Oh my goodness, that little giveaway was so much fun. I have to do that again soon. Your guesses were so hilarious.
Curious about what those things actually were?
Were they earrings?
Nope.
Were they musical instruments?
Nope.
Were the jump ropes?
Nope.
Writing things?
Nope.
A feather duster?
Oh no!
They are......
SALAD SERVERS!
Easy, huh?
Just for fun, I'm giving the winner these adorable salt and pepper shakers too. All the way from my hometown, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Six or seven of you guessed either salad servers, or servers, or serving spoons...anything close to salad servers went into the drawing.
I had a little guy, who we think is positively one of the most endearing little boys in the world, do the drawing.
And the winner is......
Get in touch with me, my friend, so that I can get your prize off to you asap.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, I am such a goof. How can I possibly give you a picture of a yummy salad, and not give you the recipe?
A few of you asked, so here it is:
Lebanese-Style Tabouli
(We obviously make a large amount for our big family. Just half this recipe if you have a smaller family.)
3 bunches of parsley
1 cup of bulgar wheat
4-6 lemons (you will use the juice)
1 cup of olive oil
4 ripe tomatoes diced
2 green peppers diced
1 bunch of green onions
fresh mint
salt to taste
Place the bulgar wheat in enough warm water so that it is covered. Let it stand for about an hour.
Remove the parsley from the stalks.
Chop up all the other veggies into diced pieces.
Squeeze the excess water from the bulgar wheat.
Add all the ingredients together in a large bowel.
Add olive oil and the juice of 4-6 lemons (depending on how lemony you want it).
Add chopped mint and salt to taste.
Easy! And oh so delicious.
I have to clarify something. Some of you gave me a good chuckle today. You actually thought that we eat raw lamb in this house. Well, I am here to tell you that there is no way on God's green earth that we do! I can think of nothing worse. We actually eat very little meat around here. For one, my family has a vegetarian mommy that cooks with a lot of vegetables and beans. And two--meat is so ridiculously expensive. My family just goes without it.
Baby lamb? I just could never do it. I am a total bunny hugger. One of my dreams is to some day own a farm. I would love to have a whole bunch of cows and farm animals--they would absolutely LOVE living on my farm...every single one of them would actually get to die of old age.
October 30, 2009
October 29, 2009
so cold and so yummy
Snow, glorious snow!
Does it have to be that time of year so soon? Didn't we just have winter? Sure does feel like it.
Are we the only ones freezing our bee-hinds off?
I'm talking ginormous amounts of snow.
My kids love playing in the snow. But the last two days have been a little too cold, even for them. They bundle up in their winter woolies and head outside...it lasts for all of a few minutes. It is just that cold. Or maybe they head indoors sooner than expected because mommy actually brought some hot chocolate home from the grocery store. Yep--I bet that's what brings them in sooner. Nothing like a cup of hot chocolate after playing in the snow.
But fear not sweet kiddos--you may be loving the one and only tin of hot chocolate for the season--but your mother has not abandoned all our healthy eating ways completely.
Tabouli is a staple food around here. So yummy and incredibly healthy. My kids love it--especially with heaps and heaps of lemon. Such a great, easy way to get lots of nutrition in them. We try to eat as much raw as we can.
So my hubby is Lebanese. Over the years I have learned about quite a few Lebanese dishes. Very interesting, I tell you. The things Anthony loves to eat are so completely opposite to the things I was raised eating. For instance, I never even knew that grape leaves were edible. You eat the grapes--not the whole vine for heavens sakes.
Oh man--and the raw lamb stuff you can totally keep. Eew. But then again, I'm a vegetarian girl. Raw lamb + vegetarian = bad news! And cinnamon. I kid you not--on everything. Where I come from cinnamon is used on one kind of food--desserts. That's it. They put it on everything.
Thankfully, tabouli is right up my veggie alley. I did have to get used to parsley being the main ingredient in a dish. We use parsley as a garnish in South Africa. Oh, and for bad garlic breath. But that's it. I used to actually pick some of it out of the tabouli (much to my father-in-law's horror), but I am now fully converted. I guess that makes me well on my way to being a South African, Australian, American, Lebanese girl!
At least I can offer my sweet man one Lebanese dish. That makes him not too deprived, I guess.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your comments on my post yesterday just blew me away, friends. So often, when God gives you a mission to accomplish, you can feel so alone it in. Sharing my heart with like-minded blog friends is such an absolute joy. I realize time and time again that we are so not alone--and it is such a joy to journey with so many of you. You get it. You really do. You inspire me and encourage me to continue to run this race with perseverance...never giving up. I am so thankful that so many of you share your hearts with me here on my blog. I really am.
Thank you for your sweet love and support of our little Haven. Thank you for standing with me in being a voice, in the hope that there will be fewer and fewer cases like hers. I will not be silent until they ALL come home. And I know so many of you feel the same way.
Onward, soldiers!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sneaky little giveaway prize winner coming up tomorrow!
Does it have to be that time of year so soon? Didn't we just have winter? Sure does feel like it.
Are we the only ones freezing our bee-hinds off?
I'm talking ginormous amounts of snow.
My kids love playing in the snow. But the last two days have been a little too cold, even for them. They bundle up in their winter woolies and head outside...it lasts for all of a few minutes. It is just that cold. Or maybe they head indoors sooner than expected because mommy actually brought some hot chocolate home from the grocery store. Yep--I bet that's what brings them in sooner. Nothing like a cup of hot chocolate after playing in the snow.
But fear not sweet kiddos--you may be loving the one and only tin of hot chocolate for the season--but your mother has not abandoned all our healthy eating ways completely.
Tabouli is a staple food around here. So yummy and incredibly healthy. My kids love it--especially with heaps and heaps of lemon. Such a great, easy way to get lots of nutrition in them. We try to eat as much raw as we can.
So my hubby is Lebanese. Over the years I have learned about quite a few Lebanese dishes. Very interesting, I tell you. The things Anthony loves to eat are so completely opposite to the things I was raised eating. For instance, I never even knew that grape leaves were edible. You eat the grapes--not the whole vine for heavens sakes.
Oh man--and the raw lamb stuff you can totally keep. Eew. But then again, I'm a vegetarian girl. Raw lamb + vegetarian = bad news! And cinnamon. I kid you not--on everything. Where I come from cinnamon is used on one kind of food--desserts. That's it. They put it on everything.
Thankfully, tabouli is right up my veggie alley. I did have to get used to parsley being the main ingredient in a dish. We use parsley as a garnish in South Africa. Oh, and for bad garlic breath. But that's it. I used to actually pick some of it out of the tabouli (much to my father-in-law's horror), but I am now fully converted. I guess that makes me well on my way to being a South African, Australian, American, Lebanese girl!
At least I can offer my sweet man one Lebanese dish. That makes him not too deprived, I guess.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your comments on my post yesterday just blew me away, friends. So often, when God gives you a mission to accomplish, you can feel so alone it in. Sharing my heart with like-minded blog friends is such an absolute joy. I realize time and time again that we are so not alone--and it is such a joy to journey with so many of you. You get it. You really do. You inspire me and encourage me to continue to run this race with perseverance...never giving up. I am so thankful that so many of you share your hearts with me here on my blog. I really am.
Thank you for your sweet love and support of our little Haven. Thank you for standing with me in being a voice, in the hope that there will be fewer and fewer cases like hers. I will not be silent until they ALL come home. And I know so many of you feel the same way.
Onward, soldiers!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sneaky little giveaway prize winner coming up tomorrow!
October 28, 2009
an aching mommy heart
Some days there really are no words to express what is in my heart. Ever had those days? Days when you can literally feel the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Today I feel so heartbroken.
You see, we often hear people saying that they think what we are doing to bring Hailee home is some great thing. Yeah well, that's fine. But we really just let it go. The reason is because most of these dear people just don't get it. They look at us, this very ordinary, nothing special, totally flawed couple, and make statements like, "I could just never do what you do."
That breaks my heart.
Here's why...
For the last six months we have done every test under the sun to try and find some sort of diagnosis for Haven. From blood testing, the genetics, to bone scans, to developmental testing...you name it, we've done it. Last week Haven underwent an MRI under anesthetic. It was the last test to try and determine if there is any permanent brain damage happening. Every single test has come back normal. Every single one of them.
While this is wonderful news and we totally rejoice that there is no retardation or brain damage, it leaves me feeling sick to my stomach.
Haven is a nine year old little girl who is developmentally a three year old. She is completely non-verbal and most of the time she lives in her secluded little world. Although she has, indeed, come very far in the twelve months she as been home--she still has a very long way to go. She cannot do the things my other children do. She is afraid of many, many things. It is like having a baby in the house.
Haven should NOT be this way. Her 'condition' is strictly due to orphanage abuse and neglect!!! She is the way she is only because she had totally shut down emotionally, physically and psychologically for the first eight years of her life. Shut down to the point of never uttering a single word. To the point of literally not growing. It was her way of dealing with the wretched hand she was dealt. A coping mechanism.
It makes me so mad.
We have always had a suspicion that Haven's profound delays are due to orphanage abuse. But still, we set out to do all the medical testing just in case there was something else going on in her brain. You know what? It would almost be easier to deal with if they came back and said, "Yes, Haven has genetic abnormalities that have caused the delays." I guess that way we would know that her past experiences had nothing to do with anything. We would never have to wonder what they did to her. Obviously now, we do. We see the scars on her little body--and we wonder.
But knowing now that she was abused to such an extent that she is not only physically scarred, but so desperately emotionally scarred too--well, that just breaks my heart in two.
