"Love my fam!"

We started this kind of corny tradition when our older kids were in grade school. It began on a ski trip to Breckenridge. As we rode the chairlifts, Todd would shout, "Love my family!" to the two or three surrounding chairs containing all of us Lindquist skiers. It then became a contest to see who could repeat the phrase the fastest. So, from other chairs on the lift people could hear the "Love my family" echo in response. Now, whenever there is competition involved, Lindquists will find a way to be first. So over the years the game has been reduced. Now someone will shout "Fam!" and everyone who hears it will echo it loudly. It's a little harder to understand for anyone who may overhear this chatter, but we know what we mean. The other day I just couldn't help but smile right down to my toes when I heard Elsa yell "Fam!" in the car on the way to church. Of course, we all responded loudly and in unison, "FAM!" For that is what we are!

One year ago today, the seven of us became a family. It was a shaky start, as most international, toddler adoptions can be. There were tears, sleepless nights, sad looks, and lots of silent gesturing in order to make ourselves known over the language barrier. By God's grace, the sad little girl in the picture above has blossomed into this:

We are so grateful that we serve a God who is sovereign over all things and working in our lives that which brings us closer to Him and brings Him glory. "For I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"(Isaiah 46:9b-10)

He has done great things! We are amazed at how far Elsa has come in one year. She is a joyful, fun-loving, chattering 3 year old who captures everyone's hearts. Her English is coming along well and despite a few puzzled looks from those she is trying to communicate with, she presses on. She has ventured off on her own to Sunday School, Wednesday morning Bible study, and Wednesday night connection classes. Many days she asks if today is the day for "Elsa's class." While learning the memory verse can be difficult since she doesn't speak in complete sentences yet, I am amazed at all that she is learning. She informed me the other day that Jesus cares for her and her bedtime routine now includes singing "Holy, Holy, Holy" and "This Little Light of Mine."

As a family, we cannot imagine life without Elsa Mei Yue! We praise God for this gift to us. He has shown us more of Himself and His heart through this process. We continue to learn from Him more about the amazing grace He bestows on His children when He calls them to Himself and adopts them for His own. We have His name. "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13) Hallelujah!

Last Christmas we celebrated the birth of our Savior in China with a new little girl in tow. This year Elsa will celebrate her first Christmas at home and we will bring to a close her year of firsts. That's not to say there won't be more new discoveries and adventures for our spunky little peanut! Of course there will!  I'll end with a few pictures from our fall. Thanks for reading and praising God with us.

Visiting Wheaton College for Dad & Mom's 25th reunion.

The sisters at Fall Break.

Picking just the right "gum-kin" (aka pumpkin)

Celebrating Daddy's birthday.

Dressing up for Halloween.

Loved getting all that candy!!

Loved time with family from far away for Thanksgiving! Aunt Ingrid is pretty fun! 

Supported Annika at her school Christmas program. Elsa can't wait to do this for herself next year!

Enjoyed the first big snowfall....

......a lot!!!!!

With hot chocolate and whipped cream to warm up. Yum!!!

Three months and counting!

It is truly hard to believe that Elsa has been home for three months.  It honestly seems like she's always been here!  This simple grace from God is too wonderful to comprehend.  As I hear the two girls giggling in bed with the lights out, see two black haired beauties swinging on the playset, or witness the shrieks of joy as big brothers "chase" down the little sisters, I am once again overwhelmed by His goodness to our family!

"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;  I have called you by name, you are mine.'" Isaiah 43:1

We read this portion of scripture this morning at church and I couldn't help but think of the similarities between God calling His children to Himself and us bringing Elsa home.  We called her by name, she is ours. By His grace. Hallelujah!

Seeing this side of adoption has had a profound impact on Annika.  She has always been a thoughtful, deep thinking little girl so I guess we shouldn't be surprised.  The other day as we talked about her Chinese heritage, she asked, as she has in the past, why we think her birth mother gave her to the nannies.  "Didn't she want me?" The question wasn't asked in a pitiable sort of way, just inquisitive.  Still, it made my heart ache.  Those questions will always be there.  Thankfully, God's Spirit was at work in the conversation and I heard myself telling her that we just simply don't know what circumstances her birth mother found herself in at the time.  BUT GOD DOES!  More than that, I went on, He had planned all along that you and Elsa were to be Lindquists.  That's a fact we find right in His Word.  This thought is not new for her.  I could see the wheels turning.  Then she turned and said to me, "God must have really wanted me in His family!  He knew the best way for me to learn about Jesus and belong to Him is if you and Daddy adopted me."  Wow!! The gospel, plain and simple.  Twice chosen.  Annika gets it.  I smiled through my tears as I gave her the biggest hug ever.  So blessed am I.

