We're off to Hermosa Beach for Blog Union '08! A huge shout to Carey who arranged this amazing gathering of Ethiopian adoptive families. You are fabulous, my dear, and we are so grateful! What a blessing. We can hardly wait to see you all, and meet some of you and your precious African babes for the first time in person. See you at the beach!
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Dave Wakeling, lead singer of The Beat and General Public
Jamie West-Oram, guitarist for The Fixx
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This weekend we got to meet our new little buddy, Brenner Paschall, home from Ethiopia with his Forever Family!
Brenner, Ray Ray & Evangline made fast friends. 
The newly minted Paschall family: Danny, Carrie, Brody, and Brenner (minus big sister Ramie who was at Bible Study)Welcome home, little man! We praise God for you and love you already.
Check out the Yates' blog, too. They're in Ethiopia right now getting ready to bring home their new son!
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Remember that line from A Bug's Life?
We took the kids to RBB&B Circus yesterday. WOW, what a great show!
to some really cool acts like these 7 motorcycle riders spinning around in this huge metal ball
to unbelievably agile balance teams
to Marg's fave, the horse trick-riders that scare the life out of me, every part was a thrill.
But, the best reason to go to the circus is to see the elephants
and the tigers! AMAZING!!!
Here is Evangeline yelling, "Are you OK, guys? Are you doing awight now?"after some clowns caused an explosion.
Sure, it was a little overwhelming for the babies...
Exhibit A: Sleeping through cannon fire
Exhibit B: Snoozing through alarmingly loud funk music
But, it was an all-around GREAT show!
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Greg (of Harvest Crusade Ministries) & Cathe Laurie's oldest son, Christopher, died yesterday in an auto accident here in California. He was 33 and leaves behind his wife, Brittany, who is pregnant with a little girl due to arrive in November and a 2 year old daughter, Stella. The Laurie family has ministered and evangelized in Orange County and beyond for years and are long-time dear friends of our McClure family. They are full-throttle dedicated to our Lord Jesus and the kingdom of God. Please pray for Brittany, Stella, baby girl Laurie, Greg, Cathe, and all their family for strength and comfort through this very difficult severe mercy.
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The Paschalls are home with their little man Brenner!
The Yateses are travelling this weekend to bring home their little man D!
Moody & Emily made it through court and Abe is now part of Team Alexander!
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Oh, so punny!
It was raining big, fat, tropical drops when we left the Garden Isle, which made it much easier to actually get on the plane willingly. If it had been sunny and perfect I don't think we would have made it. As hard as it was to come home, we are so thankful for the awesome, once-in-a-lifetime (well, hopefully not!) trip with all 21 of us McClures. It was really a wonderful time together that we'll never forget.
We took thousands of photos, so I thought I'd share a few more. For some reason Photobucket is being snarky with me and not letting me publish, so here's the link.
Reentry was a little jarring. You know how it is. No one wants to get back to real life, so there's fighting, cranking, crying, and misbehavior everywhere. I had to hand out time outs and swats within five minutes of coming in the door. Michael and I just looked at each other, laughed, and said, "Welcome home!"
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Today is the one year anniversary of my granddaddy, Ray Ortlund, Sr.'s passing into Glory. My cousin, Mindy sent all of us Ortlunds this photo and message:
Sweet Ortlunds,
Today marks one year since Grandpa went to be with his Jesus. I found this photo in the archives: Grandpa next to the empty garden tomb in Jerusalem, 1992. "Jesus is alive today." So is our brother Ray, more alive than ever he has been, no longer subject to death!
I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him
with my own eyes -- I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
--Job 19
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
--2 Timothy 3:14-15, NLT
Grandpa would say to all of us: "Go hard after God. Go with God.
He goes with you!"
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Poppy & Mother, 40 years of true love
Poppy and 11 of his 13 grands (two are under the table)
Our dear Maternal Person & sister Lisa
Lifeguarding. Now I wish I hadn't left my bullhorn at home.
A walk on the beach
Johnny & Jackie
A little luau honey
Kisses for Auntie Becky
"Snips and snails and puppy dog tails"
Fam fun
Evangeline, Poppy & Elianna Ray
Babies on the fountain
McClure girls
Buddy & Beck
The Keiki at Honoloa
Ray Ray having a ball at Kapalua
Team Hausam 
Goin' on an Uncle Mark Adventure
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We've had such a wonderful time so far. Here's a little taste:
Michael in Kapalua Bay
Jackie heading out to snorkel 
Playing in the kiddie pool
Ray Ray & Ricker snuggling and sharing the earbuds listening to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". Big brothers are the best.
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