My Mom and I are traveling with a group (14 people total) from Orphan Outreach to St. Petersburg, Russia October 22-31, 2009. We will be working alongside Russian believers to minister to children and babies living in orphanages.
Orphan Outreach is a ministry totally dedicated to glorifying the Lord in reaching out to the orphans He loves. Their program focus is to provide early intervention, education, and spiritual development and to improve the lives of those children living in substandard situations. James 1:27 describes their passion, motivation and commitment.
We are especially looking forward to going to Orphanage #15 where the program Hannah's Hands was started, which was dedicated in Samuel's memory. You can follow our trip and see pictures of our travels on the Orphan Outreach blog: http://missions.orphanoutreachblog.org/
Thank you for your prayers!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friends
I LOVED the weekend with the girls, and I loved that our kids got to play together.
Porter, Lucy, Millie, Marley, Luke, Cade, John Andrew
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Lucy slept in her big girl bed last night
This is how she woke up...
(she also did a handstand into a somersault today, too)
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Lake of the Woods
Jeff, Chandra, Anders, Erik, Yuriko, Bryan, Lucy & I all went to Canada. We visited the Thomas' (B's aunt, uncle & cousins) in Winnipeg before going to the "The Seven C's" lake house on Lake of the Woods in Ontario, Canada. Lucy got her first passport and traveled internationally, met her Great-grandparents in person, ate "putein", rode behind the boat for her first time (she's 19 months old), and played in the very cold Canadian water (she loved pushing Bryan in).
Bryan... found the skis he learned to ski on when he was 5, pushed me in (along with Lucy's help), and jumped off the boat house roof with his brothers.
Bryan... found the skis he learned to ski on when he was 5, pushed me in (along with Lucy's help), and jumped off the boat house roof with his brothers.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Hannah's Hands - In Memory of Samuel
Thank you for your gifts in Samuel's memory to Orphan Outreach. As many of you know, I served vocationally in orphan ministry for 6 years before staying home with Lucy when she was born. Orphan Outreach means a lot to me personally. Mike Douris (President) led Samuel's graveside service, and everyone there and in the countries in which we work is a dear friend.
Donations in memory of the life of Samuel Lars Larson have been dedicated to support Hannah’s Hands, a program of Orphan Outreach that began in Russia where local women are hired to hold, rock and pray over babies at the Crisis Center. Click here to read more about "Hannah's Hands." We are thankful that Samuel's life can be remembered through tangible love to orphan and at-risk children.
Several of the nurses told us that they never saw Samuel in his actual "bed" and that he was always being held. It's true.
"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." - Isaiah 49:16
Donations in memory of the life of Samuel Lars Larson have been dedicated to support Hannah’s Hands, a program of Orphan Outreach that began in Russia where local women are hired to hold, rock and pray over babies at the Crisis Center. Click here to read more about "Hannah's Hands." We are thankful that Samuel's life can be remembered through tangible love to orphan and at-risk children.
Several of the nurses told us that they never saw Samuel in his actual "bed" and that he was always being held. It's true.
"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." - Isaiah 49:16
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Looking Forward
This is one of my favorite pictures of Samuel.He was born one month ago today.
We are doing well. My Dad has a friend that lost his wife, and the counselor told him, "You've got to put her behind you and move on." Dad's friend, a Believer, said, "Don't you mean, 'put her ahead of me?'" That's how we feel. We love and miss Samuel. He is never far from our thoughts. We can't forget him, and we're not putting him behind us, but rather, ahead of us, remembering God's promise that we will be together for eternity. That's our hope of heaven.
"(14)...I am focusing all my energies on this one thing ... looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven... (20) But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. (21) He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere." - Phillipians 3:14, 20-21
Lucy...
... is talking non-stop. Sometimes it's not necessarily understandable words, but, we know she's saying something, and she uses great inflection
... loves shoes
... waves and blows kisses to everyone she passes (in the hallway, at restaurants)
... loves to eat what we eat (chicken salad with her fingers, ice cream cones; this is a picture of the first time she got to eat an ice cream cone completely by herself by holding it with her own 2 hands)
... says "Ma-Ma," which makes me really happy
... makes great animal noises. My favorite is her elephant impression. She lifts her hand by her head like a trunk and purses her lips together and blows, "pffffffft"
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Thankful
We find ourselves unable to say thank you enough to all of our family and friends who have called, texted, emailed, hugged, visited, and prayed for us these past weeks. We remain thankful for each of you and thankful that we can share life's joys and sorrows together as we all hope for heaven through faith in our risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you to everyone who was able to come and celebrate Samuel's life with us. Your presence meant more to us than you can know. Samuel is a special boy. We love him and miss him already.
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Sunday morning before church Bryan and Lucy were eating breakfast. Bryan was looking at the cards made for the service that afternoon and gave one to Lucy. She held the card with both hands and kept kissing Samuel's picture and saying "baby." It was very sweet.
Thank you to everyone who was able to come and celebrate Samuel's life with us. Your presence meant more to us than you can know. Samuel is a special boy. We love him and miss him already.
