Sunday, August 29, 2010

Birthday Girls

Elizabeth, aka Lizard, turned 16!!!

and Abigail turned 10 today! 
or "double digits" as she so proudly proclaimed!

God blessed us with these two beautiful girls
on the very same day... 6 years apart!

Daddy and I are so proud of you both!

You are each special in so many ways
and are truly a blessing to our family!

Happy Birthday Girls!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

A New Day

I took my eyes off Jesus yesterday.  I was so focused on my own desires and plans, I took my eyes off Him and became frustrated and irritated by the circumstances surrounding me.

He has had His hand on every step of this amazing, almost two year, journey.  Do I so easily forget how much He has accomplished?

Before our first trip to Uganda, we prayed fervently that we would be faithful to His plan for us.  I asked Him to show us the children He wanted us to adopt while we were there.  Do I forget His faithfulness so easily? 

On that first trip, when everything around us was new and heartbreaking and overwhelming in so many ways, but also beautiful, He opened our eyes to a bigger purpose and broke our hearts for the orphans and widows there.  For that, I am forever grateful.

On that same trip to the "Pearl of Africa", He showed us our children.  It was a beautiful, wonderful, perfect moment.  Each one of us knew the moment we saw them that they were to be a part of our family.  We felt it in our hearts. Why do I forget that He will work out all things according to His will and His perfect timing?

He also brought Daniel into our lives on that trip. Daniel, who we now call son and will forever be joined as family. This young man that speaks truth into my heart and shows me how to truly walk in faith.

I have been led to return on several occasions without a complete understanding of the purpose for each trip.  It was only once I was in country that the reason was revealed.  Oh! how faithful our God is!  He has protected our children from being forever lost to us, He has revealed the truth when we were being deceived, He has taken the desire of our hearts and allowed us to be a bigger part of His plan in caring for the orphans in a real and tangible way.  How easily I become distracted by the obstacles in front of me and forget that He is the One who moves mountains!

"Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done.  the things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:5

This morning I received a precious, encouraging e-mail from my Daniel.  He spoke of courage and God's plan, reminding me that His plan is perfect and in His perfect timing He would make it happen.  Oh, how this young man blesses my heart!

As I read in Isaiah this morning, God spoke... "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

Jesus, forgive me for focusing on the obstacles instead of You. Forgive me for wanting my own way, instead of faithfully waiting on Your purposes to be accomplished. I completely surrender to You and trust in You, believing You will accomplish what you have set out to do.  Thank You for loving me and for all that You are doing.  You are faithful and good... and so very worthy of all praise!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Two Steps...

forward. One step back.

This whole adoption process is one long, crazy, emotional roller coaster ride.

Most days I try and be positive about the whole thing... cause I know that God is in control.  He is working out His good plan and I trust Him.

But today, I'm ticked off.

I don't like it when I get told something, expecting to move forward, only to be told a WEEK later that there is this one more thing that needs to be done.

It irritates me.  It frustrates me.  It makes me crazy.

Just so you know... THAT is where I am today.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

True MIRACLE

This is the true AMAZING testimony of my dear friends, Duane and Sharon Andrews.  The doctors gave Duane a ZERO percent chance of surviving... but GOD!



The POWER of prayer is real...

"Our prayers are strategic in fulfilling God's promises." 

GLORY to God... and God alone!!!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Praise and Prayer

While we were away enjoying this...
and some much needed family time...

we got a very encouraging e-mail from our attorney.

PRAISE God!!!

We should hear some more VERY good news
 in the next few days regarding a court date!

PLEASE keep us in your prayers!

God is so GOOD!
and perfectly FAITHFUL!!!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Summer Lovin'

Ava loves feeding the ducks on our pond with Sarge...

and with her Aunt Lizard too.

My love, Nathaniel is always UP to something...

see what I mean?!

Abigail was happy to hang out on shore with me...

while Ava took her first canoe ride... and loved it!

Yes, she is THIS adorable!

Kat loves this photo... because it's 'artistic'.

She loves her sister too!

I love moments like these...
when we just enjoy being together.

I hope your summer is filled with some LOVIN'!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Three

This morning at church I noticed that there were three empty seats on the end of our row.

I realized that our family took up every seat... except for three.

Three.

Three empty seats meant for the three waiting. 

Three waiting to come home to us and sit in those seats.

It was one of those moments.

Please, Lord, bring them home now.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Celebrating Life

The Magic Time Machine is a treat for our family.
We only go on special occasions.

The hostess asked us what "occasion" we were celebrating.
We told her... LIFE!

Isn't life worth celebrating?!

Brandon and his girlfriend, Lauren, came for a visit...
and THAT is definitely worth celebrating!

We laughed...

and acted all goofy!

We drank weird drinks...

and had a balloon monkey 
made right at our table. So cute!

The Magician was a big hit!

Pick a card... Any card...

Kat was pleased with her choice. 
He had her write her name on it.

After he asked her to put it back in the stack,
he did some cool tricks with it, including catching it on fire!

Then... he pulled out her card!  FUN!

The most amazing act was the disappearing act!
I sat and watched as this...
disappeared in one minute 20 seconds. Gary timed it.

It was pretty amazing! 
As you can tell by the look on Kat's face!

CELEBRATE LIFE!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

I Don't Know vs I Know

I don't know why our adoption is taking soooo long.

I don't know why my three beautiful children have to stay in a boarding school and grow older every day without us.

I don't know why we have a court date that will most likely be changed and cause more delays.

I don't know why we have had money stolen away from the good things it was intended to do.

I don't know why we have been told soooo many lies.

I don't know why.

But what I do know... is that God is faithful.

I know that in the midst of this adoption taking so long, a desire in my heart has grown to help other older children find families and avoid the pain we have been through.

I know that even though my children are not with me, God takes care of them.  He has proven this countless times.

I know that He is control of our court date.

I know that the money we have had stolen has made us determined to do the things God is calling us to do through our own project.

I know that through everything... God has turned evil intentions and brought about good.

I don't know why God thinks I can handle any of this... the adoption or this project.  It is humbling... and scary... and exciting.

I do know that God is moving and directing and providing. I know that He will accomplish great things.

Sometimes I just need to write it down... to remember all that He has already done.  So on the days where "I don't know" creeps up and trys to drag me down... I can look back and remember His faithfulness.

He IS good... and He loves me.  This I know.