I can still remember the day she first shared her dream with me.

Crystal had been serving and attending school in the inner city of San Francisco while I was on the other side of the country working through my college degree. It was hard to be away from my best friend, but I took comfort that we were at least in the same country and, thanks to a then recent phenomenon called the internet and email, we stayed easily connected. There was also the fact that I was sure to see her at least every Christmas and summer break. I found this difficult, but doable. I took some sort of solace in the fact that we were only separated by a couple thousand miles, but somewhere deep inside of me I knew it would not be like that forever.

In 2001, she flew out to be at my side as the maid of honor in my wedding. I remember how many conversations and emails we had over the next couple of years, desperately seeking to understand the plans God had for our lives; praying and encouraging each other, sometimes crying, but always seeing each other through everything regardless of the distance.

Then it came, the blow I feared—that we would end up in very different parts of the world. A lump grew in my throat as my dear friend shared her impassioned vision with me of moving to Indonesia to love the people there, to work and to serve in whatever ways God would direct her. My mind quickly sorted through all the possible scenarios, and much to my dismay I tried to dissuade her at first. I knew that as a small child she was a missionary kid in Indonesia for several years, and the love of that country burned with a passion in her. I secretly hoped that this was just a whim of fancy, a fleeting desire to simply visit or something—anything that would not have us spend years apart.

In 2003, after having all of the plans and details for her departure fall into place, my best friend left for Indonesia. Indonesia, land of limited internet access, dirt roads, and gourd wearing tribal natives, now was more than a name I read in the "made by" tags on much of our country's clothing. It was a land that had my very best friend. As the years ticked by and I continued to hear more and more of the work Crystal was doing there, I knew how very selfish I had been. Crystal was receiving opportunities to love and serve in ways that most will never experience, and she never felt she gave up a single thing to do it.

In 2007, I got the phone call from her saying she had found "the one"—a small, lovable Indonesian man named Agustri that I was determined to believe could never be good enough for my dear Crystal. In 2008, Agustri left everything he had ever known to come here to marry his lovely bride. It was my turn to be at her side, to be her matron of honor. I cried like a baby (I admit it) as I watched one of her most precious dreams coming true. She was marrying the man of her dreams. As he knelt down to wash her feet in an act of both humility and service, I was profoundly moved. He was good enough. He was perfect for her. Here were two people willing to leave their native lands—everything they have ever known—to follow their faith in God wherever it led them.

Almost exactly a year later, precious little Ovidah was born, a beautiful marriage of two wonderfully different cultures who has her own very distinct little personality. It has been my personal honor to get to spend the last two years watching Crystal and Agustri's lives unfold while they have been here in the United States. They have faced cultural problems, language barriers, financial strains, and various other uncertainties at every turn; and yet they press on. All too soon, in my heart's opinion, they will be heading back to Indonesia to serve and love the people of Indonesia again. Why? They say it is to share the love of God, to serve without counting the cost, to give all of themselves to help the Indonesian people.

They inspire me. Their love changes me.

Crystal and Agustri, thank you!

If you would like to know more about Crystal and Agustri's ministry or would like to help support them, you can contact them at innercitycrystal@hotmail.com.

I am totally unsure of how they keep up with four beautiful, lively, and totally snuggly children 5 and under, but Eric and Morgan absolutely do! And while Morgan has assured me she is not always so adorable, I really find it hard to believe. I am lost as to how she remains so fashionable and lovely with so many little ones to care for. I have a hard time just getting dressed for the day, and I only have 2 wee ones. ;)

Getting to spend a couple hours with Eric and Morgan and their sweet family was truly precious. Seeing their littlest one sitting up on her own, the boys snuggling their Mommy and Daddy, and the tickling fun simply made my heart melt. How could I not smile and giggle right along with them?

While the older boys weren't so sure of the whole experience at first, they quickly allowed me to slip into the background of their familiar routine to watch the beautiful everyday moments that they cherish unfold before me and my camera. I will admit it; I fell in love. I fell in love with every precious face, delightful giggle, and chubby roll. And even now, I find myself smiling as I look through the pictures from my brief time with them.

Thanks, Eric and Morgan, for allowing me to have a front row seat in your home for a little while. I hope that these pictures will bring smiles to your faces for generations to come. Enjoy!

Click here to see the photos...

