Dear Alli, Jordan, Judah, and Emmyn, Day 1...

Well, our first night at home without you sure was different! After I dropped you off, Momma went home and cleaned our crazy house so we won’t have to do anything on the day we return! Daddy came home from work around 6:30. After Daddy came home, we went out and swam in the pool! Well, daddy vacuumed it out and I floated around in a floatie. =) Guess what, when we finished it was 8:45 and we had not even had dinner! So we got some meat from the fridge and daddy grilled. Momma got to just sit outside with Daddy, drinking tea talking while he grilled. We didn’t eat dinner until 9:30! Is that crazy or what?!

You will never guess what we did next! We watched a movie! Daddy didn’t even fall asleep! (I think he was secretly super excited!) We were like crazy kids! We still needed to pack but we decided to watch a movie first! After the movie was over, we thought we’d better pack for our big trip. But guess WHAT? There I was, sitting at the computer checking on some storms in the area and I heard Daddy scream. Then, I turned to see him jumping into the air! THERE WAS A HUGE Tarantula in the house! Patches was playing with it! Daddy was a little scared… actually, I think he was a lot scared. You tell me…

Like I said before, mommy was checking the computer for storms in our town. There was huge thunder, lots of strong wind, and heavy rain. We were worried about the garden and fruit trees, but it’s all OK; even the pool is OK! Praise the Lord! Alli, be glad you weren't here... you would have been up all night. ; ) 

The next morning, we woke up to sunshine! After we finished some things around the house, Papa came to pick us up and take us to the Airport.  BUT, before we could go to the Airport, we had to stop and drop off our little Jada at the vets office. Daddy thinks they'll take real good care of her. I almost cried taking her in there. I think I'm in love with that little sweetie =) I'm sure she'll be alright. We will all go pick her up together next Wednesday. 

So, after we dropped off Little Ms. Jada it was off to the AIRPORT! Here is a picture Mr. Dan took of Daddy and I arriving.

Papa and Mr. Dan didn’t stay at the airport, they just dropped us off. Daddy and I went to the check in counter and told them we were here for our flight. The next place we went was security. They make you take off your shoes, your belt, your jewlery, and empty all of your pockets. Then you stand in an xray tube with your hands up and they scan your whole body to make sure you don’t have any bad wepons on your body. It sure is a lot of work, but they are trying hard to keep everyone safe while they are up in the air.

After they do the security check, you are free to do whatever you’d like to do before your plane arrives. Daddy and I walked around a little bit, shared a sub sandwich, and read the newspaper. Then they called our flight number to come board the plane.

Guess what! We had a whale plane! “Shamu the Whale” It’s is their biggest plane, it was fully booked. Not one more seat was available. We didn’t get to sit by a window so we couldn’t see much of the outside. We sat next to a man named Mr. Chenning. He was flying home to California. He had just visited Tulsa to attend his grandfathers funeral =(

Well, I must say, he was probably the most interesting man on the whole plane. He worked for the circus in Asia, Europe, and all over the world! He plays the Piano, Bass, Chello, Trombone, and various other instruments. He writes the music for the circus! Now, here is another interesting fact… while Mr. Chenning is traveling with his circus, they only take boats and bicycles! Big bikes that are two bikes tall. He said he would send us pictures! I hope he does, wouldn’t that be so fun?!

Mr. Chenning was really a lot of fun. Daddy and he was able to talk about Jesus too, that was great! I should have taken a picture of us, silly mommy.

After this flight we were in Denver, Colorado but still needed to get to Durango. So, we had one more flight to go! The Denver airport is SO HUGE! I would like to visit there even when I’m not flying. Listen to this, when we arrived at Denver airport we were in building C, the very last building. We needed to get to building A. So, guess what we had to do? TAKE AN UNDERGROUND TRAIN TO BUILDING A! We felt like we lived in New York City! It was so neat. Daddy took a video of it, we’ll look at it when we get home, it’s so neat! 

The next flight we were on was a little plane, really little. I liked it a lot better. The first airplane was scary going up because it was so big. I felt like I was in a rocket. I almost threw up and even thought I was going to cry. I squeezed Daddy really tight, he was laughing at me, that silly Daddy. On this plane, we got to walk outside to load it. Oh, and guess what?! Adrian and baby Eric from Nebraska were on the same flight! They were headed to Durango the same day we were. We didn’t get to sit by each other but it sure was fun seeing each other before and after the flight. 

