Courtship and other fun

I've been awfully quiet for a long time on my blog..but that is mostly because we've been in the middle of a unique adoption opportunity and I haven't been able to say anything just yet!  Well then God began to do some other amazing things and a young man who we've been friends with since he and Chels were a baby, came to us and asked for permission to court our daughter.  His family was coming to visit us and we made plans to surprise Chels..I think her feet have not landed on the ground since he came with flowers and candy and a letter just days ago.

I am in awe this Sunday as I sang in worship..to think the God of the universe cares so much about me and my family...to do so many amazing things all at once in our lives!  Chels has prayed so much for God to answer her in this area and so it's a joy to watch His love in our lives!  We are one month from graduation from high school with really only one economics test to go so we have much excitement going on here!

I love watching my daughter and our younger children explain "courtship" to those in our family and to our friends.  I guess for those interested...we see it as a unique opportunity to build a relationship with someone..one where both families agree that they are ready for this step in their lives and very unlike modern dating.  Although our particular couple is younger, they live at a distance and have known each other all of their lives.  Both families are heavily involved but the agreement to enter the relationship was begun by the young adults involved... the goal for them is marriage should God direct that way and there is heavy supervision for the couple to keep them protected.  We have never seen this modeled (except maybe the Duggars!) and we realized that our families had to come up with the way God is directing us to go in this area.  Honestly we are still working out as we go with great communication between the two families about many things.  It has been neat to see the two of them talk and begin to share about things with each other.  We are excited to see how God will lead them and help them.  We truly cherish his family as our dearest friends and can't believe that our kids are beginning to see in each other the potential for future mates.

I look forward to sharing other news soon!  There seem to be many showers of blessings at one time in our lives and we are so grateful to God.