Whirlwind

Life has been busy over here since my last post. If you are curious what I have been up to in the last 3 weeks, check out this blog...

http://teamchina10.blogspot.com/

I started it last month to document our journey to China to love orphans. Join me there to catch up on our ordinary lives :)

First Things First

Packing, planning, preparing, making lists, sending out support letters, organizing the Fundraiser, there is a lot to accomplish in the three weeks before our family gets on the plan for a 20 hours of travel to and 3 weeks of service in China. But before all this started, I promised God that I would not be a "Martha", busy about many things. I asked Him to prepare my heart for China. Not just help me arrange for a dogsitter and a house-plant waterer.

I am so forgetful. So faithless.

Already this week I have been distracted by "good" things. Not the "best" thing--sitting at Jesus' feet and letting him move in, work on, clean out, and order my heart. I DO NOT want to plan and pack and just show up to "look after orphans in their distress".

Yesterday's quiet time was a gentle reminder of His heart. Since last summer, we have been praying for the orphans in China. I have wanted to find ways to love them in practical and tangible ways. God opened the doors for us to go to some of them and bring them hope this summer. The verse we have used as our directive is:

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

I read the verses that come BEFORE that one in the Bible. Verses 19-26 in the first chapter of the Book of James share a lot of pointers for how I can be prepared to carry out His kind of religion:

• 
  
  Be quick to listen.
• 
  
  Be slow to speak.
• 
  
  Be slow to become angry.
• 
  
  Get rid of my moral filth.
• 
  
  Humbly accept His Word.
• 
  
  DO what it says.
• 
  
  Keep a tight rein on my tongue.

Suddenly all my lists and things to do seem less important. I have plenty of other things, FIRST THINGS, to pray about and work on before I am truly prepared to love the least of these with Christ's Love. God didn't chose me to go because I was perfect. I need help in all of these areas. But I trust Him to accomplish this work in my heart as I am willing to obey and go.

NBC

Here Am I. Send Me.

A recent letter that was emailed to our close friends asking them to support us this summer as we venture out in a wild journey of faith:

“How are we going to explain THIS without all our friends thinking we are nuts?”

These were Bob’s exact words as we were brainstorming ways to let you all know about the AMAZING opportunity that God has plopped into our laps!

You are our close friends so you know how the Fitzpatrick’s operate. You are accustomed to our “spontaneity”!

Here goes: In July, our family is going to serve at weekly summer camps for orphan children with Bring Me Hope ministry!

Oh, and these camps are in China. :)

The first camp begins on July 5th and all SEVEN Fitzpatricks plan on being on the coast of China in Yantai to work as volunteers at BMH summer camps for orphans.

Our sole job description is to love orphans.

When it comes down to it, Jesus defines religion really simply: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

Really, Jesus wants us to be loving orphans and widows no matter what longitude and latitude we are in. So saying “yes” was not a hard decision for us. Nope, deciding to go was easy. Getting us there—now that is more of a challenge.

But NOT FOR GOD!

It all started with a tap on our shoulders in church two Sundays ago. Our friends asked if we would join them as their family goes for a month to look after the ones that God has given them such a tender heart for. The Bolt family loves China, orphans, and families.

That is how Bring Me Hope ministry began—in the heart of this family. If you want to find out more about the family and their ministry, check out: http://www.bringmehope.org/ or http://www.bmhnews.blogspot.com/

We are going to serve alongside them by swimming, crafting, hugging, laughing with, playing with, crying over and loving children. Chinese orphans.

We can’t wait! Unlike our recent separate trips to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation”, this summer we are so thrilled to be serving as a family in China. Together. Shoulder to shoulder. Heart to heart.

There are a dozen different things we could share: mind-boggling details, faith-deepening facts, about how God has brought this about so suddenly. But we think the best thing to add here is that God has made the way straight and opened all the doors for us to go. So we go, in faith.

