Pilgrimage

New Blog

2009-08-23T16:00:00.001-05:00

My new blog location can be found at

http://faithfulremembrances.wordpress.com

Come check it out...I've already posted :o)

The Great Divorce

2009-08-21T10:47:00.002-05:00

In case you haven't noticed, I haven't blogged much lately.

In case your wondering why, I'm going to tell you.

This blog was started as an adoption blog. The majority of the readers that I have (maybe I better say had) read because of the topic adoption.

Particularly Uganda adoption.

Well in case you haven't noticed, I'm no longer in the adoption process.

My children have been home a year.

When I look at them, I see my children. Not the children I adopted

When they are naughty, I see my children sinning. Not possible effects from being orphans.

When they succeed I see the joy of of being a mommy to children who work hard to accomplish hard things. Not children who have to overcome, because of hard beginnings.

We will not be adopting again...a least not any time in the near future. Lack of income prevents us from qualifying for visas. We are of course open for that to change...but as it stands it will not be happening.

With all this in mind, I still feel like I can't post here unless it is somehow linked to adoption. As a result many lovely posts, get left in the cold.

I don't like that.

So I think a new blog provider is in order. I have wanted to divorce the current one for quite some time. It is far too hard on the children to hear me screaming from the other room, every time blogger and I have a disagreement over it's lack of effort in providing me with spaces, along with many other irreconcilable differences. It is too hard on me listening to them erupt with laughter over my frustrations. I must leave and find a better more suitable means for sharing my thoughts.

I am currently trying to decide which service to go with.

Leaning toward one in particular, as it will better serve our needs for the business plan in the works.

Stay tuned for a new address.

That is if you want to still follow.

I might still talk about adoption.

Plus I still have the cute kids,

biting sarcasm,

a witty sense of humor,

and most importantly a deep love for my Savior.

It Must Be Confusing to Be a Kid

2009-07-30T18:27:00.002-05:00

Apparently Noah and Kaleb were very excited to get to share the good news of visas to William and Marissa. They let them know that the Dodson's had received their visas and could now go get their friends and bring them home. Fantastic news!

Fast forward to today.

William just asked me, "So mama the Dodson's got their pizzas?"

I wonder if he has been thinking the last 24 or so hours, "Man we have pizza once a week, what's up with the Dodson's not being able to get it?" I'm also wondering if it all makes sense to him because we ate pizza in London, so surly you must need pizza in order to come to America.

Time to Act

2009-07-09T13:48:00.003-05:00

I'm not trying to be a broken record here...it's just that THIS IS THAT IMPORTANT. Even if you have not adopted, or never intend to, you probably know a family that has or will...help secure their children's future in this country.

Copied from This blog

visit www.equalityforadoptedchildren.org for more information

Support the FACE and FFO Acts!
Exciting things are happening! Bills have been introduced in the House and Senate to promote equal rights for adopted children.

The Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act (FACE Act) has been introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives. The FACE Act will allow American families to bring their internationally adopted children home as American citizens instead of as immigrants.

The Families for Orphans Act (FFO Act) has been introduced into the House of Representatives. The FFO Act would establish the Office of Orphan Policy, Diplomacy and Development within the Department of State and provide diplomatic authority to help the 30 million children orphaned worldwide and the 100 million plus vulnerable children who have lost one parent or are at risk of losing parental care.

What you can do:
Sign the petition here: http://www.gopetition.com/petiti... . This petition will be delivered to the U.S. Congress and Senate.

On July 7th, 8th, and 9th, call your three Members of Congress (two in the Senate and one in the House of Representatives). You can find your Representative at www.house.gov . You can find your Senators’ phone numbers at www.senate.gov . Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff. For maximum effect, we are asking you to make these calls within this 72-hour window!

Get the word out! Send this email to friends and family. Post to your Facebook, My Space, Twitter, blog or website.

What should you say to your Members of Congress?
This is an issue that is critical to children in need, so speak from your heart. Tell them why ensuring that internationally adopted children have citizenship rights and more children have loving families is so important to you!
Ask your Senators and Representatives to become Co-Sponsors of the Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act and the Families For Orphans Act.Please feel free to use the following text as a guideline when speaking with your Member of Congress. “As a constituent of we are requesting that you support the Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the legislation. For information on becoming a Co-Sponsor, please contact Senator Mary Landrieu, Senator James Inhofe, Representative Diane Watson or Representative John Boozman. Thank you for representing your constituents by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act. We also are requesting that you support the Families For Orphans Act by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the legislation. For information on becoming a Co-Sponsor, please contact Senator Mary Landrieu, Senator James Inhofe, Representative Diane Watson or Representative John Boozman. Thank you for representing your constituents by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the Families for Orphans Act.”

More about the FACE Act:
Spearheaded by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and James Inhofe (R-OK) and Representatives Diane Watson (D-CA) and John Boozman (R-AR), the FACE Act simplifies the acquisition of citizenship for internationally adopted children and removes these children of American citizens from the immigration process. As it stands now, the internationally adopted child of a U.S. citizen receives U.S. citizenship once the child enters the U.S. to reside permanently. If enacted, the FACE Act would allow such children to acquire U.S. citizenship at the time their adoptions are finalized in the country of the child’s birth. The child would then enter the U.S. as a U.S. citizen with citizenship documentation in hand.

“Passage of the FACE Act will eliminate the need for an immigration visa for internationally adopted children and instead will treat these children as children of American citizens, not immigrants subject to immigration regulations,” said McLane Layton, President of Equality for Adopted Children (EACH) and a member of the Families for Orphans Coalition. “Additionally, the FACE Act classifies internationally adopted children as “citizens from birth” just like children born of Americans overseas, thus providing them with equal rights of citizenship, including the right to run for President of the United States.” “Under current law, the type of immigration visa an adopted child is given to enter the United States determines whether the child receives U.S. citizenship upon entry. Those children who do not receive U.S. citizenship upon entry and whose parents overlook the bureaucratic steps necessary to secure citizenship for their children are often later denied scholarships, passports, and the right to serve in the U.S. military. Most tragically, some young adults who have lived in the United States with loving, American families their entire lives have been deported to their birth countries -- places they have no knowledge or memory of -- for committing minor juvenile offenses.

Half the children adopted internationally each year currently enter the States on the visa that places them at risk,” said Chuck Johnson, a Coalition member and Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the National Council for Adoption. “The Face Act will resolve these issues and provide U.S. citizenship to all internationally adopted children of American citizens.” The FACE Act also provides older orphans the ability to be adopted – children who were overlooked in the Hague Treaty on Inter country adoption. “Prior to the Hague’s passage, children age 16 to 18 whose younger siblings had been adopted by an American were able to be adopted by the same American family,” said Terry Baugh, President of Kidsave. “The Hague eliminated all adoption opportunities for children 16 and over. The FACE Act will fix this oversight and expand the opportunity of a permanent family to all children up to age 18.” The full press release is available here http://www.equalityforadoptedchi... . For more information, go here http://www.kidsave.org/advocacy_... .

The Families for Orphans Act (FFOA) will empower the US government to proactively address a global gap in the most basic of human rights – a permanent family for every child. Spearheaded by Representatives Diane Watson (D-CA) and John Boozman (R-AR), The Families for Orphans Act would establish the Office of Orphan Policy, Diplomacy and Development within the Department of State and provide diplomatic authority to help the 30 million children orphaned worldwide and the 100 million plus vulnerable children who have lost one parent or are at risk of losing parental care. The new office would be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to support diplomacy and policy focusing on the preservation of families and the provision of permanent families and legal, permanent relationships for orphans.

The new office will elevate the plight of children, giving the US a clear, dedicated, diplomatic authority to represent the interests of orphaned children. The office will advise the Secretary of State and President in all matters related to global family preservation and permanent parental care for orphans, as well as developing global strategy, including the coordination of all foreign policy and assistance related to global family preservation. The new office will also conduct research designed to better understand the size of the population of children living without parental care and global efforts to support these children. “The Families for Orphans Act emphasizes that activities that keep a child in the country of birth through family preservation, domestic adoption, legal guardianship and kinship care, are always the preferred child welfare methods. However, when these are not timely options, a family through international adoption is clearly in the best interests of those children languishing in orphanages or living in temporary foster care,” said Chuck Johnson, Coalition member and Chief Operating Officer for the National Council For Adoption.

It's Official

2009-07-07T12:13:00.004-05:00

My beloved and I have officially decided to pursue the start up of a business that will sell healthy hair and skin products, with a majority of the profits going toward helping to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical care, education, and families to orphans. We still have many details to iron out, but are hopeful to have everything up and running in a handful of months. We need lots of prayer for direction and a name for the company.

Thus the need for an official contest.

Leave a comment with your suggestion for a company name, and maybe even a slogan.

If you are chosen I will send you some hair and skin products to sample...for free.

What will you get...

I don't know..but it will be good I promise :)

FACE Act of 2009 - Petition - Sign this petition here - Signature page - GoPetition

2009-07-06T09:58:00.001-05:00

FACE Act of 2009 - Petition - Sign this petition here - Signature page - GoPetition

Shared via AddThis

It's Been a Blessed Year

2009-07-01T13:20:00.004-05:00

One year ago today, we landed in Houston with two very frightened little children, one very sick mama, and one daddy praising God we had all made it home.

It was one of those days that will forever be in my memory.

We spent way too long in immigration...with someone with masks and lung x-rays, coughing and hacking away. I remember thinking, great now I'm going to get TB along with everything else.

We got stopped to have our bags check THREE times. I now it was the 20 pounds of coffee that did us in. Apparently coffee is a favorite for covering drugs.

We had William and Marissa on the baggage cart, in front of all our bags. The children waiting for us couldn't see them, and for just a split second thought we had come home with out them.

While we were gone Grace grew a good two inches. So did Kaleb, in fact he surpassed me in height while we were gone. Noah's hands got bigger, a lot bigger. It's surprised me how much they had changed in such a short period of time.

William and Marissa, I think were in a state of shock...or post traumatic stress or something. They just stared at everything, no talking or eating with expressionless faces. Even though they had been looking at pictures of their siblings for weeks, it seemed to shock them that they were actually real, and going to be a part of their lives.

I had never been, nor will I ever be again, so happy to be in Texas.

These two children have brought so much joy to our family. The changes they have gone through in the last year amaze me.

I no longer get urinated on when someone is mad at me.
When they get in trouble the Ugandan mumble is mostly gone.
They eat our food with gusto, and if they don't like it, they no longer throw it on the floor.
William no longer cries at night from a vague pain that he couldn't say where it came from.
Marissa no longer has night terrors.
They love their dog.
They have learned what it means to be a part of a family.
They no longer hide food in their rooms and in the bathroom.
There is no longer jealousy of their siblings.
There are no more screaming fits when reprimanded or told no.
No more parasites.
No more fear.
No more anger.
So much laughter and joy.

In the past year they have got to experience for the first time: swimming, boating, being pulled around behind a boat, huge American playgrounds, fast food, presents on their birthdays and at Christmas, all sorts of decadent deserts, three HEALTHY square meals a day, owning their own clothes, shoes, underwear, and toys, pillows, socks, real ice cream, car seats with seat belts, snuggles from a mom and dad whenever they want, snow, fishing, the ocean, growing a garden, and so many wonderful new things I could never list them all.

They have also experienced sorrow and loss. Loosing a Grandpa they already loved and adored.

They left behind all they had ever known to come and be a part of a world where everything was new. I know I wouldn't have adjusted as well as they have.

I'm proud of them.

I'm even more proud to call them mine.

Happy Birthday Kaleb

2009-06-27T22:47:00.004-05:00

Today my oldest is fourteen years old! Yikes! Fourteen...

I love this guy.

My teenager.

He's a pretty cool guy.

He loves music, and has, from a very young age, been able to pick an instrument and learn to play it with very little effort.

He is passionate about life for the unborn. Few things hurt him more than the thought of millions of babies dying at the hands of those who should be protecting them.

He is also my politic buddy. We listen to some good talk radio together, and get all worked up together, and come back to the realization that God is sovereign together, every time.

He cracks me up because he thinks he's funny :)

He likes to cook and does a pretty good job at it too.

As our oldest he has been our guinea pig so to speak. We royally mess up with him everyday...then pray that God would just keep him somewhat safe from serious emotional damage from our parenting. Seriously he puts up with so much from me, and he is always ready to forgive.

He is also a very giving guy. Take today for example...he offered to babysit, gave Richard and I two tickets to a benefit concert He really wanted to attend, and some cash for dinner. A total night out for me and my beloved all on him. What fourteen year old does that? He has done things like this time and time again. Honestly, he was my life saver after we got back from Uganda. It was nearly two months before I felt well again, and he helped do so much around here during that time. When my dad died, he did the same thing. I am so grateful to the Lord for giving me such a loving and compassionate son. I pray the Lord has favor on Him and blesses him abundantly, all the days of his life.

Kaleb we love you so much. We are proud to be your parents. Continue to pursue the Lord with steadfastness. Hold on to your convictions. Love abundantly and give freely, because Christ has loved you with an everlasting love and freely given you all things. Live for his glory son, truly nothing else matters.

PS A piano????

Today Was A Good Day

2009-06-26T21:59:00.002-05:00

Full of laughs...

A couple of weeks ago Kaleb called in and commented on a local talk show, and won a pair of tickets to a concert that benefits the orphans of the tsunami. We headed out to San Antonio to pick them up today.

Thanks to Richard's father's day present, I figured I could nail this trip, on my own, with out the hubby. I should have known there would be problems when I punched the address into the GPS and it offered me a totally different location. I figured it was close enough. Sweet little Samantha (that's the GPS voices name) totally led us off track, due to road construction, then got all mad like it was my fault!!! I've never heard "recomputing" sound so harsh.

We arrived at the radio station, 45 minutes later than we should have, thanks to Samantha.

I was irritated.

I think the kids were waiting with bated breath to see if I was going to loose it.

I just kept telling them not to speak.

Anyway, so we get to station and not only do we get our concert tickets, but all sorts of other free goodies. Cd's, movies, books it was really quite a treat. Then I got to speak at length to our local talk show "celebrity" about adoption. He and his wife need to adopt...and I'm not just saying that in the way I think everyone needs to adopt...they really do. Then we got a tour of the radio station.

Once we got on the road again, I was not about to put our fate in the hands of Sam once more. I determined to find my own way to Chick-Fil-A for lunch.

I made another wrong turn.

Got stuck in traffic for another 30 minutes.

Again, I informed the children it would be in their best interest not to speak.

As William screams from the far back seat, "Moooooommmmmy, I saw a Chick-the-Lay right back there. Moooooommmmy, the Chick-The-Lay."

There were no less then 9000 people in the Chick-Fil-A when we arrived...all of them had 12 unruly and loud children with them.

I informed the children it would be best if they just didn't speak.

They laughed.

Then we went to Wal-Mart. My highly intelligent, home educated son, had to go to the bathroom. He was taking an unusual amount of time, so I sent his brother in after him. He came out to inform me, his brother was not in the bathroom. Panic just about set in, but then I saw him....coming out of the women's restroom.

I nearly collapsed from laughter.

Later I asked him if he wondered why there were no urinals.

He said yes.

A Day Late

2009-06-23T11:44:00.002-05:00

For my sweet Ugandan Princess,

Happy 4th birthday!

This girl is such a blessing to our family. She literally lights up the room when she walks in, with her big bright smile. She is loving, super affectionate, and extremely silly. A year ago, we were in Uganda, and I barley knew her. She has been through so much in the last 12 months, and she has proven herself to be extremely resilient. No matter what, it seems she is always looking on the bright side of things...she gets that from her daddy. Over the last year she has grown and blossomed in to a little girl who adores her siblings, and her daddy and mommy. She is always desires reconciliation when she has been naughty, it is in fact the only time she is not smiling and cheerful...when she knows that she has done wrong and there is separation between us. I love her dearly, and cannot fathom my life with out her. Though she has only been with us one year, it is hard to remember our family with out her. My only regret is that we missed her first three years. We are so thankful to our gracious Lord that HE chose us to be her parents. I pray she knows Him and loves Him all the days of her life, and that Richard and I will set an example for her of bringing our God glory all the days of our lives.

Happy Birthday Peanut! Daddy and Mommy love you!

A Post For Carol

2009-06-16T14:47:00.001-05:00

I lack patience.

One Year Ago

2009-05-28T18:18:00.001-05:00

today we boarded a plane and left for Uganda. It's hard to believe it's been a year. On the other hand, William and Marissa are so much a part of us, it's hard to remember what life was like before they were here.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-20T15:24:00.001-05:00

Battle Zone

2009-05-19T13:41:00.004-05:00

It's almost been a year, a whole year, since we left for Uganda. In fact next week it will be one year since we dropped off the children and drove to Houston, to board the plane, that would take us to a place that would change our lives forever. One of the things that is most surreal about this, is watching my friend Laura, travel this same road. If all goes as it seems, her and her hubby will leave on the same day, one year later. It seems like half of the people I know in blog land are in Uganda or leaving for Uganda in the next week. I am only slightly jealous, and a heaping amount of thrilled for my friends. I know they face many hurdles to overcome, as I believe firmly that adoption is WAR. The enemy hates adoption and will fight them, tear at them, attempt to distract them, and do all he can to bring them down.

He won't win.

I know he tried desperately to destroy me and our children while in Africa, and has done many things since our coming home to continue the battle. Time and time again I am reminded that this is war, and we are not fighting against flesh and blood. We are fighting an unseen enemy that will use illness, governments, society, culture, family, friends, and even our church body in the fight against us in this war. I have often times in the last year been weary. I have watched as others who see adoption as part of the great commission be hammered over and over again with trials. All of them stopping to question, if it's all worth it.

He hasn't won.

I see these families fighting for children. Giving their time and resources for these children. Facing uncertainty and heartbreak for these children. All in an attempt to obey and bring glory to their Heavenly Father.

No the enemy will not prevail. Our Lord will always remain victorious. We need only find our strength in Him. He will make a way. He will provide. He will conquer and be glorified.

I love going back and reading my emails home from Uganda. They begin with me whining, and complaining. Begging for God to move and bring us home quickly. I wasn't prepared for the spiritual battle that would be thrown my way. I was prepared for many things, but NO ONE ever told me I would be in for the biggest spiritual battle of my life. Once I figured that out and found my footing in the Lord, my email changed to this...

"Hello to all, this will be my final email from Uganda.

We did in fact receive the visas and will be boarding a plane tomorrow morning. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!

I seem to have responded to the third (fourth in you count Malerone) malaria meds. I also think that the lovely amoeba that had taken up residence in my digestive system has received it's eviction notice and is leaving town. Here is a small bit of advice, take it or leave it. Do not get malaria. If you feel you must experience it, do not get a resistant strain. Never, never, never, never, never ever contract amoebic dysentery at the same time. Lastly, if you must do these things DON"T DO IT IT A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY, where cleanliness is unheard of. Unless like me, you wish to also develop a lovely case of phlebitis (sp?) to go along with it. This my dear loved ones is the best advice I could give you, second only to repent and believe the gospel :)

Really I am feeling so much better and have seen God's grace even during my suffering. In little things like probiotics and a nurse showing up at Patrick's at just the right time. Many more instances of His goodness to me. What a faithful and loving God we serve. Many times during this trip I have been reminded of His grace and it is more real to me now than ever.

Every time I would think I simply could not endure, He led me on still.

When I thought "I can't believe I have left my home to come here." He would remind me that he left Heaven to come for me.

When I would think "I miss my children so much, I will never make it another day" He would remind me that He left perfect fellowship with the Father for me.

When I would think of the sin around me and how disturbing it is, He would remind me of what it must have been like for Him: Holy and unstained, to come and not only dwell with sinful man, but to ultimately take that sin upon Himself, so that I might have His righteousness.

