SURVIVOR-CHINA

See this little girl? It's Katie Mei VanLue....already a survivor from China!:) Did you know that the current reality show Survivor-China was/is being filmed only 25 miles NW from Nanchang...the city where Katherine was placed in our arms? Yes, the entire series this season is from Zhelin Lake, a reservoir just "around the corner" from where we met Katie for the first time. Although we don't always agree with the content of this show, the views of the countryside, mountains, and rice fields are amazing, and right where our little Won-ton was born! You can see full episodes as well as behind-the-scene views of production (which I found particularly interesting because they're using Chinese crew as well as American), at CBS.com. It's exciting for us as well because Jiangxi is a very poor, landlocked, province that doesn't usually receive much attention. We stayed in Nanchang for 8 days last year. Some of you may remember the Chinese-man-who-chased-Julie-through-the-Market Story. ...Picture whole pigs chopped up, laying on the street.....fish executed the same way, bags of frogs, bowls of eels (alive and dead) , many vegetables laying in between, dried scorpions, bugs (to eat), huge bags of rice, tucked into a tiny one-lane-street . We were walking through this madness and a man approached Julie with a mesh bag full of SNAKES!!! VERY ALIVE SNAKES!!!NOT SMALL SNAKES!! and began yelling at her in rapid-fire Chinese. She evidently didn't answer him correctly (did I fail to mention that in his other hand he was holding a porcupine??!! ) because Chinese man then chased her....hitting her on the back of her legs with the bag of snakes (they eat them there)! Mom here had Katherine in the "hip panda" baby carrier and was shouting for Dad to come rescue his women. Where was Dad? Waaaayyyyy down the street taking photos:) We found that we can run faster than Chinese snake man....and even got pictures of snakes-in-bag for all to see. We can only gather that snake-man wanted us to buy yummy-polluted-water reptiles for our dinner. We don't know, because nobody, and we mean nobody speaks english.:) You can view these lovely photos by clicking the link on the far right under "Chinese Travel Blog". So you see why it would be interesting to watch this Survivor series! We've already done our own version. :)

The second reason for this post is for awareness of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church coming up on November 11, 2007. China is one of the focus countries this year. Consider these statistics

The Big Picture: China
Population: 1,298,847,624

There are 201 Living Languages

22 of these languages have New Test. translations

18 have portions of the Bible translated

15 languages have a complete translation

146 have NO biblical translation

China is still a developing nation and has a state-run government. What does that mean? There is no freedom of worship and persecution of Christians is widespread. You are currently not allowed to have your own Bible....so Bible-smuggling is still very much a reality. Please visit the persecuted church IDOP site, and join in the focus on intercessory prayer and awareness for those around the world daily suffering for their faith. Other sites you may also be interested in are Release International, Secret Believers, and Voice of the Martyrs . God is working all around the globe in the lives of believers....please mark your calendars and remember to pray for those facing extreme difficulty and even giving their lives in the call to bring the gospel message to China and other countries around the world! (stats from EPM ministries)

Leni's Birthday Bash!

Because our family is so large now, we have a VanLue rule that you get a big birthday every 'even' year of your age, and a smaller one on the 'odd' year. This was the BIG year for Leni and we had a blast playing golf at Congo River. It really was ideal because everyone of all ages could enjoy it and participate. I said 'participate" because....well, we tried to have some picture of organization.... and rule following......then gave up. It was a major free-for-all with NO ONE waiting their turn....etc. It was plain and simple, hilarious chaos. Way too much fun! We need to do things like this more often because we definitely laughed. AND we didn't get kicked out of the place. The pics just don't do it justice. We definitely made some memories!

Our Leni :)

Today we celebrated the 6th birthday of our Leni. She holds a very special spot in all our hearts as she was our first adopted daughter. We had a great day of celebration and honoring this gift of a little girl. I found the last words penned by Amy Carmichael (are you tired of her quotes yet??:)) and wanted to share them in honor of Leni...... Lying on her death bed, one of Amy's adopted daughters that had been rescued from temple prostitution, was brought in to her. In scrawling letters, Amy wrote these words, "Precious child......if so dear [to me], then what [are you] to Him?" Our thoughts exactly about our little girl. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LENI!!