This plane ride was so beautiful, we were flying over the mountains. We would be on top of the clouds and then all of a sudden the clouds would break and you could see the mountains. It was breathtaking. God is such a beautiful designer, his creation is so full of different beautiful shapes and colors. 

When the Captain was landing the plane, it was a little scarry. It shook a whole bunch and even popped me out of my seat once. I kept my head down and held daddy again. He said, “It’s just a few bumps in the road” That helped me, I just imagined I was driving on a highway and there were lots of bumps. Before I knew it we had landed!

When we arrived at the airport guess who was there, Uncle Dick and Aunt Vickie! They were there to pick up Adrian and Baby Eric. We followed them to their cabin, where we would stay for one night. After dropping off our stuff, we headed out to Clayton and Petra’s farm in the mountains for dinner. We didn’t get any pictures but we will. They asked about you guys and said they can’t wait to see you this Thanksmas! =)

Today, we are headed over to Clayton’s to watch him adjust some horses on his Ranch. Then we are going to breakfast. Daddy and I are going to be sure we get some great pictures for you ; ) AND maybe a little treat, if you’re good. (he, he)

We love you all so much and can’t wait to hear about your AWESOME time with your friends. Help Mrs. Jenny, be good and share. Don’t forget, Mrs. Judi’s birthday is coming up, you’ll be there… make her something special. Don't forget, you're on vacation too!

We love you,

Momma and Daddy =)

Ready to Quit? Perhaps it's time to get in the dirt...

I almost didn't do it.

I walked into the house and said, "I'm quitting it all." 

"I'm tired."

What, are you surprised?

Just because you have a calling on your heart, doesn't make it easy.

Actually, it's easier to give up-- or better yet, not even start.
 
Did you know, I'm a quitter? Did you know, I'm a mess? Did you know, sometimes I get tired and want to give up? Did you know some times, I yell, cuss, and wish for a quick shot of something hard (that being hard liquor for those of you with virgin vocabulary ; ) 

If you think less of me now-- you thought too much of me to begin with.   

I am so broken. 

Crying hard, I yelled-- "Why do I have to start everything!? Why can't I just be a part of something?" 

Little did I know, I was a part of something.

 

Did you know, if you knew who I am apart from Him-- you would turn and walk away?

I wonder what she did?

What did she do? What did she say? There, looking Grace in the eyes--

How did she react? 

"Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery.  The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”  Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

John 8:1-11

Did she sit and anxiously await the following Sunday when she could go to church and share what happened to her? How about starting each morning with devotion? Did she sit in her comfy, cozy house by the fire and meditate on His goodness with christian music playing in the background? Perhaps she even gave a shout out on Facebook of how big and good her God was.

Or wait! Her eyes were open to grace, open to what she had been forgiven of-- she was now "better than that." Better than that person she once was.

Did she forget?

Did she forget where she came from? Did she forget what it felt like? Did she forget the Grace in His eyes and how they looked on her with compassion, love, and mercy-- regardless of what she had done? Did she know she didn't deserve it? {yes, read it again s.lo.w}

Don't get me wrong, Christian music is good, and I love me some cozy meditation beside the fire. And of course, we all know--quiet bible time before my day is full of loud, is the best start to the day.

But what good are those devotions, those songs, that grace-- if my hands are not getting dirty.

What good are those scriptures; God breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, and training in righteousness, if I'm sitting on the sofa reading my Bible--maybe even baking cookies for a church bake sale-- but I have not loved with my hands, with my feet, with my story.

 

"But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it."

James 1:22-25

So, I quit. I threw my fit. Cried real hard. Felt overwhelmed. Got back up. And started to plan the SHARE-- where people could come and get whatever they needed or wanted. All for free.

I asked some people to help. For some, it was their first time to feel the dirt. Some felt uncomfortable; some felt stretched.  For that day, we lived the scriptures-- we dug through bags of peoples junk making it treasures for someone else.

 We even had christian music playing in the background. 

 

 

 

It's not about me. It's not about what I have done. I have done so little. In fact, more bad than good. No, friends. It's about the opportunity to be a part of the big story-- The God Story. 

It's about Grace. 

It's about the unexplainable, always perfect, always covering, always good, love of our sweet Jesus. It's about knowing, you are never too far from Grace. Did you hear that? You are never too far from Grace. Your storm is never too big, your attitude is never to rotten, your pain is never to deep. Your past is never too ugly, your choices never define you. That love that covers the dirt, the wounds, the imperfections-- yup, it's always there.

