The Loux Family Blog » 2009 » August

A Powerful Story On Great Love And The Value Of Life!

Renee Loux — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:10:44 +0000

My sister-in-law sent me an email this morning with a link to a beautiful story on valuing life. I have watched this story 7 times today, crying every time. The message is a very impacting one. When my husband Derek and I watched it together, we were both reminded of some of the pain and joy we went through with the life and the death of our precious son Josiah Samuel, at 2 and 1/2 years old. There were many times that our son stopped breathing and he endured so much pain that it took our breath away at times. We learned much during his short little life, much about what really matters, much about what we take for granted and much about trusting God even when we don’t understand why hard things happen to us, or to those we love. God is sovereign and his ways are not our ways. We may not understand why we are allowed to go through the pain that we do, but we know that we can trust God. He is for us and not against us. His plans for us are great… (Jeremiah 29:11). Be encouraged! You are not forgotten and you are loved by the very God who fashioned you in your mother’s womb!

Please watch this story by clicking on the link called “Choosing Thomas” below. God bless you today with more knowledge of His awesome love for you!

Choosing Thomas

Our son is in love with a lunch box!

Renee Loux — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:18:22 +0000

No – that’s not a typo. At lunch today Ethan gazed across the kitchen and became lovestruck. From high above, gazing down from the cupboard, a cute, Chinese, little cartoon girl on Michaela’s lunch box won his heart. With ooohs and ahhs he reached for her and pointed to her. I didn’t know what had his attention in such an intense way and so I began to investigate his dramatic reactions. When I pointed to the lunch box, Ethan burst into grins as wide as the Montana sky. When I brought the lunch box to the table, he grabbed it, turned it to face him, and began his very first dinner date. With smiles, coos, kisses, and even some dance moves, Ethan romanced his lunch box lady throughout the lunch hour. All we could do was laugh until we cried.

Kai-lan, Ethan's new love!

Just look at the love in his eyes

Talking to Kai-lan

Let me share my drink with you

Kisses for Kai-lan

Another smooch!

Ethan even danced with his new crush!

Hugs and more hugs!

One more hug for Kai-lan before she goes to school with Michaela

Sana’s Arrival Home!

Renee Loux — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:24:39 +0000

Two days ago our new daughter Sana arrived from the Marshall Islands! Telma had gone to the Marshall Islands ten days ago in order to work out some immigration details for her U.S. Citizenship, and was able to bring Sana back with her. The two of them arrived Thursday morning and our entire tribe was there to greet them and to celebrate. Our family support staff joined us as well as our nephew Nick and Derek’s assistant Amy. From the beginning, Sophia, Michaela and Sana began playing, laughing and singing together. They didn’t stop for 10 hrs. It’s so amazing to see how kids can open their hearts to one another and help “new arrivals” adjust and bond. When we arrived at home we celebrated with a welcome home luncheon for Sana. Our brother & sister in law, John and Tracie and their kiddos, as well as my sister Heather and our nephew Baden joined us in the celebration. It was so great to have Telma home as well! She’d only been away for 10 days but everyone missed her so much. Ethan lit up like a 4th of July sparkler when he saw Telma. He threw his arms around her neck and wouldn’t let go. It was precious! We are now the parents of 10 children! When we entered this new phase of adoptions 18 months ago, we had no idea that the Lord would bring us five children in one year, but He did and it’s been incredible! All 13 of us (including Renee’s mom) crowded around the breakfast table this morning as we threw another celebration for Renee’s birthday. I looked around the table and thought … “Wow, I’m a really rich man!” The Lord is amazing and we are so blessed!

Renee’s mom who had been gone to the South Pacific and Asia for two months, came home Thursday night! It wasn’t the same without her here. We are so blessed to have her in our lives, living right here with us as she continues doing translation work and in other areas of ministry to help the islanders whom her heart so dearly loves!

What a great day of celebrating! Thank you again to all of you who helped us bring Sana home, through your prayers, your sacrificial giving and your practical help! We love you!!!

Derek, Renee’ and Tribe

Beautiful Sana!

Just look at that smile!

Snugglin our new angel

Feeling a bit overwhelmed

Sana looking at her new family members

When Ethan saw Telma come off the plane, he threw his arms around her and his whole face lit up! He missed her so much!

