Our Latest Family Photo

Here we are at a park that we love. It was so much fun to get shots with all eight of us! There are many more pictures that I hope to share later.

Sweet Momma

The Pumpkin Palace

Two years ago this month we obeyed God's call on our family to adopt and began the process. I remember standing at this pumpkin patch with Stand-Up Dad so full of excitement at what the next year might bring. We even wondered if our little ones would be with us for the fall of 2009.

They did join us in November, but were not present for the annual pumpkin patch visit. Last year we were waiting in anticipation to pass court. That was the day that these little kiddos would officially be ours. Our court date was October 29, 2009. We passed!!! And the rest is history.=)

So this year the trip to the pumpkin patch is quite special for me. For the last two years we have had these two precious ones on our heart as we visited this fun place, anticipating the day that we would share our tradition with our newest members.

This week we finally got the chance. We have had a lot of rain here and I don't enjoy mud and rain all in the same day. So we waited for the perfect day and that is what God gave us yesterday.

Brothers in boots. What could be better?

They loved tromping through the corn maze, although I got the feeling that they didn't understand the point. Come to think of it, what is the point?

One of the favorite attractions at our pumpkin patch is a huge pile of wood chips. There are little cars and sleds to ride down the side. Or you can jump or slide down on your backside. This sweet shot was taken just before each of them did a face plant into the wood chips. They both thought it was funny. I was glad.

I have a picture of my children in front of this sign for the last twelve years. When the little ones saw the sign, they both said "Hey, there it is, I know about that." So funny!

I asked Sunshine if the Pumpkin Patch was what she thought it would be. She said, "No, I didn't think it would be so much fun." They each chose their own pumpkin and cannot wait to carve it this weekend.

The tradition is complete. They are here for good. It has almost been a year and I still can't believe it sometimes. God is so good!

Sweet Momma

It's Not a Punishment; It's a Privilege

Sometimes life takes you to a place of emptiness.

You know that feeling. You have given every last bit of yourself and it is not enough.

I am so thankful that I serve a God who shines brighter when I, through my emptiness, get out of the way and allow Him to be the center of my life.

I am always amazed at what God uses to take me to this place. I definitely don't like being in this place. But I know that as I struggle to work through this time, God is continually showing Himself to be faithful and good and loving and purposeful.

Last Friday, during care group I received prayer. Last Monday, at Co-op I received prayer. I am very uncomfortable being the "one who needs prayer", but God is also working on my humility.

I took a few minutes the other night and pulled out a book by Stormie Omartian called The Power of Praying Through the Bible. It was exactly what I needed to read at the moment I needed it. God is so amazing that way.

The scripture was out of Numbers where it is talking about how God led the Israelites in the desert by forming a cloud for them to follow. When the cloud moved, they would follow. God was physically in their presence in the form of a cloud, yet they still struggled with following and obeying.

Learning to walk with God is a process. Just when we think we have it all figured out, God leads us into a new place where our old tricks won't work. In fact we may feel as if we are learning to walk all over again. And in a way we are. We enter unfamiliar territory and are soon reminded that, on our own, we stumble. Yet when we take His hand, we walk with confidence. God wants us to soar above our limitations of our circumstances and ourselves. He wants to take us to a place we have never been before and can't get there without His help.

If you are at a place where you feel as if you can't take one step without the Lord's help, be glad. He has you where He wants you. If you're wondering, 'Have I done something wrong?' the answer is most likely that you've done something right. God has you on this path, regardless of how difficult and impossible it may seem right now, because you are willing to follow Him. He wants to accomplish great things through you that can only come out of a life of faith. He wants your undivided attention because you can't do things on your own. The path is not a punishment; it's a privilege. It's not a restriction; it's a reward.

I know that I have not shared the specifics of my struggles. But I don't think that is really what matters. God is doing a work in me and my family, and I am so thankful.

So if God has you walking through a valley, remember to hold tight to His hand because He has you right where He wants you.

Sweet Momma

And All The Angels Rejoice!!!

Little Buddy posing with Luv E Lamb from Cubbies at AWANA

Today is the day that Little Buddy asked Jesus to be his personal Savior. We have been talking about it for a long time. He even asked to pray the prayer months ago when Sunshine did. But I didn't think that he really understood what it meant.

This morning before breakfast he asked again how he would go to heaven when he died. I shared the whole story again. He knows it well enough that he can say it with me.

We are all sinners and because of that sin, we can't be with God. But God made a way by sending His Son, Jesus, to earth to die on the cross for our sins. He rose again and lives with God. But all we have to do is ask Him to forgive us of our sins and ask Him to lead our lives and then...the ANGELS REJOICE!!!

Before lunch I was talking to another child and he interrupted again. I sent him to sit on his bed to think about it for a few minutes. When he came back I expected him to just apologize. But he had a very serious look on his face and he said, "Mommy I need to ask Jesus to forgive all my sins." I gathered all the siblings around to witness this amazing moment.

After his prayer we all cheered and I got to tell him about the angels rejoicing over his new salvation. That was Little Buddy's favorite part. He now knows that his name is written in the Book of Life. He is excited to know that the Holy Spirit is now living in his heart and will help him to obey.

Thank you God for new life through adoption, new life through salvation and a new life that includes both!

Sweet Momma

Happy Birthday Elsie!!!

My beautiful baby girl, the one who made me a mommy, is 14! I don't want to think about how old that makes me.