No child should have to endure what Haven did. No child! No child should have to wait more than four years for somebody to rescue them, as Haven did. I often wonder how she would be today if she was adopted at the age of four years old, when she was first put up for adoption. Or how she would be if she were not abandoned after five days by the first family who adopted her. I know she would be so much better had she have been adopted sooner. But no-one came for her. She waited too darn long.
It all seems so desperately unfair to me. And today, as we have received the results of the MRI, I am just mad about it all.
The sad reality is that Haven is just one. One of thousands and thousands of children who wait, dear friends. They wait and wait and wait...while we find every reason under the blooming sun why we should not go and rescue them.
I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but I just have to say what is in my heart. Actually, on second thoughts, I'm not sorry. The orphan crisis is at it's worst ever. And it's only getting worse with the world economy spiraling downward. I have to speak!
The Haven's of the world need us. They need the Body of Christ so desperately. Children are dying every single day. They're suffering indescribable abuse at the hands of orphanage staff. They wait to be rescued--while we wait for the right time (you know, for God to come and sit down next to us and tell us to GO!), we wait for enough money (which will probably never happen), we wait for a bigger house (when ours is perfectly okay--so far better than any orphanage).
Where in the world is the Church, dear friends?
We just wait and come up with our pathetic little excuses. We have been there! We have argued our silly case before the Lord too many times. We have turned a deaf ear to the still, small voice leading us to adopt. Been there, done that, friends.
We are totally out of excuses. There are none. If He says GO--we WILL go. No matter what! Haven's life has opened our eyes and our hearts. Her story is just one. I hate the thought that there are so many more just like her...suffering because too few are willing to take the plunge and follow God's command to take care of the orphans. In my Bible it is a non-negotiable command!
Are we really doing such a great thing by bringing Hailee home?
Oh no, no, no! We're merely following His command. All greatness belongs to Him who is seated on the throne. He will have all the glory in Hailee's adoption. Just as He will have the glory in Haven's life. This is NOT about us. Hailee is another precious babe being snatched out of darkness and being brought into His glorious light. We're only the vessel He is using to do the rescuing.
And so, when we get the, "You're doing such a great thing" comments, everything in me wants to shout out---YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!!! They're waiting out there--you don't even have to look hard to find them, I promise. Precious treasure just waiting to be found.
Heavens above--if we can do it, trust me, anybody can!
Today my heart is just aching. Aching to see more and more children come home. Aching because somewhere out there are precious little children, like our beloved Haven, who will have to spend the rest of their lives dealing with emotional scars my human heart will never fully comprehend...all because we are so content to live with our excuses!
Time to stop doing Church, and rather BE the Church!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know this comment will come up in the comments--so I will address my thoughts on it here....Do I feel that every Christian should adopt a child?
Well, yes and no. What I do firmly believe is that every Christian needs to keep an open heart before God on the matter. I believe that we should ALL ask the Lord what our role is in caring for orphans. Do we GO? Do we help those who are going with the finances to help pay the ransom? Do we support through prayer? Do we foster a child? Do we go on a mission trip and serve in an orphanage? Do we sponsor a child?
Yes, we are commanded to take care of the orphans--but there are so many different ways we can do it. We are all called differently.
Regarding Adoption--seek God on what your role is--you may just be surprised by what He says! The Spirit of the Living God is looking--searching for those who will say, "Yes Lord, send me!".
Oh how God NEEDS His body in this critical hour with the orphan crisis. Please hear my heart today--just ask Him if you are one He NEEDS to GO!
Today I feel so heartbroken.
You see, we often hear people saying that they think what we are doing to bring Hailee home is some great thing. Yeah well, that's fine. But we really just let it go. The reason is because most of these dear people just don't get it. They look at us, this very ordinary, nothing special, totally flawed couple, and make statements like, "I could just never do what you do."
That breaks my heart.
Here's why...
For the last six months we have done every test under the sun to try and find some sort of diagnosis for Haven. From blood testing, the genetics, to bone scans, to developmental testing...you name it, we've done it. Last week Haven underwent an MRI under anesthetic. It was the last test to try and determine if there is any permanent brain damage happening. Every single test has come back normal. Every single one of them.
While this is wonderful news and we totally rejoice that there is no retardation or brain damage, it leaves me feeling sick to my stomach.
Haven is a nine year old little girl who is developmentally a three year old. She is completely non-verbal and most of the time she lives in her secluded little world. Although she has, indeed, come very far in the twelve months she as been home--she still has a very long way to go. She cannot do the things my other children do. She is afraid of many, many things. It is like having a baby in the house.
Haven should NOT be this way. Her 'condition' is strictly due to orphanage abuse and neglect!!! She is the way she is only because she had totally shut down emotionally, physically and psychologically for the first eight years of her life. Shut down to the point of never uttering a single word. To the point of literally not growing. It was her way of dealing with the wretched hand she was dealt. A coping mechanism.
It makes me so mad.
We have always had a suspicion that Haven's profound delays are due to orphanage abuse. But still, we set out to do all the medical testing just in case there was something else going on in her brain. You know what? It would almost be easier to deal with if they came back and said, "Yes, Haven has genetic abnormalities that have caused the delays." I guess that way we would know that her past experiences had nothing to do with anything. We would never have to wonder what they did to her. Obviously now, we do. We see the scars on her little body--and we wonder.
But knowing now that she was abused to such an extent that she is not only physically scarred, but so desperately emotionally scarred too--well, that just breaks my heart in two.
No child should have to endure what Haven did. No child! No child should have to wait more than four years for somebody to rescue them, as Haven did. I often wonder how she would be today if she was adopted at the age of four years old, when she was first put up for adoption. Or how she would be if she were not abandoned after five days by the first family who adopted her. I know she would be so much better had she have been adopted sooner. But no-one came for her. She waited too darn long.
It all seems so desperately unfair to me. And today, as we have received the results of the MRI, I am just mad about it all.
The sad reality is that Haven is just one. One of thousands and thousands of children who wait, dear friends. They wait and wait and wait...while we find every reason under the blooming sun why we should not go and rescue them.
I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but I just have to say what is in my heart. Actually, on second thoughts, I'm not sorry. The orphan crisis is at it's worst ever. And it's only getting worse with the world economy spiraling downward. I have to speak!
The Haven's of the world need us. They need the Body of Christ so desperately. Children are dying every single day. They're suffering indescribable abuse at the hands of orphanage staff. They wait to be rescued--while we wait for the right time (you know, for God to come and sit down next to us and tell us to GO!), we wait for enough money (which will probably never happen), we wait for a bigger house (when ours is perfectly okay--so far better than any orphanage).
Where in the world is the Church, dear friends?
We just wait and come up with our pathetic little excuses. We have been there! We have argued our silly case before the Lord too many times. We have turned a deaf ear to the still, small voice leading us to adopt. Been there, done that, friends.
We are totally out of excuses. There are none. If He says GO--we WILL go. No matter what! Haven's life has opened our eyes and our hearts. Her story is just one. I hate the thought that there are so many more just like her...suffering because too few are willing to take the plunge and follow God's command to take care of the orphans. In my Bible it is a non-negotiable command!
Are we really doing such a great thing by bringing Hailee home?
Oh no, no, no! We're merely following His command. All greatness belongs to Him who is seated on the throne. He will have all the glory in Hailee's adoption. Just as He will have the glory in Haven's life. This is NOT about us. Hailee is another precious babe being snatched out of darkness and being brought into His glorious light. We're only the vessel He is using to do the rescuing.
And so, when we get the, "You're doing such a great thing" comments, everything in me wants to shout out---YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!!! They're waiting out there--you don't even have to look hard to find them, I promise. Precious treasure just waiting to be found.
Heavens above--if we can do it, trust me, anybody can!
Today my heart is just aching. Aching to see more and more children come home. Aching because somewhere out there are precious little children, like our beloved Haven, who will have to spend the rest of their lives dealing with emotional scars my human heart will never fully comprehend...all because we are so content to live with our excuses!
Time to stop doing Church, and rather BE the Church!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know this comment will come up in the comments--so I will address my thoughts on it here....Do I feel that every Christian should adopt a child?
Well, yes and no. What I do firmly believe is that every Christian needs to keep an open heart before God on the matter. I believe that we should ALL ask the Lord what our role is in caring for orphans. Do we GO? Do we help those who are going with the finances to help pay the ransom? Do we support through prayer? Do we foster a child? Do we go on a mission trip and serve in an orphanage? Do we sponsor a child?
Yes, we are commanded to take care of the orphans--but there are so many different ways we can do it. We are all called differently.
Regarding Adoption--seek God on what your role is--you may just be surprised by what He says! The Spirit of the Living God is looking--searching for those who will say, "Yes Lord, send me!".
Oh how God NEEDS His body in this critical hour with the orphan crisis. Please hear my heart today--just ask Him if you are one He NEEDS to GO!
October 27, 2009
too darn funny
Oh my goodness, you guys are way too funny. We have had so much fun reading all your guesses on my sneaky little giveaway yesterday.
Hilarious!
It seems I made it very tricky. Huh?
I will tell you this....
Chopsticks are definitely NOT African--we actually prefer to eat with our hands, thank you very much.
What in the world is a rain stick?
Oh, and if I was going to give you drum sticks--I would absolutely give you the whole drum set so that you could at least use the sticks.
Thanks for the laughs--you guys are the best.
Keep guessing. I promise you'll love 'em if you win 'em.
----------------------------------
My special friend, Holly, is doing something so amazing for her family. You may have noticed this little button on the left hand column.