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Sunday morning before church Bryan and Lucy were eating breakfast. Bryan was looking at the cards made for the service that afternoon and gave one to Lucy. She held the card with both hands and kept kissing Samuel's picture and saying "baby." It was very sweet.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Celebration of Samuel Lars Larson
A graveside service will be held on Sunday, July 12th at 4:00 pm at Bethel Cemetery in Frisco, Texas (corner of Eldorado and Rogers Road, near 8000 Eldorado Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75034). All are welcome to attend. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow ([972] 335-2444).
If desired, contributions in Samuel's memory may be made to Orphan Outreach (www.orphanoutreach.org).
We love him deeply and will miss him, but are thankful he is home with our Lord. We are so grateful for family and friends who are walking with us. Thank you.
"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."
- Matthew 18:5
If desired, contributions in Samuel's memory may be made to Orphan Outreach (www.orphanoutreach.org).
We love him deeply and will miss him, but are thankful he is home with our Lord. We are so grateful for family and friends who are walking with us. Thank you.
"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."
- Matthew 18:5
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Really Home
Samuel Lars Larson
June 30, 2009 - July 9, 2009
Our sweet Samuel went home to our Lord at 2:59 p.m. Bryan and I were at home holding him and praying together.
We loved each day with him.
"'I asked the Lord to give me this child, and he has given me my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.' And they worshiped the Lord there."
- I Samuel 1:27-28
"In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."
- Psalm 16:11
"Your sun will no longer set, Nor will your moon wane; For you will have the Lord for an everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will be over."
- Isaiah 60:20.
June 30, 2009 - July 9, 2009
Our sweet Samuel went home to our Lord at 2:59 p.m. Bryan and I were at home holding him and praying together.
We loved each day with him.
"'I asked the Lord to give me this child, and he has given me my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.' And they worshiped the Lord there."
- I Samuel 1:27-28
"In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."
- Psalm 16:11
"Your sun will no longer set, Nor will your moon wane; For you will have the Lord for an everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will be over."
- Isaiah 60:20.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Our Family
Lucy isn't allowed on the 3rd floor at Children's Hospital where Samuel is, but when we were at Baylor Hospital a sweet nurse snuck Lucy into the NICU for just a few seconds so she could meet her baby brother. This is my favorite photo. Lucy is looking down at him saying, "baby."
Monday, July 6, 2009
Lucy...
... has just started walking backwards and thinks it's hilarious (and something to be proud of).
... looks bigger in just a week and is saying so many new words and phrases (what's that, oh wow, trash, cheese, go).
... pointed to the fridge, did the sign for more (& says "mo, mo") and then backed herself up and sat in the booster chair. My mom looked at the clock, and it was 11:50, time for lunch.
... when Bryan and I come in she smiles big and runs to us for hugs. The other day we snuck into her room (at my parents apartment in Dallas) after she was asleep in the pack-n-play, which is at the end of the bed where we were sleeping. In the morning when she woke up, she was talking and singing and we just listened to her. Finally we sat up in bed so she could see us, and she was so excited she jumped and stood up and started laughing.
... brings a lot of joy each day.
... looks bigger in just a week and is saying so many new words and phrases (what's that, oh wow, trash, cheese, go).
... pointed to the fridge, did the sign for more (& says "mo, mo") and then backed herself up and sat in the booster chair. My mom looked at the clock, and it was 11:50, time for lunch.
... when Bryan and I come in she smiles big and runs to us for hugs. The other day we snuck into her room (at my parents apartment in Dallas) after she was asleep in the pack-n-play, which is at the end of the bed where we were sleeping. In the morning when she woke up, she was talking and singing and we just listened to her. Finally we sat up in bed so she could see us, and she was so excited she jumped and stood up and started laughing.
... brings a lot of joy each day.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Our Families
We are thankful for our families, for the faith we share in Jesus Christ our risen Lord, for how they are bearing this with us, and for all the ways they've encouraged us and taken care of us and Lucy. We love seeing them hold and pray over Samuel. I should post pictures of each of them with Sam, but we are blessed with big families (& we can only have 3 people in the room at a time so that would be a lot of pictures), so here's a picture of Daddy with Samuel.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Our Sweet Kids
Samuel can open his eyes, and Lucy can put her toes in her mouth. We love them both very much.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Discharged from Baylor Hospital
I was discharged from Baylor this morning around 9:30 am. We came straight to Childrens Hospital and have been holding and loving our baby boy.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Samuel Lars Larson
We were scheduled to induce tomorrow (Wednesday) at 8 am, but I woke up at 1:20 am today (Tuesday, June 30) wondering if I had a contraction. At 2:45 am I thought that must be it. We checked into Baylor hospital at 3:30 am, and he was born at 7:07 am, weighing 6 lbs., 1 oz. and measuring 17 1/2" long. We love him so much and are thankful to God for him and for a smooth, natural delivery. We got to hold him in the NICU for several hours, and our families got to see him before he was transferred to Children's Medical Center at noon. He is beautiful, had strong cries and is the greatest little guy. They've done echocardiograms and other tests and say it is a hypoplastic left heart with a dysplastic right side. We continue to thank God for him and to pray for God's will in his life.
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