Here is where you come in: God has provided passports, visas and many of the practical things necessary to make it clear that He wants us in China serving these children whom He loves. What we really need is your prayers. Lots and lots and LOTS of them.

This will not be an exotic vacation or a refreshing family camp. Going will require something of us that we don’t possess apart from His Holy Spirit: Christ’s Love. That “stretched out to its farthest limits, laying down your life” kind of love. We can’t go in our own strength, with our own limited brand of love. It will hurt those children and our own hearts too much that way. But if we love them with the Love Jesus has for orphans, then the cost will be worth it.

If we love these kids like our own and with His Love, knowing they will return to their orphanages after only one short week, it is sure to be painful. But that pain should not keep us from loving them while we can. And we can.

So the Fitzpatrick Family is going to China in July 2010. To love the least, the last, the lost.

Will you go with us in prayer? Will you join with our church family at Temecula Hills Christian Fellowship and our hearts as we ask the Lord to do incredible things in and through us? As we seek to love these unwanted children and show them that they have worth and that they matter to Someone, will you intercede for them? Will you pray that the children He brings to the BMH camps will see Jesus’ love in real, tangible, expressive ways through us?

We have been told that it will be a great benefit to these children to witness an intact family interacting and loving each other; they do not have this modeled in their orphanages. Please pray that they would see His Hope for the family—even though ours is so flawed and imperfect. We want to bring Hope to these children.

Will you help us?

Please reply to this email TODAY if you are willing to join our team of people praying for us, the Bolt Family, Bring Me Hope staff, our Chinese translators (we will share a close relationship with these students while in China and hopefully in the future when we return!) and the precious orphans He brings us to love. In this way, we can keep you posted on particulars and plans so you can pray specifically.

Thanks for letting us share this burden with you…to pray…and carrying it with us.

In Christ,

The Fitzpatrick Family

Bob, Kelly, Reilly, Kate, Samuel, Aidan, and Peter

For some awesome photos of last year's camp:

http://www.bringmehope.org/media/?cat=3

Wanna join us on the wild ride of living dangerously surrendered to Christ? Comment with your email address and we will add you to our support team! :)

Which is older...

Bob Fitzpatrick OR...

• Astroturf (1964)
• VCR (1975)
• First Starbucks Coffee House (1971)
• First Super Bowl (1967-Green Bay beat Kansas City)
• Singer: Debbie Gibson (August 1970)
• Easy Bake Oven (1963)
• Compact Disc (1965)
• GI Joe (1964)
• Hand Held Electronic Calculator (1967)
• Mini-skirt (1965)
• Post-it Notes (1974)
• Internet-invented for/by US military (1969)
• Rollerblades (1979)
• Rubik's Cube (1974)
• ATM machine (1967)
• The First Home Video Game (1972 Pong)
• My Potato Head (1952)
• Twister (1966)
• Gatorade (1965)
• Push-button Phones (1963)
• Portable Music Player (1979 Walkman)

So Bob is older than computers, home video games, walkmans, cell phones and VCR's...but younger than GI Joe and Mr. Potato Head.

Thanks Brian!

40 Things I Love About You

In honor of his 40th Birthday, here is a list of 40 things I love about my husband Bob (in no particular order):