All because her dear little son truly believes that he has a sister waiting for him in China. So precious.
They are such an incredible family. Dad is serving our country overseas, while mom holds down the fort here. Please support Holly in any way you can--even a word of encouragement will be such a blessing to her heart. Surely every military wife and mom needs some encouragement? I have no idea how she holds it all together. I would be a mess.
------------------------------
Hope you're all having a blessed Tuesday.
Thank you for all the sweet notes of encouragement for my family. We have no idea what God is doing, but we do know He never slumbers nor sleeps. We're holding onto His promises. We know He is always working things out on our behalf. Always!
Hilarious!
It seems I made it very tricky. Huh?
I will tell you this....
Chopsticks are definitely NOT African--we actually prefer to eat with our hands, thank you very much.
What in the world is a rain stick?
Oh, and if I was going to give you drum sticks--I would absolutely give you the whole drum set so that you could at least use the sticks.
Thanks for the laughs--you guys are the best.
Keep guessing. I promise you'll love 'em if you win 'em.
----------------------------------
My special friend, Holly, is doing something so amazing for her family. You may have noticed this little button on the left hand column.
All because her dear little son truly believes that he has a sister waiting for him in China. So precious.
They are such an incredible family. Dad is serving our country overseas, while mom holds down the fort here. Please support Holly in any way you can--even a word of encouragement will be such a blessing to her heart. Surely every military wife and mom needs some encouragement? I have no idea how she holds it all together. I would be a mess.
------------------------------
Hope you're all having a blessed Tuesday.
Thank you for all the sweet notes of encouragement for my family. We have no idea what God is doing, but we do know He never slumbers nor sleeps. We're holding onto His promises. We know He is always working things out on our behalf. Always!
October 26, 2009
a sneaky little giveaway
Many of you may remember that back in May I took my two oldest sons with me on a very quick, in-and-out trip to South Africa. It was a fabulous time--way too short for our liking, but we were so thankful for the seven days we got to spend with my family. Such a blessing.
While in Africa, I bought a few sweet little things that represent my country of birth.
I have held onto a few of these little treasures--trusting the Lord to show me the right time to bless one of you, my sweet blog readers, with them.
That time has come. Truthfully, we have so much going on in our lives--things feel unsettled and crazy. We are being stretched and challenged in every area. I'd say it's the perfect time to give.
Here's the sneaky little deal. The person who correctly guesses what these are (yes, there are two--a wee clue) gets to have them.
Any ideas?
And there's more. I'll throw into another gorgeous African curio for the winner too. Just for fun. Can't show you what that is [yet], but I promise it is oh so sweet. A delightful little African treasure that you can use in your home.
Ever wanted a little piece of Africa? Well, this is your chance.
Go ahead. Leave me a comment with your best guess. If there are more than one correct answer, then all those people will go into the drawing. Make sense?
You'll have until 5pm this Wednesday to take a guess. Oh, and you can guess as many times as you like.
While in Africa, I bought a few sweet little things that represent my country of birth.
I have held onto a few of these little treasures--trusting the Lord to show me the right time to bless one of you, my sweet blog readers, with them.
That time has come. Truthfully, we have so much going on in our lives--things feel unsettled and crazy. We are being stretched and challenged in every area. I'd say it's the perfect time to give.
Here's the sneaky little deal. The person who correctly guesses what these are (yes, there are two--a wee clue) gets to have them.
Any ideas?
And there's more. I'll throw into another gorgeous African curio for the winner too. Just for fun. Can't show you what that is [yet], but I promise it is oh so sweet. A delightful little African treasure that you can use in your home.
Ever wanted a little piece of Africa? Well, this is your chance.
Go ahead. Leave me a comment with your best guess. If there are more than one correct answer, then all those people will go into the drawing. Make sense?
You'll have until 5pm this Wednesday to take a guess. Oh, and you can guess as many times as you like.
October 24, 2009
mission impossible
All I wanted was just one decent picture of all my kids together. Just one. That's all. I mean, surely it wouldn't be that difficult to get five kids to look at the camera and smile at the same time.
Surely?
So we set out to get our pictures taken. A lovely Christmas gift for family far away. All the grandchildren smiling and look oh so happy. What a great idea.
Yeah right! Like that was going to happen.
There always has to be one, doesn't there? Or in our case today--two!
Come on Cade, just a wee smile---pleeeeeaaase.
Haven, it's okay, Honey, you don't have to cling to your sister. All is well. It's just a picture. Now could you just try and give a little smile, please.
Close your legs just a little, Hannah-Claire. Let's remember to be a lady.
Good job, Haven, that's a better smile. Just try a little harder, Honey. Look at the camera, okay?
Oh Cade, could you please look at the camera, dear. We see your smile, but you have to look up, okay? And don't forget to put your hands down.
No Cade--look this way, Honey.
Come on Haven--what happened to that little smile you just gave us? This is really not all that bad--we promise.
Kellan, look up, Sweetheart.
Haven--you look completely miserable--could you just try and look happy, sweetheart. Please. We know you can do this thing. It will all be over before you know it.
Cade--if you look and mommy and daddy and pretend to smile just once, we'll take you to get a McDonalds Hot Fudge Sunday after this. How does that sound? We know you love ice cream. When last did you have ice cream, Cade?
Bribery does work perfectly every time, right?
Wrong!
Great smile, Cade--now just look this way--at the camera, Honey.
Oh Haven--umm, too much stocking (or hose, or whatever those things are called), love, could you please put your legs down a little. Yes, the torture is almost over. Could you try and smile, just one more time?
Loose the goofy look, Connor.
Cade--for crying in a bucket, maybe if you let go of your mouth it can move into the smiling position. You remember the one?
Yes, Haven, your sister is still there. Look up, Honey.
Connor, open your lips when you smile.
No, no, Cade--you're going in the opposite direction now. We don't need to see your perfected pout. For goodness sake, could you please, for the love of it all, show us your sweet smile.
Haven, Haven. Anybody home?
We see you holding back the smile, Cade--let it all out, sweet love. Let's see it now. Come on.
Okay Haven--great looking up--just face this way for ten seconds. PLEASE! And try smiling--it will make you feel so much better.
That was it! Every single one of the pics we got of the kids. And they're just perfect.
Aahh---the joys of parenting. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!
Surely?
So we set out to get our pictures taken. A lovely Christmas gift for family far away. All the grandchildren smiling and look oh so happy. What a great idea.
Yeah right! Like that was going to happen.
There always has to be one, doesn't there? Or in our case today--two!
Come on Cade, just a wee smile---pleeeeeaaase.
Haven, it's okay, Honey, you don't have to cling to your sister. All is well. It's just a picture. Now could you just try and give a little smile, please.
Close your legs just a little, Hannah-Claire. Let's remember to be a lady.
Good job, Haven, that's a better smile. Just try a little harder, Honey. Look at the camera, okay?
Oh Cade, could you please look at the camera, dear. We see your smile, but you have to look up, okay? And don't forget to put your hands down.
No Cade--look this way, Honey.
Come on Haven--what happened to that little smile you just gave us? This is really not all that bad--we promise.
Kellan, look up, Sweetheart.
Haven--you look completely miserable--could you just try and look happy, sweetheart. Please. We know you can do this thing. It will all be over before you know it.
Cade--if you look and mommy and daddy and pretend to smile just once, we'll take you to get a McDonalds Hot Fudge Sunday after this. How does that sound? We know you love ice cream. When last did you have ice cream, Cade?
Bribery does work perfectly every time, right?
Wrong!
Great smile, Cade--now just look this way--at the camera, Honey.
Oh Haven--umm, too much stocking (or hose, or whatever those things are called), love, could you please put your legs down a little. Yes, the torture is almost over. Could you try and smile, just one more time?
Loose the goofy look, Connor.
Cade--for crying in a bucket, maybe if you let go of your mouth it can move into the smiling position. You remember the one?
Yes, Haven, your sister is still there. Look up, Honey.
Connor, open your lips when you smile.
No, no, Cade--you're going in the opposite direction now. We don't need to see your perfected pout. For goodness sake, could you please, for the love of it all, show us your sweet smile.
Haven, Haven. Anybody home?
We see you holding back the smile, Cade--let it all out, sweet love. Let's see it now. Come on.
Okay Haven--great looking up--just face this way for ten seconds. PLEASE! And try smiling--it will make you feel so much better.
That was it! Every single one of the pics we got of the kids. And they're just perfect.
Aahh---the joys of parenting. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!
October 23, 2009
I know He cares
Of this I am sure today--He cares!
When I feel like God has left the building...that still, small voice reminds me that...
He cares!
When life just makes no sense and prayers seem unanswered, again I am reminded that...
He cares!
I know He cares, because every day, in every way, He does things to remind me. And this has been one of those weeks when I have really needed reminding.
We have a very loved kitty, her name is Angel. Oh how we love this little cat. She is the perfect addition to our family.
Last Sunday we woke up and noticed that Angel wasn't doing so well. She seemed weak and lethargic. We were very concerned. She ran out the door when we left for church--nothing unusual, she loves being outdoors.
We got home from church later in the afternoon. Angel was missing. We searched around our home. She was nowhere to be found. She did not come come on Sunday night. She never stays away from home at night. Ever!
Monday came, and still no sight of Angel. We were convinced that she had either died, or a fox had taken her. We were so heartbroken. Pets just become part of the family, hey?
On Tuesday afternoon the kids and I were doing our schoolwork at the kitchen table. All of a sudden, one of the children shouted, "Angel". There she was--waiting at the back door to come inside.
