Wednesday, May 4, 2011

thank you


as Mother's Day approaches my mind is turning
frequently to Gracie's birth mother.

What would I say to her if I could?

Thank you for giving her life.

Thank you for placing her in a public place where
she would be found and taken in to be cared for.

Gracie will always be told of her beginnings,
and her birth country will be a part of all our lives.

Gracie is beautiful, and delightful,
and she is loved unconditionally and
with such a deep love it's overwhelming at times.

I don't know your motives/reasons, but
God's plans for Lian Jia Shu were made before
she was even conceived. The months you carried her
and the moments you shared with her on her first day
can be treasured in your heart - Please don't feel
shame or hopelessness. The Father's hand is
clearly on her.



We have prayed from the start that Gracie's birth parents would also be a part of the family of God so that one day they will see with their own eyes the beautiful girl they had a part in bringing to this world. We won't romance their story with Gracie. We don't know their situation or motives, although her special need and her gender may have been clearly part of their decision. She will always know that she was NO mistake, and that she a Woodard just as much as Ali, Erin & Quinn are. I believe the picture of adoption/salvation will be even sweeter to her heart and mind one day - that that truth will be deeply rooted in her.

CHOSEN & DEARLY LOVED

Friday, April 29, 2011

a royally dreamy day

there's a little princess in all of us


daddy telling a bedtime "princess Gracie" story

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

spring break thus far..and the heart of God

Ali has school.
Quinn and his pals are keeping the streets
of our neighborhood safe with their Nerf gun skills...

and these two are stuck together like
PB & J


if you are not a follower of my friend Linn's blog,
please take the time to read
THIS entry.
our family had the privilege of participating
in a small way by sending some items.

read HERE
to see the follow up.
it will break your heart,
as it did my own.

ALL are precious in His sight.
I want to be His hands & feet,
and bring His Kingdom to dark, hopeless places.
may the Father continually break our
hearts with what breaks His own.

this life is too short.

praise Jesus that these precious lives were touched
and honored in Uganda!!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

DC in pics

Erin & I had a wonderful trip.
we're in recovery mode -
catching up on some sleep &
tending those aching feet!



the view of the Potomac from
George Washington's Mount Vernon home



National Archives

Abraham Lincoln's top hat
at the Smithsonian
not to be outdone by

Michael Jackson's hat

First Lady Michelle Obama's
Inaugural Ball dress
definitely outdone by

Rick Flair's cape & boots
"whooooooooo"


loved Julia Child's kitchen
in the American History museum

the 8th graders at the White House



Air Force Memorial


the National Cathedral -
a beautiful, breathtaking tour

the National Zoo

changing of the guard at
the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington -
that ceremony never gets old


Erin's first Metro ride

WW2 Memorial
4,000 stars representing the over
400,000 American lives lost during the war

Monday, April 11, 2011

DC DC, Baby

three years ago I headed to Washington DC
with Ali's 8th grade class
tomorrow Erin & I will be on a bus at
5 am (really?!) with
62 8th graders
15 sponsors
and a positive, joy-filled attitude
(Bwah-hah-hah!)

ok, really, I'm sure if I can keep
a steady stream of caffeine,
orthopaedic shoes on my feet,
and some factory-grade earplugs,
I'll be just fine -
honestly.

so, thank you government
for not shutting down.
thereby avoiding countless hours of
free time.
(not the words you want to hear
involving 62 fourteen year olds)

Quinn pointed out the other morning
that when I accompany Gracie's class
to DC that I will be a
grandmother...
do the math,
he could be right.
(I'm saving up money for botox
and B-12 supplements starting now)



I'm honestly looking forward to sharing
this experience with Erin.
that girl can make me laugh,
and her company fills her mama's heart with
JOY!