• Your squinty-eyed “serious” look 
• Your pink cheeks and tiny ears
• How your upper lip trembles when you are about to cry
• That you the kind of man who cries
• Watching you jump on the trampoline with Peter
• The way you run—your long stride on the balls of your feet
• That you do laundry AND dishes
• Your poetry
• Your heart for music—the way it speaks in lyrics and rhythms
• Your willingness to learn new things, you are so adventurous
• Your math genius and intense awareness of palindromes-so thankful you balance out our children’s gene pool
• That ring, worn faithfully for 17 years, on your left hand
• The way You hunt for silly books at the Library
• The handyman you have become
• Every inch of You—in your LUCKY Brand jeans
• Knowing you pray for our children every single night
• Your hardworking character—you get up every weekday at 5am to provide for us
• The way you get so excited about Peach Luscious—that sweet tooth
• Your sincere desire to grow and become more like Christ
• Laughing with you
• How you love YOUR mom, how you love MY mom
• Watching you play, tickle, and giggle with our children
• The way you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow
• The patient way you deal with my mood swings
• How you love to hold hands anytime, anywhere
• That you don't quit or give up when things are hard
• Your growing sense of responsibility to the least, the last, the lost
• Waking up next to you
• The sparkle in your eyes when you're happy
• Your big, scrawly signature
• How you seem to like everything I prepare in the kitchen
• Sharing a carton of ice cream with you after the kids go to bed
• How you make time for me no matter how busy you are
• Burying under the covers with you on cold nights
• How you make me smile on really bad days
• How you're like a little kid when you're not feeling well
• How brave you get when I'm feeling scared or unsure or anxious
• The way I miss you when we're not together
• The utter happiness I feel when I'm with you—knowing you are mine
• And how blessed you make me feel each day for having someone like you in my life.

Happy Birthday Babe! I could have come up with a hundred more!

Bob, Age 40

Please stay tuned. I will get to this post. Honestly, we have too many birthdays in one day!

Don't fret honey, if you are reading this, I promise I will write a post ALL about you! Well, Aidan thought that was special!

I am sure you can't wait.

Happy Birthday beloved,  I love you! ;)

Sadie, Age 5

It's my dog's birthday too. Even though I am pretty sure she doesn't read my blog, I don't want her to be left out on her special day. I am sorry that I couldn't find any pictures of her. But I had this nice one of a baby Alpacha.

Happy Birthday Sadie-dog! :0

Samuel, Age 9

Samuel-Hebrew for "Heard of God".

Before there was a Bob in my life, there was a Samuel in my heart. I didn't "know" him yet, but I knew I would someday have a son named Samuel. Bob signed on knowing this quirky clause in his contract. He agreed to it on the night he proposed to me.

I knew from the first time I read the Bible story about the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament that I would someday have a son named Samuel. And I prayed, even as a brand-new believer, a sixteen year old not-even-dating girl, that my son would grow up and say, like his namesake, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."

Our Samuel is a servant. An eager, first one to say, "Okay Mommy" kind of boy. He makes me smile.

Samuel is our firstborn son. A prayer answered 14 years after it was first prayed. Each of our daughter's were named Samuel until we met them. And thought better of it. We didn't know before they were born that they would be girls. We knew our twins were both boys. I rejoiced the day we discovered that happy news.We would have TWO sons! And we already knew one of their names. 

Samuel came barrelling out me 21 minutes before his brother. No matter what the doctors tried to do to keep him inside. Samuel had had enough of sharing space with his womb mate. Aidan was wiggly and active and had a really hard kick. Even I knew that and I was on the outside. Samuel wanted out. I don't blame him for coming early.

My first and very quick glimpse of him revealed that he was a WHITE BOY. And I mean WHITE! He looked like a skinny porcelain doll with a long, Roman nose. It wasn't until I saw them hours later side by side hooked up in the NCIU that I learned that one twin had taken most of the red blood cells. It wasn't Samuel. To this day, Samuel is fair-skinned while his brother has his daddy's dark skin.

Samuel is a big, strapping boy now. He wears a man-size shoe and is a head taller and quite a few pounds heavier than his twin. But he started out small...6 pounds 5 ounces. I remember asking the doctor if I would break them, they appeared so fragile and tiny. But Samuel was a hard-core eater and he made up for lost time baking in the oven. He still can EAT!

It didn't take long for Samuel to catch up to his "due date" age. He walked early, ran early, rode his bike without training wheels before he was four. And his first, and only word for a long time, was ball. He loves all things that have to do with sports or being active. He is a lot like his daddy.