Oh my--tears of joy flowed. We were so thankful. She was tired, weak and very sick. All she wanted to do was hide under a blanket.
We did the first thing we knew to do--lay hands on her and pray. The whole family gathered around her weak little body and we interceded--trusting our great, big God for a miracle.
And a miracle we got! The following morning she was back to her old self.
Oh how He cares? Even about the smallest, most secret, most hidden away desires of our hearts.
How passionately He cares for us. There are days when we all need a reminder about how good God is. This week I got mine.
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:6-8
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you all for your sweet words of encouragement yesterday. His mercies are new every morning--today is a new day and I will choose to praise my God. I know He'll work out all things regarding Hailee coming home. I know His timing is always perfect. My mother's heart will find rest in Him as we wait this out.
I did chuckle at you all using my sweet little Afrikaans word. It's funny because I just know that you're all butchering the word by pronouncing it with your American accents. Afrikaans is kind of a combination of Dutch and German dialects--it's a hard language to learn. In South Africa, us English speaking folks are required to learn it as a second language. I must say though--with every year that I am away from my home country, I am starting to forget it more and more.
When I feel like God has left the building...that still, small voice reminds me that...
He cares!
When life just makes no sense and prayers seem unanswered, again I am reminded that...
He cares!
I know He cares, because every day, in every way, He does things to remind me. And this has been one of those weeks when I have really needed reminding.
We have a very loved kitty, her name is Angel. Oh how we love this little cat. She is the perfect addition to our family.
Last Sunday we woke up and noticed that Angel wasn't doing so well. She seemed weak and lethargic. We were very concerned. She ran out the door when we left for church--nothing unusual, she loves being outdoors.
We got home from church later in the afternoon. Angel was missing. We searched around our home. She was nowhere to be found. She did not come come on Sunday night. She never stays away from home at night. Ever!
Monday came, and still no sight of Angel. We were convinced that she had either died, or a fox had taken her. We were so heartbroken. Pets just become part of the family, hey?
On Tuesday afternoon the kids and I were doing our schoolwork at the kitchen table. All of a sudden, one of the children shouted, "Angel". There she was--waiting at the back door to come inside.
Oh my--tears of joy flowed. We were so thankful. She was tired, weak and very sick. All she wanted to do was hide under a blanket.
We did the first thing we knew to do--lay hands on her and pray. The whole family gathered around her weak little body and we interceded--trusting our great, big God for a miracle.
And a miracle we got! The following morning she was back to her old self.
Oh how He cares? Even about the smallest, most secret, most hidden away desires of our hearts.
How passionately He cares for us. There are days when we all need a reminder about how good God is. This week I got mine.
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:6-8
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you all for your sweet words of encouragement yesterday. His mercies are new every morning--today is a new day and I will choose to praise my God. I know He'll work out all things regarding Hailee coming home. I know His timing is always perfect. My mother's heart will find rest in Him as we wait this out.
I did chuckle at you all using my sweet little Afrikaans word. It's funny because I just know that you're all butchering the word by pronouncing it with your American accents. Afrikaans is kind of a combination of Dutch and German dialects--it's a hard language to learn. In South Africa, us English speaking folks are required to learn it as a second language. I must say though--with every year that I am away from my home country, I am starting to forget it more and more.
October 20, 2009
she's so special
Sweetest Haven,
I can hardly believe that today is your ninth birthday. It seems like it was just yesterday that we celebrated your eighth birthday--you had just been home about 3 weeks. Time just flies.
Today you are nine! Weighing almost 40 pounds, you sure are a teeny, tiny nine year old. You still wear size five and six clothes. But, you are growing, and that is wonderful. I noticed when I put a pair of jeans on you a few days ago that they are actually getting a little short. I love that--it tells me you are getting bigger.
Today has been one of reflection for me and your Daddy. We marvel at how far you have come in just one year. This time last year you could hardly do anything on your own. You could not change your own clothes, or brush your teeth. You had no idea how to even hold a toothbrush. Eating a meal took at least one hour. You could not hold a pencil, and had no idea what a coloring book even was. You preferred to eat everything with your hands. Walking on any surface that was rough, or uneven, was absolute torture. Running was something you had obviously never done. Your muscle tone was so poor that you tired very easily. You had no idea what it meant to play. We had months and months of potty training issues. You had no idea what a playground was--it terrified you. It broke our hearts.
Precious Haven, we look at you today and our hearts swell. You have come a very long way in a relatively short time, dear daughter. You are growing. You are learning. It is all in your time. We have learned that we have to take baby steps with you--slow and steady is how you prefer to do things. And that's just fine with us. We have a lifetime to figure this out.
You know what I love, sweet girl? Against all odds, you are proving them all wrong! In your first eight years of life you were told you would never be anything. Words were spoken over you that were death to you. You were abandoned too many times. They longed to find any label for you--"autistic", "mentally ill, "retarded" were just a few of them. You are NONE of those things!
NONE!
You are a precious child of a mighty God. His plans and purposes for your life are GOOD--no matter how that may look. He promises you hope and a future. That promise is for you, angel girl. Hope and a future. We hold onto that and speak it over your life over and over again.
I look at you today everything in me praises God. I am so thankful for your life. I am so thankful for the hope that is in Him. I am so thankful that He choose us to be your parents. Us! What did we ever do to deserve the blessing of being called your parents? I will never fully understand it. I am so humbled.
Precious Haven--I want you to know something today. You are one courageous little girl! I admire your strength and your courage. I could never have endured what you did in the first eight years of your life. The emotional abuse, the physical abuse--I could not have done it. It breaks my heart when I consider what they did to you. My heart cannot comprehend it. I try not to go there too often because it just makes me so sad. You survived. You endured much. When you had no earthly father, your heavenly Father held you tight. Someday you will know His great love for you. Maybe you do already? Perhaps He has made Himself so real to you already? We have no way of knowing what happens in your mind. But I bet He has. I bet the two of you have sweet conversations together.
There are days when we would love nothing more than for you to find your voice. How amazing that will be. Every now and then you give us a little glimpse into how that is going to be. When we hear you say, "Mei Mei", or "Da Da" or "Ma Ma"--it is like a little piece of heaven on earth for us. We long for more--but we know it has to be in your time, not ours. Whether you speak soon, or in a few years, or even never, it is just fine with us. We love you just the way God created you, sweet Haven.
Our prayer for you today is that you will continue to learn and grow. That every bad memory of your past would be healed, in the name of Jesus. We pray that your understanding of English will continue to develop. We long for you to understand what it means when we tell you that we love you, that we care for you and that you are such a treasure to us. You belong, sweet love.
Happy birthday, beloved daughter. How we love and cherish you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blood of our blood, heart of our heart.
Your birth so far away, so far apart,
Not your true beginning, nor an earnest start.
A heritage begun in eternity past,
You were lodged in the warmth of a heavenly nest
Of a loving God, ready to come, ready to be cast.
And placed where one can travel no farther,
God made us pursue you harder, even harder
To show you the love of an unrelenting Father.
Abandoned to die where scant brood survive
You stole our heart, and we stole your life
From the grip of Death—he dare not thrive!
No mistake here, no divine misfortune.
Though the object of emotional abortion
You are perfect in every way, in every portion.
And there’s a portion of our heart
That bathed in emptiness till we were apart
No more. Not ever again. For us. For you, our Haven, our eternity’s art.
With immense love,
Your Da-Da
I can hardly believe that today is your ninth birthday. It seems like it was just yesterday that we celebrated your eighth birthday--you had just been home about 3 weeks. Time just flies.
Today you are nine! Weighing almost 40 pounds, you sure are a teeny, tiny nine year old. You still wear size five and six clothes. But, you are growing, and that is wonderful. I noticed when I put a pair of jeans on you a few days ago that they are actually getting a little short. I love that--it tells me you are getting bigger.
Today has been one of reflection for me and your Daddy. We marvel at how far you have come in just one year. This time last year you could hardly do anything on your own. You could not change your own clothes, or brush your teeth. You had no idea how to even hold a toothbrush. Eating a meal took at least one hour. You could not hold a pencil, and had no idea what a coloring book even was. You preferred to eat everything with your hands. Walking on any surface that was rough, or uneven, was absolute torture. Running was something you had obviously never done. Your muscle tone was so poor that you tired very easily. You had no idea what it meant to play. We had months and months of potty training issues. You had no idea what a playground was--it terrified you. It broke our hearts.
Precious Haven, we look at you today and our hearts swell. You have come a very long way in a relatively short time, dear daughter. You are growing. You are learning. It is all in your time. We have learned that we have to take baby steps with you--slow and steady is how you prefer to do things. And that's just fine with us. We have a lifetime to figure this out.
You know what I love, sweet girl? Against all odds, you are proving them all wrong! In your first eight years of life you were told you would never be anything. Words were spoken over you that were death to you. You were abandoned too many times. They longed to find any label for you--"autistic", "mentally ill, "retarded" were just a few of them. You are NONE of those things!
NONE!
You are a precious child of a mighty God. His plans and purposes for your life are GOOD--no matter how that may look. He promises you hope and a future. That promise is for you, angel girl. Hope and a future. We hold onto that and speak it over your life over and over again.
I look at you today everything in me praises God. I am so thankful for your life. I am so thankful for the hope that is in Him. I am so thankful that He choose us to be your parents. Us! What did we ever do to deserve the blessing of being called your parents? I will never fully understand it. I am so humbled.
