Fingerprinting - DONE!

The photo above was taken by Reid on his new Droid.  The rest of us were sound asleep as he drove us to Nashville.  I'm so glad he's a morning person!

August 20, 2010 - Ch-Check! Fingerprinting is finally completed in Nashville.

We loaded the boys up at 5:30 am and headed to middle Tennessee for our 8:00 am appointment time. We gained an hour traveling over because Nashville is one hour behind.

Total time from start to finish - 21 minutes! DONE!

Expected wait time for I-171H two to five weeks.

I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.  Psalm 38:15

Now, off to apply for the kids' passports!

Wordless Wednesday

All the middle schoolers headed to the STU! Braces, braces, braces!

Precious Block Party Buddies

Friends from the Tuesday night Bible Study at Water Angels: Jacquie, Kathy, Dana, Lisa, Me, and Sally! What a gift to know these gals!

My sacrificial serving friends: (back Row) Emily, Kelly, and Kristie (front row) Cathy, Lamar - after his hair cut, and me. Loved being with you today! What a blessing you are!

I love you all!

Blast Them Varmits

We've been robbed!  Numerous times!  Since the beginning of summer, there has been an ongoing burglar at our house.  It's been breaking in to our outdoor trash cans.  This little menace has strewn our garbage all over the backyard too many times to count.  I've been thankful that we have boys because each time our culprit visits, they receive clean-up duty.

Well, enough is enough. 

Mason and Franklin decided their BB guns would frighten him enough to not return.  So, on Sunday night as Franklin walked downstairs toward his bedroom, he heard the animal scuffling outside with our garbage cans.  It was after 11:00, so he knew this nocturnal visitor had come calling.

Franklin ran upstairs and then he and Mason went to get their BB guns.  They walked around the house and shot at the raccoon making such trouble.  He fled.  Obviously fearing his life!  (If I were a raccoon, I'd avoid two kids with BB guns too!)

Mason and Franklin sauntered up onto the deck giving high fives for winning the challenge.  They were leaning on the railing when Reid joined them on the back deck with a flashlight.  As Reid shown the flashlight into the dark night, it cast the illumination on six beady eyes!  There were three more raccoons on the deck! About five feet from Mason and Franklin!  They both started shooting, and Reid was batting the gray and black creatures with a mop handle.  (This was the only weapon to be found out there.  So glad we Pine Sol-ed the kitchen floor that day!)

Thankfully, the raccoon threesome was skittish.  One took the 20 foot leap down to the backyard while the others scurried down the steps.  Mason and Franklin continued using their trusted Red Rider BB guns to "blast them varmits!"  Well, Yee-Haw!

My men - all three of them - galloped down the hall to share their version of the breathtaking battle with these rascals.  (As I listened, I was very thankful it was not me on the deck.  Otherwise the entire neighborhood would have woken up to my shrill scream!   AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!  It is comforting to know I'm so well protected!  Red Rider BB guns and a mop handle...)

The following day, we asked our neighbor if we could borrow his live trap.  Our friend has set it numerous times, but all he found each morning was...one of his cats...or one of the neighborhood cats.  No raccoons to speak of.

Monday night Reid set the trap near our garbage cans using hot dogs for bait.  Tuesday morning, one of the raccoons was caught.  I insisted Reid let him go.  I think Reid may have had other plans.  (A friend at Reid's office said if his wife had said that then she could have let it out of the cage!  I'm so glad I'm married to Reid!)  He did let the raccoon go.

Braden actually wanted to keep the raccoon for a pet until it growled at him.  He was a mean little booger!

Tuesday night Reid set the trap near our garbage cans using hot dogs for bait. Wednesday morning, one of the raccoons was caught. I insisted Reid let him go. I think Reid may have had other plans.  But, he did let the raccoon go.

Wednesday night Reid set the trap near our garbage cans using hot dogs for bait. Thursday morning, one of the raccoons was caught. I insisted Reid let him go. I think Reid may have had other plans. A pistol perhaps?  Seriously!  But, he did let the raccoon go.