Oh, friends I can only hope! When we have discovered this gift, this grace, this LOVE... it would cause us to be crazy! It would get us off the sofa and into the dirt, not only reading but living the scriptures. It would make us tired and even a little crazy. Oh, that It would keep us bent low to the ground, healing through helping.

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.

We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”

--Mother Teresa

Healing with you,




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Starting the Day

I love it when the day starts out right.

Some of you may be the "sleep in, get up with the kids" type, but time and time again my life proves that this momma up first makes for a much better day!

Monday night I went to bed at 7:30 (never happens) but I had been very under the weather that day so I tucked Judah into his bed and didn't stop there. I walked straight into our room climbed in and didn't get out until Mr. Alarm told me to @ 5:30am Tuesday morning. Up and at 'em! Shower, dressed ;-), hair fixed, quiet time, study time, cleaning time, kiddos up, breakfast done, everyone sitting and eating. ahhh, I sit back to enjoy my cup of OJ when I glance up at the calender... Ahh! Judah has a dr apt at 9:20! Ok, everyone eat up, we have to get a move on. This is the reason I hate to plan doctor's visits so far in advance, I always forget them. I had already planned for a busy day but I didn't plan for an hour long dr. visit in there so I had to do some adjusting.

8:50 doing good. Everyone ready to go, kitchen cleaned up, kids have books in hand for a busy day in the van. List in had of items to do today, off we go.

Stop one. Dr. Stacey's office. We love our doctor. She is the best! Our favorite nurse, Tracy was out on vacation so we were sad about that. Nice little check up, all is well Praise the Lord. We are on our way.

Stop two. The book store, Redeemed; I love going there (obviously since they almost know us by name). It's great, we take books in, we get more. We pay nothing. love it, love it, love it! Actually yesterday we walked out with $30 cash too, that was even better. Along with our $30 cash, Alli had picked out a new "chapter book", I found the new testament on CD for in the van (a really cool one), a little picture book for Jordan, some flash cards and other misc. items. Yep, good times, good times.

Stop three. The consignment store across the street. Love it too! Took in old swimming suits, walked out with new, didn't pay a dime.

Stop four. Lunch. Typically we always pack a lunch and eat at a park, at the Y if we are on our way to PE, we have even carried our picnic basket into the mall food court when I needed to make a return to Old Navy one day. BUT yesterday, the thought of eating out sounded like a nice treat not to mention, easier.

It's wasn't.

Yep, the picnic basket is the way to go. We decided on a place with a playground outside. I thought, "oh that would be a fun thing for the kids, and I can start reading a book that my friend Judi gave me forever ago." We walk through the doors and stand in the line. Those lines seem so silly, like a line to the feeding trough. But we stood anyway, our tummies were hungry. We placed our order, filled our drinks and proceeded to the playground to eat and play. I was so excited because there weren't any other kids out there, this will be peaceful I thought. Well, there were no kids out there because it was closed. :-( So I said, "ohhh it's closed." "Closed?!" my kids say. Then Alli says "oh well, good thing I brought in my chapter book!" (I love that kid) So we all sat inside, ate our mystery meat meal, and listened to Alli's story. I felt way sick afterwards but did enjoy the nice reading. I think I could have saved $11 and all that MSG and still enjoyed the reading with our picnic basket :-)

And just in case you were wondering... I started my book this morning. ;-)

Then we were off again, with lots left to do but one pooped little boy. Since he passed out on our way to return books to the library I thought a stop at the grocery store would just have to wait. So home we went.

The kids played outside while Judah slept, I had a talk on the phone with a friend and did housework.

Later that afternoon Daniel surprised us with a "Dad's home early Day!" (we love those days) so, we popped popcorn to celebrate, all sat down, enjoyed the nice outdoor breeze as it blew the curtains around, watched a little bit of a netflix that came in the mail and then we were off to church for an activity that night.

After church the kids headed to the school cupboard and started making crafts. Alli made me a sweet poem and Jordan made a little card for her friend Megan. Then off to bed they went. I spent the evening finishing up some last minute planning for tonights youth event and some last minute house work.

Well, there it is in a nut shell, our day yesterday. What was the reason for this post? ha! To remind me that if I wasn't an 'early riser mommy' my day would have been chaos when I remembered Judah's Dr. apt! I wish I knew how to do it a different way but being the control freak that I am... It just has to be that way.