The warm sounds of crackling flames shooting into the starlit sky; the delicious smell of roasting marshmallow ooey gooey goodness nestled snug between two graham crackers and a chocolate peanut butter cup—these are the moments that make all the work of preparing to take 3 children on a camping trip worth it. :)

Of course, nestled into those moments are the joyous cries of delight from my darling daughters as they learn how to toast their very own marshmallows (an important right of passage in any young girls life) or the wide eyed awe and captivation of trying to understand the craziness of the flames.

Vacation. A word that evokes a powerful, pleasure-filled place within my brain. I get a chance to step away from the "routine" to a place of quiet surrender in an almost surreal experience. This year I coveted our vacation with an unusual vigor. I needed a fresh perspective, I needed a time to just sit back and take in all the changes that my children have undergone in the last few months of "growing up"—the mannerisms, the changes in speech and attitude, the awareness of their new heights and different levels of maturity.

Things never stay the same. Vacation is a good time of reflection for me and a reminder to wake up from any stupor that threatens to imprison my mind and cherish each and every moment I have with my precious family.

This year Papa and Nana Coates, Greg's parents, flew out from North Carolina to spend their vacation with us. The fact that each of our children have them wrapped firmly around their little fingers only adds to the joy of watching them interact together. The girls love them so dearly and truly enjoy every moment with them. There is something powerful in watching different generations of a family love each other, enjoy each other, and teach each other incredible lessons.

Memories were created, amd some of the highlights were captured to remind us of the details our minds will all too soon forget. Here is a glimpse into our vacation, something I pray our children will treasure their memories of forever.

Papa and Nana Coates, thank you for coming out and spending your vacation with us. We love you!

Click here to see the photos...

This summer seems to have been a whirlwind of activities and adventures. It is hard to believe that it is finally winding down. Somehow, through all of the craziness I have gotten behind in my blogging. Oops. ;) So without further ado...

A few weeks ago my family and I had the fun privilege of volunteering at EV Free Church here in Chico during their Vacation Bible School, also known as VBS. Over 60 awesome people helped volunteer, and about 300 kids turned out for the week long adventure. There were crazy hats, funky hair, water games, and silly songs. It was so much fun!

Greg and I helped by capturing some of the fun during the week, while our dear daughter Ariana helped with the music. Emily simply got to join in on the fun. Everyone did such a fantastic job and the kids were adorable!

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If you have been reading this blog for any length of time, then it is probably pretty obvious how very precious adoption is to our family; after all, that is how we were blessed with 4 precious daughters! Having been through the process ourselves, we know first hand what an arduous and taxing journey it can be on even the most amazing of families. It takes a special family to commit to the journey, and the emotional roller coaster ride that accompanies the adoption process. And, in my humble opinion, adopting through the foster care system may just be the most challenging type of adoption. So, the first family chosen for this project—one I would like to honor—has battled through and overcome that very journey!

Last week I had the incredible privilege to meet and photograph this beautiful family—I will call them the "H" family. Not long after getting married, Michael and Kristi chose to add to their family through adoption. Michael already had two sons whom Kristi adored, and they couldn't wait to have a little girl. Due to medical reasons, Michael and Kristi thought adoption would be their best choice to have the little girl of their dreams. As with most couples, they had no idea where to start and were watching different opportunities close to them because of their high costs. Then a dear friend told them of a special foster-adopt program called Options for Recovery, which catered to babies. Every door began to fly open as they began their journey. They became licensed foster parents in January of 2006. Just a few months later, a darling 3.5 month old baby girl named Brianne was placed with them.

Over the next year and a half they would wait, pray, go to court appearances, and walk through the reunification/visitation roller coaster to see what would become of the little girl they fell immediately in love with. When I asked what brought them through such a challenging process while keeping them close as a family, they explained it was their faith that God had a plan. Finally, while on a trip to Disneyland, they got the phone call with the wonderful news that Brianne was indeed going to be theirs. In October of 2007, Brianne's adoption was finalized.

As I got to watch this family interact, the thing that most impressed me was how much they all truly enjoy each other. Brianne is doted on not only by her parents but also by her two big brothers, Zane and Andrew. I would have to agree with the H family: God did have a plan. He put together a beautiful family that totally digs each other. Love that!

Michael and Kristi, thank you so much for allowing me into your family's life for a bit; it was a beautiful thing to behold. Enjoy your pictures!

Click here to see the photos...