The first pic is 'the group"....in other words what Dad gets to feed on a daily basis :). The second pic are the 5 VanLue kids...2 bio, 3 adopted (see if you can tell who the adopted ones are:)) and Mr. Cade.

And here is the one we celebrate today. She's awesome!

(The funny pics are coming....oh my gosh!....you'll see! Dad got his camera fixed and went crazy taking pics today ...he's in the editing room)

What's a Girl to Do???

What do you do when your parents bring you all the way from China to the USA and you find you have 3 sisters, 1 brother, 1 sister in law and of all things a nephew only 10 months younger than you (to the day!!)? You love it, that's what!! Earlier this summer, Mel, our daughter-in-law returned to work 2 mornings a week (for us, of course:)) and Cade comes over to stay with his aunts and Mimi (none of this grandma name stuff for me!!). We have a great time! Of course, it helps the now 17 month old Cade that his aunts are ages 2,4, and 6! It was the biggest adjustment for Katie, who now has to share her mama, but things are going great! Kristin and Leni are the stuck-together-like-glue sisters, so Katie now has a buddy just her size on a regular basis! AND Mimi gets to spend time with her boy!! Here's a sampling of some of the things we do. Yes, it's crazy, but fun! On these days, there is a 1,2,4 and 6 yr. old stirring up the house!! Come join us!! But watch out for flying Goldfish!!

p.s. The girls have NOT put a tu-tu on Cade yet, but I'm sure the time's coming. We just won't mention it to Jay when it happens, now will we.......?!

Can You Spot....The Letter of the Day?!

I'm always looking for opportunities to reinforce what we're learning in creative and memorable ways...... to help add some 'fun factor'...... and make the lesson stick. So here you have today's idea! (Thanks to the sensory expert (that would be good ol' Dad) who said to have Leni make letters with her body. We took it one step further!:)) This was the email pic he received today to show him our cute little ones working 'hard' at school. This week we're learning the letter F. For 'fuh', 'fuh', family! What do you think? Katie has absolutely no clue what this is all about but wasn't about to be left out. :) Are they not the cutest?

It's All About What You Live.........

Yesterday I received my newsletter from Shaohannah's Hope. I make it a priority read and I always end up in tears. I'm both motivated and called into action with each story, quote, and scripture. Here's an excerpt.....

"God's people are called to be His hands and feet in this world. There is perhaps no earthly picture that speaks to me of this reality as profoundly as caring for orphans. I have never seen any in more lowly circumstances or souls as meek as those I have met in orphanages around the globe. What is more beautiful than freeing those bound by orphanage walls or enslaved by demons of the streets? What is more glorious than giving joy to a child who mourns the loss of parents? What is more magnifcent than seeing a child who was once heavy-laden with pain and brokenness, now with a mended heart, dressed in graments of praise? The ministry of Jesus is one that not only speaks but acts. Those who are 'in Him' are those who not only bring good news in word, but in deed-just as Jesus did............If you walk with Jesus, you end up with the poor." Kerry Hasenblag (wife of Executive Director of SH)

"People are depressed, others are dying, orphans are waiting, and children are starving. So we asked, "God, where are You, on this earth, amidst the mess and the muck and the hurt and the pain and the wars and the death and the brokenness? ...He said, 'I am in you.'

Why do I want to be with those in need? Maybe it's because that's where Jesus so often went in His life. I want His purpose. Maybe it's because Jesus said He is the one I serve when I serve the least of these; and I want His joy. Maybe it's also because that's where I need to be for the sake of my faith. James 2 says that if I have faith but I don't provide for those who have material needs, then my faith is dead. I don't want a dead faith. I want an authentic faith that's alive." Emily Chapman (daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman)

Amen....amen....and amen to both of these quotes!!!! I don't know about you, but these words spur me on. When Scott and I were called to adoption (X3!) we knew we were being called 'beyond what was easy'. That's where we want to live. If you really truly comprehend the cross and the price that was paid for you...you'll understand what it means to 'live outside the box' of seeking a comfortable, pain-free existence....and instead be motivated to serve God where ever...whenever.... no matter the cost. There is great peace and happiness in that place of resting before God as HE guides your days. I find great joy in being exhausted at the end of the day because my day wasn't/isn't about me. It's about Him. Ask yourself "What is my motivation to be doing what I'm doing?" You may be suprised at the answer!

