Giving God Glory
God is the Author of Life & Death - 'See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.' Deuteronomy 32:29 We are thanking the Lord for giving our Papa / Great Papa / More Papa :) more life! This month (April) he had a severe allergic reaction (he didn't know what caused it at the time) that triggered his body to go into anaphylactic shock. Tache (his wife) took him immediately to the ER, and the Lord worked through medical means to bring about healing and continued life. Thank You, Lord!
What's on the Harrisons' Hearts & Marriage Memories
Adoption through foster care possibly in the future???... - Up until recently, one of us was not open to adopting through foster care for various reasons. Over this past month, the Lord has changed that, and we are now both open to this possibility. However, the Lord has made it clear that the timing is not now but that He may have this kind of adoption for our family in the future. Here are some of the ways the Lord worked in our hearts about foster care this past month.
The Lord blessed us with the opportunity to support some friends of ours who are pursuing adopting through foster care...
the Lord has also brought thoughts of possibly adopting through foster care...
~ recently contemplating the differences in boys and girls and how it would be a blessing for our boys to have a sister to love, learn from, and grow up together with
~ Noah often mentioning his desire for and praying for more sisters and brothers.
~ seeing a photo in the mail from an adoption ministry called Show Hope that contained a family with 2 boys who adopted 2 girls and thinking about the possibility of our family adopting 2 sisters
~ frequently hearing the song "All of Me" by Matt Hammitt (from Sanctus Real) and my mind thinking of the lyrics in light of adopting through foster care
~ many close family and friends being blessed with additional children this year, having the desire for more children, and wondering if the Lord has more children for our family?
and the Lord also brought people into our lives who have adopted through foster care.
~ a mom and I got to talking at our boys' T-ball clinic, and their family has adopted multiple children through foster care and also has a biological child. Their family has really enjoyed adopting through foster care, even though there have been challenges involved too.
~ we had dinner with a family (that has adopted many children through foster care and also has biological children) that we have been trying to get together with for a LONG time, and the Lord knew the perfect timing for us to fellowship with them was this month. :) Their family is grateful that the Lord called them to adopt through foster care, even though they have encountered tough trials too.
We are curious if the Lord is just wanting to grow us in empathy for those who care for or adopt children through foster care, or if the Lord may call us to adopt through foster care in the future??? We'll see what the Lord has in store...
Adoption through foster care possibly in the future???... - Up until recently, one of us was not open to adopting through foster care for various reasons. Over this past month, the Lord has changed that, and we are now both open to this possibility. However, the Lord has made it clear that the timing is not now but that He may have this kind of adoption for our family in the future. Here are some of the ways the Lord worked in our hearts about foster care this past month.
The Lord blessed us with the opportunity to support some friends of ours who are pursuing adopting through foster care...
For our date this month, we went to a Project 1.27 support team training in Denver.
It is a joy to support our friends as they faithfully pursue God's call for them to adopt through foster care.
the Lord has also brought thoughts of possibly adopting through foster care...
~ recently contemplating the differences in boys and girls and how it would be a blessing for our boys to have a sister to love, learn from, and grow up together with
~ Noah often mentioning his desire for and praying for more sisters and brothers.
~ seeing a photo in the mail from an adoption ministry called Show Hope that contained a family with 2 boys who adopted 2 girls and thinking about the possibility of our family adopting 2 sisters
~ frequently hearing the song "All of Me" by Matt Hammitt (from Sanctus Real) and my mind thinking of the lyrics in light of adopting through foster care
~ many close family and friends being blessed with additional children this year, having the desire for more children, and wondering if the Lord has more children for our family?
and the Lord also brought people into our lives who have adopted through foster care.
~ a mom and I got to talking at our boys' T-ball clinic, and their family has adopted multiple children through foster care and also has a biological child. Their family has really enjoyed adopting through foster care, even though there have been challenges involved too.
~ we had dinner with a family (that has adopted many children through foster care and also has biological children) that we have been trying to get together with for a LONG time, and the Lord knew the perfect timing for us to fellowship with them was this month. :) Their family is grateful that the Lord called them to adopt through foster care, even though they have encountered tough trials too.
We are curious if the Lord is just wanting to grow us in empathy for those who care for or adopt children through foster care, or if the Lord may call us to adopt through foster care in the future??? We'll see what the Lord has in store...
Praises & Prayers
Adam & Wendy - Continued prayers for Adam, Wendy, & Nathaniel (son adopting from China) as they are in a season of waiting; in April they had 6-10 weeks until they could bring Nathaniel home. (Current update, Adam & Wendy leave soon for China to bring their son home!)
