Happy Birthday to my dad!!
Today is a pretty big day in adoption land. Our missinary friends had a meeting with the Minister of Family and Gender in Rwanda to talk about what we are wanting to do. We are anxiously awating an email from them to hear the news. The meeting has been postponed twice this week, so mostly I'm just hoping that they were able to meet.
We had our home study yesterday. Not near as scary as I thought it was going to be! She didn't check under the beds or anything....
OK as I'm typing a call came in and the meeting went GREAT!! Thank you Lord!! His timing is always perfect! We did find out another hoop we have to jump through, but it is not a big deal at all. Just some more paperwork, I can do that in my sleep!
Ya'll I can not describe this feeling, I guess it is mostly hopeful. I was running low on faith that we could actually pull this off. But, as usual, God knows just what we need and when we need it. When I look back at the past 10+ years and see all the ways God has prepared our lives for this adventure, I am reasured that He never leaves me and that His ways are true and right. I can see over an over where He has stepped in and changed my way of thinking or a direction I was going. He continues to grow me in His ways. I'm so thankful that He hasn't given up on me!!
And I am so thankful for all of you who are praying and supporting us. Prayer works!!
I'm off to Wal-Mart to buy dog food...life marches on!!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
A Few Good Men
That's what I have in my life. We have been sick since Monday, but the kids seem a little better today. I, however, am sicker. UGH I took a shower thinking I would feel better, but it did the opposite and drained me, so I admitted defeat and called my father-in-law and asked him if he would bring us a cheese pizza from Sam's. (Our favorite!) Not only did he do that, but he added a HUGE container of pineapple! Dave is out of town, but called to say that he would come straight home tomorrow instead of stopping to see friends. So sweet. And my sweetest Davis has been taking care of me all day. He made me a glass of water, colored me a picture and has hugged me at least 100 times. He always knows just what I need! I am surrounded by Good Men. Thank you, Lord!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Monday, March 19th
We turned in our paperwork today! The process is official! Next Wed. is our 4-5 hour home study. I'm a little apprehensive, but nothing a google search won't help improve. I'm not sure yet if they are going to open all the cabinets and white glove it, or just hide in the corner and take notes as I parent. Both could be dangerous!!
The support from our friends is overwhelmingly awesome. I have had one friend in particular that eased many of the "I have no baby things" freak out session. She has volunteered to give me a shower, and has offered a ton of her own hand-me-downs. What an angel she is!
A shower, it hadn't even crossed my mind. This is so different than either of my other kids. I couldn't care less about baby themes, matching furniture, or $60 diaper bags. Diapers are more than the orphans have right now. I love the clarity of this! I wish I had this with both kids.
Dave is out of town for a few days and I was really looking forward to some fun alone time with the kids, but we all woke up with fevers. So, out came the bed in the couch, popcorn and movies. Not a great way to start Spring Break! But anytime spent snuggling with the kids is a good time!!
Thanks for following another day. Hopefully we will have something exciting to report soon.
The support from our friends is overwhelmingly awesome. I have had one friend in particular that eased many of the "I have no baby things" freak out session. She has volunteered to give me a shower, and has offered a ton of her own hand-me-downs. What an angel she is!
A shower, it hadn't even crossed my mind. This is so different than either of my other kids. I couldn't care less about baby themes, matching furniture, or $60 diaper bags. Diapers are more than the orphans have right now. I love the clarity of this! I wish I had this with both kids.
Dave is out of town for a few days and I was really looking forward to some fun alone time with the kids, but we all woke up with fevers. So, out came the bed in the couch, popcorn and movies. Not a great way to start Spring Break! But anytime spent snuggling with the kids is a good time!!
Thanks for following another day. Hopefully we will have something exciting to report soon.
I loved this quote I found!
One of my favorite remarks on adoption comes from the writer Sallie Tisdale. She, like many international adoptive parents, copes with people pretending to find her marvelous. "Oh, you've saved these children," people say to me."How grand." "How noble." "You're really so good."
But adoption is not about doing good works. For that, we have volunteer assignments, we have charitable giving. If doing good deeds is what you're after, no trained adoption professional on earth will process your paperwork.
Sallie Tisdale writes: "Adoption is not rescue, not exactly, and yet I saved the lives of these children. Writing that, I feel no sense of nobility or virtue, nothing lofty at all. I saved the lives of my own children, which is a selfish act. I saved them for myself."