We're not all called to adopt...but as Christians we should all live sacrificially....motivated by the blood that was poured out for us at Calvary, in service to others. On the left, you will see a happy, healthy 2yr. old Katie. The picture on the right is her just a few days after we got her, May 2006....walking the streets with her new family in Guangzhou, China....learning what all this hugging, kissing, eating, family stuff is all about. What a difference a year makes! Make sure you check out Shaohannah's Hope!! I encourage you to get on their mailing list!!

"If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love."

Amy Carmichael.."If"

P.S. Just wanted yall to know that I do make a concentrated effort to get around to everyone's blogs on a regular basis. I may not always comment but know I'm with you in heart!! (Have mercy on me:) I'm the "old" mom now with all the little kiddos running around....and Cade:))

Meet Jane and Hermie!

Curious? Keep reading. This year Leni started Kindergarten, at home. Since it's been awhile for me, (my older 2 were homeschooled as well.....and for those of you who don't understand it, it does NOT mean you keep them in their rooms and throw bread under the door :), nor does it mean that they will not have social skills, or can only interact with hamsters:)....) Anyway, I did alot of research on what's new in the homeschool market and found out...alot is. However after hours of study, I came back to my "roots" -strong academics using fantastic literature, mixed with a strong Christian worldview. We're a very academic family anyway, and believe we have a responsibility to develop our children's minds/bodies for Gods glory as long as they are in our care. We don't take the easy way nor the most entertaining. We feel a great responsibility as we shape these little "arrows" to out into the world. It's our job to get them ready. We take our schooling most seriously. However, we do have lots of fun within the established framework set in place. We chose AGAIN....Sonlight Curriculum. I love, love, love Sonlight. Can't say enough about it. We used it way back when with the older two, and here we are again. There is no 'put it in, spit information back out' mentality, just to get your requirements in and so mommy can be done and on to "her" stuff. For me, this is my priority. I also cringe at kids sitting in front of workbooks all day. I encourage (then and now) our children to be hands-on-learners, moving around throughout the day. We don't want their brains and mine dulled by rote, uninteresting lists of "stuff". (Does anybody?!)

Sonlight (as we do) desires lifelong learners who are firm in their convictions and are not afraid to be strong thinkers and able to express themselves with educated/researched opinions. They're also very missions oriented so many of their stories center around past and current mission fields. (Our passion!) Their book selection is hands-down the best on the market! One of the tools they use that is fairly new is ,'Handwriting without Tears.' Leni needs a multi-sensory approach to her school day (she is our Sensory Integration Child), and this handwriting curriculum has them using wood pieces to make letters, water on chalkboards, playdough, salt, etc. , BEFORE they begin writing. It's awesome!! Anyway, they have you "name" your helping hand. Yes, actually give it a name so you can say "Look, ____ is here to help you today". As you can see, Leni named her helping hand Jane. Jane does alot for us. She holds paper, she helps us know which side of the paper to start on, and she is always our left hand. In a day, Leni knew left/right association. She has not messed up Left/right once since doing this!! Leni decided Jane needed a friend as well, so she named her dominant hand. His name is Hermie (such a Leni name!!) Anyway, Jane and Hermie spend the school day with us. They also help us clean our room, play on the playground, and wouldn't you know....they are pretty much with us all the time!! Wonders never cease!!

Of all 3 girls, Leni had the toughest beginning. We weren't sure how she would adjust to the academic world but Leni is doing AMAZING and we're so proud of her!! Here she is using Jane and Hermie in her Math lesson. You go girl!!

Thought for the Day: If interruptions annoy me, and private cares make me impatient; if I shadow the souls about me because I myself am shadowed, then I know nothing of Calvary love. ....Amy Carmichael "If "

(I'm preaching to myself here, everyone!! )

Green, in honor of pickles:) Pickle's penny still has not presented itself :( Scott told me to quit looking :) But why would I want to quit?! It's so much fun!!

The Tale of Pickle-Crouton!- UPDATE!!!