School covered today: reading, arts and crafts and life skills. ha!

Here are those cute swimming suits!


Have a wonderful day!

A Random Day in The Life of a Simple Chelsea Girl

I'm not even going to lie, I still can't beleive I live here. Nothing wrong with it, I just can't beleive it. It's a totally random, nothing I ever planned, completely crazy kind of thing!

I like to wear pretty dresses, I think I'll start to wear only pretty dresses. I need to go to some garage sales to find some. Found one today, when I stopped at a local garage sale. The man saw I was wearing a dress, he says, "You like pretty dresses, I have some pretty dresses over here for $5." I walk over to the man, drenched from sweat, shirtless, wearing high top tennis shoes and knee high socks. After telling him the dresses are a little too fancy for my type, he turns me on to a brown sun dress, not really my style, but he insists I buy it, "It's White Stag" he says. My mind turns toward my early childhood when my mother would tell me those.exact.words as we shopped the Goodwill racks. All I would think back then was, "Why can't it be Tommy Hilfiger." The man, still dripping in sweat,  proceeded to sell me a "good winter coat."

I bought the dress. The man worked hard for that dollar. 

Afterward, I went to the local drug store where another man was sitting in the 105 degree weather selling watermelon and cantaloupe. I stood for a chat, asking him how to tell when I should pick our cantaloupe. He had great information.

We finished up our Friday morning Summer Library program. That little library did such a great job. It's hard getting use to a little library. On a low day at our wonderful, fantastic, unbeatable, love until the day I die, library... The Library Center in Springfield, MO there were so many people at the programs, I wouldn't go! Oh, those are special memories, the children and I sharing a muffin at the Library Coffee Shop and stopping at the little store inside to buy something from the 50% off table. Now, before the library, we go see Mr. Adam at the local Donut Shop. You know, he and the Donut Baker Man just bought the donut shop and Mr. Adam's girlfriend just opened up a dance studio here in town. We're pretty happy for them.

We met our first Homeschool family today! Locals! It's been nine months, almost to the day, since we moved here and have yet to meet any Homeschool family in our own town. It really has been strange, I am asked more here than ever before, "Why do you Homeschool?" "What made you Homeschool; do you hate the government?" "Do your kids get interaction with other kids? "How will they be socially?" I always want to say, Have you ever met my children? they are not lacking in the social realm of things.

We are SUPER excited to meet some other crazy people like us; hope it all works out. They have four children, just like us. My kids have already planned a theatrical play for them all to act out. I hope we don't scare them off too soon. They're coming to play Monday; let's hope they stick around ; ) 

I have been on a reconstruction mode here at the house. It  started with a closet. Isn't that the way it goes? 

I painted and rearranged the closet, I moved the bookcase, I moved another bookcase, I sorted books, I hung all the pictures that were left, I sorted the homeschool materials,  I got rid of the desk, I got rid of the island, I rearranged our closet, I cleaned out the garage, got rid of junk from outside the house, I created new discovery corners and today, we took out the TV. I love reconstruction. Reconstruction of the mind, body, and soul. So good.

Tonight we explored a new play ground at one of the schools here in town. The kids have been dying to try it out. So, we had dinner at the new play ground. It was lots of fun. 

The girls and I went afterward to clean the little church we clean. Thursday's is our night. The girls and I go clean and then do girly things together. We might go to the truck stop down the road from the church (the only place around there) and have coffee or share a piece of pie while playing cards or a dice game. We may come home and do nails; tonight we did massages. Tonight is Friday, Thursday night didn't work out this week. 

Now I sit. Think about my day and all the little ins and outs. Reflect on Katie's Blog Post I read earlier today, it always draws me to my knees. Working on memorizing a passage of scripture, read a little, drink my cup of milk which always makes me think of my friend, Darie, with her big glass of milk and organic peanut butter cookies each night. Soon, I'm going to chat with my favorite person ever, Our Maker, and then go to rest.

a few peeks at our garden, one of our favorite places. 

Such a random life. 

Loves,

We're Moving.

For those of you who know us at all... that title caught your eye, didn't it? =)

We started praying about it when we fell in love with Jesus, when he adopted us-- two very broken kids into His family. We surrendered our hearts fully to it on Thursday. And on Friday, God made some things quite clear and I smiled real big through my tears.

