40 Years of Marriage

Sitting here comtemplating the past 40 years. Come June 6th, that's how long we will have been married.

When I say it outloud, it's seems foreign to me. Forty years??? That's a long time.

Our journey started on September 5, 1969, at a southern gospel concert. Maybe that's why I still enjoy southern gospel. We doubled with the guy who would eventually be your best man. As we left the concert, I slipped my hand into the bend of your elbow. When we crossed the street you took my hand. It just felt right and natural. A perfect fit!! I knew that night you were the man I wanted! We were almost 21 years old.

Now, more than 40 years later, I still enjoy holding hands with you. You are, and have been, a wonderful husband. A godly, kind, considerate, thoughtful, loving man. I could not have asked for a better husband. You were God's perfect gift to me.

We wear other titles. The ones that have meant the most to us are Dad and Mom. Grampy and Grammi. The family that we created together - a very special gift.

Today, I thank God for the gift of YOU and the amazing life we have had together. We always wanted to grow old together and sit side by side in our recliners, like my grandparents, married over 70 years. When Grandpa would say to Grandma "do you love me, momma"? Without opening her eyes, she would answer "mmm-uh!"

Do I love you babe? "mmm-uh!" We had "FOREVER" engraved on the inside of our wedding rings. That's how long I will love you!!

My love forever!
Linda

Tears

I stepped into my little girl’s hotel room in Zhengzhou, China on the day of our arrival in the city of Mia’s legal adoption. There it was. A baby bed. I held my little girl and said, “We’re really here.” We both cried.

In the few days in Zhengzhou Mia learned to blow kisses, say everyone’s name and say I love you. She repeats everything you say. She is especially cute with her little hand waving and saying “bye-bye.”

As we taxied down the runway leaving Zhengzhou headed for Guangzhou where the final process would take place to take Mia home – I watched as Kristi said to Mia, “Say bye-bye.” Mia, with her cute little wave, repeated the words. As she did, my little girl looked toward the window side of the plane and wiped away the tears. My little girl didn’t see it but her daddy cried too!

Two days ago Grammi picked out a special gift for our little girl. A jade pendant that is written in Chinese – “Mother – Daughter.” Grammi and Grampy are proud, happy, ecstatic for our new grandbaby!
With leaving day less than 12 hours away – let the tears flow!

Tears of sadness that little Mia will never know her birthplace and her birthparents as a child should.

Tears of joy that Mia will not have to grow up in a spiritually darkened world that, at best, offers the statue of a fat-bellied man as their hope!

Tears of joy that Mia’s forever family is finally winging their way to a small town in Kansas, USA where she is free to run and play and grow up in a godly home with so many people surrounding her that her greatest danger at this point is being smothered (by so much love)!

The swearing of the oath ceremony at the American Consulate was today. The lady said, “It’s official!” More tears!

There will be more tears yet. Let them come.

As I watch my little girl continue to grow and mature as a woman, a wife, a mommy – I am one happy, thankful, blessed, if somewhat emotional daddy and grampy!

Let’s go home!

UNKNOWN

It is Tuesday March 10, 2009. I have a window seat at the Crowne Plaza Hotel restaurant in Zhengzhou, China. Drinking coffee. Move over Starbucks! Very strong coffee!

It is overcast and windy. I scan the horizon for the familiar. With the exception of an occasional grouping of numbers on a license plate or billboard and a ‘no parking’ sign - the fact remains – I am a stranger here!

The entry signs at Chinese Customs in the Beijing airport made it very clear. One sign marked “Chinese Nationals”. The other read “Foreigners”. We were the foreigners. This is not our home. We are strangers here. We are unknown.

Chinese cannot understand our English. We cannot comprehend Chinese. Chinese say - English is too hard to learn. And, this comes from a land with about 3,000 characters in their alphabet!

Our “foreign” wonder quickly gives way to our smiles which announce to all those around us – strangers perhaps – BUT – we belong! We belong because our journey brings us half way around the world to connect with our 9th grandchild – a beautiful, rosy-cheeked, dark haired – almost 2 year old Chinese girl.