Precious Haven--I want you to know something today. You are one courageous little girl! I admire your strength and your courage. I could never have endured what you did in the first eight years of your life. The emotional abuse, the physical abuse--I could not have done it. It breaks my heart when I consider what they did to you. My heart cannot comprehend it. I try not to go there too often because it just makes me so sad. You survived. You endured much. When you had no earthly father, your heavenly Father held you tight. Someday you will know His great love for you. Maybe you do already? Perhaps He has made Himself so real to you already? We have no way of knowing what happens in your mind. But I bet He has. I bet the two of you have sweet conversations together.
There are days when we would love nothing more than for you to find your voice. How amazing that will be. Every now and then you give us a little glimpse into how that is going to be. When we hear you say, "Mei Mei", or "Da Da" or "Ma Ma"--it is like a little piece of heaven on earth for us. We long for more--but we know it has to be in your time, not ours. Whether you speak soon, or in a few years, or even never, it is just fine with us. We love you just the way God created you, sweet Haven.
Our prayer for you today is that you will continue to learn and grow. That every bad memory of your past would be healed, in the name of Jesus. We pray that your understanding of English will continue to develop. We long for you to understand what it means when we tell you that we love you, that we care for you and that you are such a treasure to us. You belong, sweet love.
Happy birthday, beloved daughter. How we love and cherish you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blood of our blood, heart of our heart.
Your birth so far away, so far apart,
Not your true beginning, nor an earnest start.
A heritage begun in eternity past,
You were lodged in the warmth of a heavenly nest
Of a loving God, ready to come, ready to be cast.
And placed where one can travel no farther,
God made us pursue you harder, even harder
To show you the love of an unrelenting Father.
Abandoned to die where scant brood survive
You stole our heart, and we stole your life
From the grip of Death—he dare not thrive!
No mistake here, no divine misfortune.
Though the object of emotional abortion
You are perfect in every way, in every portion.
And there’s a portion of our heart
That bathed in emptiness till we were apart
No more. Not ever again. For us. For you, our Haven, our eternity’s art.
With immense love,
Your Da-Da
October 19, 2009
questions answered
I try hard to answer all your questions and e-mails personally. But it's impossible. There are just not enough hours in the day to do all the things I would love to do.
If you've written to me with a question and I have not responded, please forgive me for answering your questions here. I have picked a few of the things I get asked frequently, and this is the easiest way to answer them.
How is Haven doing?
Oh I get this question A LOT! I know that so many of you have journeyed with us since day one with Haven. You've read about our highs and lows. We are so blessed by the care and concern many of you have expressed for our daughter. We are so thankful.
Tomorrow is a big day for our sweet angel--so I promise to give a detailed update then.
What kind of church do we attend?
A bible preaching, non-compromising, Spirit-filled, people loving, contemporary worshiping church!
What missionary books do we read to our children?
We LOVE reading about heroes of the past to our children. This is by far the best series we have found. Easy to read and easy for young minds to understand. They are published by YWAM. It's called the Cristian Heroes: Then and Now series. I highly recommend them if you are looking for a great read aloud for your family.
Do you think it is wrong to go into debt to adopt a child?
I so appreciate all the opinions you shared with me when I posted this. It seems that many agreed with me, and many disagreed. That's okay. I value everyone's opinion--whether we agree, or disagree. There are times when I have read someone's comment and thought to myself, "Wow, they have a point here."
Here is where I stand regarding adoption and paying the ridiculous ransom to bring a child home. The fees are crazy. Unfairly so. I know we all agree with that. The tragedy of it is that due to the financial requirements, thousands upon thousands of adoptable children wait for families. Few people are willing to step of the comfortable boat and brave the stormy sea that is adoption fund raising. Especially in a 'bad economy'.
But, and there really is a very big BUT here for us. We truly do not look at the world's economy. We only look to ONE Provider--the Almighty God. His economy is alive and well and more than able to take care of any need we have--including adoption. It is really that simple to us.
We believe with all our hearts that when God says GO, He enables us and equips us with everything we need to accomplish the mission. And that includes not going into debt to do it. Yes, I hear what many say about God providing the finances to pay off that debt, and that is totally fine. We each have our own road to walk in obedience. This is ours--not to go into debt of any kind. A conviction we will stand by until we see the Father face-to-face.
Now, I will say this. We cannot, and do not, expect God to just rain down money from heaven and provide every dollar we need to bring Hailee home. Yes, there are times when we receive unexpected checks or donations that we have literally not had to do a thing to get--those are a blessing, but are very few and far between. The bulk of the funds comes from hard work and effort! Fund raising is not an easy thing. It gets tiring, sometimes discouraging, and takes a whole lot of energy. We feel that God rewards our efforts. He cannot help Himself. He blesses the fruit of our labor, and in turn provides in amazing ways. But it takes us doing our part.
We partner with God in this--we work with Him to bring our children home. He has never disappointed us. Not once. I guess, for us, it is an issue of faith. I have such a long way to go when it comes to having the level of faith God would love me to have. But I am absolutely positive of this one thing in my life today--my God will provide every dollar we need to bring Hailee home.
This is just our journey.
Why Down Syndrome?
Why not Down Syndrome?
Am I nervous about parenting a Down Syndrome child?
Not at all. Actually--we are so very excited about it.
How loved and treasured she will be...and already is.
Do we only want to adopt girls?
Oh no. It was never our intention to only adopt girls. These three girls are the ones God intended for our family. If He ever had us adopt a boy, we would gladly go. We have three boys and adore them. We'd love another boy. We never set out to choose only girls.
How many children do we want?
We gave up the right to decide how big our family will be a long time ago. The decision is not ours to make. We gave it to the Lord, and we'll leave it in His hands.
Whew--one less decision we have to make in our lives. I like it that way.
How do our biological children feel about us adopting children?
They are so fine with it. For them, it is just life as usual. We have always made a point to include them in our adoptions--from fund raising, to praying, to involving them as the process moves along. We give them ownership of it and make them feel like they are part of the miracle. It strengthens their faith when they see God provide in miraculous ways. Or when they see their new siblings learn and grow.
The miracle of adoption makes God so real to our children.
How do we handle criticism and negativity regarding Hailee's adoption?
Oh boy, yes, we have had a fair amount of negativity since the day we agreed to bring this angel home. Of course it hurts...especially in the beginning.
But I've said it before, and I'll say it again--we stand before an audience of ONE someday. And pleasing Him, my dear friends, is all that really matters to us. Some cannot understand that. Some have no idea what it means to live your live in such a way that you are so desperately surrendered to God. We understand that not everyone will see things the way we do.
I have had to learn to toughen up a little more. I've had to learn to put a hedge of protection around my heart and my mind. The words, the comments, the notes--they don't hurt so much anymore. We're on a mission--to save Hailee, come what may.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, I'm going to stop there. The rest can wait until another day.
Oh, I have had so many of you ask about adopting Hepatitis B children. That deserves a post of it's own. I'll do it soon.
Love and hugs, dear friends.
If you've written to me with a question and I have not responded, please forgive me for answering your questions here. I have picked a few of the things I get asked frequently, and this is the easiest way to answer them.
How is Haven doing?
Oh I get this question A LOT! I know that so many of you have journeyed with us since day one with Haven. You've read about our highs and lows. We are so blessed by the care and concern many of you have expressed for our daughter. We are so thankful.
Tomorrow is a big day for our sweet angel--so I promise to give a detailed update then.
What kind of church do we attend?
A bible preaching, non-compromising, Spirit-filled, people loving, contemporary worshiping church!
What missionary books do we read to our children?
We LOVE reading about heroes of the past to our children. This is by far the best series we have found. Easy to read and easy for young minds to understand. They are published by YWAM. It's called the Cristian Heroes: Then and Now series. I highly recommend them if you are looking for a great read aloud for your family.
Do you think it is wrong to go into debt to adopt a child?
I so appreciate all the opinions you shared with me when I posted this. It seems that many agreed with me, and many disagreed. That's okay. I value everyone's opinion--whether we agree, or disagree. There are times when I have read someone's comment and thought to myself, "Wow, they have a point here."
Here is where I stand regarding adoption and paying the ridiculous ransom to bring a child home. The fees are crazy. Unfairly so. I know we all agree with that. The tragedy of it is that due to the financial requirements, thousands upon thousands of adoptable children wait for families. Few people are willing to step of the comfortable boat and brave the stormy sea that is adoption fund raising. Especially in a 'bad economy'.
But, and there really is a very big BUT here for us. We truly do not look at the world's economy. We only look to ONE Provider--the Almighty God. His economy is alive and well and more than able to take care of any need we have--including adoption. It is really that simple to us.
We believe with all our hearts that when God says GO, He enables us and equips us with everything we need to accomplish the mission. And that includes not going into debt to do it. Yes, I hear what many say about God providing the finances to pay off that debt, and that is totally fine. We each have our own road to walk in obedience. This is ours--not to go into debt of any kind. A conviction we will stand by until we see the Father face-to-face.
Now, I will say this. We cannot, and do not, expect God to just rain down money from heaven and provide every dollar we need to bring Hailee home. Yes, there are times when we receive unexpected checks or donations that we have literally not had to do a thing to get--those are a blessing, but are very few and far between. The bulk of the funds comes from hard work and effort! Fund raising is not an easy thing. It gets tiring, sometimes discouraging, and takes a whole lot of energy. We feel that God rewards our efforts. He cannot help Himself. He blesses the fruit of our labor, and in turn provides in amazing ways. But it takes us doing our part.
We partner with God in this--we work with Him to bring our children home. He has never disappointed us. Not once. I guess, for us, it is an issue of faith. I have such a long way to go when it comes to having the level of faith God would love me to have. But I am absolutely positive of this one thing in my life today--my God will provide every dollar we need to bring Hailee home.
