March 2020 Book Review

I read 5 books this month #hellocoronavirus and I enjoyed them all. 

The one that stands out to me though is Levi Lusko's, Through the Eyes of a Lion.

Talk about stewarding your pain well. Man, oh man...

The Lusko's unexpectedly lost their 5 year old daughter and this book chronicles the unimaginable grief they went through. But more than that, Levi shows us how grief can also be a powerful gateway to impact others towards the real calling and relationship God has for each one of us in this broken world. 

Jesus tells us in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

If you've ever lost someone dear, read this book.

If you're afraid of pain or death, read this book.

If you want to read something so riveting you can't put it down, read this book.

If you've ever questioned why God would allow such tragedy, read this book.

If you need to be reminded that this is not our home, read this book.

If you need an extra dose of courage today, read this book. 

I'll be surprised if this isn't one of my Top 3 books this year. 

I'm slowly making my way towards my goal of 50. 

12/50

FOURTEEN

Happy Birthday, beauties!!

To know them is to love them. They are the sweetest girls you will ever meet.

Faith is fearless, adventurous, smart, responsible, creative, caring, artistic, and has an engineering mind.

Grace is compassionate, affectionate, joyful, pure, loving, selfless, cautious, considerate, and a loyal friend.

They woke up to presents from family. 

Looking forward to the new Mulan movie. 

Fans of Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings.

Keeping those creative hands busy. 

They had a sweet singing telegram from the White's.

Later in the afternoon, we served up cake and ice cream at our neighborhood park for anyone who wanted to join us. 

All the kids who they usually play with showed up to celebrate with us.  

Girls, you are uniquely gifted and different in your own strengths and yet you both have what this world needs more of: kindness, gentleness, generosity, and grace. 

You are not only our neighborhood's ambassadors, you are a shining example to your generation. 

We could not be more proud of you. 

May the love of your family and most importantly, the love of God, give you the strength and courage to live out the calling and purpose He has for you. #forsuchatimeasthis

So far, thanks for making the teenage years quite enjoyable.😊

We love you! 

Happy Adoption Day, Girls!

Hard to believe this was 13 years ago, when we met the girls for the first time in Korea.

Here they are today (earlier this month, pre-coronavirus).

So beautiful and kind.

 We celebrated with gf cupcakes and dinner at Casuelas Café.

Truth be told, we hardly ever think about the fact that the girls are adopted because it matters less how we became a family, just that we are one. On days like today though, we get the privilege of remembering and celebrating the goodness of the Lord and how He brought us all together.
Like all of God's redemption stories, adoption may start from brokenness but it most definitely ends in love. Make no mistake, girls, you have always ALWAYS been loved.
From your birth mom.
From your foster family.
From us.
And most importantly, from the One who created you and ordained all of your days before you were born.
Happy Adoption Day to two of the greatest blessings would could have ever hoped for or imagined.

YOU ARE SO LOVED.

Ball Kids

 

 Back in January, the girls starting training to be a Ball Kid for the two big tennis tournaments we have each year in the desert, The Oracle Challenger Series and the BNP Paribas Open. 

 To be a ball kid, is almost like a rite of passage for young teens around here. 

Our desert is known for world class golf and tennis. 

 They have to watch every play carefully, then chase after the balls,
while following all the do's and don'ts of ball kid etiquette. 

 They have to supply and retrieve sweaty towels from the players. 

 They have to stand very still and quiet in the hot sun. 

 They have to provide shade if necessary.

It's very much an introduction to job training and the experience of having a real job.

These kids hustled and worked hard. We're so proud of them!

 They especially loved meeting new friends and all the fun they had. 

 After working the Oracle Challenger Series for a week (almost every day from 9-6PM), they were all looking forward to the big tourney, the BNP Paribas Open. 

 The ball kids all got their cute uniforms for the BNP.

They couldn't have been more excited to work their first shift the next morning! 

Until we found out the night before, the BNP would be cancelled this year. 

Coronavirus found its way to Coachella Valley and the tournament was off, just like that. 

This was a huge disappointment to everyone. Especially those who made travel plans and flew in from other areas. Little did we know this was just the beginning of this incredible time in history. #pandemic 

The 2020 Ball Kid Team will go down in history as the only ones who were trained but did not get to work. 

Regardless, the girls really enjoyed the experience and now they are already looking forward to next year!