We cannot speak her language – but her precious little face is forever etched in our minds.

We cannot understand the culture in which little girls seem to have little or no value – but she joins 3 other beautiful granddaughters who have the mysterious ability to add immeasurable joy to Grammi and Grampy!

We will never know her past. But we will do all within our power with God’s help to influence her future.

Sweet little Mia! Mia ShyAn Xin Singer! How her life is getting ready to change! How our lives have changed already!

For all we do not and may never know or understand about Mia’s background and/or culture – we will forever remember and be grateful for the awesome blessings we received allowing us to travel with our children to China.

And, we will forever remember and be grateful for the experience of becoming “unknown” so that Mia can have a home!

Mia's "Gotcha" Day.

Today was the day we had waited for. It has been a long wait. I wish I could explain the emotions of seeing her walk around the corner holding the hand of the orphanage director. She was not a willing walker.

She cried. She was held and loved by her parents, brothers and grandparents.

She was bundled in layers of heavy clothing making her look like a little eskimo.

Now - back at the hotel she is in fresh clothes. She has had a nap, something to eat and plenty of love. She is playing with toys and a little keyboard, dancing to the music, clapping her hands and laughing. What a difference a little time makes.

One of the ladies explained to me that she is now "normal" and is no longer considered special needs. Did you hear that? That, my friends, is an answer to prayer. We have all been praying that by the time we got here she would be perfectly healthy. God is so good and we are so grateful.

She is loving playing with her brothers and her brothers are loving having her around to love on.

It has been our joy and privilege to be present for the birth of our first 8 grandchildren. God granted our desire to be present when Mia, #9 grandchild, was "born" into our family.

I always wondered if you could love a child who was not biologically your own, as your own. I know the answer. It's YES!! She is an amazing little girl. She is all ours - and she is loved.

China

What an experience this has been. First of all we were thrilled to be upgraded on the long flight to China. Thirteen hours on the plane was made much easier. We arrived in Beijing on Thursday afternoon and hit the road running. We visited Tianeamen Square, The Forbidden City, a silk factory, a jade factory, climbed on the Great Wall, saw the Chinese Acrobats and a variety of other attractions. We enjoyed a rickshaw ride as well. There were 38 people in our group. So we were on a chartered bus for sight-seeing. Thirty four are now here in Zhengzhou. Four others flew to a different province to get their child.

But the main attraction is coming tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. when Mia will be placed in her parents arms. This is the last night Mia will sleep without a family.

Please pray for Mia that she will adjust quickly.

I will post tomorrow with pictures. Be sure to follow Kristi and Tim's webpage miamakessix.com.

Going To China!!!

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

After months of "desiring" to make the adoption trip to China and finally deciding that was not going to happen, God stepped in!!

I was reminded of the lines in the song, He Giveth More Grace: "when we've reached the end of our hoarded resources, the Father's full giving is only begun, and "out of His infinite riches in glory, He giveth and giveth and giveth again!"

Last Thursday and Friday - during an 18 hour period, God provided all the funds needed to make the trip. Some, we are able to say "thank you" personally to. Others - we hope you will read this and know how deep is our gratitude to you. Most of all - we are profoundly grateful to the God who gives us the desires of our hearts, and then keeps on giving!

Next week - we will step onto a plane in Wichita and step off in the country of Mia's birth - China!

God has allowed us to be present for the birth of all 8 of our grandchildren. Now, God is allowing us to be present when #9, Mia, is born into our family. GOD IS SO GOOD!!

Our intention is to update this site with pictures and commentary while we are on the trip. So check back.

Remember to check into Tim and Kristi's website, miamakessix.com to see the first pictures of our little princess.

We are asking you to pray that all the last minute details will process smoothly and that God will time our trip for safety and keep us all on our feet and healthy.

Our love to you all,
Ken and Linda

Anticipation

Nearly 2 1/2 years. That's how long we have waited for this new little addition to our family. Now - it appears in about a month or so a little girl of Chinese descent will be here with us. Mia ShyAn Xin is our 9th grandchild. Our fourth granddaughter.

