Cry for the Orphan

Yesterday our local Kiwanis group asked me to speak about our adoptions.  I have been fairly quiet the last year about our adoptions.   But if I am asked to speak I am glad to do so.  I enjoy it a lot and I am blessed to be able to encourage people to conisder giving a child a forever family.  Many Christan's go through life saying they don't know what Gods calling for their life is.  I don't have that excuse.  I know what Gods calling for my life is.  He called our family to adopt, he called us to be a voice for the orphan.  He called me to teach His will regarding the plite of the orphan.

As you all have probably heard R*ssia is currently considering closing adoptions to the United States.  This saddens my heart.  We have a close family friend that has adopted twice from Russia.  While in Vietnam she thanked the Director of the orphanage we visited for his dedication to the children there.  She spoke of the untolerable conditions her other two children had endured in R*ssia.  While I am saddened for the families that have longed to hold their children and may never have that opportunity.  My great sadness is for the children that will now linger in orphanages and will never see the outside of those orphanage walls.  These children are left in their cribs, tied to chairs and neglected.  I am sure there are good orphanages in R*ssia but to think about the possibility that non of these children will have the opportunity to have a normal life or to have a Mother, Father, sister or brother is beyond belief.  Politics should remain politics and the children should not be impacted.

I'm attaching a link to Linnys blog  she is a much better writer than I am and makes some good points regarding Gods timing and His mercy on us.  She has asked that we join her in prayer and fasting on 12/29/2012.  If you read this in time please join us.

With all that said I feel renewed with the fact that God has a work for me to do and I will continue to do His will.

Running

So earlier in the year I started running.  I was always one of those people that said, "Running is not for me." I decided that 2012 was going to be a year of change for me.  So I read the Bible in 90 days and on 3/31 I ran my first 2 mile run.  I ran at the Paws and Claws event at Withrow Springs.  I ran 2 miles in 23 minutes.  Which if you know anything about running that is really pretty dog gone slow!  But hey I did it.  So my next run was in Harrison.  It was a 5k which calculates out to be 3.2 miles.  I ran for Housing for the Orphans and I ran that in 37.05.  Which again is pretty dog gone slow!  Two weeks ago I ran at the Sugar Plum race in Springdale.  It was another 5k and I ran it in 32.43 minutes.  It was all pretty level and I had a 5 minute improvement in my time.  On Sunday I ran the Fayettevile 5k.  If you know anything about this 5k you know that it is hilly.  I was concerned that my time wouldn't be as good this go around since there were so many hills.  I was rather pleased with my results.  I ran it in 32.44.  One second difference than the weekend before.   So I'm running about an 11 minute mile on average which for "runners" that still pretty slow but I'm improving.  The last 2 events I've come in #6 in my age group so overall I'm pleased with my progress.  I'm not telling you about my running as an attempt to brag but to encourage all those people out there that have always said the same thing I did "running is not for me".   Get out and get moving.  You don't know what you can or can't do until you get out and give it a try.  

Here are a few pictures that you can chuck at.  I look like a fat cow!  No matter.. I'm moving and you can too!

This was the last 20 feet or so of the 5k.

It's almost Christmas!

I've been promising pictures for quite some time.  Well I finally have a couple to share.  I've got to get back to taking more pictures of the kids.  Especially here at Christmas.  I always do a comparitive growth year over year of the kids. 

 

Addie got a new hair cut last week.  It looks super cute on her.  I wish she'd take the barette out of it so you could see it down.  Alas, she likes it pulled back.

 We went to see Santa on Saturday.  We had over an hour wait to see Santa but the kids were troopers.  We then went to see the Christmas lights on the Fayetteville Square.  If you've never been to see the lights you really need to go it's a treat.

Last but not least Jonathon will turn 26 tomorrow! I can't believe he will be 26.  He has always been such a blessing to us.  He protects our county and he loves his family so much.  Happy Birthday Jonathon we are very proud of you!

 

Don't forget to be a blessing!  In doing so you will receive the greatest blessing yourself.
Tina

Whew October is over..

It seems like we had a birthday every week of October!  What we almost did!

Ashton October 13th
Alex October 19th
Joseph October 25th
Johnny November 1st

Yep the pocket book is now a bit lean starting the Christmas shopping season.

We pretty much get a break on birthdays until December.
Jonathon December 11th
Elmer December 15th
James December 17th
Shawna December 22nd

Yep our family pretty well celebrates birthdays in a two month time frame.  Right before Christmas.

I went and voted this morning.  I hope each of you did the same.  I'm one that says you don't have a right to complain if you don't take the opportunity you've been given to vote.  I hope you prayed and voted based on Biblical values.  I don't know what God has planned for our future but it is time we as Christians stand up for our rights and stand up for Biblical values.

To change the subject.. Addie has 3 loose teeth.  One is hanging loose and I can't get it pulled she starts crying the minute she thinks there's going to be pain.  I don't think  Alex is ever going to loose a tooth.  His teeth are still all intact.  It's funny one thing I was so worried about when we got pictures of him was that I thought he had bad teeth. The pictures just weren't clear.  He has a beautiful smile and great teeth.  I really dread it when the kids hit that ugly duckling stage where their teeth look two times to large for their heads.  I remember when the boys went thru that.  Jonathon ended up looking like a goofer and ended up needing braces.  He has great teeth now but it took almost 4 years to get him all straightened out. 