Maybe that is why I like him so much. And I have had a head start understanding what makes him tick--I've been with his daddy for more than half my life. I understand his tender heart, his eagerness to serve and help, his loyalty and dependability. He is very hard-working and just. I love all those things about him.

I continue to pray the same prayer I began before I even met him nine years ago: that Samuel would grow up to say to His Lord, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Momma loves you, sweet Samuel boy! You are wonderful. :)

Aidan, Age 9

Nine years ago today, my husband and my mom were arguing and trying to convince me to "pinch it off" so that one of our twins would be born on May 27 and the other on May 28. That way each of them would have a kid to share their birthdays with. They thought that sounded like fun. You know, just stall my labor for another 6 hours so that my mom and my husband would have the birthday dates they liked. Yeah. Well. Needless to say, this cutie patootie was born at 6:15pm on May 27th. His twin brother arrived 21 minutes earlier. Both of them born on my Mom's birthday. At least one of them was happy.

Aidan came into the world squirming and ready to run. Footling breech, his right leg was the first part of him to make an appearance in our lives. Oh, that tiny little foot! Now it is a size 4.5. Then the rest of his skinny, red body slimed out. Red because he had "stolen" all the red blood cells in the placenta so he was really, really red. And tiny. 5 lbs 11 ounces and almost 7 weeks early. All our other babies had been BIG! Here was this itty-bitty red baby who had to be pulled out by the thigh. He had a man's handprint on his thigh. No joke! The doctor helped in his arrival without the scalpel (thank you, God!) but with his hand.

I did not get to hold or cuddle him right away. He was whisked away to the NCIU. But as soon as I did meet him, I knew that I could love a son just as much as our daughters. Amazing. Even if it would be months before he would make eye-contact, (preemies oftentimes don't make eye contact) it was love at first sight.

And my love for this wiggly, squirmy, active, zealous, energetic, wildly creative, witty kid has been growing ever since. He is the only one of our 5 kids that I don't clearly understand. The rest of them I "get", you know. Aidan constantly stretches me, surprises me and amazes me. My constant prayer is to stay a step ahead of his lightening-quick mind. I am not always successful. But oh the stories he provides us with! He keeps us all guessing and laughing. I love that about him.

Bob and I used to pray that he would survive to celebrate his 2nd birthday. And here it is, today is  his 9th! Nine more to go until he is on his own. Now our prayer is that WE would survive the next 9!

Just joking.

Aidan--Irish for "Little Fire".

A word from the (sometimes) wise: Be mindful of what you name your child. :)

I look forward to all this year has for my sweet Aidan-boy. Watching how God is going to use each and every unique inch of that wonderful boy, I expect lots of twists and turns. And laughter.

You are one terrific kid, Aidan. And Momma loves you! :)

Happy Birthday to my Mom!

I Heart My Mom!

May is a busy time for birthdays in the Fitzpatrick House. My momma, our twins sons, my dog and my hubby all celebrate their special days within 24 hours of each other. Whew!

Today is my favorite Momma's 50-something birthday! I adore her. Our kids adore her. My hubby adores her. Even our dog Sadie thinks she is amazing. She is really funny. I am so glad God made her and made her my mom. Her servant heart and willingness to lay down her life for a friend are examples to me. I am proud to be her daughter.

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you.

Make Me a Servant

JOY!

Driving in the car with my five kiddos today. Praising Jesus. Hearing my boy, 9 years old in 2 days, belting out these sweet lyrics:

"Make me a servant.

Humble and meek.

Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.

And may the prayer of my heart always be,

Make me a servant.

Today."

All his siblings join in the chorus. A momma's heart swells with JOY! And sings along. May the prayer of my heart always be...make me a servant Lord Jesus.

My Daughter has a Bucket List, Too

One of my favorite blogger's wrote a post about her ten year old daughter's Bucket List. I just happen to have one of those too. A 10 year old daughter.

So I promptly explained to mine what a bucket list is and she got started compiling her own right away.

