Thanks!

Thanks for all the encouragement regarding the slow process. We were surprised today by an email saying we are now on Step 7. Hooray! This is very encouraging to me, particularly because it is really the first "forward" step in a long time.
Also, a very exciting week for the Smith's from Rockwall who just met their son in Vietnam. Amazing!! Josh & Lewis will surely hang out. They can run with the big Vietnamese clique here in town.
Wow, I just checked Emily's blog (1 of about only 3 that I visit), and they just got a referral!! A sister/brother from Ethiopia. They have been agonizing over their wait! Yea.
Happy Friday everyone.

STILL on Steps 2-6

This was bummer news to get tonight. For some reason, we are still in the first half of the process in Vietnam. Our referral came on December 4, which would seem to indicate a spring/early summer travel date to get little Lewis. It's looking like we'll be fortunate to get him late in the summer. Prayers needed for a speedier process; I know the timing is all held in the Sovereign's hands. That is comforting indeed.

(Pic was taken at age 5 months. He is now 8 months. Cutie!)

Easter Dinner

While the term "dinner" had to be debated by Molly (is it dinner or lunch she asked), it was indeed a dinner to be noted. You may remember I am reading Omnivore's Dilemma. (I know, only 2 posts ago; I am slacking.) That read plus a recommendation by the Goodriches led me to visit Rehoboth Ranch, a local farm about 30 minutes from here. I was feeling Quite adventurous and out of my element, as you might imagine. A GREAT visit indeed. We bought several cuts of totally grass fed, as-natural-as-you-can-get beautiful meat, including some luscious lamb. The mint/rosemary marinated kabobs were an Easter Dinner to remember. Sharing them with the Wheelers, Skyler, & Tori added greatly to the enjoyment of the experience. I once remember ruminating with some Portland folks about the false righteousness we attribute to ourselves when we eat naturally; I was all about that today. However, it had only to do with the sensory of the whole thing; some really, really good lamb. Ryan has been talking about it all day. Of course, he grilled it to perfection. I may just have to make a few more trips to the ranch...or the Dallas Farmer's Market where they sell on Fri/Sat.
While I was visiting with Mark at the ranch, one of 12, he mentioned another book, Crunchy Cons, which I looked up and learned refers to Granola Conservatives. (They (Rehoboth) are featured in chapter 3.) The amazon write up on this book mentions something about "hip New York City homeschooling moms." I am wondering if I know any of you (no offense). Would you please make yourselves known if you are profiled in this book. My world would suddenly become even smaller!!! Love it. Of course, all the home schooled kids I have told about my visit are well aware of Rehoboth Ranch (Kaylen, Skyler, Wheelers). The worlds continue to collide...I think I am so cutting edge by reading some NYT article about hipster farmers. It's all old news. Sigh. No matter, it was amazing lamb (my new tradition).
Happy Easter.

Happy Easter

HE IS RISEN!
He is Risen Indeed.

Book Sense

Those of you who know me know that I have a history of managing book tables, a history of picking up books that look interesting, and a tendency to read about on third of any given book. I also go in major spurts--no reading for 3 months; 3 books at a time for one week. That was last week...3 books at a time.

1. Your Home, a Place of Grace: Women's bible study is reading this book together; I lead the study; therefore I DO actually read this book. In fact, I have already read most of this book, so it is actually a re-read. This has not happened since age 16 ("The Hiding Place" approx. 55 times).

2. Omnivore's Dilemma: A dilemma indeed. Whether to eat anything or not now. This has been a really great read; it's been a few days since I picked it up; a clear early warning sign of a decline. However, it is worth finishing and worth considering! What and how we eat has long term & long reaching effects.

3. Turning Points: Still sitting on the console in the car after I picked it up at our new and fabulous Trinity Harbor book table (thanks to Richard!). I am sure it's a great read. The SS class inspired me; it's not too late!