Well this is a mostly a random post about a bunch of nothing but I thought at least I could/should get on and post something.

Have a great week and make it count for the Lord.
Tina

Happy Birthday

Five years ago today we celebrated Alex's 3rd birthday. This was his first birthday at home. It's hard to believe that "little man" as I call him just turned 8 years old or that he has been home for 5 years! Alex came home one week before his 3rd birthday.

We are blessed to be his parents. For those of you that know Alex you know that one of his favorite things in the whole world is to talk. That boy talks, theorizes and vocalizes anything that comes in his head. He doesn't have an indoor voice and he doesn't have a filter. Whatever he's thinking comes out of his mouth. He's very intelligent and very convincing. Last year his teacher told him, "I know your my smartest math student, but you are not always right." This year we've had to tell him that just because he knows the answer doesn't mean he can blurt it out in class. He loves to answer questions we told him he needs to give the other kids an opportunity to answer also. Alex continues to grow in the Lord. Two weeks ago he announced that he wants to be Baptized and he has started singing in the youth choir. Last weekend he sang during the Sunday morning service. The lady behind me said, "Boy he does a great job and he doesn't need a mic." Nope he doesn't need a mic you can hear him above all the other kids. He's a great brother, he's loving, kind and considerate and we love him dearly. As you can tell we have our hands full. But we wouldn't trade him for anything! He's our son. God had a plan that came together 5 years ago that brought Nguyen Nhat Hung (Alex) into our family as our forever son. God's timing and will is always perfect. We are far from perfect parents and our kids are far from perfect but we love them each one and consider blessed to be the parent to each one of them.

Happy Birthday Alex Scott. We love you!

I also want to wish Ashton and Joseph a Happy Birthday.  Ashton celebrated her 22nd birthday on the 13th.  Joseph will be celebrating his 22nd birthday on the 25th.

Have a wonderful day.  Many Blessings to you and your family.
Tina

Alex in Vietnam.  The first time we met.

 Our zany boy at Easter.  Wearing his batting helmet while he hunts eggs.. Hunting eggs is a serious sport at the Cornelison house.

What's in a Penny?

This morning I was listening to American Family Radio on my way into work.  JJ and Ron were talking about kids putting things in there pockets.  It started out with a conversation about boys picking up rocks.  Then JJ told a story I think most of us have heard before.  It simply goes like this.  Most people don't bother to pick up a penny anymore.  We simply pass them by.  And you have probably noticed if you ever find any money more than likely it's a penny someone has dropped.  JJ told about a guy that had almost passed by without picking up a penny but on that particular day he decided he'd pick it up.  He read the words "In God We Trust" on the penny and the Lord spoke to this gentlemen letting him know to put his faith in Him. He was having a ruff time and the Lord used that penny to speak to him.  JJ continued the story talking about the death of his 5 year old son Cooper.  He had told his kids about picking up pennys and how they should always be reminded to put their trust in God. When Copper passed away his Mom was looking through his pants pocket and the only thing in his pocket was a single penny.  Reminding his family to put their trust in God.

The broadcast moved onto the next song and I pulled into a local Gas station and opened my door and about 5 steps in front of me.. You guessed it a penny.  Reminding me to put my Trust in God.

Has God spoken to you lately?  Are you listening?

Oh my goodness it's been over a month since I posted

I can't believe it's been that long since I've been on.  The last month has flown by.  We spent a weekend in Tulsa for Vietnam Heritage Weekend.  We spent 4 days in Tulsa for China Camp.  We celebrated Addie's 7th birthday all in the last month!  To say the least we've been a tad bit busy!

I haven't taken time to upload any pictures but believe me we have been enjoy our time away at camps and last weekend we enjoyed celebrating Addie's 7th birthday with family.

I have been trying to loose a few pounds and I have continued to exercise.  Earlier in the year I read the Bible in 90 days, ran my first 5k and now I've decided to try Conquering the Gauntlet!

http://www.conquerthegauntlet.com/

Conquer the Gauntlet ™ is a 4 mile obstacle course race with over 25 grueling obstacles. This race will test your speed, agility, balance, and stamina. To Conquer the Gauntlet ™ you must have determination, purpose, and will-power.

Well I don't know if I'll be able to Conquer the Gauntlet or not but I'm going to give it a shot!  Hey we only live once.  Why not set goals and have things to plan for and look forward to.  Time flies by way too quick.  I decided this year was going to be a year of change for me.  A year where I step out beyond my safe, normal mode that I stay in and do some things different even if that means stepping out of my comfort zone and crawling in some mudd!

The kids and grandkids are doing well.  Bentley will be 2 years old next month!  I can't believe it's been 2 years already.  Jaylynn will come over tonight and spend the evening with Grandpa and Nanna and sweet Julie is growing leaps and bounds!

Have a wonderful week and make it count for the Lord!