Elsa, aka Mommy's shadow, has settled into a great routine.  She loves the days we drive Annika and Ava to school.  She requires kisses from both of them before they can go to class.  She has begun a preschool gymnastics class that she loves.  Her English is growing by leaps and bounds.  I think I will really miss all the "Chinglish" when it finally leaves her vocabulary completely.  Some of her favorite words and phrases include:
 "me too", "popcorn", "pray", "more", "I -v- oo" (that's I love you in case you're wondering!), "all gone", "drink", "play", "nigh-night", "one, two, three" (this usually precedes a jump from various heights), "Jesus"
I go on, but you get the idea.  Her prayers are simply the most precious things!  She asks to pray and then after addressing the Father lists off as many names of family as she can, over and over!  When she feels she has sufficiently covered us all, she says an emphatic "Amen!" in conclusion.

This is a long post, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we took a little 1,700 mile roadtrip to Florida this month.  Don't ask if we'll do that again.  Not sure we will!  :)  It was wonderful to connect with big sister, Mari, and some of her friends as well as have some family time on the beach and at Magic Kingdom.  I will end with a few pictures.  Just a few. We have 700.  It was a wonderful, relaxing week away.  Until Todd's back began acting up.  But that is another blog.

 The trip begins!

 Finally here!

 The Lindquist girls!

 Guess who has watched "Soul Surfer" a dozen times!

 Perfect way to spend a morning.

 Spent a lot of time in the water!

 Mari, Annika and Leanna..... 

 getting dipped!

 Just checking her Facebook.

 Dinner out with the Spring Break crew.

 Annika and Jake

 Gus, Kirstin, and Jake.....

 get a really loooonng dip at Todd's request.

 Gus helping Annika catch the big one.

 A sand mermaid.

 We staked out our spot early.

 Another mermaid.

 The girls' reaction to the Disney fireworks seen from our hotel balcony.

 Ready for a day at Magic Kingdom!

 Started the day with a character breakfast. One thrilled girl. The other three kids, not so much. 

 The big brothers were troupers!

 Got to meet Mickey and Minnie before we ended the day!

 The looonnng car ride home.  Did I mention we DROVE to Florida?

 Jake racked up the behind the wheel hours! :)

Thrilled to be home again.

One Month Update

Wow!  We have come a long way in one month!!!  God has been so faithful to us as we returned home December 30th as a family of seven.  I could go on forever about all the wonderful ways His hand has guided in the last month. Instead, I will highlight just a few.....for the praise of His glory.

• We arrived at MSP to a wonderful group of family and friends-all excited to meet Elsa (and see us, I presume!)
• My sister, Ingrid, and her family (Chip, Olivia & Trey) were still here in MN for Christmas vacation.  This allowed us some wonderful family time with them before they headed back to MI.  
• There were a few days before Jake & Annika headed back to school so they could get used to central time zone again!
• Mari spent her last week of vacation here at home; sleeping and enjoying Elsa before heading back to Wheaton.
• Elsa loves sharing a room and a bed with Annika.  
• Annika is a wonderful big sister.  She has a tender heart that loves freely and gives generously. God has gifted her perfectly to minister to her younger sister as she transitions to life here at home.
• Gus and Jake are amazing big brothers who Elsa adores.

All these gifts are just a glimpse of the month we have had.  We are all sleeping through the night now ( a BIG blessing for me! ) and even adjusting to a nap schedule.  Elsa understands almost everything she hears, but speaking English is not high on her "to do" list yet.  We are all learning her words for things and getting along very well.  Honestly, it hardly seems possible that it has only been a month since we came home.  Life here would certainly be dull without her.  I am so thankful to Him that we didn't miss this wonderful little girl and all the blessings of seeing God work in and around us.  I read these verses in Isaiah 45:5-6 and think it sums up our life perfectly.

"I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no god; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other."

While this prophesy speaks specifically of Cyrus and how God was going to use him in the life of Israel, I do know that He is equipping us daily.  In addition to getting used to the crazy life that is ours, Elsa has also visited with a variety of doctors.  We are thankful for access to wonderful medical care and advise.  She is fearfully and wonderfully made.  We know that without a doubt.  That precious smile and dimple says it all.

 Time with the extended family

 A new panda from Uncle Eric and Val

 Lovin' time with the cousins

 Matchy, matchy

 Getting a trim from Wendy

 Visiting MOA with Mari

 Discovering lots of ways to play

 Cuddle time with Gus

 Playing dress up with Annika

 Supporting Wildcat basketball

 Jammin' to LeCrae

 Helping us dogsit and loving it!

Still love my noodles!

I find myself peeking into their room after all is quiet.  Where there was one little, black-haired head on a pillow, now two lie side by side.  God is good.  He "crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103:4-5)