Tami - Continued prayers for the Lord to give my dad and other loved ones His perspective and that God would heal Tami, but ultimately that His will would be done. Prayer of Galatians 5:22-23 that the fruit of the Spirit would abound in Dad's & Tami's lives during this trial. Also, prayer of James 1:5 for wisdom with this trial.
Wes - Prayer of Philippians 3:13-14 that the Lord would give Wes perseverance as the Lord has been refining and growing him a lot lately, which is good but can also be hard. Also, continued prayer for Wes to continue to be a strong light and witness for Christ at work in the midst of a very spiritually dark environment and also for spiritual protection (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Christina - Praise for the Lord helping me to grow in living by the Spirit rather than my flesh, which is still an on-going prayer too. Continued prayer of Deuteronomy 6:5 that I would be faithful to disciple Noah, Josiah, and all those the Lord wants me to.
Noah - God would graciously save him at a young age and lead him to walk with the Lord all of his days, if that be the Lord's will. I asked Noah what he would like loved ones to pray for him ~ "That people would give me bracelets or make me bracelets." (You can tell where Noah's mind was when I asked him this question... His response also gives a glimpse into his heart and how to pray for him.)
Josiah - God would graciously save him at a young age and lead him to walk with the Lord all of his days, if that be the Lord's will. Praise for the Lord growing Josiah in communicating in ways that honor Him; Josiah's vocabulary and sounds took off this month! Please pray 1 Thessalonians 5:11 for the Lord to grow Josiah in being kind to others such as being gentle rather than hitting others.
Adam & Wendy - Continued prayers for Adam, Wendy, & Nathaniel (son adopting from China) as they are in a season of waiting; in April they had 6-10 weeks until they could bring Nathaniel home. (Current update, Adam & Wendy leave soon for China to bring their son home!)
Tami - Continued prayers for the Lord to give my dad and other loved ones His perspective and that God would heal Tami, but ultimately that His will would be done. Prayer of Galatians 5:22-23 that the fruit of the Spirit would abound in Dad's & Tami's lives during this trial. Also, prayer of James 1:5 for wisdom with this trial.
Wes - Prayer of Philippians 3:13-14 that the Lord would give Wes perseverance as the Lord has been refining and growing him a lot lately, which is good but can also be hard. Also, continued prayer for Wes to continue to be a strong light and witness for Christ at work in the midst of a very spiritually dark environment and also for spiritual protection (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Christina - Praise for the Lord helping me to grow in living by the Spirit rather than my flesh, which is still an on-going prayer too. Continued prayer of Deuteronomy 6:5 that I would be faithful to disciple Noah, Josiah, and all those the Lord wants me to.
Noah - God would graciously save him at a young age and lead him to walk with the Lord all of his days, if that be the Lord's will. I asked Noah what he would like loved ones to pray for him ~ "That people would give me bracelets or make me bracelets." (You can tell where Noah's mind was when I asked him this question... His response also gives a glimpse into his heart and how to pray for him.)
Josiah - God would graciously save him at a young age and lead him to walk with the Lord all of his days, if that be the Lord's will. Praise for the Lord growing Josiah in communicating in ways that honor Him; Josiah's vocabulary and sounds took off this month! Please pray 1 Thessalonians 5:11 for the Lord to grow Josiah in being kind to others such as being gentle rather than hitting others.
Family Fun
Playing at the Park
Celebrating Christ's Resurrection
Our fam
The brothers busted out their fancy-smancy suits for celebrating our Savior
Having fun hanging out before church
We celebrated with friends at our home after church & enjoyed some delicious food & fun fellowship!
Our Boys on Bikes
*See section - "Memorable Moment of the Month" - towards end of this post for videos
*See section - "Memorable Moment of the Month" - towards end of this post for videos
Having fun cruising in our backyard
Upgrades ;)
Josiah was so proud of Noah for riding his bike with training wheels that he wanted Noah to stop for a moment to give him a "high five." :)
Wes & I are also very proud of Noah because
in only about one week...
Noah went from riding his bike with training wheels for the 1st time!!!...
To no training wheels! ~ Little daredevil going down our somewhat steep driveway * Cruising
To moving up from 12 in. wheels to 16 in. wheels! ~ Determined look * Making it look easy!
Playing at the Park
Swinging & snuggling
Noah speeding down the big slides
Enjoying some Daddy & sons time :)
Noah News
Age - 5
Cute Communication -
Noah has been asking a lot of questions about heaven lately such as...
*"How old is Jesus?"
*"What color will our hair be in heaven?"
*"Can I ride my bike in heaven?"
Latest Likes
Riding his bike
Talking! :) He is quite the conversationalist / commentator these days. ;)
Playing with his brother ~ Noah likes this most of the time. He enjoys his "alone time" too. ;)
Berenstain Bears Book - Play a Good Game
Going to his 1st Sky Sox baseball game
Batter up!