I don't know why this sister of mine has such a special place in my heart. I can count on one hand how many times we have seen each other face to face and held more than a five minute "real" conversation yet I feel like I've always known her.

While praying the other day for clarity beyond the yes,  that great big God of ours laid my sister, Christy, heavily on my heart; finally showing me how our hearts are so similar. He simply told me that morning, while driving my mini-van packed with kids singing silly songs in the back-- "This is why she is so special to you. Because I started her on this road before I started you."

And then! Then! That amazing God of ours used another sister, Ginny to confirm this that very day.

She had told me she couldn't wait to give me my birthday gift and she wanted to give it to me in person. It had been months since I had made the trip to her state to visit her and even this trip almost didn't happen. Looking back now, I know God had different plans. When she gave me the gift, I realized why I had made the trip. Why I had made the trip, that Friday. The Friday, after the Thursday we had surrendered. That Friday, the Friday He had spoken to my heart about my friend and our roads.

The picture. Taken by my friend Christy during her trip to Africa last year. She sold these prints as a fundraiser this summer for her trip back to Uganda. Ginny had bought me the picture.

And on the back, she simply writes:

"Kati When I saw this picture, I knew you needed it. Check out our African Sister joyfully doing her day's work-- providing for those she loves. It's a pretty big bundle she's got, but this girl even has enough spring in her step to turn around and offer a sassy, energetic smile. Totally Y-O-U."

And I cried. Of course, you know me. 

Two sisters, joyfully working in Uganda.

Uganda, the place Christy goes to serve.

Uganda, the place she is adopting from.

Uganda, the place our Katie loves, serves, and has surrendered her heart to. The place she has introduced us to and helped us fall in love with.

Uganda, the place Ting always told me to forget about and think more about Taiwan =)

Uganda.

So, when I ask that man of mine, all cute and giddy about our final surrender, "What country?" He simply says, "Of course, Africa."


So, we're moving. No, no, we're not becoming missionaries =) We're not moving away. We're moving forward. We're surrendering our hearts, finally, and choosing to Trust that Amazing God of ours and adopt. And we're praying it starts a chain reaction that we can't ever stop and our crazy house will be full to the brim with whoever God will bless us with.

Because He adopted us.

We don't know how we'll afford it, we don't know how long it will take, we don't know anything at all about what and where to start-- no more than our friends have shared and Google has searched but we know the character of our God--

and isn't that all we need to know?

I have accepted a position with my Hubby's company, providing financial services and education to families and small businesses. I have a lot of tests to pass and a lot of training to do but I have a purpose. 70% of my earnings will be going towards our adoption. This way, when doors open-- we can tip toe through them, scared and shaking,  having no idea what's beyond them but knowing we were obedient.

Luckily my job can be done mainly from home and when not at home, Daniel can be. So we'll tackle it all together-- this thing called life. We'll both teach the children, we'll both do our jobs, we'll both fold clothes, play games, do dishes, struggle through the mounds of paper work and budget all the costs together. All because God is so good.

So good, to take two very broken people, young and stupid, full of selfishness, and pride. Overwhelmed with guilt and bad decisions and made us new. He adopted us. Two unwanted people-- two people who didn't even want each other let alone want to surrender to Him. And you know what?

When He adopted us, He gave us life.

"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
    this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
 God places the lonely in families;
    he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy..."
{Psalm 68: 5-6a NLT}

Please pray for us.

Pray for the one He will send us. Pray For God's will to be done in their lives. Remember Esther and Moses? They were both adopted.

"This man had a very beautiful and lovely young cousin, Hadassah, who was also called Esther. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter." {Esther 2:7 NLT}

"Later, when the boy was older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh's daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses, for she explained, "I lifted him out of the water." {Exodus 2:10 NLT}

We feel very strongly it will be Africa, we hope for a boy between three and four years old. We know, with the size of our house, they will only approve a boy since Judah is the only one who doesn't share a room. And when we asked each other what age, we both had the same idea, pre-school age. When I get to feeling all bad about having specifics-- I simply pray God's will be done above all.

Will you please pray for humbleness, direction, wisdom, and God's will to be done as we start this new journey? Will you also praise him? Praise him for our hearts finally surrendering and trusting Him with this decision.

What if we fail? Surrender.

Wholehearted Thanks,

big 'ol Him taking care of little 'ol them through little 'ol you. {a winner announced!}

It's funny how that God of ours works. 