This past Friday began her weekend of birthday celebrating. She had a sleepover with some girlfriends. I love listening to them talk. This is not eavesdropping, I was just doing dishes and overheard the funniest things. Oh, to be fourteen!

My daughter amazes me! She LOVES the Lord! He is growing her daily and I am thrilled to be here daily watching the process. She is thoughtful and kind and is working to daily exhibit these qualities to her family.

I am most thankful for the relationship that is growing between the two of us. She daily shares her heart with me and I am working at listening and lovingly leading her. It truly is the coaching phase of parenting. She is growing into a precious friend.

Happy Birthday Elsie!! God bless you as you grow in His plan for your life.

Sweet Momma

My Saviour, He Can Move the Mountains!!!

Have you ever had God speak to you during corporate worship? I have, lots of times. He mostly reminds me of His love for me or reiterates a promise to my heart.

A couple of years ago God spoke very specifically to my heart during one particular song one Sunday at church. You see, I was in a very intense time of prayer with God. I had been praying for months in the area of adoption. God had placed the desire firmly on my heart and He continued to grow the desire daily.

Stand-Up Dad and I both had a desire to adopt. But Stand-Up Dad was not sure that the desire was for us. Maybe God wanted us to support others in adoption or pray more fervently about God working in adoption. He was not sure if it was the right time for us.

I went through many different emotions about this, and finally came to the place that I knew I needed to line up under my husband's authority and if we never adopted, that would have to be OK. God could just use this example to teach me obedience. Even still, the desire grew stronger, and Stand-Up Dad seemed unmoved.

Then one Sunday in church we sang this song...

Everyone needs compassion,

Love that's never failing;

Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,

The kindness of a Saviour;

The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to save,

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,

All my fears and failures,

Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow

Everything I believe in,

Now I surrender.

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to save,

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave.

It is an amazing song. But when we got to the line that says "My Saviour, He can move the mountains," God spoke to my heart, "Sweet Momma, if I can move mountains, I can move Stand-Up Dad's heart in the area of adoption. Trust me and wait." The next line talks about that God is mighty to save. I know that it is referring to salvation, but it also seemed to mean that He is mighty enough to save these two precious ones from a life of poverty without knowing God.

Of course, I bawled, and left church that day with a new promise to trust in. And you know the rest of the story.

Every time I hear or sing that song I am reminded of God's promise to me. There is NOTHING that is too hard for God. When His people pray, God moves in amazing ways.

The reason I share all of this is that God gave me another window into His heart the other day. A confirmation of His love for me and our family.

I was sitting at a school table correcting math while most of the kids were off schooling somewhere in the house. Sunshine and Little Buddy were having some playtime in a bedroom nearby. These two little ones love to sing. From the moment we met they have been singing. Our best memories in Ethiopia, were after dinner, before bed, every night they would sing and dance for hours. It was wonderful fun.

Back to correcting math. they had been playing quietly in the bedroom, when all of the sudden I heard them burst into a chorus of..

"My Saviour, He can move the mountains.

My God is mighty to save,

He is mighty to save. Forever author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave.

He rose and conquered the grave."

I didn't even know that they knew that song.

It was as if God was hugging me and saying, "Thank you for trusting me, thank you for waiting and never once doubting my plan for your life."

God is beyond amazing in His love for us.

Sweet Momma

It Just Takes Time

My Super Little Buddy

Our littlest one is working through a lot for a four year old. I have mentioned his strong will in the past. I know that God will use this "will" for good as he grows. Determination is a wonderful quality. But right now, this determination is fighting what is right and what he wants to do.

I know that you might be thinking that all four year olds do this, but it is clearly different from normal four year old stuff. I can tell that his heart is still trying to decide if this family thing is really what he wants.

Please understand that he definitely loves our family. And as an outside observer, you would say that he is completely "attached." But as his Mommy, I know that his heart is still processing. He is still testing the waters of "trust." He is still trying to see if we mean what we say when we promise to love him forever. How does he do this? In a million subtle ways every day.

Because of his "choices" he has had the opportunity to spend extra time with me. He can be quite frustrated with this arrangement. As I have said before, he wants to do what he wants to do and have fun.

One of his consequences is to sit through big church with Mom and Dad instead of going to class. He has shared in the past that he does not like this, because it is not fun. But over the last few weeks, things have changed.

At home his behavior has sort of stalled. I have become increasingly frustrated with the choices he is making and have felt at a loss to know how to move him to the next level. His behavior has actually gotten worse. Stand-Up Dad and I discuss our options or lack of them and keep praying that God will help him trust us.

Today he sat with us in church. Stand-Up Dad held him during worship and he spent the time during the sermon snuggled up with me. He played with my hair while I rubbed his back and held him close. It felt wonderful to hold him for a solid hour. I don't have that kind of time at home. During the service he asked me if he could make a card when he got home.

Immediately upon entering the house he asked Elsie to help him make a card. The card I received ten minutes later read as follows. Elsie told me that these are his exact words.

Dear Momma, I love you. We love you. I love Mom. I love you and thank you for being a good mom. Little Buddy loves Mom. Hugs and kisses - You're smart. I love being in church with you. I love when you rub me. It feels good. Do you know I love you Mom? I really do. Everybody loves you. I'll never stop loving you. Love, Little Buddy

God knew that I needed this precious card from my precious boy. He is doing a work in his heart. I have to keep trusting and praising Him in the process. It just takes time.

Sweet Momma