Visiting the Pascual family and Stone Mountain

We enjoy having college students over to our home, this is something we have done for almost 30 years. We love all the students, but some are truly special to our family. Jonathan Pascual (2004 Berry grad) falls into that category! Several things endeared Jonathan to us: his smile, a heart to serve Christ, and he was so intentional in building relationships. He was also an awesome role model for my kids. All those things are still true today!

Jonathan and Kate really bonded. When he and Sarah got married they ask her to be the "rock girl" in their wedding. We loved Sarah from the start, she is the perfect soul mate for Jonathan. Sarah is so unpretentious!

Kate with the bride and groom, January 2008

Kate and Rory, December 2010

It had been awhile since we spent time with J and S....three children ago to be exact.  Of course, they went from 1 to 4 children in less than 3 years. Last March, God blessed them with Ugandan twin girls, Faith and Favor. I have known many people who have adopted from overseas, but it doesn't usually happen at warp speed like it did with the Pascual's.  We kept up with the family progress through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Sarah's blog, but we wanted the personal experience. I sent Jonathan a text and told them we wanted to visit them, and a Saturday at Stone Mountain was planned.

Sarah wrote about the experience here, and I would encourage you to read her perspective.  

Waiting for the Laser Show, or the movie as the girls called it!

Precious people

We met at J and S house in Stone Mountain to get to know the children before we ventured to the park.  Kate loves babies, and held Ransom at every opportunity!  He looks just like Jonathan, and embodies his personality too!

Love the world map stenciled on the wall.
Notice the heart in Africa!

Of course the teacher would be reading with the girls

I know J and S have had many struggles over the past 15 months. They adopted girls who did not speak English and had lived their entire life in a rural orphanage.  Now at age five, the girls not only speak English but also can sing songs from musicals such as "Annie" and "The Sound of Music." They are so patient with the girls, and are very intentional.  Remember I mentioned that was a trait we loved in Jonathan.  That translates to being a great Dad!

Frisbee time!
 If they only knew their Daddy in college!

Blowing bubbles

Favor's time to blow!

Things I have learned from J and S:

Pray. If God leads you to do something that others say is crazy, He will bless you.
Live in the moment and enjoy them.
Give because you can.
Be the new normal.
Go explore.

Whenever I think of the Pascual's I remember the children's song and smile:

Red and yellow, black and white

They are precious in His sight

Jesus loves the little children of the world.