When I was is terrible pain, and more ill than I have ever been in my life. He lovingly brought me the cross, where He suffered immeasurably more that I will ever have to.

When William's heart hardens and he pulls away from me, and I wonder how I am ever going to be able to love him like I should. He reminds me that I harden my heart to Him, and yet He draws me in with His irresistible Grace. He brings me to repentance and restores me. He will give me the grace to do the same.

We serve an amazingly awesome God. Do you realize that if we had left when planned, I would have gotten malaria at home. It would have cost tens of thousands dollars to be in the hospital as they tried to deal a sickness they have no experience with. He is so very faithful, even when we are not. So Lord willing, we will be stepping off a plane in Houston with two precious children, ready to start their new life.

April and Denny, in case you have troubling recognizing me: I will be the woman with two children who look nothing like her. With a bewildered look in my eyes, that seems to be asking "Is it over yet?"

Please continue to pray for health and safety for us all. I love you all dearly. Your prayers have been precious jewels to us. We pray that or Lord has been glorified in our lives during this time, and we have made is love manifest.Take care and see you soon."

Bargians Galore

2009-05-16T16:37:00.004-05:00

Several weeks ago, a huge wind blew our screen door right off the hinges. We have put off buying a door, because they are not cheap. I didn't really want to spend $200 for a screen door. Seemed so ridiculous, to spend that much money on a door. Alas, the Texas heat has set in, and we could not put it off no longer. So off we went to the Home Depot to drop an unnecessary amount of money on a door. I knew I wanted a white one, and they had one in stock, in just the right size. Right before pulling it out I noticed a bronze colored door. I asked the nice man to show me what that color looked like, and had the thought that white shows so much dirt. This color would be much better. They had one door left, it was the size we needed, so we scooped it up. We get to the check out and the door rings up $0.01. My husband, the ~~cheap~~ frugal man that he is, was thrilled and exclaimed, "Yes, I'll swipe my card now, and be on my way!" The nice lady informed us she could not sell us anything for a penny, but would sell it to us at the cheapest price it had been sold. The $169 door cost us $44.

I felt so loved by the Lord at that moment. I felt like I got a little hug from Jesus.

I love Goodwill. I am always finding lovely little things here and there that I want or need.

Today I got blessed with the mother of all Goodwill deals (say that 10 times fast).

I have wanted one of these forever, but would NEVER spend the money to buy one. I spied it sitting under a sewing machine. A lady was looking at the sewing machine, and for just a split second, I understood how people could get so violent at Christmas time. I wanted this machine, and I was not about to let her have it. I thought, I would wrestle for it if I had to. The machine was mine, my precious. I soon came back to my senses, and realized this was not Christ honoring behavior, and politely, but firmly, said, "Excuse me." I grabbed up my find, barely able to stifle my squeal of delight and victory. I was praying like mad that it worked. We got it home, plugged it in, and sure enough it works perfect.

I got this sweet little deal for the bargain price of $29.99

That's right, I got the BIG Cricut for thirty bucks!!!

I love a good bargain, but not nearly as much as I love the God who gives them to me.

I'm a Thief

2009-05-14T12:08:00.002-05:00

I stole this, it was too good not to.

"A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said, "Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together." So the doctor said, "OK and what do you want me to do?" She said, "I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this." The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady, "I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too." She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. Then he continued, "You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms." The lady was horrified and said, "No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!" "I agree," the doctor replied. "But you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution." The doctor smiled realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!"

Hard Adjustment

2009-05-12T10:17:00.005-05:00

I have had the most terrible time of adapting back to a "normal American" life. It has been nearly a year since we left for Africa, and my eyes were further opened. I cannot shake form my mind the images of poverty, illness, starvation, and orphaned children. The images of human suffering are always there, always on my heart. The I read articles like this one

I live in such extravagance. They with such want.

My children eat three healthy meals everyday. They are lucky to eat a meal every couple of days.

My children have clean water, with the turn of a faucet. They have filthy water, that cause them to have severe illness and disease. Because of their water, their babies have little chance of survival to age 5.

My children have access to excellent medical care. Their children die, because they can't afford a couple of dollars for malaria medication.

I can take my children for $20 in ice cream. There are people who have to survive on a $1.00 worth of millet, for their entire family for over a week.

I have a home, that shelters my children from the harsh elements. They sleep on streets, dirt floors, and live in squalor.

We have clothing and shoes that fit. They are neither too small or too large. When they get worn, I don't even repair them. I buy new. They wear the same worn clothes day after day. Shoes are a luxury, having shoes that actually fit is a rarity.

Yes, it's hard to adjust back to a normal American life, when you know people created in God's image suffer so much. Die each day, horrible preventable deaths...with out the gospel.

It's hard to adjust.

I don't know if I want to.

Queen for the Day

2009-05-10T21:27:00.006-05:00

I gotta tell ya, my children out did themselves this Mother's Day. I woke up to breakfast. They had prepared me scrambled eggs and made from scratch french toast. Later we came home from church and they had prepared pot roast and mashed potatoes and gravy (I had to do the gravy). Then, my eldest cooked dinner for the younger ones and provided child care, while my beloved took me out to eat at Olive Garden.

Then to top it all off I came home to a homemade mother's day cake, complete with decorations made from Marissa's previously used hair snaps. Yummy.

What a blessing, I felt like queen for the day, even though I didn't have a crown. I truly feel blessed to be mama to these five children. They are a joy and blessing to me.

Conversation With My 5 Year Old

2009-05-09T17:13:00.003-05:00

William hates having hair. He is always asking me, "Mommy, you make my hair all gone?" I always ask, "Do you want me to cut it shorter?" To which he replies, "No, cut it all gone."

OK

Today, I finally got around to fulling his quest for a bald head.

Later I thought I would have a nice deep probing conversation with him, as he is quite willing to share these days.

I asked, "William, what makes you happy?"

"Having my hair all gone."

"Really? What makes you sad?"

"Letting my hairs grow and grow."

Oh to be five, and have your happiness hang in the balance of hair growth.

That's Beside the Point

2009-05-08T17:32:00.004-05:00

I loaded up the brood, and took them to Marble Slab today. Had me a hankerin' for some sweet cream with sprinkles for quite some time now. Quite frankly, after the week I had, I deserved some good ice cream. The very sweet man behind the counter asked, "Do you have a school or something?" I love this question, as if five children makes for a school. Of course in our case it actually does...but that's beside the point. I laughed, then told him, that they are in fact all mine. Then I told him about our little Ugandan ones. He asked a bunch of questions, then said, "That is fabulous. I love it. The world needs more people like you." Um, no the world does not need more people like me. I'm just not sure the world could handle another me. Trust me I have issues, but again that is beside the point. I told him, "Yes, the world does need more people who will adopt, there is such a huge need." As I was paying our bill, trying to remember how I justified this extravagant ice cream trip ($20 for ice cream...seriously what was I thinking...oh yes, I was thinking I somehow deserved it) the nice man behind the counter said, "I want you to pick two pints from the freezer, from me, for the children."

What????

Free Marble Slab???

For the children????

Somehow, he must have figured out that I was the blessed one...because he sure didn't give ME any ice cream. But that's beside the point.

100 Days of Change

2009-04-30T10:41:00.002-05:00

Blogger Block

2009-04-29T09:22:00.001-05:00

or something else...

Have much to say...just trying to process it all in my sweet little head...it's a slow process :)

How About a Little Chuckle

2009-04-23T20:36:00.002-05:00

or if you're me a full belly, sliding down off of my seat, snorting laugh.

I was eating dinner with my beloved tonight at a local place, when I felt the need to lament to him the fact that I am feeling very bloated and gassy.

His response...

"This too, shall pass."

He's so punny..that's why I love him.

Wordless Wednesday...Kind Of

2009-04-22T16:57:00.002-05:00

Ahh, the Zoo in the spring. I never know if it will be a science lesson...or a health lesson.....

Tea Party Part 2

2009-04-20T12:58:00.017-05:00

The Alamo, the top of it any way. The bottom was covered by people.

Glen Beck, filmed his show live. We were on TV, did you see us?

Old rocker dude, helped out. They tell me his name is Ted Nugent.

After Glen Beck's show was over, some local praise team gave us some rather LOUD entertainment, until the official tea party began.

Adam McManus. This guy is a local radio talk show host. He has a great show, always informing citizens how they can take a stand and get involved. He was the MC for the evenings events.

Janine Turner, I only know her for her role in Northern Exposer. I think she is beautiful. By the way, Janet, I see a resemblance between the two of you. Maybe it's the hair??? Except, I am sure she is normal, and drinks coffee in her really nice mug, never ever tea. She had her equally beautiful and passionate daughter with her.

This young man, eighteen years of age, gave some convincing arguments of the duties of a US citizen, as well as some sobering statistics on how many people are actually living up to those duties. He would do a far better job running this country that the last three or four guys have done.

A couple of fed up local mama's gave some speeches about the local government and the local concerns of San Antonio. Both did a fabulous job.

Doug Phillips from Vision Forum Ministries gave the final speech of the evening. If was God honoring and powerful. He did a great job reminding everyone that our God reigns, and we have an obligation to reign in our government. At the foundation of freedom is Christ. Thankfully, even if earthly tyranny prevails, we can have ultimate freedom in Christ. Always knowing that one day, He will bring Justice to the oppressor. Mr. Phillips speech was fantastic, it made me remember why America is where it is, and why we should fight to keep her free. He had a few choice words in there for the FEDs too. I think they were somewhere along the lines of, "COME AND GET IT."

Steve Vaus, closed the party up with his song Take America Back.

And some random pictures of San Antonio...

Signs, signs, Every Where There's Signs

2009-04-16T17:46:00.017-05:00

Our family attended the San Antonio Tea Party yesterday. After I dutifully sent off our check to the Internal ~~Robbing~~ Revenue Service, we headed out, all five children in tow, to brave the crowds at the Alamo. As usual, the liberal media is practically ignoring this event. I swear the San Antonio Express News is one of the most liberal rags in this country, but I digress. We had a wonderfully long day. Police estimated that 16,000 people attended this event. A peaceful and encouraging event. Which one really should not expect from extremists, such as those who attended this event. One would have expected much more violence and anarchy out of such gun toting terrorists.

I will be breaking this day up into two separate posts. I took way too many pictures and have way too much to say, thus the need for two posts. The first will consist of my favorite signs. This was a peaceful demonstration, afforded us by our great constitution, that the leaders in this country seem to have forgotten about, again I digress. As a peaceful demonstration, many attendees had signs of various designs.

Some like these, made me laugh.

Some had simple messages. So simple in fact, that it seems that some of the "less extreme" among us can't seem to grasp the message.

Some were down right poignant. Like this one. Yes, it looks like a bloody mess (that's bloody as in BLOOD by the way, not a British derogatory term) but the symbolism behind it, all I can say is WOW! This is a flag tradtioanlly flown in Goliad, TX. If you don't know your Texas history, this one is worth looking up. At any rate, the idea behind the flag is that they would have rather cut off their arm, than suffer under tyranny. In other words, the men of Texas would rather sacrifice life and limb for the cause of freedom, rather than continue to suffer under an oppressive government.

Of course, there was my personal favorite. Not directed to our out of control government, spending my children's money like they are a five year old, in the dollar store with two bucks burning a hole in their pocket. No, directed instead to my least favorite people on the planet. Loved the sign, and if you don't get it, then clearly you didn't watch any news this week.

More to come on the speakers and message of the event...and some AWESOME pictures of San Antonio...as well as my sweet little, flag wavin', newly immigrated, American citizens.

Shoes

2009-04-14T11:02:00.000-05:00

The Stinky River

2009-04-13T10:42:00.007-05:00

Yesterday we had the brilliant idea to go to the park. Turns out it was not such a good idea, due to the fact that the entire population of Comal county was there, along with all their relatives from the surrounding counties. So we decided to go to a ~~yucky and much less appealing~~ lesser known location. The three younger ones wanted to get wet. The water was gross. They all smelled like pond scum when they got out. A year and a half of severe drought will do that to a river.

This girl will soon be locked up in a dragon guarded castle, her father informs me. Or at least a shot gun guarded four bedroom.

This girl will FINALLY be getting the speech therapy she needs. Three times a week with much homework. We are praying for some quick progress. We are all getting frustrated, especially her. Isn't she cute. Her swimming suit matched the broken eggs all over the ground.

This guy wanted to go fishing instead....

This guy has rickets. So when we got there, I took off his shirt and told him to make some vitamin D. When I snapped this picture I asked him if he was making vitamin D like I told him to. He replied, "No, I'm picking up rocks." In such a tone, as to say, "Duh mom, clearly I am picking up rocks."

That's what he did the whole time...pick up rocks...throw rocks...repeat.

I'm pretty sure he made some vitamin D too.

I didn't get a good picture of the other guy. This nearly fourteen year old would have rather been someplace other than a stinky dried up river...no place in particular...just someplace else. Hence the lack of a flattering picture. He's a good guy though...no complaining. He just sat back and enjoyed the view.

Kiss My face

2009-04-13T10:12:00.003-05:00

Fun Kiss My Face giveaway...details can be found here. Good stuff.

Memorial Box Monday

2009-04-06T14:03:00.004-05:00

I love reading this blog. Not just because she is a fellow Uganda mama, although that is why I started reading her story to begin with. I am continually blessed by her faith and her love for Jesus. So I read. Every Monday she writes a memorial box Monday post. Their family has a memorial box, in which they place items that specifically remind them of God's faithfulness in their lives. On Monday's she has been writing about the items in their box. Starting today, I am going to be doing the same. It is so important to remember and look back upon God's faithfulness to us. In both the small and large things He remains faithful. Remembering His past faithfulness is an encouragement for us during current trials. Calling them to mind, will hopefully, for me, make me more aware of His every day faithfulness.

Memorial Box Monday

Our last week in Uganda I got sick. REALLY sick. I was infected with a drug resistant strain of Malaria. Despite the fact that I had taken Malerone and covered myself from head to toe in off everyday. I ended up in the hospital for iv treatment. While there, I also came down with amoebic dysentery. Not a pleasant experience in and of itself...coupled with Malaria, it was brutal. As I was waiting for Richard to come back from the embassy, so I could finally get back to our guest house, I was praying. I was lamenting to the Lord that I really wished I had brought some good probiotics with me. I was certain that if I could just have some probiotics I would feel so much better. Knowing full well that I wasn't going to find anything like that in Uganda, I looked forward to being home in four days, so I could have some. Hoping that my stomach would then be able to mend. We returned to the guest house and a missionary team had just arrived from the states. One of the team members, Harriet, said to me, "I brought some probiotics with me, I think they would really help you. Would you be willing to take some?" Would I be willing? Every time I think of her, which is quite often, I thank God for using her. I didn't even have the faith to ask the Lord for them, just complain to Him about my lack of forethought and planning. He saw fit to bless me, and remind me yet again of His love. He knew I was going to get sick. He knew what I was going to need. He knew I would lack the faith to ask. He knew He would bring me some all the way from Pennsylvania. He knew, at that very moment, I was going to feel so unbelievably loved by my Savior.

That is why when we finally get our memorial box, it will contain porbiotics.

One Freakin' Out Mama

2009-04-03T16:33:00.003-05:00

The day we arrived in Uganda, we learned that our judge assignment had been changed. I quickly thought to my self, "No problem...not a big deal." Then we were told that the judge we had been assigned to, had just begun a month long vacation that day. Not good. I am such a worse case scenario kind of gal, so at this point I'm thinking, we will in fact be in Uganda forever, and by the time I see my children at home they will be grown with children of their own. OK, so that's not exactly worst case scenario...as it is completely unrealistic, but I wasn't hopeful for a good outcome.

This my fellow adoptive mommies (and daddies) is Africa. The only thing you can expect in Africa is the unexpected. NOTHING will go as planned. Well, like we have it planned anyway...it ALWAYS goes the way the Lord plans.

Thus began our first week in Uganda. Fast forward over the weekend to Monday. Our court hearing is scheduled for Monday morning. Our newly assigned judge has agreed to work over her vacation, and hear our case. We breathe a great big sigh of relief when she shows up, on time, Monday morning.

I must say our judge was wonderful...and I'm not just saying that because I know (well I am pretty darn sure) the Ugandan g*vernment regularly reads this blog. She really did a wonderful job. She took time over her vacation to work to get us all the paperwork that was needed. We received both our court order and ruling quickly. I can honestly say we had no complaints whatsoever about our judge or the job she did. We are greatful for work she did, and continues to do for the children of Uganda.

We head back to Jinja that afternoon, everyone very happy with the outcome of the happenings of the day. I however am beginning to experience this vague sense of panic. At least it feels like panic. It really is a feeling I had never had before. Looking back, I think it was a combination of several factors...

Jet Lag
Culture Shock
Giardia
PMS (yes that's right, I wrote that..because let's be serious this can be a MAJOR problem for us gals)
Having a full grasp of how far out of MY control things were
Already missing my children at home, and knowing we had only just began
The constant and nagging thought of not knowing when this would all be over
Mostly, I think it was PMS cause it mysteriously went away after a couple of days :)

Monday night was going to be the first night William and Marissa stayed with us. They were thrilled...Richard was thrilled...I was scared to death. It was similar to the feeling I had while pregnant with Grace. I was sitting in the hospital holding my friend's new born, thinking to myself, "Dear God what have we done?" Here I was a gazillion miles away from home (have I mentioned how much of a home body I am?) at the mercy of a foreign government, with these two children....who are supposed to be mine. I kept telling myself, "I want this. I have worked for this. I want them. I love them. I can do this." Like a chant over and over again in my mind. In the moment I was fine. If I, even for a split second, looked into the next days and weeks, I became so completely and utterly overwhelmed, all I could do was cry.

While I am repeating to myself, "I want this. I have worked for this. I want them. I love them. I can do this." The enemy of my soul was screaming, "This isn't what you wanted. You can't do this. Go home." There was a war going on within me, like nothing I have ever experienced before.

"We fight not against flesh and blood, but princes and pricipalities."

Up until this point, I feel I am winning the battle.

Then we got William and Marissa ready for bed.

We took off William clothes, and for the first time saw how absolutely tiny he was. I couldn't breathe. This one thing, this one small and insignificant thing, totally sent me off the edge. All at once my thoughts changed to the enemy's. "This isn't what I wanted. I can't handle this. I can't mother these children, they need more than I can give them. I have to get out of here."

Richard, ever a rock, was dealing with me as he usually does. He would tell me that I could do this, and that this is what we wanted. He told me leaving was not, nor would it ever become an option. These were our children and we would do whatever it took, for as long as it took, to bring them home. I thank God for my husband, for a multitude of reasons, but the fact that he would not let me walk away is one I am most thankful for. I'm not sure he had ever seen me in such a state of panic, but he knew me well enough to know that I loved these children, and that I only need a few days to regroup and focus.

Sure enough a few days later, I knew there was no way I would ever leave my children. I would just as soon die, then walk away from them.

Nevertheless, I still experienced a prolonged period of "post adoption depression." This often ignored, and not spoken of, aspect of adoption hit me fairly hard. I don't know what makes some people more prone to this than others, but it is a very real aspect of adoption. Just like postpartum depression is a very real aspect of giving birth. It doesn't happen to everyone, but when it does happen, the feelings experienced, leave a mother feeling guilty and alone. It's not about whether or not you love the child...you do. At least I did. There was just this...emotional fog.