But adoption is not about doing good works. For that, we have volunteer assignments, we have charitable giving. If doing good deeds is what you're after, no trained adoption professional on earth will process your paperwork.
Sallie Tisdale writes: "Adoption is not rescue, not exactly, and yet I saved the lives of these children. Writing that, I feel no sense of nobility or virtue, nothing lofty at all. I saved the lives of my own children, which is a selfish act. I saved them for myself."
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Sat. March 17th
Happy St. Patty's Day!
I copied the below text from a missionary's blog. It spoke volumes to me.
I’ve bitten my tongue for a long time about the urgency of the task, but do not believe I could be a faithful messenger of the Gospel and remain silent any longer. If you read old missionary letters or missions’ history the urgency of the missionary task has always been a core part of the missionary message. Unfortunately, in contemporary American Christianity urgency seems to no longer be a feel good topic. Instead, we frequently use pseudo-spiritual mumbo jumbo as a cop out as we longer attempt great things for God. When we don’t have enough courage to attempt historic endeavors we use the phrase “the will of God” to baptize our own failures of vision and action. I’m convinced it’s always God’s will to make disciples. We don’t wait for perfect timing, methods, or messengers. I’m also convinced there are seasons in history in which the Lord opens up opportunities that are truly out of the ordinary. There are seasons in which His spirit moves across a city, people, or nation; and prepares them for great receptivity. When His Spirit moves in such a way, the wise farmer heavily invests in such receptive soils. I’m convinced this is happening now in Rwanda, and it is time to respond.
I’ll only use one biblical story that has always terrified me to make my point. In Numbers 13 and 14, twelve spies were sent to spy out the Promised Land. They returned unanimously convinced that the land was one of abundance. However, only two believed the Lord’s strength was sufficient to take the land. Ten of those who were gifted leaders chose to lead the people in doubt, fear, and rebellion. As a result an entire generation was set aside. Forty years later, a new generation would arise to take the land. The text is clear that it was God’s will for the Promised Land to be taken by the nation of Israel. However, the first generations lack of faith and courage became the deciding factor in what God would do with them.
Are there times today, in which God places before us an opportunity that requires faith and courage, and instead we complain, fear, and simple do not act? I’m convinced there are many. My great fear is that I’ll be one who is set aside until God rises up a generation who will follow him with their full heart.
My good friend Justin Rudasingwa said similar words to me in November 2004 as he grew weary of American Christians who loved the idea of ministering in Rwanda, but would not commit to going – “The facts have been found. How many fact finding missions do we need? Who will come?”
Our family could escape our responsibility no longer, and chose to come to Rwanda in June 2005. We have been amazed at what we have seen. The opportunities are amazing and we ask for others to now partner with us in this great endeavor for God. The task is urgent. I don’t believe the historic tragedies of Rwanda were God’s will. Instead they indict our failures to be God’s people
I copied the below text from a missionary's blog. It spoke volumes to me.
I’ve bitten my tongue for a long time about the urgency of the task, but do not believe I could be a faithful messenger of the Gospel and remain silent any longer. If you read old missionary letters or missions’ history the urgency of the missionary task has always been a core part of the missionary message. Unfortunately, in contemporary American Christianity urgency seems to no longer be a feel good topic. Instead, we frequently use pseudo-spiritual mumbo jumbo as a cop out as we longer attempt great things for God. When we don’t have enough courage to attempt historic endeavors we use the phrase “the will of God” to baptize our own failures of vision and action. I’m convinced it’s always God’s will to make disciples. We don’t wait for perfect timing, methods, or messengers. I’m also convinced there are seasons in history in which the Lord opens up opportunities that are truly out of the ordinary. There are seasons in which His spirit moves across a city, people, or nation; and prepares them for great receptivity. When His Spirit moves in such a way, the wise farmer heavily invests in such receptive soils. I’m convinced this is happening now in Rwanda, and it is time to respond.
I’ll only use one biblical story that has always terrified me to make my point. In Numbers 13 and 14, twelve spies were sent to spy out the Promised Land. They returned unanimously convinced that the land was one of abundance. However, only two believed the Lord’s strength was sufficient to take the land. Ten of those who were gifted leaders chose to lead the people in doubt, fear, and rebellion. As a result an entire generation was set aside. Forty years later, a new generation would arise to take the land. The text is clear that it was God’s will for the Promised Land to be taken by the nation of Israel. However, the first generations lack of faith and courage became the deciding factor in what God would do with them.