Here is sweet Kate Marie's Bucket List with no prompting (okay, besides telling her what one was--a list of things you want to try before you die). I didn't even let her see the other list. I told her I would read Kristin's little girl's list if she told me hers. So in Kate's own words:

1.  Go to Paris
2.  Learn Pig Latin
3.  Go bungee-jumping
4.  Share the Gospel with 3 or more people
5.  Know all of my multiplication facts

I need to add #5 to my list right now. She is my girl!

A Word from the Wise

I am running towards the finish line on my 8th year of homeschooling. Usually around May I start to feel a bit weary. Since Bob is a high school teacher, he can relate. He calls it "senioritis".  I call it "i want to quit" or "this is too hard" or "that's it! i'm all done. you are all going to public school tomorrow".

Last week I was feeling my oldest out, trying to see how receptive she'd be to attending school next year. NOT our homeschool.

Her calm and measured response was, "Oh Mom. I don't want to go to school. I like yours. Anyway, you always want to quit this time of year ."

She is growing up. And growing wise. I am so proud of her for being so level-headed and sound-minded.Where did she get that from?

NOT from me. My favorite quip is "Keep calm and carry on." For a reason. I need a constant reminder since this does not come naturally to me.

Since this conversation, God has provided plenty of encouragement to stay the course, to finish the race, and to end well. I always need a little of that in May. And He always graciously reminds me what I am doing and why--and HOW to accomplish it. I can do it! Only by His grace and in His strength. But it was so nice to know that I have this wonderful, witty, and wise advocate living in my own house. A child of my own.

Amazing! She was just a tiny kindergartner just the other day.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Lip Sync Liberties

My side of the family is notorious for taking liberty with the lyrics of songs. Any songs. All songs. Reverent hymns, traditional carols, family favorites, pop hits. We are indiscriminate. My dad is particularly terrible and yet I can't for the life of me think of an example to quote here.

Which is why I keep this blog journal. To remember stuff.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I admit I am also free and easy with my song-singing. I make up words as I go along. So does Kate.

Tonight during family night we we were singing along to Chris Tomlin's "Glory in the Highest" and Kate's remake goes like this:

"Glory in the Highest.

God of Laryngitis"

Not exactly what I think the artist was going for but it works for me.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

On Friday, May 14 the Homeschooling Friends Players proudly presented A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was our second production. In 2008, we performed Twelfth Night. It is always a ton of fun. The kids  really enjoy letting their inner thespians out. All of them worked really hard at a tough script and made it truly funny! I laughed long and loud and hard while I enjoyed the finished product. I directed with some dear friends so I didn't have time to photograph the show. That explains why I don't have specific photos of my darlings! I am posting some friend's pictures (thanks Lynette). There were none of Reilly or Aidan in their roles but I may post those later (thanks Margi). For now, enjoy the splendor of Performing Arts on a small scale and a limited budget! :) But a lot of heart:

"What hempen home-spuns have we swaggering her so near the cradle of the Fairy Queen?"

Our mischievous sprite Puck aka: Kate Marie

The players of the play in the play? Huh?

Tom Snout the Tinker aka: Samuel (2nd from left)

"I have a sudden craving for hay!"

Nick Bottom surrounded by fairies.

We couldn't very well call them Lovers!

Since the cast involved all homeschooled kids ages 3-17...

So here are the Friendly Friends!

Hermia aka: Reilly (3rd from left)

"I know a bank where the wild thyme blows."

Impish Puck giggles while Oberon and Titania quibble.

"I'm your spaniel!"

Too bad I don't have this in life action.

Our Helena wags her tail-end here!

HILARIOUS!

Bottom and Titania

Snug, Flute, Bottom, Snout (Samuel), Quince, and Starveling

The Cast of HSF Production of

A Midsummer Night's Dream

The Fairy Queen and her Fairies

Cobweb, Mustardseed, Moth, Peasblossom, First Fairy and fairies in training!