This is just our journey.
Why Down Syndrome?
Why not Down Syndrome?
Am I nervous about parenting a Down Syndrome child?
Not at all. Actually--we are so very excited about it.
How loved and treasured she will be...and already is.
Do we only want to adopt girls?
Oh no. It was never our intention to only adopt girls. These three girls are the ones God intended for our family. If He ever had us adopt a boy, we would gladly go. We have three boys and adore them. We'd love another boy. We never set out to choose only girls.
How many children do we want?
We gave up the right to decide how big our family will be a long time ago. The decision is not ours to make. We gave it to the Lord, and we'll leave it in His hands.
Whew--one less decision we have to make in our lives. I like it that way.
How do our biological children feel about us adopting children?
They are so fine with it. For them, it is just life as usual. We have always made a point to include them in our adoptions--from fund raising, to praying, to involving them as the process moves along. We give them ownership of it and make them feel like they are part of the miracle. It strengthens their faith when they see God provide in miraculous ways. Or when they see their new siblings learn and grow.
The miracle of adoption makes God so real to our children.
How do we handle criticism and negativity regarding Hailee's adoption?
Oh boy, yes, we have had a fair amount of negativity since the day we agreed to bring this angel home. Of course it hurts...especially in the beginning.
But I've said it before, and I'll say it again--we stand before an audience of ONE someday. And pleasing Him, my dear friends, is all that really matters to us. Some cannot understand that. Some have no idea what it means to live your live in such a way that you are so desperately surrendered to God. We understand that not everyone will see things the way we do.
I have had to learn to toughen up a little more. I've had to learn to put a hedge of protection around my heart and my mind. The words, the comments, the notes--they don't hurt so much anymore. We're on a mission--to save Hailee, come what may.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, I'm going to stop there. The rest can wait until another day.
Oh, I have had so many of you ask about adopting Hepatitis B children. That deserves a post of it's own. I'll do it soon.
Love and hugs, dear friends.
October 17, 2009
sisterhood
For this mommy, it just doesn't get sweeter than this.
A protective arm around her sister.
These sisters are completely inseparable.
One non-verbal. The other--her voice.
My hearts melts every time I see how close they are. God knew they would need each other--even before the foundation of the earth. Born in opposite ends of China, He chose to put them together in our family. Coincidence? No way. No such thing!
No one could love Haven the way her little sister (who is so much bigger in size than she is) does. No one. I am positive of that.
The bond amazes me. What amazes me even more is how Hannah-Claire knows her sister. Not just on a surface level, but a deep knowing. She truly has become Haven's voice. A God-breathed gift to her sister, who is unable to voice anything.
I marvel at how God works things out. I'm in awe of how He orchestrates things. All He needs are willing hearts and listening ears--those who will go when He says go. I cannot imagine what we would have missed out on had we not have heard Him leading us to these two girls.
Their bond is such a beautiful thing. So meant to be.
In awe tonight.
A protective arm around her sister.
These sisters are completely inseparable.
One non-verbal. The other--her voice.
My hearts melts every time I see how close they are. God knew they would need each other--even before the foundation of the earth. Born in opposite ends of China, He chose to put them together in our family. Coincidence? No way. No such thing!
No one could love Haven the way her little sister (who is so much bigger in size than she is) does. No one. I am positive of that.
The bond amazes me. What amazes me even more is how Hannah-Claire knows her sister. Not just on a surface level, but a deep knowing. She truly has become Haven's voice. A God-breathed gift to her sister, who is unable to voice anything.
I marvel at how God works things out. I'm in awe of how He orchestrates things. All He needs are willing hearts and listening ears--those who will go when He says go. I cannot imagine what we would have missed out on had we not have heard Him leading us to these two girls.
Their bond is such a beautiful thing. So meant to be.
In awe tonight.
October 15, 2009
I am
The cook
The cleaner
The grocery shopper
The boo boo kisser
The toiler scrubber
The referee
The teacher
The decision maker
The peace maker
The rule enforcer
The taxi driver
The laundry lady
The decorator
The painter
While I love being called all these things
The sweetest name in the world is that...
They call me Mom
There is no place I'd rather be
No career I'd rather pursue
No amount of money I'd rather earn.
I'm right where God wants me to be.
Doing what He needs me to do.
It's simply called being Mom.
How blessed I am!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I updated the chip-in. Praise God--we only have $13 500 to go! I know it sure does sound like a lot of money. But when you start at $25 000, getting down to $13 500 looks fabulous on paper.
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Slowly but surely we're getting closer to our goal.
Thank you Father for your amazing provision and your faithfulness. How you LOVE Hailee.
We are so thankful for every one of you who have donated. We appreciate it ALL so very much. May you be blessed exceedingly, abundantly MORE than you could ever hope or dream of.
Thank you for being part of Hailee's story.
We are so thankful for every one of you who have donated. We appreciate it ALL so very much. May you be blessed exceedingly, abundantly MORE than you could ever hope or dream of.
Thank you for being part of Hailee's story.
October 14, 2009
into the light
Thank you all for sharing your experiences with kids braces. I appreciate it so very much. After reading through them all, we will most probably choose to just wait a while longer. At least until he has all his permanent teeth. I agree with what so many of you shared--putting them on at such a young age is no fun at all for the child. It seems pointless at this stage. We'll just deal with it later.
I'm working on a post for tonight. Something that is stirring up inside me. Something that totally disturbs me.
Controversial? Maybe. Something that you hardly ever hear about. It's never spoken about in the Church --yet it absolutely should be. I think the place I see it most talked about is in Catholic circles. Some things are easier swept under the rug.
But sometimes things need to be brought out into the light.
More later, dear friends.
I'm working on a post for tonight. Something that is stirring up inside me. Something that totally disturbs me.
Controversial? Maybe. Something that you hardly ever hear about. It's never spoken about in the Church --yet it absolutely should be. I think the place I see it most talked about is in Catholic circles. Some things are easier swept under the rug.
But sometimes things need to be brought out into the light.
More later, dear friends.
October 12, 2009
seriously?
Since the day my first babe was born I have heard the words, "Make the most of the time that they are little, they grow up way too fast."
Yes, they do.
We're walking a new road. It's called having big kids. Not that my kids are BIG, but they are getting bigger. Too fast for my liking.
And so we're discovering new things. Things that go with having kids that are growing up.
A few months back we noticed our son's big teeth were coming in not-so-straight. We allowed some time to pass to confirm our suspicion. Yep--they are definitely coming in all wrong. At a routine check-up our dentist mentioned some concern about spacing (or whatever word he used), and sent us to an Orthodontist for a consultation.
Ha--ignorance IS bliss, huh?
Oh my goodness, were we in for a shock!
The Orthodontist confirmed what we already knew. She went on to scare the living dickens out of me by telling me that something had to be done NOW. Not tomorrow. Definitely not the next day. Oh no, that would be way too late. Nope--it's now or never (or live with the consequences of my bad parenting decision for the rest of my life).
Um, well, okay then. Geez. Really? Right now? My son, who has just turned nine, needs braces immediately? He only has eight permanent teeth.
There was no grace at all. He needs 'phase one' braces on just the top four, and bottom four teeth. Once his other permanent teeth come in, then he can have 'phase two' braces fitted.
Whew.
No worries. So I ask her to tell me how much this will cost.
She disappears for a few minutes and returns with a piece of paper.
Yep--ignorance IS bliss. I now know how true that really is.
As she puts the paper in front of me, my eyes immediately go down to the bottom of the page. Just tell me the bottom line, lady. I'm a bottom line kinda girl--forget all the fluff in between.
$3700.00!
For eight teeny, tiny little metal thingys. Eight! Not even the whole mouth of teeth. Just for 'phase one'. What in the world will 'phase two' cost on the remaining however many teeth (way more than eight)?
Seriously?
You have got to be kidding me. Is this normal? Do you really have to take out a second mortgage on your house to pay for your kids braces?
Bless her heart--once I had recovered from the shock, she did go on the tell me that she would "throw in the retainer (which he also needs like yesterday) for free".
I tell you, that made me feel a whole lot better. A little freebie thrown in there. Such a great deal--especially when I just knew that I will already have covered that somewhere in my $3700!
Big kids--it really is a whole new journey. Why oh why can't they just stay little?
Oh, and Honey--you definitely are in the wrong profession! Is it too late to go to dentist school? I think you'd make an excellent Orthodontist.
Yes, they do.
We're walking a new road. It's called having big kids. Not that my kids are BIG, but they are getting bigger. Too fast for my liking.
And so we're discovering new things. Things that go with having kids that are growing up.
A few months back we noticed our son's big teeth were coming in not-so-straight. We allowed some time to pass to confirm our suspicion. Yep--they are definitely coming in all wrong. At a routine check-up our dentist mentioned some concern about spacing (or whatever word he used), and sent us to an Orthodontist for a consultation.
Ha--ignorance IS bliss, huh?
Oh my goodness, were we in for a shock!
The Orthodontist confirmed what we already knew. She went on to scare the living dickens out of me by telling me that something had to be done NOW. Not tomorrow. Definitely not the next day. Oh no, that would be way too late. Nope--it's now or never (or live with the consequences of my bad parenting decision for the rest of my life).
Um, well, okay then. Geez. Really? Right now? My son, who has just turned nine, needs braces immediately? He only has eight permanent teeth.
There was no grace at all. He needs 'phase one' braces on just the top four, and bottom four teeth. Once his other permanent teeth come in, then he can have 'phase two' braces fitted.
Whew.
