Expanding the
“King”dom . . .
We
recently played a King’s Strings Christmas concert at a county nursing
facility. At the end of our
program, we assured the activities director that we would be back. She was flabbergasted that we’d so
quickly agree to return when they can’t pay our usual fee. John explained that while we do have a
set rate to help cover expenses such as lessons, new instruments when the
children outgrow them, and upkeep, we also make it a priority to live out James
1:27, “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.” And so we will return, not out of obligation or drudgery,
but because we have experienced the joy of bringing hope and blessing to dark
and lonely places.
Expanding the
“King”dom . . .
At the beginning of 2012 we were starting to feel
the rumblings of God’s call to adopt again. After several months of prayer and looking at different
options, we made the definite decision in July. We contacted a consultant and by August were beginning the fundraising efforts. Through King’s Strings CD sales, cookie
sales, an online auction, and multiple other efforts, we filed our initial
paperwork, finished our home study, had profiles made, and sent several agency
applications in the mail. And now
we wait and continue to fundraise.
The rest is in God’s perfect timing and match-making abilities. He knows that we’re not getting any
younger. We have requested a domestic adoption, under age five. Other than that, we look forward to
being surprised.
Expanding the
“King”dom . . .
Meanwhile,
we are in the college search with Andrew (17) who will be graduating this
spring. He has finally narrowed
down his choices and is waiting to see who wins the financial aid game. We do know that he will be far from
home next year and that’s okay.
Depending on the school, he’s looking into cinematography or media
communications. He announced in
August that he’s challenging himself
to use these last 180 days of school to make an eternal difference; to
not just be known as the guy who ran cross country or the kid who loves Philly
sports’ teams, but one who truly cares about others.
Expanding the
“King”dom . . .
Jesse
(16) joined the ranks of those allowed behind the wheel, growing a few more
gray hairs on my head (well, actually, they’re mostly on John’s head). He’s choosing to invest in the lives of
younger kids by co-teaching the kindergarten boys on Sunday mornings and by
working with a group of middle school boys on Wed. nights. He’s showing them that he’s not just
about being the crazy high school mascot or all-out dodgeball fan (with his
brother), but that he also cares about each of them. He knows that little eyes are watching and modeling, as
evidenced by the kindergartner who showed up at church with his hair spiked –
just like Jesse’s.
Expanding the
“King”dom . . .
The
theater world is still Mariana’s (14) favorite place to be. 2012 found her as Snoopy in You’re a
Good Man, Charlie Brown; Gertrude in Seussical; Brigitta in The Sound of Music; Viola in Twelfth Night; and Penny in Hairspray as well as co-star of an
educational video for the state of PA.
She knows that many of her actor friends live under the constant stress
of knowing where the next job may come from and the loneliness of going from
place to place. We’re often told
that she is definitely making a difference and that it’s noticed. The jump from homeschool to public
school came easy to her, quickly making friendships that count.
Expanding the
“King”dom . . .
Shoun
(12) is growing in so many ways, the least of which is stature (in which he
has grown several inches this year).
Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that this is just his second Christmas in
our home. He’s learning to think
of others first; in the home, at church, in the neighborhood, and on the soccer
field. After just his second
season of American soccer, Shoun was voted Most Improved Player on his
team.
Expanding the
“King”dom . . .
Isaac
(11) just loves people. He’s
quick to ask someone what’s wrong, to offer a back rub, or to care about
someone who’s struggling. His
soccer coach mentioned this when telling us about Isaac’s strong leadership on
the soccer team this year. He
plays viola with the West Shore Symphony Orchestra and as the only child, he’s
certainly making many friends of the adult musicians in the group. He, too, was in The Sound of Music this
summer, playing Kurt.
Expanding the
“King”dom . . .
Saying
she wants to be on stage like her older sister, Eden (8) played Gretl in The
Sound of Music this summer. She is
currently playing a lead role in a regional theater’s Christmas show. She has not given up her love of
crafts, though. This is how she
shows her love for others and we accept her handmade gifts knowing it’s in that
way that she shares her love for us.
Expanding the
“King”dom . . .
HopeAnne
(6) is a bundle of energy and love.
Her very presence spreads joy and smiles. She is very strong and flexible and has put that to good use
this year by participating in gymnastics classes. She is looking forward to no longer being the baby of the
family (or so she says now).
Expanding the “King”dom . . .
As
you celebrate Christmas this year, and anticipate all that 2013 holds, it is
our prayer that you will spread the joy of Christmas to everyone around you,
thereby expanding the Kingdom in your neck of the woods. It takes each and everyone of us, using
the gifts we have been given, to make a difference to the hurting world around
us.
Expanding the “King”dom . . .
Merry
Christmas!
John, Cindy,
Andrew, Jesse, Mariana, Shoun, Isaac, Eden, and HopeAnne King
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