Two days after we announced  "Operation Bottle" I received an update from Christy regarding her adoption telling me the child they had hoped for had become adoptable! The babies home had met with the family of the little boy and they wanted him to have a forever home!

You can only imagine how wonderful this felt! Someone out of the blue organized the first adoption fundraiser and only a couple days later they find out the little guy they were hoping to adopt is adoptable! 

And you know that God of ours, he knew the timing of this little fun thing ending and tons of little bottles descending on their little home-- offering a bit of encouragement possibly on this long road of adoption?

So when I received the message on Friday updating us on the new news from Uganda, my heart skipped a beat and I thanked that big God for his perfect timing:


(FROM CHRISTY)

"It is with a heavy heart that we share this news with you. We just found out this afternoon that "Little R" has an uncle in Uganda that wants to keep him. Amazing to me that Little R was in an orphanage for over a year and not one relative came forward to even visit him. And now, this man came out of the blue and said he will keep him. In his words, they will "manage". The uncle already has Little R in his custody and we are no longer able to adopt him. Don't get me wrong, I am totally for reunification with family IF they are able to provide the child with a good home. I've just seen too many cases in Uganda where children are tossed from family to family and they aren't given proper care. They are often times forced to work hard at an early age, are abused, or go hungry. I just pray that Little R doesn't become one of those cases.

 

I have never personally lost a child in the womb, but I can imagine what I'm feeling is somewhat similar to what a mother experiences when she looses her unborn child. You spend months thinking about your child and what life will be like once they are with your family. You dream about them and their future. You pray for them and that you will be good parents. And then one day, they are gone. Totally unexpected. It is at that moment that you realize that life's not fair. In fact, sometimes it stinks (as a nice way to put it). But then you get up off the floor, brush off your pants, and thank God for another day. You realize that even when times are tough, God has a perfect plan and we must trust in Him and His promises.

Would you please join our family in praying for this uncle? If he truly is supposed to care for Little R, please pray that he will be a good role model, teach him about Jesus, love on him and that he will be a good provider for his needs. And if he's not supposed to care for him, please pray that God impresses on his heart that there is a family that already loves him and wants to adopt him. Pray that he understands what a big responsibility it is to raise a child and if he can't step up then he needs to step down.

We are so very sad but I suppose situations like this are to be expected. I keep hearing stories of how hard adoption is and I believe it. But I also believe very strongly that we are called to adopt and God will get us through the tough times. We just need a little time to grieve but we aren't going to let this stop us. We will continue on with our adoption journey and follow God's leading. We appreciate your prayers - and especially for Little R, wherever he is."




So, when I deliver those simple little bottles full of all your love, I want you to know-- you were a part of something bigger. You were apart of God's plan.

Big 'ol him taking care of little 'ol them through little 'ol you.

Their adoption is on a steady path, with God leading the way through prayer and friends like you and I.  They are praying for the child God has chosen for them and we can't wait to meet that little sweetie! Meanwhile, we know Little R is being watched by the same Big 'ol God and he loves us all-- so beautifully.

Might I say-- God has not made me a rich person because I would always remain poor. How do I choose only one person to win and everyone else loses? I know it's not about the winning but if you know me at all, you know-- I'd just give something to all of you for your sweetness. However--again, If you know me =) you know, I changed my mind and drew two names. It was just so stinkin' fun!

Two of you will be getting a beautiful handmade Ugandan necklas from  Amazima Ministries founded and ran by our sweet Katie Davis in UG.


Amazima Ministries was founded by Katie Davis in 2008. The 501(c)(3) organization, based out of Franklin, TN, feeds, educates, and encourages orphaned and vulnerable children and the poor in the country of Uganda.  We do this through child sponsorship (over 600 children), feeding programs (over 1,200 children each day Monday through Friday), community outreach, medical care, vocational initiatives, and spiritual discipleship.  -taken from Amazima Ministries website.

You can read more about Katie's life HERE.

When we purchase these necklaces we give mommas like you and I, ways to provide for their families. There are no job applications or Craigslist ads in their country, friends. These sales bring hope and a glimpse of a God who cares for them.

On to the drawing:

We started the old fashioned way, names in a bucket and choose one. My little Emmyn chose first, since she is my smallest I thought it'd be fun ; )

And the first winner is:

Tiffany T.

After that was over, the kids and I we're like, "That's it? We've waited a month and it's over in 3 seconds?" So, we did it again ; )

This time, all the kids took out names and we left only one.

  Hmmm, I wonder who that is in there = )

Nicole W.

