we have an announcement.....its....a.....girl!

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I'm sure many of you are choking on your tongue or raising your eyebrows in disbelief......what are they thinking?!  Is it another dog?  Is it another adoption......oh for the love of pete.....is she.....pregnant?!   Take a deep breath everyone.  No, no, no.  but.....we are adding someone to the family.

Grace.

She flies in tomorrow night from Korea.  Her real name is Hechoon but she goes by Grace in America....and how appropriate is that?  Grace comes tomorrow.  She will live with us until May when she graduates from Unity Christian High School.......When our high school emailed last year asking for host families for International students, we discussed it and replied.....and she chose us.  We are nervous and excited......and I'm sure she is as well!

Grace will be a senior in high school and hopes to score well on her college placement exams and get to stay for college in America.  Our task is to help her meet that goal and also give her a good experience in an American home.  I know, I know.....we aren't exactly typical.  She doesn't "exactly" know the difference, ok?!

Feel free to pray for Grace...and grace....and all of us as we start a new chapter in our family life.  It will not be easy or convenient but with God's help.....it will be awesome.....and important....and meaningful.  That is my goal for every new decision we make and every change......to grow awesome and important and meaningful in this home....in Jesus' name.

How will Grace understand Precious and her violent outbursts, and my yelling to match her tone and take back control?  She may think we are crazy......how will she deal with barking, wildly running Lexi the German Shephard when she's been in the crate too long?  Yikes.  How will she handle Josiah whining and following me around all day crying to be held.....and Isaac and Jeremiah breaking lamps and candle holders....and Claire always gone....and Roger floating in and out....and me....a dysfunctional but loving, flawed but trying mama......

Oh.  Grace.  I'm sorry in advance.  You have no idea what the next 9 months will reveal to you....my prayer tonight is that you see Jesus and love and imperfection and ultimately Grace in your experience with us.  You chose a name with meaning....and you know Jesus.....I sincerely hope you see the same at the end of your journey with us!  

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