Yes, we have officially decided to change this child's name. Please say hello to Pickle-Crouton. Miss Pickle is 4 years old, and was our "suprise" adoption. She literally dropped into our lap. We were at her birth and haven't been separated since. It shows in her big personality. She is very social, independent and speaks her mind. She radiates sunshine and is walking joy. She is also the self -appointed leader of the group. God has truly blessed us in giving us this little girl! It's a good thing Pickle is delightful because lately she's been stirring the pot. Lately Pickle has decided that the only items in our hemisphere worth putting into her never- silent- mouth are.....you guessed it....pickles and croutons. Any kind of old pickle will do. Sweet pickles, ok. Dill pickles, ok. Bread and butter pickles, ok. Kosher dills are a delicacy. Mmmmmmmm! We go to Chik-fil-a and she requests a pickle sandwich (forget the chicken....just wants the pickles). Now, we are seasoned parents and would never let one of our precious babes exist on such fare alone, but the topic comes up at every meal and snack. "May I have a pickle sandwich please?" No. May I have a crouton sandwich? Without crust? No. yada, yada, yada. We just want pickles and croutons for breakfast, lunch and dinner.


We would be worried that this child will starve to death if it wasn't for our first born. Our son went through a time where he would only eat white things. If made to eat any other color, he would throw up on the table. Where do these children come from?:) Today he's a well-adjusted (still skinny) husband and father who has a son starting to show opinions too. :)


Anyway, back to Miss Pickle. Now this year the pre-school did an interesting thing. They banned peanut butter from the school. Yes, that's right. Think about this for a moment....let it sink in. The school BANNED peanut butter. Why? Because so many kids were allergic to peanuts. You are not allowed to have a peanut product on campus. At first I was really upset until our current household events began to unfold. Hey! No Peanut butter? No Problem! Pickle-Crouton doesn't mind one bit, because she doesn't/wouldn't eat peanut butter anyway! ......but would someone hurry up and come out with pickle-butter??!!!!

UPDATE: We love this child. We realize how empty our lives would be without her. She has numerous admirable qualities....but going to bed isn't one of them. Last night when the rest of the house was sleeping as they were supposed to be....Pickle here gets up, goes in her bathroom and SWALLOWS A PENNY! Why? Who knows because she then began melting.....on extra high! So mommy calls our house pediatrician (our daddy who had run to his office to get something) and the kind Dr. Daddy assured darling daughter (through the loud wailing) that she wasn't going to die any time soon. She calmed down but not without DRAMA with a capital D! Now we are waiting for Pickle's Penny to make it's grand entrance (or should I say exit?!) I don't think Abe Lincoln likes where he is right now :) We'll keep you posted.

Ni-Hao from Katie Mei!

We came in from swimming the other day and I needed to make dinner fast! My little Chinese born friend usually makes dinner with me by hanging onto my leg.....but that didn't cut it when we needed food right away! So I pulled out the new Mandarin DVD that I got for Katie to watch while I homeschool. Ok....she didn't just like it....she is GLUED to the kitchen tv and here you see her talking back to the tv in Mandarin. She picked it up WAY faster than English. But of course you say??!! Just consider she was in the orphanage for 11 months (but developmentally 7months) and has been here with this group of talkers in the USA for 16 months. We have to say....she pronounces Chinese way better than English. Huh! Have you ever tried to speak Chinese? Not your normal foreign language class in high school that's for sure!! It's hard! She now has the DVD memorized. We stopped dinner prep just to hear her talking back to the tv. Hysterical!! She even bobs her head side to side like the little girls in the movie. "MOOOOOOOMMMMMM!! " she says, "Ni-Hao!"

Ok......drum roll please!!!!! Everyone has lost sleep over this I'm sure :) But the answer to the post below's quiz is.....Abraham Lincoln. Now everyone can relax knowing Kathy P. is not a dork.:) This was fun...we'll have to do it again sometime. Thanks for playing! Ya'll were smarter than a 5th grader! :)

"On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased." Psalm 138:3. I pray God gives all of you strength of soul in the coming days for whatever you are facing. I for one feel like I'm running a marathon everyday! :) I pray this Psalm many times over! The grace is there if you ask!! On we go............!!

Feeling Discouraged? Don't Be! Take This Quiz Instead! (Hey, It is back to school time, right?!)

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." Psalm 42:11

I began this summer very discouraged. Probably more so than any other time in my life. I ended this summer uplifted and full of hope. What happened over the course of those weeks to change my outlook? Read on.....

