Fun Tradition!

I don't usually write about myself and what I'm doing, but this weekend I spent two days at a Women of Faith conference and I wanted everyone to know how fun these are and encourage you, if you can go, to do it! These conferences aren't new to me. I started going in 1997 and have been every year but two since. This year I was especially motivated to go since Steven Curtis Chapman was the concert on Friday night. The loss of the Chapmans daughter last May was something that Katie (my cousin) and I felt saddened and bonded about. Katie lives with a daughter in heaven and Maria, the Chapmans daughter, was adopted from China. The Godly example they are to the world about caring for the less fortunate and how to deal with grief is just mind boggling. It was so encouraging. For all those adoptive moms out their, Steven introduced his family and said they had 3 natural children and 3 "super" natural! I thought that was awesome and True! Their is something supernatural that happens when you are bonded, by God, through adoption. We couldn't do it without his supernatural power!

The theme was a "Grand New Day" and who doesn't need that! Alot of you have been to one and know the different speakers. Some are the same and some are different through the years, but everytime I go God meets me exactly where I am! New this year was Mandisa (American Idol) and Lisa Whelchel (Facts of Life and Author). they were both Amazing. Plus Steven and all the Old school ladies. Get some friends, family, co-workers, church ladies and GOOOO! Or I will take ya! Who's in?
Love, Missy

Summer Fun!

The Hatfields have been here for three weeks and it has been a blast! We are enjoying all the things summer brings. Our kids have so much fun when they are here. Especially at Oak Run. We've been up there a few different times. We celebrated Father's Day with everyone there. Here is a little glimpse...

He's been with us a Year!

One year ago today our family boarded a bus to drive across the city of Kunming, China to meet the little boy that God placed in our arms. It was the scariest, strangest way to "have" a baby...but I say, " my stomach grew with 3 biological children and my faith grew with 1 adopted child." God changed us forever with Luke. We are so grateful for his life and how it has enriched ours. He is funny, loving, fiesty, sweet and busy! Everything a two year old brings to a house! We know that he was created to be a part of our life and family and we pray for the woman that experienced his creation, birth and the sacrifice of giving him up. Whatever her circumstances were, I pray that she will be blessed and come to know the saving grace of Christ. I know that God used her in my life. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 "May the Lord of peace himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance." It is with this promise that we move forward with a second adoption! We have started the process and continue to go down the check list of things to do. There are a few things outstanding with the homestudy, my fingerprints have been rejected by the FBI 3 times. I just went for the fourth time! I guess the print isn't readable. We are moving a little slower probably because life is a little busier. We will go back to China, for a special need, and we marked either gender on our application. That was the big question when we started. Should we mark boy or girl. Needless to say we couldn't agree which is why we marked either. Cole and I think it should be a boy, for Luke, since they will be close in age and both Chinese. The girls think it should be a girl because we have already done the boy thing! Dave was neutral.
Anyway, we will keep you posted! Hope everyone's summer is going well.