Her picture is prominitely displayed along with the others. We loved her before we ever saw her picture or knew her name (An Xin). We had no idea how old she was or what her medical condition would be. She is what is called a "waiting child" - maybe better described as a child with special needs. We have prayed that her needs would be slight, that she would come to us with perfect health.

Her medical records indicate that she was born premature, and weighed 4lbs when she was taken to the orphanage and therefore was behind in her physical and mental development. She lived the first year of her life in that orphanage then was sent to live in a loving foster home. There she has learned to do all the things the other children can do. She has a beautiful smile. She is perfect. Mia will celebrate her 2nd birthday on April 17th of this year and we are so happy that she will celebrate it with us.

Anything she needs to learn, brothers Mason, Evan and Jordan are eager to teach her. She will be loved and entertained by cousins - Tara, Emma, Adam, Breanna and Brant - hopefully making the transition to America easier for her.

I think about that. We have loved her for 2 1/2 years and looked at her picture every day since November 10. She has never seen our faces. She does not know us. We pray that God will prepare her little heart for the huge changes coming her way in just a few weeks as she leaves the family who has loved and cared for her and becomes part of a family that does not look like her or speak her language. But, they will be a family that loves her deeply.

Life takes interesting turns. We are so thankful for this one.

From Our Home To Yours

Christmas 2008

Dear family and friends,

We are especially excited about this Christmas for several reasons. The main one being that it is our year to have all our family home . That is always what makes Christmas so wonderful for us.

The sounds of our 8 growing grandchildren playing and catching up with the cousins, the sound of laughter and bantering and the “big kids” annual late night Monopoly games where “Christian charity” goes right out the door!

Family update!

In August, we were presented with an opportunity to purchase a home after living in a parsonage for 27 years. After climbing stairs for the last 23 you can see what I enjoy most about the home. God amazed us with miracle after miracle that made it possible to own a new home and enjoying instant equity at the same time. We could write a book! But let’s just say it was a GOD THING, and we are grateful.

In May, John received his Masters of Theological Studies from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield. Just a few months later John and Lynette , Breanna (almost 5) and Brant (2) made the move to Red Oak, Texas, a southern suburb of Dallas, where John is the Spiritual Formation Director for the Dallas Master’s Commission , training young men and women to be leaders in the church. He is a gifted teacher and enjoys this ministry very much.

Lisa, Allen, Tara (12), Emma (10), and Adam (8), live in Springfield and are the only ones not making a move this year. Allen is a realtor with Keller Williams in Springfield (if you need a house—give him a call) and Lisa is Academic Advisor, Professional Studies at Evangel University and is getting close to completing her Master’s in Organizational Leadership.

On November 10th, Kristi , Tim, Mason (12), Evan (9), and Jordan (8) received the call they have been waiting on for 2 years. Mia ShyAn Xin (19 months) is waiting for them in China! They will be traveling to pick her up by Spring (pray with us that it will be sooner). We are so excited about this beautiful little girl joining our family. When we moved out of the parsonage to our new home, they made the move into the “big house” in anticipation of her coming. God was taking care of every detail and arranged for them to be in a larger home with time to prepare for her coming. Tim serves as the Associate /Youth Pastor and both Tim and Kristi are substitute teachers in the Winfield Public Schools.

This year, in an effort to "go green" we chose to use electronic Christmas greetings and we invite you to do the same. In uncertain times, one thing remains certain—our faith and trust in the one who never changes—Jesus.

Our prayer for you and your family is that you will enjoy your time together and experience the joy of knowing Jesus at this special Christmas season.

Blessings to you and yours!
Ken and Linda Davidson

Mia's coming home!