As I sit writing this post, guess what Reid is doing?  Yep.  Setting the trap with hot dogs!  We will see if all four of them like hot dogs!

Aren't we a little like these raccoons?  We see the destruction of sin - bad choices - wrongful habits.  But, sometimes we think these things won't have the same effect on us...  "No, we won't fall in to the trap if we are tempted.  We'll enjoy the hot dog (sin) without being trapped."

The Bible says, "All we like sheep have gone astray."  Tonight, I say, "All we like raccoons have walked into the trap of sin."  But I'm thankful for our God who sets us FREE after we have confessed it. Like my dear husband did for these raccoons.  No pistol, just freedom!  God is so good!

I've realized this severe depression of mine has been rooted in my own sin.  My doubt and distrust of the Lord's goodness have been sinful.  I walked into the trap after temptation taunted me.  I took my eyes off Jesus and instead, focused on my circumstances.  Forgive me, Lord!  Thank you for setting me free with your complete forgiveness!  I love you, Jesus!

Whew!  I've gotta head to bed.  My beady eyes are tired! 

 

Do We Realize?

On Sunday night, I watched this You Tube video. These photos were taken recently on the other side of the world where a civil war has broken out between two ethnic groups. These are real pictures...real people...real destruction...real tragedy...real evil...real sorrow.

As the video played, tears rolled down the cheeks of a young woman who has lived there. Her children call this home, and they are soon to return.  How would you prepare a four year old for these images?

Mathiang was with us watching the horror. He has lived it...except in Sudan. Hundreds of thousands of children escaping by foot to save their own lives.  Walking across three countries to safety.  What the images on the You Tube video must have caused him to remember... His own story is gut-wrenching. He lost three sisters and three brothers in the War in Sudan in which over 2 million people were killed. Two million people! But we, here in protected America, never heard about it on the news. Two million people - wiped off the face of the earth. Slaughtered in a few short years, but this was not newsworthy.

Do we realize how sheltered we are from the rest of the world? Our posh lives and self indulgence numb us to the pain we choose not to see. Why?

While we are having our hair colored, checking e-mail or Facebook, buying new decor for our over sized house - do we even stop to think about what is happening in the rest of the world?  How far are we willing to extend our reality?  Honestly, now that we are in the adoption process, my mind travels the globe often.  My heart has been softened to pray for those beyond the scope of our nation.

Tonight as we were driving home, we passed an "Emergency Pet Clinic." Newly constructed with very modern appeal. (I wish I'd taken a picture.)  I suppose veterinarians work there 24/7 in case there is a pet emergency. While passing the clinic, these images passed through my mind.

A nurse on our team taking a woman's blood pressure and the pharmacy...

In Ghana, West Africa, where Overcomer is waiting, the hospitals are extremely scarce. These two photos were taken on a mission trip there.  You are seeing the traveling hospital and pharmacy.  Some people walked for three days to be seen by a doctor. THREE DAYS OF WALKING and we quibble if our appointment here is 10 minutes overdue! These clinics were held outside, under trees and open pavilions. Ghanaian doctors traveled to remote villages in order to give the needed care. Many of these people had not seen a doctor for over three years, because their only method of transportation is their feet. The hospital we visited in Ghana was open to the elements (no mosquito nets, screens, or windows).  It was unsanitary - even in the operating room.  The hospital pharmacy contained bottles labeled with masking tape on the shelf.  As for private rooms, there were none.  Twenty or so people to a room.  Words can not describe the conditions.

Medical care is unavailable for the majority of people in third world countries. Nothing for diseases that could be cured with a vaccination, proper treatment, or medication. Yet, we have an emergency room to take our dogs and cats.  We care for our animals more than God's precious children.  Animals over living, breathing people.  Is this reflective of the heart of God?

Years ago in Jamaica I became ill while on a mission trip. A nurse on our team sought a thermometer to check my fever. Ladies and gentlemen, there was ONE thermometer for a village of 250 people. ONE! Not a doctor or clinic within 60 miles.

