Martian Child

Chip and I watched Martian Child last night on our dvr's Video On Demand. It starred John and Joan Cusak as brother and sister (which was neat to see!). I was so moved by how patient John's character was with his adopted son, 100% committed to helping him overcome his fears of abandonment and teaching him to open up and learn to love.

Here is a synopsis from imdb.com:

What's the nature of being a parent and of being a child? David is a widower grieving for two years. He writes science fiction and was considered weird as a boy. He meets Dennis, a foster child who claims to be on a mission from Mars, stays in a large box all day, fears sunlight, and wears a belt of flashlight batteries so he won't float away. David takes the six-year-old home on a trial. His sister and his wife's best friend offer support, but the guys are basically alone to figure this out. Dennis takes things, is expelled, and is coached by David in being normal. Will the court approve the adoption, and will Dennis stay? Can a man become a father and a child become a son?

This movie touched me more at this time in my life than it would have before, because of our own pending adoption. It encourages me to have a positive attitude toward raising our future adopted daughter; that we may very well come up against problems associated with abandonment, but that we will face them together, and we will get through them.

Bible Class in Public School

I just saw a story on the news that Lake Dallas High School offers a new Bible Class this year, and that other schools in the area are considering doing the same thing! The report said Lake Dallas had 160 students enrolled for the class and that they are excited about it. While the guidelines for the class are that it be taught in an objective manner and without supporting religion, I think it will be a great influence for a lot of kids who know nothing about the Bible. And, while it's a controversial issue for many, I think it's a step in the right direction.

This is important to me because, after a lot of deliberation and prayer, Chip and I have pretty much decided to send Miles to public school. Before even considering the idea, we had decided we would move next year into a certain neighborhood in Denton we like, not realizing the best elementary school in Denton is there in the middle of it. I run into moms all the time at that neighborhood's park, and always get rave reviews of that school. We both feel very good about our decision, and even better now with the possibility of the positive influence of a Bible class at Miles's future high school.

Choosing a method to educate your child is such an important decision and has been a hard one for me. So many people in my family and church homeschool, and for a while I thought I would too. But all along, I did not feel in my heart that it was right for me, or Miles. So right now, public school seems to be the choice. Denton schools started back yesterday, so here we are at the one year mark; one year left with Milesy at home with me. I'm a little sad, a little excited, and the closer it gets, the more I think, "Well, maybe I'll just keep him home for kindergarten, and he can start school in first grade!" I'll probably go back and forth on the issue over the next year, but I think in the end he'll probably start kindergarten as planned. Please pray for us that we will make the best decision.

We're Expecting!

"daughter"

About two months ago, Chip and I decided to adopt a little girl from China! Since then, we did research, chose an adoption agency and we just now finished filling out the application, which we’ll be sending in tomorrow.

We are so excited about our decision! I have always wanted a daughter; someone to share all the fun “girly” things with. I’m already dreaming of the dolls I’ll get for her, pink birthday parties, having our nails done together, decorating her bedroom… Needless to say, I wish we could go get her right now! Unfortunately, the process to adopt from China is a long one—two to three years. We ask for everyone’s prayers and support as we begin our journey to our daughter.

Chip and I created a website all about our journey, and to help us raise money for adoption expenses. International adoption is very expensive, and we will be contributing every dollar we can to it, but we will need help from others. Please visit our website, http://www.bringhannahhome.org/, and help us if you can.

To read more information about the Chinese adoption process, visit our adoption agency’s website: http://www.gwca.org/.

I’ll be writing about our journey, either here, or I may start a new blog just for the adoption. Be sure to check back here often to follow our progress.