Are there times today, in which God places before us an opportunity that requires faith and courage, and instead we complain, fear, and simple do not act? I’m convinced there are many. My great fear is that I’ll be one who is set aside until God rises up a generation who will follow him with their full heart.
My good friend Justin Rudasingwa said similar words to me in November 2004 as he grew weary of American Christians who loved the idea of ministering in Rwanda, but would not commit to going – “The facts have been found. How many fact finding missions do we need? Who will come?”
Our family could escape our responsibility no longer, and chose to come to Rwanda in June 2005. We have been amazed at what we have seen. The opportunities are amazing and we ask for others to now partner with us in this great endeavor for God. The task is urgent. I don’t believe the historic tragedies of Rwanda were God’s will. Instead they indict our failures to be God’s people
Friday, March 16, 2007
Friday March 16th
UGh! After reading my post I feel like I must apologize. I am not an English Major, and I am usually doing really well to get my own name spelled right! So I am sorry if sentences sound funny, or don't make a bit of sense! So please bear with me and know that most of these post are written very late at night!
Let's see...update on today...we have almost all of our paperwork ready to be turned in. Monday is our personal dead line. We still have not told the kids yet, so if you see us in person, please talk in code!! My kids are very literal, so if we tell them we are adopting a baby, they would expect me to have the baby today! Once we get all of our paperwork finished and a little farther down the road we will tell them everything. It's funny because we have been praying as a family for Mark and Sharon who are adopting also, and Davis told Dave last night, "I think mom wants one of those babies.". I love that boy!! Does he know me or what?
Life is still going on as usual for us. Davis has T-Ball practice tonight and then they both have practice Sat. am. I'm still working p/t about 2 days a week. Dave's job is going great and we are, finally, figuring out this whole working-from-home thing.
Much love to you all!
Let's see...update on today...we have almost all of our paperwork ready to be turned in. Monday is our personal dead line. We still have not told the kids yet, so if you see us in person, please talk in code!! My kids are very literal, so if we tell them we are adopting a baby, they would expect me to have the baby today! Once we get all of our paperwork finished and a little farther down the road we will tell them everything. It's funny because we have been praying as a family for Mark and Sharon who are adopting also, and Davis told Dave last night, "I think mom wants one of those babies.". I love that boy!! Does he know me or what?
Life is still going on as usual for us. Davis has T-Ball practice tonight and then they both have practice Sat. am. I'm still working p/t about 2 days a week. Dave's job is going great and we are, finally, figuring out this whole working-from-home thing.
Much love to you all!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Wed. March 14th.
Today was an amazing day of God moments that continue to prove that our decision is the right one.
I started out the morning at my usual Wed. am bible study. We are doing a series by Beth Moore on the fruit of the spirit. In our video session she began talking about her adoption and the impact it had on her children. With tears streaming down my face, I thanked God for his amazing timing. We were suppose to watch that session 2 weeks ago, but due to the weather we were delayed. Perfect Timing!
After the bible study we had a luncheon and at my table I was talking about the adoption to a few friends. Some ladies behind us were also chatting about it and I told them my story. These loving women assured me that we were doing the right thing and that they would be praying for us. The question of money came up and I told them that we were not sure how much it was going to cost yet, but we are figuring about $10,000. In the adoption world that is a drop in the bucket, but in our one income family that is a HUGE stretch. Several of them said they would be willing to help us financially because they were "too old" to adopt. (age is just a number!) My heart was warmed! What generosity and faith they have! I am so thankful to be in a church family that would support a "new" family. (We just placed membership with Quail in Aug. of 06, but have been members of the Church of Christ forever!)
I can't thank you enough for partnering with us in prayer and helping us to bring our child home. I can't wait to tell him the story of his adoption and all the hearts that were involved in getting him here to us.
The emotional craziness of God laying this adoption on our hearts is fading, but the peaceful feeling of my child being in Rwanda is very real. I do not feel panicked, or desperate. Just driven to get things done in a timely fashion.
Thanks you again for your prayers and for taking the time to read this long post. Please keep praying for God's wisdom over our lives.
I started out the morning at my usual Wed. am bible study. We are doing a series by Beth Moore on the fruit of the spirit. In our video session she began talking about her adoption and the impact it had on her children. With tears streaming down my face, I thanked God for his amazing timing. We were suppose to watch that session 2 weeks ago, but due to the weather we were delayed. Perfect Timing!