So in coming posts I hope to write more about it. In hopes that other mama's will know they are not alone. While you probably will not ever hear (read) me telling intimate details about my children and their past, I do want to have an open and honest dialog about adoption. My experience during adoption. Not just the lovely, yummy parts (of which there are many) but also the difficult parts. The purpose of this blog is to encourage others in this process. I really feel, when we only tell each other how great things are, we not only deprive each other, but miss out on showing the world how GOD redeems and heals. When people read blog after blog and story after story of all the feel good aspects of adoption and never hear any of the struggles...what happens when they have struggles of their own? My fear is that those parents may think they are in the minority, that something is wrong with them...their family. I fear some may think they might have made the wrong choice. My hope is that we will all realize that we are weak, but HE is strong. That He will give us the strength to do all things. That He called us to adopt, which will have bountiful blessings...and moments of struggle. I pray we will all realize that those difficulties do not put us in a minority....just a SILENT majority.

And the Winner Is

2009-04-01T11:37:00.003-05:00

Thank you so much for all of you who donated to the Gaunt family's adoption fund. Through your generous gifts $1,135 was raised to help this family bring their children home!

I emailed all the names over to Keltie this morning so they could do the drawing for the winner of the ipod touch. So with out further ado, it is my pleasure to announce the winner of the ipod touch.

Drum roll please......

And the winner is: Deanna L.

If you remember correctly there was also to be a drawing for a book, for those who helped to promote the fundraiser on their blog or facebook page. Well, only one person emailed to let me know that it was on her blog. Well, actually she left it in a comment. I did however see it on a few others...because I read their blogs. All of these people KNOW I read their blogs, so I am going to ASSUME they thought I would see it up there, and therefore did not feel the need to let me know. So I went ahead and placed their name in the drawing too...just cause I am nice like that....and the winner of the book "There is No Me Without You" is.......

April from www.pembertonevansonline.blogspot.com

Congratulations April, you can email me your address at burpeefamily@yahoo.com so I can get this book out to you.

Thanks again to all of you who helped to make this happen. Please continue to lift the Gaunt family up in prayer as they are still a long way from their goal.

It's Just Not True

2009-03-31T12:09:00.003-05:00

I feel I need to dispel some commonly held myths...

I have not fallen off the face of the earth.
I have not given up blogging.
I am not a pathological liar
Neither am I avoiding writing my post about our first week in Uganda

Now, I know you thought all of those things were true...but seriously they are not. It is just that life happens around here at break neck speeds...and I have had my plate beyond full.

I just dropped my mom off at the airport. We thoroughly enjoyed her WAY too short visit...and I miss her already.

I am STILL working on our taxes...April 15 is still weeks away...right??? At any rate I am thrilled that it APPEARS, at this time, my check to the IRS this year will NOT CONTAIN A COMMA....oh the joy!!!! While we will still be be writing a check..the fact that it lacks a comma is simply a miracle.

Yesterday was my birthday...and I have some of the sweetest and best friends a gal could have. They came to my house picked up my mom and I, and took us out for some yummy Mexican food. They sweetly obliged my craving for a chimichunga, EVEN THOUGH they all wanted to go some place much more refined and eat some silly salad....I won't hold it against them though :) Cause I love them all so much....and they gave me cool gadgets for herb preparation and cooking.

I am about to get on the doctor treadmill again...we will have five doctors/dentist appointments this week...um...I thought we didn't go to the doctor at our house????? At any rate can you guess why I call it a treadmill????? Think REAL hard, I bet you can.

Speaking of doctors and STRANGE medical anomalies...which we have a multitude of around here...any of you adoptive mama's have issues with blisters...well I guess any mama really...Marissa gets blisters...pretty big ones too. They look like burn blisters, but she has not been burned. Looking for some direction to point the doctor to when we go...so maybe that visit will actually produce some results. ANYONE????

Did I mention that I got to spend some much needed time with my much missed friend, Emily? Ah, it was so nice to hang out with her again. I love friends that you can see rarely and it still feels like you never missed a day....although I prefer friends I can see whenever I want :) So she should move back here...or something like that anyway.

Post about Uganda coming soon...I PROMISE!!!

This is the last day for you to donate to the Guant family adoption fund for a chance to win and ipod touch....you can still give after today...but you aren't gonna have a chance to win this nifty little gadget...that to be honest with you I just don't understand...but I hear people want them??? So get in while you can...and GIVE and help bring two children home...help to give them a forever family...store up for yourself a little treasure that will last :) Keltie and Blake will draw the winning name tomorrow...so HURRY it's almost too late....

Laughter Lives Tuesday

2009-03-24T07:53:00.004-05:00

This post is part of "Laughter Lives! Tuesday" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check our their blog to read everyone else's "Laughter Lives!" post.

When my daughter was about two, she loved to put on lotion...or ocean as she called it. She was constantly hunting down my bottles of lotion and slathering her self with it.

One day I put her down for a nap in her room. I went into check on her a bit later, and sure enough she was sound asleep. Although her room smelled heavily of Elmer's glue. Upon closer inspection I found an open and empty bottle of glue, and my daughter fast asleep glued to her bed. I had to peel her off the sheets and clean her up. When I asked her why she put glue all over her body, she simply smiled and said, "Ocean."

Plea for Help

2009-03-21T14:57:00.004-05:00

The Gaunt family received VERY discouraging news today. You can read about it here. Long story short, the are officially out $23, 000. They have lost two children they love, and an enormous sum of money. Now they have two other children waiting for them, and because of this they cannot go and bring their children home. Please, if you can, hit that donate button over there on the right and give to help them bring their children home. It is only $15...that's it. It isn't much, but when we all chip in it makes a world of difference. I know many of you are adopting yourselves, and I KNOW first hand how expensive that is... but would you please consider giving. $15 will most certainly not make a difference at all in bringing your children home...but when we all work together it WILL make a huge difference in Keltie's children coming home. Please, pray for this family, and please consider giving.

Happy Birthday to My Grandma

2009-03-20T20:39:00.003-05:00

Today is my Grandma's birthday...my mother's mom. I adore this woman. I was going to post a picture so the world could see how beautiful she is, but sadly, I discovered all my pictures from December have been deleted, so I don't have one handy.

As a child, like all kids, I adored my grandma. I loved spending time at her house. Thankfully I got to spend plenty of time over there because we would go over there every Friday night. I loved her as a child for all the normal grandma type reasons. She was kind, gentle, a great cook, and she loved me. As I grew up I began to see her in a very different light. I still thought she was all those wonderful things, but I began to think more about her life, and gained a whole new respect for her.

You see she has known her share of struggles and hardship. She raised six children, for the most part, by herself. She worked hard to provide for them, and worked diligently to teach them to always do what's right. She knows the deep pain of loosing a child, and having to face life when you just don't want to. I am amazed at what she has accomplished. While she might not say she has accomplished much, I see a woman who has accomplished much more than most could ever hope to. She has accomplished those things which matter most. I can honestly say I have absolutely zero negative memories of my grandma. She has always been cheerful and kind. I can't ever remember seeing her loose her temper. She has set an example of hard work and perseverance. She has made me laugh and loved me when I was entirely unlovable. Now that I am a woman, with a large family of my own, I am even more in awe of her. She has set for me an example of a life well lived. A life laid down for those around her. A life given in sacrifice. Not to mention she gave me my mommy...whom I love dearly. I have watched her stand by my mom and love her through the most difficult time in her life. My grandma is strong and loving as ever.

I am sad that you can't see her in all her silver haired beauty. I am even more sad you haven't been blessed to know her as I have.

Happy Birthday Grandma...I love you so very much.

Revisiting Uganda

2009-03-13T10:28:00.001-05:00

It has been a while since I posted about our experience in Uganda. When last I wrote, it was our first day in Uganda, and we had just met our children for the first time. Why did I quit writing you ask? I know all you mama's waiting on your call to go are wondering why I stopped, and are hungry for info. Well, I'll tell you why...because my first week in Africa was hard. Real hard. Like having a nervous breakdown, loosing it hard. The rest of the time wasn't a walk in the park, but that first week was brutal. I haven't known how to put it all down in writing...but I am going to try. Because I need to, and because I keep telling my friend Laura that this is hard. I want her to be prepared for when she leaves to bring her little people home. My spoken words often times fail, so I want to write them out for her, myself, and anyone else who might experience similar feelings during their adoption process. So in the next week or so I hope to get through that first week...but first a little detour...sort of.

Did you know that pain during child birth (stay with me here, I promise it applies and is good) is actually is an integral part of the mother bonding with her child? It's true, the pain of labor builds up a ton of hormones, and once you deliver, that flood of hormones is released. Once those hormones are released, they help the mother feel all lovey toward this person who was just the cause of the most indescribable pain they will ever experience. Studies have actually been done that show when mothers do not feel that pain, and therefore the hormones are not released, bonding can be and often times is inhibited to some extent. It is really just another amazing design by our infinitely wise and awesome God.

What does this have to do with adoption you ask?

Everything.

While we were in the midst of our USCIS drama, thinking just maybe this adoption wasn't going to happen, I watched a documentary called The Business of Being Born. This film talked briefly about that flood of hormones that the pain of child birth brings on. Those hormones that cause mothers to think that red, screaming, squished up baby with a pointy head is the sweetest thing on earth. Right there in the middle of watching this documentary on giving birth, it seemed like the Holy Spirit was saying to me, "See, this is my plan. It works, this pain you are feeling now, this hurt, is only going to serve to bond you with these children. If this were easy, if there were no pain, you would never love them they way I want you too." I cried. I was beginning to understand the gift in adoption being heart wrenching. I remember telling our home group one night, after the kids were home that adopting these children was so unnatural and yet so natural at the same time. Another great paradox of faith. Nothing in my flesh, would ever want to travel half way around the world, pay tens of thousands of dollars, leave behind my home and children, and struggle and fight for five weeks in a third world country, to bring home a raise children that I did not give birth to. That is why it so good that this happens because of the grace of God, not my flesh. All I know is this....all that pain, all that waiting, all that we endured in Africa only served to help me to love these children to bond me to them. You don't easily give up on someone you have fought so hard for. Please realize that I am not saying had it been easy I could have walked away...that is not at all what I am trying to get across. I am simply trying to convey, that the difficulties only helped to make me stronger as well as ready to be a mama to these children.

Later I was talking to a friend about the movie...not what I felt the Lord was telling me, just about the how cool God's design is. She began to cry, and told me how beautiful it was the the Lord was doing the same thing for me in our adoption. Allowing pain, so that the bond would be strong. Totally blew me away. Confirmation that what I was thinking and feeling earlier was real.

God is constantly preparing us for what is to come. He knows exactly what we will need, when we will need, and is the Great Provider. He knew the difficulties I was going to endure, and knew exactly what I needed to press on. In His faithfulness, He prepared me, like He has so many times before.

Adoption is hard. I don't have to tell any of you who have been though it or who are in the midst of it that truth. You already know it all too well. You also know that no matter how hard it is, God meets us. He provides grace in abundance. Be encouraged, and take heart. The pain of the labor, to bring your children home, is indeed a gift. Those of you right now who have breaking hearts, wondering when you will have your children in your arms...rest in the arms of your Heavenly Father. He will finish what He began. His will cannot be thwarted. His plans are exceedingly wonderful and His love exceedingly extravagant.

Happy Birthday to My Beloved

2009-03-12T22:58:00.004-05:00

Oh, what a day. A day I am so thankful for. March 12, 1973. The day my beloved came screaming into this world. I love this guy, and not just because I have to.

I am so blessed to have been chosen as his bride. I cannot even begin to count all the ways he has blessed me. Those of you reading this who know me in real life, know that this man adores me in ways that I do not deserve. He truly does his best to daily love me the way Christ loves the church. He is ever so patient with me...and believe me that is a feat.

I have had the joy of watching this man fall in love with Jesus and as a result reaped so many rewards. I am constantly amazed at the work the Lord has done in his life.

His father died when his mother was just five months pregnant with him. He never knew him. Despite this, the Lord has shaped him into a wonderful father, who adores his children. As my sons are getting older, I see in them the example of their dad. They are respectful of women, kind and compassionate, have a witty sense of humor, are not afraid to try new tasks. They are hard working, and are constantly coming up with new ideas never afraid of failure. All traits passed on to them by their father. I am thrilled to look at them, and know that the example they have as young men is of one who loves the Lord and strives daily to bring Him glory in all he does.

Richard is not often loud and boisterous about his faith. He just has a quite resolve to know and enjoy God. He trusts the Lord whole heartily, and often has humbled me with his faith.

My beloved is however very outspoken about about what he believes is right. He is never afraid to stand up for what he believes in.

He is such a hard worker. He would prefer to spend his days with his wife and children, but knows he can't make a living doing it..so he goes out day after day, doing back breaking work, to provide for us, and making a way for me to stay at home and do the work I so dearly love.

He puts up with my wild out bursts, my political frustrations, my mood swings, my lack of faith, and my temper. He laughs at my jokes. Is an endless source of encouragement. Always points me back to my Savior. He is my dearest earthly friend and he is a hottie too. I am so thankful for this man, my husband, the father of my children, my beloved.

The greatest part of all, is that when he reads this, he will simply reply, "It is all the Lord's work in me. What a Savior I have, to love me enough to save me and change me."

I love you Stitch...even though you snore....Happy Birthday :)

Random

2009-03-10T19:58:00.004-05:00

The other day I totally rocked on the Wii ski. Got first place I did. Cheering myself on, I said to William, "Oh yeah William, who rocks!!??" To which he replied, "Jesus!"

My sweet Grace lost three more teeth this past week. Cuteness personified. My friend Kori was right, no awkward stage for this girl.

My Ugandan children love the Sound of Music. Marissa cracks me up, she can act out nearly every scene. Now if it would only help her language skills.

I attended one of the best weddings I have ever been to on Saturday. All I can say is wow...this is how a wedding should be. Complete with an awesome worship time, a God honoring sermon, and the pastor calling the groom an idiot. Doesn't get any better than that. Loved it, made me want to get married all over again. This time with a clue of what marriage is supposed to be about. Giving the world a picture of Christ and His church.

Daylight savings time sucks, it takes me forever to adjust.

My three oldest men are gone to the youth retreat. I am missing them, but noticed despite the fact that my two big helpers were gone...the house stayed remarkably clean. Hmmm.

Our lawyer told us yesterday that our mediator is a very generous Jewish man, that loves to wear sweaters. Can't wait to meet him.

I get to take care of several of my dear friend's children this week. I am so excited to have them. I am going to talk one of them into learning how to do corn rows while she is here. Plus I get to be mama to 10 children this week...I'll have to see how well I can handle it :)

Cold front is a comin'. Whoo hoo for what will probably be the last one we get for a VERY long time.

I talked Richard in to taking me to watch Slum Dog Millionaire the other day. He wasn't real thrilled with the title, and thought for sure he was going to hate it. Especially when Jake told us it was a musical...because all movies about India are musicals. Fabulous movie, loved it. Gives you a great picture of what life is like for the children in the slums of India. Richard loved it too...especially when he realized it was not a musical.

Our neighbor just sold their house in less than two months for their asking price. Gives me high hopes that we will be able to sell ours quickly, and not loose too much money on it.

Several people have donated to the Gaunt family for their adoption of two Ugandan cuties...don't forget to donate, and get entered to win an ipod touch.

Give and Win an ipod Touch

2009-03-05T09:59:00.017-06:00

Continue reading to find out how to win an ipod touch.

I know you thought I forgot about my giving Thursday post...but I didn't.

This Thursday I wanted to highlight a way to give that is very near and dear to our hearts. Giving to help give children families. Adoption is expensive. Some would argue that it shouldn't be as costly as it is, that things have gotten out of control. There is some truth to that, but it does not provide an excuse not to adopt or not support those who are. The expense of adoption is a huge barrier for most families. I know when you are looking at adoption expenses that reach five digits it can be so overwhelming. Most of us never have a clue how God is going to bring the money. Sometimes He provides through income increases, sometimes it is a windfall of money, sometimes people obtain loans, sometimes He provides through His people.

Scripture is so clear that we ARE to care for orphans and widows. We are all in some way to be involved in visiting them in their distress. While some may open their hearts and homes others can make their call a reality by giving financial support. I believe I can say with certainty, that the blessing that the adoptive parents and children receive on earth, pales in comparison to the reward those who give will receive in heaven. The financial gifts make it possible for children to have a family, and I believe that this is PLEASING to the Father. This is one of the many ways that God gives us the opportunity to store up treasure in Heaven. I remember one day at home group, Gabriel (a sweet little guy who is five years old) came running up to us excited as can be. In his hand he held some change. He gave it to us with such joy. He wanted to help, in his words, "Bring our black babies home." I proudly deposited that change into our adoption account knowing that Jesus was well pleased with little Gabriel's giving. It may not of been much in an earthly sense, but I am thinking all of heaven rejoiced at this little boys obedience and faith. I believe one day he will receive a rich reward from his Heavenly Father for helping to give two orphans a family. I just want to encourage everyone to do the same. Find an adoptive family to support with prayers and some of what God has blessed you with.

In light of this weeks idea for giving, I wanted to have a contest for a particular family. I have a friend, whom I have never met, but love nonetheless. We share the common bonds of shared faith and a passion for orphans. Her name is Keltie and her blog can be found here. Her and her husband are in the process of their second adoption, and like their first adoption, this one has been filled with numerous challenges and disappointments. During this adoption they have lost a referral of two children they had grown to love and had to choose another adoption organization to work with. As you can imagine, they have lost a lot of money during this process. Our family has wanted to do something to help theirs for quite some time.

A while back I came across this website. This story has left a permanent impression on me. Long story short, this pastor preached a sermon on the parable of talents and then gave everyone in the congregation a small amount of money, based on their age. He encouraged them to use their talents, to grow them. Then they would bring the money back in six months and see what God had done. They had given out $16,000 and six months later
had $280,000. They used this money to start an adoption ministry. This is quiet a story and I encourage you to read it in it's entirety. This story coupled with another woman who raffled off an ipod on her blog, was the inspiration for this idea.

As I said, Richard and I really wanted to give something to this family, even before they had the problems that they recently encountered. It seemed to us though, that while our small donation would help (and I know they would be incredibly grateful), in the grand scheme...the big picture of that 5 digit number, it seemed that our money wasn't even going to be a drop in the bucket. We wondered how we might "multiply our talents." Thus the idea was born, that we would take the money we were going to give them, and purchase a prize that would be given way via my blog.

So here is the scoop:

I have brand new, never been out of the box, 8GB ipod touch I would like to give away to someone. On the side bar of this blog will be a button so that you can donate to help this family bring home their two beautiful children from Africa. For every $15 you donate to their adoption fund, I will place one ticket with your name on it, into the drawing. If you give $15 you get one ticket, $30 two tickets...and so on. I will run this contest until midnight March 31. On April 1, 2009 I will have the drawing to pick the winner of the ipod touch, and announce the total amount raised as well as the winner on this blog. I am not sure how I will do the drawing just yet, but I know it will be in a group setting, so that everyone knows that the drawing was fair. Make sure that your name and email are included in the note when you donate, so that I know who the tickets belong to, and so I can email you for your address should you be the blessed winner of this very cool prize...an ipod touch!!

Here is where I need your help (well I need you donate too), you see that blog button on the top right of your screen(thank you to my eldest for making that for me), it is big on purpose. I am asking you to put that on your blog too. Maybe even write a post about this contest, and send people over to donate to the this family's adoption. The blog badge is integral, because once I post a new post, the old ones rarely get looked at. So in order to keep people giving for the full duration of the contest, we have to get the word out and keep it in the forefront, so that people can continue to give...and get more chances to win this ipod touch. If you link to this contest on your blog, by placing the button at the top of your page, email me your blog, and I will enter your name into a separate drawing for the book "There is No Me Without You." Sorry, no ipod for linking to the contest, only a chance to win a fantastic book.