Americans are frustrated over the expected changes in our reliable, available, affordable (but we complain) medical care here in our country. Wake up and look beyond our borders, beyond the oceans. Open our eyes Lord!  Help us realize!  Help us show your mercy and love!

Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'

"What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"

"The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.

Jesus said, "Go and do the same."
Luke 10:30-37 MSG

If this parable had been written about you, which character would you be upon meeting the Samaritan (Guatemalan, Jamaican, Ghanaian, Ethiopian,...) in need?  Would you be the good Samaritan, the one whom Jesus refers to as the one who "became a neighbor to the man."  Aren't we supposed to love our neighbors as ourselves?  What can you do to be a blessing to others?  What can I?

Please know as I've typed this my heart has been convicted.  My heavy typing finger is pointing back at me. 

I'm praying over these questions too...

Pray Without Ceasing

Our family is praying for families that have gone before us in the adoption process...those families that are currently on the journey to bringing their children home - for those beginning, in the middle, and those facing an excruciating wait until the final homecoming...and for three families who pursued adoption and the path ended with great heartbreak.


Adoption is not easy. It is not guaranteed. It is not for the fainthearted. There are some "ups" and some "downs," but the Lord is faithful in it all.  Today I've been praying for God the guard the hearts of waiting parents against discouragement.  For challenges post adoption, I've prayed wisdom to connect mother and child...father and child...brothers and sisters.  For family units to be grounded on the sure foundation of Christ.  These are some of the reasons we have held you close today. The Lord has brought you to mind over and over.

Thank you for taking the road less traveled. You HAVE made a difference in this great world. Thank you each for being a witness of Christ to our family.  
 
Friends, please pray for all the families on this challenging journey of faith.
 

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

Wordless Wednesday

Our family is missing someone...
 

Better Days are Comin'

Today was my first day off any pain medication - not even ibuprofen!  Yeah-Rah!

As my feet hit the floor this morning, I felt physically better than I have since surgery.  Breakfast began the day with waffles and sausage - I felt like cooking!  Two heartfelt phone calls reminded me - yes, I am loved.  By our amazing God and also by some very special people.  Several e-mails I read today brought a smile to my face.  (I've been away from e-mail for a while - I think I avoid it when I feel overwhelmed.)  My pro-planner friend, Janet, helped me over the hump to actually believe - yes, I can homeschool this year.  What does Philippians 4:13 say?  No, I will not be as organized as Janet, but that's okay.  Mason sang me a song he's been writing - the depth of his words spoke volumes.  The cry of orphans set to a rich, sad guitar strum.  Mason's song made me feel it.  Braden gave me his "Dirt Buddy."  It was a craft he made in Bible School last week, and he named it after his brother in Africa.   (The craft is like a Chia-Pet, and will grow grass hair that we will cut in two weeks.)  After looking for over a week, today I found some money I thought had been lost.  And, drum-roll please, Reid finished the first capstone on the retaining wall and began mortaring the stone.  After a few tears this morning that came from no where, it's turned out to be a wonderful day.   Thank you all for praying for me.  Today I felt your prayers.  I have felt the presence of the  Lord.

Adoption Update - One more notarization and our dossier is ready to be mailed.  Our fingerprinting appointment is in less than two weeks.

It's been awkward writing about our son in Ghana without divulging his name.  (For his protection and ours, it's not wise to use it on the Internet.)  We are planning to keep his name and also give him a family name reflective of our other boys...all family names that are 2 syllables and end with "n."  We have one, but...well, you're going to have to keep checking back.  How's that for dangling a carrot?

I've been pondering a name to use on this blog instead of continually referring to him as our child in Africa, our son in Africa, our child in Ghana, or our son in Ghana.  Quite repetitive.  One friend suggested calling him "Precious" but I kept thinking of the Lord of the Rings movie.  Not a fit. 

After praying, God's given us a name to use on this blog.  It's a word He has brought to mind numerous times regarding our waiting child.  As I've prayed for him wondering about his past, present, and future, the Lord has continued to bring the word Overcomer.  In my heart, I truly believe he will be!  Therefore when I write about him, I'll be calling him Overcomer on this blog.   You can even pray for him by that name.  God knows who he is!  I found these verses and believe they fit Overcomer.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.  

