Four Years

"Eek, it's my gotcha day!! Can I watch my video Mommy?!!"

He loves this video so much. We are abundantly thankful for these four years with him.  We are so blessed by this boy!!

One Year

Tuesday was one year since Jack's Gotcha Day.  It has encouraged my heart so much to think back to the beginning and how far Jack has come.  While we still struggle in some areas, he has come really far in other areas.   We spent the day remembering our trip to China, looking at pictures, watching videos, and praising God who has given us all (including Jack) grace for each day.  

Here's a quick glimpse into our Gotcha Day dinner of Chinese food and chocolate cake.  Love this sweet boy!

One Year Ago:

And we also remembered these pictures, which are from before he was a Harmon.  This is the difference of love and a family, y'all.  And this is a reminder that adoption starts in a place of deep hurt and brokenness.  Adoption is beautiful, but there is much heartache that comes before the beauty.

Jack's baptism

Jack's baptism was such a sweet time for us to remember God's covenant promises and claim them for Jack.  We answered three questions regarding Jack:

1. Do you acknowledge your child’s need of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit? 

2. Do you claim God’s covenant promises in his behalf, and do you look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for his salvation, as you do for your own? 

3. Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavor to set before him a godly example, that you will pray with and for him, that you will teach him the doctrines of our holy religion, and that you will strive, by all the means of God’s appointment, to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

We do!

And Pastor Dan then asked the congregation if they agree to assist us in the Christian nurture of this child.  So thankful we aren't in this alone.

Love Manor Donation

I'm sorry it has taken me a while to share this, but the team that traveled to Love Manor just got home and I was waiting until I heard back about the trip to share details.  Look at all that Leah's birthday donations were able to provide for those precious ones at Love Manor!!   I know the pictures are fuzzy, but it's the best they could get in their hotel room before heading out the door.  Leah was so blessed to receive your donations and then pass them along.   Her goal was $200, but between her birthday party and donations from friends, twice that much came in!  The team going to Love Manor was able to buy more than we had planned on.  And the staff at Love Manor was surprised and so grateful.  Leah made this video to say thanks:

Thanks so much for making Leah's birthday so special by helping her to do something for the least of these.  She will always remember this.

Update

Just wanted to pop in for a quick update.  Leah did reach her goal!  In fact, the Lord provided more than she was hoping for so we are asking about what else they may need.  Pictures coming soon!  Thank you so so much to everyone who gave.  You encouraged Leah's heart and have done something very real and very needed for the orphans at Love Manor.

For Leah's 8th Birthday

Love Manor in Chongqing, China is the orphanage Jack lived in for half of his life before us.  This picture was taken at Love Manor the day we visited there.  Seeing the faces of those children made a big impact on Leah.

Love Manor is in need of therapy equipment.  Leah has decided that for her birthday this year, she wants to raise $200 to buy this equipment!  Our adoption agency, Lifeline, is sending a medical team to Love Manor in early September so they can actually take the equipment directly to them.

We love this chance for Leah to see God provide.  She decided (we are not forcing her!) to ask her friends to donate towards this cause instead of bringing gifts to her birthday party.

We did the math.  If 40 people give $5 each, then Leah would have the $200 to buy the therapy equipment.  Some of these 40 people will be her own friends (6-9 year old girls!), but if you would also like to be one of her 40 people, you can give $5 to her (or Matt or I) in person or use the paypal button below by August 30th (Leah's birthday).

Thank you, sweet friends!  If Leah does raise the $200, we'll post a picture of the therapy equipment that we are able to purchase to send over.

Jack's first time seeing the ocean

 The moment Jack first saw the ocean.