So one more time here are the rules: For a chance to win an ipod touch

Donate and get 1 ticket in the drawing for every $15 donation

1 winner will be drawn on April 1, 2009

No one who lives in my house is allowed to join in this contest (much to their dismay)

ipod touch will be shipped to the winner on or before April 4, 2009

Include name and email in the note of your donation

Rules to win a copy of the book There is No Me Without You

Place the blog button at the top of your blog and leave it there for the duration of the contest, and get one ticket in the drawing to win the book.

Write a blog post about the contest and receive another ticket to win the book.
Post about it on your facebook account and get another ticket.

Email me your blog address so I can confirm you have posted.

Winner for the book will be drawn on April 1, 2009

Book will be shipped on or before April 4, 2009

No one who lives in my house is allowed to join this contest either

Please remember that I am just one woman, trying to do the best I can. I will do all I can to run this contest with the up most integrity in an effort to serve the God I love so very much. If you have questions or need to let me know you have posted the contest link on your blog, you can email me at burpeefamily@yahoo.com

To donate and enter to win click the donate button, on the top right of this page. You do not have to have a pay pal account to donate. At the left there is a place to click if you don't have a pay pal account.

Thank you for your participation! We are looking forward to watching what God will do through His people.

Happenings

2009-03-04T11:25:00.003-06:00

Adoption fundraiser for my friend Keltie, coming up. Stay tuned to find out how you can win a fabulous prize....and how you can help! Details tomorrow.

Conversation in the truck on the way to church

Grace: "William, say Connor really loud so mommy can hear you."
William: "Connor really loud so mommy can hear you."
The entire car, well everyone but William, erupts with laughter.
William: "Hey, whatsa so funny bout dat!"

Amour thyroid people...it ROCKS!!!!!!! I have been taking synthroid for years. My hair still falls out, I still feel like poop, my skin is still dry...the symptoms go on and on. 1 week on Armour and I feel FABULOUS!!!!!!! Man, I should have listened to my friend a year ago and switched then. Seriously, I feel like a new woman...I am ready to take on the world!!! Or at least the laundry pile.

Loving My New Toy

2009-02-25T16:50:00.015-06:00

I LOVE my new toy....LOVE IT!!!! Spring has sprung here in the south and it was the perfect day to play with my new toy. We headed for NB and one of the most beautiful parks I have ever visited. It was a gorgeous day...just wonderful. I shot over 400 pictures. I am still in auto mode, trying to focus on the "law of thirds" today. I think I got some pretty good shots, and can't wait to fly solo with the settings.

Here are few samplings....

Check out the drop of water...man....love it! I like water fowl too by the way.

Isn't she a beauty.

I love this picture...love it.

Yeah...she's a beauty too...my Grace.

Sweet baby tootsies.

Oh my goodness...have you ever seen such cuteness?

See...it was HOT today....

My son, my oldest, my love.

~~Joe cool~~ Noah...what a handsome guy.

See spring has come.

How cool is this leaf? Honestly God is so amazingly creative.

I Love Him :)

Sweet doe eyed baby face, smacking her lips on a snickerdoodle.

Food For Thought

2009-02-24T09:30:00.010-06:00

I read this post yesterday and it gave me much food for thought.

Obviously Richard and I are pro adoption. If you have ever met my husband face to face, then he has asked you, point blank when you are going to adopt. I often wonder if people understand why he does this. I know why. I know it is because he has experienced first hand the immense blessings that come along with adoption. Not just the blessing of having children, although that is indeed a rich blessing. He has experience God in ways that he could have never imagined. He understands what James 1:27 means to the fullest extent. He wants that for everyone. He has also seen first hand, thanks to his wife, the incredible need for parents for orphans.

The mentioned post hit the nail on the head, at least for us. The question we have asked ourselves over and over again is, "What did God mean when He said to care for the orphan?" I wish I knew. One thing I am sure of is that I don't think it was His plan that they be in an orphanage, with barely enough food to survive, and only in the best of cases an education. I just don't believe He meant for us to care for orphans by sending a check for $35 a month to some child in a third world country. Nice, neat, and tidy. No strings attached....I sent my check and did my duty. Should we send checks? Of course. The question we need to ask ourselves is if sending the check is enough.

According t0 Strong's concordance the word visit means "to inspect, i.e. by implication to select, to go to see, relieve:-look out, visit.

The same word is used only three other times in the New Testament.

Acts 7:23 During Stephen's preaching just prior to his death, speaking about Moses, said, "When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel."

Acts 15:14 James speaking after Barnabas and Paul finished speaking says, "Simon has related how God visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for His own name."

Acts 15:36 "And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord."

In every one of these passages the word visit implies a very hands on approach. They literally went and saw in all three verses. Moses, Paul, and Barnabas went and visited. God Himself went one step further, and came and "visited" us, not only to see us, to walk among us, but to take for Himself a people for His own name. He didn't just come to ease our suffering. He didn't just provide food, shelter, clothing, education, and the like. He chose for Himself a people for His own name.

He adopted us.

I don't know if adoption is a command. Perhaps some more diligent study of God's word will reveal that to me. What I do know is that caring for the orphan means so much more than money. Just as our greatest need was not material comforts and provision, theirs is a greater need as well. "God sets the lonely in families." (Psalm 68.6) The greatest thing God did for me was place me in His family. Adopting me and giving me His name. A name by which every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord. What an inheritance. I get the impression from His word that it was his pleasure to do so, after all, Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. (Hebrews 12:2) What was His joy? His redeemed people. His joy was fulfilling the will of His Father.

I am so thankful that the Lord did not just see fit to provide for my physical needs, but instead "visited me in my distress."

Adopted me

and made me His own.

James 1:27 (Young's Literal Translation)
27religion pure and undefiled with the God and Father is this, to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation -- unspotted to keep himself from the world.

James 1:27 (Amplified Bible)
27External [a]religious worship [[b]religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

Not Me Monday

2009-02-22T21:27:00.009-06:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I do not have a child, who for a week solid has complained of stomach aches ONLY AT BED TIME. If I had a child like this, they would never get out of bed smiling and laughing, tummy ache gone as soon as she was out of bed. Since I don't have a child like this, I would NEVER give said child a terrible tasting herb to "get rid of her belly ache." I would never suspect such antics to be only a ploy to get out of bed.

After I did not do the above mentioned act, the said child's siblings did not, in complete hysteria, nearly on the floor from laughter, tell me I was mean. They did not proceed to ask their sister if her belly still hurt, and if she needed some more medicine. Strangely, the medicine worked in record time. After only one minute her belly ache was completely cured, and a second dose was not needed.

After said child was in bed, my beloved did not ask, "Are you going to bottle and market a child's fake illness herb?" Seriously, he would know that there would be no market for such things.

While trying to write and edit a blog post this week, I did not in frustration let out a yell of complete frustration and anger. Truly, I think blogger is wonderful. Since I did not scream "Arrrrguh!!!" at the top of my lungs, my children could never, in unison, from the next room, yell ,"I HATE BLOGGER!" then collapse with laughter. Since I have NEVER lost my cool with blogger in the past, they would have no way of knowing what I was angry about.

I did not master the art of going to the bathroom standing up after a hour long session of body pump. After all, I am in such svelte physical condition that those 75+ squats had no effect on me whatsoever. So getting up and down from a sitting position..no problem. Therefore going to the bathroom was no problem at all.

I did not just post on my blog that I can now pee standing up, that would be so embarrassing.

After writing the above sentence I did not immediately think of my friend Shara, and her bathroom problems. Even as she reads this she is blushing, thinking, "I can't believe she told the world I have bathroom problems!" So I DO feel the need to clarify, that her problems consist only of the fact that she actually goes to the bathroom. Very touchy subject it is. I still feel the need to get her the book Everybody Pees.

Ahh, laughter. I needed some...and now I feel better indeed.

Melissa Needs

2009-02-19T12:38:00.006-06:00

Keltie (who you should be praying for by the way, this girl needs children and she needs them now) posted this idea on her blog. I had heard of this before, but had never done it. I have decided that 9 loads of laundry is enough for one week... and as a consequence I also decided to participate in this silly little game.

Google "Melissa needs" and post what comes up.

1. Melissa needs to take a break....see 9 loads IS enough laundry for one week!

2. Melissa needs to board the blob ship hovering overhead. Umm, I don't really
care for travel.

3. Lot's of guidance. Amen to that.

4. Help. Nuff said.

5. Hydration.

6. A roof.

7. To find a new agent. I am positive this should read "new adoption AGENCY."

8. Someone to show her she's worthy. Hmm, I didn't realize I was feeling unworthy...but please bring on the compliments...just in case it's true. You know how important self esteem is these days.

9. Flakes. Snow flakes? Cheesy friends? Dandruff...I don't know, what kind of flakes do I need?

10. To get on board with her new body. New body...I'd love to get on board...but I must have misplaced that new body of mine, cause all I can find is this old one.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-18T11:05:00.002-06:00

Hair Affair Part 2

2009-02-14T15:27:00.010-06:00

Continuing from yesterdays post on skin and hair care for lovely brown skinned children...did you do your research? Are you convinced to never, ever put petrol on your darlings again? Good, then we can continue with our lesson :)

I have a confession, even though I KNOW all to well the information presented in yesterdays post...I am ~~cheap~~ frugal. I began looking for good products with healthy and safe ingredients long before we left for Uganda. In fact, I found it to be a useful way to pass those LONG drawn out days waiting to leave. Guess what I found out...the good stuff...EXPENSIVE. "You've got to be kidding me!" I said to my beloved. Who in their right mind would spend $18 for 8 ounces of conditioner. Not me that's for darn sure. So I would go to the store and peruse the "ethnic" hair section and read the labels. They made me cringe with disgust. I was afraid the chemicals might leach right through the bottle and contaminate me. I would quickly put them back on the self and would come home and search the net again. I repeated this process several times. Then it was the day before we were to leave for Africa...and I had nothing for their hair. Off to the store again, this time purchasing the cheapest stuff on the shelf, convincing myself it would only be until we got home. Once home, I found that the good stuff had not gotten any cheaper...and I was as cheap as ever. So I kept right on buying the yucky stuff, complaining every time. My beloved, who is the only person I know cheaper than me...finally got fed up and said buy the good stuff. So finally in October, I lost my mind and spent $18 EACH on 4 eight ounce containers of "good stuff" that came highly recommend by several other mommies. I could hardly wait for it to arrive...that is until it did.

Upon opening the package I found this was homemade product someone else had made, and every ingredient that it contained I already had in my house. Mildly irritated, I thought to myself...well if I like it...next time I will make.

The good stuff...LOVE IT.

I saw an immediate difference in Marissa's hair.

Is it worth $18 buck a bottle...no way.

We finally ran out of product the last time I fixed Marissa's hair, so I decided it was time to pony up and play armature chemist. This is me...this is just how I do things. Then I give my friends ~~the chance to be my test subjects~~ samples.

I didn't have to make shampoo, because we only use it about once a week. The rest of the time we just rinse and add conditioner. Shampoo that is Sulfate free is a must, but of course you know that because you read all about it in yesterday's post.

~~So I~~ Noah pulled out my big buckets of herbs and I scavenged in the kitchen for all my good oils and began cookin' up the goods.

I started by pouring my oils in the pot. Coconut, Olive, Safflower, were my oils of choice. Jojba and avacado oils would be wonderful too, but I didn't have any...and they are expensive.

Then I added several different herbs. Each with it's own benefits. Far too many to list, but if your interested just shoot me an email and I will fill you in.

Isn't pretty...smelled great too. The kids kept asking what I was baking.

I let the oil and herbs steep on med-low heat for an hour, then strained out the herbs. Next I divided it up in to two different pots. This is what it looked like after I strained it.

To one I added just a smudge of bees wax and some coconut milk. Loverly it is. This will be our leave in conditioner. Looks and smells exactly like the expensive stuff...except I got 20 ounces for about $4.00 instead of 8 ounces for $18.

With the second pot I added a bunch of bees wax. This will be our goop for twists and braids. Love it! It too, looks and smells like the expensive stuff, except I got 40 ounces for about $4.00 instead of 8 ounces for $18.

Of course I was only able to do this, because I already had purchased the herbs in bulk and had them in my stash. If I had to buy the herbs from a store, this would have been much more expensive.

Oh, I almost forgot...I have to show you my bees wax.

Thanks to Yoder's Hardware in Michigan I got a great deal on this. 1 pound of bees wax at Sun Harvest $39.99. 1 pound of bees wax at Yoder's $8.99. I love a good bargain. I love the way this little gold bar of goodness looks. It smells like bee poop. When I told Noah that I thought it smelled like bee poop, he wanted to know how I knew what bee poop smells like. I told him that I have eaten it plenty of times (bee pollen.) He was totally grossed out, until I informed him that he eats bee vomit all the time (honey.) That shut him up real quick.

Here is a quick look at my finished product.

The stuff in the big mason jar will set up once it cools, that is our styling gel. The stuff in the little jelly jar is our leave in conditioner. I use it after a wash...or in our case mostly rinses. I also put a bit into a spray bottle and add water for a quick mist everyday. Works fabulous.

I loved doing this...just like I like mixing up herbs and such for medicinal purposes. I'm thinking maybe I should sell this. Seriously, I could sell this for less than half of what other people are selling it for and still make a profit. Yep, I just might. Maybe I could. Maybe it could fund adoptions.

Hmmm.

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T10:01:00.005-06:00

To you....

and to me from my dear beloved....

does he spoil me or what?

Yep, I am a blessed girl indeed....I love this guy.

Not just cause he buys me great gifts, cause he has only gotten the hang of that in the last couple of years. I love him cause he loves me, no matter what...and trust me I can be pretty hard to live with. I couldn't ask for a more kind, loving, patient, hard working, God fearing man. He's pretty cute too.

Yep, I am a blessed girl indeed!

Let's Talk About Hair & Skin or Is It A Science Lesson

2009-02-13T12:36:00.017-06:00

You see this child?

And this one?

They are "high maintenance" children in the hair and skin department.

But they sure are cute!

These children?

Well they are "high maintenance" in their own special ways.

Needless to say taking care of brown skin and hair is a bit more challenging than taking care of those with lighter skin and straighter hair. I am VIGILANT about what goes on my children's bodies...and for good reason. Did you know that what goes ON your body is as equally important...if not more....than what goes in your body? Yep that's right, your skin...one giant organ. For some of us...that organ is bigger than others :) What goes on your body is absorbed DIRECTLY into you blood stream. It doesn't get filtered as much by your liver and kidneys, that do the fun job of filtering out all the nasty. All that stuff you buy in the store...has a WHOLE BUNCH of nasty. Especially if you are buying products specifically designed for those with dark skin.

Want to know some of those bad things?

The number one ingredient that is terrible for us...PETROLEUM. Seriously, this is ALWAYS one of the first ingredient's in products for dark skinned folks. YIKES, this stuff is terrible. Cancer, reproductive problems...you name this stuff has a link. Not to mention it actually does the opposite of what you want it to do. It DOESN'T moisturize, it dries out. It prevents natural moisture. Interested in reading more...ya know, in case you want to check my info out..lest you think I am just a paranoid wack nut... you can find one of MANY links HERE.

So if you are currently slathering your children in Vaseline...STOP what you are doing...right now.... and scrub them like they just bathed in hazardous waste, and never, ever, put that stuff on them again. Doctors orders. Well don't stop right now, finish reading this post...then go clean them up.

Here is a little tid bit for you...Did you know that black women are 50% MORE likely to get cancer than other races? Yep. Now, I am no doctor...I have said that before...but I THINK it might have something to do with all the terrible products that are put onto their bodies everyday to keep that beautiful dark skin and hair looking fabulous. Just a hunch...can't prove it...I'm just sayin' if your product has several ingredients known to cause cancer...just might be the cause.

Want to know another bad ingredient....Parabens. Their in NEARLY every bath and body product. Bad stuff...real Bad. These little compounds meant to act as a preservative, actually play a terrible little trick on you body. You put this on your skin, and your body thinks it is estrogen. That's right boys and girls. Too much estrogen=cancer, fertility problems, and more. Seriously...I am not making this stuff up. Read all about it HERE.

Now since this is supposed to be about moisturizer...I won't even mention the evils of Sulfates. You want to know more...you can click HERE.

Where was I?

Oh yeah,

I have been on the look out for great healthy products that actually work for my children.

Finding something for their skin has been easy. Almond Oil. This stuff ROCKS! It absorbs extremely well (unlike several of the other oils I tried), so the children are not greasy and oily. Just well moisturized, soft, and yummy. It doesn't have much of a smell, and is not at all expensive. I get a big bottle of it at Sun Harvest for $9.99 and it lasts forever. Sometimes I add some essential oils to make it smell...mostly not though.

Marissa's hair however has been another story all together. An since this post is getting to be too long...I will have to tell you all about our hair adventures another day.

Giving

2009-02-12T11:25:00.009-06:00

It's Thursday, so it is time for my post on giving. This week I am choosing to highlight an organization, that again, is taking small gifts and doing huge things with them. The five for fifty campaign, began by Tom Davis. This man has a God given passion for the poor, the orphan, the sick, and the widow. A life changing visit to Russian orphanages was the spark that began this passion. This man loves Jesus and is daily striving to be His hands and feet to a lost and dying world. The basic premise of this campaign is this:

Spend 5 minutes praying for the poor, orphaned, sick, and widowed
fast 5 hours per week for these same people
Give $5 a month to 5 for 50
spend 5 days a year serving these same people
Get 5 people to join you

Simple easy things we can all do for the least of these. Want to know what you $5 to five for 50 will do?

$5 will feed 1 orphan for a MONTH (100 meals)
$5 will educate 1 orphan for a year
$5 will buy new clothes for an orphan

Seriously, five bucks will feed a child that is currently STARVING for an entire month. We can't even get one meal at a fast food restaurant for that here. When that money is given to 5 for 50 a child eats for an entire month. How is that for multiplying our "talents" using what God has given us for His kingdom and His glory.

Someone asked, "Well isn't the biggest problem not lack of food, but government corruption that keeps the food from the people?" While this may be true to some extent, it is no where near the complete truth. Believe it or not, there is still famine in the world today. Places like Ethiopia and Haiti are experiencing severe famine today. There simply is no food. Even in the places where there is plenty of food, extreme poverty prevents many form having even one meal a day. There are no food stamps or government programs to provide food for these folks....they simply go without. That is, UNLESS someone like you or me steps up and gives.

Let's assume for a minute, that all the starving people of the world are hungry not because of a lack of food, but government corruption, or even the exporting of their goods to the USA, Europe, and other wealthy nations is why children go hungry. Let's assume this IS truth. Does this excuse us? Will I be able to stand before a holy God and simply reply, "Well Lord you gave them the food and their government took it...it is really not my fault." I don't think so.

I don't think it is any more of en excuse than not sharing the gospel in the USA because Bibles are everywhere, people can read about the gospel for themselves...therefore I am not responsible to share.

We have a responsibility to help the hurting. To reach out and serve them in real and tangible ways. Giving to the 5 for 50 campaign is just one of the many ways to do just that.

You can find out more about Tom Davis and his ministry HERE.

You can find the 50 for 50 campaign HERE.

Surgery and Another Note

2009-02-10T17:15:00.003-06:00

Grace's surgery went well. She was so brave. She was trying so hard to be a big girl and not cry, but big ol' crocodile tears kept rollin' down her cheek. The mass in her arm pit was indeed a large mass of muscle. He took a piece of it out to biopsy, but says he has no idea why she would have a large over growth of muscle. I say it's cause she has her grandma's genes.

The other doctor removed one of the many lumps in her neck and says that it does not appear to be malignant. Tests results to confirm that will be here in a few days.