Revelation 21:1-7

Did you read the last line?  He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.  Oh, yes sweet child, we are praying for you.  May little Overcomer be a great friend of God. 


 

Writing an Author

This morning I did something I've never done... I wrote a letter to an author.  Because of my surgery, I've spent the last two days off my feet and curled up reading her books.  (I'm not sure when the last time I've been able to do that!)  All of the boys were away, so the house has been peaceful and quiet.  Thank you Amy for sending the books!

Roxanne Henke, has written several books   Several years ago, my sister gave me the book After Anne.  Tears covered the pages as I read about the deep friendship of two women.  One bravely battling breast cancer and her friend who walks alongside her for the journey.  So many memories of Ansley resurfaced as I read the written pages.  Ansley was my precious friend who suffered a two and a half year battle with breast cancer and finally left earth to meet her savior.  Her homecoming was February 13, 2007. 

From what I can gather, I believe Roxanne Henke has been through a similar loss and her first book, After Anne, was written after enduring the cancer road with her friend.   Evidently the Lord has allowed this author and I to have similar trials on earth because as I read Becoming Olivia, her main character has the same struggle with depression as myself.  Similar thoughts, similar responses, similar story.  This character, Olivia, is based on Roxanne Henke's own personal story. 

Her character amazed me with the resemblance of similarities with myself.  Battling thoughts of worthlessness, failure, guilt, sadness, anxiety - all of it reminded me of...me.  Surprisingly, grief can still be a trigger for this emotional downslide.  And, for me, grief still comes at unexpected times.  Tears from deep within.  To pinpoint the pain is difficult because it can seem so many other factors are contributing.  The release though is to have victory in the pain through Jesus Christ.  He is ABLE!

Becoming Olivia helped me to recognize though that my JOY is surrounding me.  The Lord has graciously given me a loving husband, a terrific family, precious friends, four sons in our home and one waiting in Africa.  Amazing blessings from the Almighty!  My shortsightedness is not seeing them - embracing them for the gift they are! 

A friend gave me a journal a few days ago - the same friend who commented my blog was not a true reflection of me.  On the cover of the journal is this verse, and it is one I am claiming for the days ahead:

But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:57

I must remember I fight from a stance OF victory, not FOR victory!  Thank you Jesus!

Confession Time

On Saturday, God blessed our Yard Sale with more funds for our adoption.  Yeah!  Now, we are working toward passports for our boys ($460) and immunizations for travel ($2600).  (Yes, I have to keep everything in a baby step, the entire financial number makes my head spin.)  At about 10:30 am on Saturday, the skies opened up and the rain came down on our Yard Sale.  A torrential downpour.  We tried to cover everything, but it was a HUGE mess of soaking wet clothes, shoes, etc...  We were literally wringing out clothes Saturday afternoon.  Yuck!  It was a huge mess!  Thank you to Righ and Kristie for helping us clean up Saturday afternoon!  What would we do without friends?

There are days this blog does not reflect the "real" me. Frankly, my posts have been sporadic this summer because of not wanting to really share the "real" me with others out there who seem to have the faith, endurance, and grit to make this journey in JOY everyday.

On Saturday during the Yard Sale, as I watched the gray sky open up the gush of water, I asked God, "Why do I seem to feel like the sky looks?  Gray and dreary?"  Once the rain stopped, and I surveyed the mess, I asked God, "Why does my heart feel like our backyard looks?  Just a mess of useless junk that has no value?"

This summer I have battled depression.  No, not just a "low time," but true depression.  Days where I simply exist.  Days where I've sobbed in my bedroom floor for hours - heaving cries to God.  Desperate days when everything around me is tinted a shade of pewter gray.  Fractured days of not connecting with my family.  With a loving husband, incredible children and precious friends - still having days where I feel utterly alone.    Days where the emotion I identify the most with is...hopelessness. 