Monday, November 10, was a regular day - well actually it was rainy and foggy and Ken and I made a quick trip to Wichita. Coming home we stopped at Dairy Queen in Augusta to grab an ice cream cone. That's where we were. Sitting in the drive thru. I heard the familiar ring tone of Kristi calling - "It Is Well With My Soul"! Customary small talk. Kristi: What are you doing? Me: Getting ice cream. What are you doing? Kristi: I was just thinking this would be a wonderful day to get my little girl. Silence. Nope. Not really. I remember screaming - maybe loudly shouting. KRISTI!! Are you serious? You have her? Quickly to speaker phone. Kristi is looking at pictures of her daughter. She is telling us about Mia. She has a daughter. We cry together. Grampy, Grammi and our daughter - the mother of Mia.

We are 30 minutes away. We cried, laughed and became Grampy and Grammi for the 9th time. We have a new granddaughter.
She is every much a part of our family as Mason, Tara, Emma, Evan, Jordan, Adam, Breanna and Brant - Mia. At 19 months, she is now our baby.

We arrived at the Singer home to joyful sounds and sat down to see our little Mia for the first time. She is beautiful. She looks like a happy baby. There is not the typical emptiness in her face that we have seen in so many orphans. She is joyful - smiling in every picture. Yep - she is her mother's daughter.

The emotions are on the surface. I weep when I look at her picture. She was never an unwanted child. She has always been loved, wanted and prayed for since the day she was born and before. Oh - has she been prayed for. God placed his hand on her as a 4lb premie abandoned somewhere in China. Found by workers and cared for and nursed to health at an orphanage. She is perfect. She is ours. Soon she will be home to stay. She will have that forever family. Set another place at the table. Mia is coming home. Thank you Jesus for another child to love.

New House!

Well - you never know what God is up to. Out of the blue a house we had been driving by and wishing was ours - is! We cannot begin to tell you all of the challenges and answers to prayer to arrive at where we are now.

We have a brand new house that is just the right size for the 2 of us. When everyone is home we will have plenty of room during the day but a little bit of a challenge at night. But we enjoy "camping out" on the floor. I am sure everyone will make the best of it.

Kristi, Tim and the boys moved into the home we moved out of - a 4 bedroom, very large home with room for a growing family, so this was a miracle for them as well.

John and Lynette and the little ones will be together again in about 2 hours and be together as a family once again. The long wait is over. They still need to sell their house in Grain Valley (please pray with us for this), but they will be on their way to Texas soon.

Changes are always happening. These are good ones. God is good!

Be blessed!

Prayer Needed

John and Lynette (our kids) are in the process of moving. John has accepted a position with the Master's Commission of Dallas and is there working and overseeing the completion of their new home. Lynette and the kids remain in Grain Valley, MO - overseeing the sale of their home there. This separation is now at 2 months. Would you help us pray that God would send a buyer NOW? We need a miracle and are believing God will provide it. He is a miracle working God!!! Thanks for standing with us in prayer.

These are the Days of Our Lives

The days are speeding by. I think they may even be breaking the sound barrier! Well, at least they are breaking the posted speed limit!

How does it happen that my small children now have small children of their own? It seems not so long ago when Lisa stayed home with John on a Sunday morning. John was sick. Lisa said she'd take care of him while Mom went to church with the rest of the family. She did a great job. Although, the house smelled a little like burnt chocolate when we returned. Could have been the chocolate chip cookies that got nuked a little too long. Ah, but what better medicine for a sick little boy than a couple of chocolate chip cookies?

Yesterday we returned 3 grandchildren to their rightful owner - Lisa. I found myself looking at her and asking, "what happened to my little girl?" She's not 7 anymore! She's 37! And, Kristi and John and their small children. Where has the time gone?

I'm so thankful for my children (not small anymore) who have given Grammi and Grampy some of life's greatest memories. Burnt chocolate, burnt-up water pumps, burnt carpet and the greatest grandkids anywhere!

These are the days of our lives. And I wouldn't trade one of them for all the money in the world!

These are the days "the Lord has made - let's be glad - and rejoice in" them!!

(Do a sleepover with your grandkids! Watch a movie - fix popcorn! They'll love it and you'll get over it...in a few days!)