She is sore, acting like a drunken sailor, and in a bit of pain...but thrilled to be home.

On another note...I have to post this next thing, because I am just so flippin' excited for my friend. Seriously, thrilled for you!

I have this friend...adopting from a place I love. A place that our family holds dear...you know that place....starts with a U ends with ganda. They have some sweet boys coming from that same place ours came from...you know that one home. Well I just got to say...I can't wait for those boys to get here. I can't wait until William and his friend get to see each other again. I can't wait to hear more amazing stories about what an AWESOME God we have. Ya know, so awesome that He sends $21,000 checks in the mail to pay for adoption because HE loves the orphan and ALWAYS makes a way for them to be home with their families. Just another reminder to all you in the process of bringing home your babies GOD IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY AND ABUNDANTLY MORE THAN WE CAN EVER ASK OR IMAGINE. Not just cause He can, but because HE loves us. Money schmoney....forget about it.

Grace

2009-02-09T21:36:00.003-06:00

Grace will be having her biopsy at 7:30 tomorrow morning. She tells me she is just a little scared. She totally does not grasp the context of anesthesia. It really is funny. Tonight she told me that if she is too tired to wake up in the morning, they could just skip the anesthesia and she would just keep sleeping for them. Praying for a smooth surgery and a good out come of the tests.

Wow

2009-02-06T23:07:00.003-06:00

Want to follow an amazing story of a family being Jesus to a child?

Want to see God move and use a tiny helpless baby change hearts?

Want to see love in action?

Want to see real sacrificial love, the kind that moves the heart of God?

Then check out this blog.

Thanks Emily for the link...it is a blessing.

Time For Action

2009-02-06T12:29:00.002-06:00

ANOTHER CALL FOR ACTION. President Obama has chosen David Ogden for the office of Deputy Attorney General. Mr. Ogden must be voted in by the senate. The hearings for his nomination began yesterday. It is imperative that we take the time to call our senators and ask them to vote against this man occupying the office of Deputy Attorney General. I just called and left a lengthy message to both my senators and it took less than five minutes. For those of you who think your one call won't make a difference, these people have a formula, and for every one phone call, email, or letter they receive from a constituent they assume 300 more feel they same way. They do listen to what their constituents want, we need only make our voice heard.

It is not difficult to find your senators numbers, just google "how to contact my senator" and you will find the needed information. I would recommend you call the local office near you, rather than the Washington number. There is high call volume to Washington right now due to the recent "stimulus package." Please do not delay, they will be voting on this soon.

When I called, I simply left a massage stating my concern over Ogden holding this office, not only because of his defense of the p*orn industry, but more importantly his views on the USA being subject to international law. I stated that the USA is a sovereign nation and is not, nor should it ever be subject to international law. The Constitution should always be upheld to the highest extent. This man simply cannot up hold his duty to uphold the constitution with his beliefs. I gave specific information from the following material off of parentalrights.org stating the case and the year.

The following was copied from www.parentalrights.org

"Obama nominee David Ogden faces significant opposition in his quest for Senate confirmation as Deputy Attorney General, but apparently not for the best reasons. President Barack Obama has nominated Ogden to the post as the number two prosecutor in the country. His Senate confirmation hearing was set to begin yesterday, February 5.
Ogden's appointment raised considerable opposition from conservative and Christian groups largely because of his past involvement defending Penthouse and Playboy in lawsuits related to pornography, and because of cases he has argued to prevent internet filters on public library computers. The purpose of these filters, according to his opponents, is to keep children from accessing pornography, while Ogden and his allies claim free speech concerns.
Of far greater interest should be Ogden's role in the case of Roper v. Simmons 543 U.S. 551 (2005), in which he submitted a brief urging the Supreme Court to look beyond our Constitution and apply international law as the Supreme Law of the land. Specifically, he cited the near-universal support of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a legally-binding mandate to outlaw the death penalty for persons under 18 years old, even though our own laws and Constitution contain no such ban. Sadly, the Supreme Court sided with Ogden, scuttling U.S. sovereignty under international pressure.
The issue, again, is not whether or not minors should be subject to the death penalty when they commit murder, but whether U.S. law should be dictated by international fiat. One would hope the Deputy District Attorney to the United States, sworn to uphold the Constitution, would be someone with enough faith in our own law to do just that."

Giving

2009-02-05T09:02:00.004-06:00

I have been asked several times by several different people, "What do we need to do, how can I help?" This is in response to various videos, posts, and conversations about the poor, orphaned, and widowed. "The need is so great and and, besides didn't Jesus say that the poor would always be among us?" Yes, Jesus did say that, then He said to give. He also tells us whatever we do for the least of these, we have done unto Him. Even simply giving a drink of water to someone who is thirsty. I know of SEVERAL different groups that can do so much with so little. So I thought for the next several weeks I would post on Thursdays a link to one of these organizations that does do so much with so little. I can honestly say that I don't know a single person who cannot afford to give. Some how we get in our minds that God wants us to do something big. True, some people are called to do big things....but most are not. Most of us will be given many opportunities to do small things for our Lord, and He will in turn make much of them, for his kingdom purpose.

The first organization I want to list is Kids Lake. I wanted to start with this one, because it is aimed at children. Each month they support a new cause, by asking children to give small amounts of money that they have earned or raised themselves. Each month these kids come thorough in amazing ways, and are changing lives, in Jesus name, by their small donations. If children can do this, if they can get THIS, then they have bright futures indeed. If they can do this...why can't we? So you want to give? You want to change a life by doing something small in man's eyes, but is HUGE is God's? Then stop over there and give $5 bucks so a child can eat with dignity. So a child can be just a bit healthier. So Jesus can love this child in a way that they can feel with their hands and stomach....as well as their heart. Encourage your children to do the same.

www.kidslake.org

Serious Life

2009-02-02T09:38:00.004-06:00

Great Magazine...check it out.

The February issue of Serious.Life Magazine is online!
I hope you'll take a minute and go check it out. All of the ads for ministries and Christianity charity work are FREE. This month the feature article is about Abby and 50 selfless young men who are working hard to learn why it is important to serve others.
The magazine includes a lot of great content from bloggers you’ll appreciate, as well as great features, photos and other content. Besides great articles on interesting people, there is a lot about family, adoption, personal finance, spiritual life, humor… all sorts of “life” topics.

For Those of You Who Need To Know

2009-01-29T09:25:00.002-06:00

We went to get William and Marissa their passports several weeks ago. I brought in their Texas birth certificates, social security cards, Uganda passports, the adoption decree from the USA courts, and their permanent resident cards. The woman repeatedly assured me that all she needed was the adoption decree and birth certificates. THIS IS NOT TRUE. You MUST also send in proof that they entered the US legally. This means the Uganda passport with the Visa or the permanent resident card, must be included as well. If you have already filed for and received the certificate of citizenship, that that will work too. It is not a big deal, just a delay in us receiving the passports. I just though I would post so if anyone will be doing this anytime soon, your family can avoid the delay.

I love this Idea

2009-01-28T13:59:00.002-06:00

I love this idea. Prayer is a powerful and amazing thing. Check out his post and join in praying for brothers and sisters all over the world.

We participate in "Pray for Me... Pray for Others" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to add your prayer request.

This Article Made Me Laugh

2009-01-28T08:58:00.003-06:00

This article made me laugh. The world's worst travel diseases. I got both the number one and number two spots while in Uganda. For the record, amoebic dysentery is not on that list, and it is WAY worse than the number two spot. Someone needs to get a hold of these guys and set them straight :)

More Doctors

2009-01-27T09:07:00.002-06:00

We will be spending the week in and out of various doctors offices and hospitals again this week.

Grace will have a cat scan this morning. She is putting up a brave front, but I can tell she is a bit freaked out. I am praying for a nice radiologist, that will explain things to her well. I keep telling her she has had one before and it was no big deal...of course she was still unconscious...so I am not sure it counts. I am also praying that all looks well and that no biopsy will be needed, because THAT is freaking her out even more. Strangely, or maybe not so strangely, I have peace about the outcome of all of this. Maybe it is because I have a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that it could be something serious. Maybe it is because I really think she has some underlying infection that is the cause of all this hullabaloo. At any rate I KNOW the Lord has given us much grace already, and if either her or Marissa end up having anything major wrong with them, I know He will give more grace.

Marissa will be having another blood draw this week. If things look normal, than there will be no more testing for her. If her levels are still messed up she will have some significant testing in her future.

So if you think about it, you might say a little prayer for my girls, and maybe their mom and dad too.

Noah

2009-01-26T20:11:00.002-06:00

We just started studying the reformation period for school. Today, as Noah sat beside me reading a book on Martin Luther (the reformer) Noah says, "Um, I thought Martin Luther was black." Boy did he feel sheepish when I reminded him that Martin Luther KING, the civil rights activist was black...Martin Luther the reformer...not so much.

As he continued to read, Grace was bemoaning the fact that she had to do math. I asked her if she wanted to learn to sew and cook. You need to know math to do these two activities, I informed her. Noah pipes up and tells her that she will indeed need to know math if she plans to cook. "Estimation is very important when cooking" he says, "mom is always estimating when she cooks." Not exactly what I had in mind..but he did have me rather cornered. I don't measure when I cook. The only math I use while cooking, is in fact estimation.

When I told him I would be blogging about the above mentioned conversations, he laughed.

Twenty minutes later, when I had completely forgotten the two previous conversations, I asked him for a reminder. He dutifully reminded me, then added, "Guess you'll be adding the fact that you can't remember anything to next weeks Not Me Monday huh?"

Untitled

2009-01-26T08:02:00.006-06:00

I interrupt the regularly scheduled Not Me Monday for this important announcement.

I have been reminded more than a couple of times over the last couple weeks of a very important battle we are loosing in this country...probably several other countries as well. A battle that is immense in proportion, and one that quietly slips by day in and day out. While we have looked the other way and quietly swept it under the rug, as things of which we do not speak. Well I am speakin' up today.

P*rnography. This is not some innocent little thing that millions partake in. It can and does have serious implications. Not just in marriages but for our children.

Did you know that almost with out exception, every time a man is caught for s*xualy assaulting a child or women...NEARLY EVERY TIME p*ornography is found either on him, in his car, or in his home.

Seriously, major studies have been done on this. It is the LEADING link in violent crime.

There is a great chapter in the book Judgement in the Gates on this very subject. Material that is probably more relevant today than it was nearly twenty years ago when the book was first published.

Focus on the Family re aired their interview with Ted Bundy this morning. I had heard this episode a few years back and it struck me then...but even more so now as I have young boys, growing into young men. I HIGHLY recommend you you take the thirty minutes or so to listen to this, you won't be disappointed and you will walk away with a better understanding of exactly where an addiction to p*ornography CAN lead.

This interview was with him the night before he was scheduled to be executed for the rape and murder of well over twenty women and girls. While he takes full responsibility for his actions, he wanted the world to know that this type of "media" greatly contributed to the crimes he committed.

Not only is this a great reminder to be diligent in protecting our families from this garbage, but it is also a great reminder that Jesus Christ shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins. Not just my "itty bitty" ones, but even those of men like Ted Bundy.

God's love is great, merciful, and mighty. His forgiveness and healing are for those who would have it. There is no sin too great that cannot be forgiven. His love and forgiveness can bring healing to even the most broken and hurting of people. In Him is freedom and rest.

The radio broadcast can be found here.

Not Me Monday

2009-01-26T05:20:00.007-06:00

Ah, Monday. That time of the week when I can with all dishonesty tell you things I didn't do, thanks to Mckmama and her brilliant idea of Not Me Monday.

Today it will be difficult to come up with anything too shocking...because I was nearly perfect in all ways this last week.

I did, after all manage, over the last two weeks, to make it to 12 doctors appointments, four blood draws, two x-rays, and one sonogram with out having to restrain myself from someones incompetence. Not even that pediatrician, who repeatedly grilled me about my sons public school status. After all, it is perfectly reasonable to ask me no less than three times, why my son, who just turned five at the end of November, is not enrolled in the "public school system" as she called it. This of course is a reasonable question, because he is actually old enough to attend school...not based on his age, but based on the fact that he is clearly a genius. This was also a reasonable question because the answer to this question has everything to do with why he is not gaining any weight. So naturally, I would never loose my temper just a bit by reminding her that you have to be five by August to attend the "public school system" here in Texas...that means he doesn't qualify. I would also not mention that it probably wouldn't be in his best interest considering he had only been home for two and a half months when school started. I would of course expect her to know how important attachment is.

When the Wii Olympics were held at our home Saturday, I was thrilled when my five year old son beat me...significantly...during the ski competition. I do after all have a level of maturity that goes way beyond getting miffed when beaten by a small child. I obviously knew in advance this game would be incredibly sanctifying for me...that is of course why I wanted it.

My sweet daughter, Grace, bless her heart. After I pulled out what appeared to be a grey hair, she would know in advance how traumatizing this might be to a girl, so she would choose her words carefully. Therefore, she would never say, "If you pulled out all your grey hairs, you wouldn't have very much hair left." When I looked at her in shock, she would immediately realize the error of her ways. She is after all well trained. So she would laugh and say, "I meant to say you wouldn't have to pull out very many hairs." That is of course what she meant to say, because I don't have very many grey hairs at all...they are just really blond. Really.

African Children's Choir

2009-01-24T10:12:00.003-06:00

Wednesday afternoon I received a call from a friend, telling me that the African Children's Choir from Uganda would be performing at a nearby high school. She said she knew it was a short notice, but thought I might like to go. Short notice? Might like to go? Uh, she could have called thirty minutes before the show...OF COURSE I WANTED TO GO!!!

The show was amazing. Those sweet little cuties from Uganda...I just wanted to squeeze them. I was sitting there listening to the boys bang on the drums, with my eyes closed, it was almost as if I was back in Kampala, lying on my bed at night listening to the drums and singing off in the distance. It made me miss Africa.

Once again I was reminded of the rich culture in Uganda. There, where so many people have nothing, they live life to the fullest. They celebrate often, and do so with such joy. It is hard to describe, unless you have been there...but it really makes life in America seem so...well boring. Honestly, there are not many rich traditions here in the USA, or at least not in my part of the world. Life often times get marked and remembered by certain events, but how often do we truly celebrate? I was thinking in particular about marriage. The kids performed the "courtship dance" and the whole time I was thinking about the contrast between marriage here and there. I loved hearing the stories of Patrick and Vicky's courtship and wedding. The elaborate coming out party, where everyone gets to meet the groom. The stories of the men challenging each other with proverbs. The dancing, and singing, and great feasting. It is such a time of joy for them. Now, I know that marriages here are JOYFUL and CELEBRATED, but the difference in culture is drastic. Compared to them, we seem so much more reserved.

I think, that when you have so little, and you truly know how fragile life can be...you find it very easy to live in the moment. You find it very easy to truly celebrate and enjoy life, because you have learned early on not to take one day, one meal, or your loved one for granted.

William and Marissa loved the evening as well. Although just for a moment it made me sad that they won't have the same experiences here in the sates. It is hard to incorporate other cultures into your life. I know I need to make a bit more of an effort, but still , it is hard.

Nevertheless, I am POSITIVE, that a father and mother that love them, a family that will always be here for them, and a home that they can always come home to, far outweighs what they have lost. Even a beautiful culture, cannot replace family. That is, after all, what they are celebrating in Uganda...family.

Life is Sacred

2009-01-21T12:17:00.004-06:00

Way back in May, as a family, we had started reading a book written by Randy Alcorn, entitle Safely Home. Due to various circumstances, it took us MUCH longer to finish this book than it would have prior to our trip to Africa. We finally finished last night. It was a wonderful book, as are most by this author. Alcorn has a beautiful way of taking his readers into Heaven, and showing them what is the UNSEEN of earthly circumstances. This book is no exception. I cried through most of the final chapters. It is very difficult to read aloud when you are crying :)

There were several lines in this book that pierced my soul, but the beginning of one chapter was the most thought provoking. The following is a an excerpt from chapter 49 of this book. The scene takes place in Heaven, before the throne of the Jesus.

"They watched the King, surrounded by a great crowd of angels bringing their concerns before Him. While few of them were permitted this close to His throne, these has special access-not because of who they were, but whom they represented.

Li Manchu, Li Wen, and Li Tong came close. Because of their relation to the King, their blood was royal and their access unrestricted. The king drew them into the surface of His vast mind, that they could see what He saw. Children abandoned and living on streets, abducted, beaten, molested, cut to pieces by men dressed in white, exterminated by human pesticides.

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones," the King said, projecting His voice down toward the dark world so loudly it was heard on earth as thunder. "For I tell you that their angels in Heaven always behold the face of my Father."

The King pointed to a church custodian yelling at children unauthorized to play on the swings and chasing them away. "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."

The King spoke to people out for Sunday dinner after church, who turned away from the street children. "Your Father in Heaven is not willing that any of these little ones be lost."

The He watched a man and woman taking children off the streets, bringing them into a building, and giving them a warm meal and a cot and a safe refuge, and telling them about their Master. On one side of the planet, in Africa, He watched his people caring for children born with AIDS, many of them orphans, or soon to be.

The King nodded His approval. "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me."

He watched His people give the children a warm bath, read stories to them, hug them,and laugh with them. He smiled broadly. "Thank you," the King whispered, "for doing this to me."

He looked now at men plotting and stalking and taking pictures of children, doing to them the unthinkable. He looked at men herding frightened little girls together and selling them to foreigners. He looked at the men in white coats, driving beautiful cars purchased by the blood of children. He looked at those who inflicted the suffering. His eyes smoldered.

"I made these children. I took them in my arms, put my hands on them, and blessed them. And yet you scorn them, use them for your gain, treat them as disposable. It would be better for you to have a millstone tied around your neck and be thrown into the sea than to face what I will surely do to you."

He looked now at others who turned their heads from the children, too busy to share a meal, a blanket, or a paycheck. They did little or nothing to help the children, and He regarded their failure to help as the inflicting of harm. "To you who look the other way, saying my children are not your concern: Repent! For it is I you have turned away from. I will not forget."

He gazed at another group of people, those watching out for and reaching out to and helping the children. He simply said, "Well done. Your reward shall be great."

The king watched the children again, though the men new He had never stopped watching them. For a moment He smiled, then laughed; then suddenly He saw something else. The tears flowed from His eyes; then they burned with a blistering heat.

"Many on earth look away from the children," said Li Tong to Fu Liko. "But the eyes of heaven never look way from them. Never."

There is much thought and consideration this week about life, as this is Sanctity of Human Life week. A time where we are to reflect on how precious life is. Lives created by God and for God. While the primary focus of this week for most is the unborn, I want to remember that all life is sacred. Beginning with conception, through the final breaths of the elderly. Every child deserves to be celebrated, loved, and protected. Whether in the womb, or out. Healthy or inflicted with disease. Whole or disabled. Those with all their chromosomes in tact and those with extra or missing chromosomes. Whether young and able bodied, or the old and infirm. All life is precious, and should be protected. When we have our focus on the Creator of life, we see how very precious life is. When we remember that our Lord values those unborn children that He has knit together, the thought of taking their lives should make us recoil with horror. So should children being used and exploited. Children starving and alone on the streets should make us cry out to the Father on their behalf. Then after imploring Him to intercede for them, we ought to rise and serve them. In doing so, scripture tells us we are serving Jesus. Not that He is pleased that we have served another....but that have actually done it TO him.

Lord, continue to grow in me a passion for your children. Give me wisdom to know how best to serve and love you, by serving and loving them. Passion for you Jesus, no more, no less, this is my prayer.