I shared with a friend yesterday that I've battled depression all summer, and she said, "Well, your blog doesn't say that." 

So, I apologize for only sharing the good, but leaving out the struggle.   You have not received a true impression of where I've been emotionally since May.  God has done and is doing amazing things, and I praise Him.  However, my emotions have sprinkled doubt in my thoughts. 

Where is my JOY?  My joy is found in the Lord, yet lately I have cried to Him, "Where are you?  I don't feel you near me.  Please show yourself to me.  Please, Lord.  Please."  I've been crying out, "Save me, Lord."  But a friend gently reminded me, my cry needs to be, "Glorify yourself, Father."  Yes, I am willing to lay down my life for the sake of your name.  Please help me learn what you are trying to teach me. 

When I look beyond today, it's more than I can handle.  So, I'm trying to only see the next step.  Looking too far ahead causes me great anxiety. 

Reid left me a note yesterday.  The lyrics to this old hymn spoke to the deepest places in my heart,

When darkness seems to hide His face

I rest in His unchanging grace

In every high and story gale

My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood

When all around my soul give way

He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand.

All other ground is sinking sand.

In two hours, I'm having a medical procedure done that will hopefully help with some physical struggles that have also ensued this summer.  Please pray that this will help some of my emotional state too.  Ugh!  Please pray for my recovery too over the next week or so. 

I need to TRUST in my GREAT GOD!  He is able to save.  My hope is in HIM ALONE.  Please pray for me to know His goodness.

I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."   Psalm 142:5

Finally, thank you for loving me in my mess.  I am grateful for the words of encouragement so many have given to us.  For the surprise visits from friends (Kelly and Kevin!), for the unexpected gifts toward the adoption, for the words of truth spoken in love, for the gifts from God that He continually pours out...For all these things - I am grateful.  Thank you! 

PS - After I typed this, I stepped away from the computer to get ready to head to the doctor.  I realized the Lord's goodness.  Today I'm having something done that will alter my body so I will no longer be able to carry children in the womb.   (Minor surgery that I suppose any woman would grieve.)  Although I will no longer be able to carry a child, I realized God's timing is perfect and he has already given us another son!  Oh, I Praise HIM!  The Lord knew the timing of all of this and has His hand over it!  Our sweet son may not be carried by my womb, but he is already in our hearts!  God is good!

How Great Is Our God

Wow!  I'm amazed!  Between the time I posted about being $1000 short for the dossier and now - less than two hours later - God has provided!  Yes, he has given us what we need to send in our dossier at the beginning of next week - His ways are amazing and miracuous!  Thank you Jesus by helping us through these secret friends!

This friend said, "Thanks for letting us help in a small way.  Let's just bring him home.  Let's just bring him home."

Every penny, nickel, and dime has added up to the $3990 we needed for this next step!  Dossier will be mailed next week!  YIPPEE!  Thank you to Jesus who has provided through everyone!  Our family is so grateful!  We are on our way to bring home our son!

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  Phil. 4:19

 

First Pic From Ghana

I just saw a picture of our little one - taken today in Ghana.  The family posted a group photo on Facebook and a friend called me after she saw him.  I nearly cried!  I called Reid and all the boys in to see him.   We were all just star-struck by the image on the screen.  It's really him!  It's really him! 

Here's the response I received after posting for the family to look for him.

*name deleted for protection

Robin- hello this is *J's* daughter. I am her personal assistant for the next week lol. I will def.ly tell my mom to look for your *child* and I am glad we could share this photo with you. ( We got several photos in the beginning from true angels and my mom fully intends to "pay it forward") .. she will be sending me more pictures tomorrow and i will post them on here. I will tell her to tell your *son* that his mommy loves him and is coming as soon as she can ;)

Thank you, Lord for watching over him -

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."  Genesis 28:15

 

The Hands of Many

Wow!  I'm one tired lady this evening.  Today was the first day of our two day yard sale.  We are in a frenzy to raise the rest of the money needed to send in our dossier.  Yesterday, we received our notice from Immigration that we have our fingerprinting appointment in Nashville in three weeks!  Now we are in a hurry to send everything to Ghana so the process can begin in country.  Today we raised 1/3 of what we still need in order to send in our dossier - $500!  Yippee!  $500 down, $1000 to go - and we trust God will provide.  

