Stahlke Adoption: July 2013

Thursday, July 18, 2013

19, 18, 17, 15, 13, 10

The ages of our kids.
Yes, that means FIVE teenagers.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

A Different Kind of Writing

My blogging has taken a hit, as you've probably noticed. We have two fathers who are house- or nursing-home bound, so I'm sending postcards that they can receive in their mailbox and hold in their hands. It just works better than reading a post on a screen, or relying on someone to print it out for them.

Eventually, I hope to get back to more regular blogging, because I love to write. Also, I have a very large list of topics that I've saved over the years--stories of the adoption. So stay tuned, for sometime in the future.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Postscript: Battle of the Eggs

Our successful weapon: SALSA

PS See my post on 9/24/11 for the back story.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Gabi

About a week ago, we returned from our summer trip to Virginia to see my family. Paul's girlfriend Gabi joined us for the trip. It was a joy to become better acquainted with her. Thought I'd include a photo, which Paul chose as his most recent profile picture on Facebook:

Tuesday, July 09, 2013

What An Experience!

My nephew Jacob traveled to Australia last week for an international running conference. In his first race, he placed 10th out of 4000 participants! I think that living and training in Fairplay, Colorado at an altitude of 10,000 feet has given him lung capacity to run very fast.

Go, Jacob!

Monday, July 08, 2013

Patience

Do you ever have a verse of Scripture leap off the page at you? Yesterday, I saw this in the church bulletin:

If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. - Galatians 6:1

I also thought of the following hymn verse about the most famous adoptive father in history. The boldface is mine.

We sing our thanks for Joseph,
The guardian of our Lord,
Who faithfully taught Jesus
Through craft and deed and word.
Grant wisdom, Lord, and patience
To parents everywhere
Who guide and teach the children
Entrusted to their care.

- Lutheran Service Book, Hymn No. 517, st. 14

It helps me to hear these reminders at a time when my patience is wearing very thin.

Saturday, July 06, 2013

Dads

My father and Jonathan's dad are both stable for now. What a blessing! Leonard recovered enough to enter a rehab facility on Tuesday, and my father moved home yesterday. I'll keep you posted.

Stahlke Adoption