2009-01-19T20:22:00.001-06:00

Progress

2009-01-19T09:43:00.003-06:00

I think William has made some major progress recently in attaching. He has always with drawn and become distant from us whenever we are around adults with brown skin. It is hard to explain, but it is very real. He gets this blank expression on his face, stops what he is doing, and starts moving in slow motion. It is hard, because we don't really know what he thinking or feeling. It is impossible to get any answers out of him, because when we ask, while he is like this, he will just answer yes to everything. I could ask him if he lives in a house of cheese and he would say yes. This is only true when he doesn't know the people, or there is a large crowd. Mandy had told us that some of the kids behave this way because of fear that we will leave them. Maybe she is right. In Uganda, he would only act this way around people from the home. I don't really know if it is that or him missing people from Uganda. Maybe it is a bit of both. At any rate, we went to a MLK event last night because some friends were playing music for it. We contemplated not going because of the reaction that William has, knowing there would be a crowd of brown people. We told him before we left what to expect, and set out for the auditorium. The entire night he was so comfortable. He was laughing with his daddy and sitting on his lap. He enjoyed the whole show, and had no problems when some of the adults wanted to talk to us afterward. It felt like such progress. It was so good to see him finally settling in and feeling some peace.

A couple of weeks ago he was working in the garden with his brother, and they had the following conversation. "Noah, did you know I live in America?" "Yes, William I live in America too." After some time William says, "I am very happy to be here." Noah asks, "Where, in the garden with me?" To which William replies, "No, in America with my family."

Yes, William we are very happy to have you here with us too.

I Am Ruined

2009-01-17T19:38:00.003-06:00

OK, I hate to post two posts just minutes apart...but I have to. So after you read this one...peek on down at the post before this one too.

Now I KNOW I have some readers who are going to totally sympathize with me on this one.

I am ruined.

Totally and completely ruined.

Never again will I ever be able to eat a mango, pineapple, or avocado here in America, and truly enjoy it. THEY SUCK!

I need some fruit from Uganda people!

Real fruit...fresh off the tree.

For all you poor folk who think you have experienced some great tasting fruit here in the states...let me be the first to tell you...you are wrong. You need to go to Africa and have yourself some REAL fruit.

Seriously, I just spent three bucks on a pineapple that was barely edible. The fact that the kids all thought is was great only serves to prove my point all the more. They haven't had REAL fruit either.

To be completely honest, I could also benefit from some mutooke (yeah I still don't know how to spell it)and a jack fruit as well.

Is it really that much to ask?

I think not.

Teeth

2009-01-17T17:31:00.005-06:00

I don't do teeth.

Seriously, the human mouth really grosses me out.

Naturally, this means that when my children start loosing their teeth, they feel they must share with me every gory detail. Things like, "Hey mom, my tooth bends down like a draw bridge!" make me shudder. I could tell you about the time that Noah pulled his tooth out during church. I swear you could have heard the POP of it coming out from across the room. I just can't handle it. Why do they feel as though I simply must peer into their mouths and witness first hand this disgusting...I mean amazing sight? They all know from early in life that when the time comes to pull a tooth...they are on their own. Something about a gaping bloody hole in my child's gums, just does not bring about feelings of nostalgia for me.

Nevertheless, I took the obligatory pictures today, when my dear sweet Grace announced with great glee, "Mama my tooth came out. I didn't pull it I promise. I was just wiggling it a bit and it popped right out."

Wonderful.

I wonder if she realizes this is the beginning of her "awkward" stage?

Don't matter, I will always see her as beautiful.

Tagged

2009-01-14T16:32:00.003-06:00

I have been tagged by Molly Beth. Post the 4th picture in my 4th folder.

..

Sigh. The gate to Welcome Home Ministries, William and Marissa's orphanage. I love this picture...so many emotions the first time I saw it in person.

I am only tagging April...cause she needs a new blog post :) Oh, and Laura, cause she needs a distraction :)

Not So Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-14T11:31:00.002-06:00

While visiting the nursing home this morning, we saw the following sign on one of the room doors.

Made me smile :)

Prayer

2009-01-14T08:57:00.005-06:00

Two families that have been in my prayers for quite some time are facing some very difficult days ahead.

The first is a family that found out while pregnant with their first child, that she would be born with Trisomy 18. I became very familiar with this, when a dear friend was told her daughter might have this same condition. Trisomy 18 is consider not compatible with life, and she was not expected to live more than a hour or two. God gave her family well over 100 blessed days with this sweet girl. Yesterday, she found herself in the arms of Jesus and not mommy and daddy. Perhaps you could say a prayer for them, and stop by and let them know you have done so. You can find their family blog, and their whole story here.

The second family, probably most of you have already heard about. I heard about this family in July, shortly after their daughter was diagnosed with cancer. Abby, is facing a very difficult time in the coming days as she endures a very difficult time in her treatment. So difficult in fact, that her parents are praying fervently that she will survive this time. Thousands are already praying for this sweet little girl, but if you haven't already, perhaps you could remember to pray for her. Stop by their blog and let them know, Abby is being lifted before the throne of the One who can heal.

Not Me Monday

2009-01-12T08:58:00.006-06:00

This past week I did not find myself on several occasions acting like a child.

For instance, while playing Wii with my child, after I scored a 257 during a game of bowling, I did not prance around the living room singing, "I am the champion." Not only would that be immature, but it would be setting a terrible example to my children on how to be a gracious winner.

While cutting my quilt to make it all nice and straight for binding, I did not accidentally cut a strip wrong. Then of course, if I had done such a thing, I would respond by calming thanking God for this providence, and giving me the opportunity to learn how to fix my mistake. I would never respond by dropping to the floor, rolling around, while stopping me feet, screaming, "Nooooooo!"

If I were to throw such a fit, my youngest child would never respond with, "Mommy, you are funny." Of course she would know by now that mommy NEVER overreacts to anything. Me, I am as cool and calm as a cucumber....always.

While giving my daughter her much begged for spelling quiz, I did not find myself disinterested and thinking on everything BUT spelling. Since I was so focused on the task at hand, I certainly was not giving her words to her like so, "Walk, W-A-L-K, Walk. I will take a walk in the woods." When she would reply, "MOMMY!" I would surly notice right away my error, and not assume she was ready for a new word. Since I am so observant, I wouldn't continue to do this several more times, before my sweet girl finally said, "Mommy, quit spelling the words." I am an excellent and focused teacher...no way I would ever do this.

See what else people are not doing over at Mckmama's.

2009-01-11T22:17:00.002-06:00

This afternoon my husband's brother went home to be with Jesus. Pray for my beloved and our grieving family. While this was not a totally unexpected loss, it did come much sooner than hoped.

John 11:25
"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

Perspective

2009-01-08T08:23:00.009-06:00

There are so many things about adoption that are difficult. Worries about money, attachment, health, and travel. The list is long and varies for each family. There is one difficulty that plagues every adoptive family.

Waiting.

Unless you have walked this road, there is no way you could understand THIS waiting. This waiting makes it hard to breathe. Hard to focus. This waiting is heartbreaking.

Some wait with pictures, they know the names and faces of their children. Some wait knowing they have a child or children somewhere, but they don't know who they are. Both wait knowing that their children are far away from the love and safety of family. Many wait knowing that everyday that passes, means their child is hungrier. Everyday means their child is sicker. Everyday means their child is lonelier. Some wait knowing that with each day that passes, their child may be one day closer to death. Some wait knowing that each day that passes their children are venerable to all sorts of abuse and sickness. Some wait, knowing their child is relatively safe and well cared for, but still wait, knowing that they should be the ones caring for them...not another.

Some wait weeks. Some wait months. For some the months of waiting stretch into years. Glitches in paperwork, government red tape, lack of money can stretch this wait out much longer than one ever could have imagined.

This wait can hurt so deeply, that sometimes you can even wonder why you are putting yourself through such affliction. You wonder each day how much you should let yourself love this child. How much of yourself should you give away. Then you are brought back to reality. You already deeply love this child. You have already given your whole heart. You can't get it back. This is your child, and you will fight for them.

You will wait.

Chris Rice has a song entitled Smile. During our wait, I heard this song on many different adoption blogs. I would vaguely listen until he would get to the chorus, then the tears would fall.

"Cause I just wanna be with You, I just want this waiting to be over. I just want to be with You, And it helps to know the Day is getting closer. Every minute takes an hour. Every inch feels like a mile, Til I won't have to imagine, And I finally get to see You smile."

I would hear those words and they would resonate in my soul. Every minute felt like an hour. Every step felt like it revealed another mile in the journey.

Then one day, it hit me. I personally think it was Lord asking. What exactly is this song about anyway? I had never really listened to the whole song, only the chorus. So I found a YouTube video and listened.

This time the tears were falling for a different reason. Was I longing to be with Jesus like this? Was I longing to see Him face to face?

Obviously there was nothing wrong with wanting to be with my children, to have my family together. There was nothing wrong with the pain that came with that wait.

There was however, something very wrong with my heart.

I had lost my perspective. I had lost sight of what should always matter most. My relationship with the Lord should supersede all others. I wanted my children, more than I wanted Jesus.

Since that time I have asked myself on several occasions, what is the focus of my deepest longings? Is it on the things of this world that will perish and fade? Or is it on the everlasting things, the things that are above? Why do I do the things I do? Is it for the approval of man? Or is it out of a heart filled with gratitude toward the God who saved me? Where is my focus? Is it on my impossible circumstances? Or is it on the God who does the impossible? Am I angry, bitter, or restless over my circumstances? Or am I resting and trusting in Jesus and His word? When things don't happen they way I want in the timing I want, do I respond like a spoiled child? Or do I trust that God's wisdom and timing are best?

It is so easy for me to loose perspective. Especially during trials. I want answers. The Lord tells me that faith is trusting Him, even when I don't know the answers. He tells me to rest in the fact that He knows the answers. I want to avoid pain. He tells me that through my pain He will change me. He will make me stronger, more compassionate, more patient. He tells me through my trails I will learn perseverance. He tells me that suffering draws me nearer to Him. I tell Him, I don't like this plan of His...it doesn't seem good. He reminds me that I see only the temporal. He sees everything. That faith is believing His word is true, even when my circumstances and my greatest enemy would have me believe otherwise. He reminds me, as He draws me near with His loving kindness to trust Him. To keep my perspective where it needs to be.

On Him

Banging My Head Against A Wall

2009-01-06T07:52:00.003-06:00

Have you ever felt like you were banging your head up against a wall? Or at least like banging your head up against a wall, would feel better than dealing with current situation?

I do.
Let me recap yesterday, will ya?

Marissa had a fever of 103 new years eve. She came to me and told me, "Mommy, my head is broken." Talk about heartbreaking....but that is beside the point. She looked terrible. After some prayer and a short consultation, we decide to wait this out.

Next day...she is fine.

Saturday, same scenario as Thursday.

Sunday...no problems.

Yesterday morning, we have a repeat of symptoms.

Now if this were one of my children that didn't just come home from Africa six months ago, I could blow this off as a virus or something. Not with this child. I know way too much about malaria to do that. Even if I didn't know anything, the infectious disease doctor that I had to see , was very explicit in her instructions, "If you or your husband, or your two new children have a reoccurring fever within the next year, you must assume first it is malaria, and demand a test."

Which reminds of a question, If ignorance is bliss and knowledge is power...does that mean all knowledgeable people are unhappy? I was just wondering.

Anyway, back to our day. Fever, headache, and chills that comes in cycles...hmm...sounds like I should have a malaria smear done. Not a problem...right? So I call our PCP (which I always thought was some type of hallucinogenic drug...not a doctor) and ask the simple question, "My daughter from Africa needs to have a malaria test, can you get us a lab order so I can get that done today?" Can you guess the reply I got? "Um, no. You need to take her to the emergency room."

Now look, I don't mean to write a huge long post...but you must know that even if my daughter has malaria...at this point there is no way it is life threatening. There are four types of this nasty little parasite, and the one that kills you....falciparum...well, there is no way she could have this one. We have been home too long for it to possibly be this strain. If she has malaria, she would have one of the other three that all have a dormant stage in the liver. These may make you feel yucky...but you ain't dyin' from one of these.

Did I mention I know A LOT about malaria? Really, I am not a doctor...but I do pretend to be one in real life.

Anyway, back to my story. In my mind this is not an emergency room type of event. All I want is a simple blood test. So I call a local pediatric clinic, and have the following conversation,

Me: "Hi, my daughter, adopted from Africa, needs to have a malaria smear. Do you have an on site lab and are you capable of doing this test?"

Them: "Yes ma'am we can do that."

Me: "Great can I get an appointment?"

Them: "No we are a walk in only clinic."

Me: "Great we are on our way."

I am thinking this is fabulous. I should have know better. If it seems to good to be true...it probably is.

So, I get to said clinic and get into see the doc. I tell her what is going on and request a malaria smear. She smiles, and gives me THAT look, and replies, "I think I am going to go ahead and do a strep test." I am thinking...um lady, you haven't even looked at her throat to know if it is inflamed...but whatever. Thirty minutes later, she comes back in and tells me the strep test is negative. Huh, big surprise there. I again mention the malaria smear I am after. She tells me her next step will be a flu test. Now again, I know I am no doctor...but this child CLEARLY does not have the flu. So they proceed to stick a cotton swab up my poor child's nose and dig around...after I have told her on several occasions not to stick anything up there. Thirty minutes later she comes back in and informs me the flu test has come back negative. Ya don't say? She says to give her a few minutes to make some phone calls, and assures me she will be back in no time. Thirty minutes later she returns and says, "This is what I found out...she needs a malaria smear. We can't do that here you need to take her to the hospital."

Picture me banging my head against the wall.

At this point I am thinking...I have the stuff at home to do this. I was trained to do my own blood smears, by the doctor and the lab, after I got home from Uganda. I should just go home, make my own slide, have the science teacher meet us at the school and look myself on their microscopes. All I need to know is if this is malaria...or something else. I am even thinking a three hour drive to Mexico to pick up the meds has got to be better than this.

No, I dutifully take my daughter to the recommended hospital, where a person named Marcos, would be waiting for us.

I should mention, I never saw a Marcos.

As irritated as I am at this point, I am thinking...at least we can get this done here...and move on with life. We proceed to fill this new guy in on everything I have now told three doctors, and four nurses. He looks her over, tells me she looks great, she probably has a virus and will be better in a few days. I politely ask for a malaria smear. Really...I was polite. He proceeds to tell me that with malaria the fever is unrelenting...it doesn't go away. That there are intense fever and chills as well as headaches. I proceeded to tell him that may be true with falciparum malaria, but that with the three other strains fever and chills that come in one, two, or even three day cycles is quite normal. He gives us THAT look, and confirms that he is sure it is not malaria. The symptoms just don't match up...she has a virus. Great, I am fine with a virus...in fact I would rather prefer it. BUT CAN WE JUST GET A BLOOD SMEAR TO MAKE CERTAIN!!!!

At this point, my darling beloved does what I can never manage to do in these situations. He demands to have her screened for malaria. The doctor concedes...we finally are going to get what we have been after since 10:30 am.

TWO hours later, the doc comes back in and tells us she does not have malaria. Cool, now I can go home.

Ten minutes later the nurse...God love him...he was great, came in, and in detail went over all the tests that were ran. It was at this time we were informed that they only tested her for falciparum malaria. They did not test for the other three kinds, and that we need to have our PCP order those labs on an out patient basis.

Picture me banging my head against the wall.

We arrive home at 12:30 in the morning...pocket book lighter from our co pays...and right back where we started.

Picture me banging my head against the wall.

Maybe I need to get some of that OTHER PCP?

PS- To my dear friend Janet. Since I am trying very hard to follow the new years resolutions you made for me...I feel it is only fair that I get to request a blog post from you. I would like it to be entitled, "GIANT KICK IN THE PANTS...THE DOCTOR VERSION."

Happy Birthday

2009-01-04T15:11:00.006-06:00

Seven years ago today, at precisely 11:43 a.m. the doctor announced that we had a baby girl.

Our sweet Grace had decided to make her entrance into this world nearly four weeks early, weighing in at 8lbs 6oz and 21 inches long. She was my smallest baby, my shortest labor, and my hardest pregnancy. I seriously think the boys thought I would die from vomiting. I survived. She continued to give us a run for our money with many health problems her first year of life. One of my most embarrassing moments, was her doing. She was about 16 months old and she and I were waiting in the car for daddy to come back. A sweet older couple had come to the window to dote on her. She smiled, and promptly pulled my shirt up over my face declaring to them, "See my num nums." There really is no place to run, while stuck in the front seat of a car. I don't know who was worse off....me or the old guy.

This is our Chicken. Somehow she earned this name while a toddler, and has kept it ever since. It is hard for me to describe how much of a blessing she is to me.

How do I love thee Grace? Let me count the ways...

I love that she is so dramatic. She seriously can nail just about any accent. You should see her rendition of that British dog training lady, from It's me or the Dog. If I were not so against hollywood and their humanist agenda, I am sure she could do some work worthy of an oscar. Alas, the world will never know her talents.

I love that she has her own style. She hates to wear pants. She practically thinks it is torture when I have her put them on. Skirts and dresses are her clothing of choice. Her outfit is never complete with out her boots. I finally sat her down yesterday, and had a talk with her about wearing her boots with her pretty smocked dresses. She consented to some dressier shoes...as long as she could still wear her boots with everything else.

I love that she is always singing. It is quite a bonus that she has a nice voice too.

I love that her favorite movie is The Sound of Music. I am thinking she must have watched this movie well over one hundred times.

I love that she tries desperately to act feminine and lady like...but because of her brothers can't help but be a bit rough and tumble. I don't know how many skirts we have had to throw away because she a ripped them beyond repair climbing trees.

I love the look she gives me after she asks if she can snuggle in our bed. I even love the sigh, and pathetic look she gives when we tell her she has to start in her bed.

I love her compassion and empathy.

I love that she desires to serve her brothers and her daddy.

I love that she wants to learn to cook and sew.

I love that her whole motivation for learning to read, was so that she could read her Bible.

I love that she has taken on the role of big sister beautifully.

I love her tender heart. She is always quick to repentance. Quick to seek reconciliation.

I love that her favorite food is Rosemary Chicken.

I could go on and on ...I really could. I feel so blessed to have been chosen by God to be the mother of this child. She brings me such joy and laughter.

Grace, my love, Happy Birthday. I pray this year you will see the Lord more clearly and love Him more deeply. You are so dear to me, my precious daughter. I love you!

PS- That incredibly beautiful drawing up top was a gift from my incredibly talented friend. Thank you Laura....we both love it!

Wait

2009-01-02T13:12:00.000-06:00

Wait
by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, "Wait."

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.

"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.

"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

"The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.

"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."

Happy Birthday

2009-01-01T18:11:00.010-06:00

I had this brilliant idea several months ago that I would blog about those people nearest and dearest to me on their birthdays this year. I wanted to take the time to put in writing how much I love them, what I admire about them, and give you small peek into their life. So over the next twelve months I will be posting about these people I love so much.

Starting today.

Undoubtedly this will be the hardest one. I contemplated not even doing it. But honestly, when I first thought of doing this, my dad was the one I was looking forward to the most. So I have decided to move forward with this anyway.

Happy Birthday Dad!

My dad was a new years baby. In fact he was the first baby born in his home town. I remember seeing the news paper article with a picture of him with my grandma. She looked so unbelievably young.

He would have been 52 years old today.

There are many things that I admire about my father. He taught me by the life he lived, so many wonderful values. He taught me the importance of honesty, of hard work, and of perseverance. My dad was the kind of guy that truly believed if you were going to do something, you had better do it to the best of your ability. He was a perfectionist...really. His work as a machinist was certainly the perfect job for this guy who wanted everything just right.

He was the smartest guy I have ever known. He had a mind that could understand the most complicated ideas. As a kid, I always likened him to Einstein. He was this brilliant guy with a wild head of hair. We were always sure he would never go bald. He never did.