No worries. So I ask her to tell me how much this will cost.
She disappears for a few minutes and returns with a piece of paper.
Yep--ignorance IS bliss. I now know how true that really is.
As she puts the paper in front of me, my eyes immediately go down to the bottom of the page. Just tell me the bottom line, lady. I'm a bottom line kinda girl--forget all the fluff in between.
$3700.00!
For eight teeny, tiny little metal thingys. Eight! Not even the whole mouth of teeth. Just for 'phase one'. What in the world will 'phase two' cost on the remaining however many teeth (way more than eight)?
Seriously?
You have got to be kidding me. Is this normal? Do you really have to take out a second mortgage on your house to pay for your kids braces?
Bless her heart--once I had recovered from the shock, she did go on the tell me that she would "throw in the retainer (which he also needs like yesterday) for free".
I tell you, that made me feel a whole lot better. A little freebie thrown in there. Such a great deal--especially when I just knew that I will already have covered that somewhere in my $3700!
Big kids--it really is a whole new journey. Why oh why can't they just stay little?
Oh, and Honey--you definitely are in the wrong profession! Is it too late to go to dentist school? I think you'd make an excellent Orthodontist.
October 11, 2009
a wintery benefit
What a busy weekend. Thank you so much for all your prayers for our benefit concert last night for Hailee.
Living at an altitude of 8500, there really is no telling what the weather will do on any given day. Fall is proving to be cold. But we have yet to have a day as cold as yesterday was. Can't help the weather, hey?
We knew the forecast said cold weather, but didn't imagine it would be that cold. We never got above 18 degrees. Snow and extremely cold temperatures prevailed throughout the day.
By the time evening came, temperatures dropped even further. It was so, so freezing. Bad news for anyone wanting to venture out for the night. A dance group canceled because of icy roads. Many preferred to stay indoors.
We understood completely.
Still, the show had to go on. Special people had braved the freezing cold conditions, and came to support us. And what a blessed time it was. Though we did not raise as much as we were hoping for, the way we see it, we have more now than we did on Friday. And that's a blessing!
We are so thankful to the Lord for friends who love us, strangers who support our mission, and a God who is more than able to provide every dollar we need to bring Hailee home. And He will!
Living at an altitude of 8500, there really is no telling what the weather will do on any given day. Fall is proving to be cold. But we have yet to have a day as cold as yesterday was. Can't help the weather, hey?
We knew the forecast said cold weather, but didn't imagine it would be that cold. We never got above 18 degrees. Snow and extremely cold temperatures prevailed throughout the day.
By the time evening came, temperatures dropped even further. It was so, so freezing. Bad news for anyone wanting to venture out for the night. A dance group canceled because of icy roads. Many preferred to stay indoors.
We understood completely.
Still, the show had to go on. Special people had braved the freezing cold conditions, and came to support us. And what a blessed time it was. Though we did not raise as much as we were hoping for, the way we see it, we have more now than we did on Friday. And that's a blessing!
We are so thankful to the Lord for friends who love us, strangers who support our mission, and a God who is more than able to provide every dollar we need to bring Hailee home. And He will!
October 9, 2009
out loud
Yesterday I had a conversation with a beautiful friend, that has really got me thinking. We spoke about all the publicity we have received with Hailee's adoption.
Why the publicity? Why have we chosen to do it this way?
The answer is simple, really. Because we've chosen to live out loud with this adoption. Because God has given us a voice...and we're using it. Not just for Hailee. Definitely not for us. But for every single orphan who waits for a family.
Hailee is one. One of 147 million. Our prayer is that every time a person sees her face on TV, or in a newspaper, that seed would be planted. Our prayer is that seed would fall on fertile ground and that others would say, "Hey, if they can do it then so can I."
Obviously there is a flip side to all this. It's called criticism. There is a measure of safety when you live within your four walls. No-one sees what you do, and no-one really cares. When you live your life [and open your home] for all to see, well, the opinions come. How people love to voice their opinions.
"How can they adopt another child if they don't have the money to pay for the adoption?"
"How are they going to afford to take care of her for a lifetime?"
"Don't they have enough children already?"
Bla, bla, bla.
You know what? We don't care! At all. This is NOT about the Salem's. We died to ourselves a very long time ago. This is about the Kingdom of God moving forward--advancing! Every time an orphan is rescued, the enemy trembles as another child is brought into His glorious light.
Nope...it has nothing to do with us.
If just one orphan is rescued because someone took a leap of faith after seeing Hailee's story--Hallelujah! We call that a victory.
I have to add something else here. Adoption is expensive. Insanely so. It puts so many people off. Do we have $25 000 lying in the bank to pay the fees? No way. We don't. I know that there are a lot of 'adoption loans' out there that one could use to finance an adoption. And, of course, there are the delightful inventions called credit cards. Yes, we could use either of those to pay the ransom for Hailee. That would be so easy, and I know many do it that way.
But here's my take on it. I don't, for one second, believe that God intends any of us to go into DEBT to bring a child home. Debt is not of God, dear friends. We have worked hard to stay out of debt, because it pleases God. I believe with all my heart that with some hard work, a lot of effort, the support of friends and family, and a very faithful Jesus, it IS possible to finance an adoption completely debt free. I mean, why would God command us to do something, only to leave us paying off the debt for the next five years? That makes no sense to me.
Call me crazy. That's totally fine. I probably lost my mind, as I once knew it, a very long time ago. I now choose to see things through the eyes of faith. Besides, I have seen God provide for adoptions. Lived it. Experienced it. It's a beautiful thing.
We have chosen to bring our children home this way--through fund raising. The Father has been faithful to provide every single dollar we have required for our previous two adoptions. And we know He will do it for Hailee. Why? Because He LOVES orphans, He is passionate about them. But also, because He loves to mobilize His Body when there is a need. He sends out His glorious army and commands them to help out in any way needed--and that includes giving to those who are called to go. The beautiful Body of Christ.
Until the day that I die, I will continue to do what God has told me to do...to be a voice for those who have no voice. No matter what the consequences are. No matter what anyone may say. After all, we stand before an audience of ONE on that glorious day. To be called faithful is all that matters.
So, with all that being said. This is another story on the news last night. Not our story--but Hailee's. Not just Hailee's story--but that of many, many, many fatherless. You can watch it here.
Why the publicity? Why have we chosen to do it this way?
The answer is simple, really. Because we've chosen to live out loud with this adoption. Because God has given us a voice...and we're using it. Not just for Hailee. Definitely not for us. But for every single orphan who waits for a family.
Hailee is one. One of 147 million. Our prayer is that every time a person sees her face on TV, or in a newspaper, that seed would be planted. Our prayer is that seed would fall on fertile ground and that others would say, "Hey, if they can do it then so can I."
Obviously there is a flip side to all this. It's called criticism. There is a measure of safety when you live within your four walls. No-one sees what you do, and no-one really cares. When you live your life [and open your home] for all to see, well, the opinions come. How people love to voice their opinions.
"How can they adopt another child if they don't have the money to pay for the adoption?"
"How are they going to afford to take care of her for a lifetime?"
"Don't they have enough children already?"
Bla, bla, bla.
You know what? We don't care! At all. This is NOT about the Salem's. We died to ourselves a very long time ago. This is about the Kingdom of God moving forward--advancing! Every time an orphan is rescued, the enemy trembles as another child is brought into His glorious light.
Nope...it has nothing to do with us.
If just one orphan is rescued because someone took a leap of faith after seeing Hailee's story--Hallelujah! We call that a victory.
I have to add something else here. Adoption is expensive. Insanely so. It puts so many people off. Do we have $25 000 lying in the bank to pay the fees? No way. We don't. I know that there are a lot of 'adoption loans' out there that one could use to finance an adoption. And, of course, there are the delightful inventions called credit cards. Yes, we could use either of those to pay the ransom for Hailee. That would be so easy, and I know many do it that way.
But here's my take on it. I don't, for one second, believe that God intends any of us to go into DEBT to bring a child home. Debt is not of God, dear friends. We have worked hard to stay out of debt, because it pleases God. I believe with all my heart that with some hard work, a lot of effort, the support of friends and family, and a very faithful Jesus, it IS possible to finance an adoption completely debt free. I mean, why would God command us to do something, only to leave us paying off the debt for the next five years? That makes no sense to me.
Call me crazy. That's totally fine. I probably lost my mind, as I once knew it, a very long time ago. I now choose to see things through the eyes of faith. Besides, I have seen God provide for adoptions. Lived it. Experienced it. It's a beautiful thing.
We have chosen to bring our children home this way--through fund raising. The Father has been faithful to provide every single dollar we have required for our previous two adoptions. And we know He will do it for Hailee. Why? Because He LOVES orphans, He is passionate about them. But also, because He loves to mobilize His Body when there is a need. He sends out His glorious army and commands them to help out in any way needed--and that includes giving to those who are called to go. The beautiful Body of Christ.
Until the day that I die, I will continue to do what God has told me to do...to be a voice for those who have no voice. No matter what the consequences are. No matter what anyone may say. After all, we stand before an audience of ONE on that glorious day. To be called faithful is all that matters.
So, with all that being said. This is another story on the news last night. Not our story--but Hailee's. Not just Hailee's story--but that of many, many, many fatherless. You can watch it here.
October 8, 2009
please help!
Dear friends,
I have made so many amazing friends through blogging. I was just sharing with my dear hubby last night that I feel so blessed by the sweet relationships I have made. Most of you I have never met in person, but feel like I know you so intimately, just from following your journeys in the Lord.
Such a delight.