4. I forgot about this one--Good to Great on CD in the car. Info overload!

So, that was a fun week. However, it's now tax time and spring. Oh yeah, and the writer's strike is over. It's probably hopeless. Oh well!

I LOVE spring in March

We all enjoy God's grace in spring. I am especially appreciative of the March timing of that grace we receive here in TX. I am also thankful for the 11 years in the Northeast that contine to bless me with the surprise of warm weather anytime before June!

Pics from today at the very impressive Dallas arboretum with good friends.

"Bistro B" Baby

We know where we're taking you, Lewis, every July 21st for your b-day! That's right, Bistro B. Who knew we had access to what felt like Chinatown or straight up urban Vietnam. We had a great time this weekend dining with 8 other friends at a great, trendy Vietnamese spot in north Dallas. Thanks to Allison & Heath (pictured) who did ALL the work: maybe 8 appetizers and 10 entrees...one from each section (the prawns were my favorite; eyes and all!). The food was amazing. Allison, didn't you want to come to Vietnam with us whenever it is we go... The only sad part about the whole thing is that my dear friend will be residing in Alabama when Lewis arrives. Whenever you visit though, Bistro B!

Sorry, Was SO Busy with the TX Primary

Ha, ha...for those of you who know me. However, I did feel quite the citizen for voting yesterday, and after reading the newspaper (one that actually reports internationally) for the last 5 years or so I realize what a privilege it is to be able to vote!!

I guess I just feel like the last few weeks have been life "as usual" with not much to say. I feel the tension of trying to make my life sound more interesting than another. In a world filled with images of life being exciting, adventurous, glamorous, or hilarious, I have to remind myself and others that there is MUCH exceptional about the daily grind. So...here's some of our daily grind as we grow older, wait, worship, and commune together with friends.

Lewis: We received an email that we are on "Step 2-6." What? I know. There are 12 steps that must be completed in Vietnam before the country is able to schedule a "Giving and Receiving" date for us. In addition to these 12 steps, our embassy is now reviewing each case before travel. This is a new step and can take "up to or more than 60 working days." Is that ambiguous or is it just me? Anyway, we are hoping and praying for a May-July travel date. I think that is possible but also hopeful. These initial 12 steps are the ones which were estimated to take 3-6 months. That countdown started around January 3. Maybe our embassy/CIS (formerly INS) will have a supernaturally quick review of little Lewis.

Community: We continue to be greatly encouraged by what is going on at Trinity Harbor Church. We have begun to have visitors popping up who are ready to commit to our community. That is so exciting! Ryan and I continue to try to open our home as much as possible. Every few days I ask, "What would Tuck & Stacy do?" WWTSD? While we don't have a pork loin or chili cookin' at any given moment, we are getting there. We started a monthly dinner with the leadership of the church here in our home which was so fun last Friday night. Spent the whole day cooking; so glad to have that venue!! Of course, Molly & Charlotte helped the whole time. Somehow, it still all happened.

Community 2: Started the spring bible study. We are reading "Your Home, A Place of Grace." Despite scary reviews from the NYC set, it is going well. Of course, we're only on chapter 2. It is great to be with the other women and in meaningful dialogue. We're meeting at night this semester which is a fun break; a night out for some of us you might say. And in a beautiful home; that always makes for a cozy feel. As you know, I always do better when there's a set study going on; I need the discipline myself to be studying and learning, resulting in growing. Read a small section of Pete Enns' Exodus commentary today; amazing. Might I mention the power of books on tape for Molly!!?? Who knew she could sit and listen to "Charlotte's Web" for an hour! This is a new phase & I love it.

Community 3: Ryan is teaching on Mark Noll's "Turning Points" in SS (Christian Ed as the hipper name). Have the book. Will I read it?? I've wanted to ever since Judy Kilduff said she loved it. Where are the Kilduffs now I wonder...

So, that's the skinny on the glorious mundane. The girls are great (2.5 yrs and almost 4.5 yrs...cannot believe it!); more on them soon. I'll try to make it sooner than later!