So what’s been going on? I could write a book about it all and what God has taught me, but the kids are expecting pancakes this morning so a short post is all I’ve got time for.
Say What?
In December of last year, my wife and I decided after months of prayerful consideration to begin the process of adopting a child. We completed what seemed like 500 pages of forms, nervously informed our relatives, and excitedly shared our story with a close group of friends. Five weeks to the day after submitting our application to the adoption agency, we get the news that my wife is, get this, 5 weeks pregnant. Fast forward 8 months, and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Ryan, our first son (third child).
We still believe adoption is in our future, but we’re not sure exactly what it will look like. At this point, we feel led to adopt an older child, maybe between two and five years old. Since our original adoption agency only places infants, we’re currently back in research mode and seeking the best situation for our family.
Haiti
In May, I spent a week in Haiti, building homes and working in medical clinics for those impacted by the January earthquake. My life was forever changed in the span of eight days. I was both shattered emotionally and spiritually uplifted as my team served families who despite losing loved ones maintained a hope and faith in the power of Christ. Material possessions suddenly meant nothing. The necessities of life are all I really need. My friend Stacy Furlow is writing about how Haiti has changed her life at http://beyondthismountain.blogspot.com/.
Work
My work life is the busiest it has ever been. I wish I could write more about it, but for now just know that a lot of exciting things are happening. It takes a lot of my time — time that has to be taken away from other things.
Laundry Love
In January, my wife and I started coordinating the Rogers, AR edition of the Laundry Love Project. The first Friday of every month, I get to hang out with some of the most amazing people in Rogers. Against a backdrop of noisy machines, kids playing, and a good meal, I hear their stories. Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we cry — but we always listen. It’s just over the past few months that some have begun to open up. I hope its because they realize we’re here for the long-term. We’re coming back month after month. My wife dragged me to LLP eighteen months ago, but now you couldn’t drag me away from it.
That’s All You’ve Got?
At this point it’s 7:30 am on a Saturday and the house is starting to wake up. Before long the sounds of cartoons and kids will prevent me from writing. There’s a lot more that’s happened over the past 8 months. Call me sometime and I’ll tell you the rest . . . .
Finally
I’m writing this from the nursery we’ve made for our son Ryan who we expect to arrive in the next few days. I had to give up my home office for him. We had never really planned on a third child, so our house only has three bedrooms. I’m not sure where we would put a fourth or fifth child, but I think we could figure it out.
Of course I didn’t have a problem giving up a home office to create this nursery. To give up a material thing in order to experience the life of my son is easy. Shouldn’t it always be that easy — giving up material things in order to experience life? Some dear friends of ours have a saying that they would “rather do stuff than have stuff.” I’m only beginning to learn how to live that way.
Eight months is too long to go without writing for me. I’ll make a promise to never go more than a month without checking in. I hope you’ll do the same . . .
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God always gives the best gifts in small packages, your son Ryan. There is no better gift than this. And not a better blessing than the life He puts you in, and the service you give back to Him for His Glory, Laundry Love. Think about this; Our Heavenly Father gives us His Grace for the Gifts that Christ bestows upon us, that we in turn may give our best for His service. As Always
IN HIS GRIP
Chuck Howi
P.S. As for as 4 or 5, along with the blessings; Gifts from God, He gives you the Grace again and again. With the Gifts Dear Lord; Give me the Grace. AMEN and SO BE IT.