Math + Marriage

Math has been a huge challenge my whole life. Despite tutors, easier courses, and a mom sitting over me at homework time, I just “didn’t get it.” I still don’t. I cannot shop without a calculator, balance a checkbook, and often reverse numbers. My husband knows this and keeps me a “safe distance” from the banking.

What about math and marriage? The glorious pictures of a fuzzy-edged couple running slow-motion into each other’s arms hardly describe our journey. I’ve kept past anniversary cards—most reading, “It’s been a rough journey, but I’m glad we could travel it together.” We’ve endured more hardships than seem “fair” for one couple.

After one period of harrowing years, I happed upon an article on marriages surviving the tough stuff. Included—a survey of percentages each specific crisis took away from a marriage. Most marriages hit by multiple difficulties ended in divorce. Brian came into the room while I completed the survey.

I dropped the magazine and said, “If I add up the percentages of problems we’ve gone through in our marriage, we've got a 0% chance.”   

“Good thing you’re not very good at math,” he replied with a smile.

The only (totally unscientific) explanation I have for us still being Rev. & Mrs. Brian Hampshire is that on November 25^th, 1978 we made a pledge before God. We kept our word, and the Infinite kept His.

Thanksgiving

During my growing-up years, we placed a fruit-filled wicker cornucopia on our Thanksgiving table, surrounded by pilgrim, indian, and turkey candles we were forbidden to light, lest they become headless before the meal ended.

We sang hymns in church not heard other time of the year~ones with words so rich, honoring God—the One Whom we thanked.

Below are lyrics to one of those hymns. I awed especially at the last half of the second stanza. Back in the 1990s my husband and I were falsely accused of a crime and tried for it. Although eventually cleared, our spirits hit bottom. Yet hope's flame burned, unlike those wax figures on my childhood Thanksgiving table. God defended us and won our victory. Thanks be to Him!

We Gather Together
(Public Domain)

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;

He chastens and hastens His will to make known.

The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.

Sing praises to His name, He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,

Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;

So from the beginning the fight we were winning;

Thou, Lord, wast at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,

And pray that thou still our Defender wilt be.

Let Thy congregation escape tribulation; 

Thy Name be ever praised! Oh Lord, make us free!

Blessed Thanksgiving, all!

Happy Adoption Day!

Photo by Kim Graves at Camp KYSOC Reunion

Included in November’s claims is National Adoption Month. We didn’t know that 14 years ago when we set out through a blizzard to seal our four-year-old son’s new name and status. That day the judge claimed he was ours. But, ya know, he belonged long before that.

When we told folks we were praying about adopting a little boy with challenges, some said we were nuts (likely so). Others warned we didn’t know what we were getting into (true). A few bluntly asked “why”~to which we answered “temporary insanity.” Still a handful said this child couldn’t have found more suitable parents. (Oh, you encouraging yet disillusioned folks!)

Truth be told, Min’s foster mother’s prayer of hope and determination played and important role in his coming to America. At each meal and bedtime she prayed Min would find his family. You see, foster care in Min’s native land ends at age 3. If not adopted by then, children are placed in orphanages. Min’s foster mom begged the system to let her keep him a bit longer, believing there was a family for him. During this same time, we had learned about Min and began the process of adopting. East met west, and the rest is history.

I’d tell you raising Min is sheer joy, but not all days are such. Some days are downright hard. Some days I cry. And there are days I wonder what we’ve gotten ourselves into and if we'll survive. But we’ve never said we shouldn’t have done this.

Min was a 24/7 challenge when he arrived. Later we learned he came with more than we “bargained for.” But no child, whether from the womb or flown across an ocean, comes with guarantees. Each child is a gift, differently wrapped with contents unique to that one. And our son is special beyond belief. To know Min is to love him.

So on this day, Min, we say happy adoption day, and we love you!

Always,

Dad and Mom

Votes and Vets

Mike                              Steve                              Nate

This week marks elections and Veteran’s Day. The two share a common bond. We vote because of our vets. “Freedom isn’t free” may be a cliché, but it’s also truth. Any kind of saving grace births out of shedding blood—from our spiritual salvation from sin to our country’s independence.

Right now the hope of our nation lies in the balances. What can we do to impact our nation’s future? 

First, pray. Nations going back to the beginning of time have been brought to their knees and stood again through prayer.

Secondly, act. Vote—our fundamental right and a gift from The Constitution of the United States. Another life-affecting act is “paying it forward.” Has someone blessed you? Can you, in turn, be a blessing to the next guy—perhaps one who’s hurting?

Thirdly, honor our veterans. Whether you’re for or against war, your ability to proclaim your stand has been preserved by those who fought—some shedding blood, others paying the ultimate price. (Freedom of speech is still allowed. Value this. It may not always be so.)

My husband and I honor our fathers—one a US Navy man who guarded our freedom during World War II on the Pacific Coast and the other an Army corp engineer who helped build bridges for combat troops to cross the Rhine. Then there are our sons who've served seven deployment in our country's war against terror.

May God be able to bless America because this nation turns its heart once again toward Him!

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

ITEM OF INTEREST:
I just learned about France's boxcar gifts to the 48 United States (plus one shared between DC & Hawaii) in gratitude after World War II. Here's a link to the story and a picture of the Kentucky boxcar...

http://www.kyrail.org/boxcar.asp