M&M Uno

We had a lot of fun this evening playing M&M Uno. If you find yourself looking for a way to keep a couple of children entertained, let me suggest this fun game. It's a creation of our very own, and it works like this:

GAME SET UP

1. Before the game can begin, everyone must WASH THEIR HANDS.
   
   
2. Each player gets a dixie cup with 10 to 15 M&M candies in it. It is important that each player has the same number of candies in his/her cup.
   
   
3. A bowl is set in the middle of the table. This is the candy bowl.
   
   
4. Deal out the Uno cards like you would for a normal game.

GAME RULES

Play a game of Uno according to the standard rules of the game. Four additional rules govern the distribution of the M&M candies.

1. Whenever you are required to draw a card from the Uno deck, you must place one of your candies in the candy bowl.
   
   
2. Whenever you change the color of the top Uno card, you win all the candies in the candy bowl.
   
   
3. If you win the Uno game (that is, you play your last card) you win all the candies in the candy bowl.
   
   
4. If you run out of candies in your dixie cup, you lose. Just set your cards down and stop playing.
   

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I eat my candies now? You sure can. You don't need to wait to the end of the game to eat some (or all) of you M&Ms. But, of course, if your dixie cup is empty, you lose and you are out of the game.
   
   
2. If an opponent makes me draw four (or 2) cards, do I have to give away one of my candies? Yes. One of your candies goes in the bowl regardless of how many cards you were made to draw.
   
   
3. If I change the color by playing a wild card, do I get all the candies in the bowl? Yes.
   
   
4. If I can't play because I can't match the top card, do I have to put my candy in the bowl? Yes. You have to draw a card and put a candy in the bowl.
   
   
5. Hey, I drew a card, played it, and changed the color being lead. Do I get all the candies in the bowl? Even the one I just put in? Yes. You changed the color. You get all the candies in the bowl.
   
   
6. I changed the color, but the candy bowl was empty. Do I get anything? Nope. Sorry.
   
   
7. I played a skip card. Does the person being skipped need to put a candy in the bowl? No. They just get skipped. That's bad enough.
   

Give it a try the next chance you get. It's fun!

Why Was This Child Born Blind?

Why Was This Child Born Blind?
By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.orga

This is probably the only sermon I have ever heard that talks directly about children with disabilities in such a direct way. It is a must to listen to. I love the line where John Piper says- "If you want to be one of the most remarkable kinds of human beings on the planet—a Jesus kind—see people with disabilities. See them. And move toward them. God will show you what to say."

Please take the time to listen to this sermon. It will challenge you to look at suffering in a whole new light.

Today Leo and I spent the morning with the neurologist. It went very well. Will update more on that later. Time to put little man to bed! I think he is done playing....

Will You?

This time 2 years ago, I was busy pulling everything together and packing for our journey to our amazing son Jonathan. Here he is on gotcha day eating french fries!

On November 9th, we are splurging and going out to dinner to the Chinese Buffet to celebrate Jonathan's Gotcha Day.

WOW! It doesn't seem possible that he has only been a part of our family for 2 short years. What seems even crazier is that he now is a big brother to Leo.

November is National Adoption Month. Both of our boys were considered hard to place. If you remember, we were matched with Jonathan before our paperwork was done because they couldn't find a family for him and his file was about to be returned to China. (meaning his chances for adoption would have dropped significantly) If you have ever seen Jonathan in action you know he is not hindered at all by his "special need". He is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. His personality, his determination, his spunk... and to think so many families turned down his file just because he was missing his leg.

Fast forward to April,2011, our paperwork was started, but not completed and again we receive a call about a little boy who desperately needs a family and Bethany has run out of options for him. Leo becomes part of our family. We are still waiting for the day when legally he becomes a Shafer. It's just a formality. Leo is a Shafer. After all, he looks just like his brother. His smile, his giggle, the light in his eye... yes there is more to Leo's care but we would and will do anything for this little guy. He deserves a mom and dad who love him. He deserves a mom and dad who will advocate for him and get him the best possible medical care. He deserves a family.

So, what about you? This November will you consider adopting? This November will you consider foster care? This November will you consider supporting a family in their journey to adopt? There are so many ways to care for the orphan. Will You?