Do you see what I mean about having fun?! I almost re-took this picture and then my oldest says, "Mom, that's us-- we're crazy" =)

So, I left it. (he, he, he)

There ya have it. Tiffany T. whom I know and Nicole W. whom I do not know. Nicole was one of the ladies who took on the load and did her own bottles for Christy as well, hers were way cuter than mine!

People I didn't know at all, didn't know well; or had known for years took the challenge and helped this family. Many of you not knowing them at all.

I am blessed by you.

Ladies, I have to order them and have them shipped-- it'll be a couple weeks before they are here and then I will get them to you.

THANK YOU to all of you who helped; the cost of adoption is very expensive. When God places something like this on our hearts-- we, in our comfortable homes sometimes get a little afraid. But don't forget that Big 'ol God who silenced the lions for Daniel will conquer any mountain you might be facing because you have chosen to obey.

Much, total, & full love.



this post is a follow up to:

I need your help--and I don't have a church family, really. { I have friends. Friends with this little thing in common, Jesus. }

Ok, Ok, Back to Positive Thinking

Now that the children are medicated, I've had more than 1.5 hours of sleep, and the fire from my eyeballs has subsided... I think I have now come to my senses and can be cheerful. =) Sorry you had to endure the negativity!

There were actually things other than sad news, sick people, and homesickness during our trip to Tennessee. Some really great things did take place and your prayers were not in vain. To say it was a bad week really isn't fair. So, I thought I would share those good things with you.

Everything really started the day before we even left. It started in the kitchen, which you know... I love!

You see... we knew this trip was coming a few weeks before but we weren't for sure we were going to be able to go. In the end our church was very generous and allowed us the time off and we were blessed with a beautiful place to stay for completely free. So we planned to just share cooking with the other team members while there to avoid eating out that way we could afford eating away from home for one week.

But there is still that loooong drive and fast food and convenience stores can break you. So... that is how it started in the kitchen, cooking food for the road. Plus baking two apple pies I had promised to deliver before we left.

Normally the kids are hands on with the cooking, but this day I had much to do and little time to get it done so I gave them fun little things to do instead of having them help cook. Jordan did help a lot with the pies but I didn't snap any pictures except for the finished product. =(


Jordan had lots of fun "cooking" with water


And what 19 month old doesn't love a sink full of water, bubbles, and dishes?? I know my Judah loves it!



Alli was setting the basement up to be a restaurant so they could all play together down there. I never made it down to take any pictures of them in action... I know, I know, what is up with me lately?


That day our friend Cindy dropped by Daniel's work to drop off some things we had asked to borrow for our road trip. But little did we know she had a travel pack FULL of wonderful goodies for our trip! There was something for everyone, even mom and dad. That little (actually big) travel pack was a survival tool for us, the kids LOVED it so much and Daniel and I were very blessed with our "adult part" too!



Then, that night we had Youth Group. At the end as everyone was going home I had a student come up to me and handed me an envelope. Enclosed was $30 (almost all in 1's). She said "I went to the craft fair last week and played my violin for people walking around." she continued: "I placed a sign next to my case about you guys and what you are doing and this is the money I made from tips." CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?


Do you know what I did next? Yep, I totally cried.

God used two totally different people that day to bless us in such unexpected ways. He is so amazing. Not to mention, they are so amazing for showing love to us the way they did, in faith.

We left out at 3am Thursday morning sleeping on and off (me, not Daniel ;-) Once finally awake to stay I was able to cast my eyes on the beauty of God's creation in this part of the country.



Oh wait! I can't forget to show off these pics...





Yes, this is Daniel taking pictures of himself (while driving) as I slept. He totally cracks me up.

Finally around 12:30 we crossed into TN.


Below is downtown Nashville...


As I mentioned in the prior post, the kids and I got sick shortly after the trip kicked off. But below are a few pictures of the things we were able to take part in before getting sick.

A tour of the land...



the town...





and the beauty...


We didn't think about taking pictures of all us together when we first arrived, that is something you typically do towards the end. But since we left 4 days early and during the middle of the night at that, we never did get any group pictures :-( We're totally bummed about that.

And there it is, kind of in a nut shell I guess? We were really blessed to be able to go down there and we're glad we did. It helped us understand there is lots to do there but we are not there yet for some reason, we are here and we need to continue life here to the fullest! Investing in people and building relationships... living like we will be here forever until he takes us away.