Tonight I entered the names of the people who have helped with this yard sale - either by donating something or by helping with their hands.  Can you believe over 70 people had the heart to help bring our little boy home?  Some simply donated a bag or box, some worked to price, etc...  Four families that we do not even know donated items to this fundraiser!  Thank you!

The past few days it's been a blessing to see the love of Christ in others.  My mom has been in pain, but has been here to help set-up and work this sale.  She has endured difficulty in walking to be here.  My dear friends, Janet, Patti, and Jacquie were here to set-up, price, and work the sale.  Our sons and nephews worked feverishly selling concessions and carrying heavy items to the cars.  It could not have been done without every one's help!  Kristie came by tonight and brought another load of fresh items for tomorrow sale!  Some were transported from Arkansas!  Thank you friends and family for everything you have done!  What a blessing you are to us!

Several more sweet surprises came today.  One family brought cookies and bicycles to donate.  The daughters offered great encouragement to me because they were both adopted as malnourished children - something our son has noted with severity on his medical report.  These girls are now beautiful, strong, healthy girls!  It was incredible to see how the Lord has been weaving HIS story in their lives!  Meeting them was one of the highlights of the day.  Oh to see them now!  Another was serving a free bowl of homemade ice cream to a couple celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary! 

Tonight the Lord continued to provide encouragement with the surprise visit from Ami and Rachel Carr.  They are making beautiful handmade beaded necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  Every sale will help bring our little boy home.  (1/2 for us, 1/2 for their ministry choice)  Ami said her birthday present to herself is to help us bring our little one home!  What an incredible gift!  This family has a heart for orphans.  You will have your first opportunity to purchase these tomorrow at our yard sale - so swing by.  This jewelry is amazing.  A special factor of these beads are they are made using the same technique as in Africa, so it's a special tie with orphaned children there.  Additionally, this mother and daughter are using their talents to offer gifts to God by helping others.  You might enjoy reading their vision for their jewelry - http://helpushelpchildren.blogspot.com/

Words seem so inadequate for thanks.  The blessings that have come on this journey have been astounding.  Although there are some aspects of the fundraising that has been difficult  - for example, getting everything out for the yard sale and then having a downpour (yes, it happened...again!).  God continues to remind me that this is not for us...  It's for a little boy waiting in Ghana.  One living in a foster home without electricity or running water.  A precious boy who shares a small mat on the floor with two others, and shares a cup with 24 children.  A child who does not know us yet, but who has stolen our hearts.  Yes, this is what the work, effort, and energy is spent on.  Him.  Our son.  And, even in the tiredness, it would be a JOY to do everything again...because HE is worth it.  Yes, he is!

Thank you again to everyone who has helped with this adoption -

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14,16

We praise God for blessing us with each of you!

 


PS - Remember the Yard Sale is ON tomorrow starting at 8:00 am!

GIANT YARD SALE FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

TIME FOR ANOTHER MEGA YARD SALE TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR OUR DOSSIER! 

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT OUR HOUSE -
GREAT TREASURES TO BE FOUND!  YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU CAME!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED ITEMS.  EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!   WE COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOUR HELP!  THANK YOU! 

COME BY AND SEE US!  THE BOYS WILL BE SELLING HOT DOGS, DRINKS, AND HOMEMADE ICE CREAM!

Wordless Wednesday

Our Adoption Journey

Friends,

I offer my sincerest apologies for being gone for so long.  I'm sure you were having "blog withdrawls" from my absence, but our life has been traveling at the speed of light.  The Lord has confirmed HIS child for our family, and I plan to chronicle how this child has come to be our fifth son.  (Yes, we are adopting another BOY!) 