PS: Thank you Grammi for the 'great' kids that produced these 'great' grandkids!

I love you all!

Grampy (Sometimes affectionately called 'grumpy'!)

This Child Shall Be Lent. . .

Hannah prayed for a son. Then when God answered her prayer - she gave that son back to God saying, "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord. " Then she said "my heart rejoices in the Lord." (1 Samuel 1:27,28; 2:1)

This week (as I did almost 29 years ago) I gave my son to the Lord once again. My heart is at the same time heavy and full. I am sad, yet I rejoice.

Yesterday, John moved to the Dallas area to begin a new ministry. It is only a couple hours farther away, but still farther away. It means that I won't get to see quite as often 4 people that I love dearly. But I reminded his dad yesterday that on the day of his dedication, the pastor's wife told me "I just feel that God has something very special for this child!" He did. And He does.

I rejoice in knowing that God chose my son, for whom I prayed, to use for His glory. His influence will be widely felt in this new area of ministry. Training young people to carry the MESSAGE.

All of our children were dedicated to the Lord to use as He chose. I rejoice in knowing that His calling rests on all my children in ways that bring glory to Him. I am blessed!!

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth". 3 John 4

What's With That?

Well - you never know what will happen from day to day! I spent a night in the hospital on Thursday - having shortness of breath and a rapid heartbeat. All the tests were ok. That's good to hear when they start asking if you have a history of heart disease in your family. Especially when it's my family! When they ruled that out - they started talking about, and treating me for, a possible pulmonary embolism. Now those are big words meaning blood clot in the lung. Not exactly what you want either. But I had a few "girl friends" come and lay hands on me and pray - not to mention my family who was praying also. They prayed that the tests would reveal that whatever it was - would be gone. It was. PTL. Kristi stayed with me and we had a slumber party. Well - didn't actually slumber much, but we tried. Thanks, Kris - (although you promised you wouldn't let them keep me when you talked me into going). She also spent alot of time on the phone with Ken, John and Lisa. Calling and answering. Thanks for being there, hon.

Mason was with us in the ER and provided all of us - nurses included -with the entertainment for the evening. It was a nice distraction. When he tripped on a cart and nearly turned it over my pulse went up and my oxygen down! What a clown.

The hard part was that Ken was in Missouri on a fishing trip and he wanted so badly to be here. But we were able to talk often. I love you baby!

Lisa happened to call when I was in the ER. By the way, Lisa, thanks for laughing at me when I told you where I was. She thought I had another kidney stone. She has a really weird sense of humor.

One good thing from this experience - I am sure I have now met my deductible for the year! And I have 9 months left! Guess I need to see what else I can take care of before I start over.

I figured I should finally post something...

So here I am blogging. Blogging blogging blogging.I guess I'm going to have to get used to it. I've been told we should start our own blog since we'll be moving. You know, kinda keep everyone updated on our transition and our life in Texas.

Since we're going to Winfield for the 4th, the house had to be cleaned in case the realtor needs to show it over the weekend. So I got the privilege of cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms floors. Have you ever moved the kitchen table and cleaned under it after a few days of kids eating there? Disgusting! Or as Breanna says, "Gisgusting!" Oh well, it has to be done and it'll be worth it if the house shows well.

Well, guess I better get back to cleaning so the boss doesn't get upset...she's packing for our trip. Gotta get to bed early and get my beauty sleep so I can go to the office and look pretty tomorrow. That's pretty much all I have to do in the office now that I'm a lame duck for the next week and a half. Now I know how George W. has felt for the last year...except he has Air Force One, lots of money and can go wherever he wants whenever he wants.

Have fun and good night.
John

From The Mouth of Babes!

Wow! Sometimes you have a conversation that blows your mind. I had such a one last week.