After the bible study we had a luncheon and at my table I was talking about the adoption to a few friends. Some ladies behind us were also chatting about it and I told them my story. These loving women assured me that we were doing the right thing and that they would be praying for us. The question of money came up and I told them that we were not sure how much it was going to cost yet, but we are figuring about $10,000. In the adoption world that is a drop in the bucket, but in our one income family that is a HUGE stretch. Several of them said they would be willing to help us financially because they were "too old" to adopt. (age is just a number!) My heart was warmed! What generosity and faith they have! I am so thankful to be in a church family that would support a "new" family. (We just placed membership with Quail in Aug. of 06, but have been members of the Church of Christ forever!)
I can't thank you enough for partnering with us in prayer and helping us to bring our child home. I can't wait to tell him the story of his adoption and all the hearts that were involved in getting him here to us.
The emotional craziness of God laying this adoption on our hearts is fading, but the peaceful feeling of my child being in Rwanda is very real. I do not feel panicked, or desperate. Just driven to get things done in a timely fashion.
Thanks you again for your prayers and for taking the time to read this long post. Please keep praying for God's wisdom over our lives.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Tuesday March 13th.
Today we met with Mark and Sharon at Bennigan's to talk about the adoption process and where to start. The meeting was wonderful and I think both Dave and I are going to be very attached to them when all of this is said and done. We are truly blessed to be sharing this time with them.
Mostly we talked about paperwork and flight plans. We got some direction and the name of an agency that handles adoption. After lunch we headed over to the agency and picked up paperwork and talked a little about time and money. We have to start with some background checks and fingerprinting and go from there.
Dave and I are still very sure about this. It's not very often that he and I are driven in the same direction! But we both know what was layed on our hearts.
Today my prayer is for the birth mother. Lord, bless her life and keep her healthy and strong. Give her a peace that her baby will be loved and cared for. Most of all give her the strength to get through the last few weeks or months of pregnancy. Lord, I have such a love for her. Thank you for her and her sacrifice. Amen
Mostly we talked about paperwork and flight plans. We got some direction and the name of an agency that handles adoption. After lunch we headed over to the agency and picked up paperwork and talked a little about time and money. We have to start with some background checks and fingerprinting and go from there.
Dave and I are still very sure about this. It's not very often that he and I are driven in the same direction! But we both know what was layed on our hearts.
Today my prayer is for the birth mother. Lord, bless her life and keep her healthy and strong. Give her a peace that her baby will be loved and cared for. Most of all give her the strength to get through the last few weeks or months of pregnancy. Lord, I have such a love for her. Thank you for her and her sacrifice. Amen
Monday, March 12, 2007
Monday, March 12th
Well, we slept on it. And nothing has changed! We are even more determined to get the ball rolling. I'm listening to Dave-O tell his mom the reasons why we are doing this and with every word my heart fills with love for him.
I want to tell my parents and sisters so badly. But part of me is cautious because if for some reason it doesn't work I don't want them to hurt. The other part of me is scared stiff because to them I'm just the baby, the brat child. Who in the world am I to be taking this kind of leap?
So today will be the day to start the phone calls. I'm not fully sure of the questions I need to ask, but I do know I need a passport, so that is what I am going to start on today.
A baby, a baby in Rwanda. That is our hearts desire. Not because our beautiful children are not enough, but because we have more love to give! Since Paige was born I have known that I'm done birthing children, but I never felt like I was done being a mom. Only with God's blessing will this adventure begin and end. I have started praying now for protection and safety for us, for our child and for the whole process.
I want to tell my parents and sisters so badly. But part of me is cautious because if for some reason it doesn't work I don't want them to hurt. The other part of me is scared stiff because to them I'm just the baby, the brat child. Who in the world am I to be taking this kind of leap?
So today will be the day to start the phone calls. I'm not fully sure of the questions I need to ask, but I do know I need a passport, so that is what I am going to start on today.
A baby, a baby in Rwanda. That is our hearts desire. Not because our beautiful children are not enough, but because we have more love to give! Since Paige was born I have known that I'm done birthing children, but I never felt like I was done being a mom. Only with God's blessing will this adventure begin and end. I have started praying now for protection and safety for us, for our child and for the whole process.
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