Amazing.

I came across this today:



What does it look like to lay down your life?  To live out the gospel? I guess it looks different for each of us, but I think a common thread might be that it might look foolish.  Even crazy.  And it isn't likely to be easy or comfortable.  But...oh, the joy.  I only know this because the weak, faulty efforts I've made to live out the gospel are always hard and uncomfortable, and probably look crazy.  But soaked with joy.  Just dripping with it.  Leaving me thirsty for more. 

Happy Birthday

Today my wonderful husband is 40 years old.  In general, he doesn't like his birthday.  Honestly, he just doesn't think he's worthy of all of the attention and gifts.  We know better.  The kids made this video for him and surprised him with it this evening.  It took me forever to figure out how to post it here, and I think the quality isn't very good, but here it is:  (oh, and in case you need an interpreter, Little Man thinks Daddy is CUTE!)


Happy Birthday Daddy! from Susan Kyner on Vimeo.


Happy Birthday to my husband and best friend.  I thank God for you every day.  (And I think you're pretty cute too.)

Hope is Fading

Hope is Fading – Orphan Sunday from Allan Rosenow on Vimeo.

Orphan Sunday

November 7 will be the second annual recognition of "Orphan Sunday." (OrphanSunday.org) It's meant to draw attention, among Christians and in the Church, to the bibilical mandate to care for orphans. Jim and I will be attending the Mid-Atlantic Orphan Summit on Nov. 5th and 6th. Please pray for us that God will use that time to deepen and clarify our passion for Him, and our vision for our family. As I prepare my heart for the conference over the next several days, I'm going to post some videos made for Orphan Sunday. We are called to defend the fatherless. To visit orphans in their distress. I'm beyond thankful that God gave us the opportunity to adopt. But I also want to say that we could not have done that without many others who followed God's heart for orphans and prayed and supported us (and continue to do so) on this journey. What does caring for orphans look like for you?


Creation Groans from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

I love my hair!

Hair is a big issue at our house.  I have four girls with four very different types of hair, from tightly coiled black hair to silky smooth blonde, and they are all beautiful.  I've had many conversations with the girls about how much God loves variety, and that He (and I) love all of the beautiful colors and textures of their hair.  I'm not surprised that Boo, my silky haired girl, wishes she had hair like Gracie.  It's because Gracie gets to wear beads and bows galore in her hair, and sports lots of fun styles that Boo's hair just can't manage.  But I always feel sad when Gracie says she wants hair like mine, or like Boo's.  I'm learning that in our culture, even in African American culture, silky hair is often seen as more desirable.  I really hope that when Gracie gets older, she won't want to chemically relax her hair as many girls and women with hair like hers do.  I'm sure that there are roots to this attitude (no pun intended...really!) that I may never completely understand, and that really for now Gracie is only wanting to be like her mom, or her sisters.   But meanwhile all I want it for Gracie (along with all of my children) to appreciate that she is "fearfully and wonderfully made" and to know that God has a perfect plan for her that includeds her wonderful African heritage and her beautiful curls.  Sooooo, when I came across this little video the other day, I was thrilled.  Gracie loves it!  Check it out:

 

On a very different note, Orphan Sunday is coming up on November 7th.  Watch for a few posts about that coming up very soon.
:)