Until then, I'd like to share one of the essays Reid and I wrote together for a grant application.  This was an incredible testimony to all that God has done and is doing to lead us on this path toward a precious little boy in Ghana, Africa.  The timeframe on the left side of the blog will share some of the details in "blurbs."

Journey to Adoption


In May of 2001, our family became the American surrogate family to a Sudanese refugee, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, Mathiang Gutnyin. He was 20 years old when he came to America, and although we were only just over a decade older, he has always called us Mom and Dad. Since he entered our lives, Christmas Eve has always included African songs and dance, our prayers are constant for the continent of Africa and for peace in Sudan, and we have witnessed God leading this young man to follow hard after Him. After nine years, Mathiang is still an integral part of our lives. He’s overcome adversity by obtaining his GED, his citizenship, and he now maintaining a 3.6 GPA majoring in International Business at Maryville College. Although our relationship with Mathiang was not a legal adoption, we consider him a son. Through Mathiang, our hearts were initially opened to the idea of opening our hearts to an orphan.

Early in 2009, Robin and I began to consider the adoption of a child. The economy had weakened, the stock market took a dive, and real estate values plummeted. During this anxious time, the Spirit of God began to stir in me saying - at a time just like this, when people tend to become more self focused, we (God’s people) need to offer hope to the most forgotten people in the world – orphans. We began to pray about adopting but sensed that the Spirit was saying we should wait because He would “bring the children.”

Shortly after, our family became involved with a local ministry to the homeless of Knoxville – Water Angels. One of the aspects of the ministry is focused toward homeless children. We befriended two boys, 9 and 12 years old, that lived at a local shelter with their mom and younger twins. Shortly after meeting them, we began having them spend weekends with us, realizing that at this time, these were the children God wanted us to love as our own children. As our involvement with these boys and their family grew, the thought of adoption began to fade but never went away completely.

In February of this year, God began to nudge us once again toward adoption. We began praying as a couple about this possibility. Our oldest son, Mason, came to us one night and shared that he believed we were to adopt a child. Additionally, the O’Learys, who are very close friends of ours, were in the process of adopting and God used this family to fan the flame of desire. Very quickly we found ourselves believing this was God’s desire for our family. One Tuesday evening in February, Robin and I were in a World Missions class. The teacher was illustrating how very short our life on earth is in view of eternity. At the same moment, we turned to each other and said we needed to immediately submit an adoption application, and our journey toward adoption was underway.

Related to the orphan problem is child slavery. God began opening our eyes to this horror shortly before we initially began praying about adoption. I was surprised to learn that child slavery is significant problem in the Volta region of Ghana where small children are sold as slaves to fishermen. I have been to Ghana twice on mission trips and Robin was with me the second time, but we were unaware at the time of the slavery problem. The O’Learys were adopting from Ghana, and the Lord seemed to be directing us toward this nation trying to stabilize their new international adoption program. From the time we had spent in Ghana, a part of our heart was already there. It seemed natural for us to pursue an orphan in that country.

We have decided on a referral, a two and one-half year old boy. We received the initial information on him on Robin’s birthday. In his picture, he is wearing a shirt exactly like one our boys used to have when they were younger. This child’s birthday is also very significant to Robin as it redeems a day which has been a reminder of loss and now God is bringing “beauty from the ashes.” We learned last week that a family in Chattanooga, Tennessee is adopting three children from Ghana who live in the same orphanage as our little boy. In fact, one of those children is currently helping to look after our soon-to-be-son. How exciting that when they all come to live in Tennessee, they will have good friends less than 2 hours away.

The Lord is leading others around us for Him to “set the lonely into families.” Since we started this process, both my sister’s family and my Robin’s sister’s family are pursuing the adoption of children from Ethiopia. Our son will have a brother from Sudan, four American brothers, nine American cousins, and two Ethiopian cousins – one on each side of the family. God is bringing the nations together. His fingerprints are incredibly evident.

In God’s gracious and compassionate heart, he has chosen to adopt us into His family. We have been chosen by Him through His great love. It is an honor to be surrendered to his call on us to bring another son in to our “quiver.” We will have “no greater joy than to see our children walking in the truth.”