Noah enjoyed participating in a T-ball clinic at the YMCA, but he still concluded that simply playing the sports is far better than clinics. :)
Outfielders
Noah catching a pop fly!
Josiah Joys
Age - 22 months
1sts - eating with a fork
Teeth - 16
New words - Mammee (Edamamae), beep, who, knee, moenee (money), bar, mooh (moon), Memo (Elmo), tee (teeth), mea (meat), mummy (yummy), dodurt (yogurt), berbee (berry), bee, baple (apple), baabel (Abel - friend)... more than I could keep track of ;)
Latest Likes
Balloons & balls
Airplanes - he gets very excited when he hears them or sees them when we are outside
Riding Noah's scooter
B-I-B-L-E song
Candy
Josiah really likes riding on Noah's scooter (with help) * He was a little unsure of the bike seat on the back of Daddy's bike, though.
Hot rod on his hot wheels
Bro Bonding
Snuggles * Smooch before bed
Playing together on the stairs & pushing Josiah's little walker shopping cart
Showing some personality! :) ~ Our firecracker (Noah) & little ham (Josiah)
Having fun & hanging out
Josiah trying his best to keep up with big bro ;)
Homeschool ~ & Preschool ~ Highlights
Random Snow Day
We enjoyed incorporating snow in our learning!
This month we did a Science unit study on the Plants Life Cycle & Care
Click on this link if interested in the FREE preschool skills/benchmarks that I use - Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence of Skills
Click on this link for a corresponding preschool book that I use - Core Knowledge: What Your Preschooler Needs to Know
Science Unit Study: Plants Life Cycle & Care
Science & Art: Making a chart of the Plant Life Cycle * Plant "Artwork" = using plants to create an object or design
Science - Plants Life Cycle & Care: We learned that some seeds and/or soil are "duds" for various reasons.
We had a couple small sprouts (see 3rd cup), but the rest were very disappointing. :(
We had a couple small sprouts (see 3rd cup), but the rest were very disappointing. :(
Random Snow Day
We enjoyed incorporating snow in our learning!
Art - Sculpture: Saylor's & Noah's snowman (with a little help from me)
Math: Counting objects on the snowman
Life skill: Shoveling snow off the driveway
Electricity Field Trip
(with ABEFC's homeschool group)
Thank you to CO Springs Utilities - Bill Morse & Larry Hanes - for doing an electricity program for our kids!
They showed a short video and then did some live demonstrations using electricity, which included a lot of helpful safety facts.
Thank you to Scott Breithaupt for taking time to show us your cool truck and equipment!
Our Group :)
Art Show
(for homeschoolers at the library)
Noah's piece was a crayon-colored design that also included some of his own design drawings.
Noah called his artwork "Okah." :)
Saylor entered a painting called "Spring."
Checking out all the artwork
Josiah & Abel had fun playing together :)
Lots of Life Skills!
#1 ~ Shoveling, Hauling, & Smoothing Rock
Colton & Noah using some teamwork
Daddy & son hard at work!
Noah
Colton
Taryn
Saylor
The adults ~ Wes & Ed (neighbor) ~ Thank you, Ed, for helping us & letting us use your truck!!!
#2 ~ Learning possible ways to jump start a car ;)
Thank you again, Ed (& Dylan), for your perseverance in trying to jumpstart this car!
#3 ~ Learning about the value & importance of a strong work ethic
Breaking up concrete using the strength of his back & a sledge hammer * Brothers observing
Watching the concrete mixer * Father & sons
Memorable Moment of the Month
Our Boys on Bikes - It was a joy to see our boys having fun on wheels! Noah quickly went from his 1st time riding with training wheels, to riding without training wheels, and then jumping from 12 inch wheels to 16 inch wheels. Josiah enjoyed his first time of riding anything with wheels on his own. He had fun trying to be like his big brother. :)
Our Boys on Bikes - It was a joy to see our boys having fun on wheels! Noah quickly went from his 1st time riding with training wheels, to riding without training wheels, and then jumping from 12 inch wheels to 16 inch wheels. Josiah enjoyed his first time of riding anything with wheels on his own. He had fun trying to be like his big brother. :)
Video - Noah cruising on his bike!
Video - Josiah trying to imitate Noah ;)
More Memories
Cute photo of Noah - age 5 - & Dylan (neighborhood friend) - age 7 - riding bikes together :)
Double "Father & Son" Date
Wes & Noah had a lot of fun going to a Sky Sox baseball game with Ed & Dylan (neighborhood friends)
Noah waiting for a fly ball * Noah & D * Dylan snagged a fly ball - with a stealth move - that night! :)
Noah with "Sox the Fox"
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