My eldest grandson dropped in and we had a theological discussion on heaven and hell. He had questions on the new heaven and the new earth. We read those verses in Revelation along with the commentary on those verses. He said "you know, the more I learn about heaven, the more I want to die and go there!" Gulp! He went on to say that he had lived a good long life (all 12 years of it) and he was ready to go. He knew where he was going. He said that some people become angry at God when loved ones die and that if he lost his family people would probably say to him "aren't you mad at God for taking your family?" He said he would tell them "why would I be mad at God? I know where they are and I am going there someday and then we will be together for eternity!" He said he sure didn't want to "go to the hot place."

I told him that everytime a loved one goes to heaven it makes us want to go all the more and I quoted the words from an old song, "I've got more to go to heaven for than I had yesterday".

I have loved ones there. I do have more to go to heaven for with each loved one who crosses over. I have grandparents, parents, brother, sister, 2 pre-born grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.

We just had a family reunion. Nothing here compares. Yep. Heaven's Sounding Sweeter Everyday.

The Stone Society

Ok - not exactly a club I wanted to be a part of. I mean - Ken has stones. Lisa has stones and Kristi has had a stone - but they got that from their dad, didn't they? That was the medical explanation. Then one day recently - I had in my possession my very own 5 mm kidney stone!

Now I have heard and been told that they are worse than labor and that most would rather give birth than have a kidney stone. Lisa tells me a 5 mm stone should cause excruciating pain and Ken says he would be rolling in the floor screaming. But - after 19 days of mild to moderate discomfort and nothing more than tylenol - it was over. Now, not to say I want another one - but don't compare it to childbirth. I've had both and I don't really think it compares. Maybe I'm just extra tough, or maybe I just had a "silent" one and the next won't be so easy. I say the next one because now I find out that I have multiple stones in both kidneys. And the wait begins. Nothing to do but let them do their thing when they are ready.

So, the only one left to experience our family pasttime is John. Yes, baby - you are next!!! Now it isn't that we would wish this malady on you - but your days are probably numbered. You know we have always enjoyed doing things together as a family. Your sister (I won't say which one) says she is going to laugh hysterically when you officially join this austere club of stoners! If and when that day comes - not to worry. We will all be right there to cheer you on and hold your hand. And maybe laugh hysterically.

Cell Phone Crazy!!!

So, Lisa emailed today that she was trying to "keep the cell phone at bay" at least a little while longer from her oldest child. (She set up an email account thinking this would help!) I immediately brought out my, "I have all the answers...I'm a Youth Pastor's Wife" book. (Not really!) Anyway, my oldest and I have been having this same discussion lately. He is 12...well, next week will be...and he REALLY feels that a cell phone is in his best interest. I'm just so sceptical!! First of all, when could he possibly need a cell phone? He goes to school and church events. If he needs to get ahold of me from school...he can use their phone. If he needs me at church, he can walk around and find me. But, he did bring up a very valid point when I asked him what on earth he thought he needed a cell phone for. He said, "Mom, I walk home from school! And in today's society, kids get kidnapped walking home from school! What if that happened to me and I needed a phone?" Whammo!! No mom wants to hear that...but he has a VERY valid point. Right off the bat, do I say, sure, I'll get you a phone? Nope...I say, I'm never letting you out of my sight again!! Second of all...how many other little tweens are going to want to use his phone...I guess if they all have their own, there is no need for this. And why pay for a phone that is only going to be used as he walks home from school "I.C.E.?" And how do teachers keep them from using them during the day? And if I do get him a phone for safety reasons, is it somehow robbing him of childhood? I want him to stay a kid so much that a friend reminded me today that I can no longer say that I "bought him the cutest outfit!" (I have to use much cooler lingo like, "really awesome get-up" or something!) But, knowing all he knows about the craziness that is out there...would that make him more comfortable? Probably so...but I'm with Lisa, only if it's a "Disney phone with GPS." (And I have a feeling, he won't think a Disney phone is all that great either! I can hear him now..."ummm, great...thanks, mom!") So, here's to all the parents that are trying to determine the right thing, in a society where the "right thing" is so hard to figure out!!

Mia

Visit the Singer's adoption website at http://www.miamakessix.com

John says that if we don't keep it interesting he's going to unsubscribe. : )