only by His grace...

As most of you know my sister, CeLes, recently traveled to China to begin her missionary journeys. She has such a heart after the Lord and I admire that so much in her. God placed this specific journey to China on her heart years before it actually became a reality. She spent 3 weeks in a children's rehibilitation center for those with hearing impairments. Mary, the founder of New Hope Recovery Center, told her to prepare lessons on learning to speak English, so she could to teach these 23 precious children. Little did CeLes know how God was going to use those 23 children along with their teachers to minister and touch her heart. I have yet to hear all of the stories that CeLes has to tell me, but the day after she returned to the USA when I was able to finally talk to her (we had only been able to email back and forth; and those emails had to be very very vague due to the Chinese gov't) I heard a change in her voice and knew she had experienced God in a very special way. Days after her trip she texted me and asked me to listen to the song, Grace by Micheal W. Smith. Mary, would play this CD in the car as she and CeLes would drive the streets of Fujian; so this song brought great meaning to CeLes. I recently listened to this song and it brought me to tears. With Resurrection Sunday drawing so near I would like each reader to remember that it is only by God's loving grace that we are made whole.

I was lost when you found me here
You pulled me close and held me near
And I'm a fool but still you love
I'll be your fool for the king of love

He gave me wings so I could fly
And gave me a song to color the sky
And all I have is all from you
And all I want is all of you

It's grace, grace
I'm nothing without you
Grace, your grace
Shines on me

And there've been days when I've walked away
Too much to carry
Nothing left to say
Forgive me Lord when I'm weak and lost
You traded heaven for a wooden cross

And all these years you've carried me
You've been my eyes when I could not see
And beauty grows in the driving rain
Your ode of gladness in the times of pain

It's grace, your grace
I'm nothing without you
Grace, your grace
Your grace, your grace
I'm nothing without you
Grace, your grace
Shines on me oh yeah
Shines on me
Shines on me

I'm everything with you
Shines on me
Shines on me
It's your grace
Shines on me
Your grace

Oh
Your grace it shines on me
Your grace
Your grace
Shines on me
Shines on me
Your grace it shines on me
Your grace



{Sandestin, FL}

We just got home from a four day mini-vacation to the Sandestin, FL beaches. It was beautiful! Instead of renting a duplex we tried staying in a high rise condo. The view was breath taking. Every morning after breakfast we would go on a 3 mile walk down the beach and get back to the condo to change into our bathing suits to go out and enjoy the sunshine. Henry LOVED it! Before I even had my morning coffee he was pointing and asking to "please" go down to the beach. Once or twice he ran over to his bag of shovels and pails hoping this would prompt us to go to the beach a little faster. Digging big holes in the sand was his thing and then once the hole was dug he would slide down the sand to the bottom of the pit. He was so content! The water was pretty cold and that did not appeal to him at all. Even when Jared would go waist deep in the water and leave Henry on shore, Henry would use sign language telling J to please come out of the water. We saw dolphins jumping out of the water on Thursday afternoon- that is always fun to see. It was such a wonderful week and much needed after our tough week. I look forward to the rest of our adventures this summer!

 

The Roughest Week...

This week has been brutal at the Dockendorf's. Henry had/still has an intestinal virus (most likely Rotavirus). He began showing symptoms on Saturday morning and it has continued through today. I think we are on the up swing and his little body is still mending but the worst is past us now. Praise the Lord!

We are going to Destin, FL next Tuesday with Jared's parents and let me tell ya.... I need a vacation! If I have had a tough week I am sure you can only imagine the kind of week my poor sweet baby has had. Watching him hurt makes my heart so heavy. In my devotional I read something very profound that I have found comfort in: When we are going through battles we should pray = "Thank you Jesus for this opportunity to trust you." I have had to pray this many times this week because I feel so helpless doing the best I can to make Henry comfortable but realistically I have to lift him up in prayer.

Sorry no pictures this week as you can understand why.... I will take lots of pictures next week at the beach!

Goodnight!