His sense of humor was one in a million. He loved to make people laugh and was always telling jokes or doing crazy things. Like the time I came home from school to find pig eyes (yes real ones)with eyeglasses sitting on the counter. He just somehow knew never to take life too seriously.

I bet you didn't know that political views were hereditary? Well I am living proof that they are. Some of my best memories over the last several years has been the phone conversations with my dad, when we would vent and complain to each other about all the current events and the irritation we shared with our government and their lack of....let's just be nice and say lack of wisdom. I am sure he is the only one who truly understood my tirades, and why I would allow such things to get me so worked up.

While all these things about my dad are wonderful, there is still one thing that means the most. There is still the one thing about his life that has had the most impact on every area of my life. His love for my mom. It has been said that one of the greatest things parents can do for their children is to love their spouse. If this is true, then I have had the greatest parents ever. Through his love and care for my mom, I learned about how to live life, what a husband should be like, what it means to serve you spouse, and the blessings of marriage. My parents truly modeled for me a marriage that was beautiful. He would have gladly laid down his life for her, and surly he did many times. My mom was his best friend. She was the one he wanted to play with. Whether it was hunting, golf, archery, or whatever else he wanted to do...he wanted to do it with my mom. She would gladly and joyfully join him. I know without a doubt, aside from the grace of God, my father is the reason Richard and I have the marriage we have. I am so thankful that the Lord saw fit to give me such an example in their love and marriage. I am even more thankful that He used their marriage to better my own.

One of the good things that came out of our stay in Kansas after his death was that we got to spend time with people who have know my dad for many years. They have worked with him, completed projects with him, and played with him. Every single one of these people had the same testimony about my father. He truly was a man of great love and integrity.

I am going to miss him.

Random Thoughts About the Last Week

2008-12-30T16:36:00.005-06:00

My mom flew in from Kansas to be with us over Christmas. Even though it had only been a few days since we had left her, I longed to be with her. To hug her. To know she was OK. It was so good to see her. I love her so much, and my heart continually breaks for her. At this point I don't know what is hurting me more: the loss of my father or my mother's deep pain. I pray for her continually that she might feel the comfort of the Lord.

Christmas was as good as it could be under the circumstances. My grandmother came up from the coast to spend the day with us as well. It is hard for me to imagine her pain of loosing her husband then less than six weeks later her oldest son.

The boys LOVED the survival packs we gave them for their gifts. They unpacked and packed all their survival gear over and over again. They both have devoured the survival books that came in the packs, and have figured out what still needs to be added. I have been enlightened of all sorts of lovely survival facts. Did you know that animals eyes are high in water content? If you ever find yourself thirsty, just find ya some eyes and suck on em'.

I had been longing to give Grace her gift since we found it at a yard sell. It is times like this, when I have a great gift I know my child will be thrilled with, that I get a small inkling of what it must be like for the Lord to have a good gift for us. The look on her face was priceless...I think she was almost in tears. Daddy promptly got a huge hug and kiss. Needless to say she was thrilled with her sewing machine. I am looking forward to teaching her to sew.

William and Marissa were just as thrilled with their gifts. Marissa loves to play in her kitchen. So she got all sorts of yummy plastic food and cooking goodies. This is good for me...now I get to eat plastic sandwiches and fruit instead of Legos and math counters. William got a couple of good electronic educational toys...which he loves.

The best gift however came from grandma...the Wii. Oh my...can someone tell me how I can do five miles on the elliptical and not feel any pain, but a day of bowling and boxing on the Wii leaves me unable to move? Yikes...man was I hurtin'.

Noah got his big buck on Friday...a 12 pointer. It's going to be a long hunting life for him...it's going to be hard to go up from there. He was thrilled, and we were so very proud. This was a very hard moment for us though. My dad was an avid hunter...he would have been so proud of Noah. This was the first of I am sure many moments when I wished he were here to share the moment with. I know that this was just another heart breaking moment for my mom.

Speaking of Noah...we have some friends who are going to be adopting from an African country sometime very soon. One of their sweet children has some pretty serious hearing loss. When Noah found this out, he said, "YES! Now I have an excuse to learn sign language." Sweet.

Speaking of that family...you know who you are...our children always get to go buy each other Christmas gifts at the dollar tree. This is an event that they love and look forward to with joyful expectation. This year, rather than buy each other gifts, they chose to set aside that money to help with this families adoption expenses.

Speaking of adoption, we have our first follow up visit with our social worker on Thursday. Six months already...I can hardly believe we have been home from Uganda with these children for six months. Wow.

Umm...I am sure there is more but that is all I can think of for now. Hoping y'all hand a blessed Christmas.

Last Night

2008-12-24T10:16:00.004-06:00

Did I mention yesterday how much I love my beloved? No? Well let me tell you I love this guy.

Last night he took me on a surprise anniversary date....and this after I told my mom he just doesn't plan surprise things....shame on me.

First stop...drop off the kids at my dear friend April's. This was so we could have an uninterrupted evening. Without a million phone calls :) Thank you April and the rest of the clan.

Next stop is in San Antonio at the shooting range. Yes this was fun for me. I would show you a picture of our targets, but I think posting a picture of my green guy all shot up might somehow flag my blog as a potential threat to them...who ever they are. So in an effort not to draw attention to my already strange self, you will just have to take my word for it...I am a terrible shot.

Next stop was a Starbucks for cup of steamy joe...well for me it was a spiced apple cider. Then we boarded a horse drawn carriage. Much to my delight, I might add. This was all I really wanted to do...so all the other events were just an added bonus. It was lovely riding through downtown San Antonio. The lights along the river walk, the cool night air, all the old buildings, and the sweet smell of Molly (our horse) made for a terribly romantic evening.

Our last stop was Wild Buffalo Wings for 49 cent wings. Yum...my favorite....Richard....not so much. Still he endured all for the sake of love. Isn't that sweet?

He ended the evening, just like he does every year. He asked me to marry him. I told him I was already married to an awesome guy, who was a hottie to boot.

That made him smile.

Then he kissed me :)

Can You Help

2008-12-23T11:16:00.003-06:00

Please check out this blog for the Medical Advocacy Team. They have an urgent need for two children to have surgery for spina bifida. The need is urgent to get them to the USA from Haiti so that the surgeries can be performed. You can read all about it here. Please pray about helping these children....for the baby especially, his life depends on it.

13 Years

2008-12-23T09:34:00.003-06:00

ago today my beloved and I wed. It was a beautiful winter day, with a wee bit of freshly fallen snow. Just enough to make the ground sparkly and white.

I adore this man.

I adore this man for a multitude of reasons, which I could never fully express.

I adore him because he loves and serves our Lord.

I adore him because he tucks each one of our children in bed each night. One by one, he tucks them in bed and prayers over them.

I adore him because he works diligently to provide for our family.

I adore him because he lets me put my cold feet on him at night.

I adore him because he makes me laugh.

I adore him because he will lay in bed with me each night before bed, and talk about whatever comes to mind. Even when he is tired, he will laugh with me, guide me, and correct me when I am in error.

I adore him because he is so very different than me. He loves adventure, travel, and all manner of scary things. He pushes me beyond where I would normally go.

I adore him because we are so very much alike. I cannot think of any major issue we don't agree on 100%. There are very few small ones that we have differing opinions on.

I adore him because he has a heart for orphans. When I can't sleep at night and find myself all worked up and in tears over the millions of children with out families...he agrees...he feels the same pain.

I adore him because he is never afraid to try something new.

I adore him because he calls me several times a day just to say hi and tell me he loves me.

I adore him because he takes my "passionate outbursts" and just rolls with them. He will sit back and let me rant and vent about whatever current event has me all worked up. When I am all done he will say with a smile, "Is there anything you can do about any of this?" If I say yes, he'll tell me to do it. If I say no, he'll tell me trust in God who is sovereign over all things.

I adore him because he is protective of me. When we walk along the street he always positions himself by the road. In a crowd he will walk in front and guide me, making sure the way in safe.

I adore him, because he is my dearest friend, my confidant, my lover, my spiritual leader, the father of my children. I adore him because he is the one I always feel safe to laugh with and cry with. I adore him because he has seen the ugliest parts of me, and still loves me. I adore him because he always is quick to forgive. Truly his love for me has covered a multitude of my sins.

I love you my dear...thank you for thirteen years. I wouldn't have spent them any other way.

Happy Anniversary

Still Here

2008-12-22T10:52:00.003-06:00

I am here, I have not given up blogging for good. I am just still trying to process so many things. It is hard, but I have an Amazing God, who gives me new mercies every morning.

I do well most of the time...then my mind starts to wander. I replay that morning and the phone call in my mind. Then my heart starts to race and I feel like I can't breathe. The tears start to flow, and I think of a million things that will never be. Then I think about my mom, and I can hardly stand it.

Then, by His grace, a passage of scripture will come to mind, and slowly I am put a ease. I am reminded of His goodness. I don't see good in this...no matter how hard I look I don't see any good. But, I know what I believe, and I know in Whom I have believed. I trust Him. Though I don't see it, I believe Him. God is good. In Him there is NO evil. He loves me. He loves my mother. His word says that, "All things work together for good, for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." I believe that, I don't see it, but I trust Him nevertheless.

Grief

2008-12-05T17:26:00.003-06:00

Don't know how to begin this post, don't even know what I am going to say. I do know I need to start sorting through some of this..so I am just going to type. This won't be a pretty little heart warming post...so if you are looking for warm fuzzies..perhaps you should read another blog.

December 2, 2008 that is a day that has never had meaning to me before, it was just another day on the calender. December 2, 2008 the day my healthy 51 year old father died. A day when he left for work like he had thousands of times before. No one knew that this would be the day, appointed to him, before the foundations of the world, to leave this life.

It was just a deer. Hitting a deer with your car is supposed to destroy your car, not your life.

Someone please convince me airbags are a good thing. It is likely that the air bag deploying, made it impossible for my dad to see where he was going, thus hitting another car head on. Would this have happened if there had not been an airbag?

How do I wrap my mind around this...My mom and dad normally go on cruises with several friends. This year, they couldn't go because my dad had used his vacation days to com to Texas and see us. He could have been a wonderful vacation, not driving to work. My mom could be snorkeling in crystal blue water, not planning the funeral of her dearest friend, facing a life without the man who has loved her all these years.

I know my doctrine. Really I do. I know what I believe, and I know that nothing could have stopped these events. Why does it always have to be so difficult to connect what I believe to actual events, when those events suck?

What about my mom. I know that millions of people throughout history have been widowed. I know that they have survived. Did those people have a love for one another like my parents? Those of you who know me in real life know, I have told you about how my dad loved my mom. Honestly it always gave me hope, that someone with his beliefs, could love my mom the way God commands...like Christ loves the church. Surely that was the Lord moving on him. He has adored her and cared for her for 33 years. They have been inseparable. They didn't have the things she did, the things he did. If they couldn't do it together, he wasn't interested. How do you go on when you loose that kind of love?

Please, please, please if you do not have life insurance policy on yourself and your spouse...get one today. We are all going to die, and NOT ONE of us knows when. This is not a waste of money. This is lovingly providing for your family, during the time of their greatest need. Money does not replace what was lost, but it does help to make some thing easier. I can not imagine planning a funeral, and on top of all else, having to worry about how I was even going to cover the funeral expenses.

My mom told me today that her work gives her a whopping three days of bereavement leave. Wow, three whole days. Makes me sick.

Both of Richard's parents are dead, and now my dad. My mom is all that is left. Makes me sad.

William and Marissa are not going to even remember him.

They have been with us for only five months, and have been to two funerals. Something about that just seems wrong.

The constant flow of visitors into the house has taken a toll on them. We are trying to shield them as much as possible...but I have to be there. Marissa is back to freely giving her affection to every stranger that comes through the door. William is sullen and seems hard to reach.

The older kids are acting out terribly.

I do not have the capacity to deal with them right now.

My friends have done much to comfort me, to encourage me that the Lord could have done a work of grace in my father's heart. I want to believe that...I really do. To be honest it is a great struggle. I watched him soften over the last several moths, I know that can only come from a work of grace...but still.

I want to find the woman that was with him when he died. I have a million questions...but only one means the world to me.

I have learned about the stages of grief, most of us have. To be honest, I never understood denial. It didn't make sense to me. It does now. Even today, four days later, most of us are still thinking someone got this all wrong.

I don't understand.

I want to...I am trying...one day I know, by God's grace, I will...but what do I do until then?

Happy Birthday My Son

2008-11-27T21:11:00.010-06:00

William, my sweet boy, my Squishy had his fifth birthday today. How appropriate that it falls on Thanksgiving this year. We are in deed thankful for this guy. He is a light in our home. His smile can only cause others to do the same. His laugh, infectious. I have only known this boy for six months and he has completely stolen my heart.

He LOVES pumpkin pie. The first time he had it, he asked, "Mummy, what izz dees? It is verrry goot!" When I told him it was pumpkin, he said, "Oh pumpkeen izz goot. Pumkeen izz verry goot. Mummy, my like it." So given the day, he had a birthday pie, rather than birthday cake.

Blowing out the candles.

Look at that huge bite.

Can you believe it all fit?

When it came time to open gifts, he looked at us like we were nuts. He had this look on his face that seemed to be saying, "What am I supposed to do with this?" I told him to rip it open, that there would be a toy inside for him...a present. After the first, one he would look at me and say, "Mommy reep et?"

He got an enchima (monkey in Lungandan...totally spelled phonetically) from his grandma and grandpa. The also sent him a cool building set and a tractor. Thank you grandma and grandpa...you hit the jack pot with the monkey.

Our wonderful friends dropped off two books for him. Curious George and Spot's Birthday. Thank you Dodson family for the books. We are looking forward to
snuggling up and and reading about the funny misadventures of one curious enchima.

"Mommy, yook at dees."

What a wonderful day. Happy birthday my sweet boy!

The Tree

2008-11-26T22:32:00.017-06:00

We decorated our Christmas tree this morning. Normally we would do this Thanksgiving day, but tomorrow also happens to be my Squishy's 5th birthday.

We have not been much on Christmas around here the last few years, and have on several occasions, contemplated not having a tree any more. I would be so cool with that....the kids however...not so much. In an attempt to find some meaning out of all this tree business, I decided that as we decorated the tree today, I would ask the kids how the tree and the things on it, called us to remember Christ.

We started with the obvious, the tree and the lights.

Trust me when I say, we had a great family devotion time this morning. So I asked, "How does this tree and the lights remind us of Jesus?" Here are some of the responses:

"Jesus died on a tree."

"The tree is green, it reminds me of the new life I have in Christ."

"The lights remind me that Jesus is the Light of the world."

"It also reminds me that I am to be a light for the world, pointing them to Jesus."

"All Christmas trees are in the shape of a triangle. That is a good picture of the trinity."

"Jesus was a carpenter, he worked with trees."

"The star is like the star the wise men followed to find Jesus."

"It smells good." I couldn't get her to articulate why the tree smelling good reminds her of Jesus...but I could think of some reasons.

Next we strung popcorn and fruit loops to hang as our decorations.

Here are there responses to the same question, focusing on the decorations:

"Popcorn is a seed. One popcorn seed planted makes many popcorn seeds. It is like the gospel. We have the seed planted in us and it makes many more seeds."

(I added red food coloring to the popcorn while it was popping)

"The popcorn is red and white. It reminds of Jesus purity and His blood that makes me pure."

"The fruit loops are circles, that is shows completeness. Jesus completed all that needed to be done, so we could be saved.

"They taste good...ya know taste and see that God is good."

How about some pictures of these wise ones

Then we added candy canes. They all told me what they could remember of the Story of the Candy Cane.

As Christmas get closers we will do individual studies on some of the names given to Jesus in the scriptures using Adorenments. I have has these for years, but have never used them. This year we will.

I must say, I have a new appreciation for the tree in my living room. I am certain that when I look at it for the next four weeks, I will think not how beautiful the tree is, but about how beautiful my Savior is.

Where Do You Fall?

2008-11-25T14:20:00.004-06:00

Here is a nice web site to put all our woes into perspective. I encourage you to enter in some smaller numbers (after you enter your own) the results should shock us. I know it shocked me.

This is information that I struggle with all the time. Every time I want to buy something, I think about the people we saw in Uganda drinking filthy water. I think about the children in tattered and torn clothes. I think about the kids who were blessed enough to have shoes, even though most were painfully to small for their feet. I think about how I was able to check myself in to a clinic and receive the best medical care the area could afford, in order to treat a resistant strain of malaria. I think about the mothers and fathers who will bury their child today, because they didn't have $5 for malaria medicine. These are the things I think about.

Even yesterday, while I shopped for Christmas gifts for my children. I wondered. We already do Christmas VERY meagerly in our home. Each child gets one gift, and the budget is low. Still I wondered. Is this what I should be doing with this money? Will I have to answer one day for these purchases...that we don't need...when there are people starving...people dying. I think often about how blessed we are. Then I wonder, where is the line? At what point does my spending cost someone else? I honestly don't know the answer. I am however, thankful that the Lord has opened my eyes to at least question what we spend and where we spend it. Something tells me though, that when I do stand before my God, that I will not regret giving in abundance. I just might wished I had given much more.

My dear friend April, told me a quote one time, and I have never forgotten it (although I have forgotten who said it...so I am hoping she will leave a comment and tell us who said it)

"Live simply. So others may simply live."

Bonding

2008-11-25T09:50:00.008-06:00

When we were in Uganda William wanted his daddy. That was all he wanted. It was understandable of course, he had plenty of mamas. Mandy had told us in advance that the kids, especially the boys, longed for men in their lives. She would tell us how they would respond when male volunteers would come to the home. Anyway, after a couple of weeks in Uganda, this was not getting any better. It wasn't just that he wanted his daddy, he didn't want anything to do with me. So we would roam about and Richard would have William and I would have Marissa. It became apparent that Marissa was wanting some daddy time too. Richard made the decision that it was time to start nudging William toward me. This started with simply having him sit by me in the car, and hold my hand while we walked that day...so that Marissa could be with her daddy. You would think this went well right? Not at all! William scooted all the way across the seat as far as he could and wailed. We hadn't seen him cry like this before. Then when we got out of the truck, and I tried to hold his hand, he would yank it away, and look for Richard. His wanting and adoring his daddy I was prepared for....his total rejection of me...no way I could prepare for that. I knew mentally that this would pass, and would change over time. There was no convincing my heart that William would one day have a bond with me. Thankfully, things have changed, and William loves and wants both of us. He has begun to see the benefits of having both a mommy and a daddy.

This morning, he came and snuggled up with me in bed. He stayed for quite a while. It was sweet to my soul to have him on my chest. Normally, I would let him snuggle as long as he wanted, but it was 9:00 and I had no business still being in bed (in my defense we went to bed late, I still had not slept 7 hours) and I needed to get up. So I ask him if he wants to go and snuggle with daddy. His response was to hold me tighter, smile, and say "no." I stayed in bed :)

Soon we had four other blessings snuggled in too.

Life is good.

Too Much Fun Not To

2008-11-24T22:43:00.006-06:00

Unlike Shara (poor girl, I simply must purchase her a book immediately) I have read and LOVE Jane Austen. So which heroine am I?

Take the Quiz here!

Not Me Moday

2008-11-24T10:44:00.006-06:00

The Family Edition

My beloved did not spend five hours looking back through the history on our computer, trying to locate a child I had found nearly a month ago, that is available for adoption. He did not find out that they call it the World Wide Web for a reason. He did not comment about how much of the world I had looked at over the last month.

While doing this, he did not see all the jobs I had looked at for him. That would be lack of faith. Seriously, I do not have a problem at all with this walking by faith...daily bread thing. Really I don't.

