Orphan Sunday from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

Hungry from Southland Christian Church on Vimeo.

STAPLES IN OUR HOUSE THIS WEEK

The flu bug has hit us hard. It is slowly filtering through the family.

Faith says, "Mommy, I am not happy anymore. I am sad."

Mommy says,"Faith why are you sad?"

Faith says, "Mommy I am sick."

Bad News/Good News

As with all adoptions there is a rollercoaster of emotions and today was no different.

BAD NEWS
We had been anticipating the opening of Ethiopian courts today. Well, it did not happen. Not sure why but the courts did not open. Praying they open tomorrow so cases can start moving again.

GOOD NEWS
Just a few short hours after learning courts did not open we did receive some good news. Our case is finally ready to be submitted to court! So when courts do open back up, hopefully tomorrow, our case will be submitted for a court date.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME

We are still here!! I am sure all "10" of my regular readers have been concerned about my whereabouts! The last month has been a time for reflection and reorganization. As I have disclosed previously our current adoption has been a growing experience for our family, especially me. I have spent the last month processing the ups and downs of international adoption and coming to terms with the realization that I am still not in control. It was time to let God take over completely. That along with rearranging our daily/weekly schedule, including therapy appointments, I have felt a little out of sorts. BUT I am back and feeling reorganized and rejuvenated!

I think it is time to give a little more information about our girls. I believe that we are finally ready to be submitted to court, as soon as it opens again. The oldest is 7 years old and is described as articulate and mature. We recently sent her a package which included some hair clips, jewelry, photo album of us, and a barbie. We received pictures and a video of her getting the package and she never let go of that barbie. I think she and Miranda are going to have lots of fun playing together. The younger girl is approximately 15-18 months old. She has polydactyl of the hands and feet. She also has what is called Nystagmus, which causes involuntary eye movement. Our agency sent us the cutest video of her laughing. Stay tuned for more info . . . .

Now, what else has been going on. I have come up with a monthly menu schedule with grocery lists. I believe I am almost done with it. This really helps with budgeting and time preparing for meals.

We had Jacob's annual therapy re-evaluation. I can't believe the boys have been home for over a year. Unfortunately, I had to rework his therapy schedule which took some time to figure out. He sees four different therapist weekly/biweekly. Trying to do his schedule, school schedule, doctor's appointments, and Faith's speech therapy is crazy to figure out. Plus I try to schedule in some fun time!! I think we finally have everything back on track and I feel much better knowing what is going on when.

Miranda, Ethan, Faith & Gabriel are doing really well. They are just blossoming! Sometimes they say something and I think, "wow, I did not know you knew that". They are like sponges and soak up everything they hear and see. We are in our third year homeschooling Miranda and I think we are really starting to feel comfortable. I feel so blessed to be given the opportunity to love and teach every one of our children. GOD IS SO GOOD!!!

Why We Chose Adoption

Sorry it's been so long. Here is something I wrote a few months ago about why we have chosen adoption.

Four years ago God began impressing upon us the frugality of trying to live the “American Dream”. We had built a large home and filled it with nice furniture. We were a two income family with two children and a dog. While I was pregnant with our second child we began to think about our future and what that would look like. Honestly, we did not like what we saw. I never wanted to work full time but I would need to work to pay for our comfortable lifestyle. So we began to make drastic changes in our lifestyles. We sold our large home and bought a smaller one that we could afford on one income. After our son was born I did not return to work but stayed home to raise our family. A few months after our son was born we began the adoption process in China. God began working in our hearts and what began as “us” saving one child from a life of poverty became a love affair with our Father God.

We are passionate about adoption because of God's passion for orphans in James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." It is that simple! We have had no difficulty having birth children but have chosen to leave a legacy through the ministry of caring for orphans. Each one of our children has brought so much joy to our lives. We can also see small seeds being planted by our children in the lives of those around us. Yes, we are an unconventional family and we get lots of stares when we go out. BUT, it also gives us
wonderful opportunities to share with others what God is doing in our family.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME