Presenting Benjamin Li Baldwin!

We are pleased to introduce our new son, Benjamin Li, born January 3, 2008.  He is currently waiting for us in China until we can come get him.  I told our agency that this will be the fastest adoption process they've ever had.  I am one determined mama.

Home

This song is so very special to me right now...

Home (as performed by Phillip Phillips)

Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home

Finding My Subplot in God's Story

“And once you live a good story, you get a taste for a kind of meaning in life, and you can't go back to being normal; you can't go back to meaningless scenes stitched together by the forgettable thread of wasted time.”
― Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life

"Love does." - Bob Goff

I am being inspired.  I am learning about me... my strengths and weakness.  I've spent time charting both the positive and negative turns in my life and prayed over them, asking God to show me his redemptive purpose in the negative turns.  I starting to become someone who is very aware of my weaknesses but I also am (finally) getting a good grip on a few of my strengths. 

• I am tenacious
• I am resourceful
• I am empathetic
• I can "rally the troops"
• While every day minor irritants can throw me, I am very strong and calm in catastrophic/difficult situations
• Projects energize, inspire and motivate me

What are some things you've learned about yourself recently?  Share them in the comments!