Sana feeling a little shy

Posing with some of our family support staff and Sana

We had a lot to celebrate!

Sana taking a moment to herself

Our family support staff celebrating with us, along with our nephew Nick and Derek's sister and our nephew, Heather and Baden

Our little angel Silas was very happy to greet his new sister. He's only been in America for 6 months now and he's ready to show Sana what this new life is all about!

Please Welcome Our Newest Daughter, Sana!!

Renee Loux — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:51:48 +0000

Our big news this week is that Leeann’s little sister “Sana” (not blood related but raised with her) will be arriving from the Marshall Islands to Kansas City on August 20th to become the newest member of our family! Leeann became part of our ever growing family back in December. As she began to experience the love of a family, and she realized how children should be loved and cared for, Leeann became extremely burdened for her little sister. She came to us several times over the last three months in tears asking if we would consider pulling Sana out of the situation she was in and bring her into our family. This was the orphan interceding for the orphan. We were so moved by Leeann’s compassion and burden that we agreed to pursue adopting Sana. Well, like so many times before, the Lord opened door after door and we are expecting Sana to arrive with Renee’s mom in two weeks.

We would also like to thank my brother Terry, and his wife Amy, for all they did to help us get Sana’s paperwork completed and expedited. Among the many things Terry and Amy are involved with in the Marshall Islands, they do much to help the children there. They have amazing hearts and we are so thankful for them. Thanks guys, we love you!

We will need to purchase Sana’s ticket by tomorrow and will also need to buy her clothes, shoes, school supplies etc… We would really appreciate your prayers, for God’s provision as we bring in another child and make her part of our family. The Lord is faithful!

Also, please pray with us regarding our purchasing land and building a home for all the children the Lord is sending us. We are looking at 45 acres of land right now that would be perfect for what we’re trying to build. We need $279,000. to purchase this land and are trusting the Lord to provide it. He is able!

It is going to be really tight with 13 of us packed in our home but the joy we have far exceeds the inconveniences! His plans for all these precious ones is great (Jermiah 29:11)!

Much love and thanks to all of you for your continued prayers!

Renee’, Derek and tribe

Beautiful Sana!

Ethan and Silas’ Surgeries

Renee Loux — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:47:55 +0000

Derek and I spent Friday at Children’s Mercy hospital during our son Ethan’s surgery. He had a scope put down his throat to check for diseases or bacteria that he might have picked up at the orphanage he was in. He was also circumcised and had tubes put in his ears to drain a large amount of fluid buildup. For the last five years he’s been hearing everything as if he was underwater. Taking that into consideration and the fact that he just started hearing English five months ago, it’s amazing how he has developed such an incredible level of communication with us. This little boy is smart! He’s the comeback kid that wasn’t given much of a chance. Now he’s proving all those who doubted him wrong! We can’t wait to see how his world comes to life now that he will be able to hear clearly! He is so precious, with a smile to melt your heart, a laugh that is infectious and a deep sense of peace that could calm most any storm. He is truly a miracle! He has come so far in the little time he’s been ours. God is so good, so faithful!

Silas’ surgery was postponed until the end of August because of a dispute that arose with our health insurance company. The day before Silas was scheduled to have open heart surgery to close a large hole in his heart, the insurance company suddenly denied coverage, saying that he would not be covered because his down syndrome and all that came with it was a pre-existing condition. Fortunately we had the law on our side which states that if you add your adopted child to your health insurance policy within 30 days of their adoption, the insurance company cannot deny them coverage on the basis of a pre-existing condition. It took two days of energetic “interactions” with them for all restrictions to be lifted so that our boys could be covered. In the meantime, the scheduled surgery date came and went which is why Silas’ surgery has been rescheduled for the end of August. We are so thankful that the Lord worked it all out and we are at total peace, knowing that the Lord is in control and we can rest in that. He is a good, good Father!

We so appreciate your prayers and your incredible support. You have been a strength to us and we are so thankful for each of you! God bless you and keep you in the palm of his hand!

Much love and hugs to you all!

Renee’, Derek and Tribe

Ethan, Mommy and Daddy

Dancing with Daddy in the surgery waiting room

Cheek to cheek lovin!

Look at that handsome boy!

Coming out of the surgery recovery room

Snugglin with Mama!

The tape on Ethan's hand bothered him more than anything

On our way home!

Happy little darlin!