

The one area I am uniquely qualified to provide advice in is that of a
younger sibling--especially you, Sam, who will have two big brothers
now to deal with. So here's what I've learned so far...

1. My signature move: The Bicycle. Any time you are being chased
through the house, run to the nearest bedroom and jump on the bed on
your back. Then begin moving your legs very quickly like you are
riding a bicycle (waving your arms around helps too). Your attacker
won't be able to get close enough to hit/pinch/tickle and will soon
get bored and give up.

2. Don't let your brother's friends give you a nick name (like Little
GreenAss). They tend to stick longer than you'd think possible.

3. Practice your Three Stooges blocks. Although your brother may not
mean to actually poke you in the eyes, mistakes happen.

4. Take the order to "keep out of my room" as a challenge--there's
lots of cool stuff in there. Just work on not getting caught and wait
until you're about 40 before admitting that you still have and use the
things you "borrowed".

5. Groan and roll your eyes as you listen to your brother talk about
how your parents gave him earlier curfews, more rules, etc. than you
got (but be secretly grateful that he broke your parents in so you do
have it easier).

There are, of course, many advantages to having brothers as well.

1. You have someone to go on "sneak parties" with (this is where you
sneak into the kitchen and get snacks after your parents go to bed and
then crawl in bed together to talk and eat them).

2. Someone may step up and take the blame if, for example, you take
the car out before you have a license and use up all of the gas.

3. You ultimately become the best of friends because these are the
two people who've been through everything with you and understand you
better than anyone else.

This is the just the start of the advice. Know I'll always be here to
listen and help you with whatever you need.

Love,

Aunt Shel

Galatians 5:13  For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

Guest Post by Grammy

Here are a few words from Chris' mom, Grammy. Also known as The Paminator, or The Gramminator...

Since becoming a grandma the first time, I have had so much fun. Now my blessings will be multiplied with 2 more grandsons. Sometimes I almost cry just thinking about it. Life has so many adventures! And having been in China several times – both in big cities and rural areas, I have had a glimpse of what life is like there. So many people, struggling to make a living. And for these 2 boys to have an opportunity for a better life is almost overwhelming. I hope to get to know them well, to read to them at night, to play with them during the day. Just to get to see each become his own person, each with his own personality, likes, dislikes – wow!

It seems like this road to adoption has been going on for so long, and yet it is less than a year. It has given me time to adjust to it and think about what it will mean to me and how much I am looking forward to it.

Samuel and David…can’t wait to meet them. I hope they like hugs.

Love, Grammy

2 Timothy 1:9  For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.