The storms of life will touch everyone. I've come to expect them...even embrace them. But rolling storms right on top of another AND types I hadn't even thought of...I did not expect. I learned quickly how very weak I am. I prayed...I read scripture...I fasted...prayed more...and felt very much out of control. God graciously arranged time away for me. Yes, I had the girls. It was important for me (even taking care of 3 little girls, and friends :)) that I not squander the time God had given and quickly immersed myself in study. Without question the Word of God is the standard and source for all of life. It helped me immensely. In addition to this I was prompted to begin a study of individuals who had spoken to my heart at different stages of my life. I revisited the lives and writings of Corrie Ten Boom, Hudson Taylor, Isobel Khun, Elisabeth Elliot, Amy Carmichael and Joni Eareckson. These are/were normal human beings....weak and frail just like you and me. But they were (are) mighty in heart for God. Anyone you admire as being 'great' in ministry has no doubt walked through the fires of affliction countless times over. These are no exception.

What did they do when they didn't know what to do? Elisabeth Elliot's husband was brutally murdered on the mission field and left her with an infant daughter. She kept journals and records of it all not realizing that her life story would walk countless numbers of others through their own set of circumstances years later. Her example of response to Christ gave me hope and spurred me on. Corrie Ten Boom spent years in a German concentration camp during WWII. These circumstances I can't relate to....yet the underlying theme of all their writings is 'joy in the Lord'. How? Because when stripped of everything else, they came to know and understand beyond all measure the prize. And they ran their race well. They came to an understanding within their own hearts of how very small we are as the created, and how very big God is. I attempted the best I could to put myself in their shoes in whatever situation they were currently writing about, and inevitably....they took you back to the cross. I learned God does have a plan...no matter what you're facing....and it's for your good. (Duh, right? Just try saying that when you're living in Auschwitz. Or facing life without your spouse. Or perhaps your current circumstance.) Our afflictions are just the tool God uses to refine our hearts to mold us into his image. We don't get to pick them. But he does love us beyond all measure ...because scripture says so ....and these individuals lived it. It gave me hope that I can perservere too, always looking up. When you pray to be more like Christ, many times those prayers are answered by his sending affliction your way. E. Elliot says " The deepest lessons come out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires....Find a quiet place. Be quiet. Ask God to help you look entirely away from the visible to the invisible. Look away from the transitory to the permanent."

She also says, "A quiet heart can only be gotten in quietness." I find this kind of ironic (ok, not kind of..very) because our life is anything but quiet. But your heart and countenance can be- and a quiet heart is NOT dependent on circumstances......but a steady, unwavering faith in God. It's radical obedience 24/7. I learned that on the darkest of days and the coldest of nights there is hope. How? Because I know the one who wrote the definition.

Are our circumstances different today? Yes, very. And for the better. (thank you , God!!) , but it was my heart that had to make a change first. God knew just what I needed and when I needed it. It wasn't fun....but necessary for the race He's laid before me. I want to run it well, and have a heart that's been proven by the refiners fire.

Now, here's your quiz; Let me know if you think you know who it is. I'll be back with the answer soon !

Think you have trouble? Compare your list with one famous man's.

1. He had a difficult childhood.

2. Less than one year of formal schooling.

3. Failed in business at age 22.

4. Defeated for legistature at 23.

5. Failed again in business at 24.

6. Elected to legislature at 24.

7. His fiancee died when he was 26.

8. Defeated for speaker at age 29.

9. Defeated for electorate at 31.

10. At 33 married a woman who became a burden, not a help.

11. Only one of four sons lived past the age of 18.

12. Defeated for congress at 34

13. Elected for congress at 37.

14. Defeated for congress at 39.

15. Defeated for senate at 46.

16. Defeated for vice president at 47.

17. Defeated for senate at 49.

18. Finally elected president.

(any ideas? I'll reveal the answer soon!!)

"A spirit of calm contentment always accompanies true godliness. The deep peace that comes from deep trust in God's lovingkindness is not destroyed even by the worst of circumstances, for those Everlasting Arms are still cradling us, we are always 'under the mercy'". E. Elliot.

Now, rest in God's perfect peace for the rest of the day!