One of those people is my friend Elisabeth. She and her family have such HUGE hearts. They are fighting to bring their sweet daughter home from the Ukraine. Ruslana has Down Syndrome. They are racing against the clock to get to her before it is too late, and she is transferred to an institution. If that were to happen, not only would it be horrible for Ruslana, but it makes the adoption very tricky.
Elisabeth is hosting an amazing giveaway. Some fabulous prizes. But she needs our help. I know that any donation will be so greatly appreciated.
They are fighting for life!
Please, dear friends, help spread the word about this amazing family and their rush to raise the funds they need so that they can get to Ruslana just as soon as possible. Please grab their 'fight for life' button on the left hand column and help get the news out there. I know Elisabeth will greatly appreciate it.
You guys are the best!
I have made so many amazing friends through blogging. I was just sharing with my dear hubby last night that I feel so blessed by the sweet relationships I have made. Most of you I have never met in person, but feel like I know you so intimately, just from following your journeys in the Lord.
Such a delight.
One of those people is my friend Elisabeth. She and her family have such HUGE hearts. They are fighting to bring their sweet daughter home from the Ukraine. Ruslana has Down Syndrome. They are racing against the clock to get to her before it is too late, and she is transferred to an institution. If that were to happen, not only would it be horrible for Ruslana, but it makes the adoption very tricky.
Elisabeth is hosting an amazing giveaway. Some fabulous prizes. But she needs our help. I know that any donation will be so greatly appreciated.
They are fighting for life!
Please, dear friends, help spread the word about this amazing family and their rush to raise the funds they need so that they can get to Ruslana just as soon as possible. Please grab their 'fight for life' button on the left hand column and help get the news out there. I know Elisabeth will greatly appreciate it.
You guys are the best!
October 7, 2009
loved
Already so very loved.
So treasured.
So cared for by many.
An outpouring of love from a community.
A sweet little girl lies in a crib in Eastern Europe and has absolutely no idea how many are fighting for her to come home. If only she knew how passionately she is loved--and how many are praying her home. Some day she will know.
There are no words to express our gratitude.
A local newspaper featured an article on our family today. You can read it here.
How loved you are, dear Hailee.
As one of my dearest friends in the world posted in the comments this morning, you are a toughie. Keep fighting baby girl. Each day that passes brings us a little closer to you.
You are SO absolutely worth fighting for!
So treasured.
So cared for by many.
An outpouring of love from a community.
A sweet little girl lies in a crib in Eastern Europe and has absolutely no idea how many are fighting for her to come home. If only she knew how passionately she is loved--and how many are praying her home. Some day she will know.
There are no words to express our gratitude.
A local newspaper featured an article on our family today. You can read it here.
How loved you are, dear Hailee.
As one of my dearest friends in the world posted in the comments this morning, you are a toughie. Keep fighting baby girl. Each day that passes brings us a little closer to you.
You are SO absolutely worth fighting for!
October 6, 2009
why
You adoptive moms know this feeling all too well.
The feeling of yearning, aching, longing to hold your child so far away.
They're not just any child. They're YOUR child. Birthed in your heart. Destined to be your child since before the foundation of the earth. You feel pregnant as you anticipate the arrival of your new blessing. The only difference is that you don't feel the closeness of your baby move in your womb--the joy of feeling them grow bigger.
They're so far away. You've never laid eyes on them. But they're YOUR child in your heart. It amazes me how God does that.
Today my heart is aching. Wishing that the paperwork we are waiting for would just hurry on up. Promises of expedited citizenship feel like that they're empty. Time is ticking by, and still nothing. No word that I will be granted my interview to become a citizenship soon.
We're waiting for the one piece of paperwork--the one that will bring me so close to my citizenship, and my daughter. But each day...there's nothing.
Just silence.
(By the way, I have received a few e-mails from people asking we what the hold up is in getting Hailee. You can read it here.)
I'm afraid. Our daughter is frail. She is so tiny. She is so weak. Can she survive another winter in a cold orphanage? She's just barely hanging on to life. Will she make it?
I can't even allow my heart to go there.
I'm wondering why? Why do they make it so unbelievably difficult to adopt a child? Why does every single government that you deal with just have to take their time? Don't they know that children are waiting...and waiting and waiting? Does anybody care? Do they care that many of these children won't make it home in time? Do they know that some will die if they are not brought home as soon as possible? Do they not know that many are suffering abuse at the hands of orphanage staff...but that a safe and sheltered place awaits them at home (if they would just get a blooming move on with things)?
Do they not know?
Do they not care?
Why is human life not treated with more urgency? Why is the process to bring orphans home not treated with absolute urgency? Why is it not a priority? These are children. Precious children. Children longing to know the love of a mommy and daddy.
But they have to wait...and wait and wait and wait.
I'm not understanding it. Today my heart is aching.
Maybe they just don't know. Perhaps those who make decisions have never seen for themselves the places these children live in. Perhaps they have never seen the conditions they are forced to spend their days in. Perhaps it's just ignorance. So every piece of paperwork needing to be signed off [so that adoptive parents can go to the next stage in the adoption], just gets put on the back burner on someone's desk.
Ignorance--maybe that's it.
It's just not fair. It absolutely breaks my heart.
Tomorrow will, no doubt, be easier. But for today, I'm heart sore. Not understanding it all. Longing.
In the midst of it all, He reminds me that He is faithful. That this world as we know it will soon pass away. That every tear, every sorrow, every injustice will be a distant memory. Today He reminds me that some day soon there will be no orphans.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
The feeling of yearning, aching, longing to hold your child so far away.
They're not just any child. They're YOUR child. Birthed in your heart. Destined to be your child since before the foundation of the earth. You feel pregnant as you anticipate the arrival of your new blessing. The only difference is that you don't feel the closeness of your baby move in your womb--the joy of feeling them grow bigger.
They're so far away. You've never laid eyes on them. But they're YOUR child in your heart. It amazes me how God does that.
Today my heart is aching. Wishing that the paperwork we are waiting for would just hurry on up. Promises of expedited citizenship feel like that they're empty. Time is ticking by, and still nothing. No word that I will be granted my interview to become a citizenship soon.
We're waiting for the one piece of paperwork--the one that will bring me so close to my citizenship, and my daughter. But each day...there's nothing.
Just silence.
(By the way, I have received a few e-mails from people asking we what the hold up is in getting Hailee. You can read it here.)
I'm afraid. Our daughter is frail. She is so tiny. She is so weak. Can she survive another winter in a cold orphanage? She's just barely hanging on to life. Will she make it?
I can't even allow my heart to go there.
I'm wondering why? Why do they make it so unbelievably difficult to adopt a child? Why does every single government that you deal with just have to take their time? Don't they know that children are waiting...and waiting and waiting? Does anybody care? Do they care that many of these children won't make it home in time? Do they know that some will die if they are not brought home as soon as possible? Do they not know that many are suffering abuse at the hands of orphanage staff...but that a safe and sheltered place awaits them at home (if they would just get a blooming move on with things)?
Do they not know?
Do they not care?
Why is human life not treated with more urgency? Why is the process to bring orphans home not treated with absolute urgency? Why is it not a priority? These are children. Precious children. Children longing to know the love of a mommy and daddy.
But they have to wait...and wait and wait and wait.
I'm not understanding it. Today my heart is aching.
Maybe they just don't know. Perhaps those who make decisions have never seen for themselves the places these children live in. Perhaps they have never seen the conditions they are forced to spend their days in. Perhaps it's just ignorance. So every piece of paperwork needing to be signed off [so that adoptive parents can go to the next stage in the adoption], just gets put on the back burner on someone's desk.
Ignorance--maybe that's it.
It's just not fair. It absolutely breaks my heart.
Tomorrow will, no doubt, be easier. But for today, I'm heart sore. Not understanding it all. Longing.
In the midst of it all, He reminds me that He is faithful. That this world as we know it will soon pass away. That every tear, every sorrow, every injustice will be a distant memory. Today He reminds me that some day soon there will be no orphans.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
October 4, 2009
blessings
After a weekend retreat with the ladies from my church, I am home refreshed and ready to tackle the new week. And a busy one it will be. So much to do. So much happening in our lives.
This coming Friday is our benefit concert to raise money to bring Hailee home. A local news channel came to our home and interviewed us. What a blessing that we got some publicity for the concert. They were amazing and really tried to capture the heart of our adoption. We are so thankful.
You can watch the video here.
(Yes, I do indeed have an accent--for all those who have asked me.)
Amazing blessings along the way.
I missed my family so terribly this weekend. Going away alone is something I never really do. But it was good for me. A precious time to regroup and hear what the Father is speaking to my heart. A time to be still. A time to listen. A time to surrender all.
So wonderful.
Anthony and the kids did great without me here. They had a blast with Daddy. What a blessing to come home to a clean house, dinner made and folded laundry.
Yes, I know, I am so very blessed.
This coming Friday is our benefit concert to raise money to bring Hailee home. A local news channel came to our home and interviewed us. What a blessing that we got some publicity for the concert. They were amazing and really tried to capture the heart of our adoption. We are so thankful.
You can watch the video here.
(Yes, I do indeed have an accent--for all those who have asked me.)
Amazing blessings along the way.
I missed my family so terribly this weekend. Going away alone is something I never really do. But it was good for me. A precious time to regroup and hear what the Father is speaking to my heart. A time to be still. A time to listen. A time to surrender all.
So wonderful.
Anthony and the kids did great without me here. They had a blast with Daddy. What a blessing to come home to a clean house, dinner made and folded laundry.
Yes, I know, I am so very blessed.
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