We didn't spend several more hours last night looking for her again.

When we did finally find her last night, we did not give a second thought at all to the cost of giving her a family, thinking the cost was far too high. We did not discuss how we do not have the money to do this again.

We did not just give our friends a "pep talk" just a couple of hours before that conversation, that God pays for adoption. Money should never be a consideration. That would be so hypocritical of us.

When Marissa wanted to go work out with me, Noah did not say the following, "You can't go until you get big like mommy." I did not look at him with raised eyebrows, only to have him say, "I meant old like mommy." Again with raised, I did not reply, "This would be a good time for you to stop talking."

This same child did not ask me, "Mom did you play with a yo-yo back in the olden days, when you were a kid?" I did not reply, "Honey, mommy didn't live in the olden days...your grandparents did. Yes, they played with a yo-yo. They probably had to go to the bathroom in an out house too."

I did not want my friends to adopt from Welcome Home for purely selfish reasons. It would be so wrong to want them to adopt from there just so my kids could see their friends. It would be equally wrong to desire such things, just so that there would be another family in our church that looks like ours.

I did not spend $65 dollars on three t-shirts at the silent auction at the gala...just because they said, "Simply Love" over the top of an outline of Africa. This would be silly, I don't typically pay more than $5 for a shirt. It WAS for a good cause though, but I would never use that to justify such extravagance.

William did not hand me a glow stick and ask, "Mommy, will you turn this on for me?" I had to ask him to repeat himself. Of course it was not because I wanted to hear his cute little voice say it again. I only have him repeat himself because I don't hear him, not because I like his accent.

See what everybody else is not doing at Mck Mama's Not Me Monday carnival.

Anyone?

2008-11-22T00:15:00.003-06:00

Back from the gala...oh my...to many thoughts...I asked Richard if I could have another child for Christmas :) He said yes :) We are praying about what to do next. Which leads me to this question...

A few weeks ago I read, on one of the blogs that I follow...though a link or something....about a young girl in Russia. She has a couple of friends that have already found homes in America (one or both in Texas), and their families are trying to find one for her. We have been unable to get her off our hearts, and were both thinking of her tonight. We prayed for her, that God would make it clear to us if we were her family, and if not that he would bring her one...soon. ANYWAY...I had a question....Where is she? I have NO clue where I found out about her. Anyone know...who she is....where she is at....if a family has found her....anyone? Please help :)

Anyone know how we could possibly afford to do this again?

Anyone thinking, "How could you not afford to do this? A child's life depends on it."

Anyone think we are nuts?

Anyone else thinking about the cry of the orphan?

Anyone else look at waiting children in Ethiopia today?

Anyone else look at waiting children in the foster care system today?

Anyone else wanting to lay down their life for one of God's children?

Anyone else want to step out in faith, and trust God, to do the impossible?

Anyone else want to be nuts?

I am going to try and get some sleep. I will post more about the gala tomorrow. Seriously, anyone know where to find this girl?

Life

2008-11-20T21:52:00.005-06:00

So what do you do when you have a naughty dog? Piper...our ever so lovable and HYPER chocolate lab, is in serious need of training. We were doing so well with him, then we left for Uganda. The rest, as they say, is history. Last week he killed a chicken...shame on him. He felt bad, really he did. Then today we get a call, "Piper is stuck in a tomato cage!" Huh? Yep, my fully grown lab...stuck...in a tomato cage. Apparently this is a pattern for him. Richard tells me he rescued him from a similar situation last week. Is there any hope for this dog?

I wonder how long he had been walking around this way.

I have a great post about the huge blessing we received last Sunday. There was a "Welcome Home" party for William and Marissa. I guess they are too old for a baby shower :) So that post, with pictures is on it's way.

I have another hot date with my beloved tomorrow. This one I am TOTALLY EXCITED about. We are going to an Orphans Ticket Home Gala. Tom Davis, author of the life changing books Red Letters and Fields of the Fatherless,and president of Children's Hope Chest, will be the keynote speaker. Oh I can't wait. Seriously, I am so excited.

For now I leave you with my favorite moment of today.

Sigh...I love being a mommy. Is there anything better? I think not.

I am off to watch a film with my beloved. It's a chick flick ;)

Overcome

2008-11-18T09:37:00.015-06:00

Wow. Occasionally I use the google blog button on my tool bar and type in "Uganda Adoption." Don't know why I do, I just do. Today I found this family, and I sit here overcome.

Honestly, as I was reading their story I sat at my desk, unable to stop the tears. My God is so overwhelming gracious to me. This is the second family, that I know of that is fighting and struggling to bring their children home. There have been other families I have learned about, that had to fight for their children as well. Two of those families, you can find here and here. I found them when Richard said, "Uganda or nothing." Their stories scared me. I was not up for a long drawn out battle. My heart was already broken. Their determination and faith encouraged me to press on, despite the unknown. This story could be our story. We could have come home with empty arms and broken hearts. We could be packing up our family and moving, as Richard was clear that would be what we would do if need be. Or we could still be waiting. Wondering why. Wondering when or if God would move and bring our family together. I just want to take this moment to thank Him for His amazing mercy. I am sitting here with two beautiful Ugandans, calling me mommy. He didn't have to choose the easy path for us. He did. I am so thankful.

If you think about it, maybe you could stop by the blogs of this family, and this family. Support them with your words and prayers. If you are able, support them with your money. Adoption is already expensive, without the added expenses that are accumulating for these families. Imagine if one of your children were caught up in governmental red tape. Thousands of miles away from your love and care. Imagine, not being able to hold them. Not being able to smother them with love and affection. My heart breaks for these families. I pray the Lord would be rich in His mercy toward them, and bring their children home. That He would unite their families. I pray also that until He does, He would pour out grace upon grace, that they might endure until that wonderful day.

Banquets, Snoring, and Spiders

2008-11-15T21:43:00.010-06:00

Thursday was the annual fundraising banquet for our local crisis pregnancy center. It was a lovely event that gave my beloved and I a chance to get gussied up and go on a date. I must say that I have been to a few of these over the last several years, and this one was by far the best. There was great catering, a wonderful testimony from a client, and a speaker that doesn't just speak a pro-life message...he lives it. It was a powerful night and by the grace of God they raised nearly $20,000 MORE than they were hoping for. Here is a picture of me and my beloved, before we left for the big event.

We clean up real nice. Don't we make a lovely couple?

Can we talk about snoring? Seriously people...I LOVE my husband, but a girl can only take so much. I MUST have my sleep you know. Anyway, when ever so gently nudging, him did not stop the noise, I finally got up and moved toward the sofa. Surely peaceful sleep would find me there...right? So honestly, what is worse...a snoring beloved...or ALL THREE smoke detectors beeping due to low battery. Seriously, I was on the brink of insanity. What is the only logical thing to do? Remove all the batteries from the smoke detectors, of course. Really, what are the odds we would have a fire on the night I decide to remove all the fire alarms? (Breathe easy...there was no fire) Snuggled up, in a now quiet room, on a very uncomfortable couch, I finally fall fast asleep. I wake up looking like this.

Bitten, by a spider...on my EYE!!!! Um, have I mentioned how much I dislike arachnids? So my sweet beloved, takes me to the clinic for some medical care. The doctor walks in, looks at me, and says, "Oh, that's not good." Over the course of twenty minutes with her she tells me no less than seven times, "If this gets any worse go to the emergency room, right away." Worse? It's going to get worse? Now I am a worse case scenario kind of gal, so I am thinking brown recluse. I'm loosing my eye for sure, maybe half my face. I was wondering if Richard was going to be able to handle a wife with half a face. Then there was William. I am not sure exactly what he was thinking, but a look of fear came across his face each time he looked at me. I think he was afraid I was contagious. Everyone else, including my ever so dear and faithful friends, just had a good laugh.

Is this what I get for sleeping on the couch? Really, the snoring was bad. I needed to sleep.

Rest assured the steroids and the antibiotics are doing their job, and now I just look like I have a lazy and droopy eye. I still hate spiders...it really creeps me out that one was on me. It bit me. Do I now have spider DNA? Am I going to turn into spider woman? Now that is the ultimate nightmare. To turn into what I fear most. EWWW.

My beloved would like for me to add the following disclaimer: "I have really bad allergies, it is not my fault I was snoring. Have mercy on me. Besides, if I can put up with the ever so gentle nudging, she ought to be able to put with the snoring."

In My Inbox

2008-11-13T11:50:00.003-06:00

We are members of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association. This is a copy of an email sent out to all members yesterday:

What Can We Expect under
an Obama Administration?

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends of Homeschooling:

Since the election of Barack Obama as U.S. president, HSLDA has received more than a few calls from both members and nonmembers. Some are quite concerned about the future of homeschooling under an Obama presidency.

First of all, let us always remember that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). He also instructs us to be wise, plan, and be prepared in everything we do.

Despite HSLDA’s efforts prior to the election to get an official statement from the Obama campaign regarding their position on homeschooling, we received no response.

So where does that leave us?

We do know that the Democratic Party has an official position of supporting public education. The National Education Association (NEA), which is the national teachers union, is a major supporter of the Democratic Party. We know that the NEA’s position is that every child should be either taught by a certified teacher or supervised by one. Additionally, their position is that the curriculum used by all homeschoolers should be approved by the state, and children should only be able to continue to be homeschooled based upon systematic evaluation by the state.

It is important to remember that under the United States Constitution, the federal government has no authority over private and home education. This is not to say that they will not attempt to exercise authority in these areas. And whenever private educators accept grants and benefits, there are conditions to receiving those benefits, including being subject to regulation.

Just because the federal government has no constitutional authority over home education, however, doesn’t mean that federal bureaucrats or legislators might not attempt to impose some form of regulation over private and home education. We saw this back in 1994, when the reauthorization of the Secondary and Elementary Act (H.R. 6) contained an amendment which would have conditioned funding to the states for public education to require that all teachers be certified in every subject area they teach. The homeschool community rose up; over a million phone calls were made to the U.S. Congress, and the amendment was defeated. During that process, Representative Dick Armey from Texas introduced an amendment which stated that the federal government and Congress have no authority over private and home education. This protective language was passed by the House of Representatives.

With your help and the help of homeschoolers all across America, we will vigorously resist any effort on the part of the federal government to regulate home education. Obviously, this will take resources—which come from our membership—and we would encourage our current members to continue standing with us, and encourage others to join us.

An immediate concern to watch is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Although we do not know what Barack Obama’s specific position on the treaty is, we know that future Vice President Joe Biden has publicly indicated that this UN Convention should be ratified by the United States.

It does appear that we will soon have the challenge of keeping the UN Convention from being ratified by the U.S. Senate, ratification requiring a two-thirds majority to pass.

Should the UN Convention be ratified, it would impose the United Nation’s view of children’s rights on America. Under the U.S. Constitution, treaties become the Supreme Law of the land, taking precedent over state laws and state supreme court decisions.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is not in the best interest of parents or children, as it would undermine the parental authority that our laws currently recognize. For further information on the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child visit ParentalRights.org.

To summarize, homeschoolers should not live in fear, but we do need to be wise, and we will need to be vigilant to protect parental rights and homeschooling freedoms in the future. We stand prepared, with your help, to do that as we’ve done for 25 years.

Michael Smith
HSLDA President

I broached this subject several months ago in a post titled A Time For Action. Please, if you are a home school parent, join HSLDA, TODAY. They have very affordable payments plans... $11 a month. Such a small price to pay for your continued freedom to raise and educate your children according to your convictions. Even if you are not a home school family, please check out www.parentalrights.org This will affect your family too.

A Beautiful Morning

2008-11-12T12:16:00.015-06:00

It was a beautiful morning, so we took off for the park.

Here is Kaleb, mentally compiling his list of 101 things he'd rather do than go to the park.

Noah, this one is always up in a tree...making cheesy faces.

Speaking of cheesy faces....

I love close up pictures of faces.

They make me smile.

Seriously, your smiling too aren't you?

What could be more fun than playing the in rocks?

"William...you under there?"

I laid down on the rocks, I thought I would show you fall in South Texas.

It's nice....I guess.

But fall in Michigan, oh my, nice just doesn't quite describe it.

It is much prettier there.

I am just sayin'

One Year Ago

2008-11-11T13:47:00.006-06:00

My, Oh my...how time does fly. One year ago today, Richard and I made that life altering decision to open our hearts and home, and to become a forever family to children who needed one. I will never forget that morning when my beloved said it was time to adopt. I didn't know what to expect, and if I am completely honest was quite sceptical that he would follow through. Nothing against him, but we had been talking about this for so long...it was hard for me to believe it might actually happen. Oh but happen it did! What a blessing, what a joy, what an honor. I thought I would post a short over view of our process. Man did it go fast! Why on earth did time seem to drag on and on and on, while we were in the thick of it?

11/11 Decide to move forward with adoption.

11/15 Amy emails me Welcome Home's web site.

11/16 Contact Cathie, our social worker, to get the ball rolling on our home study.

11/27 Talk at length with Mandy on the phone. With out a doubt, and with no regrets, we decide to adopt from Welcome Home. Receive a list of children's names and ages to begin to pray over...as well as a price break down. Have my first thoughts of how we are going to pull this off.

12/3 Feel the Lord is calling us to adopt William and Marissa, we call Mandy and let her know.

12/8 Cathie comes for our home visit. What on earth was I so worried about? Didn't I know worry was sin?

12/27 Receive approved international home study in the mail.

12/28 Send off a two i600a applications to San Antonio USCIS office.

2/7 Fingerprints for i600a

3/2 We receive very discouraging news from USCIS. We wondering seriously if this is God stopping us.

3/12 Get everything straightened out with the courts in Kansas, and send off paperwork to USCIS. God pulls off a major miracle and moves hearts, like only He can.

4/9 Have screaming hysterical fit in the office with three children as we open a big manila envelope from USCIS. Approval to bring home two Ugandans!

5/15 Receive our court date. Begin preparing to leave for our children.

5/28 Board a plane for Africa.

6/2 Court

6/5 Judge grants us legal guardianship.

7/2 Arrive home and reunited as a family.

What a mighty, Awesome, and Loving God we serve. He has blessed me beyond compare. I still can't believe these kids are mine. It truly is an indescribable gift He has given us. We love them so very much. They bring abundant joy and laughter to our home. Not to mention they are darn cute. Really have you seen them?

Hope Won

2008-11-10T09:25:00.006-06:00

I was watching a yahoo news clip, and saw Oprah wearing a shirt that said, "Hope Won."

Honestly, as we sat in our living room Tuesday evening, nothing came as a surprise to us. At least as far as the election results were concerned. What did shock us was the response of the people. There were people on their knees crying tears of joy. Looks of admiration. Dare I say almost a reverent look of awe and worship. Young girls jumping up and down and screaming. I couldn't figure out if this was going to be a presidential acceptance speech...or a Beetles concert. It was hard for me to understand why any human would act this way toward another human. Really I didn't get it. As a Christian it was quite disturbing. Then as my beloved and I were spending our Saturday morning, in our favorite way...yard selling...he put it all into perspective for me.

Hope Won.

That is exactly what Americans voted for Hope. For too long we have placed our hope in our jobs, possessions, retirement funds, our toys, our homes...the list could go on and on. We have thought that abundance would bring us satisfaction and security. Now as those things are wasting away, as they always do. Americans are once again looking for Hope. Unfortunately, they are looking in the wrong place. They are looking to a mere man, to restore to them those very things that are wasting away. They believe he offers them hope for security and satisfaction. Obama ran on a platform of change. People know they need change. They feel the emptiness and fear. They are longing for something more.

What they are longing for is Jesus, our Eternal Hope. They are longing for the Hope of salvation. The Hope and the security that comes from knowing the Living God as Savior. They are longing for a Living Hope, that will never fade or perish. They are longing for Christ in them, the hope of glory. This is where peace is found. This is where true, good, and lasting, change is found. This is where security is found. In Him, and Him alone, should we place our hope.

The enemy of this world has blinded the eyes of many. Whispering lies to a multitude of people who have placed their hope in the wrong things, in the wrong people. I pray the God of all Hope would have mercy on us. That He might grant us repentance. That He might gives us true Hope.

Psalm 146 (ESV)

1 Praise the LORD!Praise the LORD, O my soul!

2I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3 Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

4When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6 who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;

7 who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.The LORD sets the prisoners free;

8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.

9 The LORD watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

10 The LORD will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!

Why?

2008-11-06T10:14:00.017-06:00

This is a subject that has been on my heart for quite some time now. I think about it off and on, and I repeatedly ask God when He will move on the hearts of His people. I don't in anyway want this post to come off as judgemental...so please don't take it that way. This is just something the Lord is teaching me and I want to write about it...so there :) It is just that this post, brought it to the front of my mind yet again.

Why do people adopt children? I am sure that there are varied reasons as to why families want to open there homes to orphaned and most often hurting children. I know that one of the main reasons is a desire to expand ones family. I would never say that this is a wrong or less wonderful reason for adoption. It is in fact why we adopted. When we began this adventure, that was our sole reason. We wanted more children, and couldn't have them. For some, they long for the laughter of children in their too quiet lives, so they pursue adoption. It is indeed a wonderful and blessing filled way to grow a family.

Over the course of this adoption, the Lord has opened our heart to His, on the plight of the orphan. By the time we left for Uganda, we still wanted to have the blessing of more children, but there was no doubt that this was now something more for us. It has been said by many in the adoption world, that one should never adopt just to "save" a child. This is true on many levels, for instance we really cannot save a child from anything, that is a responsibility for God alone. I understand the message behind this to some degree, but mostly I don't understand it all.

Could it possibly be wrong to open our homes to children to protect them from the kind of terrible abuse the two in the blog post endured? Is it wrong to want to free them from their prison of abuse and despair?

Could it possibly be wrong to open our homes so that children can have the much needed necessities of life. Food, clean water, shelter, clothing? Have we stopped to consider, particularly in foreign countries, that the children might die of starvation unless they are brought into families. Have we thought about the young girls who most likely will end up on the streets, selling their bodies to have daily bread?

What about illness and disease? Is it wrong to want to open our homes to sick children, so that they might have the medical care that they need to live?

Could it possibly be wrong to open our homes to children so that they might know the safety and love that comes from family?

Would not all the reasons be Biblical reasons to open our homes to children?

I would say they are all viable, good, and God honoring reasons for adoption, I think the Lord agrees.

Matthew 25: 34-40 NIV
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

When I read the above mentioned blog post my heart broke. My heart broke for the family that has to make this heart wrenching decision. My heart broke for the children who have suffered so terribly. My heart broke because I know that MOST people looking to adopt are looking to build a family...and not help build up hurting children. Therefore, most of the people will look at these children and realize, with young children already in the home, they cannot open their home to these precious children. Oh, I cannot tell you how often I cry, "Lord please open the hearts of your people, don't let your children suffer any more."

You see, I adopted to build my family. I am so thankful for the inability to have more bio they children, because it has brought me two amazing blessings. However, I want to make it perfectly clear, that if we ever have the blessing of adopting again it will be to "save a child." Yes, we will be overwhelmingly excited to add more children to our family, but even more, I will be profoundly awed at the ability to serve Jesus in such a way.

It is my prayer that the Lord will move. That adoption will not be just a means of building a family....not because it is not a wonderful way of building a family...but because far too many people who don't want anymore children are missing out on serving Jesus. Too many people who feel their children rearing days are over, are missing the blessing of serving Jesus in this way. Too many children are missing out on the love, protection, and healing they so deserve.

I know full well it is not God's will that every person adopt, just like it is not God's will for all to be a missionary to China.

Should we not a least ask, "Lord, would you